Miniaturized auto-focusing VCM actuator with zero holding current

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering

Background:

• Consumer demand for smaller, more functional electronic devices necessitates miniaturized camera components.
• Existing autofocus actuators in camera phones require profile reduction without performance compromise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a miniaturized autofocus actuator for camera phone modules with minimal power consumption.
• To modify a previously proposed Voice Coil Motor (VCM) actuator for enhanced performance in compact devices.

Main Methods:

• Modification of a Voice Coil Motor (VCM) actuator design.
• Integration of a closed-loop position control system.
• Utilizing a magnetoconductive plate and lens support structure for precise lens positioning.

Main Results:

• The proposed actuator achieves zero holding current, maintaining lens position without continuous power draw.
• Experimental results demonstrate significantly higher power efficiency compared to existing VCM actuators.
• Improved positioning repeatability was observed in the developed autofocus actuator.

Conclusions:

• The miniaturized VCM actuator meets the demand for smaller, high-performance camera modules in mobile devices.
• The actuator's zero holding current and enhanced efficiency offer substantial power savings.
• The improved positioning repeatability contributes to superior autofocus performance in camera phones.