Rotatable Camera Mount Fingers for Compact Multi-Support Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera mounting systems lack flexibility and convenience, as they often require complex configurations and do not easily adapt to different support types, making them cumbersome for use with various electronic devices.

Innovation Solution

A camera mount system featuring two finger members that are rotatable and collapsible, allowing them to extend and retract parallel to each other, with a base that couples to the camera, enabling easy insertion into external support slots and providing a compact design for storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional camera mounting systems use fixed rigid structures, then they provide stable mounting, but they lack adaptability to different support types and increase device bulk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different support typesVSAvoiddevice bulk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The finger members are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to transition between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic configuration enables the mount to adapt to different support types while maintaining a compact form factor when not in use, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device bulk

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting system is divided into separable components: a base portion attached to the camera and finger members that can extend from the base. This segmentation allows the finger members to be deployed only when needed for mounting, reducing overall device bulk while maintaining adaptability to various support types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If camera mounts use complex configurations to accommodate different supports, then they provide versatility, but they increase device complexity and reduce ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with various supportsVSAvoidmounting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The finger members are designed with a universal interface that can engage with multiple types of support structures (tripods, monopods, handles, etc.) through a standardized slot configuration. This universal design provides versatility without requiring complex specialized components for each support type, thereby reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The movable finger members can dynamically adjust their position and orientation to accommodate different support types, eliminating the need for multiple fixed configurations. This dynamic adaptability achieves versatility through a simple mechanism rather than complex static structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If camera mounts are designed with extended finger members for mounting, then they provide mounting capability, but they increase device size when not in use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachment and detachmentVSAvoiddevice size when not in use
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The finger members are designed to be dynamically deployable, extending from the base only when mounting is required and retracting into a compact position when not in use. This dynamic behavior allows the device to maintain ease of operation while minimizing device size during transport and non-use periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The finger members are designed to nest within or alongside the camera body when retracted, similar to a nested doll structure. This nesting arrangement allows the mounting components to be stored compactly within the device envelope, reducing device size when not in use while maintaining full mounting capability when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3834039B1Camera and camera mount
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 GOPRO INC
  • EP3834039B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3834039B1 patent drawingFigure 1C
  • EP3834039B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

An electronic device includes a body, electronic components contained in the body, and two finger members. The two finger members movable relative to the body between an extended state and a collapsed state. In the extended state, the two finger members extend outward from the body for receipt by a mount of an external support. in the collapsed state, the two finger members are collapsed toward the body. In the extended state, the two finger members may extend parallel with each other for receipt in parallel slots of the mount of the external support.