Friday, Jul 24, 2026 The claims desk. Receipts included. POWERED BY LENZ
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The Claim

A voice coil motor (VCM) autofocus module typically uses a return spring so that when current is reduced or cut, the lens moves back toward a rest position.

The Short Version

The claim matches how most mainstream VCM autofocus modules are designed. Technical sources describe the lens carrier as suspended by springs or flexures, with position set by the balance between magnetic drive force and restoring force. When current is reduced or removed, the lens typically returns toward a default rest or park position, though some less common VCM variants behave differently.

Caveats

  • “Return spring” often means flexures, leaf springs, or suspension springs—not necessarily a separate coil spring part.
  • Some VCM autofocus designs, such as certain guided or ball-bearing variants, may not show the same strong self-return behavior and can require hold current.
  • The exact zero-current rest position can vary by module design, orientation, friction, and mechanical stops.

The Receipts

  1. DRV201 Voice Coil Motor Driver for Camera Auto Focus

    Texas Instruments

  2. Self-calibrated ringing compensation for an autofocus actuator in a camera module

    Google Patents

  3. A mobile auto-focus actuator based on a rotary VCM with the zero holding current

    Optics Express (via Sogang University)

  4. A mobile auto-focus actuator based on a rotary VCM with the zero holding current

    PubMed

  5. Camera module with voice coil motor actuator

    Google Patents

  6. Lens actuator and camera module including the same

    Google Patents

  7. Continuous Auto Focus for Next Generation Phone Cameras

    New Scale Technologies (conference paper)

  8. Camera module

    Google Patents

  9. Lens driving device and camera module

    Google Patents

  10. What is Autofocus: How It Works, Types & VCM Explained

    Vadzo Imaging

+ 9 more sources — see the full list on Lenz

Filed Under

Voice Coil Motor

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