Camera Mount Adapter Geometry for Flange Distance Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems face challenges in ensuring compatibility between imaging apparatuses and accessories due to differences in flange focal distances, leading to issues with optical image focusing and incorrect mounting, which can result in unnatural images or equipment malfunction.
Innovation Solution
An adapter device with specific mount configurations and bayonet claw arrangements that restrict incompatible combinations, ensuring only compatible imaging apparatuses and accessories can be directly mounted, using a conversion adapter to adjust flange focal distances when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple accessories with the same mount diameter are used, then adaptability is improved, but compatibility control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the mount claws and recesses asymmetric in their angular distribution around the mount circumference. Specifically, the angles between adjacent claws/recesses are intentionally made different from each other, creating a unique angular pattern that acts as a compatibility key. This allows accessories with the same mount diameter to be differentiated by their claw/recess angular positions, preventing incompatible mounting while maintaining adaptability across different accessory types.
2Ease of operation
If flange focal distance differences are not addressed, then ease of operation is improved, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the mount structure with asymmetric claws and recesses as an intermediary mechanism to ensure proper flange focal distance alignment. Before the accessory can be mounted, the claws must align with and engage into the corresponding recesses at specific angular positions, which inherently positions the accessory at the correct flange focal distance. This intermediary mechanical alignment system ensures optical focusing accuracy while maintaining ease of operation through simple bayonet coupling.
3Adaptability or versatility
If incompatible accessories are allowed to mount, then adaptability is improved, but system reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by designing the mount claws and recesses with asymmetric angular positions that prevent incompatible accessories from being mounted in the first place. The geometric constraint of the claw-recess engagement requires precise angular alignment, which serves as a pre-check before mounting occurs. This preliminary geometric verification ensures that only compatible accessories with matching angular patterns can be successfully mounted, thereby maintaining system reliability while allowing adaptability across compatible accessory types.
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter device includes a first mount on one side and a second mount on another side. The first mount is detachably mounted to an imaging apparatus, and the second mount is detachably mounted to an accessory. The first mount has first through third mount recesses and first through third mount claws, disposed following a circumferential direction. The second mount has fourth through sixth mount recesses and fourth through sixth mount claws, disposed following the circumferential direction. The first through third mount claws are insertable to mount recesses on another imaging apparatus. The fourth through sixth mount claws are insertable to mount recesses on another accessory. A smallest angle range out of angle ranges in the circumferential direction of the first through third mount recesses is equal to or smaller than a smallest angle range out of angle ranges in the circumferential direction of the fourth through sixth mount claws.