Electronic Viewfinder Dual-Axis Rotation Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Digital cameras face cumbersome operation when trying to position the electronic viewfinder for low-angle photography, as existing solutions require cumbersome adjustments involving multiple rotation axes and are difficult to use in outdoor environments where the display is hard to visualize.

Innovation Solution

A digital camera design featuring an electronic viewfinder with a pivot bracket and a fixed bracket that allows for independent rotation about two axes, along with a simultaneous rotation regulating mechanism and an excess rotation regulating mechanism, enabling easy adjustment and limiting excessive rotation to facilitate easier image viewing regardless of camera orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the electronic view finder rotates about multiple rotation axes in cooperation with the variable angle monitor, then the adaptability for different shooting angles is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to cumbersome adjustment work

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability for different shooting anglesVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The viewfinder system is segmented into independent rotation components: the variable angle monitor handles vertical angle adjustment while the electronic view finder independently handles horizontal angle adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific rotation function, reducing the complexity of coordinating multiple rotation axes while maintaining adaptability for various shooting angles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the electronic view finder rotates about multiple rotation axes in cooperation with the variable angle monitor, then the adaptability for different shooting angles is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome adjustment work

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability for different shooting anglesVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The viewfinder system is segmented into independent rotation components: the variable angle monitor handles vertical angle adjustment while the electronic view finder independently handles horizontal angle adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific rotation function, reducing the complexity of coordinating multiple rotation axes while maintaining adaptability for various shooting angles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic view finder is designed with dynamic rotation capability about a single axis that is independent of the variable angle monitor's rotation. This dynamic independence allows the user to adjust the viewfinder angle freely without being constrained by the monitor's position, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the camera is rotated with optical axis as center for low angle photography, then the adaptability for low angle shooting is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as the user needs to lie on the ground or attach additional accessories

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability for low angle shootingVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic view finder is designed with dynamic rotation capability about a single axis that is independent of the variable angle monitor's rotation. This dynamic independence allows the user to adjust the viewfinder angle freely without being constrained by the monitor's position, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3328053B1Digital camera
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 INABA MINORU
  • EP3328053B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3328053B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3328053B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide a digital camera that allows an imaged image to be easily checked by peeking through an electronic view finder regardless of the vertical and horizontal orientation of the digital camera when taking a photograph from a low angle. A digital camera 1 includes a camera main body 2 with an imaging lens 2a, and an electronic view finder 3 that allows a user to observe the image imaged by the imaging lens 2a. The electronic view finder 3 includes an image display part 4 that displays the imaged image, a pivot bracket 5 that supports the image display part 4 so as to be rotatable about an axis A, and a fixed bracket 6 that couples the camera main body 2 and the pivot bracket 5, and that supports the pivot bracket 5 so as to be rotatable about an axis B.