The invention relates to a lens (1) having an adjustable focal length, comprising: a container (2) enclosing an internal space (3) of the container (2), wherein the internal space (3) is filled with a transparent liquid (L), and wherein the container (2) comprises a circumferential lateral wall (20) surrounding said internal space (3), wherein the lateral wall (20) is connected to a transparent cover element (21) and to a transparent and elastically deformable membrane (22) such that the liquid (L) is arranged between the membrane (22) and the cover element (21), an annular lens shaper (4) connected to the membrane (22) so that an inner circumferential edge (40) of the lens shaper (4) defines a central area (23) of the membrane (22) and light passing said area (23) is refracted depending on a curvature of said area (23), and an actuator configured to move the lens shaper (4) towards or away from the cover element (21) to adjust said curvature of said area (23) of the lens (1) and therewith the focal length of the lens (1), wherein for moving the lens shaper (4), the actuator comprises a coil (6) integrated into the lateral wall (20), wherein the actuator is configured to generate an electrical current in the coil (6) so that the coil (6) generates a magnetic field to move the lens shaper (4).

Embodiments of the present techniques provide methods for assembling and manufacturing shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator assemblies, which may also advantageously simplify the process of, speed-up the process of and/or reduce the cost of manufacturing SMA actuator assemblies.

A shape memory alloy actuator assembly (2) is disclosed. The actuator assembly comprises a support (21), a first stage (22) moveable in at least two different non-parallel directions in a first plane relative to the support, a first set of at least two shape memory alloy wires (27.sub.1) configured to move the first stage in the first plane, a second stage (23) moveable in at least two different non-parallel in a second plane parallel to or coplanar with the first plane relative to the first stage, and a second set of at least two shape memory alloy wires (27.sub.2) configured to move the second stage in the second plane. The first stage is coupled to the support via the first set of shape memory alloy wires and the second stage is coupled to the first stage via the second set of shape memory alloy wires such that movement of the second stage in the second plane with respect to the support is a combination of movement of the first stage relative to support and the second stage relative to the first stage.

The invention relates to an imaging optical system (1) comprising a folding component (2) and a tunable optical component (3) that are arranged on an optical path of the optical system (1), wherein the tunable optical component (3) comprises a first optical surface (7), a second optical surface (8) and a deformable internal space (9) between the first optical surface (7) and the second optical surface (8), which internal space (9) is filled with a transparent liquid (11), wherein an optical property of the tunable optical component (3) is adjustable by altering a shape of the internal space (9). The imaging optical system (1) further comprises a moveably mounted cage element (13) that at least partly encloses the folding component (2) and is mechanically coupled to the tunable optical component (3) such that a displacement of the cage element (13) causes a change of the optical property of the tunable optical component (3) and an actuator (14, 15, 16) that is arranged between the folding component (2) and the cage element (13) and the actuator (14, 15, 16) is configured to exert a displacement force to the cage element (13).

An actuator for adjusting a movable element in a beam path of an optical arrangement, includes the movable element, a carrier, and at least one SMA element, said SMA element being connected to the movable element and being designed so as to be supported on the carrier such that when the extension of the SMA element alters, a directed force effect is produced between said movable element and carrier.

A camera assembly is disclosed. The camera assembly comprises: a first part; a second part tiltable with respect to the first part, the second part including an image sensor and a lens system, wherein the lens system is above the image sensor with respect to a primary axis passing through the image sensor; a drive system configured, in response to drive signals, to cause tilting of the second part with respect to the first part, wherein the tilting is about first and/or second axes which are not parallel and which are perpendicular to the primary axis; and one or more flexible connectors operatively connected to the second part, wherein the one or more flexible connectors are routed to pass between the second part and the first part below the image sensor with respect to the primary axis.

A driving mechanism is provided. The driving mechanism includes a fixed portion, a movable portion movable relative to the fixed portion, a driving assembly used for driving the movable portion to move relative to the fixed portion, and a position sensing assembly for detecting the movement of the movable portion relative to the fixed portion. The driving assembly drives the movable portion by a control signal provided by a control assembly, and the driving assembly includes shape memory alloy. The control assembly receives a position signal provided by the position sensing assembly. The movable portion vibrates relative to the fixed portion at a frequency that is lower than a maximum frequency, and the maximum frequency is less than 10000 Hz.

An optical element driving mechanism has an optical axis and includes a fixed portion, a movable portion, a driving portion, and an elastic element. The movable portion is movable relative to the fixed portion. The driving portion drives the movable portion to move relative to the fixed portion. The elastic element connects the fixed portion and the movable portion.

The invention relates to an optical zoom device (1) Optical zoom device (1), comprising a first lens assembly (2), and a second lens assembly (3) following the first lens assembly (2) in the direction of an optical axis (A) of the optical zoom device (1) so that light (L) can pass through the first lens assembly (2) and thereafter through the second lens assembly when travelling along the optical axis (A), wherein said lens assemblies each comprise a focus-adjustable lens (31, 32) as well as an electropermanent magnet (107, 207) or a shape memory alloy (120, 220) for actuating the respective lens (31, 32).

A camera module includes a movable element; a lens coupled to the movable element; a first substrate fixed to the bottom surface of the movable element; an image sensor disposed on the first substrate; a second substrate disposed below the first substrate; and a wire for connecting the second substrate to the movable element. At least a part of the wire is made of a shape memory alloy.