Lens Group Moving Apparatus Radial Size Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lens-group moving apparatuses increase the size of optical equipment in the radial direction due to the need for additional parts like gears or helicoid systems, which also complicates assembly and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a cam or helicoid system with a minimal number of parts, using a moving lens frame held by a fixed cylinder and an intermediate member that transmits movement without requiring external gears or helicoid systems, allowing for focus adjustment of the third lens group within the optical system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a gear or helicoid system is arranged on the outside of the lens group, then the lens group can be moved in the optical axis direction, but the size of the optical equipment in the radial direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the cam mechanism inside the lens group structure, with the cam rotating about the optical axis while the lens group moves along the optical axis. This nested arrangement allows the driving mechanism to be contained within the existing radial footprint of the lens group, eliminating the need for external gear or helicoid systems that would increase the radial size of the optical equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a radial arrangement (external gears or helicoids around the lens group) to an axial arrangement (cam rotating about the optical axis with lens group moving along the optical axis). This dimensional change allows the mechanism to achieve lens group movement without increasing the radial dimensions, as the motion transmission occurs primarily in the axial direction.
2Ease of operation
If a gear or helicoid system is arranged on the outside of the lens group, then the lens group can be moved, but the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the driving mechanism with the lens group structure itself, where the cam is integrated into the lens group assembly and the lens group frame serves dual purposes as both a structural support and a moving component. This merging eliminates the need for separate external gear or helicoid systems, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining the lens group movement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens group frame serves multiple functions: it holds the lens elements, provides structural support, and acts as the moving component that translates along the optical axis. The cam mechanism is integrated into this same assembly, allowing the rotation of the cam about the optical axis to directly drive the axial movement of the lens group. This multi-functionality reduces the number of dedicated components needed.
3Ease of operation
If the number of parts is increased, then the lens group can be moved, but the assembling performance deteriorates and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cam mechanism with the lens group assembly, where the cam is positioned within the lens group structure and the lens group frame serves as both a structural component and a moving element. This integration reduces the total number of discrete parts that need to be assembled, thereby improving assembling performance and reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
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 minimizes the radial size increase of optical equipment and reduces the number of parts, improving assembly performance and reducing costs while maintaining effective focus adjustment capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a cam frame which rotates about an optical axis when viewed from the optical axis direction; and a lens group which moves in the optical axis direction as the cam frame rotates
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
There are provided a lens-group moving apparatus (X1, X2, X3, X4) having less parts and capable of suppressing an increase in size of optical equipment in a radial direction of the lens group (Ll, L2, L3), and optical equipment including the lens-group moving apparatus (X1, X2, X3, X4). A lens group moving apparatus (X1, X2, X3, X4) for causing a third lens group (L3) to perform focus movement has a fixed cylinder (2), a moving frame (3), a moving lens frame (6), an urging member (7), and an intermediate member (8). The moving lens frame (6) holds the third lens group (L3), and the fixed cylinder (2) holds the moving lens frame (6) movably in an optical axis (AX) direction. The moving frame (3) is movable in the optical axis (AX) direction such that a relative position with respect to the fixed cylinder (2) changes. The moving frame (3) is moved in the optical axis (AX) direction by a cam system formed by engagement of a cam follower (5) with a rectilinear groove (2a) and with a cam groove (4a). The urging member (7) urges the moving lens frame (6) in a direction of the intermediate member (8), and the intermediate member (8) transmits a movement of the moving frame (3) to the moving lens frame (6) in a state of being in contact with the moving frame (3) and with the moving lens frame (6).