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US 12,732,697 B2Granted
Camera systems with improved actuator stability
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsNicholas D. Smyth, Jason T. Weaver, Ross A. Williams, Zirui Zhai
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various embodiments disclosed herein include bearing actuator arrangements, as well as cameras and devices that incorporate these bearing actuator arrangements. The bearing actuator arrangements described herein include a preloading arrangement configured to provide a magnetic preloading force between two components of the bearing actuator arrangement. The preloading assembly includes a magnet and a set of preloading plates positioned within a magnetic field of the magnet.
Claims17
A camera comprising:
- an optical assembly comprising:
- an image sensor;
- and
- a lens assembly having one or more lens groups;
- and
- a bearing actuator arrangement configured to move at least one component of the optical assembly, wherein:
- the bearing actuator arrangement comprises a preloading arrangement configured to provide a magnetic preloading force between a first component of the bearing actuator arrangement and a second component of the bearing actuator arrangement;
- the preloading arrangement comprises:
- a magnet connected to the first component and having a magnetic field;
- and
- a set of preloading plates connected to the second component and positioned in the magnetic field;
- the magnet has a first surface facing the set of preloading plates and having a shape with a minor axis and major axis;
- and
- the set of preloading plates has a second surface that faces the first surface and includes at least a set of parallel edges positioned under the magnet, the set of parallel edges positioned at a non-zero angle relative to each of the minor axis and the major axis.
11 more elements
A camera comprising:
- an optical assembly comprising:
- an image sensor;
- and
- a lens assembly having one or more lens groups;
- and
- a bearing actuator arrangement configured to move at least one component of the optical assembly, wherein:
- the bearing actuator arrangement comprises a preloading arrangement configured to provide a magnetic preloading force between a first component of the bearing actuator arrangement and a second component of the bearing actuator arrangement;
- the preloading arrangement comprises:
- a magnet connected to the first component and having a magnetic field;
- and
- a set of preloading plates connected to the second component and positioned in the magnetic field;
- the magnet has a first surface facing the set of preloading plates and having a shape with a minor axis and major axis;
- the set of preloading plates comprises a first preloading plate and a second preloading plate positioned under the magnet;
- and
- the first preloading plate has a second surface that faces the first surface and includes at least one edge positioned at a non-zero angle relative to each of the minor axis and the major axis.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.