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US 11,895,386 B2Granted
Camera with folded optics and bearing suspension
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsAlfred N. Mireault, Nicholas D. Smyth, Scott W. Miller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and a bearing suspension arrangement. In some examples, a folded optics arrangement of the camera may include one or more lens elements and light path folding elements (e.g., prisms). Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements.
Claims20
A camera, comprising:
- a folded optics arrangement to fold a path of light, the folded optics arrangement comprising:
- one or more prisms;
- and
- a lens group, wherein the lens group includes one or more lens elements;
- an image sensor configured to capture light that has passed through the lens group and the one or more prisms;
- an actuator configured to cause relative movement between the lens group and the image sensor along three axes;
- and
- a bearing suspension arrangement comprising stages configured to move on ball bearings to allow for the relative movement along the three axes, wherein for motion along individual ones of the three axes, a respective set of the ball bearings is engaged, wherein the respective sets of ball bearings differ from one another.
5 more elements
A camera, comprising:
- a folded optics arrangement to fold a path of light, the folded optics arrangement comprising:
- a first prism;
- a second prism;
- and
- a lens group disposed between the first prism and the second prism, wherein the lens group includes one or more lens elements;
- an image sensor configured to capture light that has passed through the first prism, the lens group, and the second prism;
- an actuator configured to move at least the lens group along multiple axes relative to the image sensor;
- and
- a bearing suspension arrangement comprising stages configured to move on ball bearings, such that the stages collectively suspend the lens group from a base structure and allow the lens group to move along the multiple axes;
- wherein the actuator comprises:
- stationary coils attached to the base structure;
- and
- magnets that are moveable relative to the stationary coils, respective ones of the magnets attached to respective ones of the stages such that the magnets and coils are capable of magnetically interacting with each other to produce Lorentz forces that move the stages, together with the lens group, along the multiple axes.
10 more elements
A system, comprising:
- an actuator configured to move cause relative movement between a lens group and an image sensor along multiple axes, wherein the lens group is included in a folded optics arrangement that is configured to fold a path of light, and wherein the lens group includes one or more lens elements;
- and
- a bearing suspension arrangement comprising stages configured to move on ball bearings to allow for the relative movement along the multiple axes, wherein for motion along individual ones of the multiple axes, a respective set of the ball bearings is engaged, wherein the respective sets of ball bearings differ from one another;
- wherein the actuator comprises:
- stationary coils attached to a base structure;
- and
- magnets that are moveable relative to the stationary coils, respective ones of the magnets attached to respective ones of the stages such that the magnets and coils are capable of magnetically interacting with each other to produce Lorentz forces that move the stages along the multiple axes.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.