Foldable Imaging Apparatus with Segmented Housing for Stable Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging apparatuses are difficult to hold firmly while maintaining visibility of the display screen and operability of the touch panel when taking images, leading to high probability of hand movement and operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
A foldable imaging apparatus with a horizontally long first and second housing, where the first display section is inside when folded, and the first imaging section is on the outer surface, allowing operation buttons on the inner surface and a touch panel on the display screen, enabling firm handling without obstructing the screen and easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the display screen is provided across the entirety of the surface of each housing, then the area for displaying information is made large, but fingers are located on the screen when the user holds the imaging apparatus, thereby deteriorating visibility of the screen and operability of the touch panel
Solution Approach 1:
The housing surface is segmented into distinct functional zones: a display area and a non-display area with operation buttons. This segmentation allows the display screen to occupy a large portion of the housing while reserving specific regions for user interaction, preventing fingers from covering the screen during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the housing are assigned different qualities and functions. The display area is optimized for visual output with a touch panel, while the non-display area contains physical operation buttons positioned where fingers naturally rest during holding, creating localized functional zones that resolve the conflict between screen area and operability.
2Area of stationary object
If the display screen is provided across the entirety of the surface of each housing, then the area for displaying information is made large, but when the user holds the imaging apparatus such that the fingers are not located on the screens, the user has to hold the imaging apparatus at back surfaces and side surfaces of the housings, and hence cannot firmly hold the imaging apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The housing incorporates localized grip features and operation buttons in specific regions that coincide with natural finger positions during holding. This creates optimal contact points on the front surface, allowing users to firmly grasp the device while maintaining screen visibility, rather than relying on back or side surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a conventional vertical housing arrangement to a horizontally long shape, creating new spatial dimensions for finger placement and grip. This dimensional change allows operation buttons to be positioned in areas that are naturally accessible during holding while preserving large display area.
3Reliability
If the imaging apparatus is held with both hands, then firm holding is achieved, but the width of the imaging apparatus is too small for a user to firmly hold the imaging apparatus with both hands
Solution Approach 1:
The housing adopts a horizontally long shape instead of a vertically oriented compact form, fundamentally changing the dimensional characteristics. This allows the device to provide sufficient width for two-handed holding while maintaining a compact vertical profile, resolving the contradiction between holding stability and housing dimensions.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
An imaging apparatus (10) includes a lower housing (11), an upper housing (21), a lower LCD (12), an outer camera, a plurality of buttons (14A to 14E), and a touch panel (13). The lower housing (11) has a horizontally long shape. The upper housing (21) has a horizontally long shape, and a long side of the upper housing (21) is connected to an upper long side of the lower housing (11) such that the lower housing (11) and the upper housing (21) are foldable. The lower LCD (12) has a display screen which is provided in an inner surface of the lower housing (11). The outer camera is provided in an outer surface of the upper housing (21), and located at an end of the outer surface of the upper housing (21) which is opposite to a connection portion where the upper housing (21) is connected to the lower housing (11). The plurality of buttons (14A to 14E) are provided on an inner surface of the lower housing (11) and on both sides of the display screen in a horizontal direction of the lower housing (11). The touch panel (13) is provided on the display screen.