Lens Barrel Direct Connection for Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lens barrel designs face issues with increased weight due to unnecessary diameter expansion for strength and poor disassembly performance, as they require multiple components and complex connections, leading to reduced optical accuracy and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A lens apparatus with a first barrel, a fixed barrel, and a focus lens unit driven by an actuator, where the first barrel and fixed barrel are directly connected, and a positioning mechanism determines their positions in a rotational direction, allowing for improved strength and reduced weight by minimizing the number of connecting components and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the main structural member is designed with an end spread shape to accommodate the focus mechanism, then the focus mechanism can be securely mounted, but the diameter of the main structural member becomes unnecessarily large and the weight of the lens barrel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens barrel is divided into multiple components: a holding barrel for mounting the focus mechanism, a main structural member for overall support, and a front barrel for lens positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without requiring unnecessary structural reinforcement throughout the entire assembly, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining mounting security.
Solution Approach 2:
The focus mechanism is extracted from the main structural member and mounted separately on the holding barrel. This extraction eliminates the need for the main structural member to have an enlarged end spread shape, allowing it to maintain a smaller, lighter diameter while the holding barrel provides the necessary mounting structure for the focus mechanism.
2Strength
If the focus mechanism is fixed deep in the lens barrel, then the structural integrity is improved, but the disassembly performance deteriorates as the focus mechanism cannot be accessed until all lenses are disassembled
Solution Approach 1:
The lens barrel is segmented into the holding barrel, main structural member, and front barrel, with the focus mechanism mounted on the holding barrel. This segmentation creates an accessible mounting location that allows the focus mechanism to be removed independently through the rear opening, improving disassembly performance while maintaining structural integrity through the modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding barrel serves as an intermediary component between the main structural member and the focus mechanism. It provides a dedicated mounting interface that allows the focus mechanism to be securely attached yet easily accessed and removed, mediating between the requirements for structural integrity and ease of repair.
3Strength
If multiple connecting components are used to join the first barrel and fixed barrel, then the connection strength is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning mechanism and connecting function are merged into a single integrated structure. The first barrel and fixed barrel are directly connected with their positions in the rotational direction determined by the positioning mechanism, eliminating the need for separate connecting components and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanism serves multiple functions: it determines the rotational position of the barrels and simultaneously provides the connection interface between the first barrel and fixed barrel. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while ensuring strong, accurate connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A lens apparatus includes a first barrel configured to hold a first lens unit, a fixed barrel configured to hold a final lens unit, a focus lens unit driven by an actuator, and a positioning mechanism configured to determine positions of the first barrel and the fixed barrel in a rotational direction around an optical axis. The first barrel and the fixed barrel are directly connected, and the actuator and the focus lens unit are provided in a space formed by the first barrel and the fixed barrel.