Lens Unit Corner-Mounted Switching Mechanism for Compact Macro Photography
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lens units for cameras have a large projecting area in the optical axis direction due to the arrangement of ring-shaped members and springs around the entire periphery of the lens frame, which is a hindrance for miniaturization, especially in miniature cameras for mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A lens unit design featuring a mounting cradle with a cylindrical portion, an adjusting shaft, a cam member, and a switching member that rotates to adjust the lens frame's position in the optical axis direction, reducing the need for peripheral components and minimizing the projecting area by positioning the lens position adjusting section at one corner of the cradle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ring-shaped members and springs are arranged around the entire periphery of the lens frame, then the lens frame can be biased to a predetermined direction and position switching can be achieved, but the projecting area in the optical axis direction becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the position switching function from the peripheral ring-shaped members and relocates it to a corner-mounted adjusting shaft mechanism. This removes the need for peripheral components that increase the projecting area, while maintaining the lens frame positioning capability through the cam member and switching member engagement with the adjusting shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spatial arrangement from a two-dimensional peripheral distribution (ring-shaped members around the lens frame) to a one-dimensional linear arrangement (adjusting shaft, cam member, and switching member aligned in the optical axis direction at one corner). This dimensional change reduces the projecting area while preserving the positioning function.
2Force
If a coil spring is wound around the outer periphery of the lens frame, then the lens frame can be biased to a predetermined direction, but the space requirement increases and miniaturization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the biasing function from the peripheral coil spring and relocates it to a compact spring member positioned between the adjusting shaft and the cam member. This concentrated spring arrangement provides the necessary biasing force while occupying minimal space, enabling miniaturization of the lens unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member is nested within the adjusting shaft mechanism, with the spring housed between the adjusting shaft and the cam member. This nested arrangement allows the spring to provide biasing force while occupying the same spatial envelope as other components, significantly reducing the overall volume compared to a peripheral spring arrangement.
3Ease of operation
If ring-shaped members are provided over the entire periphery of the lens frame, then lens position switching can be achieved, but the lens unit cannot be further miniaturized
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the lens position switching function from the peripheral ring-shaped members and concentrates it in a compact adjusting shaft mechanism at one corner. The switching member's rotational movement about the adjusting shaft provides the same position switching capability with a fraction of the space requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple functions (position switching, biasing, and adjustment) into a single integrated mechanism at one corner of the lens frame. The adjusting shaft, cam member, switching member, and spring all work together in a compact arrangement, eliminating the need for separate peripheral components and enabling miniaturization.
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 allows for compact size while enabling switching between standard and macro photographing positions, reducing the overall projecting area in the optical axis direction and maintaining adjustable lens positioning.
Implementation Method 1
a cam member that is fixed to the lens frame and is engaged with the adjusting shaft; wherein a position of the lens frame in the optical axis direction is switched by the rotational movement of the switching member
Data Source
AI summary
A lens unit of the present invention has a mounting cradle, a lens frame holding portion fixed to a mounting cradle in an optical axis direction, a lens frame which is held to the lens frame holding portion to be capable of moving to the optical axis direction, and a lens group fixed to the lens frame. The lens unit further has an adjusting screw provided parallel with the optical axis direction, a nut which is provided to the adjusting screw and whose position with respect to the mounting cradle is fixed, a cam portion which is fixed to the lens frame and is engaged with the adjusting screw, and a switching lever which is provided between the nut and the cam portion so as to be capable of rotationally moving about the adjusting screw, on the outside of the lens frame holding portion. A position of the lens frame in the optical axis direction is switched between a standard photographing position and a micro photographing position by rotational movement of the switching lever.