Monolithic Lens Mount With Segmented Connection Webs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lens mounts face challenges in minimizing stress transmission due to thermal expansion, actuation forces, and connection deviations, which affect imaging quality by causing deformations and stress introduction into lenses.

Innovation Solution

A lens mount design featuring an annular body divided into an outer mount ring and an inner mount ring connected via offset connection structures formed by a chain of radial and axial connection webs, with specific dimensions and bevels to minimize flexural and torsional stiffness, thereby decoupling stresses from the inner mount ring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the inner mount ring is made sturdy to prevent deformation of contact surfaces, then lens stability is improved, but installation space increases and construction becomes heavier

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens stabilityVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mount ring is segmented into an inner mount ring and an outer mount ring connected by flexible connection structures. This segmentation allows the inner mount ring to remain lightweight while the connection structures provide the necessary stability and stress absorption, resolving the contradiction between lens stability and installation space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible connection structures between the inner and outer mount rings act as thin film elements that absorb stresses without requiring substantial thickness. These flexible connections maintain lens stability while keeping the overall construction compact and lightweight, avoiding the need for a bulky sturdy inner mount ring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Stress or pressure

If flexible connection structures are used to reduce stress transmission, then stress on lens is reduced, but mechanical strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestress transmissionVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The connection structures have locally optimized properties with varying thicknesses and geometries. The connection structures are thicker near the mount rings for strength and thinner in intermediate regions for flexibility, creating a gradient structure that simultaneously achieves stress reduction and maintains mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The mount system uses composite construction with the inner mount ring, outer mount ring, and flexible connection structures forming a composite assembly. This composite structure allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the rigid rings provide structural integrity while the flexible connections provide stress isolation, achieving both strength and stress reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 design effectively reduces stress transmission to the inner mount ring, maintaining lens stability and imaging quality while accommodating compact installation and lightweight construction requirements.

Implementation Method 1

the connection structures are formed in each instance by a chain of at least three connection webs which are connected through transitions and which are constructed alternately as radial connection webs and axial connection webs... the length of the axial connection webs is greater than the length of the radial connection webs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlexural stiffness reduction:

Implementation Method 2

the radial connection webs have a length in radial direction, and the axial connection webs have a length in axial direction, and the length of the axial connection webs is greater than the length of the radial connection webs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorsional stiffness reduction:

Implementation Method 3

an annular body which is divided through material recesses into an outer mount ring, an inner mount ring and three connection structures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStress isolation:

Data Source

PatentUS10036869B2Monolithic lens mount

Publication Date: 2018.07.31 JENOPTIK OPTICAL SYSTEMS GMBH

AI summary

A monolithic lens mount is formed by an annular body which is divided through material recesses into an outer mount ring, an inner mount ring and three connection structures which are arranged so as to be offset by 120° relative to one another. The connection structures in each instance form a chain of at least three, preferably five, connection webs which transition into one another and which are constructed as radial connection webs and axial connection webs. The axial flexural stiffness and radial flexural stiffness and the torsional stiffness of the connection structures can be determined via the dimensioning of the radial connection webs and axial connection webs.