Camera Barrel Mechanism with Cantilever Spring Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices lack mechanisms to protect internal and external camera components from impacts, such as drops and collisions, which can damage the camera and its electronics.
Innovation Solution
A camera barrel mechanism with a set of cantilever springs is integrated into the device, allowing the camera to retract into the body upon impact, providing rotational friction and protection by being affixed to the device's panels or chassis, and enabling the camera to rotate for various angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the camera is made compact and integrated into the device housing, then the device size is reduced and portability is improved, but the camera components become vulnerable to impact damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a spring-loaded retraction mechanism that allows the camera barrel to automatically retract into the device housing upon impact. This beforehand cushioning system absorbs impact forces through spring compression, protecting the camera components from damage while maintaining a compact integrated design during normal operation
2Stability of the object's composition
If the camera barrel is made fixed and rigid, then structural stability is improved, but the camera cannot retract to absorb impact forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static fixed camera barrel into a dynamic retraction system. The camera barrel is coupled with a spring mechanism that allows it to move between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic design enables the structure to adapt to impact forces by retracting, while maintaining stability during normal operation through the spring's restraining force
3Adaptability or versatility
If the camera is permanently extended for optimal viewing angle, then imaging performance is improved, but the camera is exposed to external impacts and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing a spring-loaded retraction mechanism that counteracts impact forces before they can damage the camera. The spring force is pre-configured to exceed typical impact forces, automatically retracting the camera barrel upon impact to protect it, while allowing the camera to remain extended for optimal imaging performance during normal use
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
The camera barrel mechanism effectively protects the camera from impact damage by retracting it into the device's body, ensuring the camera's survival during drops and collisions, while allowing for flexible positioning for different applications like video conferencing and photography.
Implementation Method 1
The set of cantilever springs may be biased against the camera barrel assembly to provide rotational friction on the camera barrel assembly. The set of cantilever springs, according to some embodiments, might have sufficient compliance to allow the camera to retract into a body of the portable electronic device upon encountering an external force.
Data Source
AI summary
Novel tools and techniques are described for protecting camera components on a surface and/or within an internal portion of a portable electronic device. In one aspect, an electronic device might comprise a camera mount, which might comprise a camera barrel assembly configured to have a camera affixed thereto, the camera barrel assembly being rotatably coupled with one of a front panel, a rear panel, or a chassis of the electronic device. The camera mount may further comprise a set of cantilever springs affixed to one of the front panel, the rear panel, or the chassis and biased against the camera barrel assembly to provide rotational friction on the camera barrel assembly. The set of cantilever springs might have sufficient compliance to allow the camera to retract into a body of the portable electronic device upon encountering an external force, which may include an impact force or a dropping force.