Lens Barrel Interlock Arrangement for Optical Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small form factor cameras face issues with the fragility of the bond between the lens barrel and other camera components due to adhesive being primarily in tension and/or shear, leading to detachment during events like drops, and existing autofocus and optical image stabilization mechanisms do not effectively prevent movement along the optical axis.
Innovation Solution
An interlock arrangement featuring grooves, protrusions, and an adhesive that fills gaps via capillary effect, restricting movement along the optical axis and ensuring the adhesive is in compression, thereby enhancing the bond strength between the lens barrel and carrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If adhesive is used to bond the lens barrel to the lens carrier, then the lens barrel can be attached to the carrier, but the bond becomes fragile and the lens barrel may detach under external forces such as drops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines mechanical interlocking features (grooves and protrusions) with adhesive bonding to create a composite attachment system. The grooves defined by the lens barrel and lens carrier, combined with protrusions that extend into these grooves, provide mechanical interlocking while adhesive fills the gaps to enhance the bond. This composite approach prevents detachment under external forces like drops, resolving the contradiction between bond strength and attachment reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If adhesive is used to attach the lens barrel, then the components can be joined, but the adhesive is primarily in tension and shear which makes the bond fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the typical adhesive bonding approach by designing the interlock arrangement so that the adhesive is primarily in compression rather than tension or shear. The grooves and protrusions are configured to compress the adhesive between the lens barrel and lens carrier, transforming the stress state from fragile tension/shear to strong compression, thereby enhancing bond strength while maintaining assembly simplicity.
3Device complexity
If a simple adhesive bond is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the lens barrel can detach during drop events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the attachment structure into distinct mechanical interlocking features (grooves and protrusions) combined with adhesive bonding. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function: the grooves and protrusions provide mechanical interlocking to prevent detachment, while the adhesive fills gaps and enhances the bond. This segmented approach improves reliability during drop events without significantly increasing 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
The interlock arrangement effectively prevents detachment of the lens barrel from the carrier under external forces, such as during a drop, and maintains optical alignment by ensuring the adhesive remains in a compressive state, enhancing the camera's stability and focusing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the adhesive travels via capillary effect to at least partially fill the gaps within the interlock arrangement between the lens barrel and the lens carrier
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments include an interlock arrangement that may be used to attach a lens barrel to a lens carrier of a camera. In some embodiments, the interlock arrangement may restrict movement of the lens barrel relative to the lens carrier along at least an optical axis. In various examples, the interlock arrangement may include one or more grooves and one or more protrusions. For instance, a groove may be defined by the lens barrel or the lens carrier, and a protrusion may extend from the lens barrel or the lens carrier to at least partially into the groove. In some cases, the interlock arrangement may include an adhesive that at least partially fills gaps within the interlock arrangement between the lens barrel and the lens carrier. According to some embodiments, the interlock arrangement may include one or more recesses that provide inlets for the adhesive to be introduced to the gaps within the interlock arrangement.