Lens Barrel State Switching via Rotating Frame and Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lens barrels face challenges in efficiently switching between photographing and retracted states, often requiring complex mechanisms like zoom lock mechanisms to prevent lens protrusion due to weight.
Innovation Solution
A lens barrel design incorporating a first frame, a rotatable second frame, an urging member, and a moving member that transfers the urging force along the optical axis, allowing the lens barrel to switch states while maintaining high holding force and omitting unnecessary mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a zoom lock mechanism is used to prevent lens protrusion due to weight, then the lens barrel can maintain stability in retracted state, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the zoom lock mechanism entirely, extracting this complex component from the system. Instead, it uses a simple urging member (spring) that naturally urges the lens barrel in the contracting direction, achieving stability without the need for additional locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The urging member automatically maintains the lens barrel in the retracted state through its inherent elastic force, eliminating the need for external locking mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the weight of the lens barrel combined with the spring force to maintain stability.
2Device complexity
If a simple urging mechanism is used without zoom lock, then the device complexity is reduced, but the holding force may be insufficient to prevent lens protrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the urging member (spring) with the lens barrel structure itself, merging these elements to create a unified system. The urging force is integrated into the lens barrel design, and the weight of the lens barrel becomes part of the holding mechanism, achieving sufficient holding force without additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The urging member provides an elastic force that counteracts the weight of the lens barrel and prevents protrusion. By positioning the urging member to urge in the contracting direction, the system uses the lens barrel's own weight as a counterbalancing force, eliminating the need for complex locking mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If the urging member is positioned to directly contact both frames, then the structure is simplified, but the urging force cannot be effectively transferred during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a moving member as an intermediary between the urging member and the lens barrel. This moving member has a contact portion that slides along the inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel, effectively transferring the urging force during rotation while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact portion of the moving member extends in the circumferential direction, adding a dimensional element that allows it to maintain contact with the lens barrel during rotation. This circumferential extension enables the moving member to transfer force effectively throughout the rotational movement.
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 enables smooth switching between states with improved user operation feel and high load handling, reducing the need for additional mechanisms like zoom lock, while maintaining optical performance.
Implementation Method 1
an urging member held by one of the first frame and the second frame
Data Source
AI summary
A lens barrel includes a first frame, a second frame rotatable with respect to the first frame, an urging member held by one of the first frame and the second frame, and a moving member that is disposed to be movable in optical axis direction and transfers an urging force of the urging member to the another one of the first frame and the second frame.