Rotating Camera Module for Full-Screen Terminal Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in terminal devices, such as mobile phones, is the lack of space for front camera placement due to full-screen designs, which existing rotatable camera solutions only allow rotation at the backside, affecting the device's appearance and usability.
Innovation Solution
A rotatory camera assembly comprising a fixing bracket, camera module, driving mechanism, and operating mechanism, where the camera module is rotatably connected to the fixing bracket, driven by a torsion spring to rotate about a side edge, allowing it to be ejected or reset without protruding from the device's surface, enabling convenient operation and aesthetic design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a front camera is placed on the front surface of the device, then selfie and video call functions are enabled, but it occupies front space and conflicts with full-screen design
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module is moved from the traditional front surface (2D plane) to the back surface of the device, utilizing the third dimension (depth) by rotating around a side edge. This allows the camera to access front-facing functionality without occupying front screen space, effectively solving the contradiction between camera adaptability and front space availability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable camera is placed at the back side of the device, then front camera functionality is achieved, but the overall appearance design is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module is extracted from the fixed back surface position and integrated into a rotatable mechanism that allows it to be positioned at different locations. When rotated to the front, the camera functions as a front camera; when rotated back, it returns to the back surface, maintaining aesthetic appearance. This extraction and repositioning capability resolves the contradiction between functionality and appearance.
3Ease of operation
If the camera module is ejected from the device surface, then camera operation convenience is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic rotatable position around a side edge. This dynamic mechanism allows the camera to be easily rotated into the front position for operation and returned to the back position when not needed. The rotational movement provides operational convenience while maintaining a relatively simple structural implementation compared to linear ejection mechanisms.
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
The solution allows the camera to be seamlessly integrated into full-screen devices, maintaining an aesthetic appearance while providing convenient operation and enabling camera functionality similar to front cameras, without occupying front space.
Implementation Method 1
driven by a torsion spring to rotate about a side edge
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a terminal device and a camera assembly thereof. The camera assembly comprises a fixing support, a camera module, a driving mechanism and an operating mechanism, wherein the camera module is connected to the fixing support in a rotatable manner, the driving mechanism is provided between the camera module and the fixing support and is used for producing a rotation driving force for the camera module relative to the fixing support so as to drive the camera module to rotate, with a side of the camera module as the axis, in such a manner that the opposite side of the camera module rotates away from the fixing support; and the operating mechanism is fixed on the fixing support and is used for limiting a reset state position of the camera module. The camera assembly is provided at the rear but can realise the effects of a front-placed camera, has a simple structure, is convenient to operate, and does not take up front space of the terminal device, providing feasibility for a full screen terminal device.