JP2012505433A - Compound drive lens actuator - Google Patents

Abstract

A compound drive mechanism lens actuator is provided.
A lens actuator used in an imaging device includes a housing, a lens holder, and a plurality of drive mechanisms that support the lens holder. The lens actuator also has a spring disposed between the lens holder and the housing. The plurality of drive mechanisms create a movement of the lens holder in response to the electrical signals, and the electrical signals are respectively supplied to the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the spring. The spring provides a restoring force to the lens holder. Since the plurality of electrical signals are respectively applied to the plurality of drive mechanisms, the drive mechanisms can operate independently. The lens actuator can be used in an autofocus and / or vibration compensation system of a digital camera.
[Selection]

Description

  The subject matter disclosed herein may relate to, for example, lens actuators used in digital camera autofocus and / or vibration compensation systems.

  Lens actuators may find utility in many applications, including, for example, cameras incorporated into digital cameras and / or cell phones and / or other portable electronic devices. A lens actuator can be used to adjust the position of one or more lenses in an attempt to improve image quality. For example, a camera may implement an autofocus function, an image can be analyzed, and adjustments can be made to the position of one or more lenses to correct the focal length. In another example, vibrations can be detected and adjustments can be made to the positioning of one or more lenses to compensate for camera movement due to vibrations.

The claimed subject matter is particularly pointed out and strictly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. However, both in terms of structure and / or method of operation, together with objects, features and / or advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following detailed description as read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a digital camera. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a lens actuator. FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a spring. FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a spring comprised of a composite electrically conductive element. FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for adjusting the position of a lens.

  In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and like numerals may designate like parts throughout to designate corresponding or similar elements. It will be appreciated that for simplicity and / or clarity of illustration, the elements shown in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Furthermore, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and / or logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the claimed subject matter. Also note that directions and criteria, such as up, down, top, bottom, etc., can be used to facilitate discussion of the drawings and are not intended to limit the application of the claimed subject matter. Should. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limited sense, and the spirit of the claimed subject matter is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

  In the detailed description that follows, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of claimed subject matter. However, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and / or circuits have not been described in detail.

  Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the claimed subject matter. Means. Thus, the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

  The term “and / or” referred to herein may mean “and”, it may mean “or”, it may mean “exclusive or”, it may be “one” May mean "some but not all", it may mean "neither", and / or it may mean "both" However, the gist of the claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

  As mentioned above, lens actuators may find utility in many applications, including, for example, digital cameras and / or cameras that are incorporated into cell phones and / or other portable electronic devices. The lens actuator may be used, for example, to perform an autofocus function and / or to compensate for vibrations. To perform an autofocus function, for example, an image can be analyzed and adjustments can be made to the position of one or more lenses to correct the focal length. Such an adjustment for the position of the lens can be made in a direction along the optical axis. To perform a vibration compensation operation, vibration can be detected and adjustments can be made to the positioning of one or more lenses to compensate for camera movement due to vibration. Such adjustment of the positioning of the lens for vibration compensation can be made by tilting the lens with respect to the optical axis.

  The lens actuator may comprise one or more drive mechanisms that can move the lens in a linear manner relative to the optical axis, i.e., relative to the optical path of the acquired image. Difficulties may be encountered when applying energy to the drive mechanism. For example, wires can be used to distribute electrical signals from a printed circuit board (PCB) to one or more drive mechanisms. Such a wire can penetrate a hole in the housing for the lens actuator. However, such a configuration can lead to reliability problems due to the movement of the wire as the lens holder moves back and forth. Such movement of the wire can cause the wire to rub against one or more parts, such as a lens holder housing, which in turn can cause premature breakage of the wire and / or wear of the wire insulation. Which can lead to short circuits and circuit damage.

  In addition to confidence concerns regarding autofocus and vibration compensation functions, cost concerns can become an issue as camera designs become more complex and as more components are added to the design and manufacture of the camera.

