US 11,378,806 B1Granted

Multi-element electromechanical actuation mechanism for asymmetric optical applications

AssigneeFacebook Technologies, LLC

InventorsJohn Cooke, Andrew John Ouderkirk, Robin Sharma, Katherine Marie Smyth

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Abstract

Techniques for adjusting an optical element using an actuator assembly. The optical element is adjusted by translating the optical element along a linear axis of motion or by applying force upon a surface of the optical element. The optical element can be a liquid lens that is shaped by the application of force upon a surface of the lens. The actuator assembly includes a plurality of lead screws and a mechanical linkage that intercouples the lead screws and that is configured to simultaneously rotate the plurality of lead screws. The actuator assembly further includes a displacement element configured to act upon the optical element, through translational motion of the displacement element in response to rotation of the lead screws. Multiple optical elements can be adjusted simultaneously using respective displacement elements coupled to the lead screws.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An actuator assembly, comprising:

a plurality of lead screws;
a mechanical linkage that intercouples the plurality of leads screws, the mechanical linkage configured to simultaneously rotate the plurality of lead screws;
a plurality of displacement elements including a first displacement element and a second displacement element, wherein:
each displacement element is configured to act upon a respective lens through translational motion of the displacement element in response to rotation of the plurality of lead screws,
the first displacement element and the second displacement element are configured to undergo translational motion together due to the first displacement element and the second displacement element both being coupled to the plurality of lead screws,
translational motion of the first displacement element causes the first displacement element to act upon a first lens by applying force to a flexible membrane of the first lens, and
translational motion of the second displacement element causes the second displacement element to act upon a second lens located behind the first lens by applying force to a flexible membrane of the second lens;
a first drive nut located between the first displacement element and a first lead screw of the plurality of lead screws, wherein a portion of the first drive nut is spaced apart from the first displacement element to accommodate rotation of the first displacement element before side loading of the first lead screw occurs;
and
a second drive nut located between the second displacement element and the first lead screw or a second lead screw of the plurality of lead screws, wherein a portion of the second drive nut is spaced apart from the second displacement element to accommodate rotation of the second displacement element before side loading of the first lead screw or the second lead screw occurs.

7 more elements

A system, comprising:

a head-mounted device including a first lens and a second lens located behind the first lens;
and
an actuator assembly housed within the head-mounted device, the actuator assembly including:
a plurality of lead screws;
a mechanical linkage that intercouples the plurality of leads screws, the mechanical linkage configured to simultaneously rotate the plurality of lead screws;
a plurality of displacement elements including a first displacement element and a second displacement element, wherein:
each displacement element is configured to act upon a respective lens through translational motion of the displacement element in response to rotation of the plurality of lead screws,
the first displacement element and the second displacement element are configured to undergo translational motion together due to the first displacement element and the second displacement element both being coupled to the plurality of lead screws,
translational motion of the first displacement element causes the first displacement element to act upon the first lens by applying force to a flexible membrane of the first lens, and
translational motion of the second displacement element causes the second displacement element to act upon the second lens by applying force to a flexible membrane of the second lens;
a first drive nut located between the first displacement element and a first lead screw of the plurality of lead screws, wherein a portion of the first drive nut is spaced apart from the first displacement element to accommodate rotation of the first displacement element before side loading of the first lead screw occurs;
and
a second drive nut located between the second displacement element and the first lead screw or a second lead screw of the plurality of lead screws, wherein a portion of the second drive nut is spaced apart from the second displacement element to accommodate rotation of the second displacement element before side loading of the first lead screw or the second lead screw occurs.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.