Protruding Camera Lens Protection via Dynamic Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing trend of thinner portable communication devices with high-capability cameras leads to protruding optical paths, making the camera lenses and associated hardware vulnerable to damage during impacts, as the weight of the device can overload the extending structure.
Innovation Solution
A floating section within the device structurally decouples the protruding camera module from the device's mass, using a movable mount with flexible members and a lock mechanism that releases during a free fall to protect the lenses by allowing the camera housing to slide back into the device upon impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the device thickness is decreased, then the device becomes thinner and more portable, but the camera lenses and extending structure become vulnerable to damage during impact
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module is designed with a floating section that can dynamically change its position relative to the device housing. During normal operation, the camera protrudes for optimal imaging. During impact detection, the camera retracts into the housing to avoid damage. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction by allowing thin design while protecting against impact damage through active movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting the onset of impact through accelerometers before the camera actually contacts a surface. Upon detecting free-fall or impact conditions, the system activates the retraction mechanism in advance, allowing the camera to be positioned safely within the housing before the impact occurs, thus preventing damage while maintaining the thin device profile.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the camera module protrudes beyond the housing, then wide-angle and augmented reality imaging capabilities are enabled, but the camera hardware is at risk of damage during impact
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system dynamically adjusts its protrusion state based on operational conditions. During normal use, the camera protrudes to enable wide-angle and augmented reality imaging capabilities. Upon detecting impact conditions, the camera retracts to protect against damage. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain versatility while minimizing exposure to harmful impact forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting impact conditions and actively retracting the camera module before the harmful impact occurs. The accelerometers detect free-fall or collision conditions, triggering the retraction mechanism to move the camera into a protected position within the housing, thereby counteracting the potential damage before it can occur.
3Weight of moving object
If the device mass is reduced for portability, then the device becomes more portable, but the extending camera structure becomes overloaded during impact
Solution Approach 1:
The floating camera section is designed with appropriate mass and structural properties to allow it to retract during impact while minimizing the overall device weight. The camera module can be independently positioned and retracted without requiring the entire device to be heavy, thus maintaining portability while protecting the extending structure from overload during impact events.
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
This solution effectively minimizes damage to the camera lenses and associated components by allowing the camera housing to retract during an impact, maintaining image alignment and protecting against secondary impacts, while enabling wide-angle imaging capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a movable mount with flexible members
Implementation Method 2
a lock mechanism that releases during a free fall
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile device includes a device housing with an opening there through, the housing having a front external surface and a back external surface. A camera housing is sized to fit within the opening in the device housing, the camera housing including two cameras and two respective lenses. In a centered position, the lenses protrude beyond the front and back surfaces of the mobile device. A retention mechanism applies a force to the camera housing to retain it substantially centered in the opening unless an outside force of damaging magnitude is encountered.