US 12,111,452 B2
Folded optics with tilt actuator and spring suspension
Scott W. Miller, Los Gatos, CA (US); Alfred N. Mireault, San Francisco, CA (US); Junwei Liu, Millbrae, CA (US); and Hao Zheng, San Jose, CA (US)
Assigned to Apple, Inc., Cupertino, CA (US)
Filed by Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US)
Filed on Aug. 20, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/408,310.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/071,277, filed on Aug. 27, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0066287 A1, Mar. 3, 2022
Int. Cl. G02B 13/00 (2006.01); G02B 7/18 (2021.01); G02B 27/64 (2006.01); G03B 3/10 (2021.01); G03B 5/00 (2021.01); G03B 13/36 (2021.01); G03B 17/17 (2021.01); G03B 30/00 (2021.01); H04N 23/54 (2023.01); H04N 23/55 (2023.01); H04N 23/68 (2023.01)
CPC G02B 13/0065 (2013.01) [G02B 7/1805 (2013.01); G02B 27/646 (2013.01); G03B 3/10 (2013.01); G03B 5/00 (2013.01); G03B 13/36 (2013.01); G03B 17/17 (2013.01); G03B 30/00 (2021.01); H04N 23/54 (2023.01); H04N 23/55 (2023.01); H04N 23/686 (2023.01); G03B 2205/0015 (2013.01); G03B 2205/0023 (2013.01); G03B 2205/0069 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A camera, comprising:
a light folding element to fold a path of light;
a carrier that is coupled with the light folding element, such that the carrier is moveable together with the light folding element;
a base structure that is stationary relative to motion of the carrier;
an image sensor to capture image data based on the light that has been folded by the light folding element;
an actuator comprising a stationary magnet to tilt, about a tilt axis, the light folding element relative to the image sensor, wherein the stationary magnet is stationary within the camera; and
a suspension arrangement to suspend the carrier from the base structure and to allow motion of the light folding element enabled by the actuator, the suspension arrangement comprising:
one or more springs, comprising:
a first spring portion attached to the carrier;
a second spring portion attached the base structure; and
a third spring portion that interconnects the first spring portion with the second spring portion, wherein the third spring portion extends, in a direction parallel to the tilt axis, from the first spring portion to the second spring portion.