Optical Apparatus Lens Guide Mechanism for Compact Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical apparatuses with linear guides spaced along the optical axis direction face challenges in compactness due to play or backlash issues, making it difficult to maintain precise lens movement during focusing.
Innovation Solution
A compact optical apparatus design featuring a base member, a rotatable male thread member, a female thread member with different thread pitches, and a guide mechanism that includes a guide member and guided groove to stabilize lens movement in the optical axis direction, allowing for precise focusing without significant lateral displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple linear guides are spaced along the optical axis direction to guide the movable member, then the guidance stability is improved, but the optical apparatus becomes less compact in the optical axis direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the guidance function and thread rotation guidance into a single integrated structure. The guide member is positioned at the same location as the male thread member, merging two functions (guidance and rotation control) into one component, thereby reducing the number of separate parts and compacting the overall structure in the optical axis direction while maintaining stable guidance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the radial dimension around the male thread member's central axis to position the guide member. By placing the guide at a position on or along a plane that includes the central axis rather than spacing it along the optical axis, the design achieves stable guidance through lateral positioning without increasing the optical axis length
2Manufacturing precision
If the male thread member and female thread member have different thread pitches, then the movement precision is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different thread pitch parameters to the male and female thread members to achieve precise movement control. By varying the thread pitch parameter, the design enables differential movement between the thread members, which provides accurate positioning and movement precision while maintaining standard threading principles that are manufacturable
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 enables stable and compact lens movement in the optical axis direction, reducing play and backlash, thereby enhancing the precision and compactness of the optical apparatus while maintaining accurate focusing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a male thread member rotatable at a fixed position in the second direction, a female thread member engaged with the male thread member and configured to move in the second direction relative to the base member as the male thread member is rotated
Data Source
AI summary
An optical apparatus having a pair of lenses spaced from each other in a first direction and movable in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction includes a movable member configured to hold the pair of lenses and to move in a second direction together with a female thread member, and a guide configured to guide a movement of the movable member in the second direction relative to the base member, where a first plane includes an optical axis of each of the pair of lenses, the guide being located at a position on or along a second plane that is orthogonal to the first plane and includes a central axis of the male thread member.