Prism actuator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12216258-B2
Application number	US-202117795664-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 4, 2021
Priority date	Feb 6, 2020
Publication date	Feb 4, 2025
Grant date	Feb 4, 2025

Abstract

The present embodiment relates to a prism actuator comprising: a housing; a holder having at least a part spaced apart from the housing; a prism disposed on the holder; a shape memory alloy member for connecting the housing and the holder to each other; and an elastic member for connecting the housing and the holder to each other, wherein the shape memory alloy member comprises first and second shape memory alloy members disposed on one side of the prism, the first shape memory alloy member connects an upper part of the holder and a lower part of the housing to each other, and the second shape memory alloy member connects a lower part of the holder and an upper part of the housing to each other.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A prism actuator comprising:
a housing;
a holder disposed on the housing and tilted about a virtual first central axis;
a prism disposed on the holder;
a shape memory alloy member connecting the housing and the holder;
an elastic member connecting the housing and the holder; and
a substrate disposed on the housing,
wherein the shape memory alloy member comprises first and second shape memory alloy members disposed at one side of the prism and third and fourth shape memory alloy members disposed at an other side of the prism,
wherein the first shape memory alloy member connects an upper part of the holder and a lower part of the housing,
wherein the second shape memory alloy member connects a lower part of the holder and an upper part of the housing,
wherein the shape memory alloy member is electrically connected to the substrate through the elastic member,
wherein the first central axis passes between the first and second shape memory alloy members and between the third and fourth shape memory alloy members,
wherein the holder comprises:
a first side surface to which the first and second shape memory alloy members are coupled; and
a second side surface to which the third and fourth shape memory alloy members are coupled,

wherein each of the first side surface and the second side surface of the holder is formed with a protrusion comprising a curved surface, and
wherein the curved surface of the protrusion of the holder is disposed on the housing.

2. The prism actuator of claim 1 , wherein the shape memory alloy member is coupled to the housing at one end and coupled to the holder at an other end.

3. The prism actuator of claim 1 , wherein the shape memory alloy member comprises:
a first coupling part coupled to the housing;
a second coupling part coupled to the holder; and
a connection part connecting the first coupling part and the second coupling part, and
wherein at least a part of the connection part is formed of a shape memory alloy.

4. The prism actuator of claim 3 , wherein the first coupling part of the shape memory alloy member is fixed to the housing by an adhesive.

5. The prism actuator of claim 3 , wherein the second coupling part of the shape memory alloy member comprises a circular hole, and
wherein the holder comprises a protrusion inserted into the hole of the second coupling part.

6. The prism actuator of claim 3 , wherein the connection part comprises a shape memory alloy wire.

7. The prism actuator of claim 1 ,
wherein the elastic member comprises a first coupling part coupled to the housing, a second coupling part coupled to the holder, a connection part connecting the first coupling part and the second coupling part, and a terminal part coupled to the substrate.

8. The prism actuator of claim 1 , wherein the elastic member comprises an upper elastic member coupled to an upper surface of the holder, and a lower elastic member coupled to a lower surface of the holder.

9. The prism actuator of claim 1 , comprising:
a first damper disposed on a part of an upper surface of the holder that is spaced apart from the first central axis; and
a second damper disposed on a part of a lower surface of the holder spaced apart from the first central axis.

10. The prism actuator of claim 1 , wherein the first and fourth shape memory alloy members are disposed diagonally opposite to each other, and
wherein the second and third shape memory alloy members are disposed diagonally opposite to each other.

11. A camera device comprising:
a printed circuit board;
an image sensor disposed on the printed circuit board;
the prism actuator of claim 1 ;
a lens disposed between the image sensor and the prism actuator; and
a lens driving device configured to move the lens.

12. An optical device comprising:
a main body;
the camera device of claim 11 disposed on the main body; and
a display module disposed on the main body and configured to output an image photographed by the camera device.

13. A prism actuator comprising:
a housing;
a holder disposed on the housing;
a prism disposed on the holder;
a shape memory alloy member connecting the housing and the holder;
an elastic member connecting the housing and the holder; and
a substrate disposed on the housing,
wherein the elastic member comprises a first coupling part coupled to the housing, a second coupling part coupled to the holder, a connection part connecting the first coupling part and the second coupling part, and a terminal part coupled to the substrate, and
wherein the shape memory alloy member is electrically connected to the substrate through the elastic member.

14. The prism actuator of claim 13 , wherein the shape memory alloy member comprises first and second shape memory alloy members disposed at one side of the prism, and
wherein a length of the first shape memory alloy member decreases when a length of the second shape memory alloy member increases and increases when the length of the second shape memory alloy member decreases.

15. The prism actuator of claim 14 , wherein the holder is tilted about a virtual first central axis, and
wherein the first central axis passes between the first and second shape memory alloy members.

16. A prism actuator comprising:
a housing;
a holder disposed on the housing and tilted about a virtual first central axis;
a prism disposed on the holder;
a shape memory alloy member connecting the housing and the holder;
an elastic member connecting the housing and the holder; and
a substrate disposed on the housing,
wherein the shape memory alloy member comprises first and second shape memory alloy members disposed at one side of the prism and third and fourth shape memory alloy members disposed at an other side of the prism,
wherein a length of the first shape memory alloy member decreases when a length of the second shape memory alloy member increases and increases when the length of the second shape memory alloy member decreases,
wherein the shape memory alloy member is electrically connected to the substrate through the elastic member,
wherein the first shape memory alloy member connects an upper part of the holder and a lower part of the housing,
wherein the second shape memory alloy member connects a lower part of the holder and an upper part of the housing,
wherein the shape memory alloy member is electrically connected to the substrate through the elastic member,
wherein the first central axis passes between the first and second shape memory alloy members and between the third and fourth shape memory alloy members,
wherein the holder comprises:
a first side surface to which the first and second shape memory alloy members are coupled; and
a second side surface to which the third and fourth shape memory alloy members are coupled,

wherein each of the first side surface and the second side surface of the holder is formed with a protrusion comprising a curved surface, and
wherein the curved surface of the protrusion of the holder is disposed on the housing.

Assignees

• Lg Innotek Co Ltd

Inventors

• Park Sang Ok
• Lee Seong Min

Classifications

• G02B26/0825

  the reflecting element being a flexible sheet or membrane, e.g. for varying the focus (flexible mirrors for cosmetic use A45D42/24) · CPC title

• G02B7/1805 Primary

  for prisms (G02B7/181 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H04N23/00

  Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof · CPC title

• G02B5/04

  Prisms · CPC title

• G03B5/00

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