Camera Unit Ball Joint Integration for Compact Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera arrangements are bulky and require numerous assembly steps, making them cumbersome and difficult to handle.

Innovation Solution

A camera arrangement with a partially spherical camera unit that serves as part of a ball joint, allowing it to rotate within a joint socket formed by two parts of the holder, which can be secured with a single fastening means, eliminating the need for a separate ball joint and simplifying assembly and alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate ball joint holder is used to support the camera unit, then the camera arrangement is stable and secure, but the device becomes bulky and requires numerous assembly steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure mountingVSAvoidassembly steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the camera unit housing with the ball joint socket into a single integrated structure. The camera unit is directly received in the joint socket formed by holder parts, eliminating the need for a separate ball joint holder. This integration reduces the number of components and assembly steps while maintaining secure mounting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The camera unit housing serves dual functions: it protects the camera components and simultaneously acts as part of the ball joint mechanism. The housing is designed to be received in the joint socket, allowing the camera unit to both function as a camera and as a structural component of the mounting mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate ball joint holder is used to support the camera unit, then the camera arrangement is stable and secure, but the device becomes bulky in size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure mountingVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the camera unit housing with the ball joint socket into a single integrated structure. The camera unit is directly received in the joint socket formed by holder parts, eliminating the need for a separate ball joint holder. This integration reduces the number of components and assembly steps while maintaining secure mounting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple fastening means are used to brace the holder parts, then the joint socket is securely closed, but the handling and assembly become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint socket securityVSAvoidhandling
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple fastening functions into a single fastening means. One fastening element is used to simultaneously secure both joint sockets, allowing the holder parts to be braced and closed with a single operation. This simplifies handling and assembly while maintaining secure closure of the joint sockets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If the camera unit is mounted on a separate ball joint holder, then the camera can be securely attached, but the alignment process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera attachmentVSAvoidalignment process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the camera unit housing with the ball joint socket into a single integrated structure. The camera unit is directly received in the joint socket formed by holder parts, eliminating the need for a separate ball joint holder. This integration reduces the number of components and assembly steps while maintaining secure mounting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2980643B1Camera assembly with a camera unit supported by a ball joint
Publication Date: 2017.11.22 BURG WACHTER KG
  • EP2980643B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2980643B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2980643B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a camera arrangement (1) with a camera unit (6) and a holder (2), wherein the holder (2) has at least two parts (3, 4) forming a joint socket, wherein the parts (3, 4) forming the joint socket can be clamped against each other with only a single fastening means (5), in particular being openable and closeable, wherein the camera unit (6) is at least partially spherical, and wherein the camera unit (6) is rotatably received in the joint socket about at least one axis.