Protective case, photographing system, and automatic activation / deactivation method for photographing system

Abstract

The present application is suitable for the technical field of electronic devices, and provides a protective case, a photographing system, and an automatic activation / deactivation method for the photographing system. The protective case comprises a housing, a movable portion, and a limiting portion. An accommodating space is formed inside the housing, the accommodating space is configured to accommodate a photographing device, and the photographing device is movably connected to the housing by means of the movable portion. When the photographing device is connected to the housing, the photographing device has a stored state and an in-use state, in which the angles between the photographing device and the housing are different. The limiting portion is arranged on the housing, and the limiting portion is configured to limit the movement of the photographing device relative to the housing when the photographing device is in the stored state or the in-use state. The protective case can meet the storage requirements of the photographing device, and can also meet the photography requirements of the photographing device, and has diversified functions. The photographing device can maintain a relatively stable position relative to the housing when in both the stored state and the in-use state, achieving good reliability and stability.

Description

A protective case, a shooting system, and an automatic switching method for the shooting system. Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of electronic equipment technology, and more specifically, relates to a protective case, a shooting system, and an automatic switching method for the shooting system. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, a protective case is provided to store and protect the shooting equipment. When not in use, the shooting equipment can be installed inside the protective case for storage. When shooting, the equipment needs to be separated from the case and removed before use. This design is inconvenient for users, and the case's limited functionality, focusing solely on storage, fails to meet the diverse shooting needs of users in different scenarios. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the related technical problems, this application provides a protective case, a shooting system, and an automatic switching method for the shooting system, in order to solve the problem of how to increase the functionality of the protective case to meet the user's shooting needs.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a protective shell, comprising: a shell having an internal accommodating space configured to accommodate a shooting device; a movable part, wherein the shooting device is movably connected to the shell via the movable part; and, when the shooting device is connected to the shell, the shooting device having a retracted state and a used state with different included angles relative to the shell; and a limiting part disposed on the shell, wherein the limiting part is configured to restrict the movement of the shooting device relative to the shell when it is in the retracted state or the used state.

[0005] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a shooting system, which includes: a shooting device; a protective shell, having a housing, a movable part, and a limiting part, wherein a receiving space is formed inside the housing, the receiving space being configured to receive the shooting device; wherein the shooting device is movably connected to the housing via the movable part; when the shooting device is connected to the housing, the shooting device has a retracted state and a used state with different included angles relative to the housing; the limiting part is disposed on the housing and configured to restrict the movement of the shooting device relative to the housing when it is in the retracted state or the used state.

[0006] Thirdly, embodiments of this application also provide an automatic switching method for a shooting system. This automatic switching scheme is applied to the shooting system described in the second aspect. The automatic switching method includes: a control unit detecting that the shooting device is in the storage state or the use state; if the shooting device is in the storage state, the control unit controls the shooting device to turn off or go into sleep mode; if the shooting device is in the use state, the control unit controls the shooting device to turn on.

[0007] This application provides a protective casing comprising a housing, a movable part, and a limiting part. The housing has an internal accommodating space configured to accommodate a camera, which is movably connected to the housing via the movable part. When the camera is connected to the housing, it has two states: a retracted state and a usable state, with different angles relative to the housing. The limiting part is disposed on the housing and configured to restrict the movement of the camera relative to the housing when in the retracted or usable state. In both the retracted and usable states, the camera can maintain a relatively stable relative position to the housing while remaining stationary on the protective casing. In the retracted state, the camera is stably housed within the accommodating space, reducing the possibility of the camera extending beyond the housing and being scratched or bumped. In the usable state, the camera maintains a fixed position for more reliable image capture. The protective case not only meets the storage needs of the shooting equipment, but also meets the shooting needs of the shooting equipment. The protective case has more functions, and the relative position between the shooting equipment and the protective case can maintain a high degree of positional stability in both states. This allows the protective case to reliably protect the shooting equipment, and the shooting equipment can also carry out shooting tasks more stably, resulting in a better user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 is a front view of a first structure of the shooting system provided in an embodiment of this application, wherein the shooting device is in use;

[0009] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a second structure of the shooting system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0010] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a third structure of the shooting system provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0011] Figure 4a is a cross-sectional view of the protective shell in Figure 1 along the AA direction in Figure 2, wherein the limiting part is in the first position and the movable part allows the shooting device to be in a stored state.

[0012] Figure 4b is a cross-sectional view of the protective shell in Figure 1 along the AA direction in Figure 2, wherein the limiting part is in the second position;

[0013] Figure 4c is a cross-sectional view of the protective shell in Figure 1 along the AA direction in Figure 2, wherein the limiting part is in the first position and the movable part allows the shooting device to be in use.

[0014] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the fourth structure of the shooting system provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0015] Figure 6a is a fifth structural schematic diagram of the imaging system provided in the embodiment of this application, wherein each sub-shell is connected to the opposite side;

[0016] Figure 6b is a schematic diagram of the fifth structure of the imaging system provided in the embodiment of this application, wherein each sub-shell is connected back to back;

[0017] Figure 6c is a schematic diagram of the fifth structure of the imaging system provided in the embodiment of this application, wherein the free ends of each sub-shell are spaced apart from each other and tilted in a direction away from each other;

[0018] Figure 7a is a schematic diagram of the sixth structure of the shooting system provided in the embodiment of this application, wherein each support leg is in a hidden state;

[0019] Figure 7b is a schematic diagram of the sixth structure of the shooting system provided in the embodiment of this application, wherein each leg is in the unfolded state;

[0020] Figure 8a is a schematic diagram of the seventh structure of the shooting system provided in the embodiment of this application, wherein each support leg is in a hidden state;

[0021] Figure 8b is a schematic diagram of the seventh structure of the shooting system provided in the embodiment of this application, wherein each leg is in the unfolded state;

[0022] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the eighth structure of the shooting system provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the ninth structure of the shooting system provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 11a is a cross-sectional view of the imaging system provided in the embodiment of this application in the BB direction of Figure 7a, wherein the imaging system has a tenth structure and each support leg is in a hidden state.

[0025] Figure 11b is a cross-sectional view of the imaging system provided in the embodiment of this application in the BB direction of Figure 7a, wherein the imaging system has a tenth structure and each leg is in the unfolded state;

[0026] Figure 12a is a bottom view of the shooting system provided in the embodiment of this application, wherein the shooting system has an eleventh structure and each support leg is in a hidden state;

[0027] Figure 12b is a bottom view of the shooting system provided in the embodiment of this application, wherein the shooting system has an eleventh structure and each leg is in the unfolded state;

[0028] Figure 13a is a cross-sectional view of the imaging system provided in the embodiment of this application in the BB direction of Figure 7a, wherein the imaging system has a twelfth structure and each leg is in a hidden state;

[0029] Figure 13b is a cross-sectional view of the imaging system provided in the embodiment of this application in the BB direction of Figure 7a, wherein the imaging system has a twelfth structure and each leg is in the unfolded state;

[0030] Figure 14 is a thirteenth structural schematic diagram of the shooting system provided in the embodiment of this application, wherein the shooting equipment is omitted and the protective shell is shown in disassembled form.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0032] 10. Shooting equipment; 101. Lens; 20. Protective shell; 1. Shell; 11. Receiving space; 12. Large diameter section; 13. Small diameter section; 14a. First surface; 14b. Second surface; 14c. Third surface; 14d. Fourth surface; 141. Second connector; 15a. First opening; 15b. Second opening; 16c. Third opening; 17. Subshell; 171. Opening groove; 18a. First sliding groove; 18b. Second sliding groove; 19a. First storage groove; 19b. Second storage groove; 2. 1. Moving part; 21. Connecting block; 22. Rotating shaft; 3. Limiting part; 31. Snap-fit ​​part; 32. Magnetic component; 33. Damping rotating shaft; 4. Door body; 5. Support leg; 5a. First support leg; 5b. Second support leg; 5c. Third support leg; 5d. Fourth support leg; 5e. Fifth support leg; 51. Cam structure; 52. Self-locking groove; 53. First connecting piece; 6a. First damping component; 6b. Second damping component; 7. Unlocking mechanism; 71. Elastic component; 72. Linkage structure; 8. Limiting structure; 9. Self-locking component. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0034] The specific technical features described in the specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. For example, different combinations of specific technical features can form different embodiments and technical solutions. To avoid unnecessary repetition, the various possible combinations of the specific technical features in this application will not be described separately.

[0035] In the following description, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish different objects and do not indicate that the objects have the sameness or relationship. It should be understood that the directional descriptions "above," "below," "outside," and "inside" refer to the orientation under normal use conditions. "Front," "back," "left," and "right" refer to the front, back, left, and right sides of the garment processing equipment when it is normally placed, with the front side being the side of the garment processing equipment facing the user.

[0036] It should be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element. "A plurality of" means two or more.

[0037] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a protective housing 20, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The protective housing 20 includes a housing 1, a movable part 2, and a limiting part 3. An accommodating space 11 is formed inside the housing 1, and the accommodating space 11 is configured to accommodate a shooting device 10. The protective housing 20 and the shooting device 10 can constitute the shooting system described in the second aspect below.

[0038] It should be noted that the outline of the housing 1 defines the shape and size of the receiving space 11. Specifically, the height of the receiving space 11 (the length in the z-direction as shown in Figure 2) does not exceed the height extension range of the housing 1, and the width of the receiving space 11 (the length in the xy-plane as shown in Figure 2) does not exceed the width extension range of the housing 1. When the imaging device 10 is housed in the receiving space 11, the height of the imaging device 10 (the length in the z-direction as shown in Figure 2) does not exceed the maximum height of the housing 1, the width of the imaging device 10 (the length in the y-direction as shown in Figure 2) does not exceed the maximum width of the housing 1, and the length of the imaging device 10 (the length in the x-direction as shown in Figure 2) does not exceed the maximum length of the housing 1. The imaging device 10 is covered by the housing 1, and at least a portion of the outline of the imaging device 10 cannot be observed with the naked eye from the outside of the housing 1.

[0039] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the shooting device 10 is movably connected to the housing 1 via the movable part 2. When the shooting device 10 is connected to the housing 1, it has different angles relative to the housing 1 for a storage state and a usage state. Specifically, in the storage state, the shooting device 10 is stored within the receiving space 11, and the housing 1 protects the shooting device 10, reducing the possibility of accidental damage such as drops or wear. In the usage state, at least a portion of the lens 101 of the shooting device 10 extends out of the receiving space 11. Specifically, at least the field of view of the lens 101 that can record images extends out of the housing 1, so that the field of view of the lens 101 can be used for shooting tasks. The "storage state" can be understood as the state in which the shooting device 10 is stored within the housing 1, and the "usage state" can be understood as the state in which at least a portion of the lens 101 of the shooting device 10 extends out of the housing 1. It is understandable that, since the shooting device 10 is hidden within the storage space 11 in its stored state, and the height of the housing 1 is greater than or equal to the height of the shooting device 10, and the housing 1 is relatively long, the user can hold the housing 1 to support the shooting device 10 during use, thereby increasing the field of view that the shooting device 10 can capture. Therefore, the housing 1 can be simply understood as a "handle" that supports the shooting device 10 during use, providing a position for the user to hold it. Furthermore, since the shooting device 10 is movably connected to the housing 1 via the movable part 2, it is not necessary to separate the shooting device 10 from the protective housing 20 when using the shooting device 10 for shooting tasks, thus improving shooting efficiency and simplifying user operation.

[0040] It should be explained that the angle between the shooting device 10 and the housing 1 represents the angle between two target vectors when the connection point (movable part 2) between the shooting device 10 and the housing 1 is taken as the origin of the coordinate system, and the shooting device 10 and the housing 1 are considered as target vectors. Specifically, the direction from this coordinate origin to the free end (lens 101 end) of the shooting device 10 represents the first target vector, as shown by N1 in Figures 1-3; the direction from this coordinate origin to the free end (bottom end in the three-dimensional coordinate system) of the housing 1 represents the second target direction, as shown by N2 in Figures 1-3. The angle between N1 and N2 represents the angle between the shooting device 10 and the housing 1. For example, the angle between the shooting device 10 and the housing 1 in Figure 1 is 180 degrees, the angle between the shooting device 10 and the housing 1 in Figure 2 is 0 degrees, and the angle between the shooting device 10 and the housing 1 in Figure 3 is 180 degrees.

