Lens Barrel and Control Unit Positioning for Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing interchangeable lens systems face issues with impactive force in the optical axis direction affecting lens shape and position, and magnetic noise interference from control boards impacting image quality.

Innovation Solution

A lens apparatus design that includes a first holding member for the closest lens, a barrel member on the outside, and a control unit to manage a driving unit, with the barrel edge surface positioned on the object side at infinity focus and the control unit edge surface positioned on the image side, reducing impactive force and magnetic noise influence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the control board is brought close to the image sensor to reduce lens size, then the lens apparatus becomes more compact, but magnetic noise from the control board degrades image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens apparatus sizeVSAvoidmagnetic noise influence on image sensor

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A magnetic shield member is introduced as an intermediary between the control board and image sensor to block magnetic noise while allowing the control board to be positioned close to the image sensor, thus maintaining compact lens size while protecting image quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the front-lens-holding frame protrudes toward the object to allow impactive force to act on it, then the lens structure can be simplified, but the lens shape and position may change due to direct impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens holding structure complexityVSAvoidlens shape and position precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The outer barrel member acts as an intermediary that absorbs and distributes impactive force before it reaches the front-lens-holding frame, preventing direct impact on the lens while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The outer barrel member protrudes ahead of the front-lens-holding frame to provide beforehand cushioning against impactive forces, protecting the lens from direct impact and maintaining lens shape and position precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS11256071B2Lens apparatus and imaging system including the same

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 CANON KK

AI summary

A lens apparatus includes an imaging optical system includes an imaging optical system including a plurality of lenses, a first holding member holding at least a first lens closest to an object among the plurality of lenses, and configured to move in an optical axis direction of the imaging optical system to perform focusing, a barrel member provided on an outside of the first holding member, and a control unit configured to control a driving unit configured to move the first holding member. When focus is at infinity, an edge surface on an object side of the barrel member is positioned on the object side of a surface vertex of an object-side surface of the first lens. When focus is at infinity, an edge surface on the object side of the control unit is positioned on the object side of the surface vertex.