Folded camera with actuator for moving optics
Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and lens shifting capabilities. In some examples, a folded optics arrangement of the camera may include one or more lens elements and light path folding elements (e.g., prisms). Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements, carrier arrangements, and/or suspension arrangements to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Furthermore, some embodiments include position sensor arrangements for position sensing with respect to AF and/or OIS movement.
1. A camera, comprising:
a folded optics arrangement to fold a path of light, the folded optics arrangement comprising:
a first prism;
a second prism; and
a lens group disposed between the first prism and the second prism, wherein the lens group includes one or more lens elements;
an image sensor to capture light that has passed through the first prism, the lens group, and the second prism;
a carrier arrangement, comprising:
an inner carrier structure coupled to the lens group; and
an outer carrier structure coupled to the inner carrier structure; and
an actuator module to:
move the inner carrier structure and the outer carrier structure together, relative to the image sensor, in at least a first direction; and
move the inner carrier structure relative to the outer carrier structure in at least a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction.
2. The camera of claim 1 , wherein the actuator module comprises:
an autofocus (AF) voice coil motor (VCM) actuator to move the inner carrier structure and the outer carrier structure together, relative to the image sensor, in at least the first direction;
a first optical image stabilization (OIS) VCM actuator to move the inner carrier structure relative to the outer carrier structure in at least the second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction; and
a second OIS VCM actuator to move the inner carrier structure and the outer carrier structure together, relative to the image sensor, in at least a third direction that is orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction.
3. The camera of claim 2 , wherein:
the AF VCM actuator is to move the lens group in at least the first direction, to provide AF movement of the image, projected on the image sensor, in at least the second direction;
the first OIS VCM actuator is to move the lens group in at least the second direction, to provide OIS movement of the image in at least the first direction; and
the second OIS VCM actuator is to move the lens group in at least the third direction, to provide OIS movement of the image in at least the third direction.
4. The camera of claim 1 , wherein:
the actuator module comprises:
one or more magnets; and
one or more coils;
the inner carrier structure comprises a lens carrier to which at least one coil of the one or more coils is attached;
the outer carrier structure comprises a magnet holder to which at least one magnet of the one or more magnets is attached; and
the outer carrier structure at least partially encircles the folded optics arrangement.
5. The camera of claim 1 , further comprising:
a suspension arrangement to suspend the lens group and allow movement of the lens group along multiple axes, the suspension arrangement comprising:
a leaf spring attached to the inner carrier structure and the outer carrier structure, so as to allow movement of the lens group and the inner carrier structure together, relative to the outer carrier structure, in at least the second direction; and
suspension wires to allow movement of the lens group, the inner carrier structure, and the outer carrier structure together, relative to the image sensor, in one or more directions orthogonal to the second direction, wherein a suspension wire of the suspension wires comprises:
a first end portion attached to the leaf spring; and
a second end portion attached to a fixed structure that is stationary relative to movement of the lens group.
6. A device, comprising:
one or more processors;
memory storing program instructions executable by the one or more processors to control operation of a camera; and
the camera, comprising:
a folded optics arrangement to fold a path of light, the folded optics arrangement comprising:
a first prism;
a second prism; and
a lens group disposed between the first prism and the second prism, wherein the lens group includes one or more lens elements;
an image sensor to capture light that has passed through the first prism, the lens group, and the second prism;
a carrier arrangement, comprising:
an inner carrier structure coupled to the lens group; and
an outer carrier structure coupled to the inner carrier structure; and
an actuator module to:
move the inner carrier structure and the outer carrier structure together, relative to the image sensor, in at least a first direction; and
move the inner carrier structure relative to the outer carrier structure in at least a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction.
7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the actuator module comprises:
an autofocus (AF) voice coil motor (VCM) actuator to move the inner carrier structure and the outer carrier structure together, relative to the image sensor, in at least the first direction;
a first optical image stabilization (OIS) VCM actuator to move the inner carrier structure relative to the outer carrier structure in at least the second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction; and
a second OIS VCM actuator to move the inner carrier structure and the outer carrier structure together, relative to the image sensor, in at least a third direction that is orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction.
