Optical Unit Actuator Layout to Avoid Flex Board Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical units with gimbal mechanisms and drive mechanisms face challenges in reducing size while maintaining rigidity, as increasing the distance between support parts and flexible boards to prevent interference leads to reduced rigidity and potential enlargement of the actuator.
Innovation Solution
The actuator design includes a movable body connected to a lens unit and sensor unit, a fixed body that holds the movable body in a turnable state, a gimbal mechanism with support parts, and a drive mechanism with magnets, coils, and flexible boards. The flexible boards are arranged to separate from the support parts in the movable body, reducing the need for reinforcing parts and allowing for a smaller actuator size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the distance between the support part of the movable body and the flexible board is increased to prevent interference, then interference between the flexible board and movable body is avoided, but the wall thickness of the fixed body becomes thin and rigidity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the flexible board from a location near the support part (causing interference) to a location near the center of the movable body (avoiding interference). This spatial reconfiguration in a different dimensional arrangement allows both the flexible board and movable body to coexist without interference while maintaining adequate wall thickness and rigidity of the fixed body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local reinforcement at specific critical locations of the fixed body (such as near the support parts and mounting positions) rather than uniformly increasing wall thickness throughout. This allows the fixed body to maintain sufficient rigidity at critical stress points while keeping overall wall thickness reduced, thereby preventing interference without compromising structural strength.
2Strength
If a reinforcing part is formed in the vicinity of the portion of the fixed body to increase rigidity, then rigidity of the fixed body is improved, but the size of the actuator increases and the optical unit is enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements reinforcing parts only at specific critical locations within the fixed body where structural strength is most needed (such as near support parts and mounting positions) rather than adding uniform reinforcement throughout. This localized approach maintains necessary rigidity while minimizing the overall volume increase of the actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies reinforcement partially only where absolutely necessary to maintain rigidity, rather than over-reinforcing the entire structure. This partial action approach provides sufficient structural strength at critical points while avoiding unnecessary material addition that would enlarge the actuator size.
3Strength
If the wall thickness of the fixed body is increased to maintain rigidity, then rigidity is improved, but the size of the actuator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent varies the wall thickness of the fixed body locally, providing greater thickness only at critical locations requiring high rigidity (such as near support parts and mounting positions) while maintaining thinner walls in non-critical areas. This selective thickness distribution maintains necessary structural rigidity while minimizing overall actuator size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies increased wall thickness partially only where structurally necessary rather than uniformly throughout the entire fixed body. This partial thickening approach provides sufficient rigidity at critical stress points while avoiding unnecessary volume increase in other regions.
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 effectively reduces the size of the actuator while maintaining sufficient rigidity, as the flexible boards are positioned to avoid interference with the movable body, and reinforcing parts are strategically placed to support the flexible boards without enlarging the actuator.
Implementation Method 1
a drive mechanism which has magnets, coils and a flexible board connecting the coils with each other and generates a drive force for turning the movable body with respect to the fixed body
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator capable of connecting with a lens unit and a sensor unit including a movable body, a fixed body holding the movable body in a turnable state, a gimbal mechanism having a turnable member and support parts which support the turnable member in a turnable state, and a drive mechanism having magnets, coils and a flexible board connecting the coils for turning the movable body with respect to the fixed body. The turnable member has a base plate in a frame shape into which the movable body is inserted, and a plurality of leg parts extended from the base plate along the optical axis direction, and the support parts are engaged with the leg parts and support the leg parts in a turnable state. The support part of the gimbal mechanism is provided at two positions in the fixed body and at two positions in the movable body.