Lens Barrel Guide Cover Segmentation for Vibration Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lens barrels face limitations in size due to a large protruding base frame, which restricts the size of the group lens and compromises the strength of the protruding part, leading to unusual noise during imaging due to vibration.

Innovation Solution

A lens barrel design that includes a guide cover with a protruding part along the optical axis to hold the guide pole, secured by a fastening member to the base frame, enhancing the strength and stability of the guide cover while suppressing shakes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the base frame includes a large protruding part for holding a guide pole, then the guide pole can be securely held, but the size of the lens frame unit is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength of protruding partVSAvoidsize of group lens

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The guide cover is separated from the base frame as an independent component, allowing the base frame to have a compact protruding part while the guide cover provides the necessary strength and space for the guide pole. This segmentation enables the group lens to be larger without compromising the structural integrity of the guide pole mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide cover extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis, utilizing spatial dimensionality to provide additional strength and volume for housing the guide pole without increasing the protruding dimension of the base frame along the optical axis. This allows larger group lens size while maintaining compact base frame design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the protruding part of the base frame is made thin, then the size of the group lens is reduced, but the strength of the protruding part cannot be secured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize of group lensVSAvoidstrength of protruding part

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The guide cover is separated from the base frame as an independent component, allowing the base frame to have a compact protruding part while the guide cover provides the necessary strength and space for the guide pole. This segmentation enables the group lens to be larger without compromising the structural integrity of the guide pole mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide cover is formed from a material having higher strength than the base frame, creating a composite structure where the guide cover reinforces the protruding part. This allows the base frame to maintain a thin profile for compactness while the guide cover provides the necessary structural strength to prevent vibration and noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If the protruding part is made thin to reduce base frame size, then manufacturing is simplified, but unusual noise is caused by vibration during imaging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufacture of base frameVSAvoidunusual noise during imaging

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide cover is separated from the base frame as an independent component, allowing the base frame to have a compact protruding part while the guide cover provides the necessary strength and space for the guide pole. This segmentation enables the group lens to be larger without compromising the structural integrity of the guide pole mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide cover is formed from a material having higher strength than the base frame, creating a composite structure where the guide cover reinforces the protruding part. This allows the base frame to maintain a thin profile for compactness while the guide cover provides the necessary structural strength to prevent vibration and noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS10782502B2Lens barrel and image-capturing device

Publication Date: 2020.09.22 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A lens barrel includes a lens frame unit movable along an optical axis, a guide pole configured to guide the lens frame unit along the optical axis of the lens frame unit, a first lens frame holding one end of the guide pole, a guide cover held by the first lens frame, and a fastening member fastening the guide cover to the first lens frame. The guide cover includes a protruding part holding the other end of the guide pole, and protruding along the optical axis. The fastening member fastens the guide cover to the first lens frame through the protruding part.