Compact Lens Barrel Design via Relocated Focus Drive Unit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lens barrels with integrated focus drive units tend to increase in size and weight, compromising the compactness and efficiency of digital cameras due to the spatial requirements of the focus drive unit components.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a focus drive unit positioned differently relative to the cam followers and support frames, allowing for a more compact configuration by optimizing the placement of magnetic field generators and the coil within the lens barrel, thereby minimizing the overall size and weight while maintaining high drive force and focusing speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a focus drive unit is installed in the support frame, then focusing function is achieved, but the lens barrel size increases in the optical axis direction and/or radial direction
Solution Approach 1:
The focus drive unit is extracted from the support frame and relocated to the lens barrel body. The drive unit includes a motor positioned in the lens barrel body, with a drive shaft extending through the support frame to the focus lens. This separation allows the support frame to remain compact while still providing focusing capability through the extended drive mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive shaft is positioned in the radial direction relative to the optical axis, extending from the motor in the lens barrel body through the support frame to the focus lens. This radial arrangement allows the focusing mechanism to operate without increasing the optical axis length, utilizing the radial space within the lens barrel instead.
2Power
If the focus drive unit components are positioned conventionally, then drive function is achieved, but the lens barrel becomes heavier and larger
Solution Approach 1:
The motor of the focus drive unit is merged with the lens barrel body structure, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets and support structures. The motor housing is integrated into the lens barrel body, and the drive shaft is directly coupled to the focus lens support, reducing the number of intermediate components and overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive unit components are strategically positioned in areas of the lens barrel where space is already available, such as the rear portion near the motor housing. The motor is positioned to utilize the radial space rather than occupying the optical axis path, allowing efficient use of local space without adding to the overall barrel dimensions or weight.
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 configuration enables a smaller and lighter lens barrel that supports both still and moving picture imaging with improved focusing speed and reduced noise, while maintaining optical accuracy and alignment of lens elements.
Implementation Method 1
a second support frame including a plurality of cam followers. The first support frame is movably supported by the second support frame in a first direction parallel to the optical axis. The cam followers are separately disposed around and substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the first lens element and the outer peripheral side of the drive unit when viewed in the first direction.
Implementation Method 2
a drive unit configured to move the first support frame in the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
An interchangeable lens unit comprises a second lens group support unit, a focus lens, a focus lens support frame, and a focus drive unit. The second lens group support unit supports the focus lens support frame movably in the Z-axis direction and has second cam pins disposed spaced apart around an optical axis. The focus drive unit is a unit for driving the focus lens support frame in the Z-axis direction with respect to the second lens group support unit and is disposed at a different position from those of the second cam followers when viewed in the Z-axis direction.