Oval Voice Coil Motor for Endoscope Lens Actuation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical units in endoscopes face challenges in miniaturization and efficient lens movement for zoom and focus functions, particularly due to limitations in the design of voice coil motors and lens group arrangements, which affect the stability and accuracy of image capture.
Innovation Solution
The optical unit incorporates a voice coil motor with a magnetic portion and coil arrangement that allows the movable lens group to move along the optical axis, utilizing an oval-shaped fixing part main body and movable part with lightening portions for increased rigidity and machining accuracy, enabling swift and accurate movement while reducing the size and weight of the actuator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional voice coil motor design is used, then the lens group can be moved for zoom and focus functions, but the actuator size and weight are large, reducing miniaturization efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing part main body is designed with an asymmetric oval cross-section where the maximum dimension in the first direction (parallel to magnetization direction) is greater than the maximum dimension in the second direction (perpendicular to both magnetization direction and optical axis). This asymmetric geometry optimizes the magnetic field distribution and mechanical support, achieving compact actuator size while maintaining lens movement stability and precision
2Use of energy by moving object
If the magnetic portion is arranged on the movable part and coil on the fixing part, then drive efficiency is improved, but the radial space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic portion is magnetically polarized in a direction intersecting the optical axis (first direction), and the coil is positioned on the radially outer side of the magnet. This spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions optimizes the magnetic field interaction for efficient drive while the asymmetric oval cross-section manages the radial space requirement by distributing dimensions strategically across different directions
3Manufacturing precision
If the fixing part main body has greater dimension in magnetization direction, then machining accuracy and rigidity are improved, but the overall structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing part main body employs an asymmetric oval cross-section with controlled dimensional differences between the first direction (parallel to magnetization) and second direction (perpendicular to both magnetization and optical axis). This asymmetric design provides enhanced machining accuracy and rigidity in critical directions while maintaining manageable structural complexity through deliberate geometric simplification
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 enhances drive efficiency, stabilizes lens movement, and achieves miniaturization, allowing for precise and efficient zoom and focus functions within a compact design, thereby improving the performance and usability of endoscope systems.
Implementation Method 1
a voice coil motor including a magnetic portion arranged at the movable part and magnetically polarized in a direction intersecting an optical axis of the object-side fixed lens group, and a coil arranged at the fixing part main body and positioned on a radially outer side of a magnet, the voice coil motor being capable of moving the movable part relative to the fixing part main body along a direction of the optical axis
Data Source
AI summary
An optical unit includes: a fixing part including a front frame portion, a rear frame portion, and a fixing part main body; a movable part arranged slidably relative to the fixing part main body; and a voice coil motor including a magnetic portion, and a coil arranged at the fixing part main body and positioned on a radially outer side of the fixing part main body with respect to the magnetic portion, the voice coil motor being capable of moving the movable part relative to the fixing part main body along a direction of the optical axis. A maximum dimension of the fixing part main body in a first direction parallel to a magnetization direction of the magnetic portion is greater than a maximum dimension of the fixing part main body in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and the direction of the optical axis.