Flash Unit Movable Light Emitter Avoiding Display Collision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pop-up flash units in image pickup apparatuses face operability issues when trying to pop up the light emitting unit while the display unit is rotated 180 degrees, as the light emitting unit may collide with the display unit, and there is a need for increased pop-up amount to minimize lens shadow in miniaturized camera bodies.
Innovation Solution
The image pickup apparatus features a flash unit with a light emitting unit that can pop up even when the display panel is directed to the photographing direction, utilizing a system of rotating shafts and torsion springs to allow the light emitting unit to move between retracted and light-emitting positions without obstruction, with the rotating shafts and support members arranged to accommodate the display unit's stand-up position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the light emitting unit is designed to pop up with a large amount to reduce lens shadow, then the shadow problem is reduced, but the light emitting unit may collide with the display unit when the display panel is rotated 180 degrees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the rotating shafts and support members in specific three-dimensional arrangements. The first rotating shaft is positioned at a first position, the second rotating shaft at a second position, and the third rotating shaft at a third position, creating a spatial configuration that allows the light emitting unit to pop up in a dimension that avoids collision with the display unit when rotated 180 degrees.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic mechanism where the light emitting unit can change its position between retracted and popped-up states through the coordinated rotation of three rotating shafts. This dynamic positioning system allows the unit to achieve a large pop-up amount for shadow reduction while dynamically avoiding collision with the display unit through proper sequencing and spatial arrangement.
2Volume of moving object
If the body size is minimized for miniaturization, then the camera is more compact, but the pop-up amount is reduced causing lens shadow to appear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement of the rotating shafts and support members to achieve an efficient use of internal space. By positioning the shafts at different locations and orientations within the compact body, the mechanism achieves a larger effective pop-up amount without increasing the overall body volume, thus reducing lens shadow while maintaining miniaturization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested configuration where the support members and rotating shafts are arranged within the compact body structure. The first support member connects the light emitting unit to the body, the second support member connects to the first support member, and the third support member connects to the body, creating a nested arrangement that maximizes the pop-up distance within the limited body volume.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the display unit is rotated 180 degrees for selfie photography, then self-viewing is enabled, but the light emitting unit cannot pop up due to collision with the display unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the rotating shafts and support members in specific three-dimensional arrangements. The first rotating shaft is positioned at a first position, the second rotating shaft at a second position, and the third rotating shaft at a third position, creating a spatial configuration that allows the light emitting unit to pop up in a dimension that avoids collision with the display unit when rotated 180 degrees.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the flash unit mechanism to function universally regardless of the display unit's orientation. The coordinated rotation of three rotating shafts and the nested support member arrangement enable the light emitting unit to pop up successfully whether the display unit is in its original position or rotated 180 degrees, thus supporting both regular photography and selfie functions.
Data Source
AI summary
An image pickup apparatus equipped with a flash unit that is capable of popping up a light emitting unit even if a display panel is directed to a photographing direction. The flash unit is provided on an upper face of a body of the image pickup apparatus and includes three parallel rotating shafts, a first support member that is rotatably connected with the light emitting unit through the first rotating shaft, and a second support member that is rotatably connected with the first support member through the second rotating shaft and is rotatably connected with the body through the third rotating shaft. The light emitting unit is movable between a light-emitting position projected and a retracted position inside the body even if the display unit is in a stand-up position that is rotated from a regular position opposite to a back face of the body by 180 degrees.