Elastic Collar Grip for Camera Lens Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual camera lens rings often have smooth surfaces, making them difficult to rotate, and existing collars are bulky, rigid, and require a change in operation technique, lacking precision and protection from environmental factors.
Innovation Solution
A collar grip made of elastic or shape-memory material that fits around the lens ring, providing increased diameter for better control, customizable, and featuring extended surface features for improved grip and protection, allowing precise focus and zoom adjustments without altering the standard operation method.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a smooth lens ring surface is used, then the lens appearance is sleek and simple, but the grip and rotation control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The collar grip applies local quality by adding textured gripping surfaces only at specific locations where finger contact occurs, while leaving the rest of the lens ring smooth. The exterior surface includes gripping features such as ridges, grooves, or patterns that provide friction and tactile feedback, while the interior surface remains smooth or has minimal features to avoid interfering with the lens ring's overall aesthetics and function.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar grip acts as an intermediary between the user's fingers and the smooth lens ring surface. It provides the necessary friction and tactile feedback for gripping and rotating, while the elastic material allows it to conform to the lens ring and be easily installed and removed without permanent modification to the lens.
2Ease of operation
If rigid lens ring collars are attached, then more control is provided, but weight and bulk increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The collar grip is made from an elastic material that forms a flexible shell conforming to the lens ring. This flexible construction provides the necessary control and grip through its deformable structure and surface features, while maintaining minimal weight and bulk compared to rigid collars. The elasticity allows it to stretch during installation and return to its original shape, providing a snug fit without adding significant mass.
3Ease of operation
If existing collars are used, then grasping control is improved, but installation time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The collar grip utilizes dynamic properties of elastic materials to enable easy installation. The material can be stretched dynamically to expand the collar's inner diameter during installation, allowing it to be placed over the lens ring. Once installed, the elastic recovery force causes the collar to contract and conform tightly to the lens ring, securing itself without requiring additional fastening steps or tools.
4Ease of operation
If hatching or external features are added to lens rings, then rotation assistance is provided, but the hard surface provides minimal traction
Solution Approach 1:
The collar grip combines the rigid structured features (ridges, grooves, or patterns) with an elastic material base, creating a composite structure. The rigid features provide the mechanical interlocking and rotation assistance, while the elastic material provides friction traction and conformability. This composite approach overcomes the limitation of hard surfaces with minimal traction by adding a compliant material layer with enhanced friction properties.
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
Enhances grip and precision in rotating lens rings, protects against environmental degradation, and allows for precise control under various conditions, including humidity, while maintaining lightweight and easy installation.
Implementation Method 1
A collar grip of an embodiment of the subject invention will retract, preferably instantaneously (or relatively instantaneously), to resume its original shape and conform to the outside configuration of the lens ring
Implementation Method 2
A collar grip can be, in general, a ring, band, sleeve, tube, or similar shaped device of an elastic or other shape-memory material
Implementation Method 3
The pliability of the material can beneficially allow the extended surface features to conform to the exterior of the focusing ring and can produce cohesion or stiction with the focusing ring or other part of the camera lens, creating a non-permanent bond
Data Source
AI summary
Advantageous collar grips are provided to secure a grip on a camera lens ring, such as the focusing, zooming, or aperture control rings. A collar grip of a pliable and stretchable material can be placed around the lens ring to allow improved manipulation and thereby more accurate manipulation of the lens. Extended surface features on the collar grip can secure it to the lens ring and ensure an accurate grasp. The collar grip also provides increased diameter to the focusing ring, which can further aid in more accurate focusing ability.