Compressible Lens Attachment for Camera Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Digital cameras, especially when used outdoors or in sports environments, face challenges in protecting the camera lens from exposure to elements and physical harm when not housed, leading to potential damage and reduced user experience.

Innovation Solution

A removable protective lens attachment that includes a protective lens casing with a compressible material and a protective lens, designed to securely fit over the camera lens, providing protection from debris, wind turbulence, and impact while maintaining image quality and minimizing optical artifacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a camera housing is used to protect the camera, then the camera lens is protected from elements and harm, but the lens remains exposed when operating without a housing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from elements and harmVSAvoidcamera housing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective housing is divided into two functional parts: a main housing that encloses the camera body, and a separate lens attachment that protects only the lens. This segmentation allows the lens to be protected independently when the camera is operated without the full housing, resolving the contradiction between protection and operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lens protection function is extracted from the main camera housing as a separate, removable lens attachment. This extracted component can be independently mounted on the lens to provide protection during operations where the full housing is not used, eliminating the need for the lens to remain exposed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a protective lens attachment is added to protect the lens, then the lens is protected from debris and impact, but the attachment may affect image quality through optical artifacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from debris and impactVSAvoidimage quality and optical clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lens attachment is designed with optically clear material specifically for the light path area, while the casing can be made of non-transparent protective material. This local differentiation ensures that protection is provided where needed without compromising the optical quality of images captured through the lens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The lens attachment incorporates optically clear or transparent material in the light path portion, allowing light to pass through without significant distortion or artifacts. This transparency ensures that the protective attachment does not degrade image quality while still providing physical protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Ease of operation

If a removable protective lens attachment is designed for easy installation and removal, then user convenience is improved, but the attachment mechanism may reduce protection effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation and removal convenienceVSAvoidprotection security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lens attachment uses a dynamic fastening mechanism that allows easy attachment and detachment when needed, while providing secure protection during use. The reversible nature of the fastening system enables users to quickly install or remove the attachment without compromising the security of protection when attached.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism replaces complex mechanical fastening systems with simpler alternatives such as friction-fit, snap-fit, or magnetic attachment. These simplified mechanisms maintain ease of operation while providing sufficient holding force to ensure the attachment remains secure during camera operation and provides effective protection.

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 protective lens attachment effectively safeguards the camera lens from harsh conditions, ensuring continued image quality and operational reliability during use without a protective housing, while being easy to install and remove.

Implementation Method 1

A protective lens attachment can include a protective lens casing with a compressible material and a protective lens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9389487B2Protective lens attachment

Publication Date: 2016.07.12 GOPRO INC

AI summary

A protective lens attachment is configured to couple to a camera lens ring to protect a camera lens during operation. The protective lens attachment can include a compressible structure, on which a force is exerted by a camera lens ring when the camera lens ring is inserted into the protective lens attachment. The compressible structure is configured to exert a reciprocal force onto the camera lens ring, creating a friction force between the compressible structure and the camera lens ring, and securely coupling the protective lens attachment to the camera lens ring.