Retractable Camera Cap for Foldable Device Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of integrating a camera into extremely thin handheld devices is exacerbated by the camera protruding outside the device housing, particularly in foldable designs, where it poses additional challenges in terms of thickness and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A foldable electronic device design featuring a retractable cap that aligns with the camera, allowing it to retract into a recess in the folded configuration, thereby accommodating the camera's thickness and maintaining device thinness while protecting the optical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the camera is integrated into the handheld device housing, then the device thickness is reduced, but the camera cannot extend outside the housing to maintain proper focal length
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module is designed to be movable relative to the housing, transitioning between a retracted position (when the device is open) and an extended position (when the device is folded). This dynamic positioning allows the camera to maintain proper focal length when needed while minimizing device thickness during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera module is nested within a recess in the housing, allowing it to be partially concealed when not in use. This nesting approach enables the camera to extend outside the housing when required while maintaining a sleek profile when retracted.
2Ease of operation
If the camera extends outside the housing to maintain focal length, then camera functionality is preserved, but the device thickness increases and aesthetics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module transitions between extended and retracted positions based on device configuration, being extended when the device is folded (to maintain focal length) and retracted when the device is open (to minimize thickness).
Solution Approach 2:
The housing features a localized recess specifically designed to accommodate the camera module, allowing the camera to extend only in the necessary area while maintaining overall device thinness and aesthetic appearance.
3Length of stationary object
If the device is designed to be extremely thin, then user comfort and aesthetics are improved, but the camera cannot maintain proper focal length
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module's position is dynamically adjusted based on device configuration, allowing it to extend to the necessary focal length when the device is folded while maintaining extreme thinness when the device is in normal open configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing thickness in the primary dimension, the camera module utilizes the folding dimension to achieve the necessary extension, allowing the device to maintain extreme thinness in its primary form factor while providing camera functionality when needed.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the device is made foldable to enhance versatility, then adaptability is improved, but the camera protrusion creates additional challenges in folded configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module's extension mechanism is combined with the device's folding mechanism, so that the camera naturally extends when the device is folded and retracts when the device is open, eliminating the need for separate camera accommodation structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera module automatically positions itself relative to the housing based on the device's folded or open configuration, with the folding action itself providing the mechanism for camera extension and retraction without requiring additional active control systems.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1D
Figure 2
AI summary
Examples of electronic devices are disclosed. An example electronic device includes a first housing including a first inner face, a second housing including a second inner face, and a hinge pivotably connecting the first housing to the second housing for rotation between at least a folded configuration and an open configuration, wherein the first inner face is adjacent the second inner face in the folded configuration. The example electronic device further includes a camera extending from the first inner face, and a cap on the second inner face and in alignment with the camera in the folded configuration, the cap configured to retract from the second inner face in the folded configuration to accommodate extension of the camera from the first inner face.