An optical actuator, including: a base; a lens module comprising two first side surfaces opposite each other; and a plurality of shape memory alloy wires forming two wire groups, the two wire groups being disposed on the two first side surfaces, respectively, wherein two ends of each shape memory alloy wire are fixed to a base-end fixing device and a lens-end fixing device, respectively; and the direction of the resultant force acting on the lens module by the two wire groups is consistent with the direction of the optical axis of the lens module, so that the lens module is driven to move along the direction of the optical axis of the lens module by means of expansion and contraction of the shape memory alloy wires of the two wire groups.

Multi-stable SMA actuator comprising two shape memory alloy wires (1, 2) in antagonistic configuration that allow to define multiple stable positions of a movable element (12), said positions being maintained by movable stoppers to lock the movable element, that do not require power and are disengaged by the shape memory alloy wires (1, 2) upon actuation thereof.

A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator comprising: a support structure (10); a moveable part (20) movable relative to In the support structure; plural SMA components (30) connecting the support structure and the movable part, the SMA components are operable to controllably change the position and/or orientation of the moveable part in two or more degrees of freedom; a controller (12) for controlling the operation of the SMA components in a first operating mode during normal operation and a second operating mode in response to an event; and means configured to, during the second operating mode, maintain at least partial control of the moveable part with a subset of the plural SMA components.

An optical mechanism is provided. The optical mechanism includes an immovable part, a movable part, a drive assembly, and a guidance assembly. The movable part is connected to an optical element. The movable part is movable relative to the immovable part. The drive assembly drives the movable part to move relative to the immovable part. The guidance assembly guides the movable part to move along a first axis.

SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.

A lens driving device is provided, including a base, a holder, a first driving mechanism disposed on the first side of the base, a second driving mechanism disposed on the second side of the base opposite the first side, and a conductive member disposed on the base. The holder is configured to sustain a lens. The first driving mechanism is configured to force the holder to move along the optical axis of the lens. The second driving mechanism includes a circuit board assembly and a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire assembly configured to force the base to move in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The conductive member and the circuit board assembly are connected at an electrical connection point, and the SMA wire assembly is closer to the light-incident end of the lens with respect to the electrical connection point.

A wire feeding and bonding tool and method for attaching wires to a component having first and second spaced-apart wire attach structures. Wire from a supply is fed through a capillary having at least a linear end portion with a feed opening. The capillary is positioned with respect to the component to locate a first portion of the wire extending from the feed opening adjacent to the first wire attach structure, and the wire is attached to the first attach structure. The capillary is moved with respect to the component along a wire feed path to feed the wire from the first wire attach structure to the second wire attach structure and to locate a second portion of the wire extending from the feed opening adjacent to the second attach structure. The wire is attached to the second wire attach structure, and cut from the supply.

An optical element driving mechanism is provided, including a fixed part, a movable part, a driving assembly, and a stopping assembly. The movable part is movably disposed on the fixed part, and the movable part is connected to a first optical element. The driving assembly is at least partially disposed on the fixed part. The stopping assembly is disposed between the movable part and the fixed part. The stopping assembly limits the range of motion of the movable part relative to the fixed part.

A camera module is provided, including a holder, a base, a bottom, an image sensor, and a first biasing element. The holder holds an optical lens and is disposed on the base. The bottom supports the image sensor and connects to the base via the first biasing element. The bottom and the image sensor can be moved with respect to the base by the first biasing element.

An optical driving mechanism is provided, configured to drive an optical element, including a fixed portion, a movable portion, a frame assembly, and a biasing element. The fixed portion includes a base which has a central axis. The movable portion is configured to sustain the optical element and is movable relative to the fixed portion. The frame assembly connects the fixed portion and the movable portion and includes a plurality of string arms, wherein the string arms form at least one V-shaped structure. The biasing element is disposed on the frame assembly and is configured to drive the movable portion to move along a central axis direction relative to the fixed portion, wherein the string arms surround the biasing element and the biasing element is connected to at least one end portion of the V-shaped structure.