FILTER MOVING SOLENOID SYSTEM FOR A CAMERA

• US 20100098401A1
• Filed: 10/22/2009
• Published: 04/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Non Typical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Non Typical Incorporated
• Inventors: Ismael, George
• Granted Patent: US 8,014,664 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/241
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 11/00 Filters or other obturators specially adapted for photographic purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/12 with means for supporting objectives, supplementary lenses, filters, masks, or turrets

Abstract

A filter-moving solenoid system for use with a camera is provided. The filter-moving solenoid system includes a solenoid and an armature that has at least first and second operative positions and at least first and second contact segments. A first contact segment is held against or adjacent the solenoid when the armature is in a first operative position and a second contact segment is held against or adjacent the solenoid when the armature is in a second operative position. The filter-moving solenoid system is configured so that the armature is self-stable in each of the first and second positions, allowing the filter to selectively remain fixed in such positions without requiring the solenoid to be energized in so doing.

Claims

1. A solenoid system, for moving a filter in a camera, comprising:

a solenoid;

an armature in moving communication with the solenoid, the armature having first and second operative positions;

a filter mounted to and moving in unison with the armature; and

wherein energizing the solenoid moves the armature between the first and second operative positions, the solenoid being de-energized when the armature is in each of the first and second operative positions.

2. The solenoid system of claim 1, wherein (i) a time period in which the solenoid is energized for moving the armature to the first position defines a first energized duration, and (ii) a time period in which the armature remains in the first position defines a first de-energized duration, the first de-energized duration being longer than the first energized duration.

4. The solenoid system of claim 1, the armature further comprising,

(i) a first contact segment engaging the solenoid when the armature is in the first operative position, and

(ii) a second contact segment engaging the solenoid when the armature is in the second operative position,

a filter mounted to and moving in unison with the armature,

wherein energizing the solenoid moves the armature between the first and second operative positions, the armature being self-stable in each of the first and second operative positions such that one of the first and second contact segments of the armature biases toward and abuts the solenoid while the solenoid is de-energized.

5. The solenoid system of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first and second contact segments of the armature includes a permanent magnet that magnetically holds the at least one of the first and second contact segments against the solenoid when the solenoid is de-energized.

6. The solenoid system of claim 5, wherein the permanent magnet attracts to a ferromagnetic core of the solenoid, holding the armature in a fixed position in a self-stable manner.

3. The solenoid system of claim 3, wherein (i) a time period in which the solenoid is energized for moving the armature to the second position defines a second energized duration, and (ii) a time period in which the armature remains in the second position defines a second de-energized duration, the second de-energized duration being longer than the second energized duration.

7. A solenoid system, for moving a filter in a camera, comprising:

a solenoid having a cylindrical core with first and second ends;

a forked armature having first and second contact segments positioned on opposing sides of the solenoid, the first and second contact segments movable along an arcuate travel path;

a filter mounted to and moving in unison with the forked armature,

wherein the first and second ends of the solenoid lie on the arcuate travel path of the first and second contacts such that the first contact segment is alignable with the first end of the solenoid and the second contact segment is alignable with the second end of the solenoid.

8. The solenoid system of claim 7, wherein (i) a first self-stable position of the armature is defined when the first contact segment is aligned with the first end of the solenoid, and (ii) a second self-stable position of the armature is defined when the second contact segment is aligned with the second end of the solenoid,

wherein the first and second self-stable positions of the armature require no electromagnetic influence, from the solenoid in an energized state, to maintain such first and second self-stable positions.

9. The solenoid system of claim 8, wherein energizing the solenoid is used to provide a driving force for moving the armature but is not used to maintain the armature in a non-moving position.

10. The solenoid system of claim 9, wherein the first and second contact segments of the forked armature include permanent magnets.

11. The solenoid system of claim 10, further comprising first and second prongs that are connected to each other, at least partially defining the forked armature.

12. The solenoid system of claim 11, wherein the permanent magnets are attached to the first and second prongs.

13. The solenoid system of claim 12, wherein the permanent magnets are recessed into outwardly facing surfaces of the first and second prongs.

14. The solenoid system of claim 7, wherein the forked armature pivots about an axis that is transversely displaced from a medial portion of the solenoid.

15. A scouting camera, comprising:

a lens through which photographs or video is taken by the scouting camera;

a filter that selectively overlies the lens;

a solenoid facilitating movement of the filter and including at least some ferromagnetic material therein;

an armature that is attached to and moves the filter, the armature including at least one magnet that selectively and magnetically couples to the solenoid, such that when the magnet is magnetically coupled to the solenoid, the armature does at least one of (i) holding the filter over the lens, and (ii) holding the filter away from the lens, when the solenoid is de-energized.

16. The scouting camera of claim 15, the armature further comprising multiple magnets that selectively and magnetically couple to the solenoid, correspondingly holding the armature in multiple different, positions with respect to the lens.

17. The scouting camera of claim 16, the armature further comprising first and second prongs to which the multiple magnets are mounted, the first and second prongs having portions thereof that are spaced from each other.

18. The scouting camera of claim 17, the solenoid system further comprising a base from with the lens extends, the base being mounting to a circuit board that is provided within the scouting camera.

19. The scouting camera of claim 18, the armature further comprising a pin that pivotally attaches the armature to the base of the solenoid system.

20. The scouting camera of claim 15, wherein the armature moves only while the solenoid is energized and continuously remains fixed in position with the solenoid is de-energized.