In-Vehicle Camera Housing With Sliding Knob Access and Low View Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-vehicle devices, such as drive recorders, obstruct the occupant's view due to their vertical attachment design, which results in a significant blockage.
Innovation Solution
An in-vehicle device with a slide structure allowing two housings to slide relative to each other, featuring a knob mechanism to prevent rotation and adjust the optical axis, minimizing the vertical distance from attachment to the lower end and reducing view obstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the main body portion is attached to the windshield through the support portion extending in the vertical direction, then the camera can be positioned to capture the road view, but the distance in the vertical direction from the attachment position to the lower end of the main body portion becomes long, significantly blocking the occupant's view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical support structure to a horizontal support structure. The support portion now extends in the horizontal direction (width direction of the windshield) rather than vertically, changing the spatial dimension of the attachment geometry. This dimensional change allows the camera to be positioned at the end of the horizontal support, achieving proper road viewing angle while keeping the vertical profile compact and not blocking the occupant's view.
2Measurement precision
If the support portion is made long in the vertical direction to achieve proper camera angle, then the camera can capture the road view effectively, but the device blocks a larger area of the occupant's view
Solution Approach 1:
The invention redistributes the support structure's length from the vertical dimension to the horizontal dimension. The support portion extends horizontally from the attachment plate to position the camera, rather than extending vertically. This allows the optical axis to be properly aligned for road capture while the vertical footprint remains minimal, reducing view obstruction area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different functional qualities to different parts of the support structure. The attachment plate provides a stable mounting surface on the windshield, the horizontal support portion provides camera positioning leverage in the width direction, and the camera housing provides protection and positioning. This localized functional distribution achieves optimal camera alignment without requiring excessive vertical extension.
3Ease of operation
If the knob mechanism is always exposed for easy adjustment of the attachment portion, then the optical axis can be easily adjusted, but the device complexity increases and the design aesthetics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic housing structure where the second housing can slide relative to the first housing along the horizontal direction. This sliding mechanism dynamically changes the exposure state of the knob: when slid to one position, the knob is exposed for easy adjustment; when slid to another position, the knob is covered for a cleaner appearance. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt between operational accessibility and aesthetic presentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is segmented into two separate housings (first housing and second housing) that can move relative to each other. The first housing contains the attachment mechanism and knob, while the second housing can slide to cover or expose the knob. This segmentation allows independent functionality of each housing component while enabling the sliding action that provides both aesthetic coverage and operational accessibility.
4Shape
If the second housing is positioned to cover the knob, then the design aesthetics are improved, but the attachment portion cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding mechanism between the first and second housings creates a dynamic system that can switch between two states: an aesthetic state where the second housing covers the knob, and an operational state where the second housing is slid away to expose the knob for adjustment. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction by allowing the user to access adjustment functionality when needed while maintaining aesthetic appearance during normal operation.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
An in-vehicle device (91) includes an attachment portion (A3), a first housing (A1), a knob (A4), and a second housing (A2). The attachment portion (A3) has an attachment plate (A3a). The first housing (A1) rotatably supports the attachment portion (A3) around a single axis (ACL). The knob (A4) sandwiches the attachment portion (A3) between the knob and the first housing (A1) and prevents the attachment portion (A3) from rotating with respect to the first housing (A1). The second housing (A2) moves with respect to the first housing (A1) between a first position at which the knob (A4) is covered and a second position at which the knob (A4) is exposed.