Lens Apparatus Nested Unit Mechanism for Compact Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lens barrels with retractable mechanisms require a significant distance between units for retraction, leading to increased overall length, diameter, and the risk of unit collision if this distance is not maintained.
Innovation Solution
A lens apparatus comprising a first unit, a second unit, a cam barrel, and a guide barrel, where the cam barrel features cam grooves for moving the units along the optical axis, and the guide barrel restricts rotation, allowing the units to move closer together as the apparatus transitions from an imaging state to a non-imaging state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sufficient distance is maintained between the first and second units for retraction, then the lens barrel can be retracted from the wide-angle or telephoto end, but the overall lens length at the wide-angle or telephoto end becomes long and the lens diameter and barrel diameter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The holder unit is disposed within the second unit such that it can contact the first unit during retraction. This nested arrangement allows the units to move closer together without collision while maintaining the retraction mechanism's functionality, thereby reducing the overall lens length in the optical axis direction at the wide-angle or telephoto end
Solution Approach 2:
The holder unit is positioned closer to the first unit than the base unit in the optical axis direction, creating a multi-dimensional arrangement. This allows the retraction mechanism to operate effectively with reduced axial distance between units, solving the contradiction between retraction capability and overall length
2Reliability
If a sufficient distance is maintained between the first and second units, then collision between units is prevented, but the overall lens length and diameter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The holder unit is nested within the second unit structure, allowing it to contact the first unit during retraction without requiring excessive distance between units. This prevents collision while minimizing the lens diameter and barrel diameter
3Length of moving object
If the distance between the first and second units is narrowed for retraction, then the overall lens length is reduced, but the first and second units are likely to collide with each other
Solution Approach 1:
The holder unit acts as an intermediary between the first unit and the base unit of the second unit. During retraction, the holder unit contacts the first unit, mediating the interaction and preventing direct collision between the main units while allowing the distance between them to be narrowed
Solution Approach 2:
The holder unit is disposed within the second unit, creating a nested structure that allows the units to move closer together during retraction without collision, thereby reducing the overall lens length
Data Source
AI summary
In a lens apparatus, a cam barrel has a first cam groove for moving a first unit in an optical axis direction and a second cam groove for moving a second unit in the optical axis direction. A guide barrel has a first guide groove for restricting the first unit from rotating around an optical axis and a second guide groove for restricting the second unit from rotating around the optical axis. The second unit has a base unit and a holder unit disposed closer to the first unit than the base unit. As the lens apparatus transitions from an imaging state to a non-imaging state, the first unit moves closer to the second unit, and the second unit moves closer to the first unit, so that the holder unit and the first unit contact with each other.