An actuator assembly (23) includes a first part (24), a second part (25), and a bearing arrangement (26) mechanically coupling the first part (24) to the second part (25). The actuator assembly (23) also includes a drive arrangement (11, 20) including a total of four lengths of shape memory alloy wire (141, 142, 143, 144). The drive arrangement (11, 20) and the bearing arrangement (26) are configured such that the second part (25) is movable towards or away from the first part (24) along a primary axis (z), and the second part (25) is movable relative to the first part (24) along a first axis (x) and/or a second axis (y). The first and second axes (x, y) are perpendicular to the primary axis (z) and the second axis (y) is different to the first axis (x).

An actuator assembly (23) includes a first part (24), a second part (25), and a bearing arrangement (26) mechanically coupling the first part (24) to the second part (25). The actuator assembly (23) also includes a drive arrangement (11, 20) including a total of four lengths of shape memory alloy wire (141, 142, 143, 144). The drive arrangement (11, 20) and the bearing arrangement (26) are configured such that the second part (25) is movable towards or away from the first part (24) along a primary axis (z), and the second part (25) is movable relative to the first part (24) along a first axis (x) and/or a second axis (y). The first and second axes (x, y) are perpendicular to the primary axis (z) and the second axis (y) is different to the first axis (x).

A camera motor includes a motor housing, a lens bearing apparatus, a cushioning part, and a drive apparatus. The motor housing has an accommodating cavity, and the lens bearing apparatus is accommodated in the accommodating cavity and is spaced apart from an inner wall of the accommodating cavity. The cushioning part is disposed on an outer surface of the lens bearing apparatus. The drive apparatus is accommodated in the accommodating cavity, and the drive apparatus can drive the lens bearing apparatus to move in the accommodating cavity.

An optical element driving unit includes a stationary body, a carrier, a supporting mechanism and an electromagnetic driving assembly. The supporting mechanism is connected to the carrier and the stationary body and provides the carrier with a degree of freedom of movement relative to the stationary body. The carrier can be driven to move by the electromagnetic driving assembly. The electromagnetic driving assembly includes a driving coil, a driving magnet and a ferromagnetic element. The driving coil is disposed on the carrier. The driving magnet is disposed on the stationary body. The ferromagnetic element is one-piece formed and embedded in the carrier, and the ferromagnetic element includes a magnetic field guiding part and an electrical connection part. The magnetic field guiding part faces the driving coil and/or the driving magnet. The electrical connection part is exposed on a surface of the carrier and electrically connected to the driving coil.

The present embodiment relates to a camera module comprising: a bobbin, which has a through-hole formed therein; a lens module, which is accommodated in the through-hole and is coupled to the bobbin; a protrusion formed to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the lens module; and a recess formed to be recessed from the inner peripheral surface of the bobbin so as to accommodate at least a part of the protrusion, wherein the recess comprises a first guide portion, which extends downwards from the upper end of the bobbin, and a second guide portion, which extends so as to slope from the first guide portion.

The present embodiment relates to a camera module comprising: a bobbin, which has a through-hole formed therein; a lens module, which is accommodated in the through-hole and is coupled to the bobbin; a protrusion formed to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the lens module; and a recess formed to be recessed from the inner peripheral surface of the bobbin so as to accommodate at least a part of the protrusion, wherein the recess comprises a first guide portion, which extends downwards from the upper end of the bobbin, and a second guide portion, which extends so as to slope from the first guide portion.

An optical element drive device includes a movable section and a fixed section. The movable section includes a first magnetic field generator for generating a first magnetic field and is drivable in a motion direction. The fixed section includes a sensor unit. The sensor unit carries out a detection based on the first magnetic field and a bias magnetic field different from the first magnetic field.

Methods and apparatus for supporting zoom operations using a plurality of optical chain modules, e.g., camera modules, are described. Switching between use of groups of optical chains with different focal lengths is used to support zoom operations. Digital zoom is used in some cases to support zoom levels corresponding to levels between the zoom levels of different optical chain groups or discrete focal lengths to which optical chains may be switched. In some embodiments optical chains have adjustable focal lengths and are switched between different focal lengths. In other embodiments optical chains have fixed focal lengths with different optical chain groups corresponding to different fixed focal lengths. Composite images are generated from images captured by multiple optical chains of the same group and/or different groups. Composite image is in accordance with a user zoom control setting. Individual composite images may be generated and/or a video sequence.

Methods and apparatus for supporting zoom operations using a plurality of optical chain modules, e.g., camera modules, are described. Switching between use of groups of optical chains with different focal lengths is used to support zoom operations. Digital zoom is used in some cases to support zoom levels corresponding to levels between the zoom levels of different optical chain groups or discrete focal lengths to which optical chains may be switched. In some embodiments optical chains have adjustable focal lengths and are switched between different focal lengths. In other embodiments optical chains have fixed focal lengths with different optical chain groups corresponding to different fixed focal lengths. Composite images are generated from images captured by multiple optical chains of the same group and/or different groups. Composite image is in accordance with a user zoom control setting. Individual composite images may be generated and/or a video sequence.

A driving-unit operation method includes: generating pulse blocks on the basis of driving pulses; and modifying a driving signal in accordance with a position error signal. In the modifying the driving signal, when the position error signal is in a first range, the shape of the driving pulses is modified so as to form a first driving-pulse shape, and the pulse-block duty cycle is set to a first pulse-block duty cycle value, whereas when the position error signal is in a second range, the shape of the driving pulses is modified so as to form a second driving-pulse shape, and the pulse-block duty cycle is set to a second pulse-block duty cycle value.