Camera Swivel Mechanism With Wedge Locking and Provisional Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bullet-shaped cameras require fast, precise, and simple adjustment with reliable holding of rotational positions under stress from vibrations, wind, and snow, and existing mechanisms often necessitate manual tool use in hard-to-reach places, complicating the alignment process.
Innovation Solution
A swivel mechanism with a base and back cover that allows for three-axis adjustment, featuring a wedge mechanism with inclined surfaces for locking, a coupling nut for provisional locking, and a fixation screw for durable locking, enabling manual pre-fixation and secure clamping without tools, while maintaining infinite position resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a screw mechanism is used to lock the camera position, then the position can be reliably held under stress, but manual positioning requires holding the camera with one hand while using a screwdriver with the other, complicating the alignment process
Solution Approach 1:
The camera head is designed to serve its own positioning function by incorporating a self-locking mechanism with inclined surfaces and a release button. The user can directly manipulate the camera head to engage or disengage the locking mechanism without requiring external tools, allowing one-handed operation during alignment while maintaining secure positioning once locked.
2Reliability
If multiple screws are used to lock the camera in three axes, then the position can be reliably held under vibration and wind stress, but the device complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanisms for pan and tilt adjustments are merged into a unified design where both axes utilize the same self-locking principle with inclined surfaces and a single release button. This consolidation reduces the number of separate locking components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining reliable positioning in three axes under environmental stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The release button serves multiple functions: it simultaneously controls the locking mechanism for both pan and tilt axes, and can be operated with a single hand. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate release mechanisms for each axis, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to reliably hold position under vibration and wind stress.
3Measurement precision
If a complex locking mechanism is used to maintain infinite position resolution, then precise alignment is achieved, but the ease of manual positioning without tools is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The camera head incorporates a self-service locking mechanism where the user directly manipulates the camera head itself to engage the locking action. The inclined surfaces provide continuous adjustment capability for infinite position resolution, while the integrated release button allows tool-free locking and unlocking, maintaining both precision and ease of operation.
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
Simplifies camera alignment and installation by allowing manual pre-fixation and secure clamping with one screw, ensuring reliable position holding under various loads and providing infinite position resolution in all three degrees of freedom.
Implementation Method 1
The wedge mechanism comprises a first wedge and a second wedge each having an inclined surface on one side, wherein the inclined surface of the first wedge is arranged on the inclined surface of the second wedge
Implementation Method 2
The wedge mechanism comprises a first wedge and a second wedge each having an inclined surface on one side
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a swivel mechanism (200) for orientating a camera comprising a base (8) configured to attach the swivel mechanism (200) to a support structure; a wedge mechanism comprising a first wedge (5) and a second wedge (6) each having an inclined surface (5d, 6b) on one side, wherein the inclined surface of the first wedge (5d) is arranged on the inclined surface of the second wedge (6b), a back cover (1) configured to receive a camera head (100), the back cover (1) arranged at a side of the swivel mechanism (200) opposite to the base (8) in a direction of a pan axis (A1), wherein the back cover (1) comprises a joint member (1a) connected to the wedge mechanism; a housing (40), arranged in the direction of the pan axis (A1) between the base (8) and the back cover (1), wherein the housing (40) encloses the joint member (1a) and the wedge mechanism. The first wedge (5) is configured to receive the joint member (1a) of the back cover (1) on a side opposite to the side having the inclined surface (5d), and the second wedge (6) is arranged with a side opposite to the side having the inclined surface (6d) towards the base (8). The base (8) and the back cover (1) are movable relative to each other when the swivel mechanism is in an unlocked state, and the base (8) and the back cover (1) are locked relative to each other when the swivel mechanism is in a locked state. The swivel mechanism (200) is lockable by a coupling nut (3), which is configured to connect the housing (40) to the base (8), and the swivel mechanism (200) is lockable by a wedge mechanism activating means (11), which is configured to move the first wedge (5) relative to the second wedge (6).