Optical Apparatus Assembly Using Angular Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing structure of manual operation rings in image pickup apparatuses, such as video cameras, often results in assembling failures due to overlapping rotary-type sensors and gears, leading to potential breakage and increased complexity during assembly.
Innovation Solution
The proposed optical apparatus includes a configuration with a first and second operation ring, each with a detection section and a transmission mechanism, where the detection sections are inserted from the same direction, and a regulation member that limits the rotation range of the second operation ring, preventing overlap and facilitating assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rotary-type sensors are assembled from different directions to avoid overlap, then assembling failure is prevented, but assembly complexity increases and consistency cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the spatial conflict between rotary-type sensors and gears by changing the assembly dimension. Instead of assembling sensors from opposite directions (axial dimension), all sensors are assembled from the same direction (radial dimension), utilizing the angular dimension to position sensors in non-overlapping angular ranges. This dimensional approach allows consistent assembly procedure while preventing component overlap and breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining non-overlapping angular ranges for each rotary-type sensor before assembly. The angular positions of sensors are predetermined to avoid overlap with gears, and the regulation member is pre-configured to maintain these angular relationships. This preliminary planning ensures that during assembly, sensors can be consistently installed from the same direction without risk of overlap.
2Ease of manufacture
If rotary-type sensors are assembled from the same direction, then assembly consistency is maintained, but overlap with gears occurs causing breaking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different angular ranges to different rotary-type sensors based on their specific positions and functions. Each sensor is allocated a specific angular sector where it will not overlap with gears or other sensors. This localized angular positioning allows all sensors to be assembled from the same direction while maintaining component integrity through spatial separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulation member acts as an intermediary that mediates between the rotary-type sensors and gears. It physically constrains the angular positions of sensors to predetermined ranges, preventing them from overlapping with gears during operation. This intermediary component ensures that consistent assembly from the same direction does not lead to component breakage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operation rings are provided with detection sections, then rotation detection capability is improved, but component overlap and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the angular space around the operation rings into distinct non-overlapping sectors, with each rotary-type sensor assigned to a specific sector. This segmentation of angular ranges allows multiple detection sections to coexist without overlap, maintaining rotation detection capability for multiple operation rings while simplifying assembly by providing clear spatial boundaries for each component.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical apparatus that is easy to assemble and prevents occurrence of an assembling failure. The optical apparatus includes an operation ring part having at least a focus ring and a zoom ring arranged along an optical axis and are rotatable thereabout. Encoders detect rotations of the focus ring and the zoom ring, respectively. A transmission mechanism is moved in accordance with rotation of the zoom ring and transmits rotation of the zoom ring to the encoder therefor. A regulation member regulates a range of rotation of the zoom ring to a predetermined angle range. When assembling the operation ring part, the encoders are inserted from the same direction, and the encoder for the focus ring is disposed in a range excluding an angle range through which the transmission mechanism is moved when the zoom ring is rotated through the predetermined angle range.