Retractable Rotatable Camera Module for Display Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional notebook computer display devices have a fixed camera placement that limits screen-to-body ratio, restricts camera usage to only the front side, and lacks privacy protection without increasing manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A retractable and rotatable camera module is integrated into the display device, allowing the camera to be hidden or exposed and oriented as needed, using a movable housing system with magnetic attraction and a retaining mechanism to adjust its position and direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the camera module is fixed on the top side of the bezel, then the camera can capture images, but the screen-to-body ratio cannot be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module is made movable through a retractable mechanism that allows it to move between a retracted position (inside the display module) and an extended position (exposed for use). This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by enabling the camera to be present when needed while maintaining a compact bezel size when retracted, thus increasing the screen-to-body ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera module is moved from a fixed two-dimensional plane (top side of the bezel) to a three-dimensional space (retractable along the Z-axis relative to the display module). This dimensional change allows the camera to be positioned inside the display module when not in use, freeing up bezel space and increasing the screen-to-body ratio while maintaining camera functionality when extended.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the camera is fixed facing the front side, then the camera structure is simple, but the camera cannot capture images for the rear side
Solution Approach 1:
The second housing is made rotatable relative to the first housing through a rotating mechanism. This allows the camera module to dynamically change its orientation from facing the front side to facing the rear side, or to any intermediate angle. The rotation capability provides the required adaptability for multi-directional imaging while keeping the structural complexity manageable through a dedicated rotating joint.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera module is divided into two separable housing components: the first housing that moves with the display module, and the second housing that can rotate relative to the first. This segmentation allows independent movement and rotation of the camera unit, enabling flexible positioning and orientation adjustment without requiring the entire camera assembly to be redesigned as a complex monolithic structure.
3Reliability
If an additional privacy protection structure is added, then the camera privacy protection function is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable camera module mechanism serves dual functions: it enables the camera to be extended for use and retracted for privacy protection. By integrating the privacy protection function into the existing retractable mechanism rather than adding a separate privacy cover or shutter, the patent achieves privacy protection without increasing manufacturing cost, as the same mechanical structure provides both imaging and privacy functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a display module and a camera module. The camera module includes a first housing, a second housing and a camera unit. The first housing is movably disposed on the display module. The second housing is separably connected to the first housing. The camera unit is disposed on the second housing. The second housing is able to move with the first housing in relative to the display module, such that the camera unit is exposed from the display module or hidden in the display module. When the second housing is separated from the first housing, the second housing is able to rotate in relative to the first housing, so as to adjust an orientation of the camera unit.