Compact Actuator Assemblies for Optical Path Folding Elements

Abstract

A mirror swing actuator assembly for an optical path folding element (OPFE) for compact folding camera modules comprises an exit aperture for outputting folded light rays, and an incoming aperture for receiving incoming light rays, wherein a distance between a top lens of a lens actuator and an end of the optical path folding element is minimized by configuring the second aperture and/or a support assembly of the optical path folding element to receive, within the mirror swing actuator assembly, an end portion of the optical actuator/lens assembly that comprises the top lens.

Claims

1-27. (canceled)

28. An actuator assembly comprising: a housing comprising: an optical path folding element (OPFE) configured to fold light rays of a field of view to provide folded light rays; a first aperture configured for passing the light rays to the OPFE; and a second aperture configured for passing the folded light rays from the OPFE and for accommodating an end portion of an optical actuator; and a first sub-assembly coupled to the housing and configured for mounting the OPFE and providing movement for the OPFE.

29. The actuator assembly of claim 28, wherein the first sub-assembly is mounted on the actuator assembly and configured to be rotatable relative to the housing and about an axis of the second aperture.

30. The actuator assembly of claim 29, wherein the housing further comprises a cavity that extends along the axis into the actuator assembly housing and away from the second aperture, and wherein the cavity is configured to accommodate the end portion.

31. The actuator assembly of claim 30, wherein the cavity has a size or a shape configured for positioning at least one lens within the end portion in proximity to the OPFE when the end portion is accommodated within the cavity.

32. The actuator assembly of claim 29, further comprising a first sliding mechanism located in a region between a first interface zone of the first sub-assembly and a second interface zone of the actuator assembly housing, wherein the first sliding mechanism is configured to mount and rotate the first sub-assembly about the axis.

33. The actuator assembly of claim 32, wherein the region is outside the second aperture and in proximity to an inner edge surface of the second aperture.

34. The actuator assembly of claim 32, wherein the region is outside the second aperture such as at least one lens of the end portion is located in a same plane or inwardly of the first sliding mechanism when the end portion is accommodated within the second aperture.

35. The actuator assembly of claim 32, wherein the first interface zone comprises an arc segment of the first sub-assembly that at least partially accommodates the end portion.

36. The actuator assembly of claim 28, wherein the first sub-assembly comprises a receiving member that has a first size and a first shape which complement a second size and a second shape of the end portion.

37. The actuator assembly of claim 36, wherein the first size and the first shape are further configured to partially accommodate the end portion.

38. The actuator assembly of claim 28, wherein the second aperture is located at a first side of a height side of the actuator assembly housing and is closer to a second side of the actuator assembly housing that is opposite to the first aperture.

39. The actuator assembly of claim 28, wherein the second aperture comprises an opening at a first side of a first height side of the actuator assembly housing, wherein the opening comprises a surrounding frame having an upper rim and a lower rim, and wherein a second height of the upper rim is greater than a third height of the lower rim.

40. The actuator assembly of claim 32, further comprising a second sliding mechanism configured for mounting and rotating the first sub-assembly about the axis of the second aperture, wherein the second sliding mechanism is located between the housing and an end of the first sub-assembly that is spaced from the first sliding mechanism.

41. The actuator assembly of claim 40, wherein the first sliding mechanism or the second sliding mechanism comprises at least three pivot points.

42. The actuator assembly of claim 41, wherein each pivot point comprises a ball bearing and a respective interfacing groove, and wherein the pivot points are distributed, with approximately equal spacing, around an arc segment of the first sub-assembly.

43. The actuator assembly of claim 42, wherein the arc segment extends by approximately 180 degrees about the axis, and wherein the pivot points are distributed around the arc segment with approximately 90 degree intervals.

44. The actuator assembly of claim 40, wherein the first sliding mechanism comprises at least three first pivot points, and wherein the second sliding mechanism comprises at least three second pivot points that are mirror images to the at least three first pivot points.

45. The actuator assembly of claim 28, wherein the first sub-assembly comprises a second sub-assembly configured for mounting the OPFE, wherein the second sub-assembly is mounted and slidable on and relative to the first sub-assembly along a path that forms a segment of an arc, and wherein a rotational axis of the segment is perpendicular to an axis of the second aperture.

46. The actuator assembly of claim 45, wherein the first sub-assembly or the second sub-assembly is configured to provide the rotational axis without a physical connection to the rotational axis.

47. The actuator assembly of claim 45, further comprising a sliding mechanism located at each side of the second sub-assembly and between the first sub-assembly and the second sub-assembly, wherein the sliding mechanism is configured to mount and slide the second sub-assembly on and relative to the first sub-assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0147] FIG. 1 shows a known compact folded camera module;

[0148] FIG. 2 shows independent vertical and horizontal rotation positions of the mirror of the known compact folded camera module of FIG. 1;

[0149] FIG. 3 is a cross section view through the folded camera module of FIGS. 1 and 2 along the second axis;

[0150] FIGS. 4a and 4b are opposing end perspective views of the first sub-assembly of the mirror swing actuator of FIGS. 1-3;

[0151] FIGS. 5a and 5b are end views corresponding respectively to the views in FIGS. 4a and 4b;

[0152] FIG. 6a is a perspective view of the OPFE mounted on the second sub-assembly;

[0153] FIG. 6b is a side view of the OPFE mounted on the second sub-assembly;

[0154] FIG. 7 is a possible implementation of the actuator assembly according to the disclosure;

[0155] FIG. 8 is a possible implementation of the actuator assembly according to the disclosure;

[0156] FIGS. 9a and 9b are end views of possible implementations of the first sub-assembly of the according to the disclosure;

[0157] FIG. 10 is a simplified model of the first sub-assembly illustrating force-balancing;

[0158] FIG. 11a is a perspective view of a possible implementation of the second sub-assembly of the according to the disclosure;

[0159] FIG. 11b is a side view of a possible implementation of the second sub-assembly of the according to the disclosure;

[0160] FIG. 12 is a series of four cut-away perspective views showing sliding movement of a possible implementation of the second sub-assembly and OPFE according to the disclosure;

[0161] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate folding of incoming light rays by the OPFE.

