Modular Optical Mounting for Battery Swaps Without Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical devices, such as cameras and spotlights, face challenges in easy battery replacement and functional flexibility, as they often require complex disassembly and may not allow for quick swapping of optical components or batteries without disturbing the device's orientation.
Innovation Solution
A modular design featuring a removable optical portion and a magnetic mounting system, allowing for easy exchange of optical components and battery replacement without altering the device's position, using a battery housing with elongated grooves and detents for secure electrical connection and a flexible tab for handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a modular design with removable optical portion is used, then functional flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical device is divided into separate modular components: a mounting portion and a removable optical portion. This segmentation allows users to exchange different optical components (cameras, spotlights, etc.) while keeping the mounting infrastructure intact, thereby improving functional flexibility without requiring complete device replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting portion is designed with universal engagement features that can accommodate multiple types of optical components. The engagement region includes complementary features (such as magnetic mounts, bayonet mounts, or threaded connections) that work with various optical portions, enabling one mounting unit to support multiple functions and device types.
2Ease of operation
If a magnetic mounting system is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of mounting may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system incorporates a magnetic engagement mechanism that provides dynamic holding force. The magnetic force maintains secure attachment during normal operation but allows easy release when needed, achieving both reliability during use and ease of operation during maintenance or component exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
A magnetic intermediary element is introduced between the mounting portion and the optical portion to facilitate easy attachment and detachment. The magnetic field acts as a mediator that holds components together securely during operation but allows simple separation by overcoming the magnetic force, thus improving ease of operation without significantly compromising mounting reliability.
3Reliability
If grooves and detents are used for battery engagement, then reliability of electrical connection is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The battery housing includes pre-formed grooves and corresponding detents that guide the battery into the correct position during insertion. These engagement features are designed to automatically align and secure the battery as it is placed into the compartment, ensuring reliable electrical connection through the grooves while requiring minimal manual manipulation from the user.
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 easy replacement of optical components and batteries, maintaining the device's orientation and facilitating functional changes, such as switching from illumination to video recording, while ensuring secure electrical connections and reduced friction during battery insertion.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic mounting system, allowing for easy exchange of optical components and battery replacement without altering the device's position
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device, such as a camera or spot light, having first and second removably engagable components. Disengagement of the components exposes a battery compartment in the second component. The first component can include all optical components of the optical device, such as a camera or light. A magnetic mount can provide a secure and adjustable mounting for the optical device housing on a support.