Abstract: A camera module for a portable electronic device includes an actuator assembly with at least one coil segment. The coil segment includes a dielectric substrate with two surfaces. Over each surface is formed a trace that follows a path defining a multi-turn coil. The coils of each side of the dielectric are conductively coupled together to define a single inductor/coil. The two-layer coil segment can be encapsulated as a component suitable for pick-and-place and/or SMT manufacturing. In many constructions, the actuator assembly includes a stack of coil segments, coupled together in series or parallel.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein include bearing actuator arrangements, as well as cameras and devices that incorporate these bearing actuator arrangements. The bearing actuator arrangements described herein include a preloading arrangement configured to provide a magnetic preloading force between two components of the bearing actuator arrangement. The preloading assembly includes a magnet and a set of preloading plates positioned within a magnetic field of the magnet.

Abstract: A camera module for a portable electronic device includes an actuator assembly with at least one coil segment. The coil segment includes a dielectric substrate with two surfaces. Over each surface is formed a trace that follows a path defining a multi-turn coil. The coils of each side of the dielectric are conductively coupled together to define a single inductor/coil. The two-layer coil segment can be encapsulated as a component suitable for pick-and-place and/or SMT manufacturing. In many constructions, the actuator assembly includes a stack of coil segments, coupled together in series or parallel.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a folded optics camera actuator and suspension arrangement. For example, the folded optics camera may include one or more voice coil motor (VCM) actuators for moving a lens group, relative to an image sensor, in multiple directions. The folded optics camera may include a suspension arrangement that suspends a lens barrel arrangement from a base structure of the camera, and that allows motion of the lens group enabled by the VCM actuator(s). In some embodiments, the folded optics camera may include an actuator for moving a light folding element relative to the image sensor.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a folded optics camera actuator and suspension arrangement. For example, the folded optics camera may include one or more voice coil motor (VCM) actuators for moving a lens group, relative to an image sensor, in multiple directions. The folded optics camera may include a suspension arrangement that suspends a lens barrel arrangement from a base structure of the camera, and that allows motion of the lens group enabled by the VCM actuator(s). In some embodiments, the folded optics camera may include an actuator for moving a light folding element relative to the image sensor.

Abstract: Described herein is a disk drive having a crash stop assembly that includes a crash stop section with an outer wall extending along a first axial length of the crash stop assembly and a retaining section extending from the crash stop portion. The retaining section includes a helical portion that is elastically compressible along a second axial length, different from the first axial length, of the crash stop assembly when a base and top cover of the disk drive are coupled together.

Abstract: The present invention may be regarded as a disk drive comprising a disk, an actuator arm comprising a head, and a voice coil motor for actuating the actuator arm to position the head radially over the disk. The voice coil motor comprises a first magnet for generating a first magnetic flux, and a rotary voice coil yoke comprising a magnetic flux conductor shaped to form an air gap with respect to the first magnet, the magnetic flux conductor comprising a first end having a first reluctance and a second end having a second reluctance, wherein the first reluctance is substantially lower than the second reluctance such that the magnetic flux conductor guides the first magnetic flux through the air gap and through the first end. A voice coil is wrapped around at least part of the magnetic flux conductor for conducting a current to generate a second magnetic flux such that at least part of the second magnetic flux is within the air gap for interacting with the first magnetic flux.