Camera with folded optics

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11243455-B2
Application number	US-202017023972-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 17, 2020
Priority date	Sep 25, 2019
Publication date	Feb 8, 2022
Grant date	Feb 8, 2022

Abstract

Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and lens shifting capabilities. In some examples, a folded optics arrangement of the camera may include one or more lens elements and one or more light path folding elements (e.g., a prism). Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements, carrier arrangements, and/or suspension arrangements to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Furthermore, some embodiments include position sensor arrangements for position sensing with respect to AF and/or OIS movement.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A camera, comprising:
a folded optics arrangement to fold a path of light, the folded optics arrangement comprising:
a prism; and
a lens group comprising one or more lens elements that define an optical axis;

a base structure, comprising:
a first portion below the prism and the lens group, wherein the first portion defines a first plane parallel to the optical axis; and
a second portion that defines a second plane orthogonal to the optical axis;

an image sensor to capture light that has passed through the prism and the lens group, wherein the image sensor is coupled to the second portion of the base structure such that the image sensor is oriented orthogonal to the optical axis; and
an actuator module to move the lens group, relative to the image sensor, in multiple directions.

2. The camera of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the base structure defines a recess for receiving at least a portion of the lens group.

3. The camera of claim 1 , further comprising:
a substrate to which the image sensor is attached, the substrate being attached to the second portion of the base structure; and
a stiffener to provide structural support to at least one of the substrate or the second portion of the base structure, wherein the stiffener comprises a base portion defining a plane that is parallel to the image sensor.

4. The camera of claim 1 , further comprising:
a flex circuit board attached to a top surface of the first portion of the base structure, wherein the top surface faces the folded optics arrangement.

5. The camera of claim 1 , wherein the actuator module comprises:
one or more coils on the flex circuit board.

6. The camera of claim 1 , further comprising:
a carrier arrangement, comprising:
an inner carrier structure coupled to the lens group; and
an outer carrier structure coupled to the inner carrier structure;

wherein the actuator module is to:
move the inner carrier structure and the outer carrier structure together, relative to the image sensor, in at least a first direction; and
move the inner carrier structure relative to the outer carrier structure in at least a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction.

7. The camera of claim 6 , wherein the actuator module comprises:
an autofocus (AF) voice coil motor (VCM) actuator to move the inner carrier structure and the outer carrier structure together, relative to the image sensor, in at least the first direction;
a first optical image stabilization (OIS) VCM actuator to move the inner carrier structure relative to the outer carrier structure in at least the second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction; and
a second OIS VCM actuator to move the inner carrier structure and the outer carrier structure together, relative to the image sensor, in at least a third direction that is orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction.

8. The camera of claim 6 , wherein:
the actuator module comprises:
one or more magnets; and
one or more coils;

the inner carrier structure comprises a lens carrier to which at least one coil of the one or more coils is attached;
the outer carrier structure comprises a magnet holder to which at least one magnet of the one or more magnets is attached; and
the outer carrier structure at least partially encircles the folded optics arrangement.

9. The camera of claim 6 , further comprising:
a suspension arrangement to suspend the lens group and allow movement of the lens group along multiple axes, the suspension arrangement comprising:
a leaf spring attached to the inner carrier structure and the outer carrier structure, so as to allow movement of the lens group and the inner carrier structure together, relative to the outer carrier structure, in at least the second direction; and
suspension wires to allow movement of the lens group, the inner carrier structure, and the outer carrier structure together, relative to the image sensor, in one or more directions orthogonal to the second direction, wherein a suspension wire of the suspension wires comprises:
a first end portion attached to the leaf spring; and
a second end portion attached to a fixed structure that is stationary relative to movement of the lens group.

10. A device, comprising:
one or more processors;
memory storing program instructions executable by the one or more processors to control operation of a camera; and
the camera, comprising:
a folded optics arrangement to fold a path of light, the folded optics arrangement comprising:
a prism; and
a lens group comprising one or more lens elements that define an optical axis;

a base structure, comprising:
a first portion below the prism and the lens group, wherein the first portion defines a first plane parallel to the optical axis; and
a second portion that defines a second plane orthogonal to the optical axis;

an image sensor to capture light that has passed through the prism and the lens group, wherein the image sensor is coupled to the second portion of the base structure such that the image sensor is oriented orthogonal to the optical axis; and
an actuator module to move the lens group, relative to the image sensor, in multiple directions.

11. The device of claim 10 , further comprising:
a carrier arrangement, comprising:
an inner carrier structure coupled to the lens group; and
an outer carrier structure coupled to the inner carrier structure;

wherein the actuator module is to:
move the inner carrier structure and the outer carrier structure together, relative to the image sensor, in at least a first direction; and
move the inner carrier structure relative to the outer carrier structure in at least a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction.

12. The device of claim 11 , wherein one or more of the inner carrier structure or the lens group is at least partially disposed within a recess defined by the first portion of the base structure.

13. The device of claim 11 , wherein:
the actuator module comprises:
one or more magnets; and
one or more coils;

the inner carrier structure comprises a lens carrier to which at least one coil of the one or more coils is attached;
the outer carrier structure comprises a magnet holder to which at least one magnet of the one or more magnets is attached; and
the outer carrier structure at least partially encircles the folded optics arrangement.

14. The device of claim 13 , wherein at least one other coil of the one or more coils is attached to the magnet holder.

15. The device of claim 11 , wherein the camera further comprises:
a suspension arrangement to suspend the lens group and allow movement of the lens group in the multiple directions, the suspension arrangement comprising:
a leaf spring attached to the inner carrier structure and the outer carrier structure, so as to allow movement of the lens group and the inner carrier structure together, relative to the outer carrier structure, in at least the second direction; and
suspension wires to allow movement of the lens group, the inner carrier structure, and the outer carrier structure together, relative to the image sensor, in one or more directions orthogonal to the second direction, wherein a suspension wire of the suspension wires comprises:
a first end portion attached to the leaf spring; and
a second end portion attached to a fixed structure that is stationary relative to movement of the lens group.

16. The device of claim 10 , wherein:
the actuator module comprises:
an autofocus (AF) voice coil motor (VCM) actuator to move the inner

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Mireault Alfred N
• Miller Scott W

Classifications

• H04N23/55

  Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof · CPC title

• H04N23/67

  Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals · CPC title

• H04N23/50

  Constructional details · CPC title

• H04N23/54

  Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils · CPC title

• G03B2205/0015

  by displacing one or more optical elements normal to the optical axis · CPC title