Piezoelectric Image Pickup Support for Compact Direction Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image pickup apparatuses for action cams and drones require complex rotational drive mechanisms that increase size and weight, limiting their mounting flexibility and freedom due to the need for multiple pulleys and timing belts to control lens barrel rotations.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a piezoelectric actuator with an oscillator that transmits driving force through vibration, allowing for compact design by integrating the actuator with the supporting unit, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing space volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a rotational drive mechanism with multiple pulleys and timing belts is used to control lens barrel rotation, then the shooting direction can be changed without changing the orientation of the main body, but the size and weight of the image pickup apparatus increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshooting direction controlVSAvoidapparatus size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical transmission system (pulleys and timing belts) with a piezoelectric actuator that directly drives the lens barrel. The piezoelectric element converts electrical signals into precise mechanical displacement, eliminating the need for complex mechanical transmission components while achieving the same rotational control function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and removes the unnecessary mechanical transmission components (pulleys, timing belts, and associated mounting structures) from the system. By using a piezoelectric actuator that directly couples to the lens barrel, the patent eliminates these intermediate components, thereby reducing the overall apparatus size and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshooting direction controlVSAvoidapparatus weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the heavy mechanical transmission system (pulleys and timing belts) with a lightweight piezoelectric actuator. Piezoelectric materials convert electrical energy directly into mechanical motion without requiring heavy mechanical components, significantly reducing the overall weight of the image pickup apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fundamental operating principle from mechanical transmission to piezoelectric actuation. This parameter change allows for a more compact and lighter design, as piezoelectric actuators can generate the required rotational force with minimal mass compared to traditional mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshooting direction controlVSAvoidtransmission mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the complex mechanical transmission mechanism with a piezoelectric actuator. This replacement simplifies the device architecture by eliminating multiple moving parts, belts, and pulleys, resulting in a more reliable and easier-to-maintain system with fewer failure points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functions of multiple separate components (motor, pulleys, timing belts, and mounting structures) into a single integrated piezoelectric actuator. This consolidation reduces device complexity by combining what was previously a multi-component mechanical system into one compact unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 results in a downsized image pickup apparatus with improved mounting flexibility and reduced weight, enabling more versatile applications on drones, bicycles, and human bodies without exceeding maximum loading capacities.

Implementation Method 1

an actuator configured to drive the image pickup unit, wherein the actuator has a piezoelectric element and an oscillator including a transmission unit which transmits a driving force caused by vibration excited by the piezoelectric element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11831970B2Image pickup apparatus comprising driven body driven by actuator, and moving body

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 CANON KK

AI summary

An image pickup apparatus is capable of decreasing a space capacity occupied by component elements and being downsized compared to a case where an actuator is arranged independently of a supporting unit. The image pickup apparatus has an image pickup unit driven by the actuator, a base unit, and the supporting unit provided in a standing manner from the base unit and rotatably supports the image pickup unit. The actuator has a piezoelectric element and an oscillator including a transmission unit which transmits driving force caused by vibration excited by the piezoelectric element. The transmission unit is arranged in the supporting unit so that it is in pressure contact with the image pickup unit. The image pickup unit has a transmitted plane with which the transmission unit is brought into pressure contact, and the vibration excited by the oscillator causes the transmitted plane to move relatively to the oscillator.