Lens Barrel Shift Adjustment Using Step-Type Eccentric Rollers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lens barrels require disassembly and complex assembly processes for shift adjustment, making the process costly and inefficient, and precise adjustment of eccentric rollers is challenging without specialized tools.
Innovation Solution
A lens barrel design incorporating step-type eccentric rollers with a polygonal elongated window and multiple usable regions, allowing for precise shift adjustment by rotating the rollers to change engagement positions, enabling parallel movement of the lens group without disassembly and simplifying the adjustment process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If adjustment washer is used for shift adjustment, then the lens holding frame position can be adjusted, but disassembly and reassembly are required which increases process steps and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces static adjustment washers with dynamic eccentric rollers that can be rotated to different positions. The eccentric rollers have an asymmetric cross-section that allows them to be rotated between flat and inclined positions, enabling continuous adjustment of the lens holding frame position without disassembly. This dynamic adjustment mechanism eliminates the need for disassembly and reassembly while maintaining adjustment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the eccentric roller from a fixed asymmetric cross-section to a rotatable component with variable orientation. By rotating the eccentric roller between different angular positions (0° for flat surface, 45° for inclined surface), the effective height and position of the lens holding frame are continuously adjustable. This parameter change approach allows precise adjustment without increasing assembly complexity.
2Ease of operation
If conventional eccentric rollers are used for shift adjustment, then disassembly is not required, but precise adjustment is impossible visually and requires specialized jigs and measuring devices
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses surface pattern changes (analogous to color changes) on the eccentric roller to indicate adjustment positions. The eccentric roller is provided with visual markers including inclined stripes and circular arcs that become visible at specific rotation angles. When the inclined stripe aligns with a reference mark on the lens holding frame, it indicates the correct adjustment position. This visual feedback mechanism enables precise adjustment without requiring specialized measuring devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The eccentric roller incorporates self-indicating features that allow the operator to determine the correct adjustment position through visual inspection alone. The inclined stripe and circular arc patterns on the roller surface automatically align with reference marks on the lens holding frame when the roller is at the correct angle. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external jigs and measuring devices, making precise adjustment simple and intuitive.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple eccentric rollers are adjusted for shift adjustment, then the lens holding frame can be positioned, but each roller must be adjusted individually increasing work time and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes all eccentric rollers identical with the same asymmetric cross-section and visual markers, allowing them to perform the same function uniformly. Each roller can be independently adjusted using the same visual indication method (inclined stripe alignment), eliminating the need for different adjustment procedures for different rollers. This universal design enables parallel adjustment of multiple rollers, significantly improving work efficiency while maintaining parallelism precision.
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 enhances workability and reduces costs by allowing precise and easy visual shift adjustment of the lens holding frame, eliminating the need for specialized jigs and measuring devices, and simplifying the assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
a first step-type eccentric roller that is rotatable about a rotation axis and fixed to the first lens holding frame. The first step-type eccentric roller includes a plurality of usable regions and a plurality of non-usable regions on a periphery of the first step-type eccentric roller, the periphery being substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis
Data Source
AI summary
A lens barrel includes: a first lens holding frame; a fixed barrel holding the first lens holding frame and including an elongated window provided radially; and a first step-type eccentric roller rotatably fixed to the first lens holding frame. The first step-type eccentric roller includes usable and non-usable regions on a periphery substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis, a distance from a center of the rotation axis to any point within any one of the usable regions is constant, and the distance is different for each of the usable regions, and the first step-type eccentric roller is fixed to the first lens holding frame by rotating the first step-type eccentric roller about the rotation axis, changing an engagement position between one of the usable regions and a side forming the polygonal shape of the elongated window, and moving the lens group parallel to an optical axis to perform shift adjustment.