Endoscope Imaging Unit With Flanged Lens Frames for Load Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope imaging units face challenges in maintaining optical performance when subjected to external loads due to deformation or impact, which can displace lens frames or apply excessive stress to bonding portions.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope imaging unit design that includes a first lens frame holding a first lens, a second lens frame fixed to the first, and a holder accommodating both frames, with the flange portion of the first lens frame fixed to the holder's side surface, ensuring a gap between the imaging element and the holder to maintain optical performance under load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple lenses are fixed to a single lens frame, then processing accuracy of the lens frame must be improved, but this increases manufacturing complexity and difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lens support structure into multiple separate lens frames (first lens frame, second lens frame, etc.) instead of using a single lens frame. Each lens frame holds one or more lenses independently. This segmentation allows each lens frame to be manufactured with standard precision rather than requiring extremely high precision across a single complex frame, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision requirements and manufacturing complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple lens frames are divided and connected to each other, then processing accuracy requirement is relaxed, but the holder may be deformed by heat or external force causing lens frame displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where multiple lens frames are sequentially connected and housed within a common holder. The first lens frame is connected to the holder, the second lens frame is connected to the first lens frame, and subsequent lens frames are connected in sequence. This nested arrangement provides structural stability while allowing each lens frame to be manufactured with relaxed precision requirements, as the cumulative structure maintains overall alignment and positioning.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the holder is deformed by heat or external force, then lens frames may be displaced relative to each other, but preventing this requires a more rigid and complex holder structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary positioning features directly into the lens frames during manufacturing, such as positioning protrusions and positioning grooves that engage with each other and with the holder. These pre-formed positioning elements ensure that lens frames maintain their relative positions and optical axis alignment even when the holder undergoes thermal expansion or external forces, without requiring a overly complex holder structure with active compensation mechanisms.
4Reliability
If an impact force acts on the holder, then excessive stress may be applied to the bonding portion resulting in damage, but protecting the bonding portion requires additional protective structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the lens frames with integrated stress-distributing features such as flange portions with multiple bonding surfaces and positioning structures that spread impact forces across larger areas. The sequential connection structure allows impact forces to be distributed through the series of lens frames rather than concentrated at single bonding portions, providing inherent protection without requiring additional external protective structures.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope imaging unit includes: an objective lens including a first lens and a second lens; an imaging element configured to capture an image formed by the objective lens; a first lens frame configured to hold the first lens, the first lens frame including a lens barrel that holds the first lens and a flange portion that extends outward from an outer peripheral portion of the lens barrel; a second lens frame that is fixed to the first lens frame and holds the second lens; and a holder that accommodates at least part of the first lens frame and the second lens frame therein and holds the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion of the first lens frame; wherein the flange portion is fixed to the holder on a side surface thereof in an extending direction.