8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the one or more processors are further to:
cause the AF VCM actuator to move the lens group in at least the first direction, to provide AF movement of the image, projected on the image sensor, in at least the second direction;
cause the first OIS VCM actuator to move the lens group in at least the second direction, to provide OIS movement of the image in at least the first direction; and
cause the second OIS VCM actuator to move the lens group in at least the third direction, to provide OIS movement of the image in at least the third direction.
9. The device of claim 6 , wherein the outer carrier structure at least partially encircles the folded optics arrangement.
10. The device of claim 6 , wherein:
the actuator module comprises:
one or more magnets; and
one or more coils;
the inner carrier structure comprises a lens carrier to which at least one coil of the one or more coils is attached; and
the outer carrier structure comprises a magnet holder to which at least one magnet of the one or more magnets is attached.
11. The device of claim 10 , wherein at least one other coil of the one or more coils is attached to the magnet holder.
12. The device of claim 6 , wherein:
the first prism comprises:
an object side through which light enters the first prism; and
a first reflecting surface side comprising a first reflective surface to redirect the light towards the lens group; and
the second prism comprises:
a second reflecting surface side comprising a second reflective surface to redirect the light towards the image sensor; and
an image side through which the light exits the first prism, the image side proximate the image sensor.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein:
the first reflecting surface side is angled relative to the object side of the first prism; and
the actuator module comprises a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator having at least one magnet and at least one coil disposed within a space under the first reflecting surface side.
14. The device of claim 6 , wherein the camera further comprises:
a suspension arrangement to suspend the lens group and allow movement of the lens group along multiple axes, the suspension arrangement comprising:
a leaf spring attached to the inner carrier structure and the outer carrier structure, so as to allow movement of the lens group and the inner carrier structure together, relative to the outer carrier structure, in at least the second direction; and
suspension wires to allow movement of the lens group, the inner carrier structure, and the outer carrier structure together, relative to the image sensor, in one or more directions orthogonal to the second direction, wherein a suspension wire of the suspension wires comprises:
a first end portion attached to the leaf spring; and
a second end portion attached to a fixed structure that is stationary relative to movement of the lens group.
15. The device of claim 6 , wherein:
the first prism and the second prism are positioned along an optical axis defined by the lens group; and
the image sensor defines a plane that is parallel to the optical axis.
16. A folded optics system, comprising:
a lens group including one or more lens elements;
a first prism to redirect light to the lens group;
a second prism to receive the light from the lens group and redirect the light to an image sensor;
an inner carrier structure to couple with the lens group;
an outer carrier structure to couple with the inner carrier structure; and
an actuator module to:
move the inner carrier structure and the outer carrier structure together, relative to the image sensor, in at least a first direction; and
move the inner carrier structure relative to the outer carrier structure in at least a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction.
17. The folded optics system of claim 16 , wherein the actuator module comprises:
an autofocus (AF) voice coil motor (VCM) actuator to move the inner carrier structure and the outer carrier structure together, relative to the image sensor, in at least the first direction;
a first optical image stabilization (OIS) VCM actuator to move the inner carrier structure relative to the outer carrier structure in at least the second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction; and
a second OIS VCM actuator to move the inner carrier structure and the outer carrier structure together, relative to the image sensor, in at least a third direction that is orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction.
18. The folded optics system of claim 16 , wherein:
the actuator module comprises:
one or more magnets; and
one or more coils;
a first portion of the actuator module is attached to the inner carrier structure;
a second portion of the actuator module is attached to the outer carrier structure; and
a third portion of the actuator module is attached to a base structure that is fixed relative to movement of the lens group.
19. The folded optics system of claim 16 , wherein the outer carrier structure is to at least partially encircle the lens group, the first prism, and the second prism.
20. The folded optics system of claim 16 , wherein:
the lens group is disposed between the first prism and the second prism; and
the first prism and the second prism are positioned along an optical axis defined by the lens group.