Normally-Open Shutter Mechanism with Position Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In imaging devices with live-view functions, normally-closed shutter devices lead to increased power consumption due to continuous electricity supply, while normally-open types face instability issues due to fluctuations in actuator output affecting the shutter's stopping position, potentially causing premature closure during image data readout, which can diminish data stability and increase imaging intervals.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device equipped with a normally-open type shutter mechanism, including an actuator, transmission member, position detector, and drive controller, which allows the shutter to maintain mechanical openness during live-view, and adjusts the timing of switching from closed to open states based on detected position, ensuring stable image data readout and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a normally-closed type shutter device is used, then the shutter can block light during image data reading, but power consumption increases due to continuous electricity supply to maintain open state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional shutter design by making it normally-open instead of normally-closed. The shutter mechanism is designed to stay open by default (mechanically maintained) and only closes temporarily during image data reading, reversing the traditional approach and eliminating continuous power consumption while maintaining light blocking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter operates periodically by closing only during the brief image data reading phase and remaining open during live-view display and other periods. This periodic closing action, controlled by timing based on transmission member position, achieves light blocking when needed without continuous power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a normally-open type shutter device is used, then power consumption is reduced, but the shutter may stop at fluctuating positions due to actuator output variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a position detector that monitors the rotational position of the transmission member and provides feedback to the drive controller. The controller adjusts the actuator operation based on detected position, ensuring the shutter reaches and maintains the correct stopping position despite actuator output fluctuations, thereby preserving reliability while maintaining low power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning by detecting the transmission member's rotational position before completing the shutter operation. The drive controller uses this advance position information to precisely control when the shutter closes and opens, ensuring accurate timing and position even with actuator variations.
3Productivity
If charging is performed during image data reading to speed up live-view start, then imaging interval is shortened, but shutter may leave closed state prematurely affecting image data stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs charging (storing driving force in the transmission member) in advance during image data reading, so the shutter is ready to open immediately after reading completes. By using the position detector to monitor transmission member rotation and control charging timing, the system ensures the shutter opens at the precise moment reading ends, achieving fast imaging intervals while maintaining image data stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electrical control of shutter timing with mechanical control through the transmission member's stored driving force. The position detector monitors mechanical rotation position, and the drive controller uses this mechanical state information to determine optimal charging and release timing, substituting purely electrical control with a hybrid mechanical-electrical system that provides more precise and stable timing.
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
This configuration maintains stable image data readout while shortening imaging intervals and reducing power consumption by ensuring precise timing control of the shutter mechanism, preventing premature closure and optimizing power usage.
Implementation Method 1
The imaging element converts light into an electrical charge
Implementation Method 2
the electricity must be sent to an electromagnet to hold the shutter curtain in the open position
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device includes an imaging element, a shutter mechanism, an actuator, a rotatable transmission member, a position detector, and a drive controller. The shutter mechanism is switchable between an open and a closed state to control the light incident on the imaging element. The transmission member is configured to transmit a driving force produced by the actuator to the shutter mechanism. The position detector is configured to detect the rotational position of the transmission member. The drive controller is configured to direct the actuator to begin storing the driving force while image data is being read from the imaging element, to control the timing at which the actuator begins driving the shutter mechanism based on the position of the transmission member detected by the position detector, and to switch the shutter mechanism from the closed state to the open state after the actuator has stopped storing the driving force.