[0041] Specifically, the phase difference between the angle between the shooting device 10 and the housing 1 in the stored state and the used state can be any value greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 360 degrees. For example, the specific value of the phase difference can be 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 120 degrees, 150 degrees, 180 degrees, 210 degrees, 240 degrees, 270 degrees, or 360 degrees, etc., any other value within the above range. Taking a phase difference of 180 degrees as an example, the shooting device 10 can move relative to the housing 1 within the range of 0-180 degrees as a moving part, or the housing 1 can move relative to the shooting device 10 within the range of 0-180 degrees as a moving part. For example, in Figures 1-3, the shooting device 10 moves relative to the housing 1 as a moving part. It should be noted that regardless of whether the shooting device 10 moves relative to the housing 1 or the housing 1 moves relative to the shooting device 10, and regardless of the range of the angle between the shooting device 10 and the housing 1, it is acceptable as long as the angle between the shooting device 10 and the housing 1 is different in the storage state and the use state.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 and 4a-4c, a limiting part 3 is provided on the housing 1. The limiting part 3 is configured to restrict the movement of the shooting device 10 relative to the housing 1 when it is in the storage state or the use state, so that the shooting device 10 can maintain positional stability relative to the housing 1 in both the storage state and the use state, reducing the possibility of the shooting device 10 becoming loose or shaking from the protective housing 20. Specifically, the shooting device 10 maintains a fixed position in the storage state and is stably stored in the receiving space 11, reducing the possibility of at least part of the shooting device 10 protruding outside the housing 1 and being scratched or bumped; the shooting device 10 maintains a fixed position in the use state, so that at least part of the lens 101 of the shooting device 10 protrudes stably outside the housing 1, and the image is captured more reliably.

[0043] The protective shell 20 provided in this application embodiment includes a shell 1, a movable part 2, and a limiting part 3. An accommodating space 11 is formed inside the shell 1, configured to accommodate a photographing device 10. The photographing device 10 is movably connected to the shell 1 via the movable part 2. When the photographing device 10 is connected to the shell 1, the photographing device 10 has different angles relative to the shell 1 in a stowed state and a used state. The limiting part 3 is disposed on the shell 1 and configured to restrict the movement of the photographing device 10 relative to the shell 1 when it is in the stowed state or the used state. The shooting device 10 and the protective case 20 can maintain a relatively stable relative position in both the storage and use states. In the storage state, the shooting device 10 is stably stored within the housing space 11, reducing the possibility of it becoming loose and partially protruding from the case 1, thus reducing the risk of damage. In the use state, the shooting device 10 maintains a stable position for reliable shooting tasks. This improved relative positional stability between the shooting device 10 and the protective case 20 in both storage and use states extends the lifespan and reliability of the shooting device 10, enhancing the user experience. The protective case 20 not only meets the storage needs of the shooting device 10 but also its shooting needs; it can also serve as a shooting platform, offering richer functionality to adapt to diverse user requirements.

[0044] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, the movable part 2 includes a connecting block 21, which is rotatably or slidably connected to the housing 1. The imaging device 10 is connected to the connecting block 21. The connecting block 21 forms the origin of the coordinates of the aforementioned first target vector and second target vector. In Figure 2, the connecting block 21 is rotatably connected to the housing 1, and the connecting block 21 rotates to different angles, causing the imaging device 10 to rotate relative to the housing 1. In Figure 5, the connecting block 21 is slidably connected to the housing 1, and the connecting block 21 slides to different positions, causing the imaging device 10 to slide relative to the housing 1. Since the connecting block 21 rotates or slides relative to the housing 1, the limiting part 3 only needs to limit the movement of the connecting block 21 to limit the movement of the imaging device 10. The volume of the connecting block 21 is smaller than that of the imaging device 10, making it easier to arrange the limiting part 3 and facilitating implementation. The shooting device 10 is detachably connected to the connecting block 21. Specifically, the shooting device 10 can be detachably connected to the connecting block 21 via threaded connectors, clips, magnetic connectors, or other accessories, allowing the shooting device 10 to be separated from the housing 1 for inspection and maintenance. In some possible implementations, a protective housing 20 can be configured with multiple shooting devices 10 with different functions. For example, a protective housing 20 can be configured with a panoramic camera and a gimbal camera, both of which can be mounted on the protective housing 20. By mounting different cameras on the housing 1, it is easy to accommodate different shooting needs of users.

[0045] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 and 4a-4c, the limiting part 3 is movably connected to the housing 1 to switch between a first position and a second position. Specifically, the limiting part 3 can swing or rotate relative to the housing 1, or it can slide relative to the housing 1, as long as the limiting part 3 can switch between the first position and the second position. When the limiting part 3 is in the first position, it is connected to the connecting block 21 and blocks the movement of the connecting block 21, so that the shooting device 10 connected to the connecting block 21 is kept in a stored state or a used state; when the limiting part 3 is in the second position, it is separated from the connecting block 21 to release the restriction on the movement of the connecting block 21, so that the shooting device 10 connected to the connecting block 21 can switch between a stored state and a used state. It is understood that in Figures 1, 4a, and 4c, the limiting part 3 is in the first position, and the connecting block 21 remains stationary, thus allowing the shooting device 10 connected to the connecting block 21 to maintain a relatively stable position. In Figure 4b, the limiting part 3 is in the second position, and the connecting block 21 can move relative to the housing 1, allowing the shooting device 10 to switch from a stored state to a used state, or vice versa. The limiting part 3 has two positions, respectively blocking and allowing the connecting block 21 to move. The user can intuitively judge whether the connecting block 21 can move by observing the position of the limiting part 3. The limiting part 3, as physical feedback, simplifies the user's operation and makes it convenient for the user.

[0046] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 and 4a-4c, the limiting part 3 protrudes and is provided with a locking part 31. The limiting part 3 is slidably connected to the housing 1 to switch between a first position and a second position. The movable part 2 also includes a rotating shaft 22 connected to the connecting block 21. The rotating shaft 22 is hinged to the housing 1, that is, the rotating shaft 22 is rotatably connected to the housing 1. The rotating shaft 22 drives the connecting block 21 to rotate, thereby causing the imaging device 10 connected to the connecting block 21 to rotate. When the limiting part 3 is in the first position, the locking part 31 abuts against the rotating shaft 22 (see Figures 4a and 4c), and the rotating shaft 22 remains stationary and cannot rotate relative to the housing 1, so that the imaging device 10 remains stationary. When the limiting part 3 is in the second position, the locking part 31 is separated from the rotating shaft 22 (see Figure 4b), and the rotating shaft 22 can drive the connecting block 21 to rotate, thereby driving the imaging device 10 to rotate. The limiting part 3 is slidably connected to the housing 1, making the position of the limiting part 3 more intuitive and making it easier to lay out a structure (such as a groove) that can restrict the movement of the limiting part 3. This simplifies the difficulty of laying out the limiting part 3 and also reduces the difficulty of assembling the protective housing 20.

[0047] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG2, the protective shell 20 further includes a door 4, which is movably connected to the shell 1. The door 4 forms an openable opening to open or close the receiving space 11, through which the shooting device 10 passes. When the door 4 closes the opening, the receiving space 11 is in a closed state, isolating the shooting device 10 stored in the receiving space 11 from the external environment, thus better protecting the shooting device 10 and reducing the possibility of damage to the shooting device 10. At the same time, after the door 4 closes the opening, the shooting device 10 cannot pass through the opening to the outside of the receiving space 11, making the shooting device 10 more stably stored in the receiving space 11, further improving the positional stability of the shooting device 10 relative to the shell 1 in the stored state. In addition, in the direction of circumferential height, after the door 4 closes the opening, it and the shell 1 together form a ring-shaped contour, increasing the area available for the user to hold and improving the user's comfort in holding the protective shell 20.

[0048] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG2, the door body 4 is configured as a flexible body. A flexible body is an object that can return to its original state after the external force is removed. It can be understood that a flexible body has a certain degree of elasticity and softness. The softness of the flexible body can improve the user's grip comfort; the elasticity of the flexible body can provide cushioning for the shooting device 10, so as to reduce the impact of vibration or drop on the shooting device 10 and improve the protective effect of the protective shell 20 on the shooting device 10.

[0049] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG1, the housing 1 includes a large-diameter portion 12 and a small-diameter portion 13 in the height direction, which together form an accommodating space 11 (see FIG2). In the direction perpendicular to the height of the housing 1, the cross-sectional dimension of the small-diameter portion 13 is smaller than that of the large-diameter portion 12. This can be simply understood as the outer diameter of the small-diameter portion 13 being smaller than that of the large-diameter portion 12. Either the large-diameter portion 12 or the small-diameter portion 13 can be configured for the user to hold, but regardless of which portion is used, the difference in size between the large-diameter portion 12 and the small-diameter portion 13 provides the user with intuitive physical feedback, allowing the user to quickly determine the position where force can be applied and reducing the difficulty of using the protective housing 20.

[0050] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG2, when the imaging device 10 is in the retracted state, the lens 101 of the imaging device 10 is housed in the large-diameter portion 12. The large-diameter portion 12, with its larger outer diameter, forms a larger space inside. When the imaging device 10 moves relative to the housing 1, or when the housing 1 moves relative to the imaging device 10, the contour of the large-diameter portion 12 is spaced apart from the lens 101, thereby reducing the possibility of scratches or collisions between the housing 1 and the lens 101, which could cause wear to the lens 101, and thus better protecting the lens 101.

[0051] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG1, when the shooting device 10 is in use, the small-diameter portion 13 is configured for the user to hold, and the large-diameter portion 12, on the side connected to the small-diameter portion 13 in the height direction of the housing 1 (e.g., the upper end of the large-diameter portion 12 in FIG1), is configured to block or abut against the user's hand. The small-diameter portion 13, with its smaller outer diameter, provides a position for the user to hold. In the vertical direction, the torque generated by holding the small-diameter portion 13 is smaller, making the gripping force more concentrated and the resultant force larger, which makes it easier for the user to hold the housing 1 more reliably and provides better comfort. The large-diameter portion 12, with its larger outer diameter, provides a limit to restrict the user's hand within the height dimension of the small-diameter portion 13, reducing the possibility of the small-diameter portion 13 slipping out of the user's hand due to slippage, and further improving the reliability of the user's grip on the housing 1.

[0052] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG2, the large-diameter portion 12 consists of two generally hemispherical hemispheres. The openings of the two hemispheres are positioned opposite each other in the direction perpendicular to the height of the housing 1, meaning the large-diameter portion 12 has an outwardly convex arc surface relative to the small-diameter portion 13. It should be noted that the diameters from the center of the hemisphere to the edges at various points along the contour can differ from each other; that is, the hemisphere is not required to be perfectly spherical, allowing for contour irregularities due to manufacturing errors. The shape of the large-diameter portion 12 is approximately similar to the shape of the lens 101. At each point along the contour curve of the lens 101, the large-diameter portion 12 maintains approximately equal spacing from the lens 101, thus better protecting the lens 101.

[0053] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG1, the edge of the small-diameter portion 13 is provided with a flexible body. An edge refers to the boundary line formed by the intersection of two planes on an object. Therefore, the location of the edge has an angle formed by the intersection of two planes, and the area available for user contact at the edge is small. The reaction force experienced by the user when holding the edge is more concentrated, which can easily cause discomfort. Providing a flexible body at the edge of the small-diameter portion 13 can provide user comfort when holding it by utilizing the softness of the flexible body; and the elasticity of the flexible body can buffer vibrations or impacts to better protect the shooting device 10.

