Optical Unit Coil-Magnet Layout for Wide-Angle Turning Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical units with a drive mechanism involving a coil and a magnet, the increasing distance between the coil and magnet as the turning range expands leads to deteriorated drive efficiency and increased electric power consumption, making it difficult to form a magnet that maintains a constant distance to the bent coil.
Innovation Solution
The optical unit features a movable body with an optical module supported by a fixed body via a turning support mechanism, utilizing a coil with bent end parts and multiple magnets disposed side by side, with their facing surfaces parallel to the coil, to maintain a consistent distance and enhance drive efficiency even at large turning ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single magnet is used in the drive mechanism, then the structure is simple, but the distance between the coil and magnet increases when turning range becomes large, deteriorating drive efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The single magnet is divided into multiple magnets (first magnet and second magnet) arranged side by side. This segmentation allows each magnet to maintain an optimal distance from the coil across different turning positions, preventing the distance increase that occurs with a single magnet and thereby maintaining drive efficiency throughout the turning range.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnets are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis (in the turning direction), rather than stacking them along the optical axis. This dimensional arrangement ensures that at least one magnet remains close to the coil regardless of the turning angle, maintaining effective magnetic coupling and drive efficiency.
2Volume of moving object
If magnets are arranged along the optical axis direction, then the structure is compact, but the distance between the coil and magnet increases at end parts when turning range becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging magnets along the optical axis (length direction), the magnets are arranged side by side in the turning direction (width direction). This dimensional change allows the magnets to span across the turning range, ensuring that at least one magnet remains close to the coil at any given turning position, thereby maintaining a consistent distance.
3Length of moving object
If the coil end parts are bent towards the turning axis, then the distance increase is suppressed, but it becomes difficult to form a magnet that maintains constant distance to the bent coil
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism uses multiple magnets instead of a single complex-shaped magnet. This segmentation simplifies the shape requirements for each individual magnet, making them easier to manufacture while still achieving the goal of maintaining constant distance to the bent coil through their collective arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnets are arranged side by side in the turning direction rather than trying to form a single magnet with a complex shape that follows the bent coil. This dimensional arrangement simplifies magnet formation while maintaining effective distance control.
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 configuration allows for effective magnet placement that prevents the distance between the coil and magnet from increasing, thereby maintaining drive efficiency and reducing electric power consumption, even at maximum turning ranges.
Implementation Method 1
a drive mechanism including a coil which is disposed on one of the movable body and the fixed body, and a plurality of magnets which are disposed on the other of the movable body and the fixed body at a position facing the coil
Data Source
AI summary
An optical unit includes a movable body, a fixed body surrounding the movable body, a turning support mechanism turnably supporting the movable body with respect to the fixed body, and a drive mechanism including a coil disposed on the movable body or the fixed body, and multiple magnets disposed on the other of the movable body and the fixed body at a position facing the coil. An end part in an optical axis direction of the coil is bent in a direction approaching a turning axis of the movable body, and the magnets are disposed side by side so that faces of the magnets facing the coil become approximately parallel to the coil when viewed in a direction of the turning axis in comparison with a case that the magnets are arranged along the optical axis direction.