Accessory Apparatus Capacitor Discharge Circuit for Camera Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
When an accessory apparatus is rapidly removed from an image capturing apparatus, excessive voltage can be applied to electrical elements, potentially damaging them due to the arrangement of electrical contacts, especially in systems without a prior notice unit.
Innovation Solution
The accessory apparatus includes a first electrical contact for receiving power, a second electrical contact connected to a reference potential during attachment and disconnected during removal, a capacitor to store charge, and a reduction unit, such as a low resistor and diode, to reduce the charge stored in the capacitor during detachment, mitigating the risk of damage from excessive voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the accessory apparatus is rapidly removed from the image capturing apparatus, then the removal operation is completed quickly, but excessive voltage is applied to electrical elements causing potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the removal state before the actual detachment occurs. The detection unit identifies when the accessory apparatus is being removed, and the control unit proactively discharges the capacitor in advance, preventing excessive voltage from developing when the electrical contacts separate during rapid removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by taking countermeasures before the harmful effect occurs. The control unit monitors the removal process and discharges the capacitor before the electrical contacts fully separate, thereby preventing the generation of excessive voltage that would otherwise damage electrical elements during rapid removal.
2Reliability
If a prior notice unit is provided in the image capturing apparatus, then excessive voltage can be prevented during removal, but the system complexity increases and is not applicable to accessories without such unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the accessory apparatus to autonomously detect its own removal state and discharge its internal capacitor without requiring a prior notice unit in the image capturing apparatus. The detection unit and control unit within the accessory apparatus independently monitor the attachment state and manage the discharge process, making the system compatible with various image capturing apparatuses regardless of their configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the protection function into independent components within the accessory apparatus itself. Rather than relying on a centralized prior notice unit in the image capturing apparatus, the detection unit and control unit are separated as distinct functional elements within the accessory, allowing each to perform its specific role in detecting removal state and discharging the capacitor independently.
3Device complexity
If the capacitor discharge is delayed until after removal, then the circuit remains simple, but excessive voltage damages electrical elements during the removal process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by discharging the capacitor before the electrical contacts separate during removal. The control unit receives detection signals indicating the removal state and activates the discharge unit in advance, ensuring that the capacitor is fully discharged before the connection is broken, thereby preventing excessive voltage from damaging electrical elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements skipping by rapidly discharging the capacitor as soon as removal is detected, quickly transitioning the system from a charged state to a discharged state before the harmful effect of contact separation can occur. This rapid discharge action rushes through the critical transition period, minimizing the time window for excessive voltage generation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration effectively reduces the negative voltage applied across electrical contacts during removal, minimizing the risk of damage to electrical elements and ensuring stable power supply by discharging the capacitor, thus protecting the accessory apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitor device with one end connected to the first electrical contact and another end connected to the second electrical contact
Implementation Method 2
a reduction unit configured to reduce charge stored in the capacitor device during the removal from the image capturing apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
An accessory apparatus includes a first electrical contact configured to receive power from an image capturing apparatus in a state of being attached to the image capturing apparatus, a second electrical contact disposed on a predetermined direction A side of the first electrical contact, configured to be connected to a predetermined electrical contact connected to a reference potential of the image capturing apparatus in the state of being attached to the image capturing apparatus, and configured to be unconnected to the reference potential during detachment from the image capturing apparatus, and a capacitor device connected to the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact. Further, the accessory apparatus includes a reduction unit configured to reduce charge stored in the capacitor device during the detachment from the image capturing apparatus.