Lens Barrel Compact Size via Perpendicular Filter Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The miniaturization of image pickup apparatuses is hindered by the need for sufficient space between optical elements and their holders to avoid interference, leading to increased length of lens barrels due to the requirement for physical separation during the insertion and removal of optical filters like infrared cut filters.
Innovation Solution
A lens barrel design incorporating a first optical element, a first drive mechanism for movement along the optical axis, a second optical element, a holding member movable perpendicular to the optical axis, and a control unit to manage the overlap state of these elements, allowing for compact size by avoiding interference during filter insertion and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sufficient space is kept between the removable optical element and other optical elements to avoid physical interference, then the reliability of the optical system is improved, but the length of the lens barrel in the optical axis direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member is configured to move the second optical element in a direction different from the optical axis (perpendicular direction), allowing the optical element to be inserted and removed without requiring additional space along the optical axis. This dimensional change in the movement direction resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable operation without increasing lens barrel length.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the position of the first optical element along the optical axis based on the insertion/removal state of the second optical element. By making the first optical element's position variable rather than fixed, the system maintains sufficient spacing during operations while allowing compact overall design, thus improving reliability without permanently increasing lens barrel length.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the optical element is inserted into the optical path for day mode photography, then the harmful infrared light is blocked, but the lens barrel length increases due to required spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The second optical element (infrared cut filter) is moved in a direction different from the optical axis to achieve insertion and removal. This allows the filter to be positioned to block infrared light when needed without requiring additional optical axis length, thus providing harmful factor protection while maintaining compact lens barrel dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding member with perpendicular movement capability serves multiple functions: it enables insertion/removal of the optical element, maintains compact lens barrel length, and ensures proper positioning for effective infrared blocking. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving harmful factor protection without the penalty of increased length.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the optical element is removed from the optical path for night mode photography, then the sensitivity to infrared light is utilized, but the risk of physical interference increases without proper spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically positions the first optical element along the optical axis according to the insertion/removal state of the second optical element. This dynamic adjustment ensures that sufficient spacing is maintained to prevent physical interference when the second element is removed, while still allowing the system to utilize infrared sensitivity for night mode photography.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit monitors the state of the second optical element (inserted or removed) and adjusts the position of the first optical element accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the first element is positioned to avoid interference with the holding member or second element, maintaining reliability while enabling adaptability for different photography modes.
4Length of stationary object
If the holding member is positioned close to the first optical element to compact the lens barrel, then the length is reduced, but the risk of interference during removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member moves the second optical element in a direction different from the optical axis, allowing it to be positioned close to the first optical element without risking interference during removal. This perpendicular movement direction enables compact lens barrel design while maintaining reliability by eliminating the interference risk that would exist with axial movement.
Data Source
AI summary
A lens barrel that achieves modes with and without an optical element while reducing a size in an optical axis direction. A first drive mechanism moves a first optical element in the optical axis direction. A second optical element is located at an image surface side of the first optical element and is selectively inserted in an optical path. A second drive mechanism moves a holding member that holds the second optical element in a direction different from an optical axis. A control unit controls the first drive mechanism to move the first optical element to an object side to a position where the first optical element and the holding member are not in an overlap state when viewing in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, controls the second drive mechanism to remove the second optical element from the optical path, when they are in the overlap state.