Linear Clamp Driving Mechanism for Camera Lens Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized zoom and focus mechanisms for camera lenses are prone to disengagement due to reaction forces, and require multiple adapting rings and gears for different lens diameters, potentially pushing the camera and lens away.
Innovation Solution
A driving mechanism with a linear clamp system that includes a base, driving unit, slave unit, and clamping unit, allowing the driven and idler wheels to lean against the rotatable ring in different directions, using mechanisms like gear racks, lead screws, and timing belts to synchronize movement and prevent disengagement, suitable for various lens diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a motorized zoom mechanism is used to drive the zoom ring to rotate, then the lens can be zoomed in/out without touching it, but the reaction force may push the camera and lens away, causing the gear wheel to disengage from the gear ring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reaction force counterbalancing mechanism where a second gear wheel engages with the gear ring from the opposite side. This creates a counterbalancing force that offsets the reaction force generated by the first gear wheel, preventing the camera and lens from being pushed away and maintaining stable gear engagement throughout the zoom operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adapting rings and big gears with different sizes are prepared for various lenses, then different lens diameters can be accommodated, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal linear clamp structure with movable support blocks that can adjust their position along the optical axis. This single mechanism can accommodate lenses of various diameters and lengths by adjusting the clamping position, eliminating the need for multiple adapting rings and different-sized gears for different lens types.
Solution Approach 2:
The support blocks are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position to accommodate different lens configurations. This dynamic adjustment capability enables a single mechanism to handle multiple lens sizes and types without requiring separate adapting components for each scenario.
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 mechanism stabilizes the rotation of camera lenses by preventing them from being pushed away and accommodating different lens diameters without the need for multiple adapting rings, ensuring balanced force application and precise control.
Implementation Method 1
The clamping unit is composed of a lead screw, a first nut and a second nut. The lead screw has a first spiral and a second spiral with opposite spiral directions. The first nut screws on the first spiral and the driving unit connects with the first nut. The second nut screws on the second spiral and the slave unit connects with the second nut.
Implementation Method 2
The driving unit further comprises at least a first elastic piece, while the slave unit further comprises at least a second elastic piece. The first elastic piece is disposed between the driving unit and the clamping unit, and the second elastic piece is disposed between the slave unit and the clamping unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A driving mechanism with linear clamp for driving a rotatable ring of a lens on a camera to rotate including a base, a driving unit, a slave unit and a clamping unit is provided, wherein the rotatable ring can be a focus ring or a zoom ring. The camera is hold on the base, while the driving unit and the slave unit are glidingly disposed on the base and located at opposite sides of the lens. The driving unit includes at least a driven wheel, and the slave unit includes at least an idler wheel. The clamping unit is disposed on the base for synchronously moving the driving unit and the slave unit toward the lens to let the driven wheel and the idler wheel lean against the rotatable ring in different directions, so the idler wheel will be rotated when the driven wheel drives the rotatable ring to rotate.