Patents Assigned to CAMBRIDGE MECHATROICS LIMITED
  • Publication number: 20100060776
    Abstract: A miniature camera lens actuation apparatus comprises a support structure, a camera lens element supported on the support structure by a suspension system; and an SMA actuator connected between the support structure and the movable element to drive movement of the camera lens element. The control circuit may include a drive circuit and a sensor circuit which have separate electrical connections to the SMA actuator to reduce the impact of the resistance of the electrical connections on the sensing. The control circuit may vary the drive signal in response to a temperature signal indicative of the ambient temperature. An endstop limits movement to prevent extension of the SMA actuator in its unheated state beyond a maximum length which is at or below the length corresponding the local maximum resistance of the resistance-length curve. Control of position is effected using resistance of the SMA actuator as a measure of position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATROICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Richard Topliss, Dominic George Webber, Robert John Leedham, Anthony Hooley, David Charles Wilson Richards, Thomas Matthew Gregory