Viewfinder Four-Bar Linkage Maintains Screen Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing view finder mechanisms change the direction of the screen portion when the position is adjusted, making it inconvenient for users to maintain a constant viewing direction during camera adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A view finder with a four-bar rotation link mechanism, including right and left arm portions that connect the screen portion to the mounting portion, allowing for independent rotation and maintaining a constant screen direction despite position changes, utilizing a rotative force adjusting portion with a worm gear and coil spring to reduce the force required for adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the position of the screen portion is changed, then the viewing direction changes according to the position change, but this makes it inconvenient for users to maintain a constant viewing direction during camera adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The arm portion is divided into multiple linkages (first arm and second arm) that are rotatably connected to the screen portion and mounting portion. This segmentation allows independent rotation of each linkage, enabling the screen portion to maintain a constant viewing direction regardless of its position, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism employs dynamic rotation of the arm portion linkages to compensate for position changes. By allowing the first arm and second arm to rotate independently, the system dynamically adjusts the screen portion's orientation to maintain a constant viewing direction, solving the contradiction between operational ease and structural complexity.
2Force
If a simple mounting mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the force required to adjust the screen portion position becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
A coil spring is introduced as a counterbalancing element that provides elastic force to offset the weight of the screen portion and arm mechanism. This reduces the force required by the user to adjust the screen portion position, resolving the contradiction between the force needed and the mechanism complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A worm gear mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the rotation operation and the arm portion movement. The worm gear provides mechanical advantage and self-locking characteristics, reducing the force required for adjustment while maintaining precise control, thus resolving the contradiction between adjustment force and mechanism complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the arm portion is made rigid to maintain screen direction, then the viewing direction stability is improved, but the ease of position adjustment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The arm portion is designed with rotational joints that allow dynamic adjustment of the screen portion's position while maintaining directional stability. The rotation of the first arm and second arm enables smooth position changes without compromising the screen's viewing direction, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism changes the geometric parameters of the arm portion configuration through rotation. By adjusting the angles and positions of the first arm and second arm, the system achieves both easy position adjustment and stable viewing direction, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and compositional stability.
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 easy and precise adjustment of the screen portion's position and angle without changing its viewing direction, improving user operability by allowing one-handed operation and reducing the necessary force for movement.
Implementation Method 1
a coil spring that rotates together with the worm gear, and a rotative force adjusting portion that adjusts a rotative force generated by the coil spring
Implementation Method 2
a worm gear that rotates together with the first right arm and the first left arm, and a rotative force adjusting portion that adjusts a rotative force generated by the coil spring
Data Source
AI summary
A view finder includes: a screen portion provided with a display screen which can display images captured by a camera main body; a mounting portion that can be fixed to the camera main body; and an arm portion connecting the mounting portion to the screen portion and moving the screen portion with respect to the mounting portion. The arm portion includes right and left arm portions respectively provided on right and left sides of the screen portion. The right arm portion includes first and second right arms rotatably formed with the screen portion and the mounting portion. The left arm portion includes first and second left arms rotatably formed with the screen portion and the mounting portion. The first and second right arms, the mounting portion and the screen portion, and the first and second left arms, the mounting portion and the screen portion form four-bar rotation link mechanism.