US 12,326,613 B2
Camera actuator for lens and sensor shifting
Shashank Sharma, San Francisco, CA (US); Douglas S. Brodie, Los Gatos, CA (US); and Scott W. Miller, Los Gatos, CA (US)
Assigned to Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US)
Filed by Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US)
Filed on Feb. 9, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/438,264.
Application 18/438,264 is a continuation of application No. 18/189,973, filed on Mar. 24, 2023, granted, now 11,982,867.
Application 18/189,973 is a continuation of application No. 17/145,100, filed on Jan. 8, 2021, granted, now 11,614,597, issued on Mar. 28, 2023.
Application 17/145,100 is a continuation of application No. 15/940,661, filed on Mar. 29, 2018, granted, now 10,890,734, issued on Jan. 12, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/478,487, filed on Mar. 29, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2024/0184080 A1, Jun. 6, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G02B 7/09 (2021.01); H02P 25/034 (2016.01); H04N 23/54 (2023.01); H04N 23/55 (2023.01); H04N 23/67 (2023.01)
CPC G02B 7/09 (2013.01) [H02P 25/034 (2016.02); H04N 23/54 (2023.01); H04N 23/55 (2023.01); H04N 23/67 (2023.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A camera, comprising:
a lens that defines an optical axis;
an image sensor configured to capture light passing through the lens and convert captured light into image signals;
a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator, comprising:
a plurality of magnets; and
a plurality of coils;
a sensor shift platform coupled to the image sensor such that the image sensor is moveable together with the sensor shift platform;
one or more flexures to mechanically connect one or more dynamic components of the camera to one or more static components of the camera, wherein the one or more dynamic components include the sensor shift platform; and
a coil holder coupled with a first coil and a second coil of the plurality of coils, such that the first coil and the second coil are positioned orthogonal to one another;
wherein to tilt the image sensor or the lens, the VCM actuator is configured to cause at least one of the first coil or the second coil to magnetically interact with a respective magnet of the plurality of magnets.