Magnetic Camera Mount with Spherical Housing for Vehicle Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-vehicle cameras experience orientation changes and detachment issues due to turning forces during vehicle acceleration, deceleration, and rough terrain, leading to potential injury and damage, especially with cuboid camera housings that are difficult to center-mount securely.
Innovation Solution
A magnetically coupled mount assembly with a Neodymium magnet and a spherical camera housing allowing for adjustable orientation within specific ranges, providing a strong attractive force for secure attachment while allowing limited slidable movement to correct misalignments, reducing the risk of detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cuboid camera housing is used with an arm mounting system, then the camera can be mounted on the vehicle superstructure, but the mass and length create turning forces that change orientation during vehicle acceleration and deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spheroidality by using a spherical camera housing instead of a cuboid shape. The spherical shape allows the camera to be mounted at its center of gravity, eliminating the turning forces that occur with offset mounting of cuboid housings. The spherical mount coupling member also enables multi-directional adjustment to achieve optimal orientation while maintaining stable attachment during vehicle motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements counterweight principles by positioning the camera at the center of the spherical housing, effectively balancing the mass distribution. This centering approach counteracts the gravitational and inertial forces that would otherwise create unwanted turning moments during vehicle acceleration and deceleration.
2Reliability
If a spherical camera housing with magnetic coupling is used, then secure attachment is achieved through strong attractive force, but slidable movement is permitted that could allow detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using a magnetic coupling system that provides both secure attachment and controlled movement. The magnetic attractive force holds the camera firmly in place during normal operation, while still allowing the user to slide the camera to adjust its orientation. The magnetic force dynamically adapts to maintain attachment while permitting intentional repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the strength and distribution of the magnetic field across the spherical coupling surfaces. The magnetic coupling member is designed with specific magnetic material properties and geometric configuration that enable the magnetic force to be strong enough for secure attachment yet allow controlled slidable movement for adjustment purposes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mount coupling member allows slidable movement in all directions, then flexible positioning is achieved, but the camera may detach during severe vehicle maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the spherical mount coupling member with non-uniform magnetic material distribution or geometric features that provide different degrees of freedom for movement. The coupling allows easier sliding in certain directions for positioning adjustment while providing stronger resistance in other directions to prevent detachment during severe vehicle maneuvers.
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 magnetic coupling system securely maintains the camera's orientation and position, minimizing the risk of detachment and injury, while allowing for flexible adjustment to ensure proper alignment, thus enhancing safety and usability.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetically coupled mount assembly with a Neodymium magnet and a spherical camera housing allowing for adjustable orientation within specific ranges, providing a strong attractive force for secure attachment
Implementation Method 2
the attractive force is of a magnitude to permit slidable movement of the mount coupling member relative to an accessory coupling member while maintaining mechanical contact between the mount and an accessory
Data Source
AI summary
A mount for mounting an accessory, the mount comprising: an attachment member to attach the mount to a support structure; and a mount coupling member configured to have a profile complementary to a corresponding accessory coupling member of an accessory to be coupled to the mount. The mount coupling member comprises a first material operative to couple to a second material of an accessory coupling member through an attractive force between the first material and second material; and wherein the attractive force is of a magnitude to permit slidable movement of the mount coupling member relative to an accessory coupling member while maintaining mechanical contact between the mount and an accessory. The first material comprises a complementary configuration with a second material of an accessory coupling member to permit a greater magnitude of the slidable movement in a first direction compared to a second direction transverse to the first direction.