[0054] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1-3, the movable part 2 is rotatably connected to the housing 1. The housing 1 has a first surface 14a in the height direction, and a second surface 14b and a third surface 14c, both connected to the first surface 14a and disposed opposite to it. It can be understood that the second surface 14b and the third surface 14c are spaced apart and approximately parallel in the xy plane. The imaging device 10 is disposed between the second surface 14b and the third surface 14c in a retracted state. The first surface 14a forms one end face of the housing 1 in the height direction, and the second surface 14b and the third surface 14c form two side faces of the housing 1. The movable part 2 is rotatably connected to the housing 1, and the movable part 2 can drive the imaging device 10 to rotate relative to the housing 1, so that the imaging device 10 moves relative to the housing 1 to a retracted state or a usage state.

[0055] As shown in Figure 2, a first opening 15a is formed on the first surface 14a, and a second opening 15b is formed on the second surface 14b. The imaging device 10 is exposed or retracted into the receiving space 11 through the first opening 15a and the second opening 15b. It can be understood that, except for the position of the second surface 14b, the first surface 14a can have edges in three other positions. When the first surface 14a is perpendicular to the height direction, the imaging device 10 can rotate within a range of 0-180 degrees. Specifically, the first opening 15a can at least prevent the movable part 2 from rotating in the height direction; the second opening 15b can at least prevent the imaging device 10 from rotating in the width direction (on the xy plane of Figure 2). With this configuration, in the width direction of the housing 1 (on the xy plane of Figure 2), the user can only rotate towards the side where the second opening 15b is located, meaning the imaging device 10 can only rotate relative to one side of the housing 1. The fixed position of the housing 1 for the imaging device 10 to rotate provides more intuitive physical feedback, making it easier for the user to intuitively determine the rotation direction of the imaging device 10. Furthermore, in the width direction (on the xy plane of Figure 2), the number of openings in the housing 1 is less, and the area that the housing 1 can cover for the shooting device 10 is larger, which can better store and protect the shooting device 10.

[0056] As shown in Figure 3, a first opening 15a is provided on the first surface 14a, a second opening 15b is provided on the second surface 14b, and a third opening 16c is provided on the third surface 14c. The imaging device 10 is exposed or retracted into the receiving space 11 through the first opening 15a, the second opening 15b, and the third opening 16c. It can be understood that, except for the positions of the second surface 14b and the third surface 14c, the first surface 14a can be provided with edges in the other two positions. When the first surface 14a is perpendicular to the height direction, the imaging device 10 can rotate within a range greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 360 degrees. Specifically, the first opening 15a can at least avoid the rotation of the movable part 2 in the height direction; the second opening 15b and the third opening 16c can at least avoid the rotation of the imaging device 10 in the width direction (on the xy plane of Figure 2). With this configuration, in the width direction of the housing 1 (on the xy plane of Figure 2), the user can rotate towards the side where the second opening 15b is located, or towards the side where the third opening 16c is located, that is, the imaging device 10 can rotate to both sides. The imaging device 10 can be rotated out of the receiving space 11 via either the second opening 15b or the third opening 16c, and then retracted back into the receiving space 11 along the same path. For example, the imaging device 10 can be rotated out of the housing 1 via the second opening 15b, and then retracted back into the housing 1 via the second opening 15b. Alternatively, the imaging device 10 can be rotated out of the receiving space 11 via either the second opening 15b or the third opening 16c, and then retracted back into the receiving space 11 via the other opening. For example, the imaging device 10 can be rotated out of the housing 1 via the second opening 15b, and then retracted back into the housing 1 via the third opening 16c. The housing 1 provides more rotatable positions for the user, a wider range of adjustable angles for the imaging device 10, and greater flexibility, further facilitating user operation.

[0057] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG5, the movable part 2 is slidably connected to the housing 1. The housing 1 has a first opening 15a for the shooting device 10 to pass through. The first opening 15a is located at one end of the housing 1 in the height direction. Specifically, the first opening 15a is formed on the first surface 14a. The housing 1 has an opening only on the first surface 14a, while the other surfaces cover the shooting device 10 in its stored state. The housing 1 surrounding the shooting device 10 has a more detailed outline and a larger area, which facilitates better protection of the shooting device 10 in its stored state. In addition, the housing 1 has a larger area in the width direction (on the xy plane of FIG5), which increases the area available for the user to hold, making it easier for the user to hold the housing 1 and support the shooting device 10 in its use state for shooting tasks more stably.

[0058] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 6a-6c, the housing 1 includes a plurality of sub-shells 17, each sub-shell 17 being connected to the movable part 2. It is understood that the number of sub-shells 17 is greater than or equal to two; for example, the number of sub-shells 17 can be two (see Figure 6b), three (see Figure 6c), four, five, etc. The sub-shells 17 are connected or separated to accommodate or expose the imaging device 10. That is, each sub-shell 17 moves relative to the movable part 2, causing the imaging device 10 to switch between a tucked-in state and a used state relative to the housing 1. The housing 1, as a moving part, moves relative to the imaging device 10 to switch the angle between the imaging device 10 and the housing 1. In this case, the second target vector represents the total vector synthesized from the components pointing to the free ends of each sub-shell 17 with the movable part 2 as the origin. Exemplarily, the angle between the imaging device 10 and the housing 1 in Figure 6a is 0 degrees, and the angle between the imaging device 10 and the housing 1 in Figures 6b and 6c is 180 degrees.

[0059] Specifically, as shown in Figure 6a, when the sub-shells 17 are connected facing each other, they form a receiving space 11 and together cover the imaging device 10, so that the imaging device 10 is in a stored state. As shown in Figure 6b, when the sub-shells 17 are connected back to back, they form a handle for holding the imaging device 10, and the imaging device 10 is in use. It can be understood that since the sub-shells 17 can together form the receiving space 11, each sub-shell 17 has an opening slot 171. The side of the opening slot 171 of each sub-shell 17 that forms an opening represents the side of each sub-shell 17 facing each other. When the side of one sub-shell 17 with an opening faces the side of another sub-shell 17 with an opening, it means that the two sub-shells 17 are facing each other. It can also be understood that the side of the sub-shell 17 that is back to back is opposite to the side of the opening slot 171 that forms an opening. When the side of one sub-shell 17 with an opening faces away from the side of another sub-shell 17 with an opening, it means that the two sub-shells 17 are back to back.

[0060] When the sub-shells 17 are connected facing each other, they can form a closed cavity (see Figure 6a) to cover the imaging device 10 from all directions, thereby better protecting and storing the imaging device 10. When the sub-shells 17 are connected back to back, each sub-shell 17 extends along the height direction and jointly supports the imaging device 10. The length of each sub-shell 17 in the height direction forms a lever arm that supports the imaging device 10 in use. The imaging device 10 can be picked up and put down by holding each sub-shell 17. Each sub-shell 17 increases the height of the imaging device 10 from the ground in the height direction, thereby increasing the field of view that the imaging device 10 can capture, making it easier for users to use the imaging device 10 for shooting tasks.

[0061] As shown in Figure 6c, with each sub-shell 17 separated from each other, one end of each sub-shell 17 is connected to the movable part 2, and the other ends are spaced apart and tilted in a direction away from each other to support the imaging device 10, which is in use. It can be understood that the tilt of the other end (free end) of each sub-shell 17 indicates that, with the position of the movable part 2 as the origin of the coordinate system, the component pointing to the other end (free end) of the sub-shell 17 forms an angle with the second target vector synthesized by each sub-shell 17, and this angle is not obtuse. The sub-shells 17 can be separated on opposite sides, or on opposite sides, or the opposite side of some sub-shells 17 can be separated from the side of another sub-shell 17 with an opening (opposite side). Regardless of which method the sub-shells 17 are implemented in, as long as the free ends of each sub-shell 17 are spaced apart and tilted in a direction away from each other, it is acceptable. At this time, each sub-shell 17 forms a support frame for the shooting device 10. By abutting each sub-shell 17 against the surface of an object such as the ground or a table, the shooting device 10 can be kept in a fixed position. The user does not need to hold the camera to shoot, which effectively reduces the vibration of the shooting device 10 caused by hand shooting, reduces the possibility of camera shake, and enables the shooting device 10 to reliably capture images.

[0062] The housing 1 provided in this embodiment includes multiple sub-housings 17, each of which is movably connected to the movable part 2. By switching each sub-housing 17 to different positions, the shooting device 10 can be switched between a storage state and a usage state relative to the housing 1. Simultaneously, each sub-housing 17 has different functions depending on its position; it can serve as a handle for the user to hold, a storage box to cover the shooting device 10, or a support frame to support the shooting device 10. This increases the number of usage scenarios, provides greater flexibility, and facilitates compatibility with users' personalized needs.

[0063] In some possible implementations, as shown in Figures 6b and 6c, magnetic elements 32 can be provided on both the opposite and facing sides of each sub-shell 17, forming the aforementioned limiting portion 3. When the magnetic elements 32 on the facing sides of each sub-shell 17 attract each other, the resulting magnetic attraction keeps the sub-shells 17 in a facing-to-facing state, thus stably covering the imaging device 10 and keeping the imaging device 10 stably in a stored state. When the magnetic elements 32 on the opposite sides of each sub-shell 17 attract each other, the resulting magnetic attraction keeps the sub-shells 17 in a back-to-back state, allowing the user to hold them more stably. In some possible implementations, a damping shaft 33 can also be provided at one end of each sub-shell 17 connected to the movable part 2. Each sub-shell 17 is rotatably connected to the movable part 2 via the damping shaft 33, which forms the limiting portion 3. By utilizing the damping force of the damping shaft 33, each sub-shell 17 can be suspended at any position as needed, thereby keeping the relative position between the shooting device 10 and the protective shell 20 relatively stable and fixed. This reduces the possibility of changes in the relative position of each sub-shell 17, which could affect the shooting of the shooting device 10 due to changes in the angle between the shooting device 10 and the shell 1. It also reduces the possibility of damage to the shooting device 10 due to loosening or shaking of each sub-shell 17.

[0064] For ease of explanation, the embodiment with the magnetic component 32 described above is defined as implementation structure S1, and the embodiment with the damping shaft 33 described above is defined as implementation structure S2. It is understood that implementation structure S1 and implementation structure S2 can be selected as needed, or both implementation structure S1 and implementation structure S2 can be implemented simultaneously.

[0065] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 6a and 6b, flexible bodies are provided on the edges of the opposite sides of each sub-shell 17, and / or flexible bodies are provided on the edges of the opposite sides of each sub-shell 17. Flexible bodies may be provided on the edges of the opposite sides of each sub-shell 17 to facilitate the user's grip on the opposite side of each sub-shell 17 when the sub-shells 17 are connected facing each other to cover the imaging device 10; flexible bodies may also be provided on the edges of the opposite sides of each sub-shell 17 to facilitate the user's grip on the opposite side of each sub-shell 17 when the sub-shells 17 are connected facing each other to form a handle that supports the imaging device 10; flexible bodies may also be provided on both the opposite and opposite sides of each sub-shell 17 so that the user can comfortably grip each sub-shell 17 whether they are connected facing each other or facing each other. It is understandable that, regardless of which side of each sub-shell 17 the flexible body is placed on, the elasticity of the flexible body can reduce at least part of the vibration or impact experienced by the imaging device 10.

[0066] This application embodiment provides a flexible body on the opposite side of each sub-shell 17 and / or on the opposite side of each sub-shell 17, so as to use the elasticity of the flexible body to buffer the vibration and impact of the shooting device 10, and use the softness of the flexible body to improve the user's comfort in holding each sub-shell 17, which can better protect the shooting device 10 and also make the user hold each sub-shell 17 more comfortably.

[0067] In some embodiments, the flexible body is at least one of silicone, thermoplastic elastomer, and flocked material. The flexible body can be one of silicone, thermoplastic elastomer, and flocked material, or it can be a mixture of two or three of silicone, thermoplastic elastomer, and flocked material.

[0068] This application embodiment uses at least one of silicone body, thermoplastic elastomer, and flocked body as a flexible body to better buffer the vibration or impact of the shooting device 10, adapt to multiple scenarios, and can better protect the shooting device 10 in multiple scenarios, thus extending the service life of the shooting device 10.

[0069] It should be noted that the flexible body can be the door 4 in Figure 2 (Embodiment S3), can be disposed on the edge of the small diameter portion 13 in Figure 1 (Embodiment S4), or can be disposed on the edge of each sub-shell 17 on the opposite and / or opposite sides in Figures 6a and 6b (Embodiment S5). The flexible body here can refer to the flexible body in one of Embodiments S3, S4 and S5, or it can refer to two or three of the flexible bodies in Embodiments S3, S4 and S5.

