Camera with folded optics having moveable lens

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11934090-B2
Application number	US-202117221620-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 2, 2021
Priority date	Jan 10, 2018
Publication date	Mar 19, 2024
Grant date	Mar 19, 2024

Abstract

Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and lens shifting capabilities. Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Some embodiments include suspension arrangements.

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 first prism;
a second prism; and
a lens group disposed between the first prism and the second prism, wherein the lens group includes one or more lens elements that define an optical axis;

an image sensor to capture light that has passed through the first prism, the lens group, and the second prism;
a carrier structure that at least partially encircles the folded optics arrangement, wherein the carrier structure is coupled with the lens group such that the carrier structure and the lens group are moveable together relative to the image sensor; and
an actuator to move the lens group along multiple axes, wherein the actuator comprises:
a first set of one or more coils attached to the carrier structure and a first set of one or more magnets configured stationary with respect to the image sensor, wherein the first set of one or more coils and the first set of one or more magnets are configured to move the carrier structure and the lens group in one or more directions orthogonal to the optical axis; and
a second set of one or more coils attached to the carrier structure and a second set of one or more magnets configured stationary with respect to the image sensor, wherein the second set of one or more coils and the second set of one or more magnets are configured to move the carrier structure and the lens group along the optical axis.

2. The camera of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises:
a first optical image stabilization (OIS) voice coil motor (VCM) that comprises a first portion of the first set of coils and a first portion of the first set of magnets, wherein the first OIS VCM is configured to move the lens group in at least a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis; and
a second OIS VCM that comprises a second portion of the first set of coils and a second portion of the first set of magnets, wherein the second OIS VCM is configured to move the lens group in at least a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction and orthogonal to the optical axis.

3. The camera of claim 1 , wherein:
the carrier structure comprises an inner frame to which at least one coil of the one or more coils is attached.

4. The camera of claim 3 , wherein the camera further comprises:
an outer frame to which at least one magnet of the one or more magnets is attached, wherein the outer frame at least partially encircles the inner frame.

5. The camera of claim 4 , further comprising:
a suspension arrangement to suspend the lens group and allow movement of the lens group along the multiple axes.

6. The camera of claim 5 , wherein the suspension arrangement comprises:
a leaf spring attached to the carrier structure; and
suspension wires, 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.

7. The camera of claim 5 , wherein the suspension arrangement comprises:
flexure arms to mechanically connect the inner frame to the outer frame, the flexure arms extending along a plane that is parallel to the image sensor.

8. 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 first prism;
a second prism; and
a lens group disposed between the first prism and the second prism, wherein the lens group includes one or more lens elements that define an optical axis;

an image sensor to capture light that has passed through the first prism, the lens group, and the second prism;
a carrier structure that at least partially encircles the folded optics arrangement, wherein the carrier structure is coupled with the lens group such that the carrier structure and the lens group are moveable together relative to the image sensor; and
an actuator to move the lens group along multiple axes, wherein the actuator comprises:
a first set of one or more coils attached to the carrier structure and a first set of one or more magnets configured stationary with respect to the image sensor, wherein the first set of one or more coils and the first set of one or more magnets are configured to move the carrier structure and the lens group in one or more directions orthogonal to the optical axis; and
a second set of one or more coils attached to the carrier structure and a second set of one or more magnets configured stationary with respect to the image sensor, wherein the second set of one or more coils and the second set of one or more magnets are configured to move the carrier structure and the lens group along the optical axis.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the actuator comprises:
a first optical image stabilization (OIS) voice coil motor (VCM) that comprises a first portion of the first set of coils and a first portion of the first set of magnets, wherein the first OIS VCM is configured to move the lens group in at least a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis; and
a second OIS VCM that comprises a second portion of the first set of coils and a second portion of the first set of magnets, wherein the second OIS VCM is configured to move the lens group in at least a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction and orthogonal to the optical axis.

10. The device of claim 8 , wherein:
the carrier structure comprises an inner frame to which at least one coil of the one or more coils is attached.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the camera further comprises:
an outer frame to which at least one magnet of the one or more magnets is attached, wherein the outer frame at least partially encircles the inner frame.

12. 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 along the multiple axes.

13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the suspension arrangement comprises:
a leaf spring attached to the carrier structure; and
suspension wires, 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.

14. The device of claim 12 , wherein the suspension arrangement comprises:
flexure arms to mechanically connect the inner frame to the outer frame, the flexure arms extending along a plane that is parallel to the image sensor.

15. A system, comprising:
a carrier structure, wherein the carrier structure is coupled with a lens group that includes one or more lens elements that define an optical axis such that the carrier structure and the lens group are moveable together relative to an image sensor configured to capture light that has passed through the lens group; and
an actuator to move the lens group along multiple axes, wherein the actuator comprises:
a first set of one or more coils attached to the carrier structure and a first set of one or more magnets configured stationary with respect to the image sensor, wherein the first set of one or more coils and the first set of one or more magnets are configured to move the carrier structure and the lens group in one or more directions orthogonal to the optical axis; and
a second set of one or more coils attached to the carrier structure

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Miller Scott W
• Mireault Alfred N
• Johnson Brad V
• Smyth Nicholas D
• Adriano Rummel R
• Sharma Shashank
• Webster Steven

Classifications

• G03B5/04 Primary

  Vertical adjustment of lens; Rising fronts · CPC title

• G03B3/10 Primary

  Power-operated focusing · CPC title

• G03B5/00

  Adjustment of optical system relative to image or object surface other than for focusing · CPC title

• G03B13/36

  Autofocus systems · CPC title

• G03B17/17

  with reflectors arranged in beam forming the photographic image, e.g. for reducing dimensions of camera · CPC title