Lens Barrel Focus Mode Switching Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems with manual focus functions face issues with erroneous operations when switching between focus modes, leading to uncomfortable delays or unreliable prevention of incorrect rotations during mode changes.
Innovation Solution
A lens barrel design incorporating a focus operation member, a rotation restricting member, and a switching-operation member, with sensors to detect positions and movements, allowing for precise control of focus lens movement based on mode settings, preventing erroneous rotations by restricting or allowing rotation within specific ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a predetermined period is set to be long to reliably prevent erroneous operation, then reliability is improved, but the time until rotation becomes effective is lengthened causing user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the switching operation member's position before executing the rotation restriction. By detecting whether the switching operation member is at the first position or second position, the system can proactively determine the appropriate rotation behavior, eliminating the need for a delayed predetermined period and achieving both reliability and immediate response.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the operation ring is made movable between first and second positions to enable mode switching, then adaptability is improved, but the complexity of detecting and measuring operation states worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The switching operation member serves as an intermediary element that physically connects the operation ring's positional states to the detection system. By using this dedicated switching operation member that moves between defined positions, the system simplifies the detection of operation states compared to detecting complex rotation patterns or infering mode from multiple sensors.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a lens barrel that can easily and reliably prevent an erroneous operation at the time of switching of a manual focus mode.A lens barrel body houses an imaging optical system including a focus lens. A focus operation ring rotates integrally with a first connection ring about an optical axis of the imaging optical system. A second connection ring is movable between an engagement position at which the second connection ring is engaged with the first connection ring and a cam ring and a disengagement position at which the second connection ring is not engaged with both of the first connection ring and the cam ring. A switching-operation ring is movable between a rotation-restriction position at which the switching-operation ring moves the second connection ring to the engagement position and a rotation-allowable position at which the switching-operation ring moves the second connection ring to the disengagement position.