Rotating Camera Module for High Screen-to-Body Ratio Mobile Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of a front camera in mobile terminals reduces the screen-to-body ratio, limiting the implementation of high screen-to-body ratio designs due to spatial occupancy.
Innovation Solution
A rotating block mechanism is employed, allowing the camera to be positioned either within the body or exposed, optimizing space usage and visibility while maintaining a compact form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a front camera is integrated into the mobile terminal body, then the camera function is provided, but the screen-to-body ratio is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module is designed to be rotatable between a first position (retracted into the body) and a second position (protruding from the body). This dynamic positioning allows the camera to be concealed when not in use, maximizing the screen-to-body ratio, and exposed when needed, providing camera functionality. The rotatable mechanism enables the same structure to serve multiple purposes at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the camera in the planar area of the front surface, the camera is positioned in a third dimension by extending it protrusively from the body. This vertical dimension allows the camera to be stored within the body's depth when retracted and extended when needed, effectively adding spatial depth to the design rather than consuming screen area.
2Ease of operation
If the camera is positioned to be exposed for functionality, then the camera is visible and accessible, but the screen-to-body ratio is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module transitions between a retracted state (first position) that maximizes screen-to-body ratio and an extended state (second position) that provides camera accessibility. Users can rotate the camera module to the extended position when camera functionality is needed, ensuring ease of operation while maintaining a high screen-to-body ratio during normal display use.
3Area of stationary object
If a rotating block mechanism is used to position the camera, then space usage is optimized and screen-to-body ratio is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile terminal is divided into distinct functional modules: the main body, the rotatable camera module, and the support structure. This segmentation allows the camera module to be independently positioned and rotated, simplifying the overall design by isolating the moving mechanism to a specific component rather than integrating it throughout the entire device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera module is nested within the body when in the retracted position, utilizing the body's internal space. The rotating mechanism allows the nested camera module to be deployed outward when needed, effectively using the body's depth to store the camera and minimizing the impact on the external dimensions and screen-to-body ratio.
Data Source
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AI summary
A mobile terminal includes a body, a display screen and a functional assembly. The body includes a first surface and a second surface arranged opposite to each other. The screen is arranged on the body and located at one side of the first surface. The assembly includes a rotating block rotatably arranged on the second surface and a camera located on the block. The block can be rotated through a first position and a second position relative to the body. At the first position, edges of the block are aligned with those of the body. The camera is located in a positive projection area of the screen on a rotating plane of the block. At the second position, the edges of the block are staggered with those of the body. The camera is located out of the positive projection area of the screen on the rotating plane of the block.