Closed-Loop Multi-Focus Lens Positioning Without Mechanical Stops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional focusing lens assemblies face challenges in accurately and quickly adjusting focus positions due to the precision required for mechanical stops, which are difficult to manufacture and prone to shifting under harsh conditions.
Innovation Solution
A bi-directional closed loop multi-focus-position lens apparatus using magnetic elements and coils to move a barrel lens assembly to predetermined focus positions, with a processor and memory system that adjusts coil currents based on magnetic field and temperature data to achieve precise focus without mechanical stops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical stops are used to determine focus position, then focus positioning can be achieved, but manufacturing precision and reliability deteriorate due to tight tolerances and susceptibility to shifting under harsh conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical stop system with a magnetic field-based positioning system. Magnetic elements are embedded in the lens barrel assembly and interact with coil elements mounted on the circuit board to generate magnetic forces that position the lens assembly at predetermined focus positions. This eliminates the need for mechanical stops and their associated tight tolerances, while providing reliable positioning through magnetic attraction and feedback control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system using a magnetic field sensor to detect the position of the lens assembly. The sensor reads the magnetic field generated by the magnetic elements, and the processor compares the detected position with the desired focus position. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts the coil currents to move the lens assembly to the correct position, ensuring accurate and reliable focus positioning without relying on mechanical stops.
2Ease of manufacture
If mechanical stops are used for focus positioning, then focus adjustment is possible, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to difficulty in ensuring precise installation and maintaining position under harsh conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical stop system with a magnetic field-based positioning system. Magnetic elements are embedded in the lens barrel assembly and interact with coil elements mounted on the circuit board to generate magnetic forces that position the lens assembly at predetermined focus positions. This eliminates the need for mechanical stops and their associated tight tolerances, while providing reliable positioning through magnetic attraction and feedback control.
3Speed
If conventional focusing mechanisms are used, then focus adjustment can be achieved, but speed and accuracy of focus positioning deteriorate due to mechanical constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical stop system with a magnetic field-based positioning system. Magnetic elements are embedded in the lens barrel assembly and interact with coil elements mounted on the circuit board to generate magnetic forces that position the lens assembly at predetermined focus positions. This eliminates the need for mechanical stops and their associated tight tolerances, while providing reliable positioning through magnetic attraction and feedback control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system using a magnetic field sensor to detect the position of the lens assembly. The sensor reads the magnetic field generated by the magnetic elements, and the processor compares the detected position with the desired focus position. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts the coil currents to move the lens assembly to the correct position, ensuring accurate and reliable focus positioning without relying on mechanical stops.
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
Enables fast and accurate lens positioning, overcoming the limitations of mechanical stops by using closed-loop control to maintain focus positions, improving manufacturing ease and resilience to environmental impacts.
Implementation Method 1
A bi-directional closed loop multi-focus-position lens apparatus uses magnetic elements and coils to move a barrel lens assembly to predetermined focus positions
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic attraction between the top magnetic element and the top ferrous core and between the bottom magnetic element and the bottom ferrous core causes the barrel lens assembly to move to and/or remain at the neutral position
Data Source
AI summary
An example bi-directional closed loop multi-focus-position lens apparatus comprises a barrel lens assembly moveable along a longitudinal axis and comprising top and bottom magnetic elements, top and bottom coil elements, a magnetic field sensor, a temperature sensor, a processor, and a non-transitory memory storing predetermined calibration data. The lens apparatus applies current to the coil elements to move the lens assembly toward a desired focus position, captures a magnetic field and temperature within the lens apparatus, compares the captured magnetic field and the captured temperature to the calibration data to determine a current position of the lens assembly, determines if the current position is the desired focus position, and, if the current position is not the desired focus position, adjusts the coil current to move the lens assembly from the current position toward the desired focus position.