Camera Grip Connection Structure for Stable Telecommunication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image-pickup apparatuses with camera grips face instability in telecommunications contact when the grip is rotated or subjected to external impacts, leading to unreliable attachment and potential device fall during position changes.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates a screw member with a male screw and engagement member having a concavo-convex shape, along with a pin jack for connecting a pin plug, allowing stable attachment and detachment of the camera grip while maintaining contact for telecommunications, even under external impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the camera grip is made detachable and rotatable for versatile operation, then the ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but the stability of telecommunication contact deteriorates when external impacts occur during attachment position changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidstability of telecommunication contact
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection structure is divided into multiple functional segments: a screw member for mechanical fastening, an engagement member with concavo-convex shape for positional registration, and a pin jack for telecommunication contact. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, ensuring that the telecommunication contact remains stable even when the grip is rotated or subjected to external impacts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple connection functions are merged into a single integrated connection structure. The screw member, engagement member with concavo-convex shape, and pin jack are combined in one assembly, allowing simultaneous mechanical fastening, positional registration, and telecommunication contact. This merging ensures that all connection functions work together to maintain stable telecommunication contact during grip rotation and under external impacts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If a simple screw connection is used for attaching the camera grip, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of attachment under external impacts is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidreliability of attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Three connection functions are merged into one integrated connection structure: the screw member provides mechanical fastening, the engagement member with concavo-convex shape provides positional registration and rotational limitation, and the pin jack provides telecommunication contact. This merging achieves reliable attachment under external impacts without significantly increasing device complexity, as all functions are integrated into a single assembly that attaches at one location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection structure is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. The same connection assembly that mechanically fastens the grip to the camera body also provides positional registration through the concavo-convex engagement and maintains telecommunication contact through the pin jack. This multi-functionality ensures reliable attachment under external impacts while keeping the overall device complexity low.

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

Data Source

PatentUS8628257B2Image-pickup apparatus, camera grip, and image-pickup system
Publication Date: 2014.01.14 CANON KK
  • US8628257B2 patent drawing
  • US8628257B2 patent drawing
  • US8628257B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An image-pickup system includes an image-pickup apparatus having a first connection member and a camera grip having a second connection member capable of being attached to and removed from the first connection member. The first connection member includes a first screw member having a male screw and a first engagement member disposed inside the first screw member having a first concavo-convex shape. The second connection member includes a second screw member having a female screw part capable of engaging with the male screw part of the image-pickup apparatus and a second engagement member disposed inside the second screw member and having a second concavo-concave shape capable of engaging with the first concavo-concave shape of the image-pickup apparatus. The male screw part screws into the female screw part in a state where the first engagement member and the second engagement member engage with each other.