Ergonomic Thermal Camera Housing with Angled Handle
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld thermal imaging cameras often have limited ergonomic configurations, making it difficult for users to fully utilize their functionality when one hand is occupied stabilizing the device, especially in inspection scenarios where both hands are needed for operation.
Innovation Solution
The design of a thermal imaging camera with an ergonomic housing that allows single-handed operation, featuring a handle angled at approximately 105 degrees, strategically positioned focusing assembly, trigger, and display controls, enabling the user to operate the camera with one hand while stabilizing it with the other.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the camera is designed with a large amount of built-in functionality and multiple display options, then the user can maximize real time comprehension of thermal information, but the device becomes more complex and harder to operate with one hand
Solution Approach 1:
The camera controls are segmented into distinct functional zones: a trigger assembly with index finger access, a focusing assembly with index finger access, and a display control assembly with thumb access. This segmentation allows each control to be independently accessible with different hand parts, enabling one-handed operation while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The display control member is positioned on the upper surface of the housing, accessible with the thumb from above, while the trigger and focusing assemblies are positioned on the lower surface, accessible with the index finger from below. This three-dimensional arrangement of controls allows simultaneous access with different hand parts without interference.
2Ease of operation
If the camera has a conventional housing design, then the structure is simple, but the user cannot stabilize the camera with one hand while operating it with the other
Solution Approach 1:
The housing features an asymmetric design with a handle extending from one side and a body extending from another side at an angled relationship. The trigger assembly and focusing assembly are positioned on the body, while the display control assembly is positioned on the upper surface. This asymmetric layout optimizes the distribution of controls for one-handed operation while providing structural support for two-handed stabilization when needed.
3Ease of operation
If the camera is designed for two-handed operation, then both hands can control the camera, but the user cannot stabilize the camera effectively in confined or unstable inspection environments
Solution Approach 1:
The camera housing is designed to be adaptable between two-handed and one-handed operation modes. The handle and body can be positioned to allow two-handed stabilization when needed, while the same structure provides ergonomic support for one-handed operation in confined or unstable environments. The angled relationship between handle and body allows dynamic reconfiguration based on operational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A housing of a thermal imaging camera includes a camera portion, in which an thermal imaging assembly is mounted, and to which a focusing assembly is mounted, on a first side thereof, and to which a display is mounted, on a second side thereof; a handle portion of the housing extends from a bottom side of the camera portion of the housing at an angle, away from the first side of the camera portion. The housing is configured for ergonomic handling wherein an index finger of a hand may readily activate the focusing assembly, when the hand is wrapped about the handle portion of the housing. The hand may be a right hand or a left hand, and the camera may further include additional features to provide support for single-handed operation.