  In one or more embodiments described herein and in accordance with the claimed subject matter, for example, a digital camera and / or a cell phone and / or other personal electronic device that incorporates a camera are more than one-dimensional lens There may be a plurality of drive mechanisms that allow for adjustments. The electrical signal can be provided to the drive mechanism via a spring that can be utilized to provide a restoring force to the lens holder and to provide an electrical connection to the drive mechanism. The spring may be composed of a plurality of electrically conductive elements that transmit electrical signals to a plurality of drive mechanisms. The plurality of drive mechanisms can be individually operated depending on the voltage level transmitted to the individual drive mechanisms.

  For example, when approximately equal voltage levels are transmitted to the drive mechanism, the lens holder can be moved along the optical axis in an essentially linear fashion. However, when unequal voltages are applied to the various drive mechanisms, the lens holder can be “tilted” with respect to the optical axis. For example, if a particular example camera incorporates a lens actuator with two drive mechanisms, one drive mechanism can be placed on one side of the lens holder and the other drive mechanism is opposite the lens holder. Can be placed on the side. When a voltage is applied to only one of the two drive mechanisms, only one drive mechanism will cause movement on that side of the lens holder and the opposite side may remain essentially stationary. Thus, in this manner, the lens holder and thus the lens can be tilted about an axis perpendicular to the optical axis.

  In one or more embodiments described herein, a spring can be used to distribute electrical signals to multiple drive mechanisms. A spring can be found in a wide range of lens actuator implementations, such a spring provides a restoring force to the lens holder, returning the lens holder to a neutral position in which no drive mechanism is energized Like that. By using a spring to transmit a composite electrical signal to the composite drive mechanism and to provide a restoring force to the lens holder, the spring performs a composite function, thereby providing a restoring force. Results in fewer bills of materials compared to implementations that utilize separate components to do and to transmit electrical signals to the drive mechanism. Also, since there is no need to pass wires from the drive mechanism through the lens holder housing to the PCB, wire rubbing can be reduced or eliminated, thereby improving system reliability.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a digital camera 100. The camera 100 may include a body 110 and a lens actuator 200 connected to the body 110. The lens actuator 200 can include a housing 101 having a top and a bottom. Here, the direction “top” refers to the end of the housing furthest from the body 110 and the direction “bottom” refers to the end of the housing closest to the body 110.

  The lens holder 105 can be disposed in the housing 101. The lens 104 may be disposed in the lens holder 105. The lens holder 105 can be moved by a drive mechanism 103 a and a drive mechanism 103 b disposed between the lens holder 105 and the housing 101. When the voltage is applied to the drive mechanism 103a, for example, the portion of the lens holder 105 adjacent to the drive mechanism 103a may be displaced along the optical axis 116. When approximately equal voltages are applied to the drive mechanisms 103a and 103b, the lens holder 105 can move along the optical axis 116 in a linear fashion. The amount of movement may be based at least in part on the voltage level applied to the drive mechanism. A small voltage level may tend to cause a small movement of the lens holder. Larger voltage levels may also tend to cause greater movement of the lens holder. The unequal distribution of voltage levels between the drive mechanisms results in the lens holder 105 being “tilted” with respect to the optical axis 116 due to uneven movement on either side of the lens holder 105.

  In one or more embodiments, the bottom spring 107 can be comprised of a plurality of separate portions, each capable of conducting a separate electrical signal to one or more drive mechanisms. In the example depicted in FIG. 1, two drive mechanisms are described, and the spring 107 can be composed of at least two electrically conductive elements, labeled springs 107a and 107b. Of course, although this example describes two electrically conductive elements of the spring 107, the subject matter of the claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect and utilizes a number of electrically conductive elements for the bottom spring 107. Other embodiments are possible.

