WO2009084908A2

WO2009084908A2 - Apparatus for covering camera

Info

Publication number: WO2009084908A2
Application number: PCT/KR2008/007819
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sang-Ho Lee; Byung Han Kim
Original assignee: Shell-Line
Priority date: 2007-12-31
Filing date: 2008-12-31
Publication date: 2009-07-09
Also published as: WO2009084908A3; KR100816367B1

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for covering a camera which can provide easy operation and effective protection. An apparatus to protect a camera installed in a device comprises, a base frame mounted on the personal portable device including a exposure hole for the camera, a ring cam member positioned in the base frame to rotate on the personal portable device, including a cam profile formed a inner side of the ring cam member, a driven cam member provided on the base frame to approach to and separate from the cam profile such that the driven cam member is mutually operated with the cam profile, a spring member for making the driven cam member move to the cam profile, a cover housing engaged with the ring cam member to covering the base frame, and a shutter member movably mounted on the base frame to open and close the exposure hole in accordance to rotation of the cover housing.

Description

APPARATUS FOR COVERING CAMERA

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an apparatus for covering a camera, and more particularly, to an apparatus for covering camera which can provide a convenience to open and close operation of camera cover and effectively protect a camera. Background Art

[2] Generally, a personal portable device is becoming more common because it can be carried with anybody and used freely wherever telecommunication is possible.

[3] The personal portable device began to be used only as a wireless telephone, however it has been developed to have various additional functions, such as a digital camera taking a picture and recording it as an image file.

[4] In case that a device has a function of a digital camera, it is necessary to have a protection window installed in front of a lens of a camera module, since the lens is to be easily damaged by an external impact.

[5] However, in a conventional device, the protection window for the camera lens is usually exposed to the outside, such that it could be easily scratched during its using or keeping and be polluted by dust and the like. The scratches and dusts on the camera protection window result in a bad effect to the image quality and durability of the camera.

[6] Though many improvements have been provided to protect a camera module and its protection window these days, there are a problem in respect of its convenience and reliability.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[7] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for covering a camera module and its window, which substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

[8] The present invention is to provide an apparatus for covering a camera, which can facilitate its opening and closing and protect the camera effectively.

[9] The present invention is to provide an apparatus for covering a camera, which prevent from its unintended and abnormal opening and closing, so as to improve its safety and reliability. Technical Solution

[10] According to one exemplary aspect of the present invention, a camera cover apparatus for protecting a camera installed in a personal portable device comprises a base frame mounted on the personal portable device including a exposure hole for the camera, a ring cam member positioned in the base frame to rotate on the personal portable device and including a cam profile formed on a inner side of the ring cam member, a driven cam member provided on the base frame to approach to and separate from the cam profile, such that the driven cam member is mutually operated with the cam profile, a spring member for making the driven cam member move to the cam profile, a cover housing engaged with the ring cam member to covering the base frame, and a shutter member movably mounted on the base frame to open and close the exposure hole in accordance to rotation of the cover housing.

[11] The shape and structure of the cam profile may be varied in accordance with desired conditions or design specifications. For example, a cam profile for a ring cam member may be in a shape of lozenge and, in this case, a driven cam member may move along edges of the lozenge cam profile while contacting to the inside of the cam profile. In case that the driven cam member contacts to one of the corners of the lozenge cam profile, the rotation of the ring cam member may be temporarily stopped.

[12] According to embodiments of the present invention, the open/close mechanism and structure of a shutter member may be varied in accordance with desired conditions or design specifications. For example, a shutter member may be provided to move sliding on a base frame, which is fixed on the personal portable device, and may open and close the exposure hole in accordance to the rotating operation of the cover housing. Otherwise, a shutter member may be provided to move rotating on a base frame to open and close the exposure hole.

[13] The shape and structure of the shutter member may be varied in accordance with desired conditions or design specifications. For example, a shutter member may comprises a first shutter and a second shutter, which are provided symmetrically about a center of the exposure hole to open and close the exposure hole cooperatively with each other. According to other embodiments, a shutter member for opening and closing the exposure hole may be composed of only one shutter, otherwise three or more shutters operating cooperatively.