[0070] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 7a-10, the protective shell 20 further includes a plurality of legs 5, each leg 5 being movably connected to the shell 1 and switchable between a concealed state and an unfolded state. In the concealed state (refer to Figure 7a), each leg 5 is retracted inside or outside the shell 1. Each leg 5 can be retracted inside the shell 1 (refer to Figure 9) or retracted outside the shell 1 (refer to Figures 7a-8a, 8b, and 10). In the unfolded state (refer to Figures 7b-10), each leg 5 is unfolded relative to the shell 1 and at least supports the shell 1. Specifically, each leg 5 being retracted relative to the shell 1 means that the extension length of each leg 5 does not exceed the outline of the shell 1 in the length direction of the leg 5; each leg 5 being unfolded relative to the shell 1 means that one end of each leg 5 is connected to the shell 1, and the other end extends outside the shell 1, spaced apart from the shell 1, with the length of the other end extending outside the shell 1 being approximately equal to the length of the leg 5. When each leg 5 is unfolded relative to the housing 1, each leg 5 supports the housing 1, or supports the shooting device 10 connected to the housing 1 by supporting the housing 1. The legs 5 can be placed on a surface such as the ground or a table, so that the user can free their hands. The movement of the legs 5 is independent of the movement of the shooting device 10 or the housing 1. That is, regardless of whether the shooting device 10 is in a retracted state or a used state relative to the housing 1, the legs 5 can switch between an unfolded state and a retracted state relative to the housing 1. In other words, the legs 5 can support the shooting device 10 in the retracted state or the shooting device 10 in the used state.

[0071] The housing 1 provided in this embodiment is provided with a support leg 5. The housing 1 can be supported by the support leg 5 in both states to support the shooting device 10 connected to the housing 1. The user does not need to hold the housing 1 continuously, which reduces the fatigue of the user holding the camera and makes it convenient to use.

[0072] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG7a, when the shooting device 10 is in the retracted state, the support leg 5 is located at the top of the shooting device 10, that is, the support leg 5 is close to the top of the shooting device 10. Specifically, the top of the shooting device 10 refers to the end of the shooting device 10 closest to the lens 101, which is also the upper end of the shooting device 10 in actual use. It can be understood that when the shooting device 10 is rotatably connected to the housing 1, the end of the shooting device 10 connected to the movable part 2 is the bottom end of the shooting device 10 (see FIG7b), and the free end of the shooting device 10 is the top end of the shooting device 10. In the retracted state, the top end of the shooting device 10 is suspended, and the support leg 5 close to the free end of the shooting device 10 switches to the unfolded state, so that the shooting device 10 is in a top-down posture, the center of gravity of the shooting device 10 is below the movable part 2, and no torsional torque is applied to the movable part 2. The shooting device 10 is reliably stored in the housing 1 in the retracted state, with good stability.

[0073] In some embodiments, the protective case 20 has at least one of the following functions: when the protective case 20 is in a stored state, it is configured to store the shooting device 10 (as shown in Figures 7a and 8a); when the protective case 20 is in use, it is configured as a handle to hold the shooting device 10 (as shown in Figures 7b and 8b-10); when the protective case 20 is in use and the legs 5 are extended, it is configured to support the shooting device 10 (as shown in Figures 7b and 8b-10).

[0074] The protective case 20 can be configured to store the shooting device 10 when in its folded state. In this case, each leg 5 can be unfolded or folded relative to the housing 1. Regardless of whether the legs 5 are in the unfolded or folded state, the protective case 20 can protect the shooting device 10 from the outside, making it easy to carry and protecting the shooting device 10. Alternatively, the protective case 20 can be configured as a handle for holding the shooting device 10 when in use. In this case, each leg 5 can be unfolded or folded relative to the housing 1. Regardless of whether the legs 5 are in the unfolded or folded state, the protective case 20 provides a position for the user to apply force, increasing the field of view of the shooting device 10, making it easier for the user to use the shooting device 10 for shooting tasks. When the legs 5 are unfolded relative to the housing 1, the protective case 20 can also be configured to support the shooting device 10 when in use. When the shooting device 10 is in use, each of its legs 5 can be switched to the extended state and placed against the surface of an object, keeping the shooting device 10 in a fixed position. This effectively reduces vibrations caused by hand-held shooting or environmental factors, allowing the shooting device 10 to capture images more stably and enabling photographers to focus and frame more accurately. For example, when shooting scenes requiring long exposures (such as night scenes), it can reduce the possibility of image blur; when shooting the same scene multiple times, it is easier to maintain the same composition.

[0075] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 7a-10, each leg 5 is rotatably or slidably connected to the housing 1. Each leg 5 is selectively connected to the housing 1 via either a rotatable or slidable connection; all legs 5 are rotatably connected to the housing 1, or all legs 5 are slidably connected to the housing 1. Specifically, in Figures 7a-8b and Figure 10, each leg 5 is rotatably connected to the housing 1; in Figure 9, each leg 5 is slidably connected to the housing 1. Since the connection methods between each leg 5 and the housing 1 are the same, each leg 5 has a similar connection structure, reducing the difficulty of connecting each leg 5 to the housing 1 and facilitating implementation. Each leg 5 can move selectively between rotation and sliding, and the user's operation of unfolding each leg 5 is the same, further simplifying the user's operation of switching each leg 5 to an unfolded or retracted state.

[0076] Specifically, in an embodiment where each leg 5 rotates relative to the housing 1, the rotation axis of at least a portion of the legs 5 is set in the height direction, or it can be set perpendicular to the height direction. For example, as shown in Figures 7a and 7b, the rotation axes of the first leg 5a and the second leg 5b are in the height direction, while the rotation axis of the third leg 5c is set perpendicular to the height direction; as shown in Figures 8a and 8b, the rotation axes of the first leg 5a, the second leg 5b, and the third leg 5c are all set perpendicular to the height direction. Regardless of the direction of the rotation axis of each leg 5, it is sufficient that each leg 5 is rotatably connected to the housing 1.

[0077] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG14, each leg 5 is rotatably connected to the housing 1, and at least a portion of each leg 5 is provided with a first connector 53. For example, the protective housing 20 is provided with N legs, which may all N legs 5 be provided with the first connector 53, or 1, 2, 3...(N-1) legs 5 may be provided with the first connector 53. The housing 1 is provided with a second connector 141, and at least one of the first connector 53 and the second connector 141 is a magnetic element, and is magnetically connected to the other of the first connector 53 and the second connector 141 in the hidden state. It can be understood that the number of second connectors 141 is the same as the number of first connectors 53, and when each leg 5 is switched to the hidden state, each first connector 53 is magnetically connected to one second connector 141. Specifically, the first connector 53 may be a magnetic component and the second connector 141 may be a ferromagnetic metal; the second connector 141 may be a magnetic component and the first connector 53 may be a ferromagnetic metal; or both the first connector 53 and the second connector 141 may be magnetic components.

[0078] Regardless of the specific number and position of the first connector 53 and the second connector 141, in the concealed state, both the first connector 53 and the second connector 141 can keep at least some of the legs in a concealed state. This allows at least some of the legs 5 to be stably stored inside or outside the housing 1 in the concealed state, reducing the possibility of accidental contact or vibration causing at least one leg 5 to switch to the unfolded state and injure the user. Furthermore, the magnetic attraction between the first connector 53 and the second connector 141 can create an attractive force that quickly brings the leg 5 with the first connector 53 close to the housing 1, allowing at least some of the legs 5 to be quickly retracted.

[0079] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG14, each leg 5 is provided with a first connector 53, and both the first connector 53 and the second connector 141 are magnetic. The magnetic attraction between the two magnetic components is large, so that in the hidden state, each leg 5 can be reliably confined inside or outside the housing 1, maintaining the positional stability of each leg 5 in the hidden state. At the same time, the storage efficiency of each leg 5 is further increased.

[0080] For ease of explanation, the example shown in Figure 14 illustrates that the protective shell 20 is provided with three legs 5, namely the first leg 5a, the second leg 5b, and the third leg 5c. The three legs 5 are rotatably connected to the fourth surface 14d of the shell 1, which is also the bottom surface of the shell 1 in actual application scenarios. The first leg 5a, the second leg 5b, and the third leg 5c are all provided with a first connector 53, and three second connectors 141 are correspondingly provided on the fourth surface 14d. When the first connector 53 gradually approaches the second connector 141 until a magnetic attraction force is generated between them, the magnetic attraction force causes the first connector 53 to quickly move closer to the second connector 141, thereby quickly completing the storage of each leg 5.

[0081] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG7a, in the concealed state, at least some of the legs 5 are arranged parallel and spaced apart. It is understood that due to manufacturing or assembly errors, there may be positional deviations after the legs 5 are connected to the housing 1; that is, parallelism does not require absolute parallelism. In the concealed state, at least some of the legs 5 need to be approximately parallel. That is, ignoring the volume of the legs 5, two legs 5 can be considered as two straight lines. The two straight lines can be spaced apart and do not intersect, or they can intersect but with a small acute angle, for example, greater than or equal to 1 degree and less than or equal to 3 degrees, making the two straight lines approximately parallel.

[0082] Specifically, in the hidden state, some of the legs 5 can be arranged parallel and spaced apart, or all of the legs 5 can be arranged parallel and spaced apart. For example, referring to Figure 7a, the housing 1 is provided with three legs 5, all of which are in a hidden state. Two of the three legs 5 can be arranged parallel and spaced apart, or all of the three legs 5 can be arranged parallel and spaced apart. However, regardless of which of the aforementioned embodiments is used, at least some of the legs 5 are parallel and spaced apart in the hidden state, with regular positions, and the appearance of the housing 1 is well coordinated when all the legs 5 are hidden.

[0083] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 7a-8b, the protective shell 20 includes a first leg 5a, a second leg 5b, and a third leg 5c. The first leg 5a and the second leg 5b are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the shell 1, and the third leg 5c is disposed between the first leg 5a and the second leg 5b, that is, the first leg 5a is located on one side of the third leg 5c, and the second leg 5b is located on the other side of the third leg 5c. In the unfolded state, the first leg 5a, the second leg 5b, and the third leg 5c all extend away from the receiving space 11. That is, in the unfolded state, one end of the first leg 5a, the second leg 5b, and the third leg 5c is connected to the shell 1, and the other end (free end) is away from the shell 1, and the three free ends are far apart from each other, so that the three legs 5 are arranged opposite each other.

[0084] Specifically, the three legs 5 can jointly support the housing 1 (see Figure 8b). The three legs 5 together form three support positions, which can be simply understood as a "tripod" in the unfolded state. The three legs 5 form a stable triangle, making the center of gravity of the housing 1 lower, reducing the possibility of the housing 1 tipping over, and making the captured image of the shooting device 10 more stable and clear. The free ends of the three legs 5 form three fulcrums, which can abut against the object surface with a small area, but can be used with object surfaces that have concavity or slope. That is, although the contact area between the three legs 5 and the object surface is small after unfolding, the stability of the triangle can still reliably support the housing 1. In some possible embodiments, the three legs 5 can also abut against the object surface together with the bottom surface of the housing 1 in the unfolded state (see Figures 7a and 7b). The range in which the protective shell 20 can abut against the object surface is expanded from the bottom surface of the housing 1 to the diameter of the circle formed by the free ends of the three legs 5 after unfolding. The unfolded three legs 5 increase the area of ​​the protective shell 20 that can contact the surface of the object, and the free end of the legs 5 is far from the shell 1, forming a long supporting arm, which can also support the shooting equipment 10 more stably.

[0085] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the protective shell 20 includes a fourth leg 5d and a fifth leg 5e disposed opposite to each other. In the unfolded state, the fourth leg 5d, the fifth leg 5e, and a portion of the shell 1 together form a support plane. The free ends of the fourth leg 5d and the fifth leg 5e in the unfolded state, as well as a portion of the shell 1, form three support positions, which can be simply understood as a "tripod" type support structure. The three support positions are connected to form a generally horizontal plane, which (the xy plane in Figures 9 and 10) is the aforementioned support plane. This embodiment uses only two legs 5 to form a "tripod" type support structure, with a smaller number of legs 5, facilitating assembly, and fewer structures connecting the legs 5 to the shell 1, resulting in a simpler structure and easier implementation.