  In one or more embodiments, the upper spring 102 may be disposed between the lens holder 105 and the housing 101. Movement of the lens holder 105 along the optical axis 116 away from the camera body 110 can cause a restoring force to be applied to the lens holder 105 by the upper spring 102. Similarly, movement of the lens holder 105 along the optical axis toward the camera body 110 can cause a restoring force to be applied to the lens holder 105 by the bottom spring 107. As described above, the spring 107 may be composed of a plurality of separate elements, and each element may be capable of applying different forces to different portions of the lens holder 105. In one or more embodiments, an upper spring 102 may be implemented such that different forces can be applied to different portions of the lens holder 105 so that it may be possible to resist the torsional movement of the lens holder 105. The springs 102 and 107 are described in more detail below in connection with FIGS.

  In one or more embodiments, the bottom springs 107a and 107b may receive electrical signals from the autofocus unit 112a and / or from the vibration compensation unit 112b. These signals can be distributed to the drive mechanisms 103a and 103b via springs 107a and 107b via electrical connections 106a and 106b, respectively. In some embodiments, the electrical connections 106a and 106b can be comprised of wires, although the subject matter of the claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect. It is noted that the electrical connections 106a and 106b do not penetrate the housing 101, thus reducing the risk of wire rubbing and consequent wear and tear and the unreliability associated with such rubbing. I want.

  An image capture component 114 may also be included in the camera 100 in one or more embodiments. In one example, the image can be transmitted through the lens 104 and sensed by the image capture component 114. Digital data representing the acquired image may be provided to the autofocus unit 112a and / or the vibration compensation unit 112b. In the autofocus operation, the autofocus unit 112a can perform image data. It may be constantly updated by the image capture component 114 in one or more embodiments, and may determine that focal length adjustment is desirable to improve image quality. The autofocus unit 112a can provide a voltage level that is approximately equal to each of the drive mechanisms 103a and 103b, and the drive mechanisms 103a and 103b in response displace the lens holder 105 in a direction parallel to the optical axis 116. obtain. This process may be iterative in that, in some embodiments, one or more additional images may be acquired and analyzed to determine whether additional adjustments in focal length are desired. If a decision is made to make additional adjustments, the updated voltage level can be distributed to the drive mechanisms 103a and 103b and the process can be repeated as described.

  In vibration compensation operation, the vibration compensation unit 112b may receive a stream of image data from the image capture component 114 and analyze whether a vibration situation exists, and if such a situation exists, the drive mechanism Make adjustments. In one example, assuming that an appropriate vibration compensation operation requires that a larger voltage value be applied to the drive mechanism 103a than the drive mechanism 103b, in this example, the lens holder 105 is somewhat tilted with respect to the optical axis 116. It will be. Unequal voltage levels applied to drive mechanisms 103a and 103b cause the two sides of lens holder 105 to move in different amounts and / or different directions, thereby creating a tilting motion. Of course, this is merely an example of moving the lens holder to compensate for vibrations, and the subject matter of the claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

  In one or more embodiments, the drive mechanisms 103a and 103b can include multiple pairs of voice coils and magnets. For example, as shown in more detail by the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the voice coil can be fixed or otherwise contacted to the lens holder 105. The magnet can be fixed to the lens holder cover such that there is a space between the magnet and the voice coil. When current is applied to the voice coil, the electromagnetic field established by the current flowing through the coil displaces the coil and thus the lens holder.

  In another embodiment, the drive mechanisms 103a and 103b can comprise piezoelectric devices. A piezoelectric device can change its shape in response to the application of a voltage across the device. In certain embodiments, the piezoelectric device may change its length along the optical axis in response to the application of a voltage, thereby moving the lens holder in a direction parallel to the optical axis. In other embodiments, the drive mechanism may comprise an electropolymer device that changes its length in response to the application of a voltage. Still other embodiments may utilize a drive mechanism motor. However, these are merely examples of the types of possible drive mechanisms that can be implemented in one or more embodiments, and the subject matter of the claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

  In at least some embodiments, multiple drive mechanisms may be provided, including but not limited to the embodiment described in connection with FIG. Such drive mechanisms can be individually energized to more accurately identify the proper operation of the lens holder. For example, it is possible to energize one drive mechanism (coil / magnet pair) at a specific voltage level, energize the second drive mechanism at another voltage level, or not energize the second drive mechanism at all. . Of course, these are merely examples of possible ways of selectively energizing a drive mechanism coupled to the lens holder, and the claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the lens actuator 200 employed in FIG. The lens holder 103 is disposed inside the housing 101. The housing 101 in certain embodiments may comprise a top and a bottom, which may be mated to form the frame and / or casing of the lens holder 103. Although the housing 101 is depicted in FIG. 2 as being made from a composite part, the subject matter of the claimed subject matter is not so limited, and the housing 101 is comprised of a single part. And / or other embodiments composed of composite parts different from those shown in FIG. 2 are possible.

