Auto-focus and zoom module with vibrational actuator and position sensing method
US7623301B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 8, 2008 |
| Grant date | Nov 24, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 8, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02N2/04
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Systems for positioning a functional element, such as an optical lens, include a housing, a primary guide pin coupled to the housing, a functional group that includes the functional element, and a vibrational actuator assembly. The functional group is movably coupled with the primary guide pin and includes a first friction surface and a second friction surface. The first and second friction surfaces are oriented relative to one another at one of an obtuse angle and a straight angle. The vibrational actuator assembly is substantially registered relative to the housing and includes a first drive element and a second drive element. The first drive element is configured to interact with the first friction surface and the second drive element is configured to interact with the second friction surface. The vibrational actuator assembly operates to translate the functional group. Some embodiments include position sensing elements configured to detect position(s) of the functional element(s), and control system(s) configured to operate the actuators based on feedback from the position sensing system(s).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.