Deployable Camera Assembly for Full-Screen Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The front camera on smart devices with 'all screen' or 'infinity display' designs limits the size of the display screen, as it occupies space on the front surface.
Innovation Solution
A deployable and retractable camera assembly is mounted on the back surface of the device, allowing it to protrude for use and retract when not in use, thus avoiding space on the front surface and enabling a larger display screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a front camera is placed on the front surface of the device, then camera functionality is achieved, but the display screen size is limited due to space occupation
Solution Approach 1:
The camera assembly is moved from the front surface (2D plane) to the back surface and made deployable in the third dimension (protruding outward), allowing the front surface to be fully dedicated to display while maintaining camera functionality through a movable rear-mounted structure
2Area of moving object
If a camera assembly is made deployable and retractable, then front surface space is freed for larger display, but device complexity increases due to movable mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The camera assembly utilizes gravity and elastic potential energy storage to automatically deploy and retract without requiring external power sources or complex control systems, reducing device complexity while achieving the desired functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The camera assembly transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic movable structure that can deploy and retract, allowing flexible adaptation between different operational states while maintaining structural simplicity through mechanical design
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device with movable camera assembly which can be deployed and retracted so as to allow a display screen of maximum size on a front surface of the device includes a main body and a camera assembly. The main body includes a front surface with a display screen and a back surface. The back surface defines a recess receiving the camera assembly. The camera assembly is mounted on a carrier. The carrier-mounted camera assembly appears from or above the front surface when deployed by being slid upwardly or outwardly by a user, the camera assembly can then be pushed back in.