Additive coil structure for voice coil motor actuator
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsDouglas S. Brodie, Aurelien R. Hubert, Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Some embodiments include a camera voice coil motor (VCM) actuator that includes an additive coil structure for shifting a lens along one or multiple axes. The additive coil structure may include a base portion configured to couple with a lens carrier and at least partially surround a perimeter of the lens carrier. In various examples, the additive coil structure may include folded portions that individually include a respective coil that is located proximate a respective magnet. According to various embodiments, the additive coil structure may be formed using an additive process.
Claims20
A camera, comprising:
- a lens that defines an optical axis;
- an image sensor;
- a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator, including:
- a lens carrier configured to hold the lens;
- a magnet;
- and
- a coil structure, including:
- a base portion that is attached to and surrounds a perimeter of the lens carrier;
- and
- at least one portion that includes at least one coil located proximate the magnet;
- wherein the VCM actuator is configured to shift the lens, relative to the image sensor, based at least in part on magnetic interaction between the at least one coil and the magnet;
- and
- a spring that suspends the coil structure from a static member of the camera and that flexibly supports the lens carrier, wherein the spring comprises:
- a first portion that is coupled to the base portion;
- and
- a plurality of channels that extend from the first portion to the static member;
- wherein one or more of the plurality of channels are configured to route current to the at least one coil to drive the at least one coil.
A device, comprising:
- one or more processors;
- memory storing program instructions executable by the one or more processors to control operations of a camera;
- and
- the camera, comprising:
- a lens that defines an optical axis;
- an image sensor;
- a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator, including:
- a lens carrier configured to hold the lens;
- a magnet;
- and
- a coil structure, including:
- a base portion that is attached to and surrounds a perimeter of the lens carrier;
- and
- at least one portion that includes at least one coil located proximate the magnet;
- wherein the VCM actuator is configured to shift the lens, relative to the image sensor, based at least in part on magnetic interaction between the at least one coil and the magnet;
- and
- a spring that suspends the coil structure from a static member of the camera and that flexibly supports the lens carrier, wherein the spring comprises:
- a first portion that is coupled to the base portion;
- and
- a plurality of channels that extend from the first portion to the static member;
- wherein one or more of the plurality of channels are configured to route current to the at least one coil to drive the at least one coil.
A system, comprising:
- a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator, including:
- a lens carrier to hold a lens of a camera;
- a magnet;
- and
- a coil structure, including:
- a base portion that is attached to and surrounds a perimeter of the lens carrier;
- and
- at least one portion that includes at least one coil located proximate the magnet;
- wherein the VCM actuator is configured to shift the lens, relative to an image sensor of the camera, based at least in part on magnetic interaction between the at least one coil and the magnet;
- and
- a spring to suspend the coil structure from a static member of the camera and to flexibly support the lens carrier, wherein the spring comprises:
- a first portion that is coupled to the base portion;
- and
- a plurality of channels configured to extend from the first portion to the static member;
- wherein one or more of the plurality of channels are configured to route current to the at least one coil to drive the at least one coil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.