Optical Unit Gimbal Mechanism Size Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical units with shake correction functions have a large size due to complex structures and increased size of the movable body, which complicates the gimbal mechanism and hinders size reduction.
Innovation Solution
The optical unit incorporates a gimbal mechanism with a movable body that includes a protruded part for the first connection mechanism, allowing the gimbal frame to be connected without additional structures on the outer case, reducing the size of the movable body by integrating the first connection mechanism within the protruded part and using a magnetic drive mechanism with magnets fixed to the outer case to minimize external components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a contact spring holding part and contact spring are added to structure the first connection mechanism, then the gimbal mechanism can be assembled, but the structure of the movable body becomes complicated and its size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact spring and holding part are extracted from the movable body and relocated to the gimbal frame. This extraction removes the complicating elements from the movable body, allowing it to maintain a compact size while the gimbal frame assumes the role of housing these components for easier assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The first connection mechanism components (contact spring, holding part) are merged with the gimbal frame structure. By integrating these elements into the gimbal frame rather than keeping them separate in the movable body, the overall assembly becomes more manageable and the movable body remains compact.
2Volume of moving object
If the movable body is made compact to reduce optical unit size, then the overall size is reduced, but there is insufficient space for additional structures like connection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is relocated from the limited three-dimensional space within the movable body to the gimbal frame structure. This dimensional redistribution allows the movable body to remain compact while the connection mechanism finds adequate space in the gimbal frame's structural framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The gimbal frame is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the movable body, houses the first connection mechanism components, and facilitates the turnable connection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components that would increase the movable body's size.
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 design reduces the size and weight of the optical unit while maintaining effective shake correction functionality, simplifying assembly and preventing magnetic interference with the camera module's drive mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a first spherical body provided in one of the movable body and the gimbal frame, and a first concave curved face which is provided in the other of the movable body and the gimbal frame and is point-contacted with the first spherical body
Data Source
AI summary
An optical unit with a shake correction function may include a movable body, a gimbal mechanism swingably supporting the movable body around a first axis and a second axis, a fixed body supporting the movable body. The gimbal mechanism may include a gimbal frame, a first connection mechanism turnably connecting the movable body with the gimbal frame around the first axis, and a second connection mechanism turnably connecting the fixed body with the gimbal frame around the second axis. The first connection mechanism may include a first spherical body and a first concave curved face point-contacted with the first spherical body. The movable body may include an outer case and a protruded part protruded from the outer case at a diagonal position of the outer case in the first axis direction, and one of the first spherical body and the first concave curved face may be disposed in the protruded part.