Dual Movable-Coil Lens Initialization Without Collision Delays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lens devices with multiple movable coils require lengthy initialization control times due to the need to avoid collisions between overlapping movable ranges, which complicates synchronization and position control.

Innovation Solution

A lens device with a fixed rod and movable coils that allows simultaneous initialization control by determining initial positions based on pre-control positions, ensuring no collision occurs, thus reducing the time required for initialization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If time-division initialization control is performed for each movable coil to avoid collision, then collision between movable coils is avoided, but the initialization control time becomes long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision avoidanceVSAvoidinitialization control time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining initial positions before initialization control based on pre-control positions detected during normal operation. By pre-calculating safe initial positions using the detected positions of multiple movable coils, the system avoids collision during simultaneous initialization without requiring time-division control, thus reducing initialization time while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling simultaneous initialization control of multiple movable coils when their movable ranges do not overlap. The control unit dynamically adjusts initialization behavior based on the relationship between movable ranges and pre-control positions, allowing parallel operation of multiple coils to reduce total initialization time while maintaining collision avoidance through position-based determination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If a common fixed rod is used for two or more movable coils to reduce device size, then device size is reduced, but collision control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelens device sizeVSAvoidcollision control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by implementing a common fixed rod that serves multiple movable coils, allowing the same magnetic actuator structure to control multiple lens groups. This shared structure reduces overall device size and component count while the control unit manages multiple coils through position-based initialization strategies

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting pre-control positions of multiple movable coils during normal operation and using this information to determine safe initial positions before initialization. This pre-gathering of position data simplifies the control logic for managing multiple coils on a common fixed rod, reducing the complexity of collision avoidance during initialization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach enables simultaneous movement of multiple movable coils during initialization, significantly shortening the control time and optimizing the lens device's operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a fixed rod in which two or more magnets and one or more inner yokes are alternately coupled; a movable coil through which the fixed rod is inserted and is movable with respect to the fixed rod in a coupling direction of the magnets and the inner yokes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4715439A1Lens device and lens driving method
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP4715439A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4715439A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4715439A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A lens device is provided with a first movable coil that moves a first holding frame, and a second movable coil that moves a second holding frame; a drive control unit moves the first movable coil to a first initial position and the second movable coil to a second initial position by simultaneously moving the first movable coil and the second movable coil for a certain period of time in initialization control; and the first initial position and the second initial position are determined on the basis of a first pre-control position, which is a position of the first movable coil relative to a fixed rod before execution of the initialization control, and a second pre-control position, which is a position of the second movable coil relative to the fixed rod before execution of the initialization control.