Pop-up Camera Protective Cover for Screen-to-Body Ratio and Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pop-up cameras in electronic devices are prone to damage and short service life due to exposure to external factors like water and dust when extending out of the device for picture-taking, affecting the screen-to-body ratio and user experience.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device design featuring a protective cover and transmission mechanism that moves the camera between an inner cavity and an outer protective cover, with magnetic and elastic components to ensure safe extension and retraction, reducing exposure to external interference and enhancing camera protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the camera is extended out of the device shell to take pictures, then the screen-to-body ratio is improved and visual experience is enhanced, but the camera is exposed to water and dust which reduces service life
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is designed to cover the camera when it is extended outside the device shell. The protective cover forms an outer layer that encloses the camera, creating a nested structure where the camera is protected within the protective cover while both are outside the main device shell. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the extended position for full screen ratio while adding protective enclosure for reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover acts as an intermediary element between the camera and the external environment. When the camera is extended, the protective cover is also extended to cover the camera, providing a barrier against water and dust. This intermediary structure allows the camera to function externally while being protected from harmful environmental factors.
2Reliability
If the protective cover is extended with the camera, then the camera is protected from external factors, but the structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover and camera are designed to move together as a coordinated unit. The transmission mechanism connects both components so that when the camera is extended or retracted, the protective cover follows the same motion path and timing. This merging of motion control reduces the need for separate actuation mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity while maintaining protection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover serves multiple functions: it protects the camera from water and dust, maintains the screen-to-body ratio aesthetic, and works in conjunction with the transmission mechanism for coordinated movement. By designing a single component that performs multiple roles, the patent avoids adding excessive complexity while achieving comprehensive protection.
3Extent of automation
If magnetic pieces are used to attract the camera and protective cover, then the extension and retraction is automated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic pieces are strategically positioned on the protective cover and device shell to create automatic attraction forces. When the camera and protective cover are extended or retracted, the magnetic attraction automatically guides their movement and positioning without requiring additional motors or actuators. This self-service magnetic guidance system achieves automation while minimizing added complexity by utilizing passive magnetic fields rather than active control systems.
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 solution improves the camera's service life and shooting quality by protecting it from external factors during extension and retraction, while maintaining a high screen-to-body ratio and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic piece, wherein one end of the elastic piece is connected to the bottom of the protective cover, and the other end of the elastic piece is connected to the camera
Implementation Method 2
a first magnetic piece and a second magnetic piece, wherein the first magnetic piece is arranged on an inner surface of a first side wall of the protective cover; the second magnetic piece is arranged on a first side of the camera close to the inner surface; and in a case that the camera is located outside the accommodating cavity, the inner surface of the first side wall is opposite to the first side, and the first magnetic piece and the second magnetic piece are attracted to each other
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided, including: a display screen, a device shell, an accommodating cavity, a first opening, a protective cover, a camera and a transmission mechanism being located in the accommodating cavity, the camera being connected to the transmission mechanism, wherein the camera moves from the inside of the accommodating cavity to the outside of the accommodating cavity under the action of the transmission mechanism; in a case that the camera is located in the accommodating cavity, the protective cover is located in the accommodating cavity and between the first opening and the camera, and the camera is located under the display screen; and in a case that the camera is located outside the accommodating cavity, the protective cover is located outside the accommodating cavity, and the camera is located in an inner cavity of the protective cover.