Camera Shutter Mechanism Using Magnet Sheets for Compact Click Stops

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shutter mechanisms for laptop PCs are difficult to downsize due to the inclusion of components like flat springs and protrusions, which also generate a click sensation during shutter movement.

Innovation Solution

A shutter mechanism using sheet-shaped magnet sheets with alternating north and south poles, where the second sheet member's magnetization pattern is inverted relative to the first, allowing for a shorter length and generating a click sensation without the need for additional components like flat springs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flat spring and protrusion mechanism is used to generate click sensation and prevent careless movement, then the shutter can maintain position against gravity and vibration, but the device size increases and cannot be downsized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshutter position stabilityVSAvoidshutter mechanism size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical flat spring and protrusion system with a magnetic field-based positioning system. Sheet-shaped magnets are arranged in specific patterns on the shutter and camera housing, creating magnetic attraction/repulsion forces that hold the shutter in position without requiring mechanical elastic components, thereby reducing size while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and properties used for positioning from mechanical elastic deformation to magnetic field interaction. By adjusting magnet arrangement patterns, magnetic strength, and polarity configurations, the system achieves position stability with a more compact structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If a flat spring mechanism is used to generate click sensation during shutter movement, then the user can perceive shutter position changes, but the device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshutter position perceptionVSAvoidshutter mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the mechanical flat spring click mechanism with a magnetic field interaction system. The click sensation is generated through magnetic attraction and repulsion forces between oppositely polarized magnets arranged on the shutter and housing, eliminating the need for separate elastic components while maintaining user feedback

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 mechanism achieves downsizing while providing an appropriate click sensation, preventing unintended camera use, and is resistant to gravity and vibration.

Implementation Method 1

a first sheet member that is a sheet-shaped magnet sheet relatively fixed to the chassis, the first sheet member including north poles and south poles that are alternately arranged in a slide movement direction at a predetermined pitch; and a second sheet member that is a sheet-shaped magnet sheet relatively fixed to the shutter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

having a magnetization pattern of the north and south poles of the magnetized surface inverted from a magnetization pattern of the first sheet member when being viewed from a direction facing the first sheet member at the first position and the second position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4660698A1Shutter mechanism, information processing apparatus, and method of manufacturing shutter mechanism
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
  • EP4660698A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4660698A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4660698A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Downsizing is performed while generating an appropriate click sensation by the movement of a shutter. A shutter mechanism includes: a camera (22) that is mounted on a chassis of an information processing apparatus; a shutter (30) that is slidable between a first position and a second position, the first position limiting light reception of a light receiving unit, the second position releasing limitation of the light reception; a first sheet member (41) that is a sheet-shaped magnet sheet relatively fixed to the chassis, the first sheet member including north poles and south poles that are alternately arranged in a slide movement direction at a predetermined pitch; and a second sheet (42) member that is a sheet-shaped magnet sheet relatively fixed to the shutter (30) so that a magnetized surface of the sheet faces a magnetized surface of the first sheet member, the second sheet member including north poles and south poles that are alternately arranged in the slide movement direction at the predetermined pitch and having a magnetization pattern of the north and south poles of the magnetized surface inverted from a magnetization pattern of the first sheet member when being viewed from a direction facing the first sheet member at the first position and the second position.