Camera device with a clamping module

A camera device with a clamping module includes a clamping module and a camera module. The clamping module includes a first clamping arm, a second clamping arm, an elastic element and a connection shaft. The first clamping arm has a first extending portion. The second clamping arm is positioned opposite to the first clamping arm. The second clamping arm has a second extending portion. The elastic element is mounted between the first extending portion and the second extending portion. The connection shaft is connected with the first extending portion, the elastic element and the second extending portion. The connection shaft passes through the elastic element, and the elastic element is mounted around the connection shaft. The camera module includes a rotation shaft. The camera module is pivoted to the outer surface of the first clamping arm by the rotation shaft.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is based on, and claims priority from, China Patent Application No. 201922114732.4, filed Nov. 29, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a camera device, and more particularly to a camera device with a clamping module which is capable of being positioned more stably, and visual angles of the camera device with the clamping module are adjustable.

2. The Related Art

In general, a conventional camera device has a basic video shoot and transmission function, a static image capturing function, etc. The conventional camera device converts images into digital signals which can be recognized by a computer by virtue of processing the images. The conventional camera device is mostly fastened to a top of a screen of a notebook computer, and after the images are inputted into the notebook computer by a parallel port and a USB connection element, the images are proceeded with an image restoration.

A Taiwan utility model patent, Taiwanese Patent No. M383671U1, issued on Jul. 1, 2010, discloses a composition structure improvement of a network camera. The composition structure improvement of the network camera includes a lens unit having a camera function, and a clamping unit used for a clamping and locating function. The lens unit utilizes a connection shaft of a lower end of the lens unit to be connected with a pivoting group. A characteristic of the lens unit is that the clamping unit includes a base board, a first clamping board, a second clamping board and a plurality of elastic elements. Two portions of one side of the base board protrude outward to form two pivoting ears opposite to each other. The other side of the base board forms a hollow shaft hole. The first clamping board and the second clamping board are corresponding to side edges of the base board. Each of the first clamping board and the second clamping board has two pivoting portions opposite to each other. After the two pivoting ears of the base board are interacted with the connection shaft of the lens unit, the base board is fastened between the two pivoting portions of the first clamping board by virtue of a rod passing through the two pivoting portions of the first clamping board. The second clamping board utilizes another rod to penetrate through the two pivoting portions of the second clamping board to be pivotally fastened to the shaft hole of the base board and pass through the plurality of the elastic elements to make elastic feet of two ends of each elastic element located between the base board and the second clamping board, so that the second clamping board has an elastic and tensile clamping force, in this way, the composition structure improvement of the network camera is facilitated for being clamped and located to a liquid screen or a location position.

However, a screen frame of the composition structure improvement of the network camera is designed towards a narrower and narrower edge, a foot stool structure of the composition structure improvement of the network camera will partially shield a screen area, and the foot stool structure is unstable that it is easy to fall off after the clamping the narrower edge of the of the screen frame, and the composition structure improvement of the network camera can just be fastened to one visual angle.

