Rotating Camera Module for High Screen-to-Body Ratio

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile terminal designs face challenges in efficiently utilizing space to switch between front and rear camera functions while maintaining a high screen-to-body ratio.

Innovation Solution

A terminal device with a mounting base that can rotate between two positions, allowing the camera module to be exposed either at the rear or front side of the device, enabling seamless switching between front and rear camera operations without occupying the display area, thus enhancing usability and saving component costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a front camera is provided on the side of the mobile terminal where the display area is located, then the camera can function as a front camera, but it is difficult to make the front camera serve as a rear camera and occupies the display area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera function switchingVSAvoiddisplay area
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The camera module is made movable through a rotating assembly that can switch between a first position (front camera) and a second position (rear camera). This dynamic repositioning allows the same camera hardware to serve dual functions, resolving the contradiction between camera versatility and display area occupation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A single camera module is designed to perform multiple functions by rotating to different positions. The camera can function as both a front camera and a rear camera, eliminating the need for separate camera modules and thereby preserving display area while achieving camera function switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate front and rear camera modules are provided, then both camera functions are available, but the device complexity increases and space utilization is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera functionVSAvoidcamera module arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

One camera module is designed to perform the functions of both front and rear cameras by rotating to different positions. This universal design reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate camera modules, connection interfaces, and control systems while maintaining full camera functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The functions of separate front and rear camera modules are merged into a single rotating camera assembly. This consolidation reduces the number of components, simplifies the overall device structure, and improves space utilization while maintaining both camera functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If the camera module is fixed at the front side, then the screen-to-body ratio can be maintained, but the camera cannot be used as a rear camera

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen-to-body ratioVSAvoidcamera usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The camera module transitions from a fixed position to a dynamically repositionable assembly that can rotate between front and rear positions. This dynamic capability allows the camera to be used in both front and rear configurations without permanently occupying display area, thereby maintaining screen-to-body ratio while improving camera versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3972229B1Terminal device
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3972229B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3972229B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3972229B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A terminal device (10), comprising a body (100) and a mounting base (200). The body (100) comprises a display screen module (110); a mounting groove (101) is provided on one side of the body (100) facing away from the display screen module (110), and a groove wall of the mounting groove (101) is provided with a sound output channel (103). The mounting base (200) comprises a receiver (210) and a camera module (220), the mounting base (200) is provided in the mounting groove (101) and can be turned over relative to the body (100) to a first position and a second position; when in the first position, the mounting base (200) is accommodated in the mounting groove (101), and the camera module (220) is externally exposed to the back side of the display screen module (110), and the receiver (210) can output a sound by means of the sound output channel (103), and when the mounting base is in the second position, the camera module (220) is externally exposed to the a side at which a display area of the display screen module (110) is located.