Lens Apparatus Focus Ring Multiple Gears Optical Axis Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lens apparatuses with electric operation units face challenges in accommodating rotation operation accessories with different gear specifications, leading to compromised operability and increased costs due to the need for larger gear sizes and shared gear specifications.
Innovation Solution
The lens apparatus incorporates a focus ring with multiple gears, where at least one gear is positioned apart from the electric operation unit along the optical axis, allowing for the use of various rotation operation accessories with different gear specifications without affecting the operability of other operation rings, and enabling the second gear to be replaceable for compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the external rotation operation accessory is mounted onto the operation ring, then the rotation operation accessory can be used for high accuracy manual operation, but the operability of another operation ring may be deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the external rotation operation accessory in the optical axis direction (a different spatial dimension) rather than radially outward from the operation ring. By arranging the gear of the external accessory apart from the electric operation member along the optical axis, the accessory and other operation rings can be spatially separated, avoiding interference and maintaining operability of all rings simultaneously
2Ease of operation
If the interval between respective operation rings is increased, then the operability of operation rings is ensured, but the distance between connection positions is increased, resulting in the electric operation unit being upsized
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the radial interval between operation rings (which would increase the overall lens diameter and gear sizes), the patent utilizes the optical axis direction (longitudinal dimension) to position the gear of the external rotation operation accessory apart from the electric operation member. This allows compact radial arrangement while maintaining operational independence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the gear positioning into distinct segments along the optical axis - the electric operation member's gear and the external accessory's gear are positioned at different axial locations. This segmentation allows each gear to be compact while maintaining functional independence, avoiding the need for oversized gears or increased radial spacing
3Device complexity
If the gear of the operation ring is shared by the electric operation unit and the external rotation operation accessory, then the structure is simplified, but the lens apparatus is not applicable to the rotation operation accessories having specifications different from those of the electric operation unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different gear specifications at different locations along the optical axis. The operation ring has a first gear with specifications matched to the electric operation unit, while the external rotation operation accessory has a second gear with specifications matched to manual operation requirements. Each gear location has locally optimized quality (specifications) for its intended function
Solution Approach 2:
The operation ring structure is designed to accommodate multiple gear specifications through the plurality of gears arrangement. The same operation ring can interface with different types of external accessories having different gear modules, making the lens apparatus universally compatible with various accessories while maintaining electric operation capability
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a lens apparatus, including: a lens barrel; a movable optical member arranged in the lens barrel; and an operation ring arranged on an outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel and configured to be rotated about an optical axis when the movable optical member is to be driven in an optical axis direction, the operation ring including a plurality of gears formed about the optical axis, the plurality of gears being mutually rotated at the same cycle when the operation ring is rotated, at least one of the plurality of gears being arranged apart from an electric operation member in the optical axis direction when the operation ring is rotated by the electric operation member.