PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11936983-B1
Application Number: US-202217951676-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Shock limiters and dampers for improved camera reliability

Abstract:
A camera including a camera enclosure; a fixed optics portion having a prism fixedly coupled to the camera enclosure by a voice coil motor base; a moving sensor portion having an image sensor package coupled to the camera enclosure by a voice coil motor carrier that extends around the image sensor package and is operable to cause a displacement of the image sensor package relative to the fixed optics portion; and a damper coupled to the fixed optics portion or the moving sensor portion to absorb an impact between the fixed optics portion and the moving sensor portion.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A camera comprising:
 a camera enclosure; 
 a fixed optics portion having a prism fixedly coupled to the camera enclosure by a voice coil motor base; 
 a moving sensor portion having an image sensor package coupled to the camera enclosure by a voice coil motor carrier that extends around the image sensor package and is operable to cause a displacement of the image sensor package relative to the fixed optics portion; and 
 a damper comprising an elastomeric material fixedly coupled to the prism or the voice coil motor carrier to absorb an impact between the fixed optics portion and the moving sensor portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The camera of  claim 1  wherein the elastomeric material is overmolded to the voice coil motor carrier. 
     
     
       3. The camera of  claim 1  wherein the damper is coupled to a side of the voice coil motor carrier that faces the prism. 
     
     
       4. The camera of  claim 1  wherein the damper is coupled to a side of the voice coil motor carrier that faces the voice coil motor base. 
     
     
       5. The camera of  claim 1  wherein the voice coil motor carrier comprises a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side that extend around a perimeter of the image sensor package, and the damper is a first damper coupled to the first side, and the camera further comprises a second damper coupled to the second side of the voice coil motor carrier and a third damper coupled to a third side of the voice coil motor carrier. 
     
     
       6. The camera of  claim 1  wherein the damper is coupled to a surface of the prism that faces the moving sensor portion. 
     
     
       7. The camera of  claim 1  wherein the elastomeric material is coupled to an image side of the prism that faces the voice coil motor carrier. 
     
     
       8. The camera of  claim 7  wherein the image side of the prism comprises a layer of optical material and the elastomeric material comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive coupled to the layer of optical material. 
     
     
       9. The camera of  claim 1  wherein the damper is operable to absorb the impact and reduce an acceleration of the moving sensor portion during a shock event. 
     
     
       10. A device comprising:
 a camera enclosure; 
 an optomechanical assembly having a prism fixedly coupled to the camera enclosure; 
 a sensor assembly having an image sensor and an electronic component mounted to a substrate that is movably coupled to the camera enclosure; 
 a voice coil motor having a base coupled to the optomechanical assembly and a carrier coupled to the sensor assembly that is operable to cause a displacement of the sensor assembly relative to the optomechanical assembly; and 
 a damper comprising an elastomeric material fixedly coupled to the prism or the carrier. 
 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 10  wherein the elastomeric material is overmolded to the carrier. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 11  wherein the elastomeric material comprises a rubber material. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 11  wherein the carrier comprises a lead frame and the elastomeric material is coupled to the lead frame. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 10  wherein the damper is coupled to a side of the carrier that is aligned with the prism. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 10  wherein the damper is coupled to a side of the carrier that is aligned with the base. 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 10  wherein the carrier comprises a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side that extend around a perimeter of the sensor assembly, and the damper is a first damper coupled to the first side, and the device further comprises a second damper coupled to the second side of the carrier and a third damper coupled to a third side of the carrier. 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 10  wherein the damper is coupled to an image side of the prism that faces the carrier. 
     
     
       18. The device of  claim 17  wherein the image side of the prism comprises a carbon coated plastic layer and a pressure sensitive adhesive coupled to the carbon coated plastic layer. 
     
     
       19. The device of  claim 17  wherein the damper is coupled to less than an entire surface of the image side of the prism that faces the carrier. 
     
     
       20. The device of  claim 10  wherein the damper is operable to absorb an impact between the optomechanical assembly and the sensor assembly during a shock event.

Description:
FIELD 
     An aspect of the disclosure is directed to a camera voice coil motor actuator having shock limiters and/or dampers for improved camera reliability. Other aspects are also described and claimed. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The use of small portable multipurpose devices such as smartphones and tablet or pad devices has resulted in a need for high-resolution, small form factor or miniature cameras for integration in the devices. Some of these cameras may incorporate optical image stabilization (OIS) mechanisms that may sense and react to external excitation/disturbance by adjusting a location of the optical lens on the X and/or Y axis in an attempt to compensate for unwanted motion of the lens. In addition, the cameras may incorporate an autofocus (AF) mechanism whereby the object focal distance is adjusted to allow objects at different distances to be in sharp focus and captured by the digital image sensor. In some such autofocus mechanisms, the optical lens is moved relative to the digital image sensor along the optical axis of the camera to refocus the camera. Due to the small form factor of the cameras, however, unintended movements, which may occur when the device is dropped, can cause camera components to collide and become damaged resulting in reduced camera reliability. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, the disclosure is directed to shock or displacement limiters for voice coil motor actuators of a camera assembly to prevent damage to components such as the image sensor. Representatively, the camera assembly disclosed herein may include an image sensor assembly that moves while the optical components remain fixed. The image sensor assembly, however, is made up of a number of relatively brittle sensor components (e.g., cover glass, sensor chip, capacitors, etc.). Thus, a shock or drop event may cause the image sensor assembly to contact one or more of the fixed optical components and damage (e.g., crack) the brittle sensor components or otherwise decrease reliability of the image sensor. The shock limiters are therefore configured to prevent, or otherwise minimize the load of, collisions between sensor components and the fixed components and/or reduce acceleration of the sensor components so as to reduce the risk of cracking. In still further aspects, dampers may be coupled to the fixed or moving components to absorb the inertial loads between the moving and fixed components during a shock event, and in turn, reduce accelerations and fracture risks of the sensor and/or optics components. 
     Representatively, in one aspect, the disclosure is directed to a camera enclosure; an optomechanical assembly fixedly coupled to the camera enclosure; a sensor assembly having an image sensor and an electronic component mounted to a substrate that is movably coupled to the camera enclosure; a voice coil motor having a base coupled to the optomechanical assembly and a carrier coupled to the sensor assembly that is operable to cause a displacement of the sensor assembly relative to the optomechanical assembly; and a displacement limiter coupled to the base or the carrier to limit an unintended displacement of the sensor assembly. In some aspects, the displacement limiter includes a tab coupled to the carrier. In some aspects, the tab includes a height dimension that is greater than that of the electronic component mounted to the substrate. In some aspects, the electronic component is a capacitor and the height dimension is at least 1.5 times that of the capacitor. In some aspects, the tab includes a length dimension that extends between the electronic component and another electronic component mounted to the substrate. In some aspects, the tab is a first tab coupled to a first side of the carrier, and the displacement limiter comprises a second tab coupled to a second side of the carrier and a third tab coupled to a third side of the carrier. In some aspects, the displacement limiter includes a cantilever having a first end attached to the carrier and a second end that hovers over the substrate. In some aspects, the displacement limiter includes a resilient material coupled to the substrate and surrounding the electronic component. In some aspects, the resilient material includes a foam or an epoxy. In some aspects, the base includes a lead frame having a first portion coupled to the base and a second portion perpendicular to the first portion and coupled to the prism, and the displacement limiter comprises an end of the second portion and the base extending beyond the prism. In some aspects, the end extends along at least three sides of the base such that the displacement limiter limits the displacement of the sensor assembly along at least three sides. 