Therefore, it is essential to provide an innovative camera device with a clamping module which is capable of being positioned more stably, and visual angles of the camera device with the clamping module are adjustable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a camera device with a clamping module. The camera device with the clamping module includes a clamping module and a camera module. The clamping module includes a first clamping arm, a second clamping arm, an elastic element and a connection shaft. The first clamping arm has a first extending portion extended from an upper end of an inner surface of the first clamping arm, a first pressing portion recessed inward in an upper end of an outer surface of the first clamping arm, and a first clamping portion formed at a lower end of the inner surface of the first clamping arm. The second clamping arm is positioned opposite to the first clamping arm. The second clamping arm has a second extending portion extended from an upper end of an inner surface of the second clamping arm, a second pressing portion recessed inward in an upper end of an outer surface of the second clamping arm, and a second clamping portion slantwise extended outward and downward from a lower end of the inner surface of the second clamping arm. The elastic element is mounted between the first extending portion and the second extending portion. The connection shaft is connected with the first extending portion, the elastic element and the second extending portion. The connection shaft passes through a middle of the elastic element, and the elastic element is mounted around the connection shaft for making the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm have an elastic gripping force. The camera module includes a rotation shaft. The camera module is pivoted to the outer surface of the first clamping arm of the clamping module by the rotation shaft.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a camera device with a clamping module. The camera device with the clamping module includes a clamping module and a camera module. The clamping module includes a first clamping arm, a second clamping arm, an elastic element and a connection shaft. The first clamping arm has a first pressing portion recessed inward in an upper end of an outer surface of the first clamping arm, and a first clamping portion formed at a lower end of an inner surface of the first clamping arm. Two portions of two opposite sides of an upper end of the inner surface of the first clamping arm extend perpendicular to the upper end of the inner surface of the first clamping arm to form two first extending portions. The second clamping arm is positioned opposite to the first clamping arm. The second clamping arm has a second pressing portion recessed inward in an upper end of an outer surface of the second clamping arm, and a second clamping portion slantwise extended outward and downward from a lower end of an inner surface of the second clamping arm. Two opposite sides of an upper end of the inner surface of the second clamping arm extend towards the first clamping arm to form two second extending portions. The elastic element is located between the two second extending portions. The two second extending portions together with the elastic element are mounted between the two first extending portions. The connection shaft is connected with the two first extending portions, the elastic element and the two second extending portions. The connection shaft passes through a middle of the elastic element, and the elastic element is mounted around the connection shaft for making the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm have an elastic gripping force. The camera module includes a rotation shaft. The camera module is pivoted to the outer surface of the first clamping arm of the clamping module by virtue of the rotation shaft being pivoted to a lower end of the first clamping arm and a lower end of the camera module.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a camera device with a clamping module. The camera device with the clamping module includes a clamping module and a camera module. The clamping module includes a first clamping arm, a second clamping arm, an elastic element and a connection shaft. The first clamping arm has a first extending portion extended from an upper end of an inner surface of the first clamping arm, a first clamping portion formed at a lower end of the inner surface of the first clamping arm, a first pressing portion formed at an upper end of an outer surface of the first clamping arm, and a concave portion formed at a middle of the outer surface of the first clamping arm. The second clamping arm is positioned opposite to the first clamping arm. The second clamping arm has a second extending portion extended from an upper end of an inner surface of the second clamping arm, a second clamping portion formed at a lower end of the inner surface of the second clamping arm, and a second pressing portion formed at an upper end of an outer surface of the second clamping arm. The elastic element is located between the first extending portion and the second extending portion. The connection shaft is connected with the first extending portion, the elastic element and the second extending portion. The camera module has a rotation shaft which is pivoted to the first clamping arm. A rear portion of the camera module is received in the concave portion of the first clamping arm.

As described above, the camera device with the clamping module makes the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm have the gripping force by virtue of an elastic force provided by the elastic element, so that the camera device with the clamping module is able to stably grip the electronic equipment. Furthermore, a friction ring cooperates with the rotation shaft to make the camera module rotate visual angles to adjust the visual angles. Thus, the camera device with the clamping module is capable of being positioned more stably, and the visual angles of the camera device with the clamping module are adjustable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, a camera device101in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Specifically, a camera device with a clamping module100in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The camera device101is the camera device with the clamping module100. The camera device with the clamping module100is adapted for being assembled to a frame201of a notebook computer200. In a concrete implementation, the camera device with the clamping module100is also able to be assembled to other types of electronic equipment.

With reference toFIG. 1toFIG. 5, the camera device with the clamping module100includes a camera module1which includes a rotation shaft4, a clamping module2, two screws3and a cable5. The camera module1is disposed to a middle of a front of the clamping module2. One screw3is mounted to one side of the camera module1and one side of the clamping module2. The rotation shaft4is mounted to the other side of the camera module1and the other side of the clamping module2. A diameter of one end of the rotation shaft4is smaller than a diameter of the other end of the rotation shaft4. The one end of the rotation shaft4is of a hollow shape and faces towards the one screw3. The rotation shaft4and the one screw3are locked with each other and in alignment with each other. The one screw3is corresponding to and matched with a middle of the one end of the rotation shaft4. The rotation shaft4has a first blocking portion41, and a first insertion portion42protruded transversely from a middle of one side of the first blocking portion41. A free end of the first insertion portion42is opened freely to form a first insertion hole43. One end of the cable5is connected with an inside of the camera module1. A part of the one end of the cable5is disposed to a corresponding portion of the clamping module2. The other end of the cable5is connected to the notebook computer200. In the preferred embodiment, the one screw3and the rotation shaft4are assembled into a shaft assembly structure304.

