Lens Adapter Telecommunication Unit for Stable Camera-Lens Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lens adapters for interchangeable lens cameras often experience poor electric conduction and reliability due to complex structures and the absence of an electric connecting portion, leading to interference with telecommunication units.
Innovation Solution
A lens adapter with a simple structure that ensures high reliability of electric connection through a mechanical switch mechanism, using a ring-shaped elastic member and a telecommunication unit with pin-shaped contact portions to maintain contact between the interchangeable lens and the camera main body, preventing disconnection and ensuring stable communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a movable connector with spring urging is used to ensure electric contact, then electric connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to moving mechanisms and springs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the telecommunication unit from the lens adapter and provides it separately in either the interchangeable lens or the camera main body. This eliminates the need for complex movable connectors and springs in the lens adapter, as the telecommunication function is provided through a simpler fixed connector structure. The electric connection is maintained through direct contact between fixed connectors rather than through movable spring-loaded mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If a fixed connector structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but electric connection reliability may deteriorate due to lack of contact maintenance force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach where the telecommunication unit is provided as a separate component either in the interchangeable lens or the camera main body, rather than being integrated into the lens adapter. This allows the use of simple fixed connector structures while maintaining reliable electric connection, as the connector design can be optimized independently in each component. The separation allows for dedicated contact portions that ensure stable electrical connection without requiring complex spring mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the telecommunication unit is integrated in the lens adapter, then communication functionality is provided, but interference occurs when electric connecting portion is absent in lens or camera body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the telecommunication unit from the lens adapter and relocates it to either the interchangeable lens or the camera main body. This extraction eliminates the interference problem that occurs when the telecommunication unit is integrated in the lens adapter without corresponding electric connecting portions in the lens or camera body. The separation ensures that the telecommunication function is provided only when appropriate electric connecting portions are available in the paired components.
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
The solution provides stable and reliable electric communication between the interchangeable lens and the camera main body, preventing poor conduction and malfunctions while maintaining a straightforward design.
Implementation Method 1
a ring-shaped elastic member and a telecommunication unit with pin-shaped contact portions to maintain contact
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A telecommunication unit which ensures high reliability of electric connection with a simple structure and enables satisfactory communication between an apparatus main body of an image pickup apparatus and an interchangeable lens. A first electric connecting unit has contact portions that are electrically connected to the interchangeable lens when the interchangeable lens is mounted on the lens adapter. A second electric connecting unit has contact portions that are electrically connected to the apparatus main body when the lens adapter is fixed to the apparatus main body. The contact portions of the first electric connecting unit are arranged in the form of an arc with an optical axis of the interchangeable lens at its center. The contact portions of the second electric connecting unit are arranged in a linear fashion in a width direction of the apparatus main body perpendicular to the optical axis of the interchangeable lens.