Lens shutter and aperture control devices

Abstract

The present invention provides optical systems, devices and methods which utilize one or more electroactive polymer actuators to provide shutter and/or aperture control.

In all, the breadth of the present invention is not to be limited by the examples provided. That being said, we claim: 
     
         1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A device comprising:
 a lens unit comprising at least one lens positioned along a focal axis; and   means for actuating the lens unit to displace the lens unit with respect to a focal axis of the lens unit.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the means for actuating the lens unit comprises a two-phase actuator that enables active movement in a first direction and second direction along the focal axis. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one guide rail extending between the actuator mechanisms, the lens unit slidably coupled to the at least one guide rail. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a lens driver mechanism, wherein the lens unit is carried by the lens driver mechanism, and wherein activation of means for actuating the lens unit moves the lens driver mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a biasing mechanism, where the biasing mechanism biases the means for actuating the lens unit. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the biasing mechanism is a leaf spring mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . A electroactive polymer transducer comprising:
 an electroactive polymer film having a central portion;   a plurality of electrically isolated electrodes comprising electrode material, wherein each of the plurality of electrodes extends over a portion of electroactive polymer film and wherein the central portion of the electroactive polymer film is free of electrode material; and   a plurality of electrical contact tabs that contact each of the plurality of electrically isolated electrodes.   
     
     
         14 . The transducer of  claim 13 , further comprising a frame section having a centrally located aperture, wherein the electroactive polymer film is secured to the frame section. 
     
     
         15 . The transducer of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one disk having an aperture. 
     
     
         16 . The transducer of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one disk is held in planar alignment with the frame section, and wherein the aperture of the at least one disk is aligned with the centrally located aperture the frame section. 
     
     
         17 . The transducer of  claim 13 , further comprising a planar substrate having a plurality of shock absorbing elements. 
     
     
         18 . The transducer of  claim 13 , further comprising a front plate and a backing plate.