Protection structures for sensor-shift cameras
A camera may comprise a sensor-shift structure including a substrate to allow an image sensor to be movable relative to one or more lenses of the camera in one or more directions. During a drop or shock event, the substrate may experience unwanted movement and collide with a base structure in the vicinity. The camera may include one or more protection structures to prevent the substrate from directly colliding with the base structure to protect the base structure from potential damages. The protection structures may be implemented using components placed at the substrate and/or the base structure.
1. A system, comprising:
one or more lenses;
a substrate;
an image sensor configured to receive light from the one or more lenses along an optical axis, wherein the image sensor is attached to the substrate such that the image sensor and the substrate move together relative to the one or more lenses in one or more directions; and
a first protection structure attached to the substrate at least at one lateral side of the substrate and a second protection structure attached to the substrate at a non-lateral side of the substrate to prevent the substrate from colliding directly with a base structure.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first protection structure includes a metal or plastic frame wrapping around a perimeter of the substrate along one or more directions orthogonal to the optical axis.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first protection structure includes several separate metal or plastic components attached to the at least one lateral side of the substrate.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first protection structure includes a layer of coating using a solder resist material or polyimide.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second protection structure is implemented using metal or plastic materials.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the second protection structure extends towards the base structure in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis such that the extended portion of the second protection structure prevents the substrate from colliding directly with the base structure in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis.
7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator configured to implement movement of the image sensor and the substrate relative to the one or more lenses in one or more directions.
8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a suspension structure including one or more flexure arms and configured to suspend the substrate from the base structure so as to allow the image sensor and the substrate to move in the one or more directions.
9. A system, comprising:
one or more lenses;
a substrate;
an image sensor configured to receive light from the one or more lenses along an optical axis, wherein the image sensor attached to the substrate such that the image sensor and the substrate move together in one or more directions;
a suspension structure including one or more flexure arms and configured to suspend the substrate from a base structure; and
a protection structure attached to the substrate and including a portion protruding through an opening of the suspension structure so as to protect the base structure from collisions directly with the substrate.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the base structure further includes a portion protruding through the opening of the suspension structure so as to contact the protruding portion of the protection structure prior to contact between the substrate and the base structure when the substrate moves towards the base structure.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the suspension structure comprises one or more flexure arms and configured to suspend the substrate from the base structure so as to allow the image sensor and the substrate to move in the one or more directions.
12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the protection structure includes a layer of coating using a solder resist material or polyimide.
13. The system of claim 9 , further comprising:
a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator configured to implement movement of the image sensor and the substrate relative to the one or more lenses in one or more directions.
14. A system, comprising:
one or more lenses defining an optical axis;
a substrate;
an image sensor attached to the substrate such that the image sensor and the substrate move together relative to the one or more lenses in one or more directions; and
a first protection structure attached to the substrate, and a second protection structure attached to a base structure protruding out of a surface of the base structure towards the first protection structure on the substrate to prevent the substrate from colliding with the base structure.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the first protection structure includes a metal or plastic frame wrapping around a perimeter of the substrate along one or more directions orthogonal to the optical axis.
16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the first protection structure includes a layer of coating using a solder resist material or polyimide.
17. The system of claim 14 , further comprising:
a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator configured to implement movement of the image sensor and the substrate relative to the one or more lenses in one or more directions.
18. The system of claim 14 , further comprising:
a suspension structure including one or more flexure arms and configured to suspend the substrate from the base structure so as to allow the image sensor and the substrate to move in the one or more directions.