Camera with Sensor-Shifting Autofocus Mechanism

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 lens group comprising one or more lens elements that define an optical axis;
• an image sensor package, comprising:
• an image sensor to capture image data based on light that passes through the lens group;
• and
• a substrate to which the image sensor is attached;
• a coil carrier fixedly coupled with the image sensor package, such that the image sensor package is movable together with the coil carrier;
• and
• a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator to move the image sensor in at least one direction parallel to the optical axis, the VCM actuator comprising:
• one or more magnets attached to a stationary structure of the camera;
• and
• one or more coils fixedly coupled with the coil carrier and positioned proximate the one or more magnets such that the one or more coils are capable of electromagnetically interacting with the one or more magnets to produce Lorentz forces that move the image sensor.

A voice coil motor (VCM) actuator module, comprising:

• a coil carrier to fixedly couple with an image sensor substrate of a camera, wherein the coil carrier defines an opening configured to allow light to pass from a lens group of the camera, along an optical axis defined by the lens group, to an image sensor attached to the image sensor substrate;
• one or more coils attached to the coil carrier;
• a yoke that at least partially encases the coil carrier;
• one or more magnets attached to the yoke, wherein the VCM actuator module is configured such that the one or more coils are capable of electromagnetically interacting with the one or more magnets to produce Lorentz forces that move the coil carrier, relative to the yoke, in at least one direction parallel to the optical axis;
• and
• a suspension arrangement that suspends the coil carrier from one or more stationary components of the VCM actuator module and that allows motion of the coil carrier in the at least one direction.