Lens Driving Device Segmented Frame for Smooth Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing small-sized camera devices with auto-focus and image stabilization functions face issues with unsmooth movement and rattling due to difficulties in securing the intervals among the lens support, frame member, and balls used for guiding the lens support.

Innovation Solution

A lens driving device with guiding mechanisms that include separate first and second frame members, featuring adjusting and regulating surfaces, and balls to securely adjust and guide the lens support in a freely movable manner, along with additional components like magnets and coils for precise movement and stabilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single integrated frame member is used to support the lens support with balls, then the device structure is simple, but it is difficult to appropriately secure the intervals among the lens support, frame member, and balls, causing unsmooth movement and rattling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe member structureVSAvoidmovement smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The frame member is divided into a first frame member and a second frame member that are separate members. The first frame member has a reference surface, and the second frame member has an adjusting surface that can be positioned relative to the reference surface. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of the second frame member to securely set intervals among the lens support, frame member, and balls, eliminating unsmooth movement and rattling while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the lens support is guided to move freely in the optical axis direction, then the auto-focus function is enabled, but unsmooth movement and rattling occur due to improper interval securing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens support movabilityVSAvoidmovement stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The second frame member acts as an intermediary between the first frame member and the lens support with balls. It includes an adjusting surface that can be positioned at a predetermined distance from the reference surface of the first frame member. This intermediary structure allows precise control of the interval among the lens support, frame member, and balls, enabling smooth free movement in the optical axis direction while preventing rattling and ensuring movement stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If balls are used to support the lens support relative to the frame member, then the lens support can move freely, but it is difficult to appropriately secure the intervals, causing rattling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens support freedom of movementVSAvoidinterval precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The second frame member is designed with an adjusting surface that can be dynamically positioned at a predetermined distance from the reference surface of the first frame member. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the interval among the lens support, frame member, and balls to be securely set during assembly or adjustment, ensuring high interval precision while maintaining the freedom of movement of the lens support through the balls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution ensures smooth guidance and secure positioning of the lens support, preventing unsmooth movement and rattling, thereby enhancing the camera's performance and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of guiding mechanisms configured to guide the lens support relative to the frame member in a freely movable manner in an optical axis direction of the lens, each of the plurality of guiding mechanisms including: a first guiding portion formed in the frame member; a second guiding portion formed in the lens support; and balls arranged between the first guiding portion and the second guiding portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling: Ball Bearing

Implementation Method 2

along with additional components like magnets and coils for precise movement and stabilization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentUS10884215B2Lens driving device, camera device, and electronic apparatus

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 NEW SHICOH MOTOR CO LTD(JP)

AI summary

Provided are a lens driving device, a camera device, and an electronic apparatus that are capable of smoothly guiding a lens support. A lens driving device (10) includes a lens support (22) configured to support a lens, a frame member (30) surrounding a periphery of the lens support (22), and a plurality of guiding mechanisms (52a to 52a) configured to guide the lens support (22) relative to the frame member (30) in a freely movable manner. Each of the plurality of guiding mechanisms (52a to 52d) includes a first guiding portion (62a to 62d) formed in the frame member (30), a second guiding portion (64a to 64d) formed in the lens support (22), and balls (24a to 24d) arranged between the first guiding portion (62a to 62d) and the second guiding portion (64a to 64d). The first guiding portion (62b) is formed with use of a first frame member (30a) and a second frame member (30b) that are separate members.