[14] A sliding guide may be provided on the base frame in order to guide the sliding movement of a shutter member. The sliding guide may be provided in a various shape, such as projection and groove, in accordance with desired conditions or design specifications.

[15] An operating mechanism of the cover housing and the shutter member may also be varied in accordance with desired conditions or design specifications. For example, a guide groove may be formed inside the cover hosing and a guide projection may be formed on the shutter member to move along the guide groove. The shape and structure of the guide groove may be varied in accordance with desired conditions or design specifications, so that the open/close path of the shutter member may be variously defined by the shape and structure of the guide groove. For example, the guide groove may include an approach portion formed near to a center of the cover housing and a separate portion formed far from the center of the cover housing rather than the approach portion, in which the approach portion and the separate portion may be continuously connected. [16] For reference, the term "personal portable device" may mean a personal digital assistant(PDA), a smart phone, a hand-held PC, a cellular phone, a MP3 player and the likes. The personal portable device may have Code Division Multiplexing Access (CDMA) module, Bluetooth module, Infrared communication(IrDA) module, wire/wireless LAN card and the likes, and may have an additional function, such as music replay, movie replay, navigation, etc.

Advantageous Effects

[17] A camera cover apparatus of the present invention may be operated automatically or semi-automatically, to improve user's convenience.

[18] Since the shutter member is elastically supported by the spring member, the shutter member is not opened abnormally by an unintended impact.

[19] The open and close operation of the present invention may be performed by both clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation of the cover housing, such that right-handed and left-handed persons can rotate the cover housing conveniently without limitation. Brief Description of Drawings

[20] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a personal portable device on which a camera cover apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is installed;

[21] FIGS. 2 to 4 are perspective views illustrating detail structures of the camera cover apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

[22] FIGS. 5 to 7 are front views illustrating an operating mechanism of the camera cover apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

[23] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is not to be understood that the present invention is limited to the embodiments. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Under this rule, description of one drawing will be made with reference to that of another drawing, and the description apparent to those skilled in the art or repeated description will be omitted.

[24] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a personal portable device on which a camera cover apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is installed, and FIGS. 2 to 4 are perspective views illustrating detail structures of the camera cover apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[25] As shown in the drawings, a camera cover apparatus 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention may be installed on a personal portable device 100, in which a camera module 300 is applied.

[26] The personal portable device 100 may be a folder- type portable device, a bar- type portable device, a flip-type portable device, a slide-type portable device and the likes. The present invention may be not limited by shape or open/close mechanism of the personal portable device.

[27] In the personal portable device 100, the camera module 300 for taking a picture of an object is installed, and the camera type and position of the camera module 300 may be varied in accordance with desired conditions and design specifications.

[28] The camera cover apparatus 200 is provided to protect the camera module 300 of the device 100, and comprises a base frame 210, a ring cam member 220, a driven cam member 230, a spring member 240, a cover housing 250, and a shutter member 260.

[29] The base frame 210 is provided in a shape of disc and comprises a exposure hole 212 formed in its center, so as to fixedly mounted on the device 100 according to the camera module 300. The camera module 300, specially its lens, may be exposed through the exposure hole 212.

[30] The base frame 210 may be fixed on the personal portable device 100 by a general fastener, such as screw, and fasteners for fixing the base frame 210 to device 100 do not limit or restrict the present invention.

[31] The ring cam member 220 is formed approximately in a shape of a ring, in which a cam profile is formed on its inner side. The inner side of the cam profile 222 may be separated by a different distance from the center of the ring cam member 220. The ring cam member 220 is located between the device 100 and the base frame 210, to partially receive the circumference of the base frame 210. Accordingly, the ring cam member 220 can rotate on the device 100 while receiving the base frame 210 therein.

