Folded cameras with continuously adaptive zoom factor
Folded Tele cameras, comprising: an optical path folding element (OPFE) for a folding a first optical path OP 1 to second optical path OP 2 , a lens including N lens elements, the lens being divided into four lens groups arranged along a lens optical axis and marked, in order from an object side of the lens to an image side of the lens, G 1 , G 2 , G 3 and G 4 , and an image sensor, wherein the lens elements of a lens group do not move with respect to each other, wherein G 1 and G 3 do not move with respect to each other, wherein G 2 and G 4 do not move with respect to each other, wherein the Tele camera is configured to change a zoom factor (ZF) continuously between a minimum zoom factor marked ZF MIN corresponding to a minimal effective focal length marked EFL MIN and a maximum zoom factor marked ZF MAX corresponding to a maximal effective focal length marked EFL MAX by moving G 1 and G 3 together relative to the image sensor and by moving G 2 and G 4 together relative to the image sensor.
1. A camera module, comprising:
an optical path folding element (OPFE) for a folding a first optical path OP 1 to second optical path OP 2 ;
a lens including a plurality of N lens elements divided into four lens groups arranged along a lens optical axis and marked, in order from an object side of the lens to an image side of the lens, G 1 , G 2 , G 3 and G 4 ; and
an image sensor,
wherein the camera is a folded Tele camera,
wherein the lens elements of a lens group do not move with respect to each other,
wherein G 1 and G 3 do not move with respect to each other,
wherein G 2 and G 4 do not move with respect to each other,
wherein the folded Tele camera is configured to change a zoom factor (ZF) between a minimal zoom factor marked ZF MIN corresponding to a minimal effective focal length marked EFL MIN and a maximal zoom factor marked ZF MAX corresponding to a maximal effective focal length marked EFL MAX by moving G 1 and G 3 together relative to the image sensor using a first voice coil motor (VCM 1 ) and by moving G 2 and G 4 together relative to the image sensor using a second voice coil motor (VCM 2 ),
wherein ZF MAX /ZF MIN ≥1.5,
wherein EFL MAX ≤30 mm,
wherein G 1 and G 3 are included in a single G 13 carrier, wherein the G 13 carrier is moved by VCM 1 , wherein G 2 and G 4 are included in a single G 24 carrier, and wherein the G 24 carrier is moved by VCM 2 .
2. The camera module of claim 1 , wherein the camera module has a module height H M , wherein the lens has a lens aperture height H A , wherein both H M and H A are measured along an axis parallel to OP 1 , and wherein H M <H A +3 mm.
3. The camera module of claim 2 , wherein H M =5 mm-15 mm and wherein H A =3 mm-10 mm.
4. The camera module of claim 1 , wherein ZF MAX /ZF MIN ≥2.
5. The camera module of claim 1 , wherein the change of the ZF is continuous.
6. The camera module of claim 1 , wherein the G 13 carrier and the G 24 carrier are moved by means of ball-groove mechanisms.
7. The camera module of claim 1 , wherein VCM 1 includes a position sensing unit operational to sense a position of the G 13 carrier and an actuation unit operational to actuate the G 13 carrier, and wherein the position sensing unit and the actuation unit are located at different positions.
8. The camera module of claim 1 , wherein the G 13 carrier is actuated over an actuation range of 0.5 mm to 5 mm.
9. The camera module of claim 1 , wherein VCM 2 includes a magnet assembly that has three or more magnets.
10. The camera module of claim 1 , wherein the G 24 carrier is actuated over an actuation range of 2.0 mm-15 mm.
11. The camera module of claim 1 , wherein N=10.
12. The camera module of claim 1 , wherein the OPFE is a prism, wherein the prism is a cut prism with a prism optical height H P measured along an axis parallel to OP 1 and with a prism optical width W P measured along an axis perpendicular to both OP 1 and OP 2 , and wherein W P is larger than H P by between 5% and 30%.
13. The camera module of claim 1 , wherein the lens is a cut lens with a cut lens aperture height H A measured along an axis parallel to OP 1 and with a lens aperture width W A measured along an axis perpendicular to both OP 1 and OP 2 , and wherein W A is larger than H A by between 5% and 50%.
14. The camera module of claim 1 , wherein the folded Tele camera has an aperture diameter DA MIN at EFL MIN and a minimal F number F/# MIN =EFL MIN /DA MIN , and wherein F/# MIN is <3.
15. The camera module of claim 1 , wherein the folded Tele camera has an aperture diameter DA MIN at EFL MIN and a minimal F number F/# MIN =EFL MIN /DA MIN , an aperture diameter DA MAX at EFL MAX and a maximal F number F/# MAX =EFL MAX /DA MAX , and wherein DA MAX /DA MIN >1.25.
16. The camera module of claim 15 , wherein DA MIN /DA MAX >1.5.
17. The camera module of claim 15 , wherein DA MIN /DA MAX >2.
18. The camera module of claim 1 , wherein EFL MAX is between 24 mm and 30 mm.
19. The camera module of claim 1 , wherein EFL MIN ≥9 mm.
20. A mobile device comprising the camera module of claim 1 .
21. The mobile device of claim 20 , wherein the mobile device is a smartphone.