Quick-Release Optical Coupling With Self-Aligning Cam Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick-release coupling devices for optical equipment, particularly in the cine-photographic field, require precise alignment and angular positioning, which hinders rapid coupling and decoupling, and may not provide sufficient rigidity under unbalanced conditions.
Innovation Solution
A quick-release coupling device featuring a male and female element with a cylindrical body and sleeve design, respectively, utilizing retaining members and a spring-loaded collar with cam mechanisms to allow automatic engagement in any angular position, ensuring secure coupling and decoupling without alignment requirements and providing enhanced rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If precise alignment and angular positioning are required for coupling, then coupling reliability is improved, but coupling speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs asymmetric cam surfaces on the collar that are designed to engage with corresponding asymmetric surfaces on the male element. This asymmetric geometry ensures that the collar can only be positioned in a specific orientation relative to the male element, automatically achieving the required angular positioning and alignment without requiring manual adjustment. The asymmetric cam mechanism converts arbitrary rotational positions into a unique engaged position, thereby ensuring coupling reliability while maintaining quick coupling speed.
2Manufacturing precision
If alignment references are required for correct insertion, then coupling precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is designed to be self-aligning through the cam surfaces and retaining members. When the male element is inserted into the female element, the cam surfaces automatically guide the collar into the correct angular position, and the retaining members snap into engagement to lock the position. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for operators to manually align alignment references or perform precise positioning, thereby significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining high coupling precision.
3Stability of the object's composition
If retaining members are used to hold elements in coupling, then coupling stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention integrates multiple functions into the collar component: it serves as both the actuating mechanism (through cam surfaces) and the positioning mechanism (through engagement with the male element). The retaining members are incorporated directly into the collar structure, combining the locking function with the positioning function. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining coupling stability through the integrated retaining and positioning system.
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 rapid, secure, and stable coupling of optical equipment in any relative angular position, maintaining rigidity and preventing play, even under unbalanced conditions, thus facilitating quick and efficient equipment transfer without manual alignment.
Implementation Method 1
the device comprises a collar guided axially outside the sleeve body; preferably the collar has, for each retaining member, a respective slider which is inclined with respect to the axial direction, so as to move the corresponding retaining member radially in the engagement seat as a result of a movement of the collar and/or of the corresponding slider along the axial direction
Implementation Method 2
cam means are preferably arranged between the ring nut and the collar to rotate the ring nut about the axial direction as a result of the axial movement of the collar and vice versa
Data Source
AI summary
A quick-release coupling device for optical equipment includes male and female elements that can be coupled. The male element includes a cylindrical body having a circumferential groove and the female element includes a sleeve body defining an engagement seat that extends along an axial direction and is arranged to house the cylindrical body in a coupled manner.The device includes retaining members guided radially in respective seats of the sleeve body and selectively project into the engagement seat in order to engage with the circumferential groove and a collar guided axially outside the sleeve body and has, for each, a respective slider inclined with respect to the axial direction to move the corresponding retaining member radially into the seat resulting from movement of the collar along the axial direction. A springing member urges the collar to a position where the sliders move the respective retaining members inside the engagement seat.