Referring toFIG. 1toFIG. 6, the camera module1is pivoted to the clamping module2to rotate to adjust visual angles of the camera module1. The camera module1includes a front cover11, an image module12, a rear cover13, a transparent piece14and a friction ring15. The image module12is disposed in the front cover11. The image module12is used for an image transmission. The rear cover13is disposed behind a rear of the image module12. The transparent piece14is mounted to a front surface of the front cover11. The transparent piece14is used for prettifying the camera module1. The friction ring15is disposed in a corresponding portion of the front cover11. The friction ring15is used for cooperating with the rotation shaft4to make the camera module1rotate to adjust the visual angles.

The front cover11has a cylindrical pivoting portion111, a first through-hole112and a fixing hole113. A bottom surface of the front cover11is connected with the pivoting portion111. The pivoting portion111is mounted to a corresponding mechanism of the clamping module2to realize a location and a fixation between the camera module1and the clamping module2. An inside of a middle of the pivoting portion111is the first through-hole112. The first through-hole112receives the friction ring15. A middle of the friction ring15has a second through-hole151transversely penetrating through the friction ring15. The rotation shaft4passes through the second through-hole151of the friction ring15and the first through-hole112. The one screw3is inserted into the first insertion hole43of the one end of the rotation shaft4.

A front surface of the front cover11has the fixing hole113longitudinally penetrating through the front cover11. The transparent piece14is fixed in the fixing hole113. A middle of a bottom surface of the rear cover13is recessed upward to form a notch131. One end of the cable5is connected to a rear end of the image module12, and the one end of the cable5extends outward and passes through the notch131.

Referring toFIG. 1toFIG. 8, the clamping module2includes a first clamping arm21, a second clamping arm22positioned opposite to the first clamping arm21, an elastic element23and a connection shaft24. The camera module1is pivoted to an outer surface of the first clamping arm21of the clamping module2by the rotation shaft4to make the camera module1rotate so as to adjust visual angles of the camera module1. The rotation shaft4is pivoted to the first clamping arm21. The camera module1is pivoted to the outer surface of the first clamping arm21of the clamping module2by virtue of the rotation shaft4being pivoted to a lower end of the first clamping arm21and a lower end of the camera module1. The first clamping arm21and the second clamping arm22are disposed opposite to each other. The elastic element23is elastically mounted between the first clamping arm21and the second clamping arm22. The connection shaft24passes through corresponding portions of the first clamping arm21, the second clamping arm22and the elastic element23. The connection shaft24is locked to and fastened to the first clamping arm21, the second clamping arm22and the elastic element23by the other screw3to form the clamping module2. The connection shaft24has a second blocking portion241, and a second insertion portion242protruded transversely from a middle of one side of the second blocking portion241. A free end of the second insertion portion242is opened freely to form a second insertion hole243. In the preferred embodiment, the elastic element23is a torsion spring.

The first clamping arm21has a first extending portion211extended from an upper end of an inner surface of the first clamping arm21, a first pressing portion212recessed inward in an upper end of the outer surface of the first clamping arm21, a first fastening hole213, a first clamping portion214formed at a lower end of the inner surface of the first clamping arm21, and at least two avoiding grooves215. The first pressing portion212is formed at the upper end of the outer surface of the first clamping arm21. The first clamping arm21further has at least two first extending portions211. At least two portions of two opposite sides of the upper end of the inner surface of the first clamping arm21extend towards the second clamping arm22to form the at least two first extending portions211. In the preferred embodiment, two portions of the two opposite sides of the upper end of the inner surface of the first clamping arm21extend towards the second clamping arm22and perpendicular to the upper end of the inner surface of the first clamping arm21to form two first extending portions211spaced from each other.

Each first extending portion211has a first perforation216. Specifically, the first extending portion211has the first perforation216. An inner side of the first perforation216is shown as an irregular shape and has two arc walls and two segments. An outer side of the first perforation216is shown as a circular shape and surrounds the inner side of the first perforation216. The first perforation216and the elastic element23have a same axis center. The upper end of the outer surface of the first clamping arm21is recessed inward to form the first pressing portion212. A user exerts a force on the first pressing portion212and a corresponding part of the second clamping arm22to make the clamping module2to opened to an angle so as to bring a convenience for the clamping module2to grip the notebook computer200or one of other types of the electronic equipment.

