Retractable Camera Platform Concealing Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional security cameras can compromise privacy and are vulnerable to tampering or accidental recording, and their aesthetic impact can be negative due to their exposed mounting on ceilings or walls.

Innovation Solution

A retractable camera platform system integrated with security systems that allows the camera to be hidden within a ceiling or wall recess, using adjustable mounting arms, linear actuators, and a door assembly to control the camera's visibility and recording functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a camera is mounted on the ceiling or wall for security surveillance, then security monitoring capability is improved, but privacy is compromised and aesthetic quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity monitoring capabilityVSAvoidprivacy compromise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The camera system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The camera can be retracted into the ceiling or wall cavity and extended to operational positions. This dynamic capability allows the system to provide security monitoring when needed while maintaining privacy and aesthetic quality when the camera is retracted and hidden within the structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The camera is extracted from a fixed mounted position and placed on a movable platform that can be retracted into the ceiling or wall cavity. This extraction allows the camera to be removed from the visible and accessible space, eliminating the harmful effects of constant surveillance and improving both privacy and aesthetic quality while maintaining security capability when deployed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a camera is mounted on the ceiling or wall for security surveillance, then security monitoring capability is improved, but the aesthetic quality of the room deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity monitoring capabilityVSAvoidaesthetic quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The camera is extracted from a fixed mounted position and placed on a movable platform that can be retracted into the ceiling or wall cavity. This extraction allows the camera to be removed from the visible space, eliminating the aesthetic degradation caused by exposed mounted cameras while maintaining security capability when deployed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The camera system transitions between retracted (hidden) and extended (operational) states. When retracted, the camera is concealed within the ceiling or wall structure, preserving the aesthetic quality of the room. When security monitoring is needed, the camera extends to its operational position, maintaining the trade-off between aesthetics and functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a camera is mounted in an exposed position for security surveillance, then security monitoring capability is improved, but the camera becomes vulnerable to tampering and accidental recording

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity monitoring capabilityVSAvoidvulnerability to tampering

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The camera is extracted from a fixed exposed position and placed on a retractable platform that can be withdrawn into the ceiling or wall cavity. This extraction removes the camera from vulnerable positions where it could be easily accessed, tampered with, or accidentally activated, while maintaining security monitoring capability when deployed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The camera system uses dynamic retraction capability to transition between operational and protected states. When retracted into the ceiling or wall cavity, the camera is physically protected from tampering and accidental activation. The system can extend to operational positions for security monitoring, creating a dynamic balance between accessibility for maintenance and protection from harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Provides true privacy by ensuring the camera is not visible or recording when retracted, while maintaining security protection and minimizing aesthetic impact by concealing the camera within the structure until needed.

Implementation Method 1

two linear actuators attached to the enclosure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLinear actuator: Linear Motor

Implementation Method 2

a door assembly to cover the hole and to allow the camera to exit the recess

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS9910344B2In-ceiling or in-wall retracting camera platform system

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 EARTHCAM

AI summary

A retractable camera platform system allows a mounted camera to be hidden while not in use. The system retracts a camera platform into a recess in the ceiling, wall and the like of a room, building, hallway or other structure. The system includes the camera platform that opens a lowering assembly having doors so that the camera may deploy when needed. The lowering assembly or cover hides the camera and the associated frame structure when not in use. Actuators and linear slide tracks raise and lower the camera as desired. The lowering assembly may be removed from the frame structure.