Articulating Camera Mount With Wedge Lock for Consistent Pitch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing body-worn camera mounting systems require bulky hardware and tools to adjust the camera pitch, leading to variations in captured perspectives due to user and mount variations, lacking a low-profile articulating joint solution for secure and adjustable camera positioning.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile articulating joint system that couples accessories like cameras to supports via an articulating joint with a platform, base, and wedges, allowing for adjustable and secure positioning using a threaded fastener and compression springs, enabling precise orientation and locking of the camera's field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mounting systems are used to mount body worn cameras, then the camera can be mounted on personnel, but the hardware becomes bulky and requires tools to modify pitch
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate functional components: a mounting bracket that attaches to personnel, an articulating joint with wedge mechanism for pitch adjustment, and a camera interface. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining adjustability functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulating joint incorporates a dynamic wedge mechanism that enables the camera pitch to be adjusted from a fixed position to multiple angular positions. The wedge can be moved along the articulating joint to change the camera angle, providing dynamic adaptability without requiring bulky adjustment mechanisms or tools.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional mounting systems are used, then cameras can be mounted, but variations in perspective occur due to user and mount variations
Solution Approach 1:
The articulating joint mechanism allows precise control of the camera pitch angle parameter. By adjusting the wedge position along the articulating joint, the camera can be set to specific angular positions, ensuring consistent perspective across different users and mounting locations while maintaining the ability to adapt to different height and positioning requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable pitch mechanisms are added to mounting systems, then camera orientation can be modified, but the hardware becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge mechanism is nested within the articulating joint structure, with the wedge fitting into a recess in the articulating joint. This nested configuration allows the adjustment mechanism to be compact and integrated, reducing the overall volume of the mounting hardware while maintaining the pitch adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pitch adjustment is achieved by moving the wedge along a linear path within the articulating joint, converting rotational camera orientation adjustment into linear wedge displacement. This dimensional transformation allows for compact adjustment mechanism design, reducing hardware volume while maintaining full pitch adjustability.
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
Enables secure, adjustable, and low-profile camera positioning with a range of articulation states, improving user convenience and consistency in captured perspectives without the need for bulky hardware or tools.
Implementation Method 1
a first compression spring configured to be positioned between the first wheel of the articulating platform and the first wedge; the shaft passes through the compression spring
Data Source
AI summary
An articulating joint for coupling an accessory to a support comprises a platform, a base, and a wedge. The platform couples to one of the support and the accessory, and the base couples to the other of the support and the accessory. The platform includes a hinge having a bore and teeth positioned radially around the bore. The base includes an undercut and a complementary hinge having a thru hole. The wedge includes complementary teeth positioned radially around a passageway and a ramp that cooperates with the undercut of the base. A shaft having a threaded portion engages a threaded insert to couple the hinge of the platform, the wedge, and the complementary hinge of the base. Rotating the shaft to a locked position causes the teeth of the platform to mesh with the complementary teeth of the wedge to retain the platform in an orientation relative to the base.