[0086] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, for ease of explanation, the bottom surface of the housing 1 in the actual usage scenario is defined as the fourth surface 14d. Specifically, the fourth leg 5d and the fifth leg 5e are both connected to the fourth surface 14d. The fourth surface 14d can be in surface-to-surface contact with the object surface, in which case the fourth leg 5d, the fifth leg 5e, and the fourth surface 14d abut against the object surface; alternatively, the edge on the fourth surface 14d can be in line-to-surface contact with the object surface, in which case the free ends of the fourth leg 5d and the fifth leg 5e, as well as the edge on the fourth surface 14d, abut against the object surface. Regardless of the method used, at least a portion of the housing 1 and the unfolded fourth leg 5d and fifth leg 5e abut against the object surface, together forming a tripod support structure. This configuration maintains relatively stable support for the shooting device 10 while reducing the number of legs 5, resulting in a simpler structure.

[0087] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG9, the housing 1 has a first sliding groove 18a and a second sliding groove 18b. The first sliding groove 18a allows the fourth leg 5d to slide, and the second sliding groove 18b allows the fifth leg 5e to slide. In the hidden state, the fourth leg 5d is housed in the first sliding groove 18a, and the fifth leg 5e is housed in the second sliding groove 18b. That is, in the hidden state, both ends of the fourth leg 5d in the length direction are located in the first sliding groove 18a, and both ends of the fifth leg 5e in the length direction are located in the second sliding groove 18b. At this time, each leg 5 is housed inside the housing 1 in the hidden state.

[0088] The protective shell 20 provided in this embodiment has a groove for receiving each support leg 5, so that each support leg 5 is stored inside the shell 1 in a hidden state. That is, in the hidden state, the outline of each support leg 5 in the length direction cannot be observed with the naked eye on the outside of the shell 1, so that the protective shell 20 has a cleaner appearance, the shell 1 has better appearance coordination, and the aesthetics are higher.

[0089] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG9, the protective shell 20 further includes a first damping member 6a and a second damping member 6b. The first damping member 6a is disposed in the first slide groove 18a and connected to one end of the fourth leg 5d; the second damping member 6b is disposed in the second slide groove 18b and connected to one end of the fifth leg 5e. That is, one end of the fourth leg 5d is connected to the first slide groove 18a through the first damping member 6a, and one end of the fifth leg 5e is connected to the second slide groove 18b through the second damping member 6b. In the height direction of the shell 1 (the z-direction shown in FIG9), the fourth leg 5d can extend relative to the first slide groove 18a, and the support angle between it and the shell 1 can be adjusted by the first damping member 6a; the fifth leg 5e can extend relative to the second slide groove 18b, and the support angle between it and the shell 1 can be adjusted by the second damping member 6b. That is, the first slide groove 18a and the second slide groove 18b can be set in the height direction of the housing 1. It should be noted that the two dashed frames in Figure 9 roughly represent the positions of the first slide groove 18a and the second slide groove 18b, respectively, and do not refer to the structure of the first slide groove 18a and the second slide groove 18b.

[0090] Specifically, after the fourth leg 5d extends out of the first groove 18a along the height direction, the free end of the fourth leg 5d can move away from the housing 1 in the xy plane, so that the length direction of the fourth leg 5d is inclined relative to the height direction, and it is suspended by the damping force of the first damping member 6a; correspondingly, after the fifth leg 5e extends out of the second groove 18b along the height direction, the free end of the fifth leg 5e can move away from the housing 1 in the xy direction, so that the length direction of the fifth leg 5e is inclined relative to the height direction, and it is suspended by the damping force of the second damping member 6b. It can be understood that at this time, the edge on the fourth surface 14d, the free end of the fourth leg 5d, and the free end of the fifth leg 5e abut against the surface of the object.

[0091] The protective shell 20 provided in this embodiment allows the fourth leg 5d and the fifth leg 5e to extend in the height direction. By adjusting the support angle between the fourth leg 5d and the shell 1 in the height direction, and the support angle between the fifth leg 5e and the shell 1 in the height direction, the apex of the tripod is lowered, thereby lowering the center of gravity of the tripod and making it more stable against the surface of the object. This reduces the possibility of the protective shell 20 tipping over, and allows each leg 5 to reliably support the shooting device 10.

[0092] In some possible implementations, as shown in FIG9, along the direction perpendicular to the height of the housing 1 (on the xy plane shown in FIG9), the fourth leg 5d can extend relative to the first slide groove 18a, and the fifth leg 5e can extend relative to the second slide groove 18b, that is, the first slide groove 18a and the second slide groove 18b can also be arranged on a horizontal plane. Furthermore, on the support plane (the xy plane shown in FIG9), the fourth leg 5d can rotate away from the fifth leg 5e via the first damping member 6a, and the fifth leg 5e can rotate away from the fourth leg 5d via the second damping member 6b.

[0093] Specifically, after the fourth leg 5d extends horizontally out of the first slide groove 18a and the fifth leg 5e extends horizontally out of the second slide groove 18b, the free end of the fourth leg 5d can rotate in the xy plane away from the fifth leg 5e and be suspended by the damping force provided by the first damping member 6a; the free end of the fifth leg 5e can rotate in the xy plane away from the fourth leg 5d and be suspended by the damping force provided by the second damping member 6b. That is, the angle between the fourth leg 5d and the fifth leg 5e can be increased in the xy plane. It can be understood that in this embodiment, the contours of the fourth leg 5d in the length direction, the contours of the fifth leg 5e in the length direction, and the fourth surface 14d are in surface contact with the object surface.

[0094] The protective shell 20 provided in this embodiment allows the fourth leg 5d and the fifth leg 5e to extend perpendicularly to the height direction. The fourth leg 5d and the fifth leg 5e form an angle in the xy plane. By adjusting the angle between the fourth leg 5d and the fifth leg 5e, the three support positions in the "tripod" can be adjusted so that the support arms formed by the three support positions can be evenly distributed in the xy plane, increasing the support stability, reducing the possibility of the protective shell 20 tipping over, and enabling the protective shell 20 to reliably fix the position of the shooting device 10.

[0095] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG10, a first storage groove 19a and a second storage groove 19b are formed on two opposite outer sides of the housing 1. That is, the first storage groove 19a and the second storage groove 19b are opposite to each other and spaced apart, and are both located on the outer side of the housing 1. It can be understood that the outer diameter of the housing 1 at the location where the first storage groove 19a and the second storage groove 19b are formed is smaller than the outer diameter of the housing 1 at other locations. The fourth leg 5d and the fifth leg 5e are hinged to the housing 1. In the hidden state, the fourth leg 5d is stored in the first storage groove 19a, and the fifth leg 5e is stored in the second storage groove 19b. In the hidden state, the volume of the fourth leg 5d can at least fill part of the space in the first storage groove 19a, and the volume of the fifth leg 5e can at least fill part of the space in the second storage groove 19b, so that the fourth leg 5d and the fifth leg 5e in the hidden state are approximately flush with the housing 1 at other locations, and are integrated into a whole.

[0096] The protective shell 20 provided in this application embodiment has a first storage groove 19a on the outside of the shell 1 to store the fourth leg 5d and a second storage groove 19b to store the fifth leg 5e. This allows the fourth leg 5d and the fifth leg 5e to be stored on the outside of the shell 1 in a hidden state, which can provide more intuitive physical feedback to the user. The structure is more intuitive and convenient for the user to apply force, so that the user can operate the fourth leg 5d and the fifth leg 5e to unfold or retract relative to the shell 1.

[0097] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 12a-13b, the protective shell 20 further includes an unlocking mechanism 7. The unlocking mechanism 7 is connected to the legs 5 and drives at least one leg 5 to unfold relative to the shell 1. The unlocking mechanism 7 can be connected to each leg 5, and driving the unlocking mechanism 7 will cause each leg 5 to unfold relative to the shell 1. That is, all legs 5 can be unlocked with a single operation, allowing each leg 5 to unfold automatically relative to the shell 1, simplifying the user's operation of manually unfolding each leg 5 one by one, and making it more convenient for the user. The unlocking mechanism 7 can also be connected to some of the legs 5. For example, if the protective shell 20 includes N legs 5, the unlocking mechanism 7 can be connected to 1, 2, 3...(N-1) legs 5 to drive at least one leg 5 to unfold relative to the shell 1. However, regardless of how the unlocking mechanism 7 is set, the unlocking mechanism 7 can always drive at least one leg 5 to unfold automatically relative to the shell 1, thus reducing the user's operation of unfolding at least one leg 5. In addition, it can be understood that the positions of each support leg 5 are adjacent and roughly concentrated in one place of the housing 1. Even if only one support leg 5 can be driven to unfold relative to the housing 1 through the unlocking mechanism 7, the unfolded support leg 5 can provide position feedback to the user more intuitively so that it can be observed by the user's naked eye. Through the position of the automatically unfolded support leg 5, the user can quickly determine the position of the other support legs 5, which also makes it easier for the user to unfold each support leg 5.

[0098] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 11a-12b, the protective shell 20 further includes at least one limiting structure 8. In the concealed state, each leg 5 is limited and connected to the other through the limiting structure 8, and is housed inside or outside the shell 1 (refer to Figures 11a and 12a). That is, the limiting structure 8 can limit the position of each leg 5, so that each leg 5 is limited inside or outside the shell 1. It can be understood that in the concealed state, both ends of each leg 5 in the length direction are set within the contour range of the shell 1, forming a state in which each leg 5 is roughly combined with the contour of the shell 1 to form an integral whole. That is, in the concealed state, each leg 5 is constrained and its relative position is limited by the limiting structure 8. Specifically, one limiting structure 8 can connect each leg 5 in the concealed state, or multiple limiting structures 8 can connect each leg 5 in the concealed state. In general, in the concealed state, each leg 5 is limited in relative position and connected to each other through the limiting structure 8. When the limiting structure 8 releases the restriction on the support leg 5, the unlocking mechanism 7 drives at least one support leg 5 to unfold relative to the housing 1. It can be understood that even if the unlocking mechanism 7 only drives one support leg 5 to unfold automatically relative to the housing 1, the remaining support legs 5 connected to the automatically unfolded support leg 5 through the limiting structure 8 can also be subjected to the unfolding traction force, making it feasible for each support leg 5 to unfold automatically relative to the housing 1.

[0099] In this embodiment, by setting a limiting structure 8, each leg 5 is limited to the housing 1 in the hidden state, and each leg 5 maintains high positional stability and is reliably fixed to the outside or inside of the housing 1. This reduces the possibility of each leg 5 unfolding relative to the housing 1 due to accidental contact, thereby reducing the possibility of each leg 5 accidentally touching the user when unfolded, and improving the user's comfort and safety.

[0100] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 11a and 11b, the unlocking mechanism 7 includes an elastic element 71, which is disposed between at least some of the legs 5 and the housing 1. That is, the elastic element 71 can be disposed between all the legs 5 and the housing 1, or only between some of the legs 5 and the housing 1; in other words, the number of elastic elements 71 can be one or more. Regardless of the number and position of the elastic elements 71, in the concealed state, when the legs 5 are connected by the limiting structure 8, the movement of the elastic element 71 is restricted. When the limiting structure 8 releases the restriction on the legs 5, the elastic element 71 can drive the corresponding legs 5 to unfold relative to the housing 1, and in the unfolded state, it limits the corresponding legs 5. That is, the elastic force of the elastic element 71 can drive at least one leg 5 to unfold relative to the housing 1, and at least one leg 5 is limited in the unfolded state, reducing the possibility of the protective housing 20 tipping over due to the movement of the legs 5 in the unfolded state.

