Extendible L-Plate Assembly for Cable-Clear Camera Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Changing the orientation of camera equipment from landscape to portrait or vice versa using a ballhead is problematic due to instability and difficulty in accommodating cables when using an L-plate, as it requires additional clearance for cabling connections.
Innovation Solution
An extendible L-plate with a base and side plate that can be separated and reassembled to provide clearance for cables, allowing the camera to be securely attached and rotated without the need for a separate spacer, ensuring stability and ease of use in both orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a ballhead is used to change camera orientation, then the camera can be rotated between landscape and portrait orientations, but the camera equipment becomes unstable and cables cannot be properly accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The L-plate is divided into two separate plates: a base plate that attaches to the camera and a side plate that attaches to the ballhead. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's function, enabling stable cable routing through the side plate while maintaining secure camera attachment through the base plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The L-plate assembly acts as an intermediary device between the camera and the ballhead, providing a stable structural connection that accommodates cables while enabling orientation changes. The extended side plate specifically serves as a mediator for cable management.
2Strength
If a standard L-plate is used to attach camera to support, then the camera can be securely mounted, but additional clearance is required for cabling connections
Solution Approach 1:
The L-plate extends in a third dimension (perpendicular to both the camera base and the ballhead mounting surface), creating an L-shaped structure. This dimensional extension provides the necessary clearance for cables to pass through the side plate while maintaining secure attachment at both ends.
3Ease of operation
If the L-plate is made extendible to provide cable clearance, then cable accommodation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The L-plate is segmented into two separate plates (base plate and side plate) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing of each individual component while providing the functional benefits of an extended structure for cable management.
Data Source
AI summary
A two-piece extendable L-plate provides clearance between a camera and a quick-release receiver securing the camera to a support permitting a camera having cables connected to the side of the camera's body to be secured in either a landscape or a portrait orientation.