A middle of the first clamping arm21has the first fastening hole213longitudinally penetrating through the first clamping arm21. The first fastening hole213receives a portion of the one end of the cable5. The lower end of the inner surface of the first clamping arm21is flat to form the first clamping portion214. The first clamping portion214is matched with a matching portion of the second clamping arm22to make the camera device with the clamping module100steadily grip one electronic equipment. Two opposite sides of a middle of the outer surface of the first clamping arm21are recessed inward to form two avoiding grooves215. When each visual angle is to be adjusted, fingers are placed in the two avoiding grooves215, and holds two sides of the front cover11of the camera module1to manually adjust the camera device with the clamping module100. The two avoiding grooves215and the first pressing portion212of the first clamping arm21are located at a same side of the camera device with the clamping module100.

A lower end of the outer surface of the first clamping arm21protrudes outward to form a protruding stage25. The protruding stage25, the two avoiding grooves215and the first pressing portion212of the first clamping arm21are located at the same side of the camera device with the clamping module100. The protruding stage25includes a first location portion251, a second location portion252and a receiving groove253. One side of the protruding stage25has the annular first location portion251protruding upward and arched outward. An inner side of a middle of the first location portion251has a circular first location hole254. An outer side of the middle of the first location portion251and an outer side of the middle of the second location portion252have two circular limiting holes256. The other side of the protruding stage25has the annular second location portion252protruding upward and arched outward. An inner side of a middle of the second location portion252has an irregular second location hole255. Side walls of the second location hole255are the two arc walls and the two segments.

The rotation shaft4is mounted to the second location portion252. The rotation shaft4is mounted in one limiting hole256and the second location hole255of the second location portion252. The first insertion portion42is inserted into the one limiting hole256and the second location hole255of the second location portion252. The first blocking portion41is limited in the one limiting hole256. The first location portion251is spaced from the second location portion252to form the receiving groove253between the first location portion251and the second location portion252. The receiving groove253receives the pivoting portion111of the camera module1.

The rotation shaft4passes through the first location hole254and is located to the other limiting hole256of the first location portion251. The first insertion portion42is inserted into the first location hole254through the first through-hole112and the second through-hole151. The one screw3is mounted to the first location portion251. The outer side of the one screw3is mounted in the other limiting hole256of the first location portion251and an inner side of the one screw3is inserted into the first insertion hole43of the one end of the rotation shaft4. The first location portion251, the second location portion252and the second through-hole151are concentric. After the rotation shaft4passes through the second location portion252, the first through-hole112of the pivoting portion111, the second through-hole151and a section of the first location portion251, the rotation shaft4is locked to and fastened to the second location portion252, the pivoting portion111, the second through-hole151and the section of the first location portion251by the one screw3to make the camera module1be able to manually adjust the visual angles. The middle of the outer surface of the first clamping arm21is recessed inward to form a concave portion217which receives a rear portion of the camera module1. The first fastening hole213penetrates through a surface of the concave portion217and communicates with the concave portion217. The concave portion217communicates with the first fastening hole213. The concave portion217is formed at the middle of the outer surface of the first clamping arm21. The rear portion of the camera module1is received in the concave portion217of the first clamping arm21.

The second clamping arm22has a second extending portion221extended from an upper end of an inner surface of the second clamping arm22, a second pressing portion222recessed inward in an upper end of an outer surface of the second clamping arm22, a second fastening hole223, a second clamping portion224slantwise extended outward and downward from a lower end of the inner surface of the second clamping arm22, and a soft block225. The second clamping portion224is formed at the lower end of the inner surface of the second clamping arm22. The elastic element23is mounted between the first extending portion211and the second extending portion221. Preferably, two opposite sides of the upper end of the inner surface of the second clamping arm22facing the first clamping arm21extend towards the first clamping arm21to form two second extending portions221spaced from each other. Each second extending portion221has a second perforation226transversely penetrating through each second extending portion221. The second extending portion221has the second perforation226. The second perforations226of the two second extending portions221, the elastic element23and the first perforations216of the two first extending portions211are concentric. The connection shaft24passes through the first perforations216of the two first extending portions211, the elastic element23and the second perforations226of the two second extending portions221.

