Camera array device and unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

The utility model relates to a camera array device and an unmanned aerial vehicle, belongs to the technical field of panoramic camera shooting of unmanned aerial vehicles, and solves the problems in the prior art that the view angle adjustment process of a camera array is tedious and the angle positioning is inaccurate. The device comprises a fixing unit, a camera rotating unit, a driving unit, a guiding unit, a limiting unit and a camera array. One end of each connecting rod is rotationally connected with the first rotating shaft of the movable seat, and the other end of each connecting rod is rotationally connected with the second rotating shaft of the camera mounting seat; the camera mounting seat is also rotationally connected with a third rotating shaft of the fixing unit; the camera array is fixed on the camera mounting seat; the driving unit can drive the movable seat to linearly move, and the movable seat drives the camera mounting seat to rotate so as to adjust the visual angle of the camera array. According to the camera array device and the unmanned aerial vehicle, the visual angle adjusting process of the camera array is simple and rapid, and the angle positioning is accurate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of panoramic photography technology, and in particular to a camera array device and a drone. Background Technology

[0002] Circular camera arrays are crucial for acquiring 360° panoramic images and play a fundamental role in applications such as AR and VR. Current methods for adjusting the viewing angle of circular camera arrays are generally manual, relying entirely on manual positioning and lacking automation. Furthermore, adjusting the viewing angle of each individual camera is cumbersome, involving complex procedures and inaccurate angle positioning. After successful product deployment, it is difficult to arbitrarily change the camera's viewing angle online, creating problems for product upgrades and iterations. Utility Model Content

[0003] Based on the above analysis, the present invention aims to provide a camera array device and a drone to solve the problems of camera array perspective requiring manual operation, cumbersome adjustment process, and inaccurate angle positioning.

[0004] On one hand, this utility model provides a camera array device, including a fixing unit, a camera rotation unit, a driving unit, and a camera array; the camera rotation unit includes a movable seat, a camera mounting seat, and connecting rods; multiple connecting rods are evenly distributed in a circumferential array, one end of the connecting rod is rotatably connected to a first rotating shaft of the movable seat, and the other end is rotatably connected to a second rotating shaft of the camera mounting seat; the camera mounting seat is also rotatably connected to a third rotating shaft of the fixing unit; each camera in the camera array is fixed on a camera mounting seat; the camera is located between the second rotating shaft and the third rotating shaft; the driving unit can drive the movable seat to perform linear motion to realize the angle adjustment of the camera array.

[0005] Furthermore, the radius of the circle containing the first axis of rotation is smaller than the radius of the circle containing the third axis of rotation.

[0006] Furthermore, the fixing unit includes a first fixing seat, and the edge of the first fixing seat is provided with a first hinge portion.

[0007] Furthermore, the third rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the first hinge.

[0008] Furthermore, it also includes a guide unit, which includes a guide post that is parallel to the direction of movement of the movable seat.

[0009] Furthermore, it also includes a limiting unit, which includes a positioning ring that is detachably sleeved on the guide post.

[0010] Furthermore, the positioning ring is located below the movable seat and is used to lock the movement of the movable seat when the viewing angle of the camera array is manually adjusted.

[0011] Furthermore, the limiting unit also includes a proximity switch, which is used to zero the field of view of the camera array during electric adjustment.

[0012] Furthermore, the proximity switch is fixed on the movable base and faces the first fixed base.

[0013] On the other hand, the present invention provides a drone, including the drone body and a camera array device as described in any of the first aspects, the camera array device being fixed to the drone body.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention can achieve at least one of the following beneficial effects:

[0015] (1) The camera array device of this utility model, by arranging the camera mounting base between the second rotating shaft and the third rotating shaft, and fixing the position of the third rotating shaft, can make the camera mounting base more stable when rotating, and the viewing angle adjustment of the camera array more precise.

[0016] (2) The camera array device of this utility model, by setting the circumference radius of the first rotating axis to be smaller than the circumference radius of the third rotating axis, enables the camera to achieve at least 0°-90° viewing angle adjustment, meeting the requirements of 360° panoramic photography.

[0017] (3) The camera array device of this utility model can lock the viewing angle of the camera array in manual mode by setting a positioning ring. It adds the viewing angle positioning function of manual mode while providing electric viewing angle positioning, making it more flexible to use.

