Marine Camera Mounting System with Rotating Sub-Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera mounting systems for marine vessels are difficult and time-consuming to install, position, and replace, and require complex configurations, especially for surround view systems, which can be costly and inefficient when cameras are damaged.
Innovation Solution
A camera mounting system featuring a base mount with a rotating sub-housing and removable camera configuration, including dampers for impact protection and attitude sensors for orientation calibration, allowing for easy installation, adjustment, and replacement of cameras around a marine vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cameras are mounted on marine vessels using traditional mounting systems, then the cameras can capture external environment images, but the installation and replacement of cameras becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate modular components: a base mount that attaches to the vessel, a sub-housing that contains the camera, and a quick-release mechanism. This segmentation allows the camera to be independently removed and replaced without affecting the base mount or other cameras, significantly reducing installation and replacement time while maintaining secure mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-housing is designed to rotate within the base mount, providing dynamic adjustability for camera positioning. This rotational capability allows operators to easily change camera angles and orientations during installation and maintenance, improving ease of operation while maintaining stable camera capture during vessel operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cameras are positioned around marine vessels for surround view systems, then comprehensive external environment coverage is achieved, but the installation complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The base mount and sub-housing design creates a universal mounting system that can accommodate multiple camera models and positions. The standardized interface and quick-release mechanism allow the same mounting structure to be used for all cameras in a surround view system, reducing overall system complexity and installation cost while maintaining comprehensive external environment coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-housing is received within the interior space of the base mount, creating a nested structure. This nesting arrangement consolidates multiple camera mounting functions into a compact integrated unit, reducing the overall footprint and simplifying the installation process for surround view systems while maintaining the ability to position cameras around the entire vessel.
3Reliability
If cameras are securely mounted to withstand marine environments, then reliability is improved, but the time and cost for camera replacement increase when damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The quick-release mechanism is pre-configured with alignment features and release latches that enable rapid camera removal. This preliminary design of the release mechanism ensures that when camera replacement is needed due to damage, the secure mounting structure does not hinder quick removal, maintaining both reliability during operation and ease of repair when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The dampers are positioned between the camera and sub-housing to provide impact protection during normal operation, reducing the likelihood of damage. This beforehand cushioning maintains reliable mounting while minimizing the need for frequent replacements, thereby improving ease of repair by reducing replacement frequency.
4Measurement precision
If cameras are positioned for optimal viewing angles, then image quality is improved, but the calibration and positioning process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational sub-housing provides dynamic adjustability that allows operators to quickly change camera orientations to optimal viewing angles during installation. This dynamic positioning capability, combined with the quick-release mechanism, enables rapid calibration and repositioning without time-consuming permanent mounting procedures, reducing calibration time while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The attitude sensor provides real-time feedback on camera orientation, allowing operators to quickly adjust the rotational sub-housing to achieve optimal viewing angles. This feedback mechanism accelerates the calibration process by providing immediate information on positioning accuracy, reducing the time required to achieve precise camera orientation while maintaining measurement precision.
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 quick and efficient installation, adjustment, and replacement of cameras with multiple views, providing improved maneuverability and safety by allowing cameras to rotate and translate, while ensuring environmental protection and easy maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one damper configured to permit a position of the camera to translate toward the sub-housing in response to an external object impacting the camera
Implementation Method 2
at least one attitude sensor configured to sense an orientation of the camera
Data Source
AI summary
A camera mounting system for a vehicle. The camera mounting system comprises a base mount configured to be coupled with an exterior surface of the vehicle. The base mount includes an interior space. The camera mounting system additionally comprises a sub-housing received within the interior space of the base mount. The sub-housing is configured to rotate within the base mount. The camera mounting system additionally comprises a camera configured to be removably mounted to the sub-housing. As such, when the camera is mounted to the sub-housing, the camera is configured to rotate in conjunction with the sub-housing. The camera mounting system additionally comprises at least one damper configured to permit a position of the camera to translate toward the sub-housing in response to an external object impacting the camera. The camera mounting system further comprises at least one attitude sensor configured to sense an orientation of the camera.