Lens Barrel Linear Motor Nesting for Compact Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lens barrels with shared parts for linear motors result in increased size due to the external placement of the motor components, necessitating a reduction in size while maintaining functionality.
Innovation Solution
The lens unit incorporates a first optical element, a second optical element, and a coil-based linear motor where the coils are positioned to sandwich the second optical element between them, allowing for compact placement and movement along the optical axis, reducing the overall size of the lens barrel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the linear motor components are placed externally on the movable barrel, then the motor can drive the lens frame body effectively, but the lens barrel size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the coil inside the movable barrel, surrounded by the magnetic field generating components (magnets and yokes). The coil is positioned within the magnetic field region created by the magnets and yokes, allowing the linear motor components to be nested within each other rather than placed externally. This nested arrangement enables the motor to drive the lens frame body while minimizing the overall lens barrel size.
2Ease of manufacture
If parts are shared between linear motor components, then assembly man-hours are reduced, but the lens barrel becomes larger due to external motor placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains part sharing between magnets and yokes while applying nesting by positioning the coil inside the movable barrel within the magnetic field region. This nested configuration allows the shared components to be arranged compactly, reducing the lens barrel size while preserving the assembly efficiency benefits of part sharing.
3Volume of stationary object
If the coil is positioned to sandwich the second optical element, then the lens barrel size is reduced, but the motor component placement becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves compact size by nesting the coil inside the movable barrel and positioning it to sandwich the second optical element between the coil and the first optical element. The magnetic field generating components (magnets and yokes) are arranged around the coil, creating a nested structure that reduces lens barrel size while organizing the motor components in a systematic manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the optical axis direction as an additional dimension for arranging motor components. By positioning the coil and optical elements along the optical axis rather than only radially, the design creates a compact linear arrangement that reduces the lens barrel size while managing component placement complexity through systematic spatial organization.
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 configuration enables a more compact lens barrel design by allowing the linear motor components to be internally positioned without adjacent placement, thereby reducing the barrel's size while maintaining the necessary movement and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The coils 23 are included in a linear motor 30 that is attached to a frame body 21a
Implementation Method 2
The coils 23 are included in a linear motor 30 that is attached to a frame body 21a, is disposed so as to sandwich the aperture unit 22 between itself and the second lens group L2 in the optical axis AX direction, and drives the second lens group L2 and the frame body 21a back and forth in the optical axis AX direction
Data Source
AI summary
A lens unit 20 includes a second lens group L2, an aperture unit 22, a frame body 21a, and a coil 23. The aperture unit 22 is disposed along the optical axis AX direction of the second lens group L2 with respect to the second lens group L2. The second lens group L2 is attached to the frame body 21a. The coil 23 is attached to the frame body 21a, is disposed so as to sandwich the aperture unit 22 between the coil 23 and the second lens group L2 in the optical axis AX direction, and is included in a linear motor 30 that drives the second lens group L2 and the frame body 21a back and forth in the optical axis AX direction.