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Alps Electric has developed the “ATMJ1Z95 Series” Bi-direction Type Autofocus Actuator for Cameras for integration into 16-megapixel smartphone camera modules. The new product achieves low power consumption and a low profile. Mass production is already underway.

Smartphone manufacturers have in recent years sought to differentiate flagship models and mid-range to high-end models partly by enhancing camera performance and developing thinner products. In China, the world’s biggest market for smartphones, 13-megapixel smartphones are now the norm and further performance enhancements and even thinner designs are anticipated.

Generally speaking, for a device to take sharp, high-resolution photos it requires a powerful image sensor, as well as a large-diameter imaging lens for collecting as much light as possible. At the same time, electronic components integrated into smartphones need to be thin to maintain design appeal while also helping to save battery by consuming little power.

Responding to these challenges, Alps Electric has developed the ATMJ1Z95 Series Bi-direction Type Autofocus Actuator for Cameras enabling both compatibility with large-diameter lenses and low power consumption. The ATMJ1Z95 Series supports large lenses with a diameter of 6.9mm and has dimensions of 9 × 9 × 2.8mm for a slim profile.

Alps Electric has been mass producing the ATMC1Z9 Series, a low-profile actuator for 13-megapixel resolution, since last year and the addition of the new ATMJ1Z95 Series provides speedy support for even further advances in smartphone camera performance.

In addition, the new series sets the initial position of the lens at a frequently used focal distance (position) and adjusts focus by moving the lens from that point in one direction or the other (bi-directionally) depending on whether the current is positive or negative. Compared to preload type actuators, this shortens the distance the lens has to travel, thereby reducing the amount of power required to move the lens to around one third and enabling high-speed focusing.

Furthermore, original mold design and automated machine design technologies have been applied to put in place a high-quality production system with extremely low variance. High precision is also realized, with a tilt of less than one tenth of a degree during lens drive.