Compact Lens Barrel with Nested Rack and Motor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractable lens barrels for digital cameras struggle to minimize both the thickness and the outer dimensions, as the close proximity of lens units during non-imaging prevents the accommodation of additional components like motors and rack members within the lens holding frame.
Innovation Solution
The lens barrel design incorporates a first and second rack member, driving members, guide shafts, and a correction unit with coil units and urging members, arranged in a specific configuration to allow for compact placement of these components while maintaining optical axis movement and image stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If lens units are arranged as close as possible during non-imaging to thin the image pickup apparatus, then the thickness in the optical axis direction is reduced, but the outer shape dimensions become larger because motors and rack members must be arranged outside the lens holding frame
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the rack member inside the lens holding frame by making it thinner in the optical axis direction, and positions the motor inside the rack member. This nested arrangement allows drive components to be housed within the existing lens barrel structure rather than extending the outer dimensions, resolving the contradiction between thinning the optical axis length and controlling the outer shape area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent redistributes components along different spatial dimensions: the rack member is positioned in the radial direction within the lens holding frame, while the motor is positioned in the axial direction within the rack member. This multi-dimensional arrangement optimizes space utilization and avoids increasing the outer shape dimensions while maintaining the thinned optical axis profile.
2Length of moving object
If lens units are arranged as close as possible during non-imaging, then the optical axis length is reduced, but additional components cannot be disposed between the lens units
Solution Approach 1:
The rack member is nested within the lens holding frame structure, and the motor is nested within the rack member. This nested configuration allows additional drive components to be integrated into the compact lens barrel without increasing the optical axis length, as the components are arranged concentrically rather than sequentially along the optical path.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens holding frame is divided into multiple regions: a first region for the rack member and a second region for the motor. This segmentation allows different components to be positioned in distinct zones within the compact structure, maintaining component arrangement flexibility despite the reduced optical axis length.
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 the lens barrel to be made smaller in both the optical axis direction and the outer shape dimensions, achieving a more compact form factor without compromising the functionality of the optical apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a first coil unit configured to drive a third holding member in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction
Implementation Method 2
a second coil unit configured to drive the first holding member in a second direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction and the first direction
Implementation Method 3
a first urging member and a second urging member configured to urge the third holding member in the optical axis direction
Data Source
AI summary
A lens barrel includes first and second rack members that movably support the first and second holding members in the optical axis direction, and first and second driving members that drive the first and second holding members. The first and second guide shafts that guide the movement of the first and second holding members and the first and second guide shafts that drive the third holding member in the first and second directions orthogonal to each other in the optical axis direction and orthogonal to each other. It has a two-coil unit and a correction unit including first and second urging members that urge the third holding member in the optical axis direction, and has a first rack member, a first drive member, a first guide shaft, and a correction unit. A predetermined arrangement is satisfied.