[0162] It will be understood that generally the Figures are schematic.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0163] FIGS. 1-6 inclusive relate to conventional mirror swing actuators and lens actuators, and reference is made to the Background section for a detailed discussion.

[0164] Herein, the same reference signs are used for features that are functionally or structurally similar.

[0165] Further, reference signs that end in 5 may be improved versions of the features of reference signs used for the conventional mirror swing assembly. For example, 170 refers to a known first sub-assembly; 175 refers to a first sub-assembly according to the disclosure.

[0166] A general concept of the disclosure can be seen in FIG. 7. Therein, a conventional lens actuator 120 can be inserted, as shown by the black arrow, into an actuator assembly 300 according to the disclosure.

[0167] The actuator assembly enables the part of the lens actuator 120 that has the top lens into the actuator assembly to be brought, via the second aperture 140, into the actuator assembly to varying extents. This has the effect of bringing the top lens successively closer to the OPFE 150 and hence contributing to successively reducing the height of the actuator assembly.

[0168] FIG. 8 is a cross-section through the actuator assembly 300 and lens actuator 120 when received within the actuator assembly 300, such as in-use.

[0169] The OPFE 150 is mounted on a second sub-assembly 185, which in this embodiment comprises a platform (FIG. 8: shown as light gray) beneath the OPFE, which in turn has a structure (shown as solid black) configured to slide along a concave track of the first sub-assembly. In this embodiment, the OPFE is shown at a possible maximum extent of vertical swing movement which brings the OPFE nearest to the second aperture 145.

[0170] In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the at least one lens 160 is received within the actuator assembly housing 310, and passes through the second aperture 145 and also partially into the second aperture 145-sa of the first sub-assembly 175. The lens 160 is shown in an end portion 123 of the lens actuator, which may have suitable length. Thus, on the same scale, the distance B has been substantially reduced compared to that of conventional mirror swing assemblies as shown in FIG. 3.

[0171] Further, it can be seen that the second aperture 145 is located non-centrally within the housing 310.

[0172] First sliding mechanism 205 and second sliding mechanism 195 are partially shown as circles representing ball bearings in receiving grooves. These provide rotational movement between the first sub-assembly 175 and housing 310.

[0173] FIGS. 9a illustrates an end-on view of the first sub-assembly 175 and the second sliding mechanism 195.

[0174] FIG. 9b illustrates the other end-on view of the first sub-assembly 175 and the first sliding mechanism 205.

[0175] For both of the first and second sliding mechanisms, three sets ball bearings are shown as located centrally in their grooves around an arc segment, and spacing approximately 90 degrees from each other.

[0176] FIG. 9b also illustrates for comparison purposes a 120 degree position around the same path as the arc segment. These are marked as two solid black circles. However, to save space and material and thus reduce height, the arc segment does not exist substantially beyond the end of the two grooves. Thus the arc segment shown just occupies over 180 degrees of arc, at most. The lower side of the arc segment is an opening. The person skilled in the art will be able to realize variations of this extent of occupation and different compatible shapes and extents of the arc segment.

[0177] Also visible in FIG. 9b is the non-rectangular shape of the second aperture 145-sa of the second sub-assembly, which enables more flexibility in design and access to the OPFE 150.

[0178] Further, the shape of the interior surface may allow a part of an end portion of the lens actuator to be received within.

[0179] FIG. 10 illustrates how the first sliding mechanism and the second sliding mechanism form mirror images on each end of the first sub-assembly 175, shown schematically as a cylinder.

[0180] FIGS. 11a and 11b illustrate the second sub-assembly 185 and OPFE 150, and a possible positioning and location relationship to the vertical rotation axis. There is no connection with the vertical rotation axis.

[0181] Substantially no parts of the holder-type structure of the second sub-assembly 185 protrude above the OPFE 150, thus reducing unwanted reflections. The holder-type structure is substantially planar on the side receiving the OPFE, and has a curved section or structure on the rear side for enabling sliding movement along a segment of arc of the first sub-assembly as shown.

[0182] Optional end-stops are also shown for limiting mechanical movement. These may protrude. These are located adjacent an area of the OPFE which plays little role in receiving and folding light rays i.e. a non-active area. Active areas 400 and non-active areas 410 are illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14.

[0183] FIG. 12 shows four cut-away perspective views of the OPFE when sliding between maximum extends of vertical swing movement.

[0184] An aperture 350 in a rear side of the first sub-assembly for accommodating one end of the OPFE is visible. Part of the housing 310 may also be recessed to also accommodate movement of the OPFE.

[0185] Further, it can be seen that the first sub-assembly comprises a base portion on which the second sub-assembly is mounted, two lateral arms extending towards the second aperture, which are joined around an upper side by a segment of arc.

[0186] The objectives, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of the present invention are further described in detail in the foregoing specific implementations. It should be understood that the foregoing descriptions are merely the specific implementations of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. The above specific implementations may be combined, and optional features not implemented. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, or the like made based on the technical solutions of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.