Reduced height penalty for folded camera
Actuators for actuating a lens in a folded camera, folded cameras including such actuators and dual-cameras including such folded cameras. The actuators actuate a lens having a lens optical axis for auto-focus (AF) and optical image stabilization (OIS) and comprise a stationary sub-assembly that includes an OIS coil having an OIS coil plane and an AF coil having an AF coil plane, and a lens actuating sub-assembly movable relative to the stationary sub-assembly with a lens holder holding the lens, wherein the OIS coil plane is perpendicular to the AF coil plane and wherein the lens optical axis lies between the OIS coil plane and the AF coil plane. Some actuators have a design using VCM actuation and a reduced height due to top and/or bottom openings in actuator envelopes.
1. A folded camera, comprising:
a) a movable lens positioned in an optical path between an optical path folding element (OPFE) and an image sensor, wherein the OPFE folds light from a first direction to a second direction and wherein the lens includes a lens optical axis parallel to the second direction, a lens height substantially aligned with the first direction, a first lens surface and a second lens surface diametrically opposed to the first lens surface, the first and second lens surfaces being in planes perpendicular to the first direction; and
b) an envelope surrounding the lens in at least some sections and including, along the first direction, a first envelope section with a first opening positioned on a first side of the lens and a second envelope section without an opening positioned on a second, diametrically opposed side of the lens, wherein the first lens surface is distanced along the first direction from an external surface of the first envelope section by a first air gap, wherein the second lens surface is distanced along the first direction from an internal surface of the second envelope section by a second air gap, wherein the second envelope section has a second envelope thickness and wherein the folded camera has a camera height substantially aligned with the first direction and substantially equal to a sum of the lens height, the first air gap, the second air gap and the second envelope section thickness, wherein each of the first and second air gaps is in the range of 10-50 μm.
2. The folded camera of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second air gaps is in the range of 10-100 μm.
3. The folded camera of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second air gaps in the range of 10-150 μm.
4. The folded camera of claim 1 , wherein the lens is movable for focusing.
5. The folded camera of claim 1 , wherein the lens is movable for optical image stabilization.
6. The folded camera of claim 1 , wherein the lens is movable in two directions in a single plane for focusing and optical image stabilization, the single plane being perpendicular to the first direction.
7. The folded camera of claim 1 , wherein the folded camera has a height not exceeding the lens height by more than 600 μm.
8. The folded camera of claim 1 , included together with an upright camera in a dual-camera.
9. A folded camera, comprising:
a) a movable lens positioned in an optical path between an optical path folding element (OPFE) and an image sensor, wherein the OPFE folds light from a first direction to a second direction and wherein the lens includes a lens optical axis parallel to the second direction, a lens height substantially aligned with the first direction, a first lens surface and a second lens surface diametrically opposed to the first lens surface, the first and second lens surfaces being in planes perpendicular to the first direction; and
b) an envelope surrounding the lens in at least some sections and including, along the first direction, a first envelope section with a first opening positioned on a first side of the lens and a second envelope section with a second opening positioned on a second, diametrically opposed side of the lens, wherein the first lens surface is distanced along the first direction from an external surface of the first envelope section by a first air gap, wherein the second lens surface is distanced along the first direction from an external surface of the second envelope section by a second air gap, and wherein the folded camera has a camera height substantially aligned with the first direction and substantially equal to a sum of the lens height, the first air gap and the second air gap.
10. The folded camera of claim 9 , wherein each of the first and second air gaps is in the range of 10-50 μm.
11. The folded camera of claim 9 , wherein each of the first and second air gaps is in the range of 10-100 μm.
12. The folded camera of claim 9 , wherein each of the first and second air gaps in the range of 10-150 μm.
13. The folded camera of claim 9 , wherein the lens is movable for focusing.
14. The folded camera of claim 9 , wherein the lens is movable for optical image stabilization.
15. The folded camera of claim 9 , wherein the lens is movable in two directions in a single plane for focusing and optical image stabilization, the single plane being perpendicular to the first direction.
16. The folded camera of claim 9 , wherein the folded camera has a height not exceeding the lens height by more than 400 μm.
17. The folded camera of claim 9 , wherein the folded camera has a height not exceeding the lens height by more than 300 μm.
18. The folded camera of claim 9 , included together with an upright camera in a dual-camera.