Image Stabilizing Unit With Inclined Drive Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image stabilizing units in imaging apparatuses increase the thickness of lens units when integrated with bent optical systems, compromising the advantage of reduced thickness, and fail to meet the requirements for thin imaging apparatuses with reduced area facing the subject.

Innovation Solution

The image stabilizing unit is designed with drive units inclined relative to the optical axis, allowing for a compact configuration by aligning them on a straight line perpendicular to the optical axis, and incorporating guiding shafts and drive units on both sides of the movable compensation member, which can be miniaturized using piezo-electric actuators or voice coil motors, enabling a flat base member and reduced size in one direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional image stabilizing unit is adopted for bent optical system, then image stabilization function is achieved, but thickness of lens unit increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage stabilization functionVSAvoidthickness of lens unit

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent repositions the drive units from a conventional orthogonal arrangement to an inclined arrangement relative to the optical axis. Specifically, the drive units are positioned at angles of approximately 45 degrees to the optical axis, allowing them to be aligned along a straight line perpendicular to the optical axis. This dimensional reconfiguration enables the base member to be made flat and reduces the thickness of the lens unit in the subject direction while maintaining the image stabilization function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If conventional image stabilizing unit is adopted, then image stabilization function is achieved, but area facing subject increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage stabilization functionVSAvoidarea facing subject

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an asymmetric arrangement where the two drive units are positioned at inclined angles to the optical axis rather than in a symmetric orthogonal configuration. The drive units are placed on both sides of the movable compensation member across the optical axis, creating an asymmetric layout that optimizes the area facing the subject while maintaining balanced drive forces for effective image stabilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Device complexity

If drive units are placed at 90 degrees to optical axis center, then drive directions are simplified, but position of drive units cannot be optimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive direction configurationVSAvoidposition of drive units

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a fixed orthogonal arrangement to a dynamic inclined arrangement. The drive units are positioned at inclined angles (approximately 45 degrees) to the optical axis, allowing flexible positioning on both sides of the movable compensation member. This dynamic configuration enables optimization of the drive unit positions while maintaining manageable drive directions, achieving both adaptability and operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 results in a smaller image stabilizing unit and lens unit with reduced thickness in the subject direction, achieving a thin imaging apparatus with balanced drive forces and stable operation.

Implementation Method 1

incorporating guiding shafts and drive units on both sides of the movable compensation member, which can be miniaturized using piezo-electric actuators

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

which can be miniaturized using piezo-electric actuators or voice coil motors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS8019210B2Image stabilizing unit, lens unit, and imaging apparatus, having two drive units at an inclined angle to one another for driving an imaging device a direction perpendicular to the optical axis

Publication Date: 2011.09.13 KONICA MINOLTA ADVANCED LAYERS INC

AI summary

There is provided an image stabilizing unit 1 small in size in one direction perpendicular to an optical axis, including, on a base member 2, a movable compensation member 5 which can displace an image forming position by moving in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis Z, and two drive units 6, 7 for displacing the movable compensation member 5 in the directions of R and S which are different from each other for 90 degrees, wherein the directions in which the drive units 6, 7 respectively move the movable compensation member 5 are inclined 45 degrees to a direction X which connects the drive units 6, 7 and the optical axis center Z of the movable compensation member 5.