  In the description that follows, the end of the housing 101 furthest from the camera body may be indicated as the direction “top” and the end through which the image is incident on the image capture component may be indicated as the direction “bottom”. However, these are simply any signs used to simplify the description, and the subject matter of the claimed subject matter is not limited to literal “top” and “bottom” signs and / or directions.

  FIG. 2 depicts the top and bottom surfaces of the housing 101 with openings through which light reaches the image capture component 114 depicted in FIG. The lens actuator 200 in this exemplary embodiment may be fixed and / or otherwise coupled to the camera body such that the bottom surface contacts the body. Also, although the embodiments described herein discuss digital cameras that are stand-alone or implemented in a mobile phone or other portable digital device, the claimed subject matter can be a standard analog “film” camera or a wide range of Other exemplary embodiments that can be utilized in connection with any of the imaging devices are also possible.

  In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, drive mechanisms 103a and 103b each include a voice coil paired with a magnet. For example, the coil 201a and the magnet 202a constitute the drive mechanism 103a, and the coil 201b and the magnet 202b constitute the drive mechanism 103b. The voice coils 201 and 201b in one or more embodiments may be fixed to the lens holder 105. As depicted in FIG. 2, the lens holder 105 can include a plurality of protrusions on which a plurality of coils can be positioned. The magnets 202a and 202b can be arranged inside the housing 101 such that the plane of the magnet is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the respective voice coil. Although the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 shows a one-to-one relationship between the voice coil and the magnet, other embodiments using other configurations are possible. For example, rather than a large number of separate magnetic components, magnets 202a and 202b can be composed of a single magnet corresponding to two or more voice coils. However, these are merely examples of voice coils and magnets, and the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects.

  Magnets 202a and 202b can be positioned adjacent to but not in contact with voice coils 201a and 202b, respectively, so that the magnetic field induced by the current flowing through each of coils 201 interacts with the magnetic fields of magnets 202a and 202b. To do. The interaction described above between the magnetic field of the magnets 202a and 202b and the magnetic field induced by the current flowing through the voice coils 201a and 202b pulls the voice coil away from the magnet as a result of a force applied along the optical axis. Is displaced along the optical axis. The movement of the voice coils 201a and 202b is the movement of the lens holder 105 in contact with the voice coils 201a and 201b.

  The lens holder 105 in this exemplary embodiment may have a substantially cylindrical shape therein and may be further suitable for holding the lens in place within the cylinder. A lens 104 (not shown in FIG. 2) may be placed in the lens holder 105. The lens holder 105 can be made of any of a wide variety of materials. In some embodiments, the lens holder 105 is composed of a non-magnetic material such as plastic.

  Voice coils 201a and 201b in an exemplary embodiment may be composed of multiple turns of electrically conductive wire. The electrical signal may be received from one or more circuits in the camera at one end of the coil wire, and the other end of the coil wire may be coupled to ground voltage in one embodiment. As discussed previously and more fully below, the voice coils are energized individually to allow movement of the multidimensional lens holder 105.

  In one or more embodiments, for example, the elements other than the voice coils 201a and 201b and the magnets 202a and 202b, such as the housing 101 and the lens holder 105, may be made of a nonmagnetic material such as plastic. Does not interfere with the magnetic field. Of course, these are merely example materials and the subject matter of the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects.

