Bayonet Lens Holder Radial Locking Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular cameras face challenges in cost-effective assembly and precise alignment of lens members within lens holders, leading to potential misalignment, contamination, and reduced image quality due to existing assembly methods.
Innovation Solution
A lens holder design with radially extending protrusions and a locking mechanism that applies a perpendicular locking force, allowing for sliding insertion and rotational locking of the lens member, reducing the risk of misalignment and contamination, and enabling efficient assembly with adjustable insertion depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a threaded fitting is used to releasably support the lens member in the lens holder, then the lens member can be securely locked in place, but particles may contaminate the image sensor during assembly, causing image blemishing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the threaded fitting component from the assembly system, replacing it with a bayonet-style coupling mechanism. This eliminates the source of particle contamination while maintaining secure locking functionality through radial locking surfaces and engagement features.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces radial locking surfaces and bayonet engagement features as intermediary elements between the lens member and lens holder. These intermediaries provide secure mechanical coupling without requiring threaded fasteners, thus preventing contamination while ensuring reliable positioning.
2Reliability
If locking screws are used to lock the lens member in place, then the lens member can be secured, but radial displacement and tilting of the lens member may occur during tightening
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using axial locking screws that push radially inward on the lens member, the invention inverts the locking mechanism to use radial locking surfaces that engage circumferentially. The locking force is applied in the radial direction rather than axially, preventing tilting and displacement while securing the lens member.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from one-dimensional axial locking (screws pushing along the optical axis) to two-dimensional radial locking (surfaces engaging in the radial plane). This dimensional change allows secure locking without the radial displacement and tilting problems caused by axial screw tightening.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional assembly methods are used for the sensor unit, then the components can be assembled, but the assembly process is complicated, time consuming and costly with high precision requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the positioning and locking functions into a single bayonet-style coupling action. The radial locking surfaces and engagement features enable simultaneous positioning and securing of the lens member in one motion, eliminating multiple assembly steps and reducing complexity, time, and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens member is designed with pre-formed radial locking surfaces and engagement features that automatically align with corresponding features in the lens holder during insertion. This preliminary configuration of locking features eliminates the need for precise manual adjustment and positioning during assembly.
4Ease of operation
If the lens member is slidingly inserted into the cavity and locked with radial locking screws, then the lens member can be positioned, but vibrations and environmental changes may affect proper alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The bayonet-style coupling employs curved radial locking surfaces that provide continuous contact between the lens member and lens holder. This curved geometry creates a self-centering effect that maintains alignment stability against vibrations and environmental changes, while still allowing easy sliding insertion during assembly.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A lens arrangement (300) of a camera device, the lens arrangement (300) comprising: a lens holder (100) and a lens member (200), the lens member (200) being slidingly received by the cavity (104) by axial insertion of the lens member (200) into the cavity (104) such that the longitudinal lens holder axis (HA) coincides with the longitudinal lens member axis (MA), wherein a locking force is applied by the locking member (106) in a direction from the first lens holder surface section (110a), the locking force being perpendicular to the plane, wherein the lens holder protrusion (108) and the lens member protrusion (208) are such aligned that the locking force applied by the locking member (106) in the direction from the first lens holder surface section (110a) is applied to the first lens member surface section (210a); and the second lens member surface section (210b) engage the second lens holder surface section (110b) in response to the locking force applied to the first lens member surface section (110a). The invention also relates to the lens holder and the lens member as well as a camera device comprising the lens arrangement.