Underwater Camera Support Frame With Buoyancy and Rotatable Mounts

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support devices for photogrammetry, such as those disclosed in JP Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-527812 A1, are not suitable for underwater photography as they require manual operation and are difficult for operators to maneuver in water environments, limiting their application in photogrammetry for sea or underwater photography.

Innovation Solution

A support device designed for attachment to and detachment from unmanned submarines, featuring a cross-shaped frame structure with a buoyancy material, rotatable lighting and camera mounts, and a weight adjustment system, allowing for flexible and stable operation in water environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the scanner is carried by the operator, then the photographing camera and illumination light can be positioned at predetermined locations, but it becomes difficult to operate in water environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidadaptability to water environment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an unmanned submarine as an intermediary carrier to operate the photogrammetry scanner in water environments. The scanner is mounted on the unmanned submarine, which serves as a mediator between the operator and the underwater environment, enabling photogrammetry operations without requiring the operator to directly enter or maneuver in water

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation system (operator holding and maneuvering the scanner) with an automated unmanned submarine system. The unmanned submarine autonomously or remotely navigates and positions the scanner, substituting human mechanical operation with automated navigation and positioning systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If the scanner is fixed at predetermined positions on the arm, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability for different photogrammetry configurations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural complexityVSAvoidadaptability to photogrammetry configurations

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs rotatable mounts for both the photographing camera and illumination light, allowing dynamic adjustment of their positions and orientations. This enables the system to adapt to different photogrammetry configurations and shooting requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the scanner with universal mounting structures and rotatable components that can accommodate various photogrammetry configurations. The same basic structure can be adapted for different shooting scenarios by adjusting the positions of the camera and illumination light, making the device multi-functional without requiring multiple specialized structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Extent of automation

If the operator manually holds the scanner, then direct control is possible, but it is not suitable for underwater photogrammetry where operator movement is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation levelVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The unmanned submarine acts as an intermediary that provides automated navigation and positioning capabilities while being remotely controllable. This mediator enables high automation for navigation while maintaining operational control, resolving the contradiction between automation and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables efficient and stable underwater photography by allowing the support device to be easily attached to and detached from unmanned submarines, providing adjustable lighting and camera angles, and reducing backscatter, thus facilitating precise three-dimensional model creation through photogrammetry.

Implementation Method 1

a support member (20) formed of a buoyancy material with a specific density of less than 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS12007068B2Support device

Publication Date: 2024.06.11 WORLD SCAN PROJECT CORP

AI summary

This invention provides a support device that can be attached to and detached from an unmanned submarine and can be attached with a photographing camera and an illumination light. The support device (100) of the present embodiment includes a first frame (10U, 10H) to which an unmanned submarine is attached/detached, a second frame (10B, 10V) formed corresponding to the first frame, and a support material (20) arranged between the first frame and the second frame so as to connect the first frame and the second frame and formed of a buoyancy material having a specific density of less than 1. Further, the support device includes a lighting mount (30) for an illumination light attached to the support material and a shooting mount (40) for a photographing camera attached to the support material or the second frame.