Two-Armed Camera Shutter Lever With Counterweight for Vibration Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera locking devices face challenges in miniaturization, heat management, and stability, particularly due to vibrations caused by kinetic energy at the end of the closure element's movement, which can lead to unintended opening or closing of the optical beam path.

Innovation Solution

A compact camera closure device with an optical opening and an electromagnetic drive, featuring a first closure sheet and a two-sided lever with a counterweight. The counterweight is kept in position by magnetic forces from permanent magnets, creating a stable and compact design that minimizes vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If electromagnetic force is used to accelerate the shutter blade into positions, then response time is improved, but vibrations occur at the end positions causing instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timeVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A counterweight is integrated into the movable part of the electromagnetic drive, positioned to generate a counter-torque that balances the torque produced by the shutter blade's weight. This balance reduces impact forces and vibrations when the shutter blade reaches its end positions, thereby improving stability while maintaining fast response times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

Permanent magnets are positioned within the pivot angle range to provide magnetic holding forces that stabilize the shutter blade at its end positions. The magnetic force parameters are optimized to prevent rebound and maintain precise positioning, reducing vibrations and improving overall system stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the shutter blade is directly accelerated by magnetic force, then device complexity is reduced, but unintended opening or closing occurs due to rebound

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestructureVSAvoidposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The counterweight integrated into the movable part generates a balancing torque that prevents the shutter blade from rebounding at end positions. This maintains reliable position holding while keeping the direct electromagnetic drive structure simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

Permanent magnets replace traditional mechanical stops or dampers for positioning and stabilizing the shutter blade. The magnetic fields provide contactless holding forces that prevent rebound without adding complex mechanical components, maintaining both simplicity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Volume of moving object

If camera modules are miniaturized, then compactness is improved, but heat generation and vibration control become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera module sizeVSAvoidheat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The counterweight is integrated as part of the movable part structure rather than being a separate component. This merging reduces overall volume and mass while maintaining the torque-balancing function, enabling compact camera module design without sacrificing vibration control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Electromagnetic and magnetic fields replace traditional mechanical vibration damping systems. This substitution reduces the space required for vibration control components, allowing for more compact camera module design while effectively managing vibrations and heat generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Speed

If the shutter blade moves with high kinetic energy, then response time is improved, but impact oscillations occur at reversal points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timeVSAvoidimpact oscillations
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The counterweight generates a counter-torque that balances the gravitational torque on the shutter blade throughout its movement. This balance reduces the net kinetic energy at reversal points, minimizing impact oscillations while allowing the shutter to maintain fast response times during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

Permanent magnets are strategically positioned within the pivot angle range to provide magnetic forces that modulate the kinetic energy of the shutter blade as it approaches reversal points. This reduces impact oscillations while preserving fast response times for the primary shuttering function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 achieves a more compact and stable camera closure device, effectively reducing vibrations and maintaining the optical beam path's stability, even under conditions of bumps or vibrations.

Implementation Method 1

which uses electromagnetic forces for opening and closing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

The counterweight is kept in position by magnetic forces from permanent magnets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4196847B1Camera shutter device having a two-armed lever
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 JENOPTIK OPTICAL SYSTEMS GMBH
  • EP4196847B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4196847B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4196847B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a camera shutter device comprising an optical opening (1) and an electromagnetic drive (2) mounted fixedly relative to the opening, and having a linearly guided, movable part which is fixedly connected to a first shutter blade (3) to form one unit (23). The unit (23) is connected to a drive end (4.1) of a two-armed lever (4) which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (4.0). A counterweight (5) is provided at an output end (4.2) of the lever (4). A second weight force (F2) acting on the counterweight (5) causes a second torque (M2) about the axis of rotation (4.0) of the lever (4), which counteracts a first torque (M1) which is caused by a first weight force (F1) acting on the unit (23).