Imaging Apparatus Mount Surfaces for Optical Performance

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Solution Overview

Problem

In imaging apparatuses with interchangeable accessories, ensuring consistent optical performance across different attachments is challenging, affecting image quality.

Innovation Solution

The imaging apparatus features a mount system with a first and second mount surface on the same plane, where the first accessory is attached to one surface and the second accessory shields contacts when attached to another, incorporating neutral density filters and an infrared cut filter, with both filter bodies being rotatable to adjust light reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple accessories are selectively attached to the mount part, then the functionality and adaptability are improved, but the optical performance consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessory selectabilityVSAvoidoptical performance consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mount part is segmented into multiple mount surfaces (first mount surface and second mount surface) located on the same plane, allowing different accessories to be attached to different surfaces while maintaining consistent optical performance relative to the imaging element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the mount part (different mount surfaces) are designed with specific local qualities - the first mount surface is optimized for first accessory attachment while the second mount surface is optimized for second accessory attachment, yet both maintain the same plane distance to the imaging element to ensure consistent optical performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If accessories are attached to different mount surfaces, then the versatility is improved, but the positioning accuracy may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemount surface varietyVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

All mount surfaces (first and second mount surfaces) are positioned on the same plane relative to the imaging element, creating an equipotential condition where the optical path length and positioning reference are consistent across all accessory attachment points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning part is designed as a universal positioning mechanism that can accurately position accessories attached to different mount surfaces, providing the same positioning accuracy for both first accessory and second accessory regardless of which mount surface they are attached to

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If contacts are exposed for electrical connection, then the ease of operation is improved, but the harmful factors (light interference) increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection accessibilityVSAvoidlight interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The contact shielding function is extracted as a separate feature of the second accessory, which can be attached to the second mount surface to shield the contacts when light interference needs to be reduced

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact shielding state is made dynamic and adjustable - users can attach or detach the second accessory based on whether contact shielding is needed, allowing the system to switch between exposed (for connection) and shielded (for light interference reduction) states

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 ensures consistent and improved optical performance, enhancing image quality regardless of the attached accessory by maintaining accurate positioning and light control.

Implementation Method 1

an imaging element that photoelectrically converts captured light into an electrical signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a first filter body having at least one neutral density filter that is located on an optical axis and reduces the amount of light toward the imaging element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

an infrared cut filter arranged on the opposite side of the second filter body with the first filter body sandwiched therebetween

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared filtration: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentUS11265476B2Imaging apparatus having two mount surfaces to mount accessories

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

Preferable optical performance is ensured to improve image quality.The present technology includes: a housing having a mount part to which at least a first accessory and a second accessory are selectively attached; and an imaging element that photoelectrically converts captured light into an electrical signal, in which the mount part is formed with a first mount surface to which the first accessory is attached, and a second mount surface to which the second accessory is attached, and the first mount surface and the second mount surface are located on the same plane. Therefore, since the first accessory and the second accessory are selectively attached to the first mount surface and the second mount surface, which are located on the same plane, it is possible to ensure preferable optical performance and improve image quality.