Rectilinear Diaphragm Blades for Compact Imaging Aperture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light quantity adjusting devices in small-sized digital still cameras and video cameras face challenges in miniaturization due to complex structures and space restrictions, particularly with iris diaphragm structures that require multiple diaphragm blades and large spaces for movement, which hinder the achievement of a circular or hexagonal opening shape for improved blur and ghost effects.
Innovation Solution
A light quantity adjusting device using a pair of rectilinear diaphragm blades that slide and a pair of swing diaphragm blades that swing, driven by a crisscross-shaped driving arm, to adjust the diaphragm opening size and shape, forming a nearly circular or regular octagonal opening without the need for large spaces, thereby simplifying the structure and enabling miniaturization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If an iris diaphragm structure with multiple diaphragm blades is used to form a circular opening shape, then the quality of blur effect and ghost shape is improved, but the device size and complexity increase making miniaturization difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm device is segmented into only two rectilinear diaphragm blades instead of using multiple blades in a traditional iris structure. This segmentation reduces the number of moving parts and the space required for blade movement, enabling miniaturization while still forming a functional diaphragm opening
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from the traditional planar movement of diaphragm blades to three-dimensional movement where blades move along the optical axis direction. This dimensional change allows the blades to effectively adjust the diaphragm opening size without requiring large lateral spaces, thus enabling device miniaturization
2Shape
If an iris diaphragm structure with multiple diaphragm blades is used to form a circular opening shape, then the quality of blur effect and ghost shape is improved, but the structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex multi-blade iris structure is simplified by segmenting the function into just two rectilinear diaphragm blades. This reduction in the number of components directly lowers structural complexity while maintaining the essential light quantity adjustment function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate diaphragm blades into a single integrated driving mechanism that controls two rectilinear blades. This consolidation reduces the number of independent components and simplifies the overall driving structure
3Volume of moving object
If a simple two-blade rectilinear structure is used to reduce device size, then miniaturization is achieved, but the opening shape quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies three-dimensional movement along the optical axis to the two rectilinear diaphragm blades, allowing them to effectively control light quantity and form a circular-like opening shape despite the simplified blade configuration. This dimensional approach compensates for the reduced number of blades
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm blades are designed with dynamic movement capabilities along the optical axis, allowing them to adjust their positions to form different opening shapes and sizes. This dynamic adjustment enables the simplified two-blade structure to achieve opening shape quality comparable to more complex structures
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a light quantity adjusting device that adjusts size of a diaphragm opening centering on an optical axis of an optical system that includes: a first pair of a first and a second rectilinear diaphragm blades slidably arranged at positions opposing across the diaphragm opening in a direction moving to and from the optical axis on a plane orthogonal to the optical axis; a second pair of a third and a fourth rectilinear diaphragm blades slidably arranged at positions opposing across the diaphragm opening, in a direction orthogonal the first pair of blades move, and in a direction to and from the optical axis; and a driving unit that adjusts a size of the diaphragm opening by sliding the blades. The driving unit drives the blades so as to adjustably form and maintain a shape of an opening perimeter of the diaphragm opening in nearly similar shapes.