Underwater Camera Housing Pad with Compound Lever Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underwater camera housings with direct push buttons for multi selector access are difficult to operate due to their large size and closely packed configuration, often requiring users to remove their hands from handles and increasing the likelihood of accidental button presses, especially when wearing gloves.
Innovation Solution
A circular pad with a compound lever system is positioned near the edge of the housing, allowing diagonal movements and providing a universal joint mechanism with two axes of rotation, enabling precise control of the multi selector buttons through a system of internal levers that magnify vertical movement and prevent accidental presses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If direct push buttons are used for multi selector access, then the housing can provide basic directional control, but the buttons are difficult to reach and easily pressed accidentally due to the large housing size and closely packed configuration
Solution Approach 1:
A circular pad with compound lever system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user's thumb and the camera's multi-selector buttons. The pad is positioned at the rear of the housing where it is easily accessible, and the lever system transmits and magnifies the pressing force to the internal buttons, resolving the contradiction between ease of access and prevention of accidental presses.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional array of push buttons on the housing surface to a three-dimensional compound lever system with rotational joints. The universal joint mechanism with two axes of rotation allows the pad to be pressed from multiple angles while maintaining precise control, adding a dimensional aspect that improves both accessibility and control precision.
2Ease of operation
If push buttons are re-located nearer to the edge of the housing, then they become more accessible to the thumb, but the linkage mechanism loses vertical movement precision due to clearance in the guiding system
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the mechanical parameters of the linkage system by introducing a compound lever mechanism with optimized arm lengths and pivot points. The first lever arm and second lever arm are designed with specific dimensions to magnify the vertical movement at the button contact point while minimizing the effect of clearance in the guiding system, thereby maintaining precision despite the pad's relocated position.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal joint mechanism with two axes of rotation introduces dynamic adaptability to the linkage system. The joints can accommodate angular misalignments and clearance variations through rotational movement, maintaining precise vertical transmission of force despite changes in the pad's position near the housing edge.
3Device complexity
If a single metal bar linkage is used to transfer push button movement, then the structure is simple, but it cannot provide diagonal movements and loses movement precision due to clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The single metal bar linkage is segmented into a compound lever system with a first lever and a second lever, each performing a specific function. The first lever transfers movement from the pad, and the second lever provides the final vertical push to the button. This segmentation enables diagonal movement capability while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of basic lever mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The circular pad design with compound lever system provides universal control capability for all directions including diagonal movements. The two-axes universal joint allows the mechanism to function in multiple orientations, making the linkage system versatile for controlling up, down, left, right, and diagonal directions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
4Strength
If the housing is large in size for DSLR cameras, then it provides adequate protection and mounting options, but the controls cannot be reached without removing hands from handles
Solution Approach 1:
The control interface is relocated from the front/side of the housing to the rear surface, creating a new spatial dimension for control access. The circular pad positioned at the rear of the housing can be reached by the user's thumb while the hand remains on the handle, solving the accessibility problem without compromising the housing's protective structure and size.
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 users to access and control the full function of the multi selector, including diagonal movements, without removing their hands from the handles, enhancing precision and stability while preventing accidental button activations.
Implementation Method 1
each link includes a first lever mounted internally to the body, positioned to receive an input force from the pad, and a second lever mounted internally to the body, positioned to receive an input force from the first lever and to provide a force on the selected camera control
Implementation Method 2
internal levers that magnify vertical movement
Implementation Method 3
providing a universal joint mechanism with two axes of rotation
Implementation Method 4
Springs are configured so that the push buttons always return to the original position after being pressed
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention comprises an underwater camera housing (1) having a body (2) and handles (3) on the body (2). The body (2) also carries a pad (19) positioned on the body (2) so that the pad (19) is accessible for use by a user substantially without the user being required to remove a hand from the most adjacent handle (3). The pad (19) is able to be pressed at any point of its periphery and links (20, 50) mounted on the body (2) between the pad (19) and, in use, a position adjacent the controls of a camera are such that by pressing the pad (19) the camera controls can be operated. The links (20,50) comprise a compound lever system (206, 207) which in use extend between the pad (19) and the multi selector of the camera when positioned within the housing.