EP4045958A1

EP4045958A1 - Dual magnetic actuation system for optomechanical system of an electronic device

Info

Publication number: EP4045958A1
Application number: EP19831617.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marko Eromaki
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-12
Filing date: 2019-12-12
Publication date: 2022-08-24
Also published as: WO2021115606A1; CN114766008A

Abstract

A dual actuation system (1) having one actuation axis (A) and comprising a first magnet (2), a second magnet (3), a first coil (4), and a second coil (5). The first magnet (2), the second magnet (3), the first coil (4), and the second coil (5) are arranged in an at least partially overlapping arrangement in a direction perpendicular to the actuation axis (A). Manipulating electrical current in the first coil (4) generates a first movement (M1) along the actuation axis (A) and manipulating electrical current in the second coil (5) generates a second movement (M2) along the actuation axis (A). The first movement (M1) and the second movement (M2) are generated independently of each other. By overlapping the coils and magnets of the dual actuation system, a very compact solution is provided, which has a positive influence on the form factor of the optomechanical system and the electronic device into which it is to be arranged.

Description

DUAL MAGNETIC ACTUATION SYSTEM FOR OPTOMECHANICAL SYSTEM OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a dual actuation system having one actuation axis, the actuation system comprising magnet and coils.

BACKGROUND

There are several difficulties relating to optomechanical systems for portable electronic devices. Electronic devices such as mobile phones preferably have as small outer dimensions as possible, while optomechanical systems require certain dimensions in order to provide sufficiently good image sharpness, spatial frequency, sensitivity etc.

Conventional optical zoom cameras typically comprise two moving lens groups, one for focusing and one for zooming, which utilize separate actuators, such as voice coil actuators. Both actuators are standalone units consuming a certain volume and influencing the form factor for the camera module. In particular optomechanical systems comprising deformable lenses, which require mechanical deformation, are very space consuming. This is due to required high deformation forces of several hundreds of millinewtons. The force generation efficiency over power consumption of most common voice coil actuators remain relatively low, resulting in the magnet and coil sizes having to be several millimeters.

Therefore, imaging zooms for portable electronic devices have mostly been digital, which unfortunately affects the resolution of the images taken with the camera. Digital zoom does not add any information to image, but comprises only cropping and scaling a portion of original image to larger size. Optical zoom, on the other hand, magnifies the target using lenses and provides more details in the original resolution, providing a better resolution image. SUMMARY

It is an object to provide an improved dual actuation system. The foregoing and other objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further implementation forms are apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the figures.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a dual actuation system having one actuation axis, the actuation system comprising a first magnet, a second magnet, a first coil, and a second coil, the first magnet, the second magnet, the first coil, and the second coil being arranged in an at least partially overlapping arrangement in a direction perpendicular to the actuation axis, and wherein manipulating electrical current in the first coil generates a first movement along the actuation axis and manipulating electrical current in the second coil generates a second movement along the actuation axis, the first movement and the second movement being generated independently of each other.

