Lens Apparatus Dynamic Control for Compact Barrel Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lens apparatuses face challenges in achieving improved driving accuracy and image pickup quality when the movable range of an electrically driven lens unit overlaps with a manually or externally driven lens unit, particularly during high-speed zooming, leading to potential interference and reduced compactness due to unnecessary clearance.
Innovation Solution
A lens apparatus with a first and second lens unit, a holding member, a driving unit, a transmission member, and detecting units that allow for controlled movement within an interference range, enabling the transmission member to move beyond the maximum interference length, and adjusting control methods based on detection results to prevent collisions and optimize focus positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a biasing member retraction structure is adopted to prevent collision between lens units, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the biasing member retraction structure from the system and replaces it with a control unit that manages lens unit movements through software control. This eliminates the mechanical retraction structure while maintaining collision prevention functionality through coordinated control of lens unit positions, especially during high-speed zooming operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical biasing member retraction structure with an electronic control system. The control unit uses detection results from position sensors to dynamically adjust lens unit movements, substituting mechanical collision prevention with electronic control and coordination, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If clearance is increased to prevent interference between lens units, then reliability is improved, but length of lens barrel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic control to lens unit movements, allowing lens units to operate in overlapping movable ranges under normal conditions. During high-speed zooming, the control unit dynamically adjusts movements to prevent interference. This dynamic coordination enables compact lens barrel design without excessive clearance while maintaining reliability through real-time motion management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameters of lens units based on operating conditions. By detecting lens unit positions and zooming speeds, the control unit adjusts movement parameters to prevent interference during high-speed operations. This parameter-based control allows minimal clearance in the lens barrel design while ensuring reliable operation across different zooming conditions.
3Manufacturing precision
If control method is changed during interference region to prevent collision, then driving accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using detection units to monitor lens unit positions and providing this information to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts lens unit movements to prevent collision during high-speed zooming. This feedback mechanism improves driving accuracy while maintaining a relatively simple control structure through practical position-based adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the control unit detect lens unit positions in advance and plan movements to avoid interference regions. Before collision can occur, the control unit adjusts the movement parameters of lens units based on predicted positions, especially during high-speed zooming. This preliminary control approach improves driving accuracy while keeping the control system manageable through proactive position management.
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 enhances driving accuracy, reduces driving noise, and minimizes the overall length of the lens barrel by allowing overlap in the movable ranges of the lens units while maintaining image quality, even during high-speed zooming.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member for biasing the second holding member toward a side of the first holding member with respect to the transmission member
Data Source
AI summary
A lens apparatus is provided with movable first and second units, first and second holders for holding the first and second units, a driving unit for electrically driving the second holder, a transmission member movable relative to the second holder in the optical axis direction and transmits driving force to the second holder, a biasing member for biasing the second holder toward the first holder side relative to the transmission member, a controller for controlling the driving unit, and first and second detectors for detecting the positions of the first and second holders, wherein movable ranges of the first and second holders have interference region which interfere with each other, and controller changes a control of driving unit between the interference region where the first and the second holding members interfere each other and an interference-free region based on detection results of the first and second detectors.