Patent ID: 8730599

Claim:
A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) lens actuator comprising: a support frame having a stationary outer portion surrounding an inner receiving portion; a piezoelectric drive member positioned within the inner receiving portion and attached to the stationary outer portion, the piezoelectric drive member having a first actuation mode and a second actuation mode; and a first movable lens support member and a second movable lens support member frictionally engaged with opposing ends of the piezoelectric drive member at a contact point along each of the opposing ends using a preload force at the contact point, wherein in the first actuation mode, the piezoelectric drive member is capable of moving the first movable lens support member and the second movable lens support member in a same direction and in the second actuation mode, the piezoelectric drive member is capable of moving the first movable lens support member and the second movable lens support member in different directions.