Polygonal Lens Barrel for Precision Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging lenses face challenges in downsizing due to assembly errors caused by dimensional tolerance variations and misalignment of lenses with cylindrical barrel outlines, leading to performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
The imaging lens features a polygonal outline for the lens and lens barrel, with linear portions and annular inclined surfaces to align central axes accurately, allowing for precise fitting and reducing assembly errors, and utilizing a notched barrel design to optimize space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a cylindrical lens barrel is used to accommodate circular lenses, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but assembly errors occur due to dimensional tolerance variations and misalignment of lenses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the lens barrel outline from a circular shape to a polygonal shape with linear portions. This asymmetric design provides unique fitting positions for the lenses, eliminating the rotational symmetry that causes misalignment in cylindrical barrels. The linear portions of the polygonal barrel correspond to linear portions on the lens outlines, creating deterministic alignment references that prevent assembly errors while maintaining manufacturability.
2Manufacturing precision
If the lens barrel outline is changed to a polygonal shape, then assembly accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the lens barrel into distinct linear portions and inclined surface portions. The inner circumferential surface is segmented into linear portions that fit with corresponding linear portions on the lenses, and inclined surface portions that provide additional alignment guidance. This segmentation creates a modular structure that improves alignment precision while keeping each individual segment simple to manufacture.
3Area of stationary object
If the lens barrel is notched to create linear portions, then space utilization is improved, but the structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating notches only in specific local regions of the lens barrel where linear portions are needed for alignment, rather than changing the entire barrel structure. The notched areas are localized to provide the necessary linear fitting surfaces, while the rest of the barrel maintains its structural integrity. This localized modification optimizes space utilization in critical areas without significantly compromising overall structural strength.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging lens is provided that secures a space in a device by partially notching an outline of a lens barrel, which used to be in a cylindrical shape in the past, and is less likely to cause performance degradation due to assembly error. An imaging lens includes: a lens provided with an effective optical surface and an edge region formed surrounding the effective optical surface and formed by injection molding of a plastic material; and a lens barrel configured to accommodate and hold the lens, wherein the lens has the edge region with an outline formed in a polygonal shape, the lens barrel has an inner circumferential surface with at least one linear portion formed in a position to accommodate the lens, the at least one linear portion corresponding to at least one linear portion formed in an outline of the lens, and the lens barrel has an outline with a linear portion formed parallel to the linear portion formed in the inner circumferential surface of the lens barrel.