Voice Coil OIS Sensor Shift for Low-Parasitic Camera Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small form factor cameras face challenges in achieving high image quality due to unwanted motion of the lens, requiring effective optical image stabilization (OIS) mechanisms that minimize parasitic motion along the X and Y axes while maintaining autofocus functionality.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a camera actuator with an autofocus voice coil motor and optical image stabilization voice coil motor, utilizing a flexure module with flexures to connect a dynamic platform to a static platform, allowing in-plane motion of the image sensor and lens, and electrical traces routed through flexures for signal conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If optical image stabilization mechanisms adjust lens location on X and Y axes to compensate for unwanted motion, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines autofocus and optical image stabilization voice coil motors into a single integrated actuator assembly. The autofocus VCM adjusts lens position along the optical axis while the OIS VCM compensates for unwanted motion on X and Y axes, merging two functions into one compact unit that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator base serves multiple functions: it supports both the autofocus and OIS voice coil motors, provides a common mounting structure for shared magnets, and enables both focusing and stabilization operations from a single platform, demonstrating multi-functionality that reduces device complexity
2Ease of operation
If autofocus mechanisms move the optical lens along the optical axis to refocus, then focusing capability is improved, but parasitic motion on X and Y axes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical image stabilization voice coil motor provides preliminary counter-action by detecting and compensating for parasitic motion on the X and Y axes that occurs during autofocus operations. The OIS VCM generates opposing forces to neutralize unwanted lens displacement, allowing the autofocus mechanism to operate effectively without degrading image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful parasitic motion generated during autofocus into a controllable parameter by using the OIS VCM to actively compensate for it. The shared magnets and coils detect the parasitic motion and generate corrective forces, transforming what was previously a detrimental effect into a manageable aspect of the focusing operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides effective optical image stabilization and autofocus capabilities in a compact form factor by reducing parasitic motion and power consumption, while maintaining reliability and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
an autofocus coil fixedly mounted to the lens carrier mounting attachment for producing forces for moving a lens carrier in a direction of an optical axis
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of optical image stabilization coils moveably mounted to the image sensor carrier within the magnetic fields of the shared magnets, for producing forces for moving the image sensor carrier in a plurality of directions orthogonal to the optical axis
Data Source
AI summary
A camera includes a camera actuator having autofocus (AF) voice coil motor (VCM) with a lens carrier mounting attachment moveably mounted to a base, magnets mounted to the base, and an AF coil fixedly mounted to the lens carrier mounting attachment for producing forces for moving a lens carrier in a direction of an optical axis of a lens of the lens carrier. The magnets may include a pair of first magnets laterally spaced along a first side of the camera and a pair of second magnets laterally spaced along a second side of the camera opposite the first side. The optical image stabilization (OIS) VCM includes an image sensor carrier moveably mounted to the base, and OIS coils moveably mounted to the image sensor carrier within the magnetic fields of the magnets, for producing forces for moving the image sensor carrier in directions orthogonal to the optical axis.