Camera Antenna Positioning to Prevent Hand Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

The size reduction of image pickup devices often results in the antenna being covered by the user's hand, leading to a deterioration of communication quality, as existing technologies do not address the issue of hand interference with the antenna.

Innovation Solution

The image pickup device features a housing with a stepped portion that accommodates the communication module, positioning the antenna to extend beyond a reference surface orthogonal to the optical axis, thereby preventing the user's hand from covering the antenna.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the antenna is arranged within the housing to save space, then the device size is reduced, but the antenna is covered by the user's hand which deteriorates communication quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidcommunication quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is positioned to extend beyond the reference surface of the housing in the depth direction (optical axis direction), creating a three-dimensional arrangement where the antenna protrudes from the housing front surface. This dimensional arrangement ensures the antenna is located in a space not occupied by the user's hand during gripping, thereby maintaining communication quality while keeping the device compact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the antenna is positioned near the opening portion side to avoid hand coverage, then communication quality is maintained, but the housing structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidhousing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is integrated with the communication module, which is already housed within the housing. The antenna extends from the communication module toward the opening portion side, combining the antenna structure with the existing communication module housing rather than requiring a separate antenna mounting structure. This merging approach maintains communication quality while minimizing additional structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the antenna extends beyond the reference surface towards the opening portion side, then the antenna remains uncovered by the hand, but the antenna may be affected by metal components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidmetal interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is designed with a localized wide portion at the opening portion side that provides sufficient clearance between the antenna and metal components such as the lens barrel. This local expansion creates an electrically insulated region specifically where the antenna is positioned, ensuring the antenna operates free from metal interference while the rest of the housing maintains its compact structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2787721B1Image pickup apparatus
Publication Date: 2017.05.17 JVC KENWOOD CORP
  • EP2787721B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2787721B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2787721B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An image pickup device (100) includes a body case (1), a grip belt (10), and a Wi-Fi module (40) stored in the body case (1). A communication module (40) has a substrate (41), a processing circuit (42), and an antenna (43). The grip belt (10) extends from a first attaching portion (11) provided on a right side surface of the body case (1) to a second attaching portion (12) provided on a side opposite to an opening portion side of a lens barrel (31) of the body case (1). The communication module (40) is arranged closer to the opening portion of the lens barrel (31) than a reference surface (200) substantially orthogonal to an optical axis and passing through the first attaching portion (11) or in the vicinity of the reference surface (200).