Focal Plane Shutter with Switching Mechanism for Multi-Mode Photography
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Recent high-grade digital cameras require a focal plane shutter that can operate in multiple modes, including modes where the front and rear blades can be independently controlled to open and close the exposure aperture, while also supporting photography using both optical and electronic finders, which existing focal plane shutters with two blades do not efficiently accommodate.
Innovation Solution
A compact focal plane shutter design with a first driving member for the front blade, a second driving member for the front blade, a rear blade driving member, a setting member, and restraining means, including an electromagnetic device with a permanent magnet rotor, allowing for various photography modes such as the front blade closing and then opening the aperture, both blades opening, or the rear blade operating alone, depending on the selected photography mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a focal plane shutter includes two shutter blades (front blade and rear blade), then photography exposure can be controlled with better timing, but the configuration becomes intricate and cannot efficiently support multiple photography modes (optical finder vs electronic finder)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the shutter blade configuration changeable through a switching mechanism. The shutter can dynamically transition between different operational modes (first photography mode with front blade closing first, second photography mode with both blades opening) based on the selected finder type, thereby adapting the complex two-blade structure to serve multiple functions without permanently increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a multi-mode shutter system that can support both optical finder and electronic finder photography modes. The switching mechanism enables the same physical shutter structure to perform different functions (front blade closes then opens, both blades open, or rear blade operates alone), making the shutter system universally applicable to various photography scenarios
2Adaptability or versatility
If a focal plane shutter is designed to support multiple photography modes with independent blade control, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining multiple driving functions into integrated driving members. The first driving member controls both the front blade closing and opening actions, while the second driving member controls the rear blade. This merging of control functions reduces the number of separate control mechanisms needed, thereby supporting multiple photography modes without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The switching mechanism dynamically configures which driving members are activated and how they operate based on the selected photography mode. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt to different modes (front blade only, both blades, or rear blade operations) while maintaining a relatively simple base structure that doesn't permanently accommodate all possibilities
3Loss of time
If the front blade closes the exposure aperture first then opens it for optical finder photography, then photography timing is improved, but the shutter configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the front blade close the exposure aperture before the rear blade begins its operation. This sequential preliminary action (front blade closes, then opens, then rear blade operates) enables better timing control for photography exposure, ensuring the aperture is properly sealed and then opened at the correct moment without requiring complex simultaneous control mechanisms
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
Enables the camera to perform photography in multiple modes, including those where the front blade closes and then opens the exposure aperture, both blades open, or only the rear blade operates, enhancing flexibility and compatibility with optical and electronic finders, while optimizing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
restraining means, including an electromagnetic device with a permanent magnet rotor
Data Source
AI summary
A first driving member for front blade that connects a front blade and a second driving member for front blade are rotatably mounted to a shaft 1g, a rear blade driving member that connects a rear blade is rotatably mounted to a shaft, the first driving member follows the second driving member and is rotated by a biasing force of a set spring in a setting operation, and is pressed by the second driving member and rotated in photography. The restraining means has a restraining member that can go in and out of an operation path of the restrained portion of the first driving member. When the present invention is adopted in a single-lens reflex camera, the restraining member can be within the operation path of the restrained portion in the setting operation for photography using an optical finder, and the restraining member can be outside the operation path of the restrained portion in the setting operation for photography using an electronic finder.