公开(公告)号：US20240026866A1

公开(公告)日：2024-01-25

申请号：US18265112

申请日：2021-12-06

Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED

Inventor： Robert Langhorne ,  Robin Eddington ,  James Howarth ,  Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown

IPC: F03G7/06 ,  G02B27/64 ,  G03B13/36 ,  G03B5/00

CPC classification number: F03G7/06143 ,  G02B27/646 ,  G03B13/36 ,  G03B5/00 ,  G03B2205/0007 ,  G03B2205/0076

Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator assembly comprising: a support structure (211); a moveable part (213) moveable relative to the support structure; at least one SMA wire (202) having a first portion and a second portion respectively attached to the support structure and the moveable part, the said SMA wire is configured to, on contraction, drive movement in the moveable part at least in a primary axis along which the shortest side of the SMA actuator assembly extends; an intermediate component (220) engaging the SMA wire at a location between the first and second portions, the second portion of the SMA wire being arranged at an oblique angle to both the primary axis and the first portion of the SMA wire.

公开(公告)号：US20220357557A1

公开(公告)日：2022-11-10

申请号：US17762007

申请日：2020-07-06

Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED

Inventor： Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown ,  Robert Langhorne ,  James Howarth ,  Robin Eddington

IPC: G02B7/09 ,  F03G7/06 ,  G03B5/02

Abstract: An actuator assembly comprises: first (20) and second (10) parts, wherein a primary axis (P) is defined with reference to the second part; a plurality of lengths of shape-memory alloy wire (30) connected between the first and second parts, wherein the lengths of wire are configured, when selectively powered, to cause three-dimensional movement of the first part relative to the second part; and a mechanism configured, when the lengths of wire are unpowered, to hold the first part in at least one position and/or orientation relative to the second part against the force of gravity for any orientation of the second part.

公开(公告)号：US11048098B2

公开(公告)日：2021-06-29

申请号：US15930870

申请日：2020-05-13

Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED

Inventor： James Howarth ,  Robin Eddington ,  Nicholas Henry Reddall

IPC: H04N5/232 ,  H04N5/225 ,  G02B27/34 ,  G03B5/02 ,  F03G7/06 ,  G02B27/64 ,  G02B7/08 ,  G03B3/10

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator arrangement for a movable element supporting a camera lens assembly comprises plural shape memory alloy actuator wires connected between a support structure and the movable element in an arrangement wherein the shape memory alloy actuator wires are arranged, on selective driving, to move the movable element relative to the support structure in any direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the at least one lens. At least one plain bearing bears the movable element on the support structure, allowing movement of the movable element relative to the support structure orthogonal to the optical axis.

公开(公告)号：US20190250366A1

公开(公告)日：2019-08-15

申请号：US16318503

申请日：2017-07-20

Applicant: Cambridge Mechatronics Limited

Inventor： James Howarth ,  Andrew Benjamin David Brown ,  Igor Gotlibovych ,  Robin Eddington ,  Ian Edward Charles Rogers ,  Nicholas Henry Reddall

IPC: G02B7/08 ,  G03B3/10 ,  F03G7/06 ,  H04N5/225

CPC classification number: G02B7/08 ,  F03G7/065 ,  G02B7/02 ,  G03B3/10 ,  G03B13/18 ,  H04N5/225 ,  H04N5/2253

Abstract: A miniature camera having an image sensor; an actuator which includes conductive components capable of conducting a pulse width modulation drive signal for driving the actuator; and a screening component located between the conductive components of the actuator and the image sensor, the screening component being electrically isolated from the actuator.

公开(公告)号：US10175499B2

公开(公告)日：2019-01-08

申请号：US15326865

申请日：2015-07-15

Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED ,  HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED

Inventor： James Howarth ,  Robin Eddington ,  Stephen Matthew Bunting ,  Peter Francis Ladwig ,  Richard Rodger Jenneke ,  Chee Keong Lai

IPC: G02B27/64 ,  G03B3/10 ,  G03B5/02 ,  H04N5/232 ,  H04N5/225 ,  G02B7/09 ,  G02B7/08

Abstract: A camera assembly comprises a lens assembly supported on a support structure, wherein the lens assembly includes an autofocus actuator arrangement and the camera assembly includes an optical image stabilization assembly arranged to move the lens assembly in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. A flexible printed circuit tape connected between the support structure and the lens assembly and providing an electrical connection to the auto-focus actuator arrangement is bent around a corner, thereby allowing the flexible printed circuit tape to accommodate the motion of the lens assembly perpendicular to the optical axis. A crimp plate connected to the lens assembly which crimps shape memory alloy wires has features extending out of the plane of the crimp plate for reducing flexibility. At least part of the optical image stabilization assembly overlaps the lens assembly in the direction along the optical axis, thereby reducing the height of the camera assembly.

