Collapsible Lens Barrel Impact Locking Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional collapsible lens barrels are prone to damage from impact due to rotation of the rotational barrel when subjected to force, leading to potential gear damage and image blur issues.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism featuring a first contact portion on the rotational barrel and a second contact portion on a fixed member that engage to lock the rotational barrel's rotation, utilizing a frictional force to prevent rotation and protect the gear trains during impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cam grooves are shaped to have a planar portion perpendicular to the optical axis to inhibit rotation of the rotational barrel, then the rotational barrel rotation is inhibited, but the effect is limited and large gaps between cam grooves and cam pins result in image blur
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple contact portions (first contact portion on rotational barrel, second contact portion on fixed member) distributed around the optical axis, providing multi-point engagement that simultaneously achieves reliable rotation locking and minimal gaps to prevent image blur
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second contact portions are preliminarily positioned to engage when the rotational barrel moves along the optical axis, automatically locking rotation before impact can affect the gear trains, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex sensing mechanisms
2Reliability
If the rotational barrel is locked to prevent gear damage during impact, then gear damage is prevented, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is self-activating through the movement of the rotational barrel along the optical axis, which automatically brings the first and second contact portions into engagement. The mechanism protects itself during impact without requiring external control systems, sensors, or additional actuating components
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is merged with the existing structural components (rotational barrel and fixed member) by incorporating contact portions directly onto these components, eliminating the need for separate locking devices and reducing overall mechanism 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
Effectively inhibits the rotational barrel's rotation upon impact, preventing gear damage and maintaining image quality by ensuring the rotational barrel remains locked, thus enhancing the durability of the collapsible lens barrel.
Implementation Method 1
the engagement between the first contact portion and the second contact portion, or a frictional force generated therebetween, reliably inhibits the rotational barrel from rotating about its axial center
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible lens barrel is provided, including a mechanism capable of reliably inhibiting rotation of a rotational barrel even if any impact is applied thereto, for example, due to a fall with the barrel being extended. When the rotational barrel is pressed upon a fixed member due to impact in defiance of the biasing force of a wave spring, a first engagement portion provided at a camera body-side end of the rotational barrel engages with second engagement portions provided on a subject-side surface of the fixed member, which locks rotation of the rotational barrel, thereby making it possible to prevent gears from being damaged, for example.