Camera Lens Retraction Mechanism With Disengaging Rack and Gear
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Solution Overview
Problem
IP cameras face the challenge of protecting privacy when their photography function is inadvertently reactivated, as existing methods like disconnecting the network or physically blocking the lens are not effective in preventing damage from unexpected foreign forces, which can lead to mechanical failure.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a retracting module that temporarily disengages a rack from a gear, providing an avoiding path for the rack to move away from the gear, thus preventing damage from unexpected forces and ensuring smooth transition to privacy mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the rack is permanently engaged with the gear to ensure reliable power transmission, then the reliability of power transmission is improved, but the device becomes vulnerable to damage from unexpected foreign forces
Solution Approach 1:
The rack is designed to be dynamically disengageable from the gear through the retracting module. When unexpected foreign forces are detected or during privacy mode operation, the rack can be temporarily disengaged from the gear, allowing the system to adapt its mechanical connection state based on operational requirements rather than maintaining a fixed engaged state.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack is extracted or removed from the meshing engagement with the gear when not needed for power transmission. The retracting module enables the rack to be taken out of the gear-rack mechanism, separating the power transmission function from the mechanical coupling to prevent damage while maintaining reliability when needed.
2Reliability
If the camera lens is retracted into the machine body for privacy protection, then privacy security is improved, but the mechanical mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The retracting module is integrated with the existing gear-rack power transmission mechanism. The same rack that transmits power for lens extension is also used for retraction, merging the driving and retracting functions into a single integrated mechanism rather than adding separate independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack serves multiple functions: it acts as both the power transmission element for lens extension and the retracting element for privacy mode. This multi-functional design reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated retraction mechanisms.
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
The retracting module effectively prevents stress concentration and damage between the gear and rack by allowing the rack to disengage, ensuring the camera lens can safely retract into privacy mode without mechanical failure.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member connected to the rack to push the rack to engage the gear
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a machine body, a functional module, a power transmission module and a retracting module. The functional module is to move with respect to the machine body. The power transmission module, disposed in the machine body, includes a transmission unit and a driving unit. The transmission unit includes a gear and a rack. The driving unit, connected to the gear, is to move with the functional module. The driving unit rotates the gear in a moving direction to mesh the rack so as to move the functional module in the moving direction. The retracting module, disposed in the machine body, includes a holding unit connected to the rack to provide the rack an avoiding path for the rack to disengage the gear, and a direction of the avoiding path is different from the moving direction. In additional, a camera device is also provided.