Spherical Camera Rotation Assembly With Elastic Damping

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current spherical cameras are prone to damage due to direct contact between the sphere and the cover during rotation, leading to friction and limited rotation range.

Innovation Solution

A spherical camera design featuring a rotation assembly, a sphere locking frame, and an elastic damping member between the sphere and the sphere locking frame, allowing for controlled rotation and reduced friction, with a threaded locking mechanism for convenient locking and unlocking in both directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sphere directly contacts the outer cover during rotation, then the rotation range is limited by friction, but the structure is simple

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesphere damage resistanceVSAvoidrotation assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an elastic damping member as an intermediary between the sphere and the sphere locking frame. This elastic component mediates the contact interaction, allowing the sphere to rotate while being cushioned from direct rigid contact that would cause friction and damage. The elastic damping member absorbs shock and reduces wear during rotation operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If two separate locking screws are used to control rotation in different directions, then the locking control is precise, but the operation becomes inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking operation convenienceVSAvoidlocking mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the function of two separate locking screws into a single threaded locking member. This threaded member simultaneously controls the sphere locking frame's position in both the first rotation direction (through vertical movement) and the second rotation direction (through angular positioning). By combining multiple locking functions into one component, the operation becomes more convenient while maintaining precise control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design prevents damage to the sphere by reducing friction and allowing controlled rotation within a set angle range, improving locking efficiency and convenience by eliminating the need to operate two separate locking screws.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic damping member between the sphere and the sphere locking frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic damping: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

reducing friction and allowing controlled rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP3490239B1Spherical video camera
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 HANGZHOU HIKVISION DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP3490239B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3490239B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3490239B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The present application discloses a spherical camera, including a base, a rotation assembly, a sphere locking frame, a sphere and a sphere cover, wherein the sphere cover is connected to the base through the rotation assembly, and is rotatable relative to the base in a direction parallel to a supporting surface of the base; the sphere is hinged in the sphere cover and is rotatable in a direction perpendicular to the supporting surface; the sphere locking frame is provided on the rotation assembly and an elastic damping member is provided between the sphere and the sphere locking frame. The above solutions can solve the problem that the sphere of the current spherical camera can be easily damaged due to direct contact with the cover during a rotation process.