[32] The driven cam member 230 is movably mounted on the base frame 210, which the driven cam member 230 moves in a radiating direction about the center of the base frame 210. The driven cam member 230 maintains a contact with the inner side of the cam profile 222 to mutually operate with it. For this movement of the driven cam member 230, a receiving recess (see FIG. 3) for partially receiving and guiding the driven cam member 230 may be formed on the base frame 210, wherein the driven cam member 230 sliding along the receiving recess can keep a touch with the inner side of the cam profile 222. Since the driven cam member 230 is positioned between the base frame 210 and the device 100 and inside the ring cam member 220, the drive cam member 230 cannot be broken away. [33] The shape and structure of the cam profile may be varied in accordance with desired conditions and design specifications. For example, the cam profile 222 may be formed in a shape of lozenge, and, in this case, a driven cam member 230 may move along edges of the lozenge cam profile 222 while contacting to the inside of the cam profile 222. In case that the driven cam member 230 contacts to one of the corners of the lozenge cam profile 222, the rotation of the ring cam member 220 may be temporarily and stably stopped.

[34] The driven cam member 230 may be formed using a general plastic material.

However, since the driven cam member needs to maintain great mechanical, thermal and chemical properties and keep a low dimensional change under broad temperature conditions for a long time, it is preferred that the driven cam member 230 is formed using a lubricant material, such as polyoxymethylene, polyamide, polyamide imide and the likes, which have a great self-lubricant and great anti-fatigue properties.

[35] The spring member 240 provides an elastic force to make the driven cam member

230 move toward the cam profile 222 of the ring cam member 220 to contact with it. The structure and shape of the spring member 240 may be varied in accordance with desired conditions and design specifications. For example, a general coil spring may be used to press the driven cam member 230 to its linear moving direction, and one or a plurality of coil springs may be used in various arrangements.

[36] The cover housing 250 also partially receives the base frame 210 to be engaged with the ring cam member 220. When the cover housing 250 rotates, the ring cam member 220 integrated with the cover housing 250 rotates together. A through hole 256 is formed in a center of the cover housing 250 according to the exposure hole 212.

[37] The shutter member 260 is provided on the base frame 210 to move relatively to the base frame 210, and the shutter member 260 is designed to open and close the exposure hole 212 according to the rotation of the cover housing 250, operatively engaged with it. The open/close mechanism and structure of a shutter member may be varied in accordance with desired conditions or design specifications. For example, the shutter member 260 may be provided to move sliding on the base frame 210, and may open and close the exposure hole 212 in accordance to the rotating operation of the cover housing 250. Otherwise, a shutter member may be provided to move rotating on a base frame to open and close the exposure hole.

[38] Hereinafter, explained is the case that the shutter member 260 is provided to move sliding on the base frame 210 to open and close the exposure hole 212 according to the rotation of the cover housing 250. The shape and structure of the shutter member 260 may be varied in accordance with desired conditions or design specifications. For example, the shutter member 260 may comprises a first shutter 262 and a second shutter 264, which are provided symmetrically about a center of the exposure hole 212 to open and close the exposure hole 212 cooperatively with each other. The first shutter 262 and the second shutter 264 slides respectively to approach to and separate from each other, according to the rotation of the cover housing 250, so as to open and close the exposure hole 212. According to other embodiments, a shutter member for opening and closing the exposure hole may be composed of only one shutter, otherwise three or more shutters operating cooperatively.

[39] A sliding guide may be provided on the base frame 210 in order to guide the sliding movement of a shutter member 260. The sliding guide may be provided in a various shape, such as projection and groove, in accordance with desired conditions or design specifications. For example, the sliding guide may include a sliding guide groove 216 which is formed on the base frame 210 along the sliding direction of the shutter member 260, such that the shutter member 260 can slide along the sliding guide groove 216 in state which the shutter member 260 is partially received in the sliding guide groove 216, to open and close the exposure hole 212.

[40] On the other hand, an operating mechanism of the cover housing 250 and the shutter member 260 may also be varied in accordance with desired conditions or design specifications. For example, a guide groove 252 may be formed inside the cover hosing 250 and a guide projection 266 may be formed on the shutter member 260 to move along the guide groove 252. In case that the cover housing 250 rotates, the guide projection 266 of the shutter member 260 begins to move along the guide groove 252, and the shutter member 260 slidingly moves to open or close the exposure hole 212.

