Lens Barrel Light Shielding via Bellows Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recent cameras with multiple cylinders for extended optical axis functionality face increased manufacturing costs due to the need for multiple light-shielding rings or felt pieces to block external light, which complicates the structure and increases expenses.
Innovation Solution
A camera design incorporating a lens barrel with a stationary cylinder, drive cylinder, rotary cylinder, key cylinder, and linearly movable cylinder, along with expandable light shields, which utilize cam grooves and actuation portions to extend and retract, effectively blocking external light without the need for multiple light-shielding components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple light-shielding rings or light-shielding felt pieces are used to block light outside the lens barrel, then light blocking effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light-shielding function with the existing bellows structure by integrating a light-shielding layer into the bellows. This merging eliminates the need for separate light-shielding rings or felt pieces, reducing structural complexity while maintaining light blocking effectiveness. The bellows itself becomes the light-shielding component, simplifying the overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides mechanical flexibility for lens barrel extension/retraction, structural support, and light shielding. By making the bellows multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated separate light-shielding components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective light blocking.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple light-shielding rings or light-shielding felt pieces are used to block light outside the lens barrel, then light blocking effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light-shielding function into the existing bellows structure, eliminating the need to manufacture separate light-shielding rings or felt pieces. This reduces the number of parts and assembly steps, thereby lowering manufacturing cost while maintaining effective light blocking.
Solution Approach 2:
By making the bellows multi-functional (providing mechanical support, flexibility, and light shielding), the patent reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This universality approach simplifies the supply chain and reduces manufacturing complexity, leading to lower production costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cylinders are used for extended optical axis functionality, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the key cylinder is positioned within the rotary cylinder, and both are contained within the stationary cylinder. This nesting allows multiple functional elements to be compactly integrated, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining the versatility of extended optical axis functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic interactions between the cylinders through cam grooves and actuation portions, allowing the lens barrel to extend and retract through coordinated movement. This dynamic mechanism achieves functional versatility without requiring separate rigid components for each function, thereby reducing structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A camera blocks light outside a lens barrel entering an optical path in a lens barrel. A camera includes a frame and a lens barrel accommodating a lens. The lens barrel includes a stationary cylinder including a cylindrical wall having a through-cam groove extending with its circumferential position changing in X-direction, a drive cylinder rotatable relative to the stationary cylinder without moving in X-direction, a rotary cylinder rotatable relative to the stationary cylinder and movable in X-direction, a key cylinder movable in X-direction together with the rotary cylinder, a linearly movable cylinder rotatable relative to the rotary cylinder together with the key cylinder. The camera further includes a connecting frame attached to a rear end of the key cylinder in the lens barrel and a rear light shield including a bellows connecting the connecting frame and the frame in an expandable manner.