Actuator Arrangement for Camera Size Reduction

A system, 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 group comprising one or more lens elements that define an optical axis;
• an image sensor to capture image data based on light that passes through the lens group;
• a lens barrel arrangement fixedly coupled with the lens group, such that the lens group is movable together with the lens barrel arrangement;
• a suspension arrangement for suspending the lens barrel arrangement from one or more stationary structures of the camera, wherein the suspension arrangement comprises an uppermost spring that is closest, among a total set of one or more suspension springs in the camera, to a top of the camera, and wherein the uppermost spring extends, in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis, from the lens carrier to the one or more stationary structures;
• a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator to move the lens group relative to the image sensor, the VCM actuator comprising:
• a magnet-coil group, comprising:
• a magnet attached to a stationary structure of the one or more stationary structures;
• and
• a coil to electromagnetically interact with the magnet, wherein the coil is fixedly coupled with the lens barrel arrangement;
• wherein the magnet-coil group is positioned above the suspension arrangement, such that the uppermost spring is positioned, in a second direction parallel to the optical axis, between a bottom surface of the magnet-coil group and the image sensor.

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
• an outer cover that encases at least a portion of an interior space of the device, wherein the outer cover defines a camera turret for receiving at least a portion of the camera within the interior space;
• and
• the camera, comprising:
• a lens group comprising one or more lens elements that define an optical axis;
• an image sensor to capture image data based on light that passes through the lens group;
• a lens barrel arrangement within which at least a portion of the lens group is contained such that the lens group is movable together with the lens barrel arrangement, wherein the lens barrel comprises:
• a flange at a top portion of the camera, and wherein the flange extends, in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis, towards one or more sides of the camera;
• and
• a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator to move the lens group relative to the image sensor, in at least a direction parallel to the optical axis, wherein the VCM actuator comprises:
• a magnet attached to a stationary structure of the camera;
• and
• a coil to electromagnetically interact with the magnet, wherein the coil is fixedly coupled with the lens barrel arrangement;
• wherein the camera is mounted within the interior space of the device such that the flange of the lens barrel arrangement, at least a portion of the magnet, and at least a portion of the coil are disposed within the camera turret.