Lens Barrel Direction Switching With Odd-Roller Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lens barrels require electronic components or complex switching mechanisms to change the rotation direction of rotation operation interlocking members for adjusting photographing conditions, limiting user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A lens barrel design that includes a rotation operation interlocking member with an odd number of rotating bodies capable of rolling and circling operations, allowing manual switching of lens movement directions without electronic components or complex mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a motor or complex switching mechanism is used to change the rotation direction of the rotation operation interlocking member, then the lens movement direction can be switched, but the device complexity increases and electronic components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic motors and complex switching mechanisms with a purely mechanical solution. The rotating body with odd number of teeth engages differently with gear teeth based on its rotational position, mechanically switching the lens movement direction without any electronic components. When the rotating body rotates 180 degrees, the engagement pattern changes, reversing the lens movement direction relative to the zoom ring rotation direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the transmission ratio dynamic by using a rotating body that can change its engagement configuration with the gear teeth. As the rotating body rotates, the effective gear engagement changes, allowing the system to switch between different transmission states (normal rotation and reverse rotation) based on the rotational position of the rotating body, rather than using a fixed mechanical structure.
2Ease of operation
If a motor is used to switch lens movement direction, then direction changing is achieved, but the device requires electronic components and increases in complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating body automatically switches the lens movement direction based on its own rotational position without requiring external control signals or electronic components. The system uses the rotation operation itself to trigger the direction switching - when the rotating body completes a half rotation, the gear engagement pattern naturally changes, causing the lens to move in the opposite direction. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate switching controls.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a complex switching mechanism is provided to change rotation direction, then lens movement direction can be reversed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits rotation from the zoom ring to the lens driving mechanism, and it also acts as a direction switching mechanism. The same rotating component that performs the primary function of transmitting rotational motion also provides the direction reversal capability through its engagement with the gear teeth, eliminating the need for separate switching mechanisms.
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
Enables easy manual change of rotation direction for adjusting photographing conditions, eliminating the need for motors or complicated switching mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
an odd number of rotating bodies engaging with an outer circumferential surface of the lens drive member and an inner circumferential surface of the rotation operation interlocking member and capable of executing a rolling operation on the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface
Data Source
AI summary
A lens barrel includes a main body having a substantially cylindrical portion; one or a plurality of lenses; one or a plurality of lens support members that support the one or the plurality of lenses; a lens drive member having a substantially cylindrical portion that moves the one or the plurality of lens support members in a substantially extending direction of an optical axis in conjunction with rotation with respect to the main body nearly around the optical axis of the one or the plurality of lenses; a rotation operation interlocking member disposed radially outward of the lens drive member nearly around the optical axis, the rotation operation interlocking member including a substantially cylindrical portion rotated with respect to the main body nearly around the optical axis in conjunction with a manual operation; an odd number of rotating bodies engaging with an outer circumferential surface of the lens drive member and an inner circumferential surface of the rotation operation interlocking member and capable of executing a rolling operation on the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface around a rotation center line substantially parallel to the optical axis and a circling operation around the optical axis; and a lens moving direction switching member that switches from a state in which the rolling operation of the odd number of rotating bodies is regulated and the circling operation is permitted to a state in which the rolling operation is permitted and the circling operation is regulated, or vice versa. A moving direction of the lens with respect to a rotation direction of the rotation operation interlocking member is switched by executing switching of the lens moving direction switching member.