Integrated lens barrel
View Patent ↗An integrated lens barrel for a miniature camera is disclosed. The lens barrel can include components such as a shutter, an autofocus mechanism, a zoom mechanism, and/or an image stabilization mechanism. These and/or components can define a portion of the lens barrel that increases the length of the lens barrel. An electrostatic MEMS actuator can be used to effect movement of the autofocus mechanism, zoom mechanism, and/or image stabilization mechanism. Integrating the shutter, autofocus mechanism, zoom mechanism, and/or image stabilization mechanism into the lens barrel facilitates the construction of a substantially smaller camera that is suitable for use in personal electronic devices, such as cellular telephones.
1. An integrated lens barrel for a miniature camera, the integrated lens barrel comprising:
a barrel;
an autofocus mechanism that is a mechanical part of the barrel, wherein the autofocus mechanism comprises a MEMS electrostatic actuator; and
wherein said autofocus mechanism is part of a stack of optical components.
2. The integrated lens barrel as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a shutter disposed within the barrel.
3. The integrated lens barrel as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a zoom mechanism disposed within the barrel.
4. The integrated lens barrel as recited in claim 1 , further comprising an image stabilization mechanism disposed within the barrel.
5. The integrated lens barrel as recited in claim 1 , wherein the barrel is configured for use with a miniature camera.
6. The integrated lens barrel as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a fourth lens that defines an imager window.
7. The integrated lens barrel as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a fourth lens that is deposited on the imager.
8. The integrated lens barrel as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a first lens that defines a front window.
9. The integrated lens barrel as recited in claim 1 , wherein the barrel is stationary with respect to an imager during autofocusing.
10. The integrated lens barrel as recited in claim 1 , wherein the barrel is stationary with respect to the imager during zooming.
11. The integrated lens barrel as recited in claim 1 , wherein the MEMS electrostatic actuator has MEMS motion control.
12. The integrated lens barrel as recited in claim 1 , wherein the barrel functions as a housing.
13. The integrated lens barrel as recited in claim 1 , wherein the barrel comprises a conductor and functions as an EMI shield.
14. The integrated lens barrel as recited in claim 1 , wherein disposing the autofocus mechanism and a shutter within the barrel facilitates alignment during stack-up.
15. The integrated lens barrel as recited in claim 1 , wherein the barrel comprises a sleeve portion and a component portion.
16. The integrated lens barrel as recited in claim 1 , wherein:
the barrel comprises a sleeve portion and a component portion; and
the component portion comprises the autofocus mechanism.
17. The integrated lens barrel as recited in claim 1 , wherein:
the barrel comprises a sleeve portion and a component portion; and
the component portion comprises the autofocus mechanism and at least one lens.
18. The integrated lens barrel of claim 1 , wherein the barrel has a stepped interior configured to receive the stack of optical components.
19. The integrated lens barrel of claim 1 , wherein the barrel includes a rectangular portion configured to receive a digital imager.
20. The integrated lens barrel of claim 1 , wherein the MEMS electrostatic actuator comprises an etched silicon wafer.
21. The integrated lens barrel of claim 1 , wherein the MEMS electrostatic actuator includes a polysilicon layer that is electrostatically actuated with regard to the silicon wafer.
22. The integrated lens barrel of claim 21 , wherein the silicon wafer includes a plurality of channels and wherein the polysilicon layer includes a plurality of teeth extending into the channels.
23. The integrated lens barrel of claim 22 , wherein the channels are parallel channels.
24. The integrated lens barrel of claim 21 , wherein the polysilicon layer is resiliently biased away from the etched silicon wafer.