Image Stabilization Unit Flexible Substrate Overlap

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image stabilization units face challenges in reducing size while maintaining effective camera shake correction, as the placement of detection magnets and Hall elements either increases power consumption or apparatus size.

Innovation Solution

An image stabilization unit design that includes a lens barrel, a magnet, a fixing member, and a flexible substrate with a sensor for detecting the lens barrel's position, where the flexible substrate's holding portions are positioned to overlap the sensor mounting portion in the optical-axis direction, reducing weight and size by standardizing the flexible substrate layout.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the detection magnet is provided to the shift lens barrel (movable portion), then the position detection is achieved, but the weight of the movable portion is increased and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition detectionVSAvoidweight of movable portion

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing the detection magnet on the fixed portion instead of the movable portion, and placing the Hall element on the movable portion. This inversion transfers the weight of the magnet from the movable portion to the fixed portion, reducing the weight of the movable portion while maintaining position detection capability through the relative movement between the magnet and Hall element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical connection and wiring system with a magnetic field-based detection system. By using the magnetic field interaction between the detection magnet and Hall element, the system eliminates the need for mechanical connections and complex wiring to the movable portion, thereby reducing its weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Weight of moving object

If the detection magnet is provided to the fixed portion and the Hall element to the movable portion, then the movable portion weight is reduced, but the apparatus is increased in size to secure space for leading the flexible substrate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of movable portionVSAvoidapparatus size

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nesting by positioning the flexible substrate and its wiring within the existing structural spaces of the image stabilization unit. The flexible substrate is routed through available channels and spaces between components, allowing the wiring to be led without increasing the overall apparatus volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the optical-axis direction (depth dimension) to arrange the flexible substrate routing. By positioning holding portions that overlap in the optical-axis direction, the wiring can be led vertically through the structure rather than horizontally, effectively using the depth dimension to accommodate wiring without increasing the lateral footprint of the apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If the flexible substrate is routed to secure space for the Hall element, then the sensor can be positioned on the movable portion, but the apparatus size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition detectionVSAvoidapparatus size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible substrate (thin film) to connect the Hall element to the fixed portion. This flexible substrate can be routed through tight spaces and conform to the available geometry within the image stabilization unit, allowing sensor positioning on the movable portion without requiring additional volume for rigid wiring channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 reduces the size of the image stabilization unit while maintaining effective shake correction, achieving weight reduction and simplified wiring, thereby improving power efficiency and space utilization.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor configured to detect a position of the lens barrel by sensing magnetism of the magnet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11974043B2Image stabilization unit, lens apparatus, and image pickup apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.04.30 CANON KK

AI summary

An image stabilization unit includes an optical element, a lens barrel configured to hold the optical element, a magnet, and a fixing member. The image stabilization unit further includes a sensor that detects a position of the lens barrel by sensing magnetism of the magnet, and a flexible substrate connected to the sensor. The flexible substrate includes a sensor mounting portion mounted to the sensor, a movable-side holding portion held by the lens barrel, and a fixed-side holding portion held by the fixing member. The movable-side holding portion and the fixed-side holding portion are located in such a manner as to overlap the sensor mounting portion in an optical-axis direction.