Damped Bidirectional Hinge for Camera Swing and Neutral Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinges for surveillance cameras in dock bays do not provide adequate motion control and damping, leading to potential damage and suboptimal observational views during loading and unloading operations.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional hinge mechanism with a rotatable assembly, including a saddle, shaft, torsion springs, tensioners, and rotary speed limiters, allowing controlled and damped swinging motion of the camera to avoid damage and return to a neutral position for optimal viewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera is hung at the middle of the bay door for optimal observation, then the observational view is improved, but the camera becomes susceptible to damage from parcels
Solution Approach 1:
The camera mounting system uses a hinge mechanism that allows dynamic movement between a horizontal viewing position and an upward swinging position. The camera can swing out of the way when hit by parcels while maintaining optimal observation capability when in the neutral position.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism acts as an intermediary between the camera and the mounting surface, providing controlled motion and damping to protect the camera from direct impact while maintaining observational capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional hinge is used to allow camera movement, then the camera can swing out of the way, but the motion is uncontrolled and may cause damage to other objects
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism incorporates a damper that uses fluid resistance to control the camera's swinging motion. The damper provides hydraulic damping to slow and control the camera's movement as it swings from the horizontal to upward position, preventing uncontrolled motion and potential damage to other objects.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional hinge is used, then the camera can swing out of the way, but adequate damping and slowing down is not provided for returning to neutral position
Solution Approach 1:
The damper incorporates a valve mechanism that controls fluid flow to provide progressive damping during the camera's return swing to the neutral position. This hydraulic control system gradually slows the camera's motion, ensuring it returns to the optimal viewing position in a controlled manner rather than swinging back rapidly.
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 provides controlled and damped motion, preventing camera damage and ensuring optimal observational views by allowing the camera to swing out of the way safely and return to a neutral position.
Implementation Method 1
a first torsion spring, the first end of the first torsion spring being attached to the collar, the second end of the first torsion spring being attached to the first tensioner
Implementation Method 2
the first rotary speed limiter dampens the rotation of the saddle
Implementation Method 3
a second torsion spring, the first end of the second torsion spring being attached to the collar, the second end of the second torsion spring being attached to the second tensioner
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
In general, various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a hinge mechanism. In particular embodiments, the hinge mechanism comprises: a collar; a rotatable assembly comprising a saddle, a shaft, a torsion spring, a tensioner, and a rotary speed limiter. The rotatable assembly provides a single point of a rotation of the saddle in a first and a second direction from a neutral position of the saddle. The saddle comprises a first pin. The saddle is attached to the shaft, and rotates about in the first and second directions. The torsion spring is attached to the collar and the tensioner. The tensioner comprises a second pin for winding the torsion spring when engaged by the first pin during the rotation of the saddle in the first direction, and the rotary speed limiter dampens the rotation of the saddle.