By arranging the coils and magnets such that they overlap, this solution facilitates a very compact dual actuation system. By providing two actuators, partially utilizing the same volume during actuation, the form factor of the actuation system, as well as optomechanical system and electronic device into which it is arranged, is influenced positively. The dual actuation system has a relatively narrow or thin shape, minimizing width or the height of the optomechanical system, as well as a reasonable length which, typically, a relatively long optical zoom module can accommodate. Such an actuator combination into one standalone unit also reduces costs.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first magnet and the second magnet are stationarily arranged along the actuation axis, and the first coil and the second coil are moveable along the actuation axis in relation to the first magnet and the second magnet, or the first coil and the second coil are stationarily arranged along the actuation axis, and the first magnet and the second magnet are moveable along the actuation axis in relation to the first coil and the second coil. In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first magnet and the second magnet are separated by a first gap in a direction perpendicular to the actuation axis, one of the first coil and the second coil being arranged within the first gap, or the first coil and the second coil are separated by a first gap in a direction perpendicular to the actuation axis, one of the first magnet and the second magnet being arranged within the first gap.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the dual actuation system further comprises a third magnet or a third coil, being arranged in an at least partially overlapping arrangement with the first magnet, the second magnet, the first coil, and the second coil in the direction perpendicular to the actuation axis, the second magnet and the third magnet, or the second coil and the third coil, being separated by a second gap in the direction. The more layers of magnets or coils that are used, the more the operating force increases.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first coil and the second coil, or the first magnet and the second magnet are arranged within the first gap, facilitating a very narrow and/or very thin dual actuation system requiring as little volume as possible.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first coil is arranged within the second gap.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the electrical current generates a first electromagnetic field on both sides of the first coil, the first electromagnetic field generating a first electromotive force between the first coil and the first magnet and the second magnet, or between the first coil and the second magnet and the third magnet.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the electrical current generates a second electromagnetic field on both sides of the second coil, the second electromagnetic field generating a second electromotive force between the second coil and the first magnet and the second magnet. In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the electrical current generates a first electromagnetic field on both sides of the first coil, the first electromagnetic field generating a first electromotive force between the first coil, the second magnet, and the third magnet, and generating a second electromagnetic field on both sides of the second coil, the second electromagnetic field generating a second electromotive force between the second coil, the first magnet, and the second magnet, facilitating a very narrow dual actuation system requiring as little volume as possible.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the dual actuation system comprises the third magnet, the third coil and a fourth coil, the first coil and the third coil being interconnected to move simultaneously in the first movement, the second coil and the fourth coil being interconnected to move simultaneously in the second movement, the first coil and the second coil being arranged within the first gap, and the third coil and the fourth coil being arranged within the second gap, facilitating a dual actuation system which generates as much operational force as possible.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the electrical current generates a first electromagnetic field on both sides of the first coil, and a second electromagnetic field on both sides of the second coil, the first electromagnetic field and the second electromagnetic field generating a first electromotive force between the first magnet, the first coil, and the second coil, and a second electromotive force between the second magnet, the first coil, and the second coil, facilitating a very thin dual actuation system requiring as little volume as possible..

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the dual actuation system comprises the third coil, the third magnet, and a fourth magnet, the first magnet and the third magnet being interconnected to move simultaneously in the first movement, the second magnet and the fourth magnet being interconnected to move simultaneously in the second movement, the first magnet and the second magnet being arranged within the first gap, and the third magnet and the fourth magnet being arranged within the second gap, facilitating a dual actuation system which generates as much operational force as possible. In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first movement and the second movement are generated simultaneously.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first movement and the second movement are generated in the same direction along the actuation axis and/or in opposite directions along the actuation axis.

According to a second aspect, there is provided an optomechanical system comprising at least a first lens, a second lens and the dual actuation system according to the above, the actuation axis of the dual actuation system extending in parallel with an optical axis of the first lens and the second lens, one of the first magnet and the first coil being interconnected with the first lens such that first movement generated within the dual actuation system moves the first lens along the optical axis, one of the second magnet and the second coil being interconnected with the second lens such that second movement generated within the dual actuation system moves the second lens along the optical axis.

This solution facilitates a very compact optomechanical system. By providing two actuators, partially utilizing the same volume during actuation, the form factor of the optomechanical system and electronic device into which it is arranged, is influenced positively.

In a possible implementation form of the second aspect, one of the third magnet and the third coil is interconnected with the first lens such that first movement generated within the dual actuation system moves the first lens along the optical axis, one of the fourth magnet and the fourth coil being interconnected with the second lens such that second movement generated within the dual actuation system moves the second lens along the optical axis, facilitating an optomechanical system utilizing as much operational force as possible.

According to a third aspect, there is provided an electronic device comprising the optomechanical system according to the above. The reduced volume of the dual actuation system and the optomechanical system frees up space within the electronic device which may be used for additional hardware elements such as additional cameras.

This and other aspects will be apparent from the embodiments described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed portion of the present disclosure, the aspects, embodiments and implementations will be explained in more detail with reference to the example embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of an optomechanical system comprising a dual actuation system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of an optomechanical system comprising a dual actuation system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of an optomechanical system comprising a dual actuation system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of an optomechanical system comprising a dual actuation system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of an optomechanical system comprising a dual actuation system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a dual actuation system 1 having one common actuation axis A. The actuation system 1 comprises at least a first magnet 2, a second magnet 3, a first coil 4, and a second coil 5. The first magnet 2, the second magnet 3, the first coil 4, and the second coil 5 are arranged in an at least partially overlapping arrangement in a direction perpendicular to the actuation axis A.

