Hidden Camera Deployment Mechanism with Biasing Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hidden camera systems for vehicles lack repeatability in positioning the camera when fully deployed, which is crucial for providing a consistent perspective and proper amalgamation of multiple camera fields of view.
Innovation Solution
A hidden camera system with a linkage mechanism, including a drive motor, a cover, and a biasing element like a torsion spring, that ensures repeatable and consistent deployment by engaging a stop when fully deployed, and retraction when needed, using a linkage with a crank arm, links, and pivoting support arms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a hidden camera system uses a cover mechanism for concealment, then the camera can be concealed behind the cover, but the repeatability of camera positioning in the fully deployed position is not assured
Solution Approach 1:
A biasing element (torsion spring) is pre-configured to automatically bias the camera into the fully deployed position, eliminating the need for complex active control systems and ensuring repeatable positioning without requiring precision manufacturing tolerances throughout the entire mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a stop mechanism that defines a specific positional parameter (fully deployed position) and an abutment that engages this stop to lock the camera in this predetermined position, ensuring repeatability through geometric constraints rather than manufacturing precision
2Manufacturing precision
If the camera positioning repeatability is improved using stops and abutments, then consistent perspective is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing element (torsion spring) automatically performs the function of positioning the camera without requiring external control systems, sensors, or complex actuation mechanisms, thereby achieving repeatable positioning while minimizing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage mechanism serves multiple functions: it connects the drive motor to the camera, provides the abutment for positioning, and works with the biasing element to achieve both deployment and repeatable positioning, consolidating multiple functions into a single integrated structure
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
Ensures consistent camera deployment into the same position each time, providing a reliable and repeatable viewing perspective for the vehicle operator, and allows for proper amalgamation of multiple camera fields of view.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element like a torsion spring, that ensures repeatable and consistent deployment by engaging a stop when fully deployed
Data Source
AI summary
A hidden camera system for a vehicle includes a cover, a camera, a drive motor and a linkage connecting the drive motor to the cover and the camera. A first stop establishes a repeatable and fully deployed position for the camera. An abutment engages that stop when the camera is fully deployed. A biasing element biases the camera into the fully deployed position to ensure that the camera is always fully deployed into the same position.