Internal Expansion Rail Joiner for Smooth Camera Slider Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera slider rail systems face challenges in achieving seamless joins between rail elements, leading to potential jitter or shake during camera movement due to external joining means, which disrupts smooth motion capture.
Innovation Solution
A modular and extendable rail element system with an internal joiner mechanism that uses a lever-actuated rod to expand and secure the joiner element against the inner wall of adjacent rail elements, minimizing the seam and ensuring a smooth sliding surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If external joining means are used to connect rail elements, then the rail system can be assembled and extended, but the joining creates visible seams and bumps that disrupt smooth camera movement
Solution Approach 1:
The joiner element is nested inside the hollow interior of the rail element, with the expansion device contained within the joiner. This internal nesting arrangement allows the joining mechanism to be completely enclosed within the rail structure, eliminating external bumps and visible seams at the joints while maintaining the ability to connect multiple rail elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The joining mechanism is extracted from the external surface and relocated to the internal hollow space of the rail element. By removing the visible external joining components and placing the expansion device inside the rail, the solution eliminates the harmful external features that disrupt camera movement while preserving the joining function.
2Strength
If traditional external couplings are used to join rail elements, then the components can be connected, but the joining mechanism creates external features that cause jitter during camera sliding
Solution Approach 1:
The joiner element with expansion device is nested within the rail element's hollow interior, creating a clean external surface. The expansion mechanism operates internally to grip the inner wall, providing strong connection without external features that could cause camera jitter during sliding movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The joiner element acts as an intermediary component that mediates the connection between rail elements. It is received within the hollow interior of one rail element and provides the expansion mechanism, serving as a hidden mediator that secures the joint internally without creating external disruptions to camera movement.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a seamless join is achieved by internal expansion mechanism, then smooth camera movement is maintained, but the joiner element must be precisely fitted within the rail element's hollow interior
Solution Approach 1:
The joiner element is designed with a slightly smaller diameter than the hollow interior of the rail element, allowing for controlled insertion and expansion. This parameter difference enables the joiner to be initially inserted easily, then expanded outward to grip the inner wall, balancing ease of assembly with secure connection while maintaining external smoothness.
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
The solution provides a seamless connection between rail elements, ensuring smooth camera movement without external bumps or features that could ruin a shot, enhancing the fluidity and quality of motion capture.
Implementation Method 1
an expansion device or means configured to expand the joiner element and exert radial force thereby to engage and press the joiner element against the inner wall of the open end
Data Source
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AI summary
A rail element (10, 33) for a camera slider system or, more generally, a tube joiner for a rail comprised of an expansion device (23, 30), located internally at an open end (12, 32) of a tubular body (11, 33). The expansion device is configured to fit within a male part or joiner element (16, 31) that may be inserted into the end of the tube (10, 33) and can be actuated to an expanded state where it exerts force radially outwards through the joiner (16, 31) to hold it against the open end (12, 32), thereby joining two tubular or rail element ends together.