Lens Barrel Guide Axis Segmentation for Compact Camera Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lens barrels face challenges in downsizing along the optical axis direction while maintaining guiding precision and elastic force, due to the structural constraints of the spring and guide section lengths.
Innovation Solution
The lens barrel design features separate first and second guide axes with an elastic member, allowing for longer elastic member lengths and reduced guide section heights, enabling downsizing while maintaining precision and elastic force through strategic positioning and separate guides for the slide and spring mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the guide span and spring length are made long to improve guiding precision and reduce compression load, then the lens barrel height increases, but this contradicts the requirement for thin camera designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the guide mechanism into two separate guide axes (first guide axis and second guide axis) positioned at different locations. The spring is arranged between the holder and the lens frame, utilizing the space created by this segmentation to achieve both long spring length and compact overall height, thereby resolving the contradiction between guiding precision and lens barrel height.
2Force
If the spring length is increased to reduce compression load, then the lens barrel height increases, but this contradicts the requirement for thin camera designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the radial dimension by positioning the spring between the holder and the lens frame at a location offset from the optical axis. This allows the spring to achieve sufficient length for providing adequate energizing force while the overall lens barrel height along the optical axis remains compact, thus resolving the contradiction between force requirements and height constraints.
3Length of stationary object
If separate guide axes are used to optimize spring length and guide section height, then manufacturing complexity increases, but this enables downsizing of the lens barrel
Solution Approach 1:
Both the first guide axis and second guide axis serve the same function of guiding the lens frame along the optical axis direction. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve compact dimensions through strategic positioning while maintaining relatively simple guide structures, thereby resolving the contradiction between downsizing and manufacturing complexity.
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 allows for a thinner lens barrel by optimizing guide and spring lengths, reducing slide resistance and enabling the use of resin materials for guides, thereby achieving compact camera designs.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member disposed between the holder and the second guide section for exerting an energizing force on the second guide section
Data Source
AI summary
A lens barrel includes a holder, a lens frame, and an elastic member. The holder includes a first guide axis and a second guide axis. The lens frame includes a first guide section which is movably fitted around the first guide axis and a second guide section which is movably fitted around the second guide axis, and retains at least one lens. The elastic member exerts an energizing force on the second guide section and is disposed between the holder and the second guide section. The lens frame moves along the optical axis direction of the lens as the first guide section is guided by the first guide axis. The elastic member energizes the lens frame along the optical axis direction of the lens by exerting an energizing force on the second guide section. The distance from the holder to the second guide section is different from that from the holder to the first guide section.