  In one or more embodiments, the upper spring 102 may be disposed at one end of the lens holder 103 and may be positioned between the lens holder 103 and the inside of the upper portion of the housing 101. The upper spring 102 may provide a restoring force to the lens holder 105 to allow enhanced control and limited movement of the lens holder. The bottom spring 107 may also provide a restoring force to the lens holder 105 to limit and control the movement of the lens holder 105. As used herein, the term “spring” refers to any part capable of restoring its normal shape after removal of stress.

  At the same time, the upper spring 102 and the bottom spring 107 can provide a restoring force to the lens holder 105 in the direction opposite to the displacement of the coils 201a and 201b when energized. The top and / or bottom springs 102 and 107 may comprise coil springs in some embodiments. In another embodiment, the top and / or bottom springs 102 and 107 may be comprised of leaf springs, examples of which are discussed more fully below in connection with FIGS. The springs 102 and 107 can be configured in any form that provides appropriate restrictions on movement and control of the lens holder 105. The inner diameter of the springs 102 and 107 may be substantially the same as or larger than the inner diameter of the lens holder 105 so that the springs 102 and 107 do not interfere with the optical function of the lens 104.

  In one or more embodiments, the bottom spring 107 can be comprised of a plurality of electrically conductive elements. In the example of FIG. 2, the bottom spring 107 may include spring portions 107a and 107b. The plurality of electrically conductive elements of the bottom spring 107 can supply independent currents to the voice coils 201a and 201b. For example, the spring portion 107a can conduct an electrical signal from the autofocus unit 114a and / or from the vibration compensation unit 114b to the voice coil 201a, and the spring portion 107b can be transmitted from one or both of the units 114a and 114b to the voice coil 201b. Different electrical signals can be conducted. As described above, the voice coil can be composed of multiple windings of wire. In one exemplary embodiment, one end of the winding wire can be connected to one of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the bottom spring 107 and the other end of the winding wire can be coupled to ground voltage. Can be connected to. In this manner, control circuits such as the autofocus unit 114a and / or the vibration compensation unit 114b can individually control each of the plurality of drive mechanisms. Furthermore, the bottom spring 107 retains its function of providing a restoring force to the lens holder, and the above-mentioned problems with wire rubbing can be avoided since the wire need not be pierced through the housing. Thus, better performance can be achieved with less cost and higher reliability.

  Although FIG. 2 depicts a drive mechanism comprising a voice coil and a magnet, the claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect. For example, other types of drive mechanisms may include any device that can change its shape, such as its length, in response to an energy-like form of input, such as voltage. As mentioned above, example types of materials that can experience a change in shape in response to the application of a voltage include piezoelectric devices and electropolymer devices.

  Also, as previously discussed, when all drive mechanisms 103 are energized with substantially the same amount of energy (eg, current in the case of the coil magnet combination of the example of FIG. 2), the shape of the drive mechanism or the substantial displacement The same amount of change may occur, so that all parts of the lens holder corresponding to the drive mechanism are displaced by substantially the same amount. The resulting movement of the lens holder 105 can be a substantially linear movement along the optical axis 116. Such linear motion can be advantageous for autofocusing operations.

  Similarly, when one or more drive mechanisms 103 are energized with unequal amounts of energy (eg, different currents in the case of the coil magnet combination of the example of FIG. 2), different amounts of change in the shape or displacement of the drive mechanisms. Occasionally, various portions of the lens holder corresponding to the drive mechanism may be displaced by different amounts. The resulting movement of the lens holder 105 can be a tilting movement with respect to the optical axis 116. Such tilting motion can be advantageous for vibration compensation operation.

  Although at least some of the exemplary embodiments described herein discuss using lens actuator embodiments in digital cameras, the subject matter of the claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect. For example, embodiments of lens actuators according to the claimed subject matter find utility in a variety of optical devices including, but not limited to, still cameras, video cameras, video cameras, and / or other digital and / or analog cameras. obtain.

