Magnetic Camera Cover Actuation for Vibration-Stable Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cover opening and closing devices require direct manual operation, which can be inconvenient and may lead to unintended positional changes due to vibrations or tilts.

Innovation Solution

A cover opening and closing device that uses magnetic attraction or repulsion to move a cover between open and closed positions without direct human touch, utilizing guides and elastic forces to stabilize the cover's position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual operation is used to open and close the cover, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unintended positional changes from vibrations or tilts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation system with a magnetic field-based actuation system. A magnet is positioned behind the cover, and by moving the magnet along a guide, the cover is opened or closed through magnetic attraction without direct mechanical contact. This substitution eliminates the problem of unintended positional changes caused by vibrations or tilts during manual operation, while maintaining ease of operation through remote control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If direct contact operation is used, then ease of operation is improved, but the cover may be accidentally moved by external forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidobject-affected harmful factors
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct mechanical contact operation with magnetic field-based actuation. The magnet is positioned behind the cover and moved along a guide to open or close the cover through magnetic attraction. This eliminates direct contact, preventing accidental movement by external forces such as touches or vibrations, while maintaining ease of operation through remote magnetic control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnet as an intermediary between the operator and the cover. Instead of directly touching the cover to open or close it, the operator moves the magnet which then actuates the cover through magnetic attraction. This intermediary mechanism prevents direct contact and eliminates the harmful effect of accidental touches or vibrations on the cover position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If magnetic actuation is used to prevent direct contact, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with a magnetic field-based system. A magnet and a guide are added to enable remote actuation of the cover. While this increases device complexity by adding these components, it significantly improves reliability by eliminating unintended positional changes from vibrations or tilts during manual operation. The guide ensures the magnet moves along a predetermined path, providing stable and reliable cover actuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnet as an intermediary component to actuate the cover without direct contact. This additional component enables magnetic field-based actuation, improving reliability by preventing accidental movement. The guide structure is also added to constrain the magnet's movement path, ensuring reliable and controlled cover opening and closing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 automatic and stable operation of the cover, preventing unintended movement due to vibrations or tilts, and allowing remote control without direct contact.

Implementation Method 1

A cover opening and closing device is disclosed in which a cover can be opened and closed without being directly touched

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

uses magnetic attraction or repulsion to move a cover between open and closed positions without direct human touch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic repulsion: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

a cover opening and closing device comprising: a cover (15) movable between a first position where the cover (15) shields the camera (16) and a second position where the cover (15) does not shield the camera (16); a magnet (17) disposed behind the cover (15) in a state where the magnet (17) does not come into contact with the cover (15)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4113207B1Cover opening and closing device, preferably for a camera module.
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP4113207B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4113207B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4113207B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A cover opening and closing device is a cover opening and closing device for shielding an object, preferably a camera module in a personal device as a smartphone or tablet computer, the cover opening and closing device including a cover attractable to or repellable by a magnet, a guide accommodating the cover, and a housing covering the guide. The cover is accommodated in a space between the guide and the housing. The guide allows the cover to be moved, by the magnet outside the space, between a first position where the cover shields the object and a second position where the cover does not shield the object.