[41] The shape and structure of the guide groove 252 may be varied in accordance with desired conditions or design specifications, so that the open/close path of the shutter member 260 may be variously defined by the shape and structure of the guide groove 252. For example, the guide groove 252 may include an approach portion 252a formed near to a center of the cover housing 250 and a separate portion 252b formed far from the center of the cover housing 250 rather than the approach portion 252a, in which the approach portion and the separate portion may be continuously connected at both ends to make a circulating path, which looks like number 8. In this case, in case that the guide projections 266 of the first shutter 262 and the second shutter 264 move to the approach portion 252a respectively, the first shutter 262 and second shutter 264 get close to each other to hide the exposure hole 212. On the contrary, in case that the guide projections 266 of the first shutter 262 and the second shutter 264 move to the separate portion 252b respectively, the first shutter 262 and second shutter 264 get away from each other to expose the exposure hole 212.

[42] On the circumference of the cover housing 250, a plurality of anti-slip notches 254 may be formed by a predetermined distance. User can perform an easy rotation of the cover housing 250 by using the anti-slip notches 254. [43] Moreover, a protection window 270 may be provided in the base frame 210 to cover the exposure hole 212. According to this embodiment, the protection window 270 is engaged on the inside of the base frame 210 and is integrated with the camera cover apparatus 100. However, in other cases, a protection window may be provided independently from a camera cover apparatus.

[44] An external portion 214 may be formed at the circumference of the base frame 210, which is positioned between the ring cam member 220 and the cover housing 250. Although the cover housing 250 and the ring cam member 230 have no shaft, the base frame 210 having the external portion 214 serves as a shaft to enable them to stably rotate. In other cases,

[45] Namely, since the external portion 214 expanded from outer boundary of the base frame 210 is positioned between the cover housing 250 and the ring cam member 220 and the ring cam member 220 and the cover housing 250 are coupled, the base frame 210 with the external portion 214 may work like a rotation shaft to support rotation the cover housing 250 and the ring cam member 220. Moreover, the sliding guide groove may be formed on the external portion, and the base frame and the external portion having the sliding guide groove may be provided in an integrated body through injection molding.

[46] Hereinafter, explained is an operating mechanism of the camera cover apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[47] FIGS. 5 to 7 are front views illustrating an operating mechanism of the camera cover apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. For reference, the same or like elements and structures related to the above elements and structures may refer to the same reference numbers and descriptions and, under this rule, repeated description may be omitted.

[48] At first, referring to FIG. 5, the camera cover apparatus 200 is provided in a state that the camera module 300 is hidden. When not using the camera module 300, the exposure hole 212 of the base frame 210 may be closed by the first shutter 262 and the second shutter 264. In this instance, the ring cam member 220 may be maintained in which the driven cam member 230 contacts with the corner E of the cam profile 222 and the ring cam member 220 temporarily stops without rotation.

[49] Referring to FIG. 6, in case that user rotates the cover housing 250 to clockwise direction (or counter-clockwise direction), the ring cam member 220 engaged with the cover housing 250 begins to rotate to the same direction. In this instance, the driven cam member 230 move backward pressing the spring member 240 by the cam profile 222. And then, while the cover housing 250 rotates, the guide projections 266 of the first shutter 262 and the second shutter 264 move along the guide groove 252 respectively, such that the both shutter move to get away from each other. On the other word, while the cover housing 250 rotates, the guide projections 266 move from the approach portion 252a to the separate portion 252b, and, accordingly, the first shutter 262 and the second shutter 264 move to open the exposure hole 212.

[50] After that, if the driven cam member 230 passes the critical point of the cam profile

222 and transmits into neighbor corner, as show in FIG. 7, the pressed spring member 240 starts to recover, and then the driven cam member 230 moves forward (or far from the center of the base frame 210) by the spring member 240, such that the ring cam member 220 and the cover housing 250 automatically rotate. Simultaneously, the guide projections 266 of the first shutter 262 and the second shutter 264 move to the separate portion 252b automatically, so that the first shutter 262 and the second shutter 264 become completely open.

