Image Capture Mount With Power-Cord Locking Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounts for image capture devices lack an effective anti-disconnection feature that also facilitates power and/or data communication, leading to potential separation of the female and male components.
Innovation Solution
A mount design with a male component featuring deflectable arms and an integrated power hub, where a power cord inhibits repositioning of the arms from an engaged to a disengaged position, maintaining connection and enabling power/data delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mount includes an anti-disconnection feature to prevent separation of female and male components, then connection reliability is improved, but the mount must also facilitate power and data communication which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the anti-disconnection feature with power and data communication capabilities by integrating a power hub within the male component. The deflectable arms that provide mechanical locking also serve as structural support for the power hub, merging multiple functions into a single integrated assembly rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The male component is designed with multi-functionality: the deflectable arms provide both mechanical engagement/locking and structural support for electrical interfaces. The power hub integrates multiple functions including power delivery, data communication, and charging capabilities within a single component, eliminating the need for separate systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a power hub is integrated into the male component to enable power and data communication, then functionality is improved, but the overall height of the male component increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power hub is positioned between the deflectable arms in the transverse dimension rather than extending the overall height. This spatial arrangement allows the power hub to be nested within the existing structural envelope of the male component, utilizing the space between the arms to accommodate additional functionality without increasing the height profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The power hub is nested within the structural framework formed by the deflectable arms. The arms are positioned to create a protective enclosure around the power hub, allowing the power communication components to be housed within the existing mechanical structure rather than adding external protrusions.
3Ease of operation
If deflectable arms are used to connect male and female components, then ease of operation is improved, but the connection may be accidentally disengaged without power cord inhibition
Solution Approach 1:
The power cord acts as an intermediary element that physically blocks the deflectable arms from moving to the disengaged position. When the power cord is connected, it serves as a mediator that prevents the arms from deflecting outward, thereby locking the connection in place without requiring additional mechanical locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates preliminary anti-action by using the power cord itself as a preventive measure against accidental disconnection. Before disconnection can occur, the power cord must be removed, which eliminates the possibility of accidental unplugging during normal use. The power cord's presence preemptively prevents the harmful action of unintended disengagement.
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 design ensures secure connection of the image capture device to an accessory while facilitating power and data communication, preventing accidental disconnection and allowing for articulation and movement.
Implementation Method 1
deflectable arms that are supported by the body and which are resiliently repositionable between an engaged position, in which the deflectable arms engage the female component
Implementation Method 2
a power hub that is supported by the body and which is configured to receive a power cord to thereby deliver power and/or data to the mount
Data Source
AI summary
A mount (coupler) is disclosed that is configured to connect an image capture device to an accessory. The mount includes a female component that is configured for connection to the accessory and which defines stops, and a male component that is configured for removable insertion into the female component. The male component includes: a body; arms that are supported by the body and which are configured for engagement with the stops to thereby connect the male component to the female component; and a power hub that is supported by the body and which is configured to receive a power cord along a longitudinal axis to thereby deliver power and/or data to the mount. The male component is configured for disconnection from the female component upon deflection of the arms beyond a threshold release distance that is less than a maximum transverse (e.g., horizontal) cross-sectional dimension defined by the power cord.