     In another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a device including a camera enclosure; a fixed portion having a lens and a prism fixedly coupled to the camera enclosure; a movable portion having an image sensor and a capacitor mounted to a substrate that is movably coupled to the camera enclosure; an actuator having a base coupled to the fixed portion and a carrier coupled to the movable portion that is operable to cause a displacement of the movable portion relative to the fixed portion; and a displacement limiter coupled to the base or the carrier to limit an unintended displacement of the movable portion during a shock event. In another aspect, the actuator includes a voice coil motor actuator. In another aspect, the displacement limiter includes a protrusion coupled to a surface of the carrier facing the fixed portion. In another aspect, the protrusion includes a height dimension that is greater than that of the capacitor mounted to the substrate. In some aspects, the height dimension is at least 1.5 times that of the capacitor. In some aspects, the protrusion includes a length dimension that extends between the capacitor and another capacitor mounted to the substrate. In some aspects, the displacement limiter includes a cantilever having a first end attached to the carrier and a second end that hovers over the substrate. In some aspects, the displacement limiter includes a resilient material coupled to the substrate and surrounding the capacitor. In some aspects, the base includes a lead frame having a first portion coupled to the base and a second portion perpendicular to the first portion and coupled to the prism, and the displacement limiter includes an end of the second portion and the base extending beyond the prism. 
     The above summary does not include an exhaustive list of all aspects of the present disclosure. It is contemplated that the disclosure includes all systems and methods that can be practiced from all suitable combinations of the various aspects summarized above, as well as those disclosed in the Detailed Description below and particularly pointed out in the claims filed with the application. Such combinations have particular advantages not specifically recited in the above summary. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and they mean at least one. 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an example camera assembly. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a top plan view of some aspects of the camera assembly of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a magnified cross-sectional side view of an aspect of a camera assembly. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a magnified cross-sectional side view of an aspect of the camera assembly of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a magnified cross-sectional side view of an aspect of a camera assembly. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a magnified cross-sectional side view of an aspect of a camera assembly. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a magnified cross-sectional side view of an aspect of a camera assembly. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a magnified cross-sectional side view of an aspect of the camera assembly of  FIG.  7   . 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a magnified cross-sectional side view of an aspect of a camera assembly. 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a top plan view of some aspects of the camera assembly of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a cross-sectional side view along line B-B of  FIG.  10    of some aspects of the camera assembly of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a cross-sectional side view of some aspects of a camera assembly. 
         FIG.  13    illustrates an example computer system that may include a camera assembly as disclosed herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In this section we shall explain several preferred aspects of the disclosure with reference to the appended drawings. Whenever the shapes, relative positions and other aspects of the parts described in the aspects are not clearly defined, the scope of the disclosure is not limited only to the parts shown, which are meant merely for the purpose of illustration. Also, while numerous details are set forth, it is understood that some aspects of the disclosure may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this description. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, and the like may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element&#39;s or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The terms “or” and “and/or” as used herein are to be interpreted as inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” or “A, B and/or C” mean “any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C.” An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a camera assembly or module within which any one or more of the aspects disclosed herein, alone or in combination, may be implemented.  FIG.  2    illustrates a top plan view of some of the aspects of the camera assembly or module of  FIG.  1   . The example X-Y-Z coordinate system shown in  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2    may be used to discuss aspects of the system and/or system components, and may apply to aspects described throughout the disclosure. Camera assembly  100  may include a camera housing or enclosure  102  having a wall that defines an enclosed space or chamber within which various components of the camera assembly are positioned or otherwise contained. Representatively, the various camera components may be positioned within the enclosed space and fixedly or movably connected to the enclosure  102 . For example, the camera components may include an optomechanical assembly  104  including a number of optics components that are contained or otherwise coupled to the enclosure  102 . The camera components may further include a sensor assembly  106  including a number of sensing components that are contained or otherwise coupled to the enclosure  102 . The camera components may further include an actuator  108  that is operable to move the sensor assembly  106  relative to the optomechanical assembly  104  and/or enclosure  102  to provide OIS and/or AF functionality. Representatively, in some aspects, the optomechanical assembly  104  may be fixedly connected to the enclosure  102  by the actuator  108 . The sensor assembly  106  may be movably connected to the enclosure  102  by actuator  108 . The actuator  108  may be operable to move the sensor assembly  106  relative to the fixed optomechanical assembly  104  and enclosure  102  to provide the OIS and/or AF functionality. In this aspect, in some cases, the optomechanical assembly  104  and/or its associated components may be considered a fixed portion of the camera  100  while the sensor assembly  106  and/or its associated components may be considered a moving portion of the camera  100 . 
     Referring now in more detail to the optomechanical assembly  104 , optomechanical assembly  104  may include a lens  110  (or lens group), a prism  112  and a support structure  114  that holds lens  110  in the desired arrangement relative to prism  112 . For example, support structure  114  may hold lens  110  and prism  112  in an arrangement in which lens  110  is positioned above prism  112 , and prism  112  is positioned above imaging assembly  104  (e.g., relative to the Z-axis). Lens  110  (or lens group) may include one or more lens elements having an optical axis (e.g., the Z-axis) along which the light entering the camera propagates and is directed toward prism  112 . For example, as shown by the arrow, the light may enter an object side  112 A of prism  112  (e.g., along the Z-axis) and be redirected along an optical path through prism  112  (e.g., along the X-axis) and out the image side  112 B of prism  112  towards the imaging assembly  106  (e.g., along the Z-axis). Optomechanical assembly  104  may be fixedly connected to the camera enclosure  102  by actuator  108  as previously discussed. 
     Representatively, actuator  108  may, in some aspects, be a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator assembly or module including a base portion  116  and a carrier portion  118 . Base portion  116  may be fixedly connected to the optomechanical assembly  104  and camera enclosure  102 . For example, base portion  116  may be a substantial rigid structure (e.g., a plastic structure) that defines a periphery within which optomechanical assembly  104  is disposed. Representatively, base portion  116  may have multiple sides that surround and attach to the sides of optomechanical assembly  104 . For example, one or more of the side walls of fixed base portion  116  may be attached to support structure  114  as shown in  FIG.  1    to fixedly connect optomechanical assembly  104  to camera enclosure  102 . Carrier portion  118  may be movably connected to the base portion  116  and camera enclosure  102 . Carrier portion  118  may be moved relative to camera enclosure  102  and/or base portion  116  by actuating components (e.g., magnets and/or coils) of actuator  108 . 
