Optical Unit Shake Correction Spherical Protrusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical units with shake correction functions face challenges in compact design due to the conical shape of contact surfaces, which hinder the arrangement of camera units and increase device size.

Innovation Solution

The optical unit incorporates a movable portion with a holder and a protrusion that protrudes toward a fixed portion, allowing for three-dimensional rotation while maintaining a compact size by using a support mechanism that includes a protrusion and a support portion, enabling smooth rotation without increasing the device's size in the optical axis direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conical contact surface is used to support the movable unit, then the movable unit can be supported to rotate in three-dimensional rotation vectors, but the contact surface needs to be deeply recessed which increases the device size in the optical axis direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshake correction functionVSAvoiddevice size in optical axis direction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the conical contact surface with a spherical protruding portion that contacts a concave surface. The spherical geometry allows the movable unit to rotate in three-dimensional rotation vectors (rolling, panning, and tilting directions) while maintaining a compact structure. The spherical center of the protruding portion serves as the rotation center, eliminating the need for deep recesses required by conical surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the contact surface recessed into the movable unit (conical shape), the invention inverts the approach by having a protruding portion extend from the movable unit toward the fixed unit. This protrusion contacts a corresponding concave surface on the fixed unit, achieving the same rotational support function while reducing the depth requirement in the optical axis direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the contact surface is deeply recessed to make the rotation center coincide with the spherical center, then rotational stability is improved, but it becomes difficult to arrange the camera unit inside the movable unit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation center alignmentVSAvoidspace for camera unit arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The spherical protruding portion with its spherical center serves as the rotation center, providing stable three-dimensional rotation support. The spherical geometry inherently defines a clear rotation center that aligns with the optical axis, ensuring rotational stability without requiring deep recesses that would consume valuable internal space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a conical contact surface (requiring depth in the optical axis direction) to a spherical protruding portion that achieves the same rotational function with reduced depth. This dimensional optimization allows the camera unit to be arranged within the movable unit while maintaining proper rotation center alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Length of moving object

If a compact design is pursued, then device size is reduced, but the arrangement of optical modules becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice size in optical axis directionVSAvoidarrangement of optical modules

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The spherical protruding portion provides a well-defined rotation center that facilitates precise arrangement of the optical module within the movable unit. The spherical geometry naturally guides the positioning of the camera unit, making assembly easier while maintaining compact dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The spherical protruding portion serves multiple functions: it provides three-dimensional rotational support, defines the rotation center, and facilitates the arrangement of the optical module. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall structure and ease of manufacture while maintaining compact size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11867926B2Optical unit

Publication Date: 2024.01.09 NIDEC CORP(JP)

AI summary

An optical unit that corrects a shake of an optical module includes: a movable portion having a holder that holds the optical module; and a fixed portion that rotatably supports the movable portion. The movable portion is rotatable relative to the fixed portion in first-third rotation directions correspondingly centered on first-third axes which correspondingly extend in first-third directions. The first direction is parallel to an optical axis direction of the optical module in a state in which the movable portion is stationary. The first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other. The movable portion further includes a protrusion protruding toward the fixed portion from an end of the holder closer to the fixed portion in the optical axis direction. The fixed portion includes a support portion that rotatably supports the protrusion.