[0101] The protective shell 20 provided in this application embodiment automatically drives at least one leg 5 to unfold relative to the shell 1 through the elastic force of the elastic member 71, thereby reducing the need for the user to manually unfold one leg 5. Furthermore, the elastic member 71 responds more quickly after being triggered, allowing the leg 5 connected to the elastic member 71 to unfold relatively quickly. In the unfolded state, at least a portion of the leg 5 connected to the elastic member 71 is kept stationary due to motion limitation, ensuring that the leg 5 connected to the elastic member 71 rests reliably against the object surface, facilitating more stable shooting by the user.

[0102] To facilitate understanding of the operating principle of the elastic element 71 and the limiting structure 8, the embodiments shown in Figures 11a and 11b are used for explanation. Specifically, the housing 1 is hinged with three legs 5, namely the first leg 5a, the second leg 5b, and the third leg 5c. The third leg 5c is located between the first leg 5a and the second leg 5b. An elastic element 71 is provided between the first leg 5a and the housing 1, and an elastic element 71 is also provided between the second leg 5b and the housing 1. A limiting structure 8 is provided on the third leg 5c. This limiting structure 8 is configured as two latches. One latch engages with the first leg 5a in the hidden state, and the other latch engages with the second leg 5b in the hidden state. During the rotation of the third leg 5c, the latches connected to the third leg 5c gradually disengage from the first leg 5a and the second leg 5b, thereby releasing the movement restriction on the first leg 5a and the second leg 5b. The first leg 5a and the second leg 5b unfold relative to the housing 1 under the drive of the elastic element 71. It should be noted that the buckle can be fixedly connected to the third leg 5c. In this case, the user can manually rotate the third leg 5c, and the elastic element 71 will cause the first leg 5a and the second leg 5b to unfold relative to the housing 1, so that all legs are unfolded relative to the housing 1. Of course, the buckle can also be retractably connected to the third leg 5c. In this case, a button can be provided to control the extension and retraction of the buckle. The user only needs to press the button to retract the buckle, so that the first leg 5a and the second leg 5b unfold relative to the housing 1 under the action of the elastic element 71. It can be understood that in this embodiment, the third leg 5c can be unfolded or kept in a retracted state. When the third leg 5c is kept in a retracted state, the unfolded first leg 5a and the second leg 5b can form a "tripod" together with the fourth surface 14d of the housing 1 or the edge provided on the fourth surface 14d. It should be noted that the structures shown in Figures 11a and 11b are only illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the structure of the protective shell 20 provided in this application.

[0103] In some possible implementations, all legs 5 can be equipped with elastic elements 71, and the limiting structure 8 can be automatically extended and retracted via a button. When the limiting structure 8 retracts, the movement restriction on each leg 5 is released, and each leg 5 unfolds synchronously relative to the housing 1 under the drive of the elastic elements 71. Each leg 5 automatically switches from the retracted state to the unfolded state, eliminating the need for the user to manually unfold each leg 5 one by one. This simplifies the user's operation of using each leg 5 as a "tripod" and makes it more convenient for the user. Compared to manually unfolding each leg 5 one by one, the automatic one-button unfolding of each leg 5 is more efficient, allowing users to carry out shooting tasks more efficiently.

[0104] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 12a and 12b, the unlocking mechanism 7 includes at least one linkage structure 72, through which the legs 5 are connected. It is understood that there may be only one linkage structure 72 or multiple linkage structures 72. Regardless of the number of linkage structures 72, all legs 5 can be connected via the linkage structures 72. Therefore, when one leg 5 moves relative to the housing 1, the moving leg 5 can pull the other legs 5 to move via the linkage structures 72. When the limiting structure 8 releases the restriction on the legs 5, each leg 5 unfolds synchronously relative to the housing 1 via the linkage structures 72, and each leg 5 moves synchronously from a hidden state to an unfolded state. The linkage structure 72 limits each leg 5 in the unfolded state, ensuring that each leg 5 is unfolded relative to the housing 1 and remains stationary.

[0105] The protective shell 20 provided in this embodiment connects all the legs 5 via a linkage structure 72, enabling the legs 5 to move in unison. Users can unfold all legs 5 at once, or retract them all inside or outside the shell 1. Users do not need to operate each leg 5 individually, making the switching between unfolded and retracted states of each leg highly efficient and facilitating quick use or storage. Furthermore, after unfolding, each leg 5 can remain relatively stable in its position via the linkage structure 72, providing high stability for stable shooting.

[0106] For ease of explanation, the implementation structure of "unlocking mechanism 7 including elastic element 71" is defined as implementation structure S6, and the implementation structure of "unlocking mechanism 7 including linkage mechanism" is defined as implementation structure S7. It should be noted that implementation structure S6 and implementation structure S7 can be selected as needed, or both can be implemented simultaneously. That is, in one embodiment, elastic element 71 and linkage structure 72 can be provided simultaneously, or only elastic element 71 or linkage structure 72 can be provided. For example, as shown in Figures 11a-12b, in some possible implementations, the limiting structure 8 can be automatically extended and retracted by a button. All legs 5 are connected by linkage structure 72, and at least one leg 5 is provided with an elastic element 71 between it and the housing 1. When the limiting structure 8 retracts, the movement restriction on each leg 5 is released. At least one leg 5 unfolds relative to the housing 1 under the drive of the elastic element 71. Each leg 5 is linked by the linkage structure 72 and unfolds relative to the housing 1. This can be simply understood as the unlocking mechanism 7 "unlocking" each leg 5 with one button.

[0107] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 13a and 13b, the protective shell 20 further includes a self-locking member 9. One end of the self-locking member 9 is connected to the shell 1, and the other end of the self-locking member 9 is connected to a support leg 5. Each support leg 5 is connected to a self-locking member 9. That is, one support leg 5 is connected to one self-locking member 9, and the number of support legs 5 is the same as the number of self-locking members 9. The support leg 5 is rotatably connected to the shell 1. A cam structure 51 is provided at the end of the support leg 5 that is hinged to the shell 1. It can be understood that the shape of the cam is different from a standard circle, that is, there is a diameter difference between the diameters of the cam at different points. Therefore, the cam structure 51 has a point with the largest diameter. The point with the largest diameter is connected to the hinge point of the support leg 5 and the shell 1. The side of this line is called "one side of the cam structure 51", and the side of the line is called "the other side of the cam structure 51". In the hidden state, the self-locking member 9 is limitedly connected to one side of the cam structure 51; in the unfolded state, the self-locking member 9 is limitedly connected to the other side of the cam structure 51. When the self-locking element 9 is in a limiting connection with the cam structure 51, the self-locking element 9 and the cam structure 51 are mutually constrained and maintain a constant relative position.

[0108] The protective shell 20 provided in this application embodiment utilizes the self-locking component 9 and the cam structure 51 to ensure that each support leg 5 remains in a fixed position whether in the hidden state or the unfolded state. This reduces the possibility that the support leg 5 may accidentally touch the user when unfolded in the hidden state, and also reduces the possibility that the protective shell 20 may tip over when the support leg 5 moves in the unfolded state. This results in high reliability and reduces the possibility that the shooting device 10 may be accidentally damaged due to tipping.

[0109] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 13a and 13b, the self-locking member 9 is an elastic body, abutting between the cam structure 51 and the housing 1. When an external force drives the cam structure 51 to rotate, the self-locking member 9 can compress to prevent the cam structure 51 from rotating. After the cam structure 51 stops rotating, the self-locking member 9 automatically recovers its deformation and re-aggregates with the cam structure 51 to limit its movement. The self-locking member 9 provided in this embodiment can automatically compress or extend, thereby automatically preventing the movement of the cam structure 51. The user does not need to directly drive the self-locking member 9 throughout the entire process, simplifying the user's additional adjustment of the self-locking member 9's position. The structure of the self-locking member 9 is relatively simple and easy to install.

[0110] Of course, in some possible implementations, the self-locking member 9 may also move relative to the housing 1 and relative to the cam structure 51, so that the self-locking member 9 can avoid or limit the movement of the cam structure 51.

[0111] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 13a and 13b, a self-locking groove 52 is provided on the support leg 5. The self-locking groove 52 is located on one side and / or the other side of the cam structure 51. That is, the cam structure 51 may have a self-locking groove 52 on only one side or on both sides. When the self-locking groove 52 is located on one side of the cam structure 51, in the hidden state, the self-locking member 9 is limited within the self-locking groove 52; when the self-locking groove 52 is located on the other side of the cam structure 51, in the unfolded state, the self-locking member 9 is limited within the self-locking groove 52. The space within the self-locking groove 52 can at least accommodate part of the self-locking member 9. The groove wall of the self-locking groove 52 can block the self-locking member 9. When the external force is small (such as vibration) and insufficient to overcome the blocking force of the groove wall of the self-locking groove 52 on the self-locking member 9, the self-locking member 9 is limited within the self-locking groove 52, so that the position of the support leg 5 remains fixed, reducing the possibility of the protective shell 20 tipping over due to the movement of the support leg 5.

[0112] Secondly, as shown in Figures 1-13b, embodiments of this application provide a shooting system, which includes a shooting device 10 and a protective casing 20. It is understood that the protective casing 20 in the shooting system described in the second aspect has the same or similar features as the protective casing 20 described in the first aspect, and these similarities can be referenced or cited interchangeably, and will not be elaborated further in the description of the second aspect.

[0113] As shown in Figures 1-3, the protective shell 20 is provided with a movable part 2, a limiting part 3, and a shell 1. The shell 1 has an internal accommodating space 11, which is configured to accommodate the imaging device 10. The imaging device 10 is movably connected to the shell 1 via the movable part 2. When the imaging device 10 is connected to the shell 1, it has a retracted state and a used state with different included angles relative to the shell 1. The limiting part 3 is provided on the shell 1 and configured to restrict the movement of the imaging device 10 relative to the shell 1 when it is in the retracted state or the used state.

[0114] In the shooting system provided in this application embodiment, the shooting device 10 maintains a fixed position in the retracted state and is stably housed within the receiving space 11, reducing the possibility of the shooting device 10 being scratched or bumped due to at least part of it protruding outside the housing 1. In the use state, the shooting device 10 maintains a fixed position, allowing at least part of its lens 101 to stably protrude outside the housing 1, thus reliably capturing images. The relative position between the shooting device 10 and the protective housing 20 maintains high stability in both the retracted and use states, thereby improving the service life and reliability of the shooting device 10 and enhancing the user experience.

[0115] Thirdly, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, this application embodiment provides an automatic switching method for a shooting system, which is applied to the shooting system described in the second aspect. This automatic switching method includes configuring a control unit to detect whether the shooting device 10 is in a storage state or a usage state. If the shooting device 10 is in a storage state, the control unit controls the shooting device 10 to shut down or enter sleep mode; if the shooting device 10 is in a usage state, the control unit controls the shooting device 10 to turn on. Specifically, when the shooting device 10 switches from a usage state to a storage state, i.e., when the shooting device 10 is stored inside the housing 1, the control unit controls the shooting device 10 to automatically shut down or enter sleep mode. Automatic shutdown of the shooting device 10 reduces the possibility of the user forgetting to turn it off, thus saving power and extending its usage time, thereby reducing the charging frequency. Sleep mode allows the shooting device 10 to be used in standby mode, also saving power. Furthermore, when used again, there is no need to readjust shooting parameters; the shooting task can be performed directly, and the user does not need to wait for the shooting device 10 to turn on, improving the shooting efficiency of the shooting system. When the shooting device 10 switches from the storage state to the use state, that is, when at least part of the lens 101 of the shooting device 10 extends out of the housing 1, so that the field of view of the lens 101 is exposed outside the housing 1, the control unit controls the shooting device 10 to automatically turn on without waiting for the user to turn it on. This allows the user to use the shooting device 10 to carry out shooting tasks more efficiently, and reduces the possibility of the shooting device 10 being turned on in the storage state by accidental touch. It also helps to reduce the power consumption of the shooting device 10.

[0116] The automatic switching method provided in this application embodiment can automatically control the shooting device 10 to turn on or off (or into sleep mode) according to the state of the shooting device 10. It has a high degree of intelligence and does not require manual control of the shooting device 10 to turn on or off (or into sleep mode), which reduces the difficulty of operation for users and makes it convenient for users to use the shooting system to carry out shooting tasks. Users can operate the shooting system with one hand.

