Miniature camera zoom actuator with magnet-induced friction

A camera module, comprising:

• one or more lenses that define an optical axis;
• an image sensor;
• and
• an actuator assembly, comprising:
• a fixed chassis structure comprising a magnetic friction track;
• a moveable carriage body that carries the one or more lenses;
• one or more magnets mounted to the moveable carriage body;
• and
• an inertial actuator mounted to the moveable carriage body in an alignment such that an axis of motion of the inertial actuator is parallel to the optical axis;
• wherein:
• the moveable carriage body is movably mounted to the fixed chassis structure to allow movement along the optical axis;
• and
• the moveable carriage body is held in place with respect to at least one allowed degree of freedom by one or more friction forces resulting from a magnetic attraction force of the one or more magnets.

A mobile multifunction device, comprising:

• a camera module, including:
• one or more lenses that define an optical axis;
• an image sensor;
• and
• an actuator assembly, comprising:
• a fixed chassis structure comprising a magnetic friction track;
• a moveable carriage body that carries the one or more lenses;
• one or more magnets mounted to the moveable carriage body;
• and
• an inertial actuator mounted to the moveable carriage body in an alignment such that an axis of motion of the inertial actuator is parallel to the optical axis;
• wherein:
• the moveable carriage body is movably mounted to the fixed chassis structure to allow movement along the optical axis;
• and
• the moveable carriage body is held in place with respect to at least one allowed degree of freedom by one or more friction forces resulting from a magnetic attraction force of the one or more magnets;
• a display;
• and
• one or more processors to:
• cause the camera module to capture an image;
• and
• cause the display to present the image.