Iris Lens Cap with Rotating Blades for Continuous Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lens caps for cameras and optical devices are often misplaced or forgotten when not in use, leading to potential damage during storage or transportation, as they require removal and separate storage, which compromises protection.
Innovation Solution
A semi-permanently mountable lens cap assembly with an iris-type opening and closing mechanism, featuring a base, outer ring, and curved blades that rotate to form an opening or closure, allowing for protection without complete removal, utilizing apertures, y-shaped and I-shaped channels, and locking mechanisms for secure attachment and easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a removable lens cap is used to protect the lens, then the lens is protected when the cap is on, but the cap is frequently misplaced, lost, or forgotten when removed for camera use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lens cap with the camera lens assembly by providing a mounting structure that attaches the cap to the lens barrel. This merging ensures the cap remains with the camera during use, eliminating the problem of misplacement while maintaining protection capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic opening and closing mechanism that allows the lens cap to be quickly deployed when needed and retracted when not needed. This dynamic capability provides protection reliability when the cap is in the closed position while maintaining ease of operation through rapid deployment and retraction.
2Reliability
If a semi-permanently mounted lens cap assembly is used, then the lens cap remains available for protection during storage and transport, but the mounting structure and opening/closing mechanism increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lens cap assembly into separate functional components: a mounting structure that attaches to the lens barrel, a lens cap body, and an opening/closing mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to provide continuous protection without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the opening/closing mechanism is integrated within the lens cap assembly, and the mounting structure is integrated with the camera lens barrel. This nesting reduces the overall space required and minimizes the number of separate parts, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining continuous protection capability.
3Productivity
If an iris-type opening and closing mechanism is used, then the lens cap can be quickly opened and closed without removal, but the mechanism with multiple curved blades and channels increases manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the iris mechanism components, particularly the curved blades and channels, to serve multiple functions: they provide the opening/closing action, guide the movement of adjacent blades, and contribute to the structural integrity of the assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby simplifying manufacturing despite the complex motion required.
Data Source
AI summary
A lens cap device, comprising a base configured as inner ring; an outer ring configured to be rotatable relative to the base; and a plurality of curved blades rotatably connected to the base and slidably connected to the outer ring, wherein the plurality of curved blades is configured to function as an iris; and wherein when the outer ring is rotated, each blade in the plurality of curved blades travels from an outer position that defines an opening to an inward position that defines a closure.