[0117] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the automatic switching method further includes: if the imaging device 10 feeds back a first resistance value to the control unit, the control unit determines that the imaging device 10 is in a retracted state; if the imaging device 10 feeds back a second resistance value to the control unit, the control unit determines that the imaging device 10 is in a used state. Based on the values ​​of the first and second resistance values, it is possible to more intuitively determine whether the imaging device 10 is in a retracted state or a used state. Specifically, the control unit can determine whether the outline of the imaging device 10 is completely inside the housing 1 based on whether the resistance value is the first resistance value, reducing the possibility of the imaging device 10 accidentally shutting down (or going into sleep mode) while still performing a shooting task, and improving the control accuracy of the control unit.

[0118] Specifically, the absolute value of the difference between the first resistance value and the second resistance value is greater than 0, and both the first and second resistance values ​​are greater than 0. In other words, the first and second resistance values ​​are two different values, and neither is zero. The difference between the first and second resistance values ​​reduces the possibility of misjudgment by the control unit, allowing it to more accurately control the shooting device 10 to power on or off (or go into sleep mode) based on its current state. Furthermore, the fact that neither the first nor the second resistance value is zero means that if the shooting device experiences a short circuit, overheating, random malfunction, or battery damage resulting in a resistance value of 0, the control unit will not trigger and will not execute the power-on or power-off command, thus reducing the possibility of further circuit damage and maximizing the protection of the circuitry within the shooting device.

[0119] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the automatic switching method further includes: if the imaging device 10 feeds back a first magnetic field strength to the control unit, the control unit determines that the imaging device 10 is in a retracted state; if the imaging device 10 feeds back a second magnetic field strength to the control unit, the control unit determines that the imaging device 10 is in a usable state. The second magnetic field strength is equal to 0 or less than the first magnetic field strength. The first and second magnetic field strengths are fed back to the control unit as electrical signals, enabling the control unit to more intuitively determine whether the imaging device 10 is fully inside the receiving space 11 within the housing 1, improving the control accuracy of the control unit, increasing its intelligence, and reducing the possibility of the imaging device 10 accidentally shutting down (or going into sleep mode) during shooting.

[0120] Specifically, a Hall sensor can be installed on the shooting device 10, and a magnet can be installed on the protective housing 20. When the shooting device 10 is in a retracted state and stored inside the housing 1, the Hall sensor on the shooting device 10 approaches the magnet. The Hall sensor can detect the first magnetic field strength, thereby generating a signal and feeding it back to the control unit of the shooting device 10, causing the shooting device 10 to automatically shut down (or automatically go into sleep mode). When the Hall sensor detects a second magnetic field strength with a smaller value, or when the Hall sensor cannot detect a magnetic field strength, the Hall sensor generates another signal and feeds it back to the control unit, causing the shooting device 10 to automatically turn on. It can be understood that the second magnetic field strength can be 0, or it can be a positive number less than the first magnetic field strength, but regardless of which of the aforementioned embodiments the second magnetic field strength is set to, the second magnetic field strength represents a constant value. In the embodiment where the second magnetic field strength is 0, when the shooting device 10 switches from the retracted state to the usage state, the Hall sensor on the shooting device 10 gradually moves away from the magnet on the protective housing 20 until the shooting device 10 moves to a point where the Hall sensor cannot detect a magnetic field strength or detects a second magnetic field strength with a smaller intensity. At this point, the Hall sensor feeds a signal back to the control unit, causing the shooting device 10 to automatically turn on.

[0121] In some possible implementations, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a preset time can be input to the control unit. When the shooting device 10 is in the retracted state, the control unit can determine whether to power off (or put into sleep mode) the shooting device 10 based on the time it has been in the retracted state. If the time the shooting device 10 has been in the retracted state is less than the preset time, the control unit does not need to power off (or put into sleep mode) the shooting device 10. For example, if a user wants to perform two shooting tasks with the shooting device 10, and to reduce the possibility of damage to the shooting device 10, the user can retract the shooting device 10 into the housing 1 after the first shooting task, and then perform the second shooting task after adjusting the shooting scene or props. In this case, as long as the shooting device 10 has been in the housing 1 for less than the preset time, there is no need to power off (or put into sleep mode) the shooting device 10. When performing the second shooting task, the user does not need to readjust the shooting parameters of the shooting device 10; the user can simply extend the shooting device 10 out of the housing 1 to begin the second shooting. This method is more intelligent, adaptable to the user's personalized needs, and convenient for the user.

[0122] In some possible implementations, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, when the shooting device 10 is in use and powered on, the control unit can also send a parameter adjustment window to the screen of the shooting device 10 and determine whether to shoot according to preset shooting parameters based on the user's selection. Specifically, the user can adjust and preset the shooting parameters of the shooting device 10 as needed. For example, the user can preset the shooting filter of the shooting device 10, bring up the shooting reference line of the shooting device 10, preset the shooting device 10 to switch to night vision mode, etc. When the shooting device 10 is in use, the control unit sends a command, and the screen of the shooting device 10 sends a parameter adjustment window to the user. The parameter adjustment window displays "Shoot according to preset parameters?" If the user selects "Yes", the shooting device 10 automatically shoots according to the preset shooting parameters; if the user selects "No", the shooting device 10 switches to the shooting parameter interface, allowing the user to readjust the shooting parameters before shooting. This setting makes the shooting system more intelligent, provides more functions for the user to choose from, can adapt to the user's personalized needs, has higher flexibility in use, and provides a better user experience.

