Zoom Lens Third Group Segmentation for Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing zoom lenses for digital cameras with large imaging elements face challenges in miniaturization and weight reduction, leading to increased load on shake preventing and focusing drive systems, slow response times, and larger lens systems due to the need for multiple lenses in shake preventing and focusing groups.
Innovation Solution
A zoom lens configuration with a third lens group that includes a fixed 3-1 lens group and a moving 3-2 lens group, where the 3-2 group is divided into a shake preventing lens and a focusing lens, allowing only these three lens groups to move during magnification changes, with specific refractive power distributions and focal length relationships to optimize size, weight, and movement efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple lenses are used in shake preventing and focusing groups, then image quality and functionality are improved, but size and weight of lens groups increase
Solution Approach 1:
The third lens group is segmented into a fixed 3-1 lens group and a movable 3-2 lens group. The 3-2 lens group is further divided into a shake preventing lens and a focusing lens. This segmentation allows the shake preventing and focusing functions to be performed by smaller, lighter lens groups rather than requiring multiple heavy lenses in each group.
Solution Approach 2:
The 3-2 lens group serves multiple functions: it acts as both a shake preventing lens and a focusing lens. By making the lens group universal for both functions, the patent reduces the total number of lenses needed and decreases the weight of moving components while maintaining both image stabilization and focusing capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lenses are used in shake preventing and focusing groups, then functionality is improved, but load on drive systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the third lens group into 3-1 (fixed) and 3-2 (movable) groups, the patent reduces the mass that needs to be moved by the drive systems. The 3-2 lens group containing both shake preventing and focusing functions is lighter than what would be required if all functions were performed by separate heavy lens groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The 3-2 lens group performs both shake preventing and focusing functions, reducing the total mass that drive systems must move. This multi-functional design decreases the load on drive systems while maintaining full functionality for both image stabilization and focusing operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If larger lens groups are used for shake preventing and focusing, then functionality is improved, but response time decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of the third lens group into fixed and movable portions, with the movable 3-2 group containing both shake preventing and focusing functions, reduces the mass that must be accelerated. This lighter configuration enables faster response times for both camera shake correction and auto focusing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
By making the 3-2 lens group universal for both shake preventing and focusing functions, the patent reduces the total mass involved in these operations. This decreased mass results in faster acceleration and response times for both functions simultaneously.
4Adaptability or versatility
If entire lens groups are moved for focusing operations, then focusing range is improved, but size of lens system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The third lens group is segmented such that only the 3-2 lens group (containing shake preventing and focusing functions) moves during focusing operations, while the 3-1 lens group remains fixed. This selective movement reduces the volume of moving components and simplifies the magnification mechanism compared to moving entire lens groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The 3-2 lens group serves as both shake preventing and focusing lens, allowing focusing operations to be performed by moving a single compact group rather than entire lens groups. This reduces the overall size of the lens system while maintaining adequate focusing range.
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 and weight of shake preventing and focusing lens groups, decreases the load on drive systems, and accelerates auto focusing operations while simplifying the magnification mechanism, resulting in faster camera shake correction and focusing responses.
Implementation Method 1
the 3-2 lens group comprising a shake preventing lens provided most toward the object side that moves in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis when camera shake occurs to correct an imaging plane
Implementation Method 2
a focusing lens provided more toward an image side than the shake preventing lens that moves along the optical axis during focusing operations
Implementation Method 3
a first lens group having a positive refractive power; a second lens group having a negative refractive power; and a third lens group having a positive refractive power
Data Source
AI summary
A zoom lens includes: a positive first lens group; a negative second lens group; and a positive third lens group. The first through third lens groups move such that the distance between the first lens group and the second lens group is greater, and the distance between the second lens group and the third lens group G3 is smaller at a telephoto end compared to a wide angle end. The third lens group is constituted by a positive 3-1 lens group and a 3-2 lens group. The 3-1 lens group is fixed when camera shake occurs and during focusing operations. The 3-2 lens group includes a shake preventing lens group that moves in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis to correct camera shake, and a focusing lens group provided toward an image side of the shake preventing lens group that moves along the optical axis during focusing operations.