Annular Input Device with Coplanar Tilt and Rotation Planes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional information input devices for cameras and camcorders face challenges in providing both rotation and tilt operations while being downsized, leading to decreased operability due to the small size of the tilt operation plane, which often results in accidental interference between the tilt and rotation components.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a rotation operation component that is annular and configured to rotate about a perpendicular axis, with a tilt operation component that tilts within a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis, featuring a tilt operation plane coplanar with the rotation operation plane, and a first slope on the inner periphery of the rotation component to prevent accidental tilt during rotation, allowing both operations effectively and enabling downsizing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the information input device is downsized, then the electronic device size is reduced, but the operation plane of the tilt operation component becomes small causing finger interference with the rotation operation component

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidoperability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tilt operation component is extended in the rotation axis direction (vertical dimension), allowing the tilt operation plane to be coplanar with the rotation operation plane. This dimensional arrangement separates the tilt and rotation operations in the vertical dimension while maintaining compact horizontal footprint, preventing finger interference during tilt operation even when downsized

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The tilt operation component is positioned within the annular structure of the rotation operation component, with the tilt component extending along the rotation axis. This nested arrangement allows both operation components to share the same space efficiently, enabling downsizing while maintaining distinct operation zones

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If the tilt operation component is made small to downsize the device, then device size is reduced, but accidental touching of the rotation operation component during tilt operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidoperation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By extending the tilt operation component in the rotation axis direction and making its operation plane coplanar with the rotation operation plane, the design creates vertical separation between operation zones. This dimensional arrangement ensures that tilt operations occur in a distinct vertical space, preventing accidental contact with the rotation component and maintaining operation accuracy even in compact devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The first slope acts as an intermediary structure between the tilt operation component and the rotation operation component. It provides a transition surface that guides the tilt operation while preventing direct contact between the tilt component and the rotation component, thereby maintaining operational reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If both rotation and tilt operation components are provided, then two types of information input are enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation typesVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tilt operation component and rotation operation component are merged into a single integrated assembly where the tilt component is positioned within the annular rotation component. Both components share common structural elements and mounting mechanisms, enabling dual operation functionality while minimizing overall structure complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated operation component assembly serves multiple functions: the annular rotation component enables rotational input, while the extended tilt component enables multi-directional tilt input. This multi-functional design allows a single compact assembly to replace what would traditionally require separate control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11605513B2Information input device and image capture device

Publication Date: 2023.03.14 CANON KK

AI summary

Provided is an information input device that allows two types of operation, namely, rotation operation and tilt operation, and that can be downsized. In a case where the rotation operation component is seen in a direction orthogonal to a rotation axis direction of the rotation operation component, the rotation operation component has a first slope that faces a tilt operation component and that is on an inner periphery side of an annular shape of the rotation operation component and is inclined relative to the rotation axis of the rotation operation component. In the case where the rotation operation component is seen in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the rotation operation component, a distance of the first slope from the rotation axis of the rotation operation component increases as a distance of the first slop from the rotation detection unit increases.