Moveable flex circuit for cameras with moveable image sensors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12075142-B2
Application number	US-202217741925-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 11, 2022
Priority date	Sep 7, 2021
Publication date	Aug 27, 2024
Grant date	Aug 27, 2024

Abstract

A flex circuit that may accommodate movement of an image sensor within a camera. The flex circuit generally includes a plurality of planar segments between a first end that is fixed relative to the image sensor and a second end that is fixed relative to one or more camera components. One or more of the planar segments twists when the image sensor is moved within the camera.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A camera, comprising:
a lens;
an image sensor positioned to receive light through the lens;
an actuator assembly configured to move the image sensor along a first direction within the camera; and
a flex circuit, the flex circuit comprising:
a plurality of planar segments comprising a first segment connected to a second segment via a first bend, and a third segment connected to the second segment via a second bend;
a first end; and
a second end,
wherein the plurality of planar segments connect the first end to the second end;
wherein the first end is fixed relative to the image sensor and moveable relative to the second end when the image sensor moves along the first direction, and
wherein the flex circuit is positioned such that the first segment twists around a length of the first segment when the image sensor moves along the first direction.

2. The camera of claim 1 , wherein the first segment is oriented such that a normal vector of the first segment is perpendicular to the first direction and the third segment is oriented such that a normal vector of the third segment is perpendicular to the first direction.

3. The camera of claim 2 , wherein the first segment is parallel to the third segment.

4. The camera of claim 2 , wherein the second segment is oriented such that a normal vector of the second segment is parallel to the first direction.

5. The camera of claim 2 , wherein the second segment is oriented such that a normal vector of the second segment is perpendicular to the first direction.

6. The camera of claim 1 , wherein the flex circuit further comprises a fourth segment, wherein the fourth segment is connected to the first segment at a third bend.

7. The camera of claim 6 , wherein the fourth segment is connected to the first end at a fourth bend.

8. The camera of claim 7 , wherein the third segment is connected to the second end at a fifth bend.

9. The camera of claim 6 , wherein the flex circuit further comprises a fifth segment, wherein the fifth segment is connected to the third segment at a fourth bend.

10. The camera of claim 1 , wherein the first direction is parallel to an optical axis of the camera.

11. The camera of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor carrier fixed relative to the image sensor and a lens holder connected to the lens, wherein the second segment is positioned between the sensor carrier and the lens holder.

12. The camera of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor carrier fixed relative to the image sensor and a lens holder connected to the lens, wherein the sensor carrier is positioned between the second segment and the lens holder.

13. A camera, comprising:
a lens;
an image sensor positioned to receive light through the lens;
an actuator assembly configured to move the image sensor along a first direction within the camera; and
a flex circuit comprising a plurality of planar segments connected via one or more bends, wherein the flex circuit is connected to and positioned relative to the image sensor such that at least one of the plurality of planar segments twists along a length thereof during movement of the image sensor along the first direction.

14. The camera of claim 13 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of planar segments comprises a first segment,
wherein a length of the first segment is oriented perpendicular to the first direction and a width of the first segment is oriented parallel to the first direction, and
wherein the first segment twists around the length of the first segment during movement of the image sensor along the first direction.

15. The camera of claim 14 , wherein the flex circuit comprises a first end fixed relative to the image sensor, and wherein the first segment is connected to the first end at a first bend.

16. The camera of claim 13 , wherein the wherein the first direction is parallel to an optical axis of the camera.

17. An arrangement comprising:
an image sensor having an optical axis; and
a flex circuit comprising:
a first end fixed relative to the image sensor;
a second end; and
a plurality of planar segments connecting the first end to the second end and comprising a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment,
wherein the first segment is connected to the second segment at a first bend and the second segment is connected to the third segment at a third bend,
wherein the first segment is oriented such that a normal vector of the first segment is perpendicular to the optical axis of the image sensor and the third segment is oriented such that a normal vector of the third segment is perpendicular to the optical axis of the image sensor; and
wherein the second segment is oriented such that a normal vector of the second segment is parallel to the optical axis of the image sensor.

18. The arrangement of claim 17 , wherein the first segment is parallel to the third segment.

19. The arrangement of claim 17 , where the second segment is oriented such that a normal vector of the second segment is perpendicular to the optical axis of the image sensor.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Miller Scott W
• Birnbaum Zachary W
• Jozefov Andrew S

Classifications

• H04N23/57

  Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices · CPC title

• H04N23/55

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

• H05K2201/056

  Folded around rigid support or component · CPC title

• H05K1/0281

  Reinforcement details thereof · CPC title

• H04N23/54 Primary

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