Rotating Camera Mounting System for Horizon Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing action cameras require manual horizon adjustment every time the mounting orientation changes, which is inconvenient and prone to lens smudging, especially during outdoor activities.
Innovation Solution
A camera with a rotatable cylindrical body and a mounting system that allows angular adjustment of the camera relative to the mounting base, eliminating the need for lens rotation and enabling easy access to the user interface regardless of orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual horizon adjustment is implemented by rotating the lens or lens ring, then the horizon can be adjusted to match mounting orientation, but the lens is prone to smudging and the operation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the horizon adjustment function from the lens assembly and relocates it to the mounting system. The mounting system includes a base portion and a camera holder that can rotate independently, allowing horizon adjustment without touching the lens. This separation eliminates the harmful effect of lens smudging while preserving the useful function of horizon alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into distinct functional components: a base portion for attachment and a camera holder for mounting the camera. The camera holder can rotate relative to the base portion, enabling independent horizon adjustment. This segmentation allows the adjustment mechanism to be separated from the lens, preventing smudging.
2Measurement precision
If manual horizon adjustment requires rotating the lens ring, then horizon alignment is achieved, but the operation becomes difficult especially when wearing gloves
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment operation is extracted from the lens assembly and moved to the camera holder portion of the mounting system. The camera holder can be rotated to adjust the horizon, and this rotation point is more accessible to the user's hand, especially when wearing gloves. The lens remains stationary throughout the adjustment process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the camera mounting orientation is fixed once mounted, then the mounting system is simple, but the camera cannot be reoriented during activities on uneven terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system incorporates dynamic adjustability through a rotatable camera holder that can change orientation relative to the base portion. This allows the camera to be reoriented during use to adapt to different mounting surfaces and activity conditions. The system transitions from a fixed to a dynamically adjustable configuration, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and versatility.
4Ease of operation
If the user interface is fixed on the camera body, then the camera structure is simple, but the interface becomes inaccessible when mounted in certain orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The camera holder is designed to rotate relative to the base portion, which dynamically repositions the camera body and its user interface. This rotation allows the user interface to be oriented in an accessible position regardless of how the base is mounted. The interface accessibility is achieved through the dynamic reorientation capability of the mounting system rather than through complex camera body design.
Data Source
AI summary
A camera is disclosed comprising a substantially cylindrical camera body defining a longitudinal axis and a mounting system rotatably connected to the camera body, the mounting system comprising a base portion for mounting the camera to another object and at least one ring member arranged to surround the camera body and rotate around the longitudinal axis of the camera body during use.