Two-Axis Hinge Display Rotation for Upright Image Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image pickup apparatuses, such as digital cameras, have display units that only rotate to the left, leading to poor visibility and operability issues when viewing from the right rear side, as they do not allow for symmetrical rotary operation and often result in inverted images when the screen is turned forward.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism that enables the display unit to rotate in both right and left directions from the rear side, utilizing a two-axis hinge with bearings and rotation detectors to maintain an upright image orientation, allowing the same operational feel regardless of rotation direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the display unit rotates only to the left, then the structure is simple, but visibility and operability are poor when viewing from the right rear side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing different rotation capabilities for different directions: the display unit can rotate leftward by a large angle (e.g., 180 degrees or more) while rotating rightward by a limited angle (e.g., 0 to 90 degrees). This asymmetric rotation design allows the display unit to achieve good visibility and operability when viewed from the right rear side by rotating leftward, while maintaining a compact structure by limiting rightward rotation.
2Ease of operation
If the display unit rotates forward to allow self-viewing, then the image becomes inverted, but users want to view their own image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using a rotation detection unit to detect the rotation angle of the display unit, and a control unit to control the image processing unit based on the detected angle. When the display unit rotates forward (e.g., 0 to 90 degrees), the control unit instructs the image processing unit to invert the image vertically or horizontally, ensuring that the displayed image remains upright and correctly oriented regardless of the display unit's rotation angle, thus maintaining proper image orientation while enabling self-viewing capability.
3Ease of operation
If the display unit rotates in both right and left directions, then visibility and operability improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a two-axis hinge mechanism that serves multiple functions: it enables the display unit to rotate both leftward and rightward, supports forward and backward rotation, and allows the display unit to assume multiple positions (e.g., retracted, extended, folded). This multi-functional hinge mechanism achieves improved visibility and operability while avoiding the need for separate rotation mechanisms for different directions, thus controlling device complexity.
4Ease of operation
If the screen is directed forward for self-viewing, then the shooter can view their image, but the image appears inverted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using a rotation detection unit to detect the rotation angle of the display unit, and a control unit to control the image processing unit based on the detected angle. When the display unit rotates forward (e.g., 0 to 90 degrees), the control unit instructs the image processing unit to invert the image vertically or horizontally, ensuring that the displayed image remains upright and correctly oriented regardless of the display unit's rotation angle, thus maintaining proper image orientation while enabling self-viewing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An image pickup apparatus capable of giving a shooter the same rotary operation feeling regardless of the rotating direction, and displaying an erect image to a shooter at all times. A two-axis hinge is provided with a first bearing that supports a display unit rotatably in right and left directions and a second bearing that supports the display unit in rotated states rotatably so as to direct the screen to front and rear sides. A first axial rotation detector detects the rotation of the display unit by the first bearing. A second axial rotation detector detects the rotation of the display unit in the rotated states by the second bearing to direct the screen to the front and rear sides. A control unit switches display orientation of an image displayed on the display unit based on detection results from the first and second axial rotation detectors.