Retractable In-Vehicle Camera for Privacy and Interior Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current in-vehicle electronic devices lack flexibility in camera positioning and privacy control, as they often require manual adjustment and do not seamlessly integrate with vehicle interiors, affecting user experience and functionality.
Innovation Solution
An in-vehicle electronic device with a movable camera system that can extend and retract, utilizing sliding structures and motors for precise positioning, along with a lifting mechanism for base adjustment, and a method for controlling the camera to switch between monitoring and privacy modes based on user recognition and instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the camera is fixed in the host, then the device structure is simple, but the camera positioning flexibility is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed camera structure into a movable one. The camera is equipped with a driving device that enables it to move between extended and retracted positions, allowing dynamic adjustment of camera positioning to meet different usage scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the camera system into movable and stationary parts. The camera module is separated from the fixed host structure and can be independently driven to move along a sliding groove, enabling flexible positioning while keeping the host structure simple and integrated.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the camera is always extended, then the monitoring function is continuous, but the privacy control is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the camera to automatically extend and retract based on preset conditions or user instructions. The driving device responds to control signals to adjust the camera position autonomously, providing privacy control without requiring manual intervention and enhancing adaptability to different usage scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera transitions from a static extended position to a dynamic system that can automatically adjust between extended and retracted states. This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt to different privacy requirements while eliminating the need for manual adjustment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the camera is extended outside the host, then the image capture capability is improved, but the integration with vehicle interior is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamics to enable the camera to transition between retracted and extended positions. When retracted, the camera integrates seamlessly with the vehicle interior; when extended, it provides optimal image capture capability. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between integration and capture quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera module is nested within the host structure when retracted, allowing it to integrate smoothly with the vehicle interior. When image capture is needed, the camera extends outward from the nested position, providing both good integration and high capture quality at different times.
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
Enhances user experience by providing flexible camera positioning, improved integration with vehicle interiors, and efficient privacy control, ensuring the camera is hidden when not in use, thus maintaining a clean and functional interior.
Implementation Method 1
The first driving device includes a first motor, a gear, and a rack disposed in the receiving cavity. An output shaft of the first motor is fixed to the gear, the gear is engaged with the rack, and the rack is fixed to a side wall of the first camera.
Implementation Method 2
The at least one sliding structure includes one sliding structure. The one sliding structure includes at least two slide rails and a plurality of balls between side walls of the at least two slide rails. The balls are rollable between the side walls of the at least two sliding rails.
Data Source
AI summary
An in-vehicle electronic device includes a host, a first camera, and a first driving device. The first camera is moveably connected to the host, and is configured to capture at least one image of an interior of a vehicle. The first driving device is connected to the first camera, and is configured to drive the first camera to slide between an extended position and a retracted position, so that when the first camera is at the extended position, the first camera is located outside the host, and when the first camera is at the retracted position, the first camera is located inside the host.