Camera assemblies with a flanged lens module
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsZachary W. Birnbaum, Nicholas D. Smyth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Camera assemblies that include a lens module, a camera housing enclosing the lens module, and an actuator module coupled to the lens module. The lens module includes at least one lens element disposed along an optical axis and a lens barrel at least partially surrounding the at least one lens element. The lens barrel includes a flange that defines, at an intersection with the at least one lens element, an input aperture through which light enters the lens module. The flange has a height that varies in a direction from the input aperture to an outer edge of the flange. The actuator module is configured to rotate the lens module around axes orthogonal to the optical axis with respect to the camera housing.
Claims18
A camera assembly comprising:
- a lens module having at least one lens element disposed along an optical axis and a lens barrel at least partially surrounding the at least one lens element, wherein:
- the lens barrel comprises a flange that defines, at an intersection with the at least one lens element, an input aperture through which light enters the lens module;
- and
- the flange has a height that varies in a direction from the input aperture to an outer edge of the flange;
- a camera housing at least partially enclosing the lens module;
- and
- an actuator module coupled to the lens module and configured to rotate the lens module around axes orthogonal to the optical axis with respect to the camera housing, wherein the flange has a light-absorbing coating disposed thereon.
An electronic device comprising:
- a device housing at least partially defining an interior volume of the device, the device housing including a transparent flat covering through which light may enter the device;
- and
- a camera assembly disposed within the interior volume of the device housing under the transparent flat covering, the camera assembly comprising:
- a lens module having an array of lens elements stacked along an optical axis and a lens barrel at least partially surrounding the array of lens elements, wherein:
- the lens barrel comprises a flange that defines, at an intersection with an uppermost lens element, an input aperture through which light enters the lens module;
- and
- the flange has a height that varies in a direction from the input aperture to an outer edge of the flange;
- a camera housing enclosing the lens module;
- and
- an actuator module coupled to the lens module and configured to pivot the lens module about a location inside of the lens module relative to the camera housing and the device housing.
An electronic device comprising:
- a device housing at least partially defining an interior volume of the device, the device housing including a transparent rounded covering through which light may enter the device;
- and
- a camera assembly disposed within the interior volume of the device housing under the transparent rounded covering, the camera assembly comprising:
- a lens module having an array of lens elements stacked along an optical axis and a lens barrel at least partially surrounding the array of lens elements, wherein:
- the lens barrel comprises a flange that defines, at an intersection with an uppermost lens element, an input aperture through which light enters the lens module;
- the flange has a height that varies in a direction from the input aperture to an outer edge of the flange;
- and
- the flange extends at least partially into a cavity defined by the transparent rounded covering;
- and
- a camera housing enclosing the lens module;
- and
- an actuator module coupled to the lens module and configured to pivot the lens module about a location inside of the lens module relative to the camera housing and the device housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.