Wide-Angle Lens Assembly With Cover-Gap Sealing Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interchangeable lenses for stereoscopic photography struggle to capture images at an angle of view higher than 180 degrees without compromising appearance quality, dust-proof and drip-proof performance, and optical performance due to manufacturing errors and lens positioning issues.
Innovation Solution
A lens apparatus design with a holder, cover, and exterior member that maintains appearance quality and ensures dust-proof and drip-proof performance while capturing images at an angle of view higher than 180 degrees by using orthogonal gaps and engagement mechanisms to stabilize lens positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an exterior member is placed on the imaging plane side of the front lens to capture images at an angle of view higher than 180 degrees, then the angle of view is improved, but gaps between the opening and lens become non-uniform which deteriorates appearance quality and dust-proof/drip-proof performance
Solution Approach 1:
A cover member is introduced as an intermediary component between the exterior member and the lens. The cover has a first opening that exposes the lens and is positioned with the holder in the optical axis direction, while the exterior member has a second opening that engages with the cover's outer diameter. This intermediary structure allows the lens to be positioned accurately without direct engagement between the exterior member and lens, maintaining both wide angle of view and uniform gaps for appearance quality and sealing performance.
2Manufacturing precision
If the opening and lens are diameter-engaged to correct position offset, then appearance quality and dust-proof/drip-proof performance are improved, but optical performance and relative relationship between two optical systems deteriorate due to lens recalibration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function is segmented between multiple components: the holder positions the lens relative to the cover, the cover positions the lens relative to the exterior member through its opening, and the exterior member engages with the cover rather than directly with the lens. This segmentation allows the lens to be positioned accurately without direct engagement that would require recalibration, maintaining both position accuracy and optical performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If a drip-proof structure is provided with non-uniform gaps, then manufacturing ease is improved, but dust-proof and drip-proof performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member acts as an intermediary sealing structure between the holder and exterior member. The cover is positioned with the holder in the optical axis direction and has a specific outer diameter that engages with the exterior member. This intermediary structure creates uniform gaps between the cover and exterior member, ensuring consistent sealing performance against dust and water while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A lens apparatus includes a lens disposed closest to an object, a holder holding the lens, a cover having a first opening to expose the lens when viewed from an optical axis direction of the lens and being positioned with the holder in the optical axis direction, and an exterior member having a second opening to engage with an outer diameter of the cover. A first gap in a diameter direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction formed between the holder and the cover is larger than a second gap in the diameter direction formed between the exterior member and the cover.