Rotating Lock Barrel for Compact Retractable Lens Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractable lens apparatuses face challenges in maintaining optical axis alignment and operability, with clamps being difficult to secure and resulting in low operability and increased size due to radial projection.
Innovation Solution
A compact lens apparatus design featuring a holding barrel, exterior barrel, and fixed barrel with a rotatable operation member that locks the imaging and retracted states by engaging with the fixed barrel, allowing for easy switching between states without compromising optical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clamp member is used to lock the lens apparatus in imaging and retracted states, then the lens apparatus can be locked in both states, but the clamp projects in the radial direction causing the lens apparatus to become large
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from radial projection to axial engagement. The operation member engages with the fixed barrel along the optical axis direction rather than projecting radially, thereby maintaining locking capability while reducing the radial dimension of the lens apparatus.
2Reliability
If a clamp member is used to lock the lens apparatus, then the lens apparatus can be locked in both states, but it becomes difficult to fix the extended front unit to the fixed barrel while maintaining optical axis alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The operation member serves multiple functions: it acts as both a locking mechanism and an alignment guide. By engaging with the fixed barrel in a standardized manner, it ensures proper optical axis alignment while locking the lens apparatus in either imaging or retracted state, simplifying the operation for the user.
3Reliability
If a clamp member is used to lock the lens apparatus, then the lens apparatus can be locked in both states, but the fastening strength is unclear resulting in low operability
Solution Approach 1:
The operation member is designed to automatically engage with the fixed barrel at predetermined positions, providing self-aligning and self-locking functionality. This ensures consistent fastening strength without requiring user judgment or adjustment, thereby improving operability while maintaining reliable locking in both imaging and retracted states.
Data Source
AI summary
A lens apparatus includes a holding barrel configured to hold a lens, an operation member, an exterior barrel configured to hold the operation member rotatably around an optical axis, and a fixed barrel. When the holding barrel and the exterior barrel move in an optical axis direction relative to the fixed barrel, an imaging state and a retracted state are switchable. When the operation member is rotated in one direction in each of the imaging and retracted states, the operation member gets engaged with the fixed barrel and the state gets locked. When the operation member is rotated in the other direction around the optical axis, the operation member gets disengaged from the fixed barrel, and the imaging state or the retracted state gets unlocked and switchable.