Swivelling Module Rotating Mirror for Compact Multi-Directional Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic devices with front-facing and rear-facing cameras occupy significant internal space and often have low-resolution front-facing cameras, limiting their imaging capabilities and design efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a swivelling module within an imaging device, comprising a light-transmitting housing, a reflecting element, magnets, and electromagnetic induction coils, allows for the rotation of the reflecting element to direct light to a lens module, enabling high-resolution image capture from multiple directions while minimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If front-facing camera and rear-facing camera are used in electronic devices, then imaging capabilities are improved, but internal space is significantly occupied
Solution Approach 1:
A single imaging device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can capture images from both front-facing and rear-facing directions, and can function as both a regular camera and a selfie camera. The imaging device includes a lens module and a reflecting element that can redirect light, allowing one physical device to replace what would traditionally require two separate cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflecting element is designed to be rotatable or movable, allowing it to dynamically change its orientation to redirect light from different directions (front and rear) to the lens module. This dynamic adjustment enables a single imaging device to capture images from multiple directions by changing its internal configuration rather than requiring multiple fixed cameras.
2Adaptability or versatility
If front-facing camera is added for self-photography, then self-photography function is enabled, but resolution is low and space is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The same high-resolution imaging device is used for both regular photography and self-photography functions. By making the imaging device multi-functional through the addition of a rotatable reflecting element, the system eliminates the need for a separate low-resolution front-facing camera, thereby maintaining high resolution across all imaging functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflecting element acts as an intermediary component that redirects light from the front direction to the lens module. This intermediary mechanism enables the main imaging device to capture front-facing images with high resolution, effectively mediating between the need for self-photography capability and the requirement for high image quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cameras are installed for multi-directional imaging, then imaging directions are increased, but device complexity and space increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of installing multiple fixed cameras for different directions, the patent uses a single imaging device with a dynamic reflecting element that can rotate or adjust its angle. This dynamic component allows the system to switch between capturing images from different directions (front, rear, and intermediate angles) without increasing the number of camera modules, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining multi-directional imaging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a rotational or angular dimension to the imaging system through the movable reflecting element. Rather than placing multiple cameras at different spatial positions (which would increase device volume and complexity), the solution introduces a new degree of freedom by allowing the reflecting element to change its orientation, enabling multi-directional imaging from a single location.
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 solution allows for compact design, easy operation, and convenient use, providing high-resolution images and 3D information capture with reduced internal space requirements compared to traditional camera configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of electromagnetic induction coils 114. The reflecting element 112 is rotatable inside the light-transmitting housing 111
Implementation Method 2
The magnets 113 are arranged on a periphery of the reflecting element 112. When the electromagnetic induction coils 114 are energized, the electromagnetic induction coils 114 interact with the magnets 113 enabling rotation of the reflecting element 112.
Implementation Method 3
The reflecting element 112 is rotatable inside the light-transmitting housing 111 and configured to reflect light from a predetermined direction to the lens module 12.
Data Source
AI summary
A swivelling module able to capture light from any desired direction includes a light-transmitting housing, a reflecting element in the light-transmitting housing, a plurality of magnets disposed on a periphery of the reflecting element, and a plurality of electromagnetic induction coils disposed on corners of the light-transmitting housing. When the electromagnetic induction coils are energized, the electromagnetic induction coils interact with the magnets to drive the reflecting element to rotate to a desired direction. An imaging device and an electronic device including the swivelling module are also disclosed.