[0018] (4) The camera array device of this utility model can be controlled to achieve a zero state by setting a proximity switch.

[0019] (5) The camera array device of this utility model can fix the circumferential position of the movable seat by setting a guide unit, and at the same time can prevent the movable seat from tilting, thereby improving the consistency of the rotation angle of the camera mounting seat.

[0020] In this invention, the above-described technical solutions can be combined with each other to achieve more preferred combinations. Other features and advantages of this invention will be set forth in the following description, and some advantages will become apparent from the description or be learned by practicing the invention. The objectives and other advantages of this invention can be realized and obtained from the description and accompanying drawings, which are particularly pointed out. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same parts.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the camera array device in its initial state according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a front view structural diagram of the camera array device of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the camera array device of this utility model with a rotating viewing angle.

[0025] Figure label:

[0026] 1-Fixed unit; 11-First fixed seat; 111-First hinge; 112-Third rotating shaft; 12-Second fixed seat; 2-Camera rotating unit; 21-Modible seat; 211-Second hinge; 212-First rotating shaft; 22-Camera mounting seat; 221-Second rotating shaft; 23-Connecting rod; 3-Drive unit; 31-Motor; 32-Lead screw; 33-Lead screw flange nut; 34-Coupling; 4-Guide unit; 41-Guide column; 42-Positioning seat; 43-Linear bearing; 5-Limit unit; 51-Proximity switch; 52-Positioning ring; 6-Camera array. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which constitute a part of the present invention and are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to illustrate the principles of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0028] Example 1

[0029] A specific embodiment of this utility model is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, a camera array device is disclosed, including a fixing unit 1, a camera rotation unit 2, a driving unit 3, a guiding unit 4, a limiting unit 5, and a camera array 6. The camera array device of this embodiment is used to fix on a drone and can precisely adjust the viewing angle of the ring-shaped camera array 6 through both electric and manual methods.

[0030] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, the fixing unit 1 includes a first fixing seat 11 and a second fixing seat 12. Both the first fixing seat 11 and the second fixing seat 12 are fixed on the drone. In this embodiment, the first fixing seat 11 and the second fixing seat 12 are polygonal plates arranged opposite to each other.

[0031] In this embodiment, as Figure 1As shown, the first fixed base 11 is a regular decagonal plate, with a first hinge portion 111 at the center of each side for connecting with the camera rotation unit 2. Preferably, the first hinge portion 111 consists of two symmetrical lugs, each with a through hole for mounting a rotating shaft. A first central through hole (not shown) is located at the center of the first fixed base 11 for mounting the drive unit 3. Multiple sets of through holes are also evenly arranged on the first fixed base 11 for mounting the guide unit 4.

[0032] In this embodiment, the second fixing seat 12 is a polygonal flat plate. The second fixing seat 12 is fixed on the drone and has multiple sets of through holes evenly arranged on it, which are used for fixing and installing with the drone and the guide unit 4 respectively.

[0033] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, the camera rotation unit 2 includes a movable seat 21, a camera mounting seat 22, and a connecting rod 23. In this embodiment, the movable seat 21 is a regular decagonal plate located between the first fixed seat 11 and the second fixed seat 12. A second hinge portion 211 is provided at the center of each side of the movable seat 21. A first rotating shaft 212 passes through the second hinge portion 211 and is rotatably connected to one end of the connecting rod 23. Preferably, the second hinge portion 211 consists of two symmetrical lugs, each with a through hole for mounting the first rotating shaft 212. A second central through hole (not shown in the figure) is provided at the center of the movable seat 21 for connecting the drive unit 3.

[0034] In this embodiment, both ends of the camera mounting base 22 are provided with hinge portions. A second rotating shaft 221 is inserted into the hinge portion at one end of the camera mounting base 22, and the second rotating shaft 221 is rotatably connected to the other end of the connecting rod 23. The hinge portion at the other end of the camera mounting base 22 is rotatably connected to a third rotating shaft 112 on the first hinge portion 111. The third rotating shaft 112 is a fixed shaft with a fixed position, and the second rotating shaft 221 is a movable shaft. Driven by the connecting rod 23, the second rotating shaft 221 can rotate around the third rotating shaft 112, thereby causing the camera mounting base 22 to rotate and realize the adjustment of the camera array viewing angle.