     Sensor assembly  106  may be movably connected to camera enclosure  102  by the movable carrier portion  118 . Representatively, sensor assembly  106  may be an image sensor package including a substrate  120  having an imaging sensing portion (e.g., an image sensor chip) and electronic components  122  (e.g., capacitors, low-dropout regulators (LDOs), etc.) along a side or top surface  120 A of substrate  120  facing prism  112 . The movable carrier portion  118  may be connected to substrate  120  and used to shift the sensor assembly  106  relative to optomechanical assembly  104  along multiple axes, e.g., to provide AF and/or OIS functionality. For example, carrier portion  118  may be a substantially rigid structure (e.g., a plastic structure) that defines a periphery within which sensor assembly  106  is disposed. Representatively, as can be seen from the top plan view of  FIG.  2   , in which optomechanical assembly  104  is removed to simplify the discussion, carrier portion  118  may have a first side  202 , a second side  204 , a third side  206 , and a fourth side  208 . The first side  202  and the second side  204  may be lateral sides extending parallel to the X-axis and along opposite side surfaces of sensor assembly  106 . The third side  206  and fourth side  208  may be lateral sides extending parallel to the Y-axis and along opposite sides surfaces of sensor assembly  106 . In some aspects, although not shown in this view, at least some portion of the sides  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  may be positioned below, and aligned with, at least some portion of the fixed optomechanical assembly  104  and/or other fixed components. For example, as can be seen from  FIG.  1   , at least a portion of the third side  206  may be below, and aligned with (along the Z-axis), the carrier base portion  116  and at least a portion of the fourth side  208  may be positioned below, and aligned with (along the Z-axis), the image side  112 B of prism  112 . 
     During an AF and/or OIS operation, movable carrier portion  118  may displace or shift sensor assembly  106  relative to optomechanical assembly  104  (and camera enclosure  102 ). For example, carrier portion  118  may displace or shift sensor assembly  106  in a direction parallel to the Z-axis, X-axis and/or Y-axis. To accommodate such movements, various tolerances (e.g, gaps and spaces) are built into the assembly so that actuator  108  can move sensor assembly  106  as intended or desired (e.g., an AF stroke along the Z-axis) without unintended or undesirable impacts or collisions between the various components. For example, there is a gap or space  124  between sensor assembly  106  and prism  112  (e.g., in a Z-axis direction) which is tuned to allow for intended AF and/or OIS movements of sensor assembly  106  without collisions. In some aspects, the gap or space  124  may be tuned to allow a full AF stroke movement toward/away from prism  112  (e.g., in a direction parallel to the Z-axis) without any unintended contact between the movable sensor assembly  106  and the fixed prism  112 . Due to sensor assembly  106 , however, being movable, as opposed to fixed, and the low tolerances and/or spacing between components, it may be susceptible to unintended or undesirable movements that could potentially result in unintended or undesirable impacts or collisions between components. Unintended or undesirable movements or displacements refer to movements other than those that occur for AF or OIS functionality. For example, an unintended movement or displacement may be due to a drop, high impact or other shock event that occurs when a user drops their device. Such unintended movements or displacements could, in turn, result in unintended impacts and/or collisions between components. These types of high impact events may overpower the stop mechanism of the actuator  108  (e.g., a magnet or mechanical stopper) allowing sensor assembly  106  to shift along the Z-axis a greater distance than the gap or space  124  tolerance allows for. This, in turn, could cause sensor assembly  106  to collide with the image side  112 B of prism  112 , or another fixed component. For example, a drop or shock event could cause an unintended or undesirable movement of image sensor assembly  106  in which it moves toward and ultimately contacts the image side  112 B of prism  112 . Image sensor assembly  106  is particularly sensitive to such collisions, however, because it includes a number of brittle components (e.g., cover glass, image sensor chip, electrical traces, capacitors, etc.) that may crack or otherwise be damaged. For example, capacitors  122  on the side or top surface  120 A of substrate  120  facing prism  112  may crack or otherwise be damaged (or vice versa) if they come into contact with prism  112 . 
     To prevent or minimize the impact of such a collision or unintended movement or displacement, a shock or displacement limiter  126  is further provided. Shock or displacement limiter  126  may, in some aspects, be a protruding or tab like structure that is connected to, or otherwise extends from, carrier portion  118  of actuator  108  as shown. The protruding or tab like structure may have a shape and/or dimension suitable for preventing components of sensor assembly  106  from contacting prism  112  during a shock or other high impact event. Representatively, in one aspect, limiter  126  may be a structure that protrudes from a surface of carrier portion  118  facing prism  112 . For example, limiter  126  may extend above a top surface  118 A of at least one of the sides  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  of carrier portion  118  that surround sensor assembly  106 . In some aspects, limiter  126  may therefore be understood as a structure that increases a height or thickness of carrier portion  118  beyond that of a conventional VCM carrier. For example, in some aspects, limiter  126  may be molded from a same plastic material as the carrier portion  118  such that they are a single unit, but with an increased height or thickness in certain portions. In other aspects, limiter  126  may be formed separately and attached to the desired area of carrier portion  118 . 
     Referring now in more detail to the dimensions of limiter  126 , in some aspects, limiter  126  may have a thickness or height dimension (e.g., a dimension along the Z-axis) that is greater than any of the sensing components mounted to top surface  120 A of substrate  120 . For example, limiter  126  may have a height dimension (H) that is at least 1.5 times a height of the electronic components  122 . In this aspect, if a shock event were to cause an unintended displacement of sensor assembly  106  toward prism  112  (along the Z-axis), limiter  126  would contact image side  112 B of prism  112  and limit (or stop) the displacement to prevent any contact between electronic components  122  and prism  112  as shown. In addition, limiter  126  may be arranged at specific locations around sensor assembly  106  that are selected to prevent contact between sensor assembly  106  (e.g., electronic components  122 ) and other fixed portions above sensor assembly  106 . For example, it can be seen from  FIG.  1   , which is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of  FIG.  2   , that the portions  126 A and  126 D of limiter  126  are arranged at locations of carrier portion  208  directly below prism  112 . Portions  126 A and  126 D therefore contact prism  112  before electronic components  122  to prevent prism  112  from directly contacting and possibly damaging electronic components  122 . In addition, a portion  126 E of limiter  126  arranged at carrier side  206  is positioned below base portion  116  of actuator  108 . This portion of limiter  126  therefore contacts base portion  116  to prevent prism  112  (or the base portion  116 ) from directly contacting and possibly damaging electronic components  122  or other sensor assembly components. 
     In addition to the height dimension (H), limiter  126  may have a length dimension (L) that can be seen from the top plan view of  FIG.  2   . Representatively, the length dimension (L) may be understood as the dimension of limiter  126  extending from one or more of carrier sides  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  in a direction of the image sensor portion  210  of sensor assembly  106 . For example, length dimension (L) may run parallel to the X-axis or the Y-axis depending on which of the carrier sides  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  it extends from. In this aspect, the limiter or tab portions  126 A,  126 B,  126 C,  126 D of limiter  126  may be understood as extending over, or otherwise overlapping, the top surface  120 A of substrate  120 . Some of portions  126 A-D may therefore be directly between substrate  120  and the prism  112 . Limiter portions  126 A-D should not, however, overlap, or otherwise be positioned over, the image sensor portion  210 . 
