Piezoelectric actuator for digital camera optical system

An adjustable support for an optical system of a digital camera comprising:

• a fixed tubular support having a longitudinal axis, said fixed tubular support being secured within said camera;
• a moveable tubular support mounted for relative movement coaxially on the fixed tubular support;
• a lens, mounted on the moveable tubular support in operative association with said optical system;
• at least one piezoelectric element constructed in the shape of a beam;
• said beam having a longitudinal axis, and first and second ends, said beam secured to the fixed tubular support close to said first and second ends, said beam further comprising:
• first and second piezoelectric sections, each of said sections constructed having at least one active volume each, said piezoelectric sections being selectively deformable in response to an applied voltage to engage the moveable support and move said support along said longitudinal axis;
• a passive part forming a fixed connection between said first and second piezoelectric sections, said piezoelectric sections extending longitudinally outward on either side of said passive part towards opposite ends;
• an engagement pad extending outward from said passive part transverse to said longitudinal axis to provide a surface for engagement with said moveable tubular support;
• and
• wherein said beam is connected to the fixed tubular support in a manner that allows said engagement surface to be in operative contact with said moveable tubular support.

A digital camera system comprising:

• a main camera control circuit board, mounted in said camera;
• an optical system mounted on said main printed circuit board to receive and process images;
• an adjustable support for said optical system further comprising:
• a fixed tubular support having a longitudinal axis, said fixed tubular support being mounted on said main printed circuit board;
• a moveable tubular support mounted for relative movement coaxially on the fixed tubular support;
• a lens, mounted on the moveable tubular support in operative association with said optical system;
• a flexible printed circuit board mounted on the fixed tubular support;
• and
• at least one piezoelectric element having at least two active volumes which are independently excitable, said at least one piezoelectric element mounted and connected to said flexible printed circuit board, said piezoelectric element being deformable in response to an applied voltage to engage the moveable support and move said support along said longitudinal axis.

A digital camera system comprising:

• a main camera control circuit assembled on a flexible circuit board,
• an optical system contained within said camera to receive and process images;
• an adjustable support for said optical system further comprising:
• a fixed tubular support having a longitudinal axis, said fixed tubular support being secured within said camera, and wherein said flexible printed circuit board is mounted thereon;
• a moveable tubular support mounted for relative movement coaxially on the fixed tubular support;
• a lens, mounted on the moveable tubular support in operative association with said optical system;
• at least one piezoelectric element constructed in the shape of a beam;
• said beam having a longitudinal axis, said beam secured to the fixed tubular support by said flexible printed circuit board and extending between said fixed tubular support and said moveable tubular support, said beam further comprising:
• first and second piezoelectric sections, each of said sections constructed having at least two active volumes, which are independently excitable, said piezoelectric sections being selectively deformable in response to an applied voltage to engage the moveable support and move said support along said longitudinal axis;
• a passive part forming a fixed connection between said first and second piezoelectric sections, said piezoelectric sections extending longitudinally outward on either side of said passive part towards opposite ends;
• an actuating lever extending outward from said passive part transverse to said longitudinal axis to provide a surface for engagement with said moveable tubular support;
• and
• wherein said beam is mounted on the fixed tubular support in a manner that allows said engagement surface to be in operative contact with said moveable tubular support.

An adjustable support for an optical system of a digital camera comprising:

• a fixed tubular support having a longitudinal axis, said fixed tubular support being secured within said camera;
• a moveable tubular support mounted for relative movement coaxially on the fixed tubular support;
• a flexible printed circuit board mounted on the fixed tubular support;
• wherein said moveable tubular support further comprises:
• a front section and a rear section mounted on said fixed tubular support for both relative movement between said sections and for movement in tandem;
• at least one first lens mounted on said front section for movement therewith;
• at least one second lens mounted on said rear section for movement therewith;
• and
• wherein said at least one first and second lenses optically cooperating to provide an optical function;
• and
• at least one first piezoelectric element having at least two active volumes which are independently excitable, said at least one first piezoelectric element mounted and connected to said flexible printed circuit board, said at least one first piezoelectric element being deformable in response to an applied voltage to engage said front section and move said front section along said longitudinal axis;
• and
• at least one second piezoelectric element having at least two active volumes which are independently excitable, said at least one second piezoelectric element mounted and connected to said flexible printed circuit board, said at least one second piezoelectric element being deformable in response to an applied voltage to engage said rear section and move said rear section along said longitudinal axis.