Mobile Camera Cover Assembly with Tunnel and Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for covering mobile device cameras fail to simultaneously protect both front and rear cameras while maintaining device functionality, particularly restricting the use of flash components and obscuring speakers, and lack efficient and economical designs.
Innovation Solution
A cover assembly with a thickness and tunnel within the thickness, featuring a front camera cover that can be housed within the tunnel, allowing for independent operation of the flash and speakers, and an actuating member to urge both front and rear camera covers into place without obstructing the speaker or restricting flash usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cover assembly is designed to cover both front and rear cameras, then camera privacy protection is improved, but device functionality (speaker and flash operation) may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The front camera cover is partially housed within the tunnel of the cover assembly, allowing it to be nested inside the case structure. This nesting arrangement enables the cover to provide privacy protection while the tunnel space ensures the front camera cover does not protrude enough to obstruct the speaker, and the opening in the cover assembly allows flash component access.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover assembly is divided into separate components: a rear camera cover, a front camera cover, and a cover assembly with a tunnel and opening. The actuating member independently urges each cover, allowing segmented control where each component can be positioned to balance privacy protection with device functionality access.
2Reliability
If existing cover designs are used to protect cameras, then privacy protection is achieved, but the design becomes complicated and costly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple camera cover functions (front camera cover, rear camera cover, speaker protection, flash access) are merged into a single integrated cover assembly. The cover assembly combines the tunnel structure, opening, and both camera covers into one unified component that attaches to the case, simplifying the overall design while maintaining comprehensive protection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If camera covers are added to protect against damage, then protection capability is improved, but the overall device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cover assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides privacy protection for both cameras, protects against blunt force damage and scratches, maintains speaker functionality through the tunnel design, and allows flash access through the opening. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective components, keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus to cover mobile device cameras including a cover assembly is disclosed herein. The cover assembly includes a rear camera cover and a front camera cover. The rear camera cover is adapted to cover the rear camera of a mobile device and the front camera cover is adapted to cover the front camera of the mobile device. The cover assembly further includes an actuating member that urges front camera cover and rear camera cover to the front camera and rear camera respectively. Furthermore, the camera assembly covers both the front and rear camera while maintaining the functionality of the speaker and microphone on a mobile device. Additionally, the cover assembly provides an opening for the flash component on a mobile to allow a user to still use the flash of a mobile device. The apparatus may also cover additional components and sensors such as microphones, charging ports, and speakers.