Optical Unit Gimbal Layout for Compact Multi-Axis Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical units with a movable body that can rotate with respect to a fixed body require a large movement space for flexible printed circuit boards, leading to increased device size due to the need for a gimbal mechanism with intersecting rotation axes.
Innovation Solution
The optical unit employs a configuration where the flexible printed circuit board is connected to a movable body with clearances and side-surface facing regions, allowing rotation using three axes while minimizing size increase by avoiding contact with certain side surfaces and using a compact gimbal mechanism with displaced elastic portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a gimbal mechanism with intersecting rotation axes is provided to enable rotation of the movable body, then the optical unit can achieve multi-axis rotation capability, but the size of the device increases due to the large movement space required for the flexible printed circuit board
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible printed circuit board is configured to extend in the optical axis direction (third direction) rather than only in the radial directions (first and second directions). This dimensional change allows the circuit board to accommodate the movement space required for multi-axis rotation without increasing the radial dimensions, thus maintaining compact device size while achieving gimbal mechanism functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible printed circuit board is designed with flexibility to dynamically adapt its shape during rotation movements. The board can bend and deform to accommodate the changing spatial requirements as the movable body rotates around the first and second axes, enabling the gimbal mechanism to function with minimal space occupation
2Reliability
If the flexible printed circuit board is arranged to face all four side surfaces of the movable body, then complete coverage is achieved, but the size of the optical unit increases in the direction intersecting the optical axis
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly distributing the flexible printed circuit board across all four side surfaces, the board is strategically positioned to primarily face the first and second side surfaces. The local quality of coverage is optimized by concentrating the circuit board's presence where it provides the most functional benefit while minimizing space occupation in the optical axis direction
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 enables the optical unit to be compact and facilitate large rotations of the movable body with respect to the fixed body, reducing interference and maintaining a suitable posture of the circuit board, thus suppressing size increase.
Implementation Method 1
a rotation support mechanism to support the movable body rotatably with respect to the fixed body using an optical axis direction of the optical module as a rotation axis... the rotation support mechanism has a holder fixing portion fixed to the holder, a holder support-portion fixing portion fixed to the holder support portion, and an elastic portion to connect the holder fixing portion and the holder support-portion fixing portion
Implementation Method 2
a gimbal mechanism to support the movable body rotatably with respect to the fixed body using at least two directions intersecting the optical axis direction as rotation axes
Data Source
AI summary
An optical unit comprises a movable body, a fixed body, a rotation support mechanism, and a gimbal mechanism, in which the movable body has a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface, and a fourth side surface as movable-body side surfaces, the first side surface positioning on an opposite side to the third side surface, and the second side surface positioning on an opposite side to the fourth side surface, a flexible printed circuit board is connected to the movable body on the first side surface side, has clearances provided with respect to the movable-body side surface, and has side-surface facing regions facing the movable-body side surface, and the side-surface facing regions are arranged to face the first side surface and the second side surface but not to face the third side surface and the fourth side surface.