Lens Apparatus Backlash Reduction via Elastic Pre-loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lens apparatuses face challenges in reducing tilt, change in distance, and posture changes due to backlash in cam mechanisms, which complicates the structure and affects optical performance, especially in high-performance lenses.
Innovation Solution
A lens apparatus with a fixed barrel, driven optical members, and elastic members between them to apply axial forces, ensuring the cam barrel and support frames maintain consistent posture and reduce backlash through equiangular spring arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cam mechanism is used to drive optical members, then focusing and zooming functions are achieved, but backlash causes tilt, distance change, and posture changes
Solution Approach 1:
A cam follower is introduced as an intermediary component between the cam mechanism and the support frame. The cam follower is engaged with both the cam groove and the support frame, acting as a mediator that transmits motion while reducing the impact of backlash. This intermediary component helps maintain stable optical performance without requiring complex additional structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies beforehand cushioning by pre-loading the cam mechanism with spring members that maintain constant contact between the cam follower and the cam groove. This pre-application of elastic force compensates for backlash before it affects optical performance, ensuring stable focusing and zooming operations.
2Reliability
If spring members are added to reduce backlash, then optical performance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the backlash reduction function with existing structural components. Spring members are integrated into the cam mechanism structure, and the cam follower is designed to incorporate both motion transmission and backlash compensation functions. This merging approach reduces overall device complexity while achieving reliable backlash reduction.
3Reliability
If individual backlash reduction structures are mounted separately, then specific backlash is reduced, but overall structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The cam follower is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions: it transmits motion from the cam mechanism to the support frame, reduces backlash through its engagement geometry, and maintains stable posture during focusing and zooming operations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate backlash reduction structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple backlash reduction approaches into a single integrated cam mechanism structure. The cam groove geometry, cam follower design, and spring member arrangement work together as a unified system to reduce both radial and axial backlash, avoiding the complexity of multiple separate reduction structures.
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 effectively suppresses backlash between the cam barrel and support frames, maintaining optical axis alignment and reducing mechanical complexity, thereby enhancing the optical performance and stability of the lens apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member arranged between the first optical member and the second optical member and configured to apply an elastic force in the direction of the optical axis to the first optical member and the second optical member
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a lens apparatus, including: a fixed barrel; a first optical member supported by the fixed barrel and configured to be driven in a direction of an optical axis; a second optical member supported by the fixed barrel and undriven in the direction of the optical axis; a driving mechanism supported by the fixed barrel and configured to be rotated about the optical axis and drive the first optical member in the direction of the optical axis; and a first elastic member arranged between the first optical member and the second optical member and configured to apply an elastic force in the direction of the optical axis to the first optical member and the second optical member.