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.

Abstract: An actuator assembly is disclosed. The actuator assembly comprises a support structure (2): a first movable part (10): a second movable part (12): an actuator arrangement configured to drive rotation of the first movable part around a primary axis (O) relative to the support structure: a first bearing arrangement (20, 21) configured to convert said rotation of the first movable part into helical movement of the first movable part around the primary axis relative to the support structure: a rotation control arrangement capable of limiting rotation of the second movable part around the primary axis relative to the support structure; and a second bearing arrangement (30, 31) configured such that, when the first movable part undergoes said helical movement and the second movable part undergoes said rotation limitation, the second movable part undergoes translational movement along the primary axis relative to the support structure and/or the first movable part.

Abstract: An actuator assembly (140) comprises first and second parts. A first axis (Z) is defined with reference to the second part. The actuator assembly (140) comprises shape-memory alloy wire (80) connected between the first and second parts for moving the first part relative to the second part in any of a set of directions that are at least partly perpendicular to the first axis (Z). The set of directions includes first and second directions. The actuator assembly (140) comprises a set of arms (170), each of which is connected between the first and second parts and extends partly around the first axis (Z). The set of arms (170) is configured to provide a biasing force that biases the first part towards a first position relative to the second part. The set of arms (170) has a first stiffness when the first part is moved away from the first position in the first direction and a second, lower stiffness when the first part is moved away from the first position in the second direction.

Abstract: An actuator assembly comprising: a support structure (4) comprising a first printed circuit board, PCB (10); an image sensor assembly (12) comprising a second PCB (9) and an image sensor (6) having a light-sensitive region (7), wherein the image sensor assembly (12) is supported on the support structure (4) to allow movement of the image sensor assembly (12) relative to the support structure (4); and an electrical interconnector (51) configured to electrically connect the first PCB (10) to the second PCB (9); wherein the first PCB (10) and the second PCB overlap (9) when viewed along at least one direction in the plane in which the first PCB (10) extends.

Abstract: An actuator assembly comprising: a first part; a second part that is movable relative to the first part; and one or more actuating units each configured to apply an actuating force to the second part capable of moving the second part relative to the first part, wherein each actuating unit comprises: a body portion; a bearing arrangement between the body portion and the first or second part and arranged to guide movement of the body portion relative to the first or second part in an actuating plane; an SMA element connected between the body portion and the first part, and arranged, on actuation, to apply an input force to the body portion; and a force-modifying element connected between the body portion and the first part and configured to modify the input force so as to give rise to the actuating force.

Abstract: An actuator assembly comprising: a first part: a second part that is movable relative to the first part: and one or more actuating units each configured to apply an actuating force to the second part capable of moving the second part relative to the first part, wherein each actuating unit comprises: a body portion: a bearing arrangement between the body portion and the first or second part and arranged to guide movement of the body portion relative to the first or second part in an actuating plane: an SMA element connected between the body portion and the first part, and arranged. on actuation, to apply an input force to the body portion: and a force-modifying element connected between the body portion and the first part and configured to modify the input force so as to give rise to the actuating force.

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.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator (100) for a camera assembly, comprising:—a support structure supporting an electronic component, wherein the electronic component is susceptible to interference caused by magnetic flux; —a moveable part moveable relative to the support structure; one or more SMA components (12) connected between the moveable part and the support structure, wherein the one or more SMA components are configured to, on contraction, drive movement of the movable part; —a first electrical path and a second electrical path defined between, and/or including, each of the one or more SMA components (12) and respective electrical terminals (3a); and wherein the first and second electrical paths of each of the one or more SMA components are configured to, at least in part, extend adjacently to and in parallel with each other, and enabling the electrical current in the respective paths to flow in opposite directions, so as to minimise combined magnetic flux from the first and second electrical paths in

Abstract: An actuator assembly (1) comprising: a support structure (10) comprising a first friction surface (10f); a movable part (20) comprising a second friction surface (20f) engaging the first friction surface; one or more SMA wires (40) arranged, on contraction, to move the movable part relative to the support structure to any position within a range of movement; a biasing arrangement (30) arranged to bias the first and second friction surfaces against each other with a normal force, thereby generating a static frictional force that constrains the movement of the movable part relative to the support structure at any position within the range of movement when the one or more SMA wires are not contracted, wherein the one or more SMA wires are arranged such that the normal force between the first and second friction surfaces remains substantially constant on contraction of the one or more SMA wires.

