Lens Assembly Linear Guide System Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lens assemblies for cameras face challenges in reducing frictional losses and power consumption, limiting the use of lower power motors and leading to increased weight and reduced battery life.
Innovation Solution
A lens assembly with a linear guide system featuring low static friction ball bushing bearings and a motor that moves lenses along a linear path, allowing for reduced surface area contact and lower power consumption, along with a shield to prevent stray thermal energy from affecting the focal plane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional lens assemblies use traditional guiding systems with larger surface area contact, then structural stability is maintained, but frictional losses increase and power consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding system is segmented into multiple linear guide elements (first elongated element, second elongated element) that work in parallel. Each element handles a portion of the guiding task, reducing the surface area contact of any single element while maintaining overall structural stability through the distributed configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional radial or point contact guiding mechanisms to linear guide elements that contact along extended lines. This dimensional change from point/area contact to line contact reduces frictional losses while providing stable guidance through the increased contact length distributed across multiple elements.
2Reliability
If high power motors are used to overcome frictional losses, then focusing performance is maintained, but weight increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional high-friction mechanical guiding systems with a low-friction linear guide system that incorporates bearing elements. This mechanical substitution reduces the frictional forces that motors must overcome, enabling the use of lower power, lighter weight motors while maintaining reliable focusing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the friction parameter of the guiding system by introducing bearing elements and linear guide mechanisms. This parameter change reduces the coefficient of friction between moving parts, directly lowering the power requirements and weight of the motor needed to achieve the same focusing performance.
3Use of energy by moving object
If lens elements are moved along a linear path with reduced surface area contact, then power consumption decreases, but alignment precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment and guiding function is segmented across multiple linear guide elements that work in parallel. This segmentation maintains alignment precision through the distributed configuration while each individual element operates with reduced surface area contact, lowering power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear guide elements act as intermediaries between the motor and the lens elements. These intermediaries provide precise guidance and alignment through their structured geometry while maintaining low frictional contact, enabling accurate lens positioning with reduced power consumption.
4Stability of the object's composition
If conventional barrel in barrel lens assemblies are used, then lens alignment is maintained, but frictional losses and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The unified barrel in barrel structure is segmented into separate linear guide elements that independently support and align lens elements. This segmentation maintains coaxial alignment through the distributed configuration of guide elements while reducing the total surface area contact and associated frictional losses compared to conventional barrel assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from the conventional radial contact geometry of barrel in barrel assemblies to linear contact geometry. This dimensional change from radial/area contact to linear contact reduces frictional losses while maintaining alignment precision through the extended contact lines of the linear guide elements.
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 enables the use of lower power motors, extends battery life, reduces weight, and improves image quality by minimizing frictional losses and thermal interference.
Implementation Method 1
The lens assembly may include one or more low static friction ball bushing bearings. The bearings support the first elongated element for sliding movement of the first elongated element within the bearings along the linear path.
Implementation Method 2
The linear guide system for the first and second lens may include a first elongated element and a second elongated element. The first and second elongated elements supporting and guiding the lens frame for linear movement along a linear path parallel to the central axis, the linear movement along the linear path changing the distance between the first lens and the second lens to adjust the focus position of the lens assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A lens assembly for a camera or a camera including a first lens mounted to a base portion, and a second lens mounted to a lens frame, where the first lens and the second lens are positioned co-axially along a central axis. The lens assembly includes a linear guide system for maintaining alignment of the first and second lenses. An embodiment of the linear guide system includes a first elongated element elongated along a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, parallel to and offset from the central axis. The elongated element may support and guide the lens frame for linear movement along a linear path parallel to the central axis. Some embodiments of the lens assembly include a second elongated element or rotation restriction element.