A folded camera may include folded optics arrangement positioned optically in front of an image sensor. The folded optics arrangement may include one or more light-folding elements and a lens group having one or more lens elements. Light may pass through the folded optics arrangement, within which the light be folded or redirected by the light-folding element, to focus on an image plane on the image sensor. The folded camera may include a shape-memory actuator having one or more shape-memory elements, whose lengths and/or shapes may be controlled by regulating individual temperatures of the shape-memory elements. The shape-memory actuator may move the lens group relative to the image sensor to implement various autofocus (AF) functions. The folded camera may include a voice coil motor (VCM) which may be controlled to move the image sensor relative to the lens group to perform various optical image stabilization (OIS) functions.

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.

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 system includes a module frame, a camera lens, an image sensor, and an SMA motor that are stacked within the module frame. The camera lens is fixedly connected to the module frame, and the SMA motor is located on an out-light side of the camera lens. The image sensor is located between the camera lens and the SMA motor and is fastened to the SMA motor. The SMA motor is configured to actuate the image sensor to shift in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the camera lens. The SMA motor is further configured to actuate the image sensor to shift on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera lens.

A camera, camera lens, image sensor, and a shape memory alloy (SMA) motor are stacked within a frame. The SMA motor is located on an out-light side of the camera lens. The image sensor is located between the lens and the SMA motor and is fastened to the SMA motor. The SMA motor is configured to actuate the image sensor to shift on a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the camera lens. The camera may be associated with an electronic device.

A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator (100) for a camera assembly, comprising:—a support structure supporting an electronic component, wherein the electronic component is susceptible to interference caused by magnetic flux;—a moveable part moveable relative to the support structure; one or more SMA components (12) connected between the moveable part and the support structure, wherein the one or more SMA components are configured to, on contraction, drive movement of the movable part;—a first electrical path and a second electrical path defined between, and/or including, each of the one or more SMA components (12) and respective electrical terminals (3a); and wherein the first and second electrical paths of each of the one or more SMA components are configured to, at least in part, extend adjacently to and in parallel with each other, and enabling the electrical current in the respective paths to flow in opposite directions, so as to minimise combined magnetic flux from the first and second electrical paths into the electronic component.

An actuator assembly (4001) includes a first part (4002), a second part (4004), a bearing arrangement (4003) and a drive arrangement (4005). The bearing arrangement (4003) includes first to fourth flexures (40151, 40152, 40153, 40154) arranged about a primary axis (4009) passing through the actuator assembly (4001). The bearing arrangement (4003) supports the second part (4004) on the first part (4002). The second part (4004) is tiltable about first and/or second axes (4011, 4012) which are not parallel and which are perpendicular to the primary axis (4009). The drive arrangement (4005) includes four lengths of shape memory alloy wire (40101, 40102, 40103, 40104). The four lengths of shape memory alloy wire (40101, 40102, 40103, 40104) are coupled to the second part (4004) and to the first part (4002). The bearing 15 arrangement (4003) is configured to convert lateral force(s) normal to the primary axis (4009) generated by the drive arrangement (4005) into tilting of the second part (4004) about the first and/or second axes (4011, 4012). Each of the first to fourth flexures (40151, 40152, 40153, 40154) has a first end (4016) connected to the first part (4002) and a second end (4017) connected to the second part (4004). Each of the first to fourth flexures (40151, 40152, 40153, 40154) includes a feature (1016) configured to increase a first compliance of that flexure (40151, 40152, 40153, 40154) to displacement of the respective second end (4017) towards the respective first end (4016). The first compliance is less than a second compliance of that flexure (40151, 40152, 40153, 40154) to 25 displacement of the respective second end (4017) parallel to the primary axis (4009).

A lens position adjustment device includes a lens holder, a first shape memory alloy (SMA) wire and a second SMA wire. The lens holder holds a lens. The first SMA wire is configured to move the lens holder in a first direction along an optical axis of lens. The second SMA wire is configured to move the lens holder in a second direction along the optical axis. The second direction is opposite to the first direction. The lens holder is moved in the first or second direction along the optical axis through energizing the first SMA wire and the second SMA wire and controlling a force that moves the lens holder.

An optical element driving mechanism is provided. The optical element driving mechanism includes a fixed part, a movable part, a driving assembly, and a positioning assembly. The movable part is movably disposed on the fixed part. The movable part is connected to an optical element. At least a portion of the driving assembly is disposed on the fixed part. The positioning assembly is disposed on the fixed part or the movable part to limit the movable part at an extreme position relative to the fixed part.

The present invention controls against size increase of an optical module drive device. An optical module drive device has: a first swing member configured to hold an optical module; a second swing member connected to the first swing member such that the first swing member is swingable about a first swing axis that intersects the optical axis direction; a fixed member connected to the second swing member such that the second swing member is swingable about a second swing axis that intersects the optical axis direction and is perpendicular to the axial direction of the first swing axis; and a drive part configured to make the first swing member swing relative to the fixed member such that the optical axis tilts. The drive part includes a plurality of shape memory alloy wires provided between movable members including the first swing member and the second swing member, and the fixed member.