Optical-path folding-element with an extended two degree of freedom rotation range
Actuators for rotating an optical-path-folding-element with two, first and second, degrees of freedom in an extended rotation range around two respective rotation axes, folded cameras including such actuators and dual-cameras including a folded camera as above together with an upright camera.
1. A folded camera, comprising:
an optical path folding element (OPFE),
an image sensor; and
a pitch actuation and sensing mechanism configured to rotate the OPFE over an extended rotation range around a pitch rotation axis relative to the image sensor,
wherein the pitch actuation and sensing mechanism includes a pitch magnet,
wherein the pitch magnet has a mechanical symmetry plane, and
wherein the pitch magnet is fabricated such that a magnetic field direction changes along the mechanical symmetry plane, and wherein the pitch magnet has a non-rectangular shape in at least one dimension.
2. The folded camera of claim 1 , wherein the pitch actuation and sensing mechanism includes a pitch coil and a pitch Hall bar.
3. The folded camera of claim 1 , wherein the extended rotation range is equal to or greater than ±5 degrees.
4. The folded camera of claim 1 , wherein the extended rotation range is equal to or greater than ±10 degrees.
5. The folded camera of claim 1 , wherein the extended rotation range is between ±15-40 degrees.
6. The folded camera of claim 1 , wherein the pitch actuation and sensing mechanism is included in an actuator, and wherein the actuator is configured to rotate the OPFE over an extended rotation range around a second rotation axis relative to the image sensor.
7. The folded camera of claim 6 , wherein the extended rotation range around the pitch rotation axis is different from the extended rotation range around the second rotation axis.
8. The folded camera of claim 6 , wherein the extended rotation range is equal to or greater than ±5 degrees around the pitch rotation axis and the second rotation axis.
9. The folded camera of claim 6 , wherein the extended rotation range is equal to or greater than ±10 degrees around the pitch rotation axis and the second rotation axis.
10. The folded camera of claim 6 , wherein the extended rotation range is between ±15-40 degrees around the pitch rotation axis and the second rotation axis.
11. The folded camera of claim 6 , further comprising a lens module accommodating a plurality of lens elements along a lens optical axis, wherein the OPFE redirects light that enters the folded camera from the direction of a view section along a first optical path toward a second optical path along the lens optical axis, and wherein the actuator further comprises a pitch magnet located at a side of the OPFE that is opposite to a side facing the view section.
12. The folded camera of claim 1 , wherein the folded camera also includes a lens module, and wherein the lens module comprises 3 to 7 lens elements.
13. The folded camera of claim 1 , wherein the folded camera has a fixed focal length.
14. The folded camera of claim 1 , wherein the folded camera is an auto-focus camera.
15. The folded camera of claim 1 , wherein the extended rotation range is used for performing optical image stabilization (OIS).
16. The folded camera of claim 1 , wherein the OPFE is a prism.
17. The folded camera of claim 1 , included in a mobile device.
18. The folded camera of claim 17 , wherein the mobile device also includes an upright camera.
19. The folded camera of claim 17 , wherein the mobile device is a smartphone.
20. The folded camera of claim 17 , wherein the mobile device is a tablet.