  FIG. 3 depicts a representative embodiment of the upper spring 102. Although the upper spring 102 for this exemplary embodiment may be comprised of a single device, the claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect. For example, other embodiments in which the upper spring 102 is comprised of one or more parts are possible. Also, although the exemplary embodiments described herein describe the use of an upper spring, other embodiments may not use an upper spring. In one or more embodiments, the upper spring 102 can be comprised of a leaf spring and can be comprised of an electrically conductive and elastic material. Elasticity can help the spring perform its function of providing a restoring force to the lens holder. Electrical conductivity allows the upper spring 102 to function as a common contact for one or more drive mechanisms. For example, one end of each voice coil winding in embodiments utilizing a voice coil and magnet can be soldered to the upper spring 102. For example, as seen in FIG. 3, the upper spring 102 may comprise an extension that allows connection to, for example, a PCB.

  FIG. 4 depicts a representative embodiment of a bottom spring 107 comprised of composite electrically conductive elements 107a-107d. As depicted in FIG. 4, the bottom spring 107 may be composed of a plurality of parts. However, the various parts work together to perform a spring function. In one or more embodiments, one or more of the plurality of electrically conductive elements may provide a restoring force to the lens holder. Each of the plurality of elements may be comprised of a portion of a leaf spring in one exemplary embodiment. Further, each of the plurality of electrically conductive elements can conduct electrical signals from the control circuit to one or more drive mechanisms such as the drive mechanism 103 described above. By providing a composite electrically conductive element, one or more of them can provide a restoring force to the lens holder, allowing individual control of the drive mechanism. The lack of wires that pass through the housing 101 to control the drive mechanism can lead to increased reliability in addition to cost reduction.

  In one or more embodiments, the bottom spring 107 can be composed of one or more electrically conductive and elastic materials. Elasticity can help multiple elements perform their function of providing a restoring force to the lens holder. Electrical conductivity allows the bottom spring 107 to function further as a composite individual path of electrical signals for one or more drive mechanisms. Various drive mechanisms may be connected to one or more of the plurality of electrically conductive elements by soldering leads to the electrically conductive element as depicted in FIG. It is shown. Of course, these are merely examples of how the drive mechanism is coupled to the bottom spring 107, and the spirit of the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects. As further depicted in FIG. 4, each of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the bottom spring 107 may comprise an extension that allows for connection of the electrically conductive element to the printed circuit board, but overlaid, The subject matter is not limited in this respect.

  Although the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 4 is comprised of composite parts, other embodiments are possible where the bottom spring 107 is comprised of a single part. In such embodiments, a plurality of electrically conductive elements can be coupled to another via a non-conductive material to maintain the ability to individually control various drive mechanisms.

  FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for adjusting the position of a lens. At block 510, one or more electrical signals are selectively applied to one or more drive mechanisms in contact with the lens holder via one or more of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the spring. At block 520, movement of the lens holder may be at least partially created in response to the selective application of one or more electrical signals to the one or more drive mechanisms. Embodiments in accordance with the claimed subject matter can have all, less than, or more than blocks 510-520. Further, the order of blocks 510-520 is merely representative, and claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

  In the previous description, various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, systems and / or configurations have been set forth to provide a thorough understanding of claimed subject matter. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, from the benefit of this disclosure, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features were omitted and / or simplified so as not to obscure the claimed subject matter. While certain features have been illustrated and / or described herein, many modifications, alternatives, changes and / or equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and / or variations that fall within the true spirit of the claimed subject matter.

Claims (19)

