Lens Apparatus Axial Click Detection for Radial Size Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging apparatuses face challenges in maintaining a small radial size while achieving a large rotation amount of the operation ring with a click mechanism, and they suffer from uneven driving of the driven member due to rotational velocity fluctuations caused by click torque, affecting shutter speed and ISO speed adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A lens apparatus with a click mechanism that includes a fixed member with a groove part and an operation ring with a click generator, featuring a click detector and a rotation detector along the optical axis, and a controller that adjusts the driven member based on the average rotational velocity of the operation ring to minimize uneven driving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the number of pulses for detecting rotation amount is increased to secure a large rotation amount of the operation ring, then the rotation amount is improved, but the radial size of the lens barrel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from radial arrangement of detection openings to axial arrangement of detectors. The click detector and rotation detector are positioned along the optical axis direction, allowing multiple detection functions to be stacked vertically rather than radially, thus achieving large rotation amount detection without increasing radial lens barrel size.
2Ease of operation
If a click mechanism is implemented to generate click feeling for stepwise adjustment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the rotational velocity fluctuation causes uneven driving of the driven member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by detecting both click events and rotation amount, then controlling the driven member based on average rotational velocity. The controller monitors the rotation detector output and adjusts driving commands to compensate for velocity fluctuations caused by click torque, ensuring uniform driven member movement while maintaining click mechanism operation.
3Length of moving object
If the click generator and groove part are separated into different radial positions, then the rotation amount is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the click detection function and rotation detection function into a single detection system arranged along the optical axis. Both the click detector and rotation detector monitor the same operation ring rotation event from different perspectives, merging multiple detection functions into one compact axial arrangement rather than requiring separate radial mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A lens apparatus includes a fixed member having one of a click generator and a groove part in which a groove part is formed, an operation ring having the other of the click generator and the groove part, and rotatable relative to the fixed member, a click detector configured to detect contact between the click generator and the groove part, and a rotation detector configured to detect rotation of the operation ring. The groove part has groove portions and non-groove portions alternately arranged. The click generator is biased along an optical axis direction and is in contact with the groove part. The click detector and the rotation detector are disposed along the optical axis direction.