Annular Connecting Portion for Thermal Misalignment Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image pickup apparatuses for outdoor environments face resolution deterioration due to temperature-induced changes, which cause misalignment between the optical axis of the lens unit and the imaging center, and existing solutions either generate misalignment or require adhesives that deteriorate under large temperature differences.

Innovation Solution

An image pickup apparatus with a housing, image sensor, lens frame, and a connecting portion of annular shape, featuring sliding portions and an elastic body to maintain alignment and stability across temperature changes, ensuring the optical axis remains consistent with the imaging center.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a lens assembly uses multiple components to cancel back focus shift, then temperature-induced back focus change is compensated, but misalignment between optical axis and imaging center occurs due to dimensional variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveback focus stabilityVSAvoidoptical axis alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the connecting portion as a separate, dedicated component that specifically handles the alignment function. By isolating the alignment mechanism from the lens assembly structure, the design eliminates misalignment issues while maintaining back focus compensation through the expanding/contracting portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting portion acts as an intermediary element between the lens frame and housing. It includes an engagement portion that engages with the lens frame and a sliding portion that allows controlled movement, serving as a mediator that transmits thermal expansion effects while maintaining optical alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a change member is fixed with adhesive to prevent peeling, then the member is secured, but adhesion strength deteriorates under large temperature differences causing members to peel off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemember fixationVSAvoidadhesion strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the adhesive fixation system with a mechanical interference fit system. The engagement portion of the connecting portion is designed with specific dimensional relationships to the lens frame and housing, creating a secure mechanical connection that does not rely on adhesives and is therefore unaffected by temperature-induced adhesion deterioration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the connecting portion uses a sliding mechanism to allow movement, then thermal expansion is accommodated, but misalignment may occur due to working variation of multiple components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal expansion accommodationVSAvoidalignment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the connecting portion into distinct functional elements: an engagement portion for connecting to the lens frame and a sliding portion for connecting to the housing. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function, with the sliding portion providing controlled movement to accommodate thermal expansion while the engagement portion maintaining precise alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively suppresses misalignment and maintains blur-free image quality across varying temperatures by compensating for thermal expansions and contractions, reducing the impact of dimensional variations and adhesion issues.

Implementation Method 1

As the temperature changes, a component in a lens unit expands and contracts, and a distance (back focus) from a rearmost portion of the lens unit to the focal plane changes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

The first sliding portion engaged with the first inner surface of the housing... slidable in an optical axis direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12096106B2Image pickup apparatus suppressing temperature change misalignment

Publication Date: 2024.09.17 CANON KK

AI summary

An image pickup apparatus includes a housing, an image sensor held by the housing, a lens frame that holds a plurality of lenses, and a connecting portion that connects the housing and the lens frame, and having an annular shape. The connecting portion includes a first portion provided to an inner surface of the connecting portion, and a second portion provided to an outer surface of the connecting portion. The first portion of the connecting portion engaged with an outer surface of the lens frame. The second portion of the connecting portion engaged with a first inner surface of the housing. The lens frame includes a first sliding portion engaged with the first inner surface of the housing and slidable in an optical axis direction of the plurality of lenses.