     In addition, limiter portions  126 A-D may be arranged so that they extend between adjacent electronic components  122 . For example, limiter portion  126 A may be connected to carrier side  202  and extend between electronic components  122 A and  122 B. Limiter portion  126 B may be connected to carrier side  206  and extend between electronic components  122 B and  122 C. Limiter portion  126 C may be connected to carrier side  204  and extend between electronic components  122 C and  122 D. Limiter portion  126 D may be connected to carrier side  208  and extend between electronic components  122 A and  122 D. In this aspect, limiter  126  may be understood as having an arrangement in which at least one tab or portion  126 A-D is positioned between each adjacent electronic component  122 A-D. Said another way, limiter  126  may have a tab or portion  126 A-D located at each of carrier sides  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  so that at least one tab or portion  126 A-D is between each of the adjacent electronic components  122 A-D. In this aspect, portions  126 A-D may have any length dimension (L) that allows portions  126 A-D to extend between adjacent electronic components  122 A-D without overlapping sensing portion  210 . Each of tab or portions  126 A-D may have a different or a same size and shape (e.g., same height dimension ( 11 ) and/or length dimension (L)). For example, in one aspect, tab or portions  126 A-C may have a same size and shape (e.g., same height dimension (H) and length dimension (L)) while tab or portion  126 D has a different size and shape (e.g., different height dimension (H) and/or length dimension (L)). In addition, in some aspects, portion  126 D may have a width dimension (W) that is greater than portions  126 A-C such that it extends along a larger portion of carrier side  208  than the other portions  126 A-C. 
     In addition, it can further be seen from this view that limiter  126  can have a frame like portion  126 E that extends around (or overlaps) almost an entire perimeter of sensor assembly  106 . For example, the portion  126 E of limiter  126  extending around the perimeter (e.g., connected to carrier sides  202 ,  206 ,  208  and  210 ) could also be considered to have the previously discussed height dimension (H) that is greater than the components mounted to the substrate  120 . In this aspect, since portion  126 E of limiter  126  extends almost entirely around sensing portion  210  and portions  126 A-D are positioned between capacitors  122 A-D, any surfaces or structures not directly aligned with a limiter portion  126 A-E will also be prevented from colliding (e.g., due to deflection or buckling) with sensing portion  210  and/or capacitors  122 A-D. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3   ,  FIG.  3    illustrates a magnified cross-sectional side view of another aspect of a camera assembly similar to that of  FIGS.  1 - 2   . Representatively,  FIG.  3    illustrates a magnified view of an alternative structure for a shock or displacement limiter similar to displacement limiter  126  previously discussed in reference to  FIGS.  1 - 2   . In particular, although not all shown, the camera assembly  300  of  FIG.  3    may include each of the camera components previously discussed in reference to  FIGS.  1 - 2   . For example, camera assembly  300  may include optomechanical assembly  104  and sensor assembly  106 . Optomechanical assembly  104  may include prism  112  along with the other previously discussed optics components (although not shown) attached to base portion  116  of actuator  108  by support structure  114 . Sensor assembly  106  may include substrate  120 , electronic component  122  (e.g., a capacitor), and any of the other previously discussed sensing components (although not shown). Sensor assembly  106  may be movably attached to camera enclosure by carrier portion  118  of actuator  108  as previously discussed. 
     Camera assembly  300  may further include a shock or displacement limiter  326  connected to carrier portion  118  of actuator  108 . Shock or displacement limiter  326  may have a similar size and shape as limiter  126  previously discussed in reference to  FIGS.  1 - 2   . Representatively, displacement limiter  326  may extend from one or more of the sides of carrier portion  118  and have a size and shape selected to prevent a collision between the moving sensor assembly  106  and the fixed optomechanical assembly  104 . For example, displacement limiter  326  may have a height dimension (H) that is greater than a height dimension of the electronic component  122  and/or a length dimension (L) that extends between adjacent electronic components  122  as previously discussed. 
     In this configuration, however, displacement limiter  326  is cantilevered to reduce accelerations and provide additional shock absorption to any colliding components. Representatively, displacement limiter  326  may have a first end  326 A that is connected to a sidewall  302  of carrier portion  118  of actuator  108 . Limiter  326  may extend from the first end  326 A to a second end  326 B. Second end  326 B may be considered a free end in that it is not attached to a support structure. Limiter  326  may extend over substrate  120  such that the free end  326 B hovers, or is otherwise suspended over, substrate  120  as shown. There may be a gap or space  304  between limiter  326  and substrate  120  such that limiter  326  does not directly contact substrate  120 . Representatively, the bottom surface  326 A of limiter  326  may be spaced a distance from the top surface  120 A of substrate  120  to form the gap or space  304 . In this aspect, limiter  326  operates as a cantilever and can deflect upon impact to take the load away from the more brittle sensor components of sensor assembly  106 . For example, in the cases of an unintended shock event, sensor assembly  106  may move toward the fixed camera portion including optomechanical assembly  104  and base portion  116  of actuator  108  as shown by arrow  402  in  FIG.  4   . Limiter  326 , however, is cantilevered therefore upon contact with the fixed base portion  116 , limiter  326  can swing or deflect in a downward direction as illustrated by arrow  404  and operate like an energy absorber to absorb some of the contact load. Since limiter  326  is not in direct contact with sensor assembly  106 , the energy is not transferred to sensor assembly  106 . In some aspects, it is further contemplated that the size of the gap or space  304  may be tuned to allow for more or less deflection (and/or shock absorption) of limiter  326  as needed. For example, where a greater degree of deflection of limiter  326  is desired (e.g., to absorb higher impact or shock events), a size of gap or space  304  may be increased. On the other hand, where less deflection of limiter  326  is desired (e.g., to absorb lower impact or shock events), a size of gap or space  304  may be decreased. It is further contemplated that other aspects of limiter  326  may also be tuned to achieve a desired deflection (e.g., the limiter height, length or material). 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5   ,  FIG.  5    illustrates a cross-sectional side view of another aspect of a camera assembly similar to that of  FIGS.  1 - 4   . Representatively,  FIG.  5    illustrates an alternative structure for a shock or displacement limiter previously discussed in reference to  FIGS.  1 - 4   . In particular, although not all shown, the camera assembly  500  of  FIG.  5    may include each of the camera components previously discussed in reference to  FIGS.  1 - 4   . For example, camera assembly  500  may include optomechanical assembly  104  and sensor assembly  106 . Optomechanical assembly  104  may include prism  112  along with the other previously discussed optics components (although not shown) and be fixedly attached to the camera enclosure by a base portion of the actuator (not shown). Sensor assembly  106  may include substrate  120 , electronic components  122  (e.g., a capacitors), and any of the other previously discussed sensing components (although not shown). Sensor assembly  106  may be movably attached to camera enclosure  102  by carrier portion  118  of the actuator (e.g., a VCM actuator). 