[51] On the contrary, after use of the camera module 300, user can hide the camera module 300 by rotating the cover housing 250. For closing the camera cover apparatus, the rotation of the ring cam member 220 may be performed semi- automatically by the elastic mutual reaction between the cam profile 222 and the driven cam member 230, namely, the closing operation of the shutters 262 and 264 can be performed semi- automatically.

[52] As mentioned the above, in the present invention, the rotation of the cover housing

250 is performed semi-automatically, such that the camera module can be opened and closed more easily. Moreover, since the ring cam member 220 is elastically supported with being restricted by the driven cam member 230 and the spring member 240, abnormal open of the shutter member 260 by unintended impact may be prevented.

[53] The open and close operation of the present invention may be performed by both clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation of the cover housing, such that right-handed and left-handed persons can rotate the cover housing(250) conveniently without limitation.

[54] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention. Thus, the above embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims and all change which comes within the equivalent scope of the invention are included in the scope of the invention. Industrial Applicability

[55] An apparatus for camera according to the present invention may be adopted for a personal portable device. Also, the apparatus for camera may be widely used for various types of devices and structures.

Claims

[1] An apparatus for covering a camera installed in a personal portable device comprising: a base frame mounted on the personal portable device, including a exposure hole for the camera; a ring cam member positioned in the base frame to rotate on the personal portable device, including a cam profile formed a inner side of the ring cam member; a driven cam member provided on the base frame to approach to and separate from the cam profile, such that the driven cam member is mutually operated with the cam profile; a spring member for making the driven cam member move to the cam profile; a cover housing engaged with the ring cam member to covering the base frame; and a shutter member movably mounted on the base frame to open and close the exposure hole in accordance to rotation of the cover housing.

[2] The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the shutter member slides on the base frame, so as to open and close the exposure hole in accordance to the rotation of the cover housing.

[3] The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the base frame includes a sliding guide to guide the sliding movement of the shutter member.

[4] The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the shutter member comprises a first shutter and a second shutter, which are provided symmetrically about the exposure hole to open and close the exposure hole cooperatively with each other.

[5] The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a guide groove is formed inside the cover hosing and a guide projection is formed on the shutter member to move along the guide groove.

[6] The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the guide groove includes an approach portion to guide the shutter member near to a center of the cover housing and a separate portion to guide the shutter member far from the center of the cover housing.

[7] The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cover housing includes an anti- slip portion formed on a circumference of the cover housing.

[8] The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a protection window provided in the base frame to cover the exposure hole.

[9] The apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the cam profile is formed in a shape of lozenge and, when the driven cam member contacts to a corner of the lozenge cam profile, the rotation of the ring cam member is temporarily restricted.

[10] The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the base frame includes an external portion circumferentially formed around the base frame, the external portion positioned between the ring cam member and the cover housing.

[11] An apparatus for covering a camera installed in a personal portable device comprising: a base frame mounted on the personal portable device, including a exposure hole for the camera; a ring cam member positioned in the base frame to rotate on the personal portable device, including a cam profile shaped of lozenge and formed on a inner side of the ring cam member; a driven cam member provided on the base frame to approach to and separate from the cam profile, such that the driven cam member moves along edges of the lozenge cam profile; a spring member for making the driven cam member move to the cam profile; a cover housing engaged with the ring cam member to covering the base frame, including a guide groove formed inside the cover housing; and a shutter member movably mounted on the base frame and comprising a first shutter and a second shutter to open and close the exposure hole cooperatively with each other, each of the first and the second shutters including a guide projection to move along the guide groove.

[12] The apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein the guide groove includes an approach portion formed near to a center of the cover housing and a separate portion formed far from the center of the cover housing rather than the approach portion to be continuously connected to the approach portion.

[13] The apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein the cover housing includes an anti-slip portion formed on a circumference of the cover housing.

[14] The apparatus as set forth in claim 11, further comprising a protection window provided in the base frame to cover the exposure hole.

[15] The apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein the base frame includes an external portion circumferentially formed around the base frame, the external portion positioned between the ring cam member and the cover housing.