Concave Camera Housing Snag Reduction on Convex Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems for first-person videos and images, such as those used by military and first-responder personnel, often have a large profile and snag hazards, which can increase danger during operations by catching on objects and compromising covert positions, and lack effective attachment methods to convex surfaces.
Innovation Solution
Development of low-profile concavely curved camera housings with a smooth, snag-free design that attaches directly to convex surfaces using single-motion releasable elements like hook-and-loop fabric or magnets, providing a compact footprint and enhanced user safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stand-off mounts and attachment hardware are used to attach cameras to helmets, then cameras can be securely attached, but the profile increases and snag hazards are created
Solution Approach 1:
The camera housing base is merged with the attachment mechanism, creating an integrated unit where the concave base surface itself serves as the mounting interface. This eliminates separate stand-off mounts and attachment hardware, reducing the overall profile while maintaining secure attachment to convex surfaces like helmets
Solution Approach 2:
The camera housing employs a concavely curved base surface that complements the convex curvature of helmet surfaces. This curved geometry allows the camera to nestle into the helmet contour, eliminating the need for protruding attachment hardware and reducing snag hazards while ensuring reliable attachment
2Adaptability or versatility
If stand-off mounts and protruding elements are used for camera attachment, then cameras can be mounted, but snag hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The concavely curved base surface creates a smooth, contour-following interface between the camera housing and helmet. This curved design eliminates sharp edges, corners, and protruding elements that could catch on cords, cables, or other objects, thereby reducing snag hazards while maintaining versatile mounting capability across different helmet surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The camera housing features a smooth, snag-free upper surface specifically designed to eliminate hazards, while the concave base surface provides the necessary attachment interface. This localized differentiation allows the mounting function to be performed without creating protruding elements that would increase snag risks
3Reliability
If complex attachment hardware is used, then secure attachment is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is merged into the camera housing base itself, eliminating the need for separate mounts, brackets, and hardware components. The concave base surface directly interfaces with the convex helmet surface, creating a simple yet secure attachment system that reduces device complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Complex attachment hardware such as bolts, screws, and separate mounting brackets are extracted from the system. The patent uses simplified attachment methods that rely on the geometric complementarity between the concave base and convex surface, removing unnecessary components and reducing overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Low profile concavely curved cameras, camera housings and related systems and methods. These devices, etc., simultaneously reduce snags and other hazards and also provide improved protection to people such as military and first-responder personnel and athletes by improving the attachment of the camera housing to a helmet or other complexly curved convexly curved base substrate.