     A shock or displacement limiter  526  is further shown connected to carrier portion  118  of the actuator. Similar to the previously discussed displacement limiters, displacement limiter  526  may have a shape and/or dimension suitable for preventing the movable sensing components of sensor assembly  106  from colliding with the fixed optics components of optomechanical assembly  104  during a drop, shock or other high impact event. In this aspect, however, limiter  526  is a conformal structure, for example a foam material, that is applied to, formed on, or otherwise attached to, substrate  120 . For example, limiter  526  may be a punched foam material that is applied to the top surface  120 A of substrate  120 . Limiter  526  may further have openings  502  that are arranged to accommodate electrical components  122 . For example, openings  502  may be punched into the foam material at locations corresponding to the position of each of electronic components  122  mounted to substrate  120 . In addition, openings  502  may, in some aspects, correspond to a shape of electronic components  122 . In this aspect, when the punched foam limiter  526  is applied to substrate  120 , electronic components  122  are positioned within openings  502  and entirely surrounded by the foam. 
     Similar to the previously discussed limiters, foam limiter  526  may have a thickness or height dimension greater than the electronic components  122 . For example, foam limiter  526  may have a height dimension that prevents a direct contact (e.g., a collision) between electronic components  122  or any other components of sensor assembly  106  that could damage sensor assembly  106  during a shock event. Thus, upon impact with prism  112  during a shock event, foam limiter  526  may compress and absorb the contact load instead of electronic components  122 . In some aspects, the foam limiter  526  may be applied to the entire top surface  120 A of substrate  120  such that portions of foam limiter  526  are between all the adjacent electronic components  122 . It is further contemplated, however, that in other aspects, foam limiter  526  covers less than the entire surface  120 A. In this aspect, some adjacent electronic components  122  may not have foam in between them but the height dimension of foam limiter  526  spaces prism  112  a great enough distance away from sensor assembly  106  to prevent contact with the remaining electronic components  122  and other sensing components of sensor assembly  106 . It should further be understood that while a foam material is described as used to form limiter  526 , it is contemplated that any compressible or resilient material suitable for absorbing a contact load between sensor assembly  106  and optomechanical assembly  104  during a contact event may be used. For example, limiter  526  could be made from another type of resilient material such as an elastomer or other rubber-like material. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  6   ,  FIG.  6    illustrates a cross-sectional side view of another aspect of a camera assembly similar to that of  FIGS.  1 - 5   . Representatively,  FIG.  6    illustrates an alternative structure for a shock or displacement limiter previously discussed in reference to  FIGS.  1 - 5   . In particular, although not all shown, the camera assembly  600  of  FIG.  6    may include each of the camera components previously discussed in reference to  FIGS.  1 - 5   . For example, camera assembly  600  may include optomechanical assembly  104  and sensor assembly  106 . Optomechanical assembly  104  may include prism  112  along with the other previously discussed optics components (although not shown) and be fixedly attached to the camera enclosure by a base portion of the actuator (not shown). Sensor assembly  106  may include substrate  120 , electronic components  122  (e.g., capacitors), and any of the other previously discussed sensing components (although not shown). Sensor assembly  106  may be movably attached to camera enclosure  102  by carrier portion  118  of the actuator (e.g., a VCM actuator). 
     A shock or displacement limiter  626  is further shown connected to carrier portion  118  of the actuator. Similar to the previously discussed displacement limiters, displacement limiter  626  may have a shape and/or dimension suitable for preventing the movable sensing components of sensor assembly  106  from colliding with the fixed optics components of optomechanical assembly  104  during a drop, shock or other high impact event. In this aspect, however, limiter  626  is a conformal coating that can be applied to substrate  120  and conform to the shape of the sensor assembly components to protect them from collision. For example, limiter  626  may be formed by an epoxy material that is applied to top surface  120 A of substrate  120  and over (and/or around) electronic components  122 . Similar to the previously discussed limiters, limiter  626  may have a thickness or height dimension greater than the electronic components  122 . Thus, upon impact with prism  112  during a shock event, the epoxy material forming limiter  626  will compress and absorb the contact load instead of electronic components  122 . In this aspect, direct contact (e.g., a collision) between electronic components  122  or any other components of sensor assembly  106  that could damage sensor assembly  106  during a shock event is prevented. In some aspects, limiter  626  may be applied to the entire top surface  120 A of substrate  120  and around electronic components  122  such that the epoxy material is between all the adjacent electronic components  122 . In addition, the epoxy material may be applied over all the electronic components  122  such that they are completed encased within the material. It is further contemplated, however, that in other aspects, limiter  626  may cover less than the entire surface  120 A and/or electronic components  122 . In this aspect, some adjacent electronic components  122  may not have epoxy in between or over them but the thickness or height dimension of limiter  626  spaces prism  112  a great enough distance away from sensor assembly  106  to prevent contact with the remaining electronic components  122  and other sensing components of sensor assembly  106 . It should further be understood that while an epoxy material is described as used to form limiter  626 , it is contemplated that any compressible or resilient material suitable for providing a conformal type coating over the brittle sensor components and absorbing a contact load between sensor assembly  106  and optomechanical assembly  104  during a contact event may be used. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  7   ,  FIG.  7    illustrates a cross-sectional side view of another aspect of a camera assembly similar to that of  FIGS.  1 - 6   . Representatively,  FIG.  7    illustrates an alternative structure for a shock or displacement limiter previously discussed in reference to  FIGS.  1 - 6   . In particular, although not all shown, the camera assembly  700  of  FIG.  7    may include each of the camera components previously discussed in reference to  FIGS.  1 - 6   . For example, camera assembly  700  may include optomechanical assembly  104  and sensor assembly  106 . Optomechanical assembly  104  may include prism  112  and support structure  114  fixedly coupling prism  112  to base portion  116  of actuator  108  (e.g., a VCM actuator). Base portion  116  may be fixedly coupled to camera enclosure  102 . Sensor assembly  106  may include substrate  120 , electronic component  122  (e.g., capacitor), and any of the other previously discussed sensing components (although not shown). Sensor assembly  106  may be movably attached to camera enclosure  102  by carrier portion  118  of actuator  108  (e.g., a VCM actuator). 
     A shock or displacement limiter  726  is further shown connected to carrier portion  118  of the actuator  108 . Similar to the previously discussed displacement limiters, displacement limiter  726  may have a shape and/or dimension suitable for preventing the movable sensing components of sensor assembly  106  from colliding with the fixed optics components of optomechanical assembly  104  during a drop, shock or other high impact event. In this aspect, however, limiter  726  is formed by extended end portions  704 ,  706 C of base portion  116  and lead frame  706 , respectively. Representatively, base portion  116  may include a lead frame  706  which runs through base portion  116  to provide reinforcement. For example, in some aspects, where base portion  116  is a plastic structure, lead frame  706  may be a metal structure that runs through base portion  116  to reinforce the plastic structure. The metal material of lead frame  706  may provide the additional advantage of being a more adhesive surface than plastic for attaching the support structure  114  of prism  112  to base portion  116 . Lead fame  706  may include a first portion  706 A that runs in a direction parallel to the X-axis and is embedded within, or otherwise attached to, a top portion of base portion  116 . Lead frame  706  may further include a second portion  706 B that extends perpendicular to first portion  706 B in a direction toward sensor assembly  106  (e.g., parallel to the Z-axis). In this aspect, second portion  706 B runs along the side of prism  112  and support structure  114 . Support structure  114  can therefore be attached (e.g., adhered) to second portion  706 B to fixedly connect prism  112  to base portion  116  as shown. 
