Lens Unit Elastic Biasing for Waterproof Focus Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image pickup apparatuses used in outdoor environments face challenges in maintaining waterproof performance while preventing shifts in focus position due to changes in temperature and humidity, particularly in designs where the barrel holding member and lens barrel are adhered together.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a housing structure with elastic bodies sandwiched between the lens unit and the housing, generating biasing forces in the same direction along the optical axis to secure waterproof performance and stabilize the focus position, using a combination of first and second elastic bodies to maintain alignment and prevent displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the barrel holding member and lens barrel are adhered together to maintain focus position, then focus stability is improved, but the holding force decreases under high temperature and high humidity due to adhesion softening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical adhesion mechanism with a mechanical elastic body mechanism. The elastic body (rubber or resin) provides continuous elastic force to hold the lens barrel in position, substituting the adhesive bonding system. This mechanical approach maintains holding force under high temperature and humidity conditions where adhesive strength would degrade.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the holding mechanism from a rigid adhesive bond to a flexible elastic body that can deform and recover. The elastic body's ability to undergo elastic deformation allows it to maintain constant holding force across varying environmental conditions, adapting to thermal expansion and contraction without losing grip strength.
2Reliability
If a sealing member is used to press the lens toward the sensor side to secure waterproof performance, then waterproof performance is improved, but the focus position shifts due to the biasing force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sealing function into two separate components: the sealing member maintains waterproof performance, and the elastic body maintains focus position stability. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, eliminating the conflict between waterproofing and focus stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic body acts as an intermediary element between the lens barrel and the housing. It provides the necessary holding force to prevent focus shift while allowing the sealing member to independently perform its waterproofing function. The elastic body mediates the mechanical forces in the system, decoupling the waterproofing function from the focusing stability 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
This design effectively maintains focus stability and waterproof integrity by minimizing displacement of the lens unit, even under varying environmental conditions, through balanced biasing forces that counteract shifts in the optical axis direction.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic body disposed between a groove portion provided in an outer diameter portion of the lens unit and an inner diameter portion of the housing
Implementation Method 2
a second elastic body disposed between the cover portion and the lens
Data Source
AI summary
An image pickup apparatus includes a sensor unit, a lens unit that includes a lens and a lens frame configured to hold the lens, a housing configured to hold the sensor unit and the lens unit, a cover portion configured to cover part of the lens, a first elastic body disposed between a groove portion provided in an outer diameter portion of the lens unit and an inner diameter portion of the housing, and a second elastic body disposed between the cover portion and the lens. In an optical axis direction, a first biasing force applied to the lens unit by the first elastic body acts in the same direction as a second biasing force applied to the lens unit by the second elastic body.