The elastic element23is worn around the connection shaft24and located between the two second extending portions221. The connection shaft24is connected with the first extending portion211, the elastic element23and the second extending portion221, the connection shaft24passes through a middle of the elastic element23, and the elastic element23is mounted around the connection shaft24for making the first clamping arm21and the second clamping arm22have an elastic gripping force. In the preferred embodiment, the connection shaft24is connected with the two first extending portions211, the elastic element23and the two second extending portions221, the connection shaft24passes through the middle of the elastic element23, and the elastic element23is mounted around the connection shaft24for making the first clamping arm21and the second clamping arm22have the elastic gripping force. The two second extending portions221together with the elastic element23are mounted between the two first extending portions211. The other screw3is inserted into the second insertion hole243of the connection shaft24. An outer end of the other screw3and the second blocking portion241are received in outer sides of the two first perforations216of the two first extending portions211and are blocked by peripheral walls of inner sides of the two first perforations216of the two first extending portions211. Two free ends of the elastic element23elastically abut against the inner surface of the first clamping arm21and the inner surface of the second clamping arm22. The camera device with the clamping module100makes the first clamping arm21and the second clamping arm22have the gripping force by virtue of an elastic force provided by the elastic element23.

Several portions of the top end of the inner surface of the second clamping arm22facing the first clamping arm21extend towards the first clamping arm to form a plurality of second extending portions221disposed between the two first extending portions211. The upper end of the outer surface of the second clamping arm22is recessed inward to form the second pressing portion222. The user exerts the force on the second pressing portion222and the first pressing portion212to make the clamping module2opened to the angle so as to bring the convenience for the clamping module2to grip the notebook computer200or the one of other types of the electronic equipment.

A middle of the second clamping arm22has the second fastening hole223longitudinally penetrating through the second clamping arm22. The second fastening hole223receives the portion of the one end of the cable5. The portion of the one end of the cable5is positioned in and passes through the first fastening hole213and the second fastening hole223. The second fastening hole223has a circular connecting hole227, and a clamping hole228communicated with the circular connecting hole227. Before the portion of the cable5is clamped in the second fastening hole223, the portion of the cable5is moved to the circular connecting hole227, and then the clamping module2is operated to grip the notebook computer200or other types of the electronic equipment. After the portion of the cable5is clamped in the second fastening hole223, the portion of the cable5is moved to the clamping hole228to be fastened.

The clamping hole228is capable of guiding a weight of the cable5or a pulling force exerted by an external force to the gripping force generated by the camera device with the clamping module100to be supported or absorbed, a rotation angle deviation of the camera module1is prevented from being affected on account of a factor of the cable5. The lower end of the inner surface of the second clamping arm22slantwise extends outward and downward to form the second clamping portion224. The second clamping portion224cooperates with the first clamping portion214to make the camera device with the clamping module100steadily grip the electronic equipment. A middle of the second clamping portion224is equipped with the soft block225. The soft block225has a supporting function, an anti-slip function and a buffering function.

Referring toFIG. 1toFIG. 8again, the rotation shaft4passes through the second location portion252, the second through-hole151and the section of the first location portion251, and the rotation shaft4is locked to and fastened to the second location portion252, the second through-hole151and the section of the first location portion251by the screw3to make the camera module1be able to manually adjust the visual angles. Before the portion of the cable5is clamped in the second fastening hole223, the portion of the cable5is moved to the circular connecting hole227, and then the clamping module2is operated to grip the notebook computer200or other types of the electronic equipment. The second clamping portion224cooperates with the first clamping portion214to make the camera device with the clamping module100steadily grip the electronic equipment. After the portion of the cable5is clamped in the second fastening hole223, the portion of the cable5is moved to the clamping hole228to be fastened.

The clamping hole228is capable of guiding the weight of the cable5or the pulling force exerted by the external force to the gripping force generated by the camera device with the clamping module100to be supported or absorbed, the rotation angle deviation of the camera module1is prevented from being affected on account of the factor of the cable5. When each visual angle is to be adjusted, the fingers are placed in the two avoiding grooves215, and holds the two sides of the front cover11of the camera module1to manually adjust the camera device with the clamping module100. Thus the camera device with the clamping module100is capable of being steadily fastened to the notebook computer200or other types of the electronic equipment and capable of adjusting the visual angles of the camera device with the clamping module100.

As described above, the camera device with the clamping module100makes the first clamping arm21and the second clamping arm22have the gripping force by virtue of the elastic force provided by the elastic element23, so that the camera device with the clamping module100is able to stably grip the electronic equipment. Furthermore, the friction ring15cooperates with the rotation shaft4to make the camera module1rotate visual angles to adjust the visual angles. Thus, the camera device with the clamping module100is capable of being positioned more stably, and the visual angles of the camera device with the clamping module100are adjustable.