     Limiter  726  may be formed at the end of second portion  706 B facing sensor assembly  106  so that during a drop or shock event, it can prevent direct contact between components of sensor assembly  106  and prism  112 . For example, limiter  726  may be configured to limit the travel of the carrier portion  116  connected to sensor assembly  106  to reduce accelerations on the sensor components. This, in turn, leads to reduced stresses and REL risk (e.g., fracture and/or cracking). Representatively, limiter  726  may be formed by an extended end portion  706 C of lead frame  706  and an extended end portion  704  of base portion  116 . For example, the end portion  706 C of lead frame  706  may be extended (e.g., in a Z-axis direction) so that it terminates at least level with, or below (e.g., closer to sensor assembly  106 ), prism  112  as shown. Base portion  116  may further include an extended end portion  704  that extends below end portion  706 C. For example, in some aspects, extended end portion  704  may have an “L” or other similar cross-sectional shape as shown such that it extends under end portion  706 C of lead frame  706  and increases the surface area. For example, the surface area or width of extended end portion  704  may be greater than lead frame end portion  706 C so that the surface area for absorbing an impact during a shock event is maximized. In addition, although not shown in this view, it should be understood that the lead frame  706  may be positioned within at least three sides of the base portion  116 . For example, lead frame  706  may be positioned within at least three sides of the base portion  116  surrounding optomechanical assembly  104 . Limiter  726  may therefore further be positioned along at least three sides of the base portion  116 . In this aspect, limiter  726  may contact at least three sides of the carrier portion  118  surrounding image sensing assembly  106  (or any moving portion) during a drop or shock event for maximum absorption of the shock event. 
     In addition, certain aspects of limiter  726  may be tuned to limit displacement and reduce acceleration of the sensor assembly. For example, the base end portion  704  may extend below lead frame end portion  706 C a distance (D 2 ) (e.g., in a Z-axis direction). Representatively, in some aspects, extended end portion  704  may extend a distance (D 2 ) such that it terminates below prism  112  (e.g., closer to sensor assembly  106  than prism  112 ). A gap or space  708  having a distance (D 3 ) is further formed between the bottom surface  704 A of end portion  704  and the top surface  118 A of carrier portion  118  as shown. Distance (D 3 ) of the gap or space  708  may be tuned or selected to allow for a certain amount of displacement or movement of the moving sensor components before contact is made with limiter  726  to prevent collision. For example, the distance (D 3 ) of gap or space  708  may be tuned to minimize an impact between components. Representatively, reducing the size of the gap or space  708  may reduce the acceleration and/or impact between limiter  726  and carrier portion  118  during a drop event. 
     Representatively, referring now to  FIG.  8   ,  FIG.  8    illustrates limiter  726  limiting an excursion of the moving portion to prevent a collision between the moving sensor components and the fixed prism during a shock event. For example, as can be seen from  FIG.  8   , during a shock event, carrier portion  118  coupled to sensor assembly  106  may be caused to move toward the fixed base portion  116  as illustrated by the arrow. Limiter  726  extends below prism  112  to contact and stop the upward movement of carrier portion  118  at a point or position where there is still a gap or space maintained between the sensor components (e.g., electronic component  122 ) and optics components (e.g., prism  112 ). This, in turn, prevents any direct contact between sensor components (e.g., electronic component  122 ) and the fixed optics components (e.g., prism  112 ). Limiting the travel of the carrier portion  118  in this manner further reduces accelerations on the sensor components. In addition, as previously discussed, although a contact at one of the sides of carrier portion  118  is shown in  FIG.  8   , it should be understood that limiter  726  may be arranged along at least 3 sides, or four sides, of the base portion  116  and therefore absorb a contact along at least three, or four, sides of carrier portion  118 . 
     In some aspects, limiter  726  may further be tuned to limit an impact in combination with a stroke limiter of the camera assembly. For example, camera  700  may include a stroke limiter or limiting mechanism that stops the movement of carrier portion  118  at the end of the AF stroke. Representatively, to achieve a full AF stroke needed for an AF function, the actuating components of actuator  108  may move carrier portion  118  a certain predetermined distance in the Z-axis direction (illustrated by the arrow). The stroke limiting mechanism is designed to stop this AF movement of the carrier portion  118  at the end of the AF stroke. For example, in some aspects, actuator  108  may include an internal assembly or structure  702  that hard stacks to base portion  116  and is positioned between base portion  118  and carrier portion  118 . As can be seen from  FIG.  7   , in a resting or non-actuated state, there is a space or gap  710  between the top surface  702 A of structure  702  and the bottom surface  116 A of base portion  116 . The space or gap  710  may have a distance (D 1 ). During an AF stroke, carrier portion  118  is caused to move in the direction of the arrow (e.g., toward surface  116 A of base portion  116 ). The top surface  702 A of structure  702  also moves and contacts surface  116 A of base portion  116 . This contact serves as the main or primary end stop or AF limiter for the movement of carrier portion  118  during the AF stroke. Once this primary contact is made to end the AF stroke, however, other components associated with carrier portion  118  may still deflect or otherwise continue to move (e.g., during a shock event). For example, the moving components (e.g., sensor assembly and carrier portion) have a large inertial mass, so after the initial contact stopping the AF stroke, the sensor assembly  106 , and particularly the middle components may deflect and continue to move upward due to inertia. Any collision with sensor components due to the deflection or continued movement after the primary contact to end the AF stroke may be prevented by limiter  726 . Thus, in some aspects, the distance (D 1 ) of the space or gap  710  between base portion  116  and structure  702  may be tuned with the distance (D 3 ) of the space of gap  708  between limiter  726  and carrier  118  so that both the primary and secondary contacts can occur as desired, while still preventing an undesirable collision. For example, in some aspects, to ensure that contact with the AF stroke limiter (e.g., contact with surface  116 A of base portion  116 ) occurs first to stop the AF stroke, distance (D 1 ) of gap  710  and/or distance (D 3 ) gap  708  are tuned to be large enough to achieve a full AF stroke (e.g., slightly larger than the AF stroke) but minimized and optimized to be as small as possible to maximize the shock limiter function of limiter  726 . In this aspect, limiter  726  is critical for limiting contact at beneficial and prescribed locations that may not otherwise be achieved with the AF limiting mechanism (e.g., contact between structure  702  and base portion  116 ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  9 - 12   ,  FIGS.  9 - 12    illustrate dampers which can be incorporated into any of the previously discussed camera assemblies to absorb the inertial loads between the moving and fixed components during a shock event, and in turn, reduce accelerations and fracture risks of the sensor and/or optics components. Representatively, referring now in more detail to  FIG.  9   ,  FIG.  9    illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a camera assembly  900  similar to that discussed in  FIGS.  1 - 8   . Representatively, similar to the previously discussed camera assemblies, camera assembly  900  may include optomechanical assembly  104  and sensor assembly  106 . Optomechanical assembly  104  may include prism  112  and support structure  114  fixedly coupling prism  112  to base portion  116  of actuator  108  (e.g., a VCM actuator). Base portion  116  may be fixedly coupled to camera enclosure  102 . Sensor assembly  106  may include substrate  120 , electronic component  122  (e.g., capacitor), and any of the other previously discussed sensing components (although not shown). Sensor assembly  106  may be movably attached to camera enclosure  102  by carrier portion  118  of actuator  108  (e.g., a VCM actuator). In addition, camera assembly  900  may have a shock limiter  726  similar to that previously discussed in reference to  FIGS.  7 - 8   . It should be understood, however, that although limiter  726  from  FIGS.  7 - 8    is shown, the assembly may include any one or more of the other previously discussed shock limiters  126 ,  326 ,  526  or  626  in addition to or instead of limiter  726 . 
