Lens Barrel Torque Adjustment via Viscous Fluid Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanisms for adjusting the operating torque of lens devices, such as those used in television cameras, face challenges in providing sufficient adjustment range without increasing the size of the lens barrel and in maintaining the integrity of the viscous fluid seal, leading to limited operational feeling and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A device that applies a load through viscosity resistance by using a rotating body and a non-rotating body with a gap filled with viscous fluid, allowing for adjustable operating force without modifying the lens barrel, and includes a mechanism to change the area of contact between the bodies to increase torque adjustment range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a thin plate member is arranged to slide contact with the inner peripheral surface of the operating ring to adjust operating torque, then the operating torque can be adjusted, but the lens barrel size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The friction plate is inserted into a through-hole of the operating ring, nesting one component within another. This allows the operating torque adjustment mechanism to be integrated into the existing lens barrel structure without increasing its size, as the friction plate fits within the space already occupied by the operating ring's through-hole.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction plate is positioned radially inside the operating ring rather than axially extending the lens barrel. This dimensional repositioning allows the adjustment mechanism to operate in a different spatial dimension, utilizing the radial space within the operating ring to achieve torque adjustment without lengthening the lens barrel.
2Adaptability or versatility
If viscous fluid is used to apply load against rotation of the operating ring, then operating torque can be adjusted, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The viscous fluid is extracted from a separate external container and placed directly into the gap between the rotating body and non-rotating body within the operating ring structure. This eliminates the need for additional external viscous fluid storage components, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining the load adjustment function.
Solution Approach 2:
The viscous fluid filling function is merged with the operating ring structure itself. The gap between the rotating body and non-rotating body serves as both the structural interface and the viscous fluid containment space, combining multiple functions into a single integrated component rather than requiring separate fluid storage and structural elements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the area of sliding contact region is increased to apply more load, then operating torque adjustment range increases, but the lens barrel size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The friction plate is positioned radially inside the operating ring, utilizing the radial dimension to increase the contact area. This allows the sliding contact region to be expanded in the radial direction rather than axially, thereby increasing torque adjustment range without lengthening the lens barrel.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction plate is nested within the through-hole of the operating ring, allowing it to extend radially inward to increase contact area. This nesting arrangement enables the friction plate to occupy the radial space within the operating ring, providing a larger sliding contact region without increasing the axial length of the lens barrel.
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 solution provides an excellent operational feeling with increased torque adjustment range without adding to the lens barrel size and reduces costs by allowing the device to be installed externally, effectively addressing the limitations of previous methods.
Implementation Method 1
viscous fluid having viscosity interposed in the gap, the viscous fluid applying a load caused by viscosity resistance thereof against rotation of the rotating body rotating together with the operating ring to produce operating force required to rotate the operating ring by the load
Data Source
AI summary
An outer tube body of a device for changing operating force is connected to a gear part of a zoom ring of a lens barrel to rotate the outer tube body together with the zoom ring. The outer tube body has a cylindrical shape and includes a hollow part into which an inner tube body whose rotation is restricted is arranged. Grease is interposed in a gap is formed between an inner peripheral surface of the outer tube body and an outer peripheral surface of the inner tube body. A load caused by viscosity resistance of the grease is applied against rotation of the outer tube body together with the zoom ring. The inner tube body can be displaced in a direction of the center axis so that area of a sliding contact region between the outer tube body and the inner tube body is changed.