Mount Device Terminal Switching for Reliable Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging apparatus accessories face challenges in efficient power supply and communication due to complex terminal arrangements, leading to issues like terminal abrasion and false operations during attachment and detachment, which affect the reliability and durability of electrical connections.

Innovation Solution

A mount device with a second mount featuring terminals arranged circumferentially, including a first terminal for power supply and a second terminal that can switch between input and output states, reducing terminal abrasion by optimizing the contact points and preventing short circuits through strategic placement and voltage management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple terminals are arranged closely together to enable multiple communication systems and power supply, then the device functionality is improved, but terminal abrasion and false operations increase due to complex contact sequences during attachment and detachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidterminal connection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The terminals are segmented into distinct functional groups: power supply terminals (first terminal), communication terminals (third terminal), and voltage detection terminals (second terminal). This segmentation allows each terminal type to be independently managed and contacted in appropriate sequences, reducing interference and abrasion between terminals during attachment and detachment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second terminal is configured to detect voltage changes before other terminals are fully contacted during the attachment process. This preliminary voltage detection action allows the system to prepare for subsequent power supply and communication operations, ensuring that terminals are activated in the correct sequence and reducing the risk of false operations caused by premature contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If terminals are arranged in a fixed sequence to simplify the mounting structure, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the ability to support multiple communication systems with different speeds is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting structure simplicityVSAvoidcommunication system support

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mount device incorporates a universal terminal arrangement that can support multiple communication systems (including high-speed and low-speed communications) simultaneously. The third terminal is specifically designed to accommodate different communication protocols and speeds, while the standardized circumferential arrangement maintains manufacturing simplicity. This multi-functional design allows the same physical structure to adapt to various communication requirements without complex reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of moving object

If the second terminal is positioned adjacent to the first terminal for compact design, then the space utilization is improved, but the risk of voltage interference and short circuits increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemount device sizeVSAvoidvoltage interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The second terminal positioned adjacent to the first terminal is specifically configured with voltage detection functionality. This local specialization allows the system to monitor voltage changes at the precise location where power supply begins, enabling early detection of power status without requiring distant terminal placement. The adjacent positioning is compensated by the specialized detection function that prevents voltage interference issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The second terminal provides real-time feedback on voltage changes during the attachment process. By detecting voltage variations at the location adjacent to the power supply terminal, the system can monitor power delivery status and adjust subsequent terminal activation sequences accordingly. This feedback mechanism prevents short circuits and voltage interference by ensuring that communication terminals are only activated after proper voltage establishment is confirmed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11243456B2Mount device including a plurality of terminals including a terminal used for supplying of electric power, accessory detachably attached to the mount device, control method for the mount device, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program for performing the control method

Publication Date: 2022.02.08 CANON KK

AI summary

In a mount device including a mount which an accessory is attachable to and detachable from, a plurality of terminals arranged along a circumferential direction of the mount and used for electrical connection with the accessory includes a first terminal which is used to supply driving electric power serving as a first voltage to the accessory, and a second terminal which exhibits a voltage that changes according to the accessory mounted to the mount device, wherein the second terminal is able to be set to an input state or an output state, and is set to the input state during a period in which the driving electric power is not output to the accessory via the first terminal.