     Camera  900  further includes a damper  902  configured to absorb the inertial loads between the moving and fixed components during a shock event, and in turn, reduce accelerations and fracture risks of the sensor and/or optics components. Damper  902  may be attached to carrier portion  118  of actuator  108 . Damper  902  may be attached to carrier portion  118  at a location that is aligned with limiter  726 . In this aspect, limiter  726  will directly contact damper  902 , instead of the surface of carrier portion  118 , during a shock or other similar high impact event as previously discussed. Damper  902  may be made of any material suitable for reducing the load or stresses between components that would otherwise contact one another and have high acceleration. Representatively, in some aspects, damper  902  may be made of an elastomeric material such as a rubber. For example, in some aspects, damper  902  may be overmolded to the plastic material forming carrier portion  118 . In addition, in some aspects, carrier portion  118  may further include an optional lead frame  904  for added support, and damper  902  may further be overmolded or otherwise attached to lead frame  904  as shown. Damper  902  may be overmolded to carrier portion  118  at a location or position that is below limiter  726 . It is further contemplated that although damper  902  is described as being overmolded to carrier portion  118  and lead frame  904 , any suitable attachment mechanism (e.g., an adhesive) or assembly process may be used to attach damper  902  to carrier portion  118 . For example, damper  902  could instead be glued into the desired area of carrier portion  118  with or without lead fame  904 . In addition, although damper  902  is shown only at one side or portion of carrier portion  118 , it is contemplated that any number of dampers  902  may be included in any side or portion of carrier portion  118  that could impact a fixed portion and therefore benefit from a reduced load at the point of impact. 
     Representatively, as can be seen from  FIG.  10   , which is a top plan view of the carrier portion  118  of  FIG.  9   , dampers  902 A,  902 B,  902 C and  902 D may be included in one or more of carrier sides  202 ,  206 ,  204 ,  208 , respectively. In this aspect, dampers  902 A,  902 B,  902 C,  902 D may absorb a contact with limiter  726 , which as previously discussed may also be included along one or more sides of the base portion  116 . For example, in some aspects, where carrier sides  202 ,  204  and  206  are aligned with sides of the base portion including limiters  726 , dampers  902 A,  902 B,  902 C may be included along carrier sides  202 ,  204  and  206  to absorb the impact between the limiters  726  and carrier portion  118 . In addition, in some aspects, carrier side  208  may be aligned with prism  112  as previously discussed. In this aspect, damper  902 D may be configured to absorb an impact of the prism  112 , instead of one of limiters  726  or the base portion  116 . 
     Representatively,  FIG.  11    illustrates a cross-sectional side view along line B-B through side  208  of carrier portion  118 . From this view, it can be seen that carrier side  208  and damper  902 D are aligned with prism  112 , instead of a limiter  726  attached to base portion  118 . In this aspect, damper  902 D contacts prism  112  when carrier  118  is moved toward prism  112  during a shock or other high impact event (as illustrated by the arrow) to disperse the load and protect the sensor and optics components from damage during the impact. 
     Referring now in more detail to  FIG.  12   ,  FIG.  12    illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an alternative damper configuration. The cross-sectional side view of  FIG.  12    may also be along line B-B through the carrier side  208  as shown in  FIG.  10   . Representatively, similar to the previously discussed camera assemblies, camera assembly  1200  may include optomechanical assembly  104  and sensor assembly  106 . Optomechanical assembly  104  may include prism  112  and support structure  114  fixedly coupling prism  112  to base portion  116  of actuator  108  (e.g., a VCM actuator). Base portion  116  may be fixedly coupled to a camera enclosure as previously discussed (e.g., camera enclosure  102 ). In addition, although now shown in this view, camera assembly  1200  may include sensor assembly  106  having a substrate  120 , electronic component  122  (e.g., capacitor), and any of the other previously discussed sensing components (although not shown). Sensor assembly  106  may be movably attached to camera enclosure  102  by carrier portion  118  of actuator  108  (e.g., a VCM actuator). 
     As can be seen in this configuration, however, instead of attaching a damper to the side of carrier portion  118  below prism  112  as previously discussed in reference to  FIGS.  9 - 11   , damper  1206  may be attached to prism  112 . In particular, damper  1206  may be attached to the side or surface of prism  112  that interfaces with a top side or surface  118 A of carrier side  208 . Damper  1206  may provide the same benefits or advantages as the previously discussed damper  902  attached to the carrier portion  118 . For example, similar to the previously discussed damper, damper  1206  may provide the advantages of protecting the prism during contact and absorbing a shock load. Attaching damper  1206 , however, to prism  112  instead of carrier portion  118  allows for the surface area of carrier portion  118 , that would otherwise be occupied by the damper, to be used for other purposes. For example, when the damper is overmolded or otherwise attached to carrier portion  118 , it occupies areas of carrier portion  118  that can no longer be used to attach other components. Therefore, in some aspects, it may be desirable to attach damper  1206  to prism  112  so that the surface area of carrier portion  118  is maintained for other uses. In addition, attaching damper  1206  to prism  112  may help to protect a surface coating and/or other optical components attached to prism  112 . 
     Representatively, as can be seen from  FIG.  12   , the side of prism  112  interfacing with carrier portion  118  may include a coating  1202 . Coating  1202  may be, for example, a powder coating (e.g., a physical or chemical vapor deposition coating) that is applied to the active area of prism  112 . This side of prism  112  may further include an optical layer  1204  applied over coating  1202 . Optical layer  1204  may, for example, be a carbon coated layer of plastic (e.g., 20 microns thick) that is adhered to the prism  112 . Optical layer  1204  may prevent light rays from escaping and returning back to prism  112  and causing flair. Damper  1206  may then be formed by a layer of damping material applied over the optical layer  1204 . For example, damper  1206  may be formed by a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) or any other soft damping material that is applied to the optical layer  1204 . In this aspect, when the carrier side  208  of carrier portion  118  moves in the direction of the arrow, the carrier surface  118 A contacts the damper  1206  instead of the prism  112 . This, in turn, reduces the risk of fracture or cracking of the prism  112  or sensor assembly components during a camera shock event. 