A housing;
A lens holder,
A plurality of drive mechanisms in contact with the lens holder;
A spring disposed between the lens holder and the housing, wherein the spring provides a restoring force to the lens holder, and the spring is connected to one or more of the plurality of driving mechanisms; A plurality of electrically conductive elements, wherein the plurality of drive mechanisms are at least partially responsive to application of one or more electrical signals to one or more corresponding ones of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the spring. A device that creates the movement of the lens holder in general.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spring comprises a leaf spring, and one or more of the plurality of electrically conductive elements includes an extension that provides an electrical connection to a printed circuit board.   And further comprising an additional electrical connector disposed between the lens holder and the housing, each of the plurality of drive mechanisms being connected to the additional electrical connector and one of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the spring. The apparatus of claim 1, which is electrically connected.   4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the additional electrical connector comprises an additional spring disposed between the housing and the lens holder, the additional electrical connector providing an additional restoring force to the lens holder. .   The plurality of driving mechanisms are individually operated at least partially in response to application of the one or more electrical signals to one or more corresponding ones of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the spring. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the plurality of drive mechanisms create a linear and / or tilting motion of the lens holder at least partially in response to the one or more electrical signals.   The apparatus of claim 5, wherein one or more of the plurality of drive mechanisms each comprise one or more coils and one or more magnets.   The apparatus of claim 5, wherein one or more of the plurality of drive mechanisms comprises one or more piezoelectric components.   The apparatus of claim 6, wherein one or more of the plurality of drive mechanisms is comprised of one or more electroactive polymer components. Selectively applying one or more electrical signals to one or more of the plurality of drive mechanisms in contact with the lens holder via one or more of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the spring;
Creating a movement of the lens holder at least partially in response to selective application of the one or more electrical signals to the one or more drive mechanisms.   The selectively applying one or more electrical signals to one or more drive mechanisms via the one or more of the plurality of electrical conducting elements of the spring comprises the plurality of electrical conductions of the spring. Selectively applying the one or more electrical signals to the one or more coils and magnets, piezoelectric components, and / or electroactive polymer components via the one or more of the elements; The method of claim 9.   10. The creating the motion comprises creating a linear and / or tilting motion of the lens holder at least partially in response to selective application of the one or more electrical signals. the method of. Means for creating a movement of the lens holder, said means for creating said movement consisting of a plurality of independently operable elements;
Means for providing a restoring force to the lens holder, the means for providing the restoring force comprising means for conducting a plurality of electrical signals to the plurality of independently operable elements; ,
An apparatus comprising means for selectively applying one or more of the plurality of electrical signals to the plurality of independently operable elements.   13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the means for creating movement of the lens holder comprises means for creating linear and / or tilting movement of the lens holder. A lens actuator, the lens actuator comprising:
A housing;
A lens arranged in a lens holder;
A plurality of drive mechanisms in contact with the lens holder;
Comprising a spring disposed between the lens holder and the housing;
The spring provides a restoring force to the lens holder, and the spring includes a plurality of electrically conductive elements connected to one or more of the plurality of driving mechanisms, and the plurality of driving mechanisms include , At least partially creating movement of the lens holder in response to application of one or more electrical signals to one or more corresponding ones of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the spring; and
An image capture component for receiving an image transmitted through the lens;
A control unit that analyzes a received image to determine an appropriate correction movement of the lens, the control unit receiving the one or more electrical signals from one of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the spring; Applied to the above, an imaging device that allows the plurality of drive mechanisms to create the corrective movement of the lens.   The housing includes a top portion and a bottom portion, the spring is disposed between the lens holder and the bottom portion of the housing, and the spring includes a leaf spring that constitutes a plurality of electrically conductive elements. The imaging device of claim 14, wherein one or more of the plurality of electrically conductive elements comprises an extension that provides an electrical connection to a printed circuit board.   The apparatus further comprises an upper electrical connector disposed between the lens holder and the upper portion of the housing, each of the plurality of drive mechanisms comprising the upper electrical connector and the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the spring. The imaging device of claim 15, wherein the imaging device is electrically connected to one of the two.   The imaging device of claim 16, wherein the upper electrical connector comprises an additional spring that provides an additional restoring force to the lens holder.   Each of the plurality of drive mechanisms is individually operated at least partially in response to application of the one or more electrical signals to one or more corresponding ones of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the spring. 18. The imaging device of claim 17, wherein the corrective motion comprises a linear and / or tilted motion of the lens holder.   The imaging device of claim 14, wherein the plurality of drive mechanisms are configured with one or more coils and magnets, piezoelectric components, and / or electroactive polymer components.

Images