Camera Lens Assembly with Detachable Extension Adapter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current camera lens assemblies face challenges in intuitively conveying imaging status to users and require additional special lenses for specific conditions, leading to increased length, weight, and manufacturing costs, necessitating a detachable extension adapter for varying imaging needs.

Innovation Solution

A camera lens assembly with a processor and memory, featuring a first lens mount for attachment to the camera body, a second lens mount for attaching an extension adapter, and a lens communication unit for controlling optical lens movements based on electrical signals, allowing easy attachment and detachment of the extension adapter and synchronization of focusing lens movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If special lenses are disposed in the camera lens assembly for imaging under special conditions, then the imaging capability under special conditions is improved, but the length of the optical system becomes larger, the weight of the camera lens assembly increases, and the manufacturing cost rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging capability under special conditionsVSAvoidlength of the optical system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the lens system into two separable parts: the basic camera lens assembly and detachable extension adapters. Each extension adapter contains specific special lenses for particular imaging conditions. This segmentation allows users to attach only the required adapter when needed, avoiding the need to include all special lenses permanently in the main assembly, thus reducing the optical system length when special lenses are not required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic lens configuration where the optical system can be reconfigured by attaching or detaching extension adapters based on imaging requirements. The lens assembly transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic, adaptable system that changes its composition according to the specific imaging task, optimizing the optical path length for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If special lenses are disposed in the camera lens assembly for imaging under special conditions, then the imaging capability under special conditions is improved, but the weight of the camera lens assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging capability under special conditionsVSAvoidweight of the camera lens assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the lens system into a lightweight base camera lens assembly and separate extension adapters containing special lenses. Users only carry and attach the heavier extension adapters when specific imaging conditions are required, reducing the overall weight during normal operation while maintaining full imaging capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the special lenses from the main camera lens assembly and places them in detachable extension adapters. This extraction removes the unnecessary weight of special lenses from the permanent configuration, allowing the base assembly to remain lightweight while preserving access to special imaging capabilities through optional attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If special lenses are disposed in the camera lens assembly for imaging under special conditions, then the imaging capability under special conditions is improved, but the manufacturing cost rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging capability under special conditionsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the lens system into modular components that can be manufactured separately and assembled as needed. The base camera lens assembly is produced independently, and extension adapters with special lenses are manufactured separately. This segmentation allows for more efficient production, inventory management, and reduces the complexity of manufacturing a single integrated system with all possible special lenses built-in.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal mounting interface and communication protocol that allows different extension adapters to be attached to the same camera lens assembly. This multi-functionality enables a single base assembly to work with multiple types of extension adapters, reducing the need to manufacture multiple specialized assemblies for different imaging conditions, thereby lowering overall manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If the camera lens assembly communicates with the camera body and controls movement of optical lenses by itself, then the imaging status can be displayed intuitively, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintuitive imaging status displayVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the extension adapter to be self-sufficient with its own processor, memory, and communication unit. The adapter can independently receive imaging status information from the camera body, process this information, and control the focusing lens movement without requiring complex integration with the main camera body. This self-service capability simplifies the overall system architecture by distributing intelligence to the adapter level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a communication unit in the extension adapter that acts as an intermediary between the camera body and the focusing lens. This communication unit receives signals from the camera body, processes them locally using the adapter's processor, and generates appropriate control signals for the focusing lens. This intermediary layer simplifies the interface requirements and reduces the complexity of direct integration between the camera body and lens control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4379459A1Camera lens assembly
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 LK SAMYANG CO LTD
  • EP4379459A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4379459A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4379459A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A camera lens assembly includes a plurality of optical lenses accommodated in the camera lens assembly, a first lens mount for detachably mounting the camera lens assembly to the camera body, a first electric connector formed on a rear face of the camera lens assembly, wherein the first electric connector is electrically coupled to the camera body when the camera lens assembly is mounted on the camera body, a second lens mount formed on a front face of the camera lens assembly, wherein the second lens mount is configured for detachably attaching an extension adapter extending an optical function of the camera lens assembly to the camera lens assembly, a second electric connector formed on the front face of the camera lens assembly, wherein the second electric connector is electrically coupled to the extension adapter when the extension adapter is mounted on the camera lens assembly, a lens communication unit connected to the first electric connector so as to transmit and receive an electrical signal between the camera lens assembly and the camera body, wherein the lens communication unit is connected to the second electric connector so as to transmit and receive an electrical signal between the extension adapter and the camera lens assembly, and a lens driver for controlling a movement of each of the plurality of optical lenses, based on the electrical signal received from the camera body.