Optical Unit Gimbal Frame Radial Protrusion for Height Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical units with shake correction functions face challenges in reducing the dimensions and height in the optical axis direction, making it difficult to mount them on thin portable devices due to the required space for the gimbal frame and buffer members, which increases the overall size and height.
Innovation Solution
The optical unit incorporates a gimbal mechanism that supports the movable body around two intersecting axes, with a gimbal frame and a movable body protruded portion on one side, allowing for reduced dimensions and height by protruding the gimbal frame and movable body components from the fixed body, thus minimizing the space required in the optical axis direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gimbal frame is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the movable body, then the movable body can be supported, but the outer shape of the case is enlarged and the size in the optical axis direction cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gimbal frame is positioned to extend in the radial direction rather than occupying space in the optical axis direction. The frame connects the movable body to the fixed body through lateral extensions, transforming the spatial arrangement from axial to radial, thereby reducing the optical axis dimension while maintaining support functionality.
2Area of stationary object
If the gimbal frame is disposed on the front side in the optical axis direction with respect to the movable body, then the outer shape viewed in the optical axis direction can be reduced, but the dimension in the optical axis direction of the case is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The gimbal frame exhibits asymmetric structure where the first frame portion extends radially from the first end part, and the second frame portion extends radially from the second end part. This asymmetric radial extension allows the frame to provide structural support without increasing the optical axis dimension, creating an uneven spatial distribution that optimizes both area and length parameters.
3Reliability
If buffer members are disposed between the cover glass and fixed body, then the optical module can be fixed, but the total height in the optical axis direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing function is extracted from the axial buffer member arrangement and integrated into the radial gimbal frame structure. The gimbal frame itself provides the fixing mechanism through its connection between the movable body and fixed body, eliminating the need for separate buffer members in the optical axis direction, thereby reducing the total height.
4Length of stationary object
If the gimbal frame and movable body components protrude from the fixed body, then the height in the optical axis direction is reduced, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gimbal frame serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, enables lateral movement for shake correction, connects the movable body to the fixed body, and eliminates the need for separate buffer members. This multi-functionality reduces overall structural complexity despite the protruding configuration, as one component performs what would otherwise require multiple separate elements.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical unit with a shake correction function includes a movable body having an optical module, a gimbal mechanism structured to swingably support the movable body around a first axial line and a second axial line, a fixed body supporting the movable body through the gimbal mechanism, and a shake correction drive mechanism structured to swing the movable body around the first axial line and around the second axial line. The gimbal mechanism includes a gimbal frame which connects the movable body with the fixed body, the gimbal frame has a first frame portion located on one side in an optical axis direction with respect to a first end part which is an end part on the one side of the fixed body, and the movable body has a movable body protruded portion located on the one side in the optical axis direction with respect to the first end part.