     In addition, attaching damper  1206  to the prism  112  may have the added advantage of allowing for greater clearance or system tolerances during an inadvertent horizontal or shifting movement of the components. For example, as can be seen from  FIG.  12   , carrier portion  118  may include a step-down region  1208 . Step down region  1208  is specially designed to have a horizontal clearance or distance between the step down and the limiter  726  attached to base portion  116  so that when carrier portion  118  moves horizontally, there is no contact at the step-down region  1208 . In this aspect, attaching damper  1206  to prism  112  as described allows for greater contact area without having to modify the step-down region  1208  to avoid collisions due to shifting or other horizontal movements. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  13   ,  FIG.  13    illustrates an example computer system that may include a camera, in accordance with aspects disclosed herein. Representatively,  FIG.  13    illustrates an example computer system  1300  that may include one or multiple features, components, and/or functionality of the aspects described herein with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 12   . The computer system  1300  may be configured to execute any or all of the aspects described herein. In some aspects, computer system  1300  may be any of various types of devices, including, but not limited to, a personal computer system, desktop computer, laptop, notebook, tablet, slate, pad, or netbook computer, mainframe computer system, handheld computer, workstation, network computer, a camera, a set top box, a mobile device, a consumer device, video game console, handheld video game device, application server, storage device, a television, a video recording device, a peripheral device such as a switch, modem, router, or in general any type of computing or electronic device. 
     Various aspects of a camera system as described herein, including aspects for actuating the camera system using a voice coil motor, as described herein may be executed in one or more computer systems  1300 , which may interact with various other devices. Note that any component, action, or functionality described above with respect to  FIGS.  1 - 12    may be implemented on one or more computers configured as computer system  1300  of  FIG.  13   . Representatively, computer system  1300  may include one or more processors  1310  coupled to a system memory  1320  via an input/output (I/O) interface  1330 . Computer system  1300  may further include a network interface  1340  coupled to I/O interface  1330 , and one or more input/output devices  1350 , such as cursor control device  1360 , keyboard  1370 , and display(s)  1380 . In some cases, it is contemplated that aspects may be implemented using a single instance of computer system  1300 , while in other embodiments multiple such systems, or multiple nodes making up computer system  1300 , may be configured to host different portions or instances of aspects disclosed herein. For example, in one aspect, some elements may be implemented via one or more nodes of computer system  1300  that are distinct from those nodes implementing other elements. 
     In various aspects, computer system  1300  may be a uniprocessor system including one processor  1310 , or a multiprocessor system including several processors  1310  (e.g., two, four, eight, or another suitable number). Processors  1310  may be any suitable processor capable of executing instructions. For example, in various aspects, processors  1310  may be general-purpose or embedded processors implementing any of a variety of instruction set architectures (ISAs), such as the x86, PowerPC, SPARC, or MIPS ISAs, or any other suitable ISA. In multiprocessor systems, each of processors  1310  may commonly, but not necessarily, implement the same ISA. 
     System memory  1320  may be configured to store camera control program instructions  1322  and/or camera control data accessible by processor  1310 . In various aspects, system memory  1320  may be implemented using any suitable memory technology, such as static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), nonvolatile/Flash-type memory, or any other type of memory. In the illustrated aspect, program instructions  1322  may be configured to implement a lens control application  1324  incorporating any of the functionality described above. Additionally, existing camera control data  1332  of memory  1320  may include any of the information or data structures described above. In some aspects, program instructions and/or data may be received, sent or stored upon different types of computer-accessible media or on similar media separate from system memory  1320  or computer system  1300 . While computer system  1300  is described as implementing the functionality of functional blocks of previous Figures, any of the functionality described herein may be implemented via such a computer system. 
     In one aspect, I/O interface  1330  may be configured to coordinate I/O traffic between processor  1310 , system memory  1320 , and any peripheral devices in the device, including network interface  1340  or other peripheral interfaces, such as input/output devices  1350 . In some embodiments, I/O interface  1330  may perform any necessary protocol, timing or other data transformations to convert data signals from one component (e.g., system memory  1320 ) into a format suitable for use by another component (e.g., processor  1310 ). In some embodiments, I/O interface  1330  may include support for devices attached through various types of peripheral buses, such as a variant of the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus standard or the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard, for example. In some aspects, the function of I/O interface  1330  may be split into two or more separate components, such as a north bridge and a south bridge, for example. Also, in some embodiments some or all of the functionality of I/O interface  1330 , such as an interface to system memory  1320 , may be incorporated directly into processor  1310 . 
     Network interface  1340  may be configured to allow data to be exchanged between computer system  1300  and other devices attached to a network  1385  (e.g., carrier or agent devices) or between nodes of computer system  1300 . Network  1385  may in various embodiments include one or more networks including but not limited to Local Area Networks (LANs) (e.g., an Ethernet or corporate network), Wide Area Networks (WANs) (e.g., the Internet), wireless data networks, some other electronic data network, or some combination thereof. In various embodiments, network interface  1340  may support communication via wired or wireless general data networks, such as any suitable type of Ethernet network, for example; via telecommunications/telephony networks such as analog voice networks or digital fiber communications networks; via storage area networks such as Fibre Channel SANs, or via any other suitable type of network and/or protocol. 
     Input/output devices  1350  may, in some aspects, include one or more display terminals, keyboards, keypads, touchpads, scanning devices, voice or optical recognition devices, or any other devices suitable for entering or accessing data by one or more computer systems  1300 . Multiple input/output devices  1350  may be present in computer system  1300  or may be distributed on various nodes of computer system  1300 . In some aspects, similar input/output devices may be separate from computer system  1300  and may interact with one or more nodes of computer system  1300  through a wired or wireless connection, such as over network interface  1340 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  13   , memory  1320  may include program instructions  1322 , which may be processor-executable to implement any element or action described above. In one embodiment, the program instructions may implement the methods described above. In other embodiments, different elements and data may be included. Note that data may include any data or information described above. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that computer system  1300  is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope of embodiments. In particular, the computer system and devices may include any combination of hardware or software that can perform the indicated functions, including computers, network devices, Internet appliances, PDAs, wireless phones, pagers, etc. Computer system  1300  may also be connected to other devices that are not illustrated, or instead may operate as a stand-alone system. In addition, the functionality provided by the illustrated components may in some embodiments be combined in fewer components or distributed in additional components. Similarly, in some embodiments, the functionality of some of the illustrated components may not be provided and/or other additional functionality may be available. 
     While certain aspects have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad disclosure, and that the disclosure is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting. For example, although the drawings illustrate a combination of aspects and elements, any one or more of the aspects or elements may be optional and/or combined with aspects or elements from other drawings. Representatively, although  FIGS.  1 - 13    illustrate a number of aspects and/or elements together, one or more of the aspects of one or more of  FIGS.  1 - 13    may be optional and omitted from what is shown, or may be combined with aspects from other drawings. In addition, to aid the Patent Office and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants wish to note that they do not intend any of the appended claims or claim elements to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20220923
Publication Date: 20240319
Grant Date: 20240319
Priority Date: 20220923
Inventors: CHENNUPATI, NITIN KUMAR
SMYTH, NICHOLAS D.
BRUNNETT, JUSTIN C.
RATHNASINGHE, HIRAN R.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04N23/686", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B5/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/54", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/55", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B2205/0069", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/686", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B2205/0069", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B5/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/54", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/55", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B5/02", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/55", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/54", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/686", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 90246007