Magnetic camera component mounting in cameras

• US 9,591,221 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2014
• Issued: 03/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Miller, Scott W., Beard, David C., Brodie, Douglas S., Hubert, Aurelien R.
• Primary Examiner(s): HSU, AMY R
• Application Number:
  US14/294,100
• Publication Number:
  US 20150195439A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/646 compensating for small deviations, e.g. due to vibration or shake movement of one or more optical elements for control of motion blur in cameras, projectors or printers G03B2205/0007; image stabilisation in cameras peculiar to the presence or use of an electronic image sensor H04N23/68
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/023 permitting adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/57 Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/685 performed by mechanical compensation

Abstract

An actuator module for optical image stabilization of a lens assembly relative to an image sensor in a camera includes a coil mounting structure. A plurality of optical image stabilization (OIS) coils is mounted to the coil mounting structure. Some embodiments include a lens assembly structure configured to hold a lens assembly. A plurality of magnets is affixed to the lens assembly structure. Some embodiments include a spring assembly for coupling the coil mounting structure to the lens assembly structure, such that the lens assembly structure is movable relative to the coil mounting structure in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis of the lens assembly. The lens assembly comprises a light input side and an opposing light exit side for providing light for an image to an image sensor. The plurality of OIS coils is mounted closer to the light input side than the plurality of magnets.

Claims

1. An actuator module for optical image stabilization of a lens assembly relative to an image sensor in a camera, comprising:

a coil mounting structure, wherein a plurality of optical image stabilization (OIS) coils is mounted to the coil mounting structure;

a lens assembly structure configured to hold a lens assembly, wherein a plurality of magnets is affixed to the lens assembly structure;

a plurality of Hall sensors mounted to the coil mounting structure in a direction opposite the OIS coils with respect to the plurality of magnets;

a spring assembly for coupling the coil mounting structure to the lens assembly structure, such that the lens assembly structure is suspended on the coil mounting structure by the spring assembly and movable relative to the coil mounting structure in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis of the lens assembly;

wherein the lens assembly comprises a light input side and an opposing light exit side for providing light for an image to an image sensor; and

wherein the plurality of OIS coils are mounted closer to the light input side than the plurality of magnets.

2. The actuator module of claim 1, wherein the coil mounting structure comprises a module cover, wherein a top side of the module cover includes an opening for the light input side of the lens assembly;

wherein the plurality of optical image stabilization coils are mounted between the top side of the module cover and the plurality of magnets.

3. The actuator module of claim 2, wherein the module cover comprises a module cover of a material having a magnetic composition.

4. The actuator module of claim 2, wherein the module cover comprises a module cover of a material having a ferrous coating.

5. The actuator module of claim 2, wherein the module cover comprises a module cover of a material having a magnetic coating.

6. The actuator module of claim 1, wherein the Hall sensors are configured for sensing positional information of the lens assembly.

7. The actuator module of claim 6, wherein the coil mounting structure further comprises:

a base portion holding the Hall sensors, and

a coil holding plate elevated above the base portion on one columns, wherein the OIS coils are affixed to the coil holding plate,

wherein the plurality of magnets are affixed to the lens assembly structure between the base portion and the coil holding plate of the coil mounting structure.

8. A camera module, comprising:

a lens carrier suspended on an actuator module support structure by a spring assembly configured to limit relative motion of the lens carrier in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis of a lens mounted to the lens carrier;

a plurality of magnets affixed beneath a module cover;

a plurality of hall sensors mounted to the actuator module support structure; and

a plurality of optical image stabilization coils mounted to the actuator module support structure, wherein the optical image stabilization coils are mounted in a direction opposite the hall sensors with respect to the plurality of magnets.

9. The camera module of claim 8, wherein the plurality of optical image stabilization coils mounted between the module cover and the plurality of magnets further comprises a plurality of optical image stabilization coils mounted between a magnetic yoke and the plurality of magnets.

10. The camera module of claim 8, wherein the module cover comprises a module cover of a material having a ferrous composition.

11. The camera module of claim 8, wherein the module cover comprises a module cover of a material having a magnetic composition.

12. The camera module of claim 8, wherein the module cover comprises a module cover of a material having a ferrous coating.

13. The camera module of claim 8, wherein the module cover comprises a module cover of a material having a magnetic coating.

14. The camera module of claim 8, wherein the actuator module support structure comprises the module cover.

15. A multifunction device having a camera module, comprising:

an actuator module support structure, wherein the actuator module support structure comprises a module cover;

a lens carrier for moving a lens relative to an image sensor, wherein the lens carrier is suspended on the actuator module support structure by a spring assembly configured to limit relative motion of the lens carrier in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis of the lens carrier;

a plurality of magnets affixed beneath the module cover;

a plurality of hall sensors mounted to the actuator module support structure; and

a plurality of optical image stabilization coils mounted to the actuator module support structure, wherein the optical image stabilization coils are mounted in a direction opposite the hall sensors with respect to the plurality of magnets.

16. The multifunction device of claim 15, wherein the plurality of optical image stabilization coils mounted between the module cover and the plurality of magnets further comprises a plurality of optical image stabilization coils mounted between a magnetic yoke and the plurality of magnets.

17. The multifunction device of claim 15, wherein the module cover comprises a module cover of a material having a ferrous composition.

18. The multifunction device of claim 15, wherein the module cover comprises a module cover of a material having a magnetic composition.

19. The multifunction device of claim 15, wherein the module cover comprises a module cover of a material having a ferrous coating.

20. The multifunction device of claim 15, wherein the module cover comprises a module cover of a material having a magnetic coating.