Lens Barrel Elastic Mounting for Vibration Isolation and Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lens barrel support mechanisms in image capturing devices propagate vibration and mechanical noise to the device's microphone through screws, leading to reduced effectiveness in noise isolation and increased assemblability challenges.

Innovation Solution

The lens barrel is clamped using elastic members between a main base and a chassis, reducing vibration transmission and improving assemblability by using spherical-shaped elastic members with recessed accommodation portions for easy alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the lens barrel is fastened to the main body using screws, then the lens barrel is securely fixed, but vibration and mechanical noise are propagated to the microphone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelens barrel fixationVSAvoidvibration propagation to microphone
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a frame plate as an intermediary component between the lens barrel and the main body frame. The frame plate is fixed to the frame using screws, while the lens barrel is held by elastic members that contact the frame plate. This intermediary structure prevents direct transmission of vibration and mechanical noise from the lens barrel to the main body, thereby protecting the microphone from harmful vibrations while maintaining secure fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the vibration transmission path by separating the fixation function from the vibration isolation function. The screws are used only to fix the frame plate to the main body frame, while the elastic members handle the lens barrel holding with vibration isolation. This extraction of functions prevents vibration propagation to the microphone while maintaining stable lens barrel fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If rubber caps are inserted into attachment portions of the lens barrel and frame, then vibration propagation is reduced, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration propagation reductionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the vibration isolation function with the lens barrel holding function by using elastic members that perform both tasks simultaneously. The elastic members are disposed between the lens barrel and the frame plate, providing both mechanical support and vibration isolation without requiring separate rubber caps to be inserted into attachment portions. This integration simplifies the assembly process while maintaining vibration reduction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic members are designed to automatically provide both holding force and vibration isolation without requiring precise alignment or insertion into specific attachment portions. The elastic members self-adjust to provide the necessary support and isolation, eliminating the need for complex assembly procedures involving multiple rubber caps and attachment portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If elastic members are used to hold the lens barrel, then vibration propagation is reduced, but reaction forces may reduce the effectiveness of noise isolation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration propagation reductionVSAvoidnoise isolation effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning the elastic members at specific locations where they can effectively isolate vibration while minimizing reaction forces that would affect the microphone. The frame plate is designed with specific attachment points that optimize the distribution of reaction forces, ensuring that the elastic members provide vibration isolation without compromising the overall noise isolation effectiveness of the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This design effectively reduces vibration propagation to the microphone while enhancing assembly efficiency by using elastic members with spherical shapes and recessed accommodation portions.

Implementation Method 1

elastic members therebetween... elastic members with spherical shapes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4446790B1Optical apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 CANON KK
  • EP4446790B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP4446790B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4446790B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An optical apparatus (1) includes a lens barrel (200), holding members (111, 151) sandwiching and holding the lens barrel with elastic members therebetween, and the elastic members (160) disposed between the lens barrel and the holding members. The holding members include a first holding member, and a second holding member which is disposed on a side opposite to the first holding member in an optical axis direction with the lens barrel sandwiched therebetween. The elastic members include first elastic members and second elastic members. A plurality of first accommodation portions accommodating the first elastic members are formed in one of the lens barrel and the first holding member. A plurality of second accommodation portions accommodating the second elastic members are formed in one of the lens barrel and the second holding member. The first elastic members and the second elastic members have spherical shapes.