Lens Barrel Miniaturization via Nested Frames and Cam Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lens barrels are not miniaturized effectively in the optical axis direction, leading to increased thickness and potential design inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A lens barrel design incorporating a first frame with a restricting portion, a second frame with a cam groove, a third frame with a guide portion, a drive arm with a cam follower, and a spring, allowing for interlocking movements and miniaturization through a cam mechanism that restricts inclination and enables parallel movement along the optical axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional lens barrel design is used, then optical functionality is maintained, but the thickness in the optical axis direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the third frame inside the second frame, and the second frame inside the first frame, creating a concentric multi-frame structure. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional components to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, significantly reducing the overall thickness of the lens barrel in the optical axis direction while maintaining all necessary optical functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional linear arrangement of components along the optical axis to a multi-dimensional configuration where frames are stacked concentrically. The cam mechanism utilizes radial and axial movements to achieve zooming, converting a one-dimensional linear motion problem into a two-dimensional planar motion solution, thereby reducing the axial thickness.
2Length of moving object
If frame size is reduced for miniaturization, then compactness is improved, but movement restriction precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric cam groove profiles and non-uniform guide portion geometries to achieve precise movement restriction. The cam groove in the second frame has a specifically designed asymmetric shape that converts rotational motion into controlled linear motion of the third frame, maintaining high precision despite the reduced overall size of the frames.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portions are pre-configured with specific geometries that automatically constrain the movement paths of the frames before actual zooming operations occur. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that even in a miniaturized configuration, the frames follow precise trajectories during operation, maintaining manufacturing precision.
3Reliability
If multi-frame structure is added for movement control, then movement restriction is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each frame in the patent serves multiple functions: the first frame provides structural support and houses the cam mechanism, the second frame acts as both a structural element and a guide for the third frame's movement, and the third frame holds the lens group while being guided by the cam mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite the multi-frame structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of support, guidance, and lens mounting into an integrated multi-frame system. The frames are combined with the cam mechanism such that the same structural elements perform multiple roles simultaneously, reducing the total number of separate components needed compared to a conventional design with dedicated separate elements for each function.
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 design achieves a miniaturized lens barrel in the optical axis direction, enhancing compactness and efficiency while maintaining optical functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the third frame is biased by the spring so that the first contact portion and the second contact portion are brought into contact with each other
Implementation Method 2
the cam follower engages with the cam groove, and along with the rotation of the second frame relative to the first frame, the drive arm moves approximately parallel to the optical axis
Data Source
AI summary
A lens barrel includes at least one lens, the optical axis of the lens; the first frame (the fixed frame 900) having the first restricting portion (901, 902) and having an approximately cylindrical shape about the optical axis; the second frame (1000) having the cam groove (1036) and having an approximately cylindrical shape about the optical axis; the third frame (510) having the guide portion (511) which restricts inclination thereof with respect to the first contact portion (514) and the optical axis and having an approximately cylindrical shape about the optical axis; the drive arm (520) having a cam follower (523), the second restricting portion (524, 525) and the second contact portion (526), and having an approximately arcuate shape constituted of a portion of a circular cylinder about the optical axis or an approximately plate shape; the guide shaft (601) for guiding the guide in a movable manner in the optical axis direction; and the spring (603). The first restricting portion engages with the second restricting portion. The cam engages with the cam groove (1036). The drive arm moves approximately parallel to the optical axis due to the relative rotation of the second with respect to the first frame, the third is biased by the thus bringing the first contact portion and the second contact portion into contact with each other, and the third frame moves in the optical axis direction in an interlocking manner with the drive with the inclination of the guide being restricted by the guide.