Camera Lens Vibration Device with Mode Converting Part

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vibration devices for camera lenses, such as those using piezoelectric ceramic vibrators and ultrasonic transducers, face stress and potential functional failure due to high vibration requirements for removing water and other substances, and struggle with effectively removing diverse types of droplets like muddy water or colloidal solutions.

Innovation Solution

A vibration device with a cylindrical mode converting connected part that converts the vibration mode of a cylindrical vibrating body part into a light transmitting body part, featuring a thin portion with a flange portion at the node of vibration, allowing for increased vibration amplitude without excessive load on the piezoelectric vibrator, and resonant frequency matching between the cylindrical and light transmitting body parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a piezoelectric ceramic vibrator or ultrasonic transducer is used to vibrate the cover or external lens to remove water drops, then water drops can be removed, but great stress is applied to the piezoelectric component causing cracks and functional failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater drops on coverVSAvoidpiezoelectric vibrator durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mode converting connected part as an intermediary between the piezoelectric vibrator and the light transmitting body part. This intermediary component converts the vibration mode and increases vibration amplitude, allowing the piezoelectric vibrator to operate at lower stress levels while still achieving effective water drop removal through resonant vibration of the light transmitting body part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the vibration parameters by converting the vibration mode through the mode converting connected part. The thin portion of the mode converting connected part is designed to resonate at a specific frequency, transforming the vibration characteristics to achieve greater amplitude with less input stress on the piezoelectric vibrator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If great vibration is generated in the piezoelectric ceramic vibrator to remove water drops, then water drops are removed, but cracks occur in the piezoelectric ceramic vibrator with use causing functional failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater drop removal efficiencyVSAvoidpiezoelectric ceramic vibrator structural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes mechanical vibration principles by designing a mode converting connected part with a thin portion that resonates at a specific frequency. This resonance amplifies the vibration transmitted to the light transmitting body part, enabling effective water drop removal through sustained oscillation rather than high-impact stress on the piezoelectric vibrator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic action through resonant vibration. The mode converting connected part is designed to oscillate periodically at its resonant frequency, creating sustained vibrations that effectively remove water drops over time without requiring excessive force or stress on the piezoelectric vibrator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional vibration devices are used to remove water drops, then water drops are removed, but they cannot effectively remove diverse droplet types such as muddy water or colloidal solutions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedroplet type removal capabilityVSAvoiddiverse droplet types including muddy water
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves universality by designing a vibration system that can effectively remove various types of droplets including water drops, muddy water, and colloidal solutions. The mode converting connected part generates sufficient vibration amplitude to dislodge different types of adhered substances through resonant oscillation, making the system versatile for multiple cleaning applications.

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

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 device effectively removes water drops and other substances from the camera lens without imposing a heavy load on the piezoelectric vibrator, achieving significant vibration amplitude and preventing functional failure, while also handling diverse droplet types like muddy water or coffee without depositing impurities.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric vibrator (15) is fixed to the cylindrical member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The mode converting connected part has a thin portion having a wall thickness smaller than a wall thickness of the cylindrical vibrating body part... resonant frequency matching between the cylindrical and light transmitting body parts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration mode conversion: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP3276940B1Vibrating device and camera
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 MURATA MFG CO LTD
  • EP3276940B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3276940B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3276940B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

There is provided a vibration device in which, for example, water drops adhering to a cover and a lens can be advantageously removed without imposing any heavy load on a piezoelectric vibrator. A vibration device 2 is used in a camera body having a lens 9. The vibration device includes a cylindrical vibrating body part 12 having a piezoelectric vibrator 15, a cylindrical mode converting connected part 21 connected to one end of the cylindrical vibrating body part 12, and a light transmitting body part 22 bonded to the mode converting connected part 21. The light transmitting body part 22 has a light transmitting portion disposed on a front side of the lens 9. The mode converting connected part 21 has a thin portion having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the cylindrical vibrating body part 12.