Lens Carrier Miniaturization via Lateral Insertion and Leaf Spring Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

The miniaturization of lens driving devices is hindered by the need for a sliding wall in the lens carrier, which prevents the lens carrier from being miniaturized, thus limiting the overall miniaturization of the camera device and electronic apparatus.

Innovation Solution

A lens driving device with a lens carrier that has an opening for inserting the lens barrel from a direction intersecting the optical axis, supported by upper and lower leaf springs and a driving unit comprising coils and magnets, allowing the lens carrier to move freely along the optical axis, and reinforced with a metal member for stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the lens barrel is inserted into the lens carrier from the optical axis direction in a sliding manner, then the lens barrel can be fixed to the lens carrier, but a sliding wall is required which prevents the lens carrier from being miniaturized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoidlens carrier size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional insertion direction by inserting the lens barrel from a direction intersecting the optical axis (lateral direction) rather than from the optical axis direction. This eliminates the need for a sliding wall structure, allowing the lens carrier to be miniaturized while maintaining reliable fixing through adhesive bonding and positioning protrusions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the sliding wall structure from the lens carrier design. By eliminating this unnecessary component through the inverted insertion approach, the lens carrier can be reduced in size while still achieving reliable lens barrel fixation through alternative mechanisms such as adhesive bonding and positioning protrusions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If threads are added to the lens barrel and lens carrier for secure fixing, then the fixing strength is improved, but the device cannot be miniaturized due to the space required for threads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing strengthVSAvoidlens carrier size

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical thread-based fixing system with an adhesive bonding system combined with positioning protrusions. This substitution eliminates the need for threads, allowing the lens carrier to be miniaturized while maintaining adequate fixing strength through the adhesive bonding between the lens barrel outer peripheral surface and the lens carrier inner peripheral surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Volume of moving object

If the lens carrier is miniaturized by removing the sliding wall, then the overall device size is reduced, but the stability and support of the lens carrier may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens carrier sizeVSAvoidlens carrier stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material construction for the lens carrier, combining resin material with reinforcement members (metal ribs or mesh structures). This composite structure provides the necessary strength and stability for the miniaturized lens carrier while maintaining the ability to support the lens barrel securely without requiring a sliding wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the lens carrier structure by incorporating reinforcement members (metal ribs or mesh) within the resin body. This segmentation approach creates a lightweight yet strong composite structure that maintains structural integrity and stability even when the overall lens carrier size is reduced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables the miniaturization of the lens carrier and subsequently the lens driving device, camera device, and electronic apparatus by eliminating the need for a sliding wall, facilitating compact design without compromising functionality.

Implementation Method 1

an upper leaf spring and a lower leaf spring which are attached to the lens carrier in a manner that a surface of the each upper leaf spring and lower leaf spring is oriented orthogonal to the optical axis direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the driving unit has coils and magnets; wherein the coils are arranged on the both sides of the lens carrier around the optical axis of the lens barrel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentUS10175450B2Lens driving device, camera device and electronic apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.01.08 NEW SHICOH MOTOR CO LTD(JP)

AI summary

A lens driving device includes: a lens carrier for fixing a lens barrel to the inside thereof; a driving unit for moving the lens carrier along the optical axis direction of the lens barrel; and an upper leaf spring and a lower leaf spring attached to the lens carrier in a manner that a surface of the each upper leaf spring and lower leaf spring is oriented orthogonal to the optical axis direction at an upper part and a lower part of the lens carrier and so that the lens carrier is supported in a manner to move freely in the optical axis direction of the lens barrel; wherein the lens carrier has an opening through which the lens barrel can be inserted from the direction intersecting the optical axis direction of the lens barrel.