In order to meet the recent needs of portability and downsizing, the robustness against daily impact has become the important performance in mobile electronics. Most parts of the mobile electronic device should pass the drop test in which they fall from 1.5 m above the ground. The purpose of this test is to secure the device from the case when it slips down user’s hand while talking on the device. This paper studies the drop test for an automatic focusing (AF) actuator of a camera module in the Mobile electronic device. The module is composed of voice coil motor (VCM) as an actuator and a leaf spring as a guide and suspension. While the conventional drop test has been carried out after fabricating the real AF actuator, this paper proposes a model which can simulate the drop test based on finite element analysis. In order to verify the model, the acceleration after the drop was compared and then we conclude the model is feasible. With this model, we investigate the stress acting on the clamping and the curved parts of leaf spring. In respect of Von Mises criterion the AF actuator does not undergo serious stress. Despite of the results, the deviation of lens center occurs due to permanent deformation of leaf spring. The FE model shows possibility of the deviation; however, the author could not carry out sufficient simulations. The possibility is also revealed when the leaf springs are investigated by 3D profiler. This requires a further study. This method is useful not only to design and modify AF actuator without manufacturing the real product, but also to save time and cost during the development of new products.
