US 11,792,516 B1
Flex circuit arrangements for camera with sensor shift actuation
Himesh Patel, Fremont, CA (US); Kai Min, San Jose, CA (US); and Phillip R. Sommer, Newark, CA (US)
Assigned to Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US)
Filed by Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US)
Filed on Feb. 18, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/675,666.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/248,371, filed on Sep. 24, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/151,011, filed on Feb. 18, 2021.
Int. Cl. H04N 23/68 (2023.01); H02K 11/02 (2016.01); H02K 41/035 (2006.01); H04N 23/54 (2023.01); H04N 23/55 (2023.01)
CPC H04N 23/687 (2023.01) [H02K 11/02 (2013.01); H02K 41/0356 (2013.01); H04N 23/54 (2023.01); H04N 23/55 (2023.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A camera, comprising:
a lens group comprising one or more lens elements;
an image sensor;
an actuator for moving the image sensor relative to the lens group; and
a flexure-circuit hybrid structure, comprising:
a plurality of layers stacked in a first direction that is orthogonal to an image plane defined at the image sensor, wherein the plurality of layers comprises:
a flexure portion for suspending the image sensor from a stationary structure of the camera and for allowing motion of the image sensor enabled by the actuator; and
a flex circuit portion for conveying electrical signals between the flexure portion and one or more external components that are external to the camera, wherein the flex circuit portion extends from the flexure portion in a second direction that is parallel to the image plane;
wherein the flexure portion and the flex circuit portion share multiple layers of the plurality of layers.