Normally-Open Shutter and Composite Frame for Mirrorless Camera Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single-lens reflex digital cameras face challenges in achieving the live view function without a mirror box, which affects the camera's rigidity and ability to support the lens and shutter device, leading to reduced strength and increased size.
Innovation Solution
A single-lens type imaging apparatus with a mount unit made of metal and resin, featuring a normally-open shutter unit that allows live view functionality without a mirror box, ensuring strength and miniaturization by fixing the shutter and imaging units to a metal frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a mirror box is omitted to achieve live view function, then the camera size is reduced, but the rigidity and strength to support the lens and shutter device is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The mount unit employs a composite structure combining a metal main frame with a resin mount frame. The metal main frame provides the necessary rigidity and strength to support the lens and shutter device, while the resin mount frame integrates with the imaging unit. This composite material approach resolves the contradiction by achieving both size reduction and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera body is segmented into distinct functional units: the mount unit (containing lens mount and imaging unit), the shutter unit, and the main frame. This segmentation allows the metal main frame to provide structural support while the resin mount frame integrates the imaging unit, achieving both strength and compactness.
2Length of moving object
If a mirror box is omitted to achieve live view function, then the camera thickness is reduced, but the structural stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The combination of metal main frame and resin mount frame creates a composite structure that achieves structural stability without requiring the thickness of a traditional mirror box. The metal provides rigidity while the resin integrates components, maintaining stability in a thinner profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging unit is arranged on the back surface side of the mount unit, utilizing the depth dimension efficiently. This spatial arrangement allows the camera to achieve compact thickness while maintaining structural stability through the metal main frame's support structure.
3Productivity
If a normally-closed shutter is used during live view, then continuous image capture is possible, but power consumption increases due to continuous shutter opening
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a normally-closed shutter that requires continuous opening for live view, the patent employs a normally-open shutter that remains closed only during actual photographing. This inversion of the shutter's default state eliminates continuous power consumption while maintaining continuous image capture capability during live view.
Solution Approach 2:
The normally-open shutter automatically remains open during live view without requiring continuous actuation or power input. The shutter only closes when photographing is actually performed, making the system self-regulating and eliminating wasteful power consumption during live view operation.
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 live view functionality while reducing the camera's thickness and size, ensuring the strength to support the lens and shutter unit, and reducing power consumption by eliminating the need for continuous shutter opening during live view.
Implementation Method 1
The imaging sensor converts the incident light into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
The imaging apparatus includes a lens mount 4 to which a lens unit is mountable, an imaging unit 30 operable to generate an image signal, and a shutter unit 20 that is arranged between the lens mount 4 and the imaging unit 30, and is capable of limiting the light incident on the imaging unit 30, opening and closing at least at recording and being kept in an opened state during a recording preparation operation, and a main frame 11 to which the lens mount 4, the shutter unit 20 and the imaging unit 30 are fixed.