Optical Unit Center-of-Gravity Adjusting Member Mechanical Fixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical units with shake correction functions face instability in fixing the center-of-gravity position adjusting member due to adhesive use, leading to potential detachment during shocks and variability in fixing force, along with poor workability and productivity issues.

Innovation Solution

The optical unit incorporates a center-of-gravity position adjusting member with an annular shape that engages with a small-diameter part of the tubular holder, using a bent and inclined surface configuration to securely attach without adhesives, ensuring stable fixation and improved accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a weight is fixed to the subject-side end part of the tubular part by use of an adhesive agent, then the weight can be attached to adjust the center of gravity position, but the weight may fall off due to shock and the fixing force becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing stabilityVSAvoidworkability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the adhesive-based fixing system with a mechanical interference fit system. The center-of-gravity position adjusting member is fitted onto the tubular part with dimensional interference, creating a secure mechanical connection that eliminates the need for adhesive agents while providing stable shock resistance and reliable center of gravity adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs curved or inclined surfaces in the interference fit design, where the center-of-gravity position adjusting member features inclined engagement surfaces that mate with corresponding surfaces on the tubular part. This curved geometry distributes shock loads more effectively and enhances the mechanical interlocking, preventing detachment while maintaining ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Force

If a large amount of adhesive agent is applied to avoid falling off, then the fixing force increases, but the fixing force becomes unstable and varies significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing forceVSAvoidfixing stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the fixing mechanism from chemical adhesion to mechanical interference. By adjusting dimensional parameters such as the outer diameter of the center-of-gravity position adjusting member and the inner diameter of the tubular part, the design achieves consistent and stable fixing force that is insensitive to variations in material properties or assembly conditions, eliminating the instability inherent in adhesive-based systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If adhesive agent is used to fix the weight, then the attachment can be made, but the attachment position floats off causing center of gravity position to vary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment position accuracyVSAvoidworkability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the adhesive-based positioning system with a precision mechanical interference fit system. The center-of-gravity position adjusting member is designed with specific dimensional tolerances that ensure accurate and repeatable positioning on the tubular part, eliminating the position drift caused by adhesive shrinkage or improper application while maintaining ease of assembly through the interference fit mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If adhesive agent application process is used, then the weight can be fixed, but the workability is poor and mass productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemass productivityVSAvoidworkability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the adhesive application process from the manufacturing workflow. The mechanical interference fit system allows for direct assembly of the center-of-gravity position adjusting member onto the tubular part without requiring adhesive application, curing time, or complex positioning procedures, thereby dramatically improving workability and enabling high-volume mass production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10798304B2Optical unit with shake correction function including center-of-gravity position adjusting member and method for fixing center-of-gravity position adjusting member

Publication Date: 2020.10.06 SANKYO SEIKI MFG CO LTD

AI summary

An optical unit may include a movable member. The movable member may include a lens barrel member, an imaging element, and a holder to which either one of a coil and magnet comprised in a swing-driving mechanism is attached. The optical unit may further include a fixed member to which another one of the coil and magnet is attached. The fixed member may be configured to support the movable member. The optical unit may further include a position adjusting member attached to a tubular part of the holder. The tubular part may include a subject-side end part and a stepped part. The position adjusting member may be in an annular shape to be engaged with a small outside diameter of the tubular part. A part of the small-diameter part that is not surrounded by the position adjusting member may be bent to an outer circumference side of the tubular part.