Lens Barrel Input Transmission Ring Design for Compact Force Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lens barrels require connecting levers to transmit rotating force between the lens drive cylinder and the input transmission ring, leading to increased size and limited rotation range due to lever placement, and precision requirements for simultaneous force transmission.

Innovation Solution

A lens barrel design where the input transmission ring and lens drive cylinder are connected directly, using interlocking members with roller shafts and engaging convex/concave portions to transmit rotating force without levers, allowing for reduced size and efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If connecting levers are placed on the outer side of the motor in the radial direction to avoid contact, then the motor is protected from interference, but the lens barrel becomes large in radius

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference with motorVSAvoidradius of lens barrel

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent repositions the input transmission ring from the opposite side of the motor to the same side as the lens drive cylinder in the optical axis direction. This spatial reconfiguration allows the connecting levers to be placed on the circumferential-direction side of the motor rather than the radial outer side, transmitting rotating force without increasing the radial dimension of the lens barrel while avoiding motor interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing the input transmission ring on the opposite side of the motor as in conventional structures, the patent inverts this arrangement by positioning it on the same side as the lens drive cylinder. This inversion eliminates the need for radial lever placement and enables compact circumferential lever positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If two connecting levers are used to transmit rotating force, then the lens drive cylinder and input transmission ring are connected, but the levers must be attached with high precision to simultaneously transmit force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotating force transmissionVSAvoidattachment precision of connecting levers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an automatic input ring as an intermediary component between the motor and the input transmission ring. The motor rotates the automatic input ring, which through interlocking members drives the input transmission ring. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the force transmission path and reduces the precision requirements for direct lever attachments to the lens drive cylinder.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9363434B2Lens barrel and lens unit

Publication Date: 2016.06.07 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

A lens barrel includes: a motor; an input transmission ring that is rotated by the motor and is rotatable around the optical axis; and a lens drive cylinder connected to the input transmission ring so that rotating force can be transmitted from the input transmission ring, the lens drive cylinder moving a lens in the optical axis direction and being rotatable. The lens drive cylinder is placed on one side of the motor in the optical axis direction, and the input transmission ring is placed on the same side of the motor as the lens drive cylinder.