公开(公告)号：US12228115B2

公开(公告)日：2025-02-18

申请号：US18377704

申请日：2023-10-06

Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED

Inventor： Stephen Matthew Bunting ,  Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown ,  Marc-Sebastian Scholz ,  James Howarth

IPC: F03G7/06

Abstract: Broadly speaking, the present techniques provide specific arrangements of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires in SMA actuation apparatuses. In one arrangement, a single straight shape memory alloy actuator wire may be used, which may be inclined at an acute angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to a plane normal to the movement direction. In another arrangement, two straight lengths of shape memory alloy actuator wire may be used, where the SMA wires may be inclined at an acute angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to a plane normal to the movement direction.

公开(公告)号：US12216328B2

公开(公告)日：2025-02-04

申请号：US17762007

申请日：2020-07-06

Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED

Inventor： Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown ,  Robert Langhorne ,  James Howarth ,  Robin Eddington

IPC: G02B7/09 ,  F03G7/06 ,  G03B5/02

Abstract: An actuator assembly comprises: first (20) and second (10) parts, wherein a primary axis (P) is defined with reference to the second part; a plurality of lengths of shape-memory alloy wire (30) connected between the first and second parts, wherein the lengths of wire are configured, when selectively powered, to cause three-dimensional movement of the first part relative to the second part; and a mechanism configured, when the lengths of wire are unpowered, to hold the first part in at least one position and/or orientation relative to the second part against the force of gravity for any orientation of the second part.

公开(公告)号：US12099250B2

公开(公告)日：2024-09-24

申请号：US18019304

申请日：2021-08-05

Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED

Inventor： Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown ,  Adam South ,  Robert Langhorne ,  James Howarth ,  Emily Kwok

IPC: G02B7/08 ,  G02B27/64 ,  G03B5/06 ,  G03B13/36 ,  F03G7/06

CPC classification number: G02B7/08 ,  G02B27/646 ,  G03B5/06 ,  G03B13/36 ,  F03G7/06143 ,  F03G7/0665 ,  G03B2205/0023 ,  G03B2205/0076

Abstract: An actuator assembly (4001) includes a first part (4002), a second part (4004), a bearing arrangement (4003) and a drive arrangement (4005). The bearing arrangement (4003) includes first to fourth flexures (40151, 40152, 40153, 40154) arranged about a primary axis (4009) passing through the actuator assembly (4001). The bearing arrangement (4003) supports the second part (4004) on the first part (4002). The second part (4004) is tiltable about first and/or second axes (4011, 4012) which are not parallel and which are perpendicular to the primary axis (4009). The drive arrangement (4005) includes four lengths of shape memory alloy wire (40101, 40102, 40103, 40104). The four lengths of shape memory alloy wire (40101, 40102, 40103, 40104) are coupled to the second part (4004) and to the first part (4002). The bearing 15 arrangement (4003) is configured to convert lateral force(s) normal to the primary axis (4009) generated by the drive arrangement (4005) into tilting of the second part (4004) about the first and/or second axes (4011, 4012). Each of the first to fourth flexures (40151, 40152, 40153, 40154) has a first end (4016) connected to the first part (4002) and a second end (4017) connected to the second part (4004). Each of the first to fourth flexures (40151, 40152, 40153, 40154) includes a feature (1016) configured to increase a first compliance of that flexure (40151, 40152, 40153, 40154) to displacement of the respective second end (4017) towards the respective first end (4016). The first compliance is less than a second compliance of that flexure (40151, 40152, 40153, 40154) to 25 displacement of the respective second end (4017) parallel to the primary axis (4009).

公开(公告)号：US20240229778A9

公开(公告)日：2024-07-11

申请号：US18279114

申请日：2022-03-29

Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED

Inventor： Nicolas Heijne ,  Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown ,  James Howarth ,  Adam South

IPC: F03G7/06 ,  G02B7/02

CPC classification number: F03G7/06143 ,  F03G7/067 ,  G02B7/021

Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator assembly (1) comprising: a movable part (100); a support structure (3); one or more SMA wires arranged, on contraction, to tilt the movable part relative to the support structure about two orthogonal axes that are perpendicular to a primary axis (O) of the support structure; and axial translation constrainers (16) configured to limit axial translation of the movable part relative to the support structure along the primary axis of the support structure, wherein the axial translation constrainers are arranged to prevent all points of the movable part from simultaneously reaching their most extreme position along the primary axis of the support structure allowed by the range of possible tilt of the movable part relative to the support structure.

公开(公告)号：US11953701B2

公开(公告)日：2024-04-09

申请号：US16490250

申请日：2018-03-02

Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED

Inventor： Robin Eddington ,  James Howarth

IPC: G02B27/64 ,  F03G7/06 ,  G02B7/182 ,  G03B5/00 ,  H04N23/55 ,  H04N23/68

CPC classification number: G02B27/646 ,  F03G7/065 ,  G02B7/1821 ,  G03B5/00 ,  H04N23/55 ,  H04N23/6812 ,  G03B2205/0076

Abstract: An SMA actuator is arranged to tilt the mirror in a zoom camera to effect optical image stabilization. The actuator may comprise four angled-V SMA wires. The actuator may alternatively comprise a gimbal flexure and SMA wires. In this case there may be four SMA wires or two SMA wires and two springs. The SMA wires may be straight wires or wires hooked in a V shape.