ALPS has developed the ATMJ1ZX7 series of two-way autofocus actuators for cameras-integrated into smartphone camera modules. New products drive large diameter lenses and achieve low power consumption. The company said that mass production is already in progress.
The performance of cameras integrated in smart phones is getting higher and higher. In recent years, the number of models supporting high-resolution photography has been increasing compared to compact digital cameras.
In general, for devices that take clear, high-resolution photos, it requires a powerful image sensor and a large-diameter imaging lens to collect as much light as possible. At the same time, smartphones need their electronic components to consume very little power to help save battery power.
To address these challenges, ALPS has developed the ATMJ1Z7 series of two-way autofocus actuators that support both large diameter lenses and low power consumption. There are two types of ATMJ1Z7 series, which can support large lenses with a diameter of 7.05mm (for 16 megapixel resolution) or 8mm (for 20 megapixel resolution). Both models have the same specifications, with dimensions of 10mm × 10mm × 4.3mm. This makes it easy to switch to larger lenses, which helps reduce design effort.
In addition, although the existing lens drive actuator is a preloaded type that uses only a positive current to drive the lens in a given direction (unidirectional), the ATMJ1Z7 series sets the initial position of the lens to a commonly used focal length (position) and passes Move the lens from this point in one direction or the other (both directions) to adjust the focus, depending on whether the current is positive or negative. This shortens the distance the lens must travel, which reduces the amount of power required to move the lens.
In addition, original mold design and automated machine design techniques have been applied to build high-quality production systems with extremely low deviations. The company states that it also achieves high accuracy with less than a tenth of a degree of tilt during lens driving.