The actuation system 1 is operated by manipulating electrical current in the first coil 4, which generates a first movement Ml along the actuation axis A, and by manipulating electrical current in the second coil 5, which generates a second movement M2 along the actuation axis A. The first movement Ml and the second movement M2 are generated independently of each other. The first movement Ml and the second movement M2 may be generated simultaneously. Furthermore, the first movement Ml and the second movement M2 may be generated in the same direction along the actuation axis A and/or in opposite directions along the actuation axis A.

Figs. 1 to 3 show embodiments wherein the first magnet 2 and the second magnet 3 are stationarily arranged along the actuation axis A, and the first coil 4 and the second coil 5 are moveable along the actuation axis A in relation to the first magnet 2 and the second magnet 3.

The first magnet 2 and the second magnet 3 may be separated by a first gap 6 in a direction perpendicular to the actuation axis A, and one of the first coil 4 and the second coil 5 may be arranged within the first gap 6.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, both the first coil 4 and the second coil 5 may be arranged within the first gap 6.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the dual actuation system 1 may further comprise a third magnet 7 arranged in an at least partially overlapping arrangement with the first magnet 2, the second magnet 3, the first coil 4, and the second coil 5 in the direction perpendicular to the actuation axis A. The second magnet 3 and the third magnet 7 may be separated by a second gap 10 in the direction perpendicular to the actuation axis A. As shown in Fig. 1, the first coil 4 may be arranged within the second gap 10.

The electrical current may generate a first electromagnetic field on both sides of the first coil 4, the first electromagnetic field generating a first electromotive force between the first coil 4 and the first magnet 2 and the second magnet 3, or between the first coil 4 and the second magnet 3 and the third magnet 7.

The electrical current may also generate a second electromagnetic field on both sides of the second coil 5, the second electromagnetic field generating a second electromotive force between the second coil 5 and the first magnet 2 and the second magnet 3.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment wherein the dual actuation system 1 comprises the third magnet 7, the third coil 8 and a fourth coil 9. The first coil 4 and the third coil 8 are interconnected to move simultaneously in the first movement Ml . The second coil 5 and the fourth coil 9 are interconnected to move simultaneously in the second movement M2. Furthermore, the first coil 4 and the second coil 5 are arranged within the first gap 6, and the third coil 8 and the fourth coil 9 are arranged within the second gap 10.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment wherein the electrical current generates a first electromagnetic field on both sides of the first coil 4, the first electromagnetic field generating a first electromotive force between the first coil 4, the second magnet 3, and the third magnet 7. Furthermore, the electrical current generates a second electromagnetic field on both sides of the second coil 5, the second electromagnetic field generating a second electromotive force between the second coil 5, the first magnet 2, and the second magnet 3.

Figs. 4 and 5 show embodiments wherein the first coil 4 and the second coil 5 are stationarily arranged along the actuation axis A, and the first magnet 2 and the second magnet 3 are moveable along the actuation axis A in relation to the first coil 4 and the second coil 5.

The first coil 4 and the second coil 5 may be separated by a first gap 6 in a direction perpendicular to the actuation axis A, and one of the first magnet 2 and the second magnet 3 may be arranged within the first gap 6.

Both the first magnet 2 and the second magnet 3 may be arranged within the first gap 6.

As shown in Fig. 4, the electrical current may generate a first electromagnetic field on both sides of the first coil 4 and a second electromagnetic field on both sides of the second coil 5. The first electromagnetic field and the second electromagnetic field generate a first electromotive force between the first magnet 2, the first coil 4, and the second coil 5, and a second electromotive force between the second magnet 3, the first coil 4, and the second coil 5.

As shown in Fig. 5, the dual actuation system 1 may further comprise a third coil 8 arranged in an at least partially overlapping arrangement with the first magnet 2, the second magnet 3, the first coil 4, and the second coil 5 in the direction perpendicular to the actuation axis A. The second coil 5 and the third coil 8 may be separated by a second gap 10 in the direction perpendicular to the actuation axis A.

