Gimbal Frame Retaining Structure for Optical Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical units with shake-correction functions face issues where the gimbal frame and movable body can fall off towards the object side due to disconnection of the second connecting mechanism, leading to an increased size of the fixed body in the direction of the optical axis.
Innovation Solution
The optical unit incorporates a gimbal mechanism with a second axis-side extension part that includes a bent portion and a retaining portion, where the retaining portion is positioned on the outer side of the gimbal frame, preventing the gimbal frame and movable body from falling off, and a rotational support structure with spherical objects and a pressurization mechanism to maintain stability and reduce the unit's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flat plate portion is added to cover the end portion of the gimbal frame from the object side, then the gimbal frame and movable body are prevented from falling out, but the fixed body becomes larger in the direction of the optical axis
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding a flat plate portion from the object side that increases length, the patent uses the bent portion of the second axis-side extension part to extend toward the fixed body side. The retaining portion is formed by bending the extension part inward, creating a retaining structure that prevents falling out without increasing the overall length in the optical axis direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the retaining structure from a planar flat plate to a three-dimensional bent structure. The second axis-side extension part is bent to form a retaining portion that utilizes the radial and axial dimensions simultaneously, creating an effective retaining mechanism without increasing the optical axis length.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the second axis-side extension part is extended further to improve stability, then the retaining capability is enhanced, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The second axis-side extension part is designed as a flexible, thin-walled structure that can be bent to form the retaining portion. This flexible extension part provides stable connection and retaining capability without adding significant mass or structural complexity, as it utilizes the material's flexibility rather than rigid reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining function is merged with the second axis-side extension part itself, rather than being a separate component. The extension part serves dual purposes: connecting the gimbal frame to the fixed body and providing the retaining function through its bent configuration, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical unit with shake-correction function is provided. A movable body is supported by a fixed body via a gimbal mechanism. The fixed body includes a case surrounding the movable body. The gimbal mechanism includes a gimbal frame having a second axis-side extension part protruding in a direction of a second axis and a second connecting mechanism connecting the second axis-side extension part and the case. The second axis-side extension part includes a first portion extending in a direction of Z-axis, a bent portion bending from an end of the first portion, and a second portion extending from the bent portion in a −Z direction. The second connecting mechanism connects the second portion and the case, and the fixed body includes an object-side end plate portion facing the bent portion from the direction of the Z axis on an outer side of the first portion in a radial direction.