Integrating Locking Mechanism into Optical Image Stabilization Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing correcting optical devices require separate driving units to switch between fixed and movable states of the correcting lens, leading to increased size, cost, and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A correcting optical device with a driving unit that rotates a rotary member to engage or disengage a restricting mechanism, allowing the correcting lens to move for image shake correction or be locked, eliminating the need for a separate locking unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate locking unit is provided to restrict the movement of the correcting lens, then the reliability of the locking function is improved, but the device complexity, size, cost, and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking function with the driving unit by integrating a restricting member into the driving unit structure. The driving unit serves dual purposes: driving the correcting lens for image shake correction and locking the lens when correction is not needed. This merging eliminates the need for a separate locking unit, thereby reducing device complexity, size, and cost while maintaining reliable locking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it drives the correcting lens during image shake correction and simultaneously provides locking capability when correction is not required. The restricting member within the driving unit enables this multi-functionality, allowing a single component to fulfill both motion control and position fixation roles, thus avoiding the need for additional dedicated locking mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a separate locking unit is provided to restrict the movement of the correcting lens, then the locking function is improved, but the size of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the locking mechanism into the existing driving unit structure. The restricting member is incorporated as part of the driving unit assembly, allowing the locking function to be achieved without adding a separate locking unit. This integration significantly reduces the overall device size while ensuring reliable locking capability when image shake correction is not required.
3Reliability
If a separate locking unit is provided to restrict the movement of the correcting lens, then the locking function is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locking function with the driving unit operations. The restricting member is activated and deactivated in coordination with the driving unit's operational states. When image shake correction is not needed, the driving unit naturally transitions to a state where the restricting member engages, providing locking without requiring additional power for a separate locking mechanism. This integrated approach reduces overall power consumption while maintaining reliable locking functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A correcting optical device according to an aspect of the present invention in which, when image shake is not corrected, a restricting member is caused to engage an engaging portion, to restrict translational movement of a movable member, and in which, when the image shake is corrected, the restricting member is caused to disengage the engaging portion, to cause the movable member to be in a state capable of the translational movement, the restricting member being provided at the rotary member, the engaging portion being provided at the movable member. A driving unit drives the movable member in a direction in which the movable member moves translationally with respect to a fixed member in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of a correcting lens, so that the correcting lens corrects the image shake, and drives the rotary member in a direction in which the rotary member rotates around the optical axis.