Optical image stabilization using tangentially actuated MEMS devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An actuator device, comprising:
- a stage resiliently supported for movement within a plane, wherein the stage comprises a planar mounting structure disposed in the plane that is adapted to support an optical element;
three or more actuators, each coupled to an outer periphery of the stage and operable to apply a linear force along a straight line acting in the plane and tangentially to the stage when actuated;
a flexure interposed between each actuator and the outer periphery of the stage;
wherein at least two of the flexures are coupled to a common location on the outer periphery;
wherein the linear forces, when applied to the flexures, are configured to cooperate to effect the movement of the stage in any translational and/or any rotational direction within the plane; and
an outer frame surrounding and supporting the stage and the actuators.
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Abstract
In one example, an actuator device useful in, e.g., a camera for, e.g., optical image stabilization (OIS), includes a stage resiliently supported for movement within a plane, three or more actuators, each coupled to an outer periphery of the stage and operable to apply a force acting in the plane and tangentially to the stage when actuated, and an outer frame surrounding and supporting the stage and the actuators.
128 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An actuator device, comprising:
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a stage resiliently supported for movement within a plane, wherein the stage comprises a planar mounting structure disposed in the plane that is adapted to support an optical element; three or more actuators, each coupled to an outer periphery of the stage and operable to apply a linear force along a straight line acting in the plane and tangentially to the stage when actuated; a flexure interposed between each actuator and the outer periphery of the stage; wherein at least two of the flexures are coupled to a common location on the outer periphery; wherein the linear forces, when applied to the flexures, are configured to cooperate to effect the movement of the stage in any translational and/or any rotational direction within the plane; and an outer frame surrounding and supporting the stage and the actuators. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A camera, comprising:
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a sensor having an image sensing surface; an actuator device, including; a stage resiliently supported for movement within a plane, wherein the stage comprises a planar mounting structure disposed in the plane; three or more actuators, each coupled to an outer periphery of the stage and operable to apply a linear force along a straight line acting in the plane and tangentially to the stage when actuated; a flexure interposed between each actuator and the outer periphery of the stage; wherein at least two of the flexures are coupled to a common location on the outer periphery; wherein the linear forces, when applied, are configured to cooperate to effect the movement of the stage in any translational and/or any rotational direction within the plane; and an outer frame surrounding and supporting the stage and the actuators; and an optical element disposed on the stage of the actuator device to move conjointly therewith and operable to focus an image of a subject on the image sensing surface of the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A camera, comprising:
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an actuator device, including; a stage resiliently supported for movement within a plane, wherein the stage comprises a planar mounting structure disposed in the plane; three or more actuators, each coupled to an outer periphery of the stage and operable to apply a linear force along a straight line acting in the plane and tangentially to the stage when actuated; a flexure interposed between each actuator and the outer periphery of the stage; wherein at least two of the flexures are coupled to a common location on the outer periphery; wherein the linear forces, when applied, are configured to cooperate to effect the movement of the stage in any translational and/or any rotational direction within the plane; and
,an outer frame surrounding and supporting the stage and the actuators; a sensor disposed on the stage of the actuator device to move conjointly therewith and operable to sense an image of a subject focused on an image sensing surface thereof; and an optical element disposed in front of the stage of the actuator device and operable to focus an image of a subject on the image sensing surface of the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method, comprising:
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providing a stage resiliently supported for movement within a plane, wherein the stage comprises a planar mounting structure disposed in the plane; coupling three or more actuators to an outer periphery of the stage, each of the actuators being operable to apply a linear force along a straight line acting within the plane and tangentially to the stage when actuated; wherein the coupling comprises coupling each actuator to the outer periphery of the stage using a flexure interposed between each actuator and the outer periphery of the stage; wherein at least two of the flexures are coupled to a common location on the outer periphery; wherein the linear forces, when applied, are configured to cooperate to effect the movement of the stage in any translational and/or any rotational direction within the plane; and
,selectably actuating each of the actuators such that the stage moves in the plane with at least one of pure translational and/or pure rotational movement therein. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification