Integrated camera lens suspension
AssigneeHutchinson Technology Incorporated
InventorsPeter F. Ladwig, Mark A. Miller, Richard R. Jenneke
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A camera lens suspension assembly comprises a support member including a support metal base layer formed as single piece of metal, a moving member including a moving metal base layer formed as a single piece of metal, a plurality of bearings and smart shape memory alloy wires. The bearings are between the support member and the moving member, to enable movement of the moving member with respect to the support member. Each of the shape memory alloy wires is attached to and extends between a static wire attach structure formed in the support metal base layer and a moving wire attach structure formed in the moving metal base layer.
Claims26
A suspension assembly, comprising:
- a support member including a support metal base layer formed as single piece of metal, comprising:
- a bearing plate portion in the support metal base layer;
- and
- a static wire attach structure in the support metal base layer;
- a moving member including a moving metal base layer formed as a single piece of metal and mounted to the support member, comprising:
- a moving plate portion in the moving metal base layer;
- flexure arms in the moving metal base layer extending from the moving plate portion and coupled to the support member;
- and
- a moving wire attach structure in the moving metal base layer;
- a bearing between and engaging the bearing plate portion of the support member and the moving plate portion of the moving member, to enable movement of the moving member with respect to the support member;
- and
- a shape memory alloy wire attached to and extending between the static wire attach structure of the support member and the moving wire attach structure of the moving member.
A camera lens suspension assembly, comprising:
- a support member including a support metal base layer formed as single piece of metal, comprising:
- a bearing plate portion in the support metal base layer;
- a plurality of static wire attach structures in the support metal base layer;
- a plurality of mount regions on the support metal base layer;
- and
- a printed circuit on the support metal base layer, including traces extending to each static wire attach structure;
- a moving member including a moving metal base layer formed as a single piece of metal, comprising:
- a moving plate portion in the moving metal base layer;
- a plurality of elongated flexure arms in the moving metal base layer extending from a periphery of the moving plate portion and including mount regions on ends opposite the moving plate portion;
- and
- a plurality of moving wire attach structures in the moving metal base layer;
- a plurality of bearings between and engaging the bearing plate portion of the support member and the moving plate portion of the moving member, to enable movement of the moving member with respect to the support member;
- and
- shape memory alloy wires attached to and extending between each static wire attach structure of the support member and one of the moving wire attach structures of the moving member.
A support member for a suspension assembly of the type configured to have a moving member mounted to the support member, comprising:
- a support metal base layer formed as single piece of metal;
- a bearing plate portion in the support metal base layer;
- a plurality of static wire attach structures in the support metal base layer;
- a plurality of mount regions on the support metal base layer configured to be mounted to flexure arm mount regions of the moving member;
- and
- a printed circuit on the support metal base layer, including traces extending to each static wire attach structure.
A moving member for a suspension assembly of the type configured to have a support member mounted to the moving member, comprising:
- a moving metal base layer formed as a single piece of metal;
- a moving plate portion in the moving metal base layer;
- and
- a plurality of elongated flexure arms in the moving metal base layer extending from a periphery of the moving plate portion and including mount regions on ends opposite the moving plate portion;
- and
- a plurality of moving wire attach structures in the moving metal base layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.