Abstract: An actuator assembly comprising: a support structure comprising a first friction surface; a movable part comprising a second friction surface engaging the first friction surface; one or more SMA wires arranged, on contraction, to move the movable part relative to the support structure to any position within a range of movement; a biasing arrangement arranged to bias the first and second friction surfaces against each other with a normal force, thereby generating a static frictional force that constrains the movement of the movable part relative to the support structure at any position within the range of movement when the one or more SMA wires are not contracted; wherein the one or more SMA wires are arranged, on contraction, to reduce the normal force between first and second friction surfaces.

Abstract: An actuator assembly (2) comprising: first (50) and second (60) parts that are movable relative to each other; and one or more actuating units, each actuating unit comprising: a force-modifying mechanism (72) connected to the first part (50); a coupling link (78) connected between the force-modifying mechanism (72) and the second part (60); and an SMA wire (80) connected between the first part (50) and the force-modifying mechanism (72) for applying an input force on the force-modifying mechanism (72) thereby causing the force-modifying mechanism (72) to apply an output force on the coupling link (78) and causing the coupling link (78) to apply an actuating force on the second part (60); wherein the coupling link (78) is compliant in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the actuating force.

Abstract: An actuator assembly comprising: a support structure; an image sensor assembly comprising an image sensor having a light-sensitive region, the image sensor assembly being suspended on the support structure in a manner allowing movement of the image sensor assembly relative to the support structure; and at least two flexible printed circuits, each electrically connected at one end to the image sensor assembly, wherein the flexible printed circuits fold around the image sensor assembly such that their other ends are at the same side of the image sensor assembly.

Abstract: An actuator assembly comprising: a support structure (4) comprising a first printed circuit board, PCB (10); an image sensor assembly (12) comprising a second PCB (9) and an image sensor (6) having a light-sensitive region (7), wherein the image sensor assembly (12) is supported on the support structure (4) to allow movement of the image sensor assembly (12) relative to the support structure (4); and an electrical interconnector (51) configured to electrically connect the first PCB (10) to the second PCB (9); wherein the first PCB (10) and the second PCB overlap (9) when viewed along at least one direction in the plane in which the first PCB (10) extends.

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.

Abstract: An actuator assembly comprising: a support structure comprising a first friction surface; a movable part comprising a second friction surface engaging the first friction surface; one or more SMA wires arranged, on contraction, to move the movable part relative to the support structure to any position within a range of movement; a biasing arrangement arranged to bias the first and second friction surfaces against each other with a normal force, thereby generating a static frictional force that constrains the movement of the movable part relative to the support structure at any position within the range of movement when the one or more SMA wires are not contracted; wherein the one or more SMA wires are arranged, on contraction, to reduce the normal force between first and second friction surfaces.

Abstract: An actuator assembly (1) comprising: a support structure (10) comprising a first friction surface (10f); a movable part (20) comprising a second friction surface (20f) engaging the first friction surface; one or more SMA wires (40) arranged, on contraction, to move the movable part relative to the support structure to any position within a range of movement; a biasing arrangement (30) arranged to bias the first and second friction surfaces against each other with a normal force, thereby generating a static frictional force that constrains the movement of the movable part relative to the support structure at any position within the range of movement when the one or more SMA wires are not contracted, wherein the one or more SMA wires are arranged such that the normal force between the first and second friction surfaces remains substantially constant on contraction of the one or more SMA wires.

Abstract: An SMA actuator assembly (2) comprising: a support structure (10); a movable part (20) that is movable relative to the support structure; and an SMA wire (30) connected at its ends to the movable part and/or the support structure and arranged to move the movable part relative to the support structure, wherein the SMA wire is arranged to be in contact between its ends with one or more contact portions of the movable part and/or support structure, and wherein each contact portion comprises a plurality of contact sections (10a, 20a) that are in direct contact with the SMA wire, wherein the plurality of contact sections are separated by one or more gaps between the contact sections.

Abstract: An actuator assembly (1) comprising: a first part (2) and a second part (9) movable relative to the first part (2); a third part (8) supported on the second part (9); and an actuator arrangement comprising one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) wires (40) connected between the first part (2) and the second part (9), the one or more SMA wires (40) being arranged to, on contraction, drive movement of the second part (9) in a movement direction, in which the third part (8) moves with the second part (9) until the third part (8) engages an endstop (504) on the first part (2); wherein the actuator arrangement is arranged to continue driving movement of the second part (9) along the movement direction, and thereby causes the third part (8) to move relative to the second part (9).

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.

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.