As shown in Fig. 5, the dual actuation system may comprise the third coil 8, the third magnet 7, and a fourth magnet 14. The first magnet 2 and the third magnet 7 are interconnected to move simultaneously in the first movement Ml. The second magnet 3 and the fourth magnet 14 are interconnected to move simultaneously in the second movement M2. Furthermore, the first magnet 2 and the second magnet 3 are arranged within the first gap 6, and the third magnet 7 and the fourth magnet 14 are arranged within the second gap 10. The present invention also relates to an optomechanical system 11 comprising at least a first lens 12, a second lens 13 and the dual actuation system 1 described above. The actuation axis A of the dual actuation system 1 extends in parallel with an optical axis O of the first lens 12 and the second lens 13. The first lens 12 and the second lens 13 may be solid injection molded lenses or be deformable optical elements made out of soft material. Furthermore, the first lens 12 may be a group comprising a plurality of lenses, and may e.g. be used for focusing, and the second lens 13 may be a group comprising a plurality of lenses, and may e.g. be used for zooming.

One of the first magnet 2 and the first coil 4 is interconnected with the first lens 12 such that first movement Ml generated within the dual actuation system 1 moves the first lens 12 along the optical axis O. Correspondingly, one of the second magnet 3 and the second coil 5 is interconnected with the second lens 13 such that second movement M2 generated within the dual actuation system 1 moves the second lens 13 along the optical axis O. The interconnection may be achieved by means of operating arms, as indicated in the Figs.

One of the third magnet 7 and the third coil 8 may also be interconnected with the first lens 12 such that first movement Ml generated within the dual actuation system 1 moves the first lens 12 along the optical axis O. Correspondingly, one of the fourth magnet 14 and the fourth coil 9 may also be interconnected with the second lens 13 such that second movement M2 generated within the dual actuation system 1 moves the second lens 13 along the optical axis O.

The optomechanical system 11 may be comprised in one common housing (not shown), which housing is then arranged in an electronic device. The optomechanical system 11 may also comprise support structure, magnet circuitry and guiding flexures.

The present invention also relates an electronic device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or camera, comprising the optomechanical system 11 described above. The reduced volume of the dual actuation system and the optomechanical system frees up space within the electronic device which may be used for additional hardware elements such as additional cameras. Optically it is preferred to locate the optical axis of multiple cameras as close to each other as possible, in order to eliminate parallax error and computational failures.

The various aspects and implementations have been described in conjunction with various embodiments herein. However, other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed subject-matter, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage. A computer program may be stored/distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems.

The reference signs used in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (e.g., cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion, degree, etc.) together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this disclosure. As used in the description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up” and “down”, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms “inwardly” and “outwardly” generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.

Claims

1. A dual actuation system (1) having one actuation axis (A), said actuation system comprising a first magnet (2), a second magnet (3), a first coil (4), and a second coil (5), said first magnet (2), said second magnet (3), said first coil (4), and said second coil (5) being arranged in an at least partially overlapping arrangement in a direction perpendicular to said actuation axis (A), and wherein manipulating electrical current in said first coil (4) generates a first movement (Ml) along said actuation axis (A) and manipulating electrical current in said second coil (5) generates a second movement (M2) along said actuation axis (A), said first movement (Ml) and said second movement (M2) being generated independently of each other.

2. The dual actuation system (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first magnet (2) and said second magnet (3) are stationarily arranged along said actuation axis (A), and said first coil (4) and said second coil (5) are moveable along said actuation axis (A) in relation to said first magnet (2) and said second magnet (3), or said first coil (4) and said second coil (5) are stationarily arranged along said actuation axis (A), and said first magnet (2) and said second magnet (3) are moveable along said actuation axis (A) in relation to said first coil (4) and said second coil (5).

3. The dual actuation system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first magnet (2) and said second magnet (3) are separated by a first gap (6) in a direction perpendicular to said actuation axis (A), one of said first coil (4) and said second coil (5) being arranged within said first gap (6), or said first coil (4) and said second coil (5) are separated by a first gap (6) in a direction perpendicular to said actuation axis (A), one of said first magnet (2) and said second magnet

(3) being arranged within said first gap (6).

