Energy transfer via rolling elements of rolling-element bearings

A camera module having a precise ball bearing and low friction, comprises:

• an image sensor;
• a shutter with an aperture function driven by a linear motor;
• said motor driving the shutter, wherein the motor has an integrated position sensing system;
• a lens barrel;
• a carrier;
• one or more actuators to move the lens barrel;
• one or more rolling-element bearings between the lens barrel and the carrier to guide the movements of the lens barrel;
• and
• an x-y table wherein rolling elements of said one or more rolling-element bearings are transferring electrical energy, comprising:
• a fixed part of the x-y table, comprising
• electrical conductor tracks;
• at least three linear motors wherein each linear motor comprises at least one coil wrapped around an iron and a permanent magnet deployed on a movable part of the x-y table;
• and
• electrical conducting grooves guiding a number of rolling elements of one or more rolling-element bearings to move between the fixed part of the x-y table and the movable part of the x-y table, wherein the groves are electrically connected to said conductor tracks;
• a number of said rolling elements of the rolling-element bearings, wherein at least two of the rolling elements are made of electrically conducting material;
• and
• said movable part of the x-y table, comprising
• electrical conductor tracks connected to electrical conducting grooves on the movable part and to electrical devices deployed on the movable part of the x-y table;
• and
• said electrically conducting grooves on the movable part of the x-y table guiding the rolling elements to move between the fixed part and the moving part of the x-y table.

A x-y table wherein rolling elements of one or more rolling-element bearings are transferring electrical energy, comprising:

• a fixed part of the x-y table, comprising
• electrical conductor tracks;
• at least three linear motors wherein each linear motor comprises at least one coil wrapped around an iron and a permanent magnet deployed on a movable part of the x-y table;
• and
• electrical conducting grooves guiding a number of rolling elements of rolling-element bearings to move between the fixed part of the x-y table and the movable part of the x-y table, wherein the grooves are electrically connected to said conductor tracks;
• a number of said rolling elements of the rolling-elements bearings, wherein at least two of the rolling elements are made of electrically conducting material;
• and
• said movable part of the x-y table, comprising
• electrical conductor tracks connected to electrical conducting grooves on the movable part and to electrical devices deployed on the movable part of the x-y table;
• and
• said electrically conducting grooves on the movable part of the x-y table guiding the rolling elements to move between the fixed part and the moving part of the x-y table.