Spherical Camera Mount With Impact-Absorbing Pivot Groove
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Solution Overview
Problem
Camera devices face challenges in withstanding impacts, vibrations, and varying weather conditions without sustaining serious damage, particularly in outdoor environments where they may be subjected to vandalism, rain, wind, and vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A camera device with a spherical outer shell and a conical or frustoconical pivot mechanism that allows for controlled tilting and rotation, featuring an equatorial groove and a lug system that absorbs impact forces, preventing damage and maintaining orientation through lateral displacement of the pivot, and a dome window that engages external forces to disengage the pivot from the groove.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the camera device uses a fixed rigid mounting structure, then the orientation is stable during normal operation, but the device cannot withstand impacts without serious damage
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure transitions from a fixed rigid connection to a dynamic system where the pivot can laterally displace within the equatorial groove during impacts, allowing the structure to adapt to external forces while maintaining functional orientation during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure is divided into separable components: the pivot, the equatorial groove, and the lug with slit, allowing independent movement and deformation of each part to absorb impact energy without compromising the entire structure
2Reliability
If the camera unit is firmly fixed to prevent rotation, then orientation is maintained, but the device cannot sustain vibrations without misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The frictional forces between the camera unit and the mounting components provide dynamic stabilization during vibrations while allowing controlled adjustment when needed, creating a semi-rigid connection that adapts to different operational conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The frictional forces act as a pre-established cushioning mechanism that absorbs vibration energy and prevents misalignment during normal operation, while allowing intentional adjustment when overcoming the friction threshold
3Reliability
If the pivot is firmly secured in the equatorial groove, then tilting control is precise, but the device cannot absorb impact forces without damage
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot-groove connection transitions from a fixed precise fit to a dynamic system where lateral displacement can occur during impacts, allowing the system to absorb energy while maintaining functional precision during normal operation through frictional forces
Solution Approach 2:
The frictional forces between the pivot and equatorial groove act as an intermediary mechanism that provides precise tilting control during normal operation while allowing controlled lateral displacement to absorb impact forces
4Ease of operation
If the camera unit is tightly pressed between seating and cover, then orientation is maintained, but cables may twist during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing forces create a dynamic friction-based connection that maintains orientation stability during normal operation while the defined rotation limits prevent excessive cable twisting through mechanical stops in the equatorial groove
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 camera device effectively withstands impacts and vibrations while maintaining orientation and preventing damage to components, ensuring durability and a broader field of view through controlled tilting and rotation, and preventing twisting of cables.
Implementation Method 1
the conical or frustoconical shape of the pivot in connection with the correspondingly shaped cross section of the equatorial groove, a force applied to the camera unit may be transferred to the lug such that the lug is laterally displaced
Implementation Method 2
it may be ensured that the camera unit is maintained in set orientation when exposed to vibrations while adjustment of the camera orientation may be enabled by overcoming the frictional forces formed between the camera unit and the seating
Data Source
AI summary
A camera device comprises a camera unit including an outer shell with a spherical shape and provided with an equatorial groove, a base member provided with a seating, and a cover provided with a pivot defining a tilting axis and an aperture for providing a free line of sight for the camera unit. The camera unit is arranged between the seating and the cover such that the pivot is received by the equatorial groove and such that the cover and the seating of the base member are pressed against the outer shell of the camera unit from opposing sides thereof. The pivot is arranged on a lug adjoining the cover via a lug transition and defined by a slit such that the lug is laterally displaceable in a direction parallel with the tilting axis in response to the pivot being subjected to a force having a component in said direction.