[0123] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

A protective shell, comprising: The housing has an internal space configured to accommodate the imaging device. The shooting device is movably connected to the housing via the movable part; when the shooting device is connected to the housing, the shooting device has a storage state and a use state with different included angles relative to the housing, the storage state is the state in which the shooting device is stored inside the housing, and the use state is the state in which at least part of the lens of the shooting device extends out of the housing; A limiting part is disposed on the housing, and the limiting part is configured to restrict the movement of the shooting device relative to the housing when it is in the storage state or the use state. According to claim 1, the protective shell, wherein, The activity department includes: The connecting block is rotatably or slidably connected to the housing, and the shooting device is detachably connected to the connecting block. According to claim 2, the protective shell, wherein, The limiting part is movably connected to the housing to switch between a first position and a second position; When the limiting part is in the first position, it is connected to the connecting block and blocks the movement of the connecting block; when the limiting part is in the second position, it is separated from the connecting block to release the restriction on the movement of the connecting block. According to claim 3, the protective shell, wherein, The limiting part protrudes and is provided with a snap-fit ​​part, and the limiting part is slidably connected to the housing to switch between the first position and the second position; the movable part also includes a rotating shaft connected to the connecting block, and the rotating shaft is hinged to the housing; When the limiting part is in the first position, the locking part abuts against the rotating shaft; when the limiting part is in the second position, the locking part separates from the rotating shaft. According to claim 1, the protective shell, wherein, The protective shell also includes: The door is movably connected to the housing, and the door forms an openable opening to open or close the receiving space, the opening through which the shooting equipment passes. According to claim 5, the protective shell, wherein, The door body is configured as a flexible body. According to claim 1, the protective shell, wherein, The housing includes a large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion in the height direction, the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion together form the receiving space, and in the height direction perpendicular to the housing, the cross-sectional dimension of the small-diameter portion is smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of the large-diameter portion. According to claim 7, the protective shell, wherein, When the shooting device is in the retracted state, the lens of the shooting device is housed in the large-diameter portion. According to claim 7, the protective shell, wherein, When the shooting device is in the usage state, the small diameter portion is configured for the user to hold, and the end of the large diameter portion connected to the small diameter portion in the height direction of the housing is configured to block or abut against the user's hand. According to claim 7, the protective shell, wherein, The large-diameter section consists of two roughly hemispherical hemispheres, with the openings of the two hemispheres facing each other in the direction perpendicular to the height of the shell. According to claim 7, the protective shell, wherein, The edges of the small diameter section are provided with flexible bodies. According to claim 1, the protective shell, wherein, The movable part is rotatably connected to the housing, and the housing has a first surface in the height direction, and a second surface and a third surface that are both connected to the first surface and are disposed opposite to each other; The shooting device exposes or retracts into the receiving space through a first opening on the first surface and a second opening on the second surface; Alternatively, the imaging device may expose or retract the receiving space via a first opening on the first surface, a second opening on the second surface, and a third opening on the third surface. According to claim 1, the protective shell, wherein, The movable part is slidably connected to the housing, and the housing has a first opening for the shooting device to pass through, the first opening being located at one end of the housing in the height direction. According to claim 1, the protective shell, wherein, The housing includes: Multiple sub-shells are connected to the movable part; each of the sub-shells is connected to or separated from the other to house or expose the imaging device; In the state where the sub-shells are separated from each other, one end of each sub-shell is connected to the movable part, and the other ends are spaced apart and inclined in a direction away from each other to support the shooting device, and the shooting device is in the use state; in the state where the sub-shells are connected facing each other, the sub-shells form the receiving space, and the shooting device is in the storage state; in the state where the sub-shells are connected back to back, the sub-shells form a handle for holding the shooting device, and the shooting device is in the use state. The protective shell according to claim 14, wherein, The edges of each of the subshells on opposite sides are provided with flexible bodies, and / or the edges of each of the subshells on opposite sides are provided with flexible bodies. The protective shell according to any one of claims 6, 11, and 15, wherein, The flexible body is at least one of silicone, thermoplastic elastomer, and flocked body. The protective shell according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein, The protective shell also includes: Multiple legs are movably connected to the housing and can switch between a hidden state and an unfolded state; in the hidden state, the legs are stored inside or outside the housing; in the unfolded state, the legs are unfolded relative to the housing and at least support the housing. The protective shell according to claim 17, wherein, When the shooting device is in the retracted state, the support leg is located on top of the shooting device. The protective shell according to claim 17, wherein, When the protective case is in the stored state, the protective case is configured to store the shooting device; And / or, when the protective case is in the use state, the protective case is configured as a grip to hold the shooting device; And / or, when the protective case is in the use state and the legs are deployed, the protective case is configured to support the shooting device. The protective shell according to claim 17, wherein, Each of the aforementioned legs is rotatably or slidably connected to the housing. The protective shell according to claim 17, wherein, Each of the aforementioned legs is rotatably connected to the housing, and at least a portion of each of the aforementioned legs is provided with a first connecting member, while the housing is provided with a second connecting member; In this embodiment, at least one of the first connector and the second connector is configured as a magnetic component, and is magnetically connected to the other of the first connector and the second connector in the hidden state. According to claim 21, the protective shell, wherein, Each of the aforementioned legs is provided with the first connector, and both the first connector and the second connector are magnetic components. The protective shell according to claim 17, wherein, In the hidden state, at least some of the legs are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart. The protective shell according to claim 17, wherein, The protective shell includes a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg. The first leg and the second leg are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the shell, and the third leg is disposed between the first leg and the second leg. In the unfolded state, the first leg, the second leg, and the third leg all extend away from the receiving space. The protective shell according to claim 17, wherein, The protective shell includes a fourth leg and a fifth leg arranged opposite to each other. In the unfolded state, the fourth leg, the fifth leg, and a portion of the shell together form a supporting plane. The protective shell according to claim 25, wherein, The housing has the following openings: The first groove allows the fourth leg to slide. The second groove allows the fifth support leg to slide. In the hidden state, the fourth leg is housed in the first groove, and the fifth leg is housed in the second groove. According to claim 26, the protective shell, wherein, The protective shell also includes: The first damping element is disposed in the first groove and connected to one end of the fourth leg; The second damping element is disposed in the second slide groove and connected to one end of the fifth support leg; In the height direction of the housing, the fourth leg can extend relative to the first slide groove and the support angle between it and the housing can be adjusted by the first damping element; the fifth leg can extend relative to the second slide groove and the support angle between it and the housing can be adjusted by the second damping element. Alternatively, in a direction perpendicular to the height of the housing, the fourth leg may extend relative to the first groove, and the fifth leg may extend relative to the second groove; and on the supporting plane, the fourth leg may rotate away from the fifth leg via the first damping member, and the fifth leg may rotate away from the fourth leg via the second damping member. The protective shell according to claim 25, wherein, The housing has a first storage groove and a second storage groove formed on its two opposite outer sides. The fourth leg and the fifth leg are hinged to the housing. In the hidden state, the fourth leg is stored in the first storage groove and the fifth leg is stored in the second storage groove. The protective shell according to claim 17, wherein, The protective shell also includes: An unlocking mechanism is provided to connect the legs and drive at least one of the legs to unfold relative to the housing. According to claim 29, the protective shell, wherein, The protective shell also includes at least one limiting structure. In the hidden state, each of the legs is limited and connected by the limiting structure and housed inside or outside the shell. When the limiting structure releases the limitation on the legs, the unlocking mechanism drives at least one of the legs to unfold relative to the shell. According to claim 30, the protective shell, wherein, The unlocking mechanism includes: An elastic element is provided between at least a portion of the legs and the housing. When the limiting structure releases the limiting structure from the legs, the elastic element drives the corresponding legs to unfold relative to the housing, and limits the corresponding legs in the unfolded state; and / or, The linkage structure includes at least one component, wherein each of the legs is connected by the linkage structure, and when the limiting structure releases the limiting of the legs, each of the legs unfolds synchronously relative to the housing through the linkage structure, and the linkage structure limits each of the legs in the unfolded state. The protective shell according to claim 17, wherein, The protective shell also includes: A self-locking component is connected at one end to the housing and at the other end to the support leg, and each support leg is connected to one of the self-locking components; The support leg is rotatably connected to the housing, and a cam structure is provided at one end of the support leg connected to the housing. In the hidden state, the self-locking member is limited and connected to one side of the cam structure; in the unfolded state, the self-locking member is limited and connected to the other side of the cam structure. The protective shell according to claim 32, wherein, The self-locking element is an elastic body, and it abuts against the cam structure and the housing. According to claim 33, the protective shell, wherein, The support leg is provided with a self-locking groove, which is located on one side of the cam structure. In the hidden state, the self-locking component is limited to the self-locking groove. And / or, the self-locking groove is located on the other side of the cam structure, and in the deployed state, the self-locking element is confined within the self-locking groove. A shooting system, comprising: Filming equipment; The protective shell includes a housing, a movable part, and a limiting part. An accommodating space is formed inside the housing, and the accommodating space is configured to accommodate the shooting device. The shooting device is movably connected to the housing via the movable part; when the shooting device is connected to the housing, the shooting device has a storage state and a use state with different included angles relative to the housing, the storage state is the state in which the shooting device is stored inside the housing, and the use state is the state in which at least part of the lens of the shooting device extends out of the housing; the limiting part is provided on the housing and configured to limit the movement of the shooting device relative to the housing when it is in the storage state or the use state. The shooting system according to claim 35, wherein, The activity department includes: The connecting block is rotatably or slidably connected to the housing, and the shooting device is detachably connected to the connecting block. The shooting system according to claim 36, wherein, The limiting part is movably connected to the housing to switch between a first position and a second position; When the limiting part is in the first position, it is connected to the connecting block and blocks the movement of the connecting block; when the limiting part is in the second position, it is separated from the connecting block to release the restriction on the movement of the connecting block. The shooting system according to claim 37, wherein, The limiting part protrudes and is provided with a snap-fit ​​part, and the limiting part is slidably connected to the housing to switch between the first position and the second position; the movable part also includes a rotating shaft connected to the connecting block, and the rotating shaft is hinged to the housing; When the limiting part is in the first position, the locking part abuts against the rotating shaft; when the limiting part is in the second position, the locking part separates from the rotating shaft. The shooting system according to claim 35, wherein, The protective shell also includes: The door is movably connected to the housing, and the door forms an openable opening to open or close the receiving space, the opening through which the shooting equipment passes. The shooting system according to claim 39, wherein, The door body is configured as a flexible body. The shooting system according to claim 35, wherein, The housing includes a large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion in the height direction, the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion together form the receiving space, and in the height direction perpendicular to the housing, the cross-sectional dimension of the small-diameter portion is smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of the large-diameter portion. The shooting system according to claim 41, wherein, When the shooting device is in the retracted state, the lens of the shooting device is housed in the large-diameter portion. The shooting system according to claim 41, wherein, When the shooting device is in the usage state, the small diameter portion is configured for the user to hold, and the end of the large diameter portion connected to the small diameter portion in the height direction of the housing is configured to block or abut against the user's hand. The shooting system according to claim 41, wherein, The large-diameter section consists of two roughly hemispherical hemispheres, with the openings of the two hemispheres facing each other in the direction perpendicular to the height of the shell. The shooting system according to claim 41, wherein, The edges of the small diameter section are provided with flexible bodies. The shooting system according to claim 35, wherein, The movable part is rotatably connected to the housing, and the housing has a first surface in the height direction, and a second surface and a third surface that are both connected to the first surface and are disposed opposite to each other; The shooting device exposes or retracts into the receiving space through a first opening on the first surface and a second opening on the second surface; Alternatively, the imaging device may expose or retract the receiving space via a first opening on the first surface, a second opening on the second surface, and a third opening on the third surface. The shooting system according to claim 35, wherein, The movable part is slidably connected to the housing, and the housing has a first opening for the shooting device to pass through, the first opening being located at one end of the housing in the height direction. The shooting system according to claim 35, wherein, The housing includes: Multiple sub-shells are connected to the movable part; each of the sub-shells is connected to or separated from the other to house or expose the imaging device; In the state where the sub-shells are separated from each other, one end of each sub-shell is connected to the movable part, and the other ends are spaced apart and inclined in a direction away from each other to support the shooting device, and the shooting device is in the use state; in the state where the sub-shells are connected facing each other, the sub-shells form the receiving space, and the shooting device is in the storage state; in the state where the sub-shells are connected back to back, the sub-shells form a handle for holding the shooting device, and the shooting device is in the use state. The shooting system according to claim 48, wherein, The edges of each of the subshells on opposite sides are provided with flexible bodies, and / or the edges of each of the subshells on opposite sides are provided with flexible bodies. The shooting system according to any one of claims 40, 45 and 49, wherein, The flexible body is at least one of silicone, thermoplastic elastomer, and flocked body. The shooting system according to any one of claims 48 to 50, wherein, The protective shell also includes: Multiple legs are movably connected to the housing and can switch between a hidden state and an unfolded state; in the hidden state, the legs are stored inside or outside the housing; in the unfolded state, the legs are unfolded relative to the housing and at least support the housing. The shooting system according to claim 51, wherein, When the shooting device is in the retracted state, the support leg is located on top of the shooting device. The shooting system according to claim 51, wherein, When the protective case is in the stored state, the protective case is configured to store the shooting device; And / or, when the protective case is in the use state, the protective case is configured as a grip to hold the shooting device; And / or, when the protective case is in the use state and the legs are deployed, the protective case is configured to support the shooting device. The shooting system according to claim 51, wherein, Each of the aforementioned legs is rotatably or slidably connected to the housing. The shooting system according to claim 51, wherein, Each of the aforementioned legs is rotatably connected to the housing, and at least a portion of each of the aforementioned legs is provided with a first connecting member, while the housing is provided with a second connecting member; In this embodiment, at least one of the first connector and the second connector is configured as a magnetic component, and is magnetically connected to the other of the first connector and the second connector in the hidden state. The shooting system according to claim 51, wherein, Each of the aforementioned legs is provided with the first connector, and both the first connector and the second connector are magnetic components. The shooting system according to claim 51, wherein, In the hidden state, at least some of the legs are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart. The shooting system according to claim 51, wherein, The protective shell includes a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg. The first leg and the second leg are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the shell, and the third leg is disposed between the first leg and the second leg. In the unfolded state, the first leg, the second leg, and the third leg all extend away from the receiving space. The shooting system according to claim 51, wherein, The protective shell includes a fourth leg and a fifth leg arranged opposite to each other. In the unfolded state, the fourth leg, the fifth leg, and a portion of the shell together form a supporting plane. The shooting system according to claim 59, wherein, The housing has the following openings: The first groove allows the fourth leg to slide. The second groove allows the fifth support leg to slide. In the hidden state, the fourth leg is housed in the first groove, and the fifth leg is housed in the second groove. The shooting system according to claim 60, wherein, The protective shell also includes: The first damping element is disposed in the first groove and connected to one end of the fourth leg; The second damping element is disposed in the second slide groove and connected to one end of the fifth support leg; In the height direction of the housing, the fourth leg can extend relative to the first slide groove and the support angle between it and the housing can be adjusted by the first damping element; the fifth leg can extend relative to the second slide groove and the support angle between it and the housing can be adjusted by the second damping element. Alternatively, in a direction perpendicular to the height of the housing, the fourth leg may extend relative to the first groove, and the fifth leg may extend relative to the second groove; and on the supporting plane, the fourth leg may rotate away from the fifth leg via the first damping member, and the fifth leg may rotate away from the fourth leg via the second damping member. The shooting system according to claim 59, wherein, The housing has a first storage groove and a second storage groove formed on its two opposite outer sides. The fourth leg and the fifth leg are hinged to the housing. In the hidden state, the fourth leg is stored in the first storage groove and the fifth leg is stored in the second storage groove. The shooting system according to claim 51, wherein, The protective shell also includes: The unlocking mechanism connects to the legs and drives at least one of the legs to unfold relative to the housing. The shooting system according to claim 63, wherein, The protective shell also includes at least one limiting structure. In the hidden state, each of the legs is limited and connected by the limiting structure and housed inside or outside the shell. When the limiting structure releases the limitation on the legs, the unlocking mechanism drives at least one of the legs to unfold relative to the shell. The shooting system according to claim 64, wherein, The unlocking mechanism includes: An elastic element is provided between at least a portion of the legs and the housing. When the limiting structure releases the limiting structure from the legs, the elastic element drives the corresponding legs to unfold relative to the housing, and limits the corresponding legs in the unfolded state; and / or, The linkage structure includes at least one component, wherein each of the legs is connected by the linkage structure, and when the limiting structure releases the limiting of the legs, each of the legs unfolds synchronously relative to the housing through the linkage structure, and the linkage structure limits each of the legs in the unfolded state. The shooting system according to claim 51, wherein, The protective shell also includes: A self-locking component is connected at one end to the housing and at the other end to the support leg, and each support leg is connected to one of the self-locking components; The support leg is rotatably connected to the housing, and a cam structure is provided at one end of the support leg connected to the housing. In the hidden state, the self-locking member is limited and connected to one side of the cam structure; in the unfolded state, the self-locking member is limited and connected to the other side of the cam structure. The shooting system according to claim 66, wherein, The self-locking element is an elastic body, and it abuts against the cam structure and the housing. The shooting system according to claim 67, wherein, The support leg is provided with a self-locking groove, which is located on one side of the cam structure. In the hidden state, the self-locking component is limited to the self-locking groove. And / or, the self-locking groove is located on the other side of the cam structure, and in the deployed state, the self-locking element is confined within the self-locking groove. An automatic switching method for a shooting system, applied to the shooting system according to any one of claims 35 to 68, the automatic switching method comprising: The control unit detects whether the shooting device is in the storage state or the usage state; If the shooting device is in the stored state, the control unit controls the shooting device to be turned off or put into sleep mode; If the shooting device is in use, the control unit controls the shooting device to turn on. The automatic switching method according to claim 69, wherein, The automatic switching method further includes: If the shooting device sends a first resistance value back to the control unit, the control unit determines that the shooting device is in the storage state; If the shooting device sends a second resistance value back to the control unit, the control unit determines that the shooting device is in the usage state; Wherein, the absolute value of the difference between the first resistance value and the second resistance value is greater than 0, and both the first resistance value and the second resistance value are greater than 0. The automatic switching method according to claim 69, wherein, The automatic switching method further includes: If the shooting device feeds back the first magnetic field strength to the control unit, the control unit determines that the shooting device is in the storage state; If the shooting device feeds back the second magnetic field strength to the control unit, the control unit determines that the shooting device is in the usage state; Wherein, the second magnetic field strength is equal to 0 or less than the first magnetic field strength.

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