4. The dual actuation system (1) according to any one of the previous claims, further comprising a third magnet (7) or a third coil (8), being arranged in an at least partially overlapping arrangement with said first magnet (2), said second magnet (3), said first coil

(4), and said second coil (5) in said direction perpendicular to said actuation axis (A), said second magnet (3) and said third magnet (7), or said second coil (5) and said third coil (8), being separated by a second gap (10) in said direction.

5. The dual actuation system (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said first coil (4) and said second coil (5), or said first magnet (2) and said second magnet (3) are arranged within said first gap (6).

6. The dual actuation system (1 ) according to claim 4, wherein said first coil (4) is arranged within said second gap (10).

7. The dual actuation system (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said electrical current generates a first electromagnetic field on both sides of said first coil (4), said first electromagnetic field generating a first electromotive force between said first coil

(4) and said first magnet (2) and said second magnet (3), or between said first coil (4) and said second magnet (3) and said third magnet (7).

8. The dual actuation system (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said electrical current generates a second electromagnetic field on both sides of said second coil

(5), said second electromagnetic field generating a second electromotive force between said second coil (5) and said first magnet (2) and said second magnet (3).

9. The dual actuation system (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein said electrical current generates a first electromagnetic field on both sides of said first coil (4), said first electromagnetic field generating a first electromotive force between said first coil (4), said second magnet (3), and said third magnet (7), and generating a second electromagnetic field on both sides of said second coil (5), said second electromagnetic field generating a second electromotive force between said second coil (5), said first magnet (2), and said second magnet (3).

10. The dual actuation system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising said third magnet (7), said third coil (8) and a fourth coil (9), said first coil (4) and said third coil (8) being interconnected to move simultaneously in said first movement (Ml), said second coil (5) and said fourth coil (9) being interconnected to move simultaneously in said second movement (M2), said first coil (4) and said second coil (5) being arranged within said first gap (6), and said third coil (8) and said fourth coil (9) being arranged within said second gap (10).

11. The dual actuation system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said electrical current generates a first electromagnetic field on both sides of said first coil (4), and a second electromagnetic field on both sides of said second coil (5), said first electromagnetic field and said second electromagnetic field generating a first electromotive force between said first magnet (2), said first coil (4), and said second coil (5), and a second electromotive force between said second magnet (3), said first coil (4), and said second coil (5).

12. The dual actuation system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising said third coil (8), said third magnet (7), and a fourth magnet (14), said first magnet (2) and said third magnet (7) being interconnected to move simultaneously in said first movement (Ml), said second magnet (3) and said fourth magnet (14) being interconnected to move simultaneously in said second movement (M2), said first magnet (2) and said second magnet (3) being arranged within said first gap (6), and said third magnet (7) and said fourth magnet (14) being arranged within said second gap

(10).

13. The dual actuation system (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said first movement (Ml) and said second movement (M2) are generated simultaneously.

14. The dual actuation system (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said first movement (Ml) and said second movement (M2) are generated in the same direction along said actuation axis (A) and/or in opposite directions along said actuation axis (A).

15. An optomechanical system (11) comprising at least a first lens (12), a second lens (13) and the dual actuation system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the actuation axis (A) of said dual actuation system (1) extending in parallel with an optical axis (O) of said first lens (12) and said second lens (13), one of the first magnet (2) and the first coil (4) being interconnected with said first lens (12) such that first movement (Ml) generated within said dual actuation system (1) moves said first lens (12) along said optical axis (O), one of the second magnet (3) and the second coil (5) being interconnected with said second lens (13) such that second movement (M2) generated within said dual actuation system (1) moves said second lens (13) along said optical axis (O).

16. The optomechanical system (11) according to claim 15, wherein one of the third magnet (7) and the third coil (8) is interconnected with said first lens (12) such that first movement (Ml) generated within said dual actuation system (1) moves said first lens (12) along said optical axis (O), one of the fourth magnet (14) and the fourth coil (9) being interconnected with said second lens (13) such that second movement (M2) generated within said dual actuation system (1) moves said second lens (13) along said optical axis (O).

17. An electronic device comprising the optomechanical system (11) according to any one of claims 15 or 16.