Apple patents lens brakes to hold camera focus steady
Apple describes a camera lens system that uses a flexible element to change focus. It includes a mechanical brake that locks the lens in place when you are not adjusting the focus, preventing it from drifting.
In the filing’s own words
An electronic device may include a lens module with a tunable lens. The tunable lens may include a flexible lens element and a lens shaping structure attached to the flexible lens element. The lens shaping structure may include tabs that are each coupled to a respective actuator. The actuator may move the tab up and down along an axis of displacement. The actuator may have a structure that is configured to rotate about a pivot axis. When it is not desired to adjust the tunable lens, a brake assembly in the actuator may apply a force to the structure in a direction parallel to the pivot axis. The brake assembly may include one or more brake calipers with wedge-shaped surfaces, brake cams, L-shaped brake structures, flexures, and/or piezoelectric members to apply the force to the structure.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An actuator comprising: a main structure; an actuating component that is coupled to the main structure and is configured to selectively rotate the main structure about a pivot axis; and a brake assembly that is configured to selectively fix a position of the main structure, wherein the brake assembly comprises a brake that is configured to apply a force to the main structure in a direction parallel to the pivot axis.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Tunable Lens with Actuator Brakes
- Publication number
- US20260259401A1
- Application number
- 19444631
- Filed
- Jan 9, 2026
- Published
- Sep 3, 2026
- Inventors
- 5
- Claims
- 22
Classified under
G02B 26/004 Physics & computingF03G 7/06143 Mechanical engineeringF03G 7/064 Mechanical engineeringF16D 55/225 Mechanical engineeringF16D 65/0068 Mechanical engineeringF16D 65/095 Mechanical engineeringMore from Apple in Cameras & imaging
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.