Folded Optics Camera Actuator and Suspension Arrangement
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsAlfred N. Mireault, Jason T. Weaver, Scott W. Miller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various embodiments include a folded optics camera actuator and suspension arrangement. For example, the folded optics camera may include one or more voice coil motor (VCM) actuators for moving a lens group, relative to an image sensor, in multiple directions. The folded optics camera may include a suspension arrangement that suspends a lens barrel arrangement from a base structure of the camera, and that allows motion of the lens group enabled by the VCM actuator(s). In some embodiments, the folded optics camera may include an actuator for moving a light folding element relative to the image sensor.
Claims20
A camera, comprising:
- a folded optics arrangement, comprising:
- a light folding element to fold a path of light;
- and
- a lens group comprising one or more lens elements that define an optical axis;
- an image sensor to capture light that has passed through at least the light folding element and the lens group;
- a lens barrel arrangement fixedly coupled with the lens group;
- an actuator arrangement, comprising:
- one or more actuators to move the light folding element relative to the image sensor;
- and
- one or more voice coil motor (VCM) actuators, comprising:
- a plurality of magnets fixedly coupled with the lens barrel arrangement;
- and
- a plurality of coils fixedly coupled with a base structure of the camera, wherein the base structure is stationary relative to motion of the lens group;
- wherein the one or more VCM actuators are configured to:
- move the lens group in at least a first direction that is parallel to the optical axis;
- and
- move the lens group in at least a second direction that is orthogonal to the optical axis.
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
- the camera, comprising:
- a folded optics arrangement, comprising:
- a light folding element to fold a path of light;
- and
- a lens group comprising one or more lens elements that define an optical axis;
- an image sensor to capture light that has passed through at least the light folding element and the lens group;
- a lens barrel arrangement fixedly coupled with the lens group;
- one or more voice coil motor (VCM) actuators to move the lens group in at least a first direction parallel to the optical axis and at least a second direction orthogonal to the optical axis, the one or more VCM actuators comprising:
- a plurality of magnets fixedly coupled with the lens barrel arrangement;
- and
- a plurality of coils fixedly coupled with a base structure of the camera, wherein the base structure is stationary relative to motion of the lens group;
- wherein respective coils of the plurality of coils are positioned, in a third direction that is orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, between respective magnets of the plurality of magnets and the base structure.
A folded optics system, comprising:
- a lens group including one or more lens elements;
- a light folding element to redirect light to the lens group, wherein the light is to pass through the light folding element and the lens group before reaching an image sensor;
- a lens barrel arrangement fixedly coupled with the lens group;
- an actuator arrangement, comprising:
- one or more actuators to move the light folding element relative to the image sensor;
- and
- one or more voice coil motor (VCM) actuators, comprising:
- a plurality of magnets fixedly coupled with the lens barrel arrangement;
- and
- a plurality of coils fixedly coupled with a base structure of the camera, wherein the base structure is stationary relative to motion of the lens group;
- wherein the one or more VCM actuators are configured to:
- move the lens group in at least a first direction that is parallel to the optical axis;
- and
- move the lens group in at least a second direction that is orthogonal to the optical axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.