Image Stabilization Apparatus with Linear Rolling Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image stabilization apparatuses are limited by a circular movable range of rolling balls, leading to a larger width perpendicular to the movable direction, which restricts miniaturization and increases the risk of contact with wall surfaces, deteriorating unit performance.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a guide member and rolling members to prevent rotation, with movement restrictors that allow the rolling members to move in predetermined directions, reducing the width of the movement restrictor and improving operational stability by ensuring the center of the rolling members aligns with the centerline as they approach the end of their range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a circular movable range is used for the rolling ball, then the rolling ball can move freely in all directions, but the width in the direction perpendicular to the movable direction becomes larger than necessary, preventing the image stabilization unit from being made smaller
Solution Approach 1:
The circular movable range is segmented into a linear movable range with restricted movement. The guide member divides the movement space, allowing the rolling ball to move only in a predetermined direction rather than freely in all directions, thereby reducing the width perpendicular to the movable direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement restrictor is designed with a specific shape that provides different constraints at different locations. The restrictor allows free movement within the linear range while preventing movement perpendicular to the predetermined direction, creating localized movement freedom rather than universal freedom.
2Area of stationary object
If the width in the direction perpendicular to the movable direction is reduced, then the image stabilization unit can be made smaller, but the rolling ball is likely to contact wall surface portions that restrict its movable range, deteriorating the characteristic of the unit
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member acts as an intermediary between the rolling ball and the wall surface portions. It guides the rolling ball along the predetermined linear path, preventing direct contact with the wall surfaces that would restrict movement and deteriorate performance, while still maintaining a compact width.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member and movement restrictor are designed beforehand to prevent the rolling ball from reaching positions where it would contact restrictive wall surfaces. The structural design anticipates and prevents potential contact issues before they occur.
3Ease of operation
If a rotation preventive mechanism is added to improve controllability, then the movable lens frame cannot rotate around the optical axis, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation preventive function is merged with the guide member and movement restrictor that are already present for linear movement guidance. The same structural elements that constrain linear movement also prevent rotation, eliminating the need for separate rotation prevention mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member and movement restrictor serve multiple functions: they guide linear movement in the predetermined direction, prevent movement in perpendicular directions, and simultaneously prevent rotation around the optical axis. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
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 configuration enables a smaller, more stable image stabilization apparatus with improved operational stability, preventing rotation and reducing the risk of contact with wall surfaces, thus enhancing the performance and compactness of the unit.
Implementation Method 1
a first rolling member held and configured to roll between the fixed member and the guide member, a second rolling member held and configured to roll between the guide member and the movable member
Data Source
AI summary
An image stabilization apparatus includes a fixed member, a lens, a movable member, a guide member, and first to third rolling members. At least one of the fixed member, the movable member, and the guide member includes a movement restrictor configured to restrict a moving range of a restricted rolling member as at least one of the first to third rolling members in a predetermined direction on the plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The movement restrictor is formed such that as the restricted rolling member approaches to an end portion of the moving range, a center of the restricted rolling member approaches to a centerline in a width direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction of the movement restrictor.