Optical Unit Gimbal Mechanism Spherical Support Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical units with gimbal mechanisms are prone to disengagement, which compromises their stability and functionality, particularly in applications requiring precise optical axis alignment and vibration correction.
Innovation Solution
The optical unit incorporates a gimbal mechanism with extended support parts and restriction mechanisms, featuring spherical surfaces for secure alignment and protruded parts for additional stabilization, ensuring the gimbal frame part remains engaged in both optical and non-optical axis directions, thereby preventing disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional support mechanism is used without restriction mechanisms, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to gimbal frame part disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spherical projecting surfaces and spherical recessed surfaces at the interfaces between support parts and extended parts. This spherical geometry provides inherent angular freedom for gimbal rotation while maintaining radial constraint, preventing disengagement without requiring complex mechanical restriction mechanisms. The curved surfaces enable reliable engagement through geometric interlocking that accommodates the required rotational movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The support mechanism is divided into distinct functional components: support parts for structural support, extended parts for positioning, spherical surfaces for constrained rotation, and restriction mechanisms for preventing disengagement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, with the restriction mechanisms adding reliability without overwhelming the overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If spherical surfaces are used for support, then the reliability improves through secure alignment, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical surfaces are designed to provide sufficient constraint for the required degrees of freedom without demanding ultra-precise manufacturing tolerances. The restriction mechanisms compensate for any minor deviations in spherical surface accuracy, ensuring reliable engagement even with moderate manufacturing precision. This approach achieves the necessary alignment stability without requiring excessively tight tolerances.
3Reliability
If restriction mechanisms are added to prevent disengagement, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical geometry of the projecting and recessed surfaces provides inherent mechanical advantage by creating self-centering forces during engagement. This geometric feature reduces the complexity of restriction mechanisms, as the spherical interfaces naturally guide alignment and maintain contact under varying loads, requiring simpler restriction elements compared to flat-surface designs.
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 effectively restrains the gimbal frame part from disengaging, enhancing the optical unit's stability and accuracy in correcting pitching and yawing vibrations, while allowing for a compact and efficient structure.
Implementation Method 1
the first support part extended part is supported with respect to the first support part by fitting a spherical projecting surface to a spherical recessed surface
Data Source
AI summary
An optical unit may include a gimbal mechanism having a gimbal frame part supporting a movable body through a support mechanism. The gimbal frame part may have a first support part extended part and a second support part extended part, and the support mechanism includes a first support part fixed to the fixed body and supporting the first support part extended part, and a second support part fixed to the movable body and supporting the second support part extended part. The first and the second support part extended parts are respectively supported by fitting a spherical projecting surface to a spherical recessed surface. The optical unit further includes a first and a second restriction mechanisms for restricting movement in the optical axis direction between the first and the second support part extended parts and the first and the second support parts.