Lens Carrier Side Insertion for Miniaturized Lens Driving Device

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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, as the lens barrel must be inserted in a sliding manner along the optical axis direction.

Innovation Solution

A lens driving device design where the lens barrel is inserted through an opening in the lens carrier that intersects the optical axis direction, allowing the lens carrier to be miniaturized by eliminating the need for threads and using an elastic supporter to facilitate movement along the optical axis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the lens barrel is inserted into the lens carrier in a sliding manner from the optical axis direction, 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:

Instead of inserting the lens barrel from the optical axis direction (conventional approach), the patent inverts the insertion direction to be from the side of the lens carrier. This is achieved by providing an insertion hole through the lens carrier body, allowing the lens barrel to be inserted horizontally rather than axially, thereby eliminating the need for a sliding wall and enabling miniaturization of the lens carrier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the insertion dimension from the optical axis direction (one-dimensional axial insertion) to the lateral direction through the lens carrier body (three-dimensional spatial insertion). This dimensional change allows the lens barrel to be fixed without requiring a sliding wall, thus reducing the lens carrier size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If threads are provided on the lens barrel and lens carrier for fixing, then the lens barrel can be securely fixed to the lens carrier, but the device cannot be miniaturized due to the space required for threads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoidlens carrier size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the threading structure from the lens barrel and lens carrier design. Instead of using threads for fixing, the invention uses a simple insertion hole through the lens carrier body, allowing the lens barrel to be fixed without any threads, thereby removing the space requirement for threading and enabling miniaturization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical threading system with a simpler insertion-based fixing mechanism. The lens barrel is fixed to the lens carrier through direct insertion through the insertion hole, eliminating the complex threading mechanism and reducing the overall size of the lens carrier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If a sliding wall is provided in the lens carrier for lens barrel insertion, then the lens barrel can be inserted along the optical axis, but the lens carrier size increases which hinders miniaturization of the lens driving device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion easeVSAvoidlens carrier size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the insertion approach by eliminating the sliding wall and instead providing an insertion hole through the lens carrier body. The lens barrel is inserted from the side rather than from the optical axis direction, maintaining ease of insertion while eliminating the space-consuming sliding wall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the insertion path from the optical axis direction (requiring sliding wall) to the lateral direction through the lens carrier body (using insertion hole). This dimensional change enables easy insertion of the lens barrel without requiring a sliding wall, thus allowing miniaturization of the lens carrier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enables the miniaturization of the lens driving device, camera device, and electronic apparatus by allowing the lens carrier to be reduced in size without obstructing the insertion of the lens barrel, thereby enhancing the overall compactness of the system.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic supporter for supporting the lens carrier so as to move freely along the optical axis direction of the lens barrel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10591705B2Lens driving device, camera device and electronic apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.03.17 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 an optical axis direction of the lens barrel; and an elastic supporter for supporting the lens carrier so as to move freely along the optical axis direction of the lens barrel; wherein the lens carrier has an opening which opens toward a direction intersecting the optical axis direction of the lens barrel and through which opening the lens barrel is inserted.