[0035] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, the camera array 6 is located between the second rotating shaft 221 and the third rotating shaft 112. The cameras on the camera array 6 are fixed on ten camera mounting bases 22, and the optical lenses of the cameras are arranged outward.

[0036] When the camera array device of this embodiment performs 360° panoramic photography, the first fixed base 11 faces the object being photographed, and the viewing angle when the optical axis of the camera is parallel to the plane where the camera array is located is 0°. The camera viewing angle rotates from 0° toward the object being photographed, and the rotation range is at least 0°-90°.

[0037] To enable the viewing angle of the camera array 6 to be adjusted between 0° and 90°, the radius of the circle containing the first pivot 212 must be smaller than the radius of the circle containing the third pivot 112. In this embodiment, the side length of the movable seat 21 is smaller than the side length of the first fixed seat 11, making the radius of the circle containing the second hinge 211 smaller than the radius of the circle containing the first hinge 111. This ensures that when the movable seat 21 moves linearly within its travel range, the viewing angle of the camera array 6 can be adjusted between 0° and 90° through the pushing and pulling action of the connecting rod 23, thus meeting the requirements of 360° panoramic photography. Simultaneously, the larger radius of the circle containing the third pivot 112 also facilitates the arrangement of a larger number of cameras in the camera array 6.

[0038] Specifically, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the drive unit 3 includes a motor 31, a lead screw 32, a lead screw flange nut 33, and a coupling 34. The motor 31 is fixedly mounted on the bottom of the first fixed base 11, and the output shaft of the motor 31 faces the movable base 21. The coupling 34 is provided at the output shaft of the motor 31 and is located in the first central through hole of the first fixed base 11. The bottom end of the lead screw 32 is connected to the motor 31 through the coupling 34. The lead screw flange nut 33 is sleeved on the lead screw 32, the lead screw 32 passes through the second central through hole of the movable base 21, and the lead screw flange nut 33 is fixed to the movable base 21 by threads.

[0039] Specifically, such as Figure 2 As shown, the guide unit 4 includes a guide post 41, a positioning seat 42, and a linear bearing 43. The guide post 41 is a smooth post parallel to the lead screw 32. Both ends of the guide post 41 are connected to the first fixed seat 11 and the second fixed seat 12 via the positioning seat 42, respectively. The guide post 41 passes through the movable seat 21 and is slidably connected to the movable seat 21 via the linear bearing 43. The guide unit 4 can fix the circumferential position of the movable seat 21, enabling linear movement of the movable seat 21 on the lead screw 32. It also prevents the movable seat 21 from tilting relative to the first fixed seat 11, improving the consistency of the rotation angle of the camera mounting base 22. Multiple sets of guide units 4 can be evenly arranged around the circumference of the lead screw 32 at its center to further improve the guiding effect on the movable seat 21.

[0040] When the camera array device in this embodiment is started, the motor 31 drives the lead screw 32 to rotate through the coupling 34, causing the lead screw flange nut 33 to move along the thread on the lead screw 32, thereby driving the movable seat 21 to move linearly along the lead screw 32. The linear movement of the movable seat 21 drives the ten connecting rods 23 to move synchronously through the first rotating shaft 212. The synchronous movement of the ten connecting rods 23 drives the ten camera mounting seats 22 to rotate synchronously around the third rotating shaft 112 through the second rotating shaft 221, thereby realizing the synchronous adjustment of the viewing angle of the camera array 6. Under the premise that the angle of the camera array 6 is zero, when it is necessary to adjust the angle of the camera array 6 to a specific angle, since the system application has already set the corresponding formula for the rotation amount of the motor 31 when the camera array 6 is located at different viewing angles based on geometric calculations, the motor 31 only needs to rotate the corresponding number of revolutions to adjust the camera array 6 to the required viewing angle. When the motor 31 completes the adjustment command, it immediately stops rotating, locking the viewing angle of the camera array 6 at the required angle.

[0041] The camera array in this embodiment, by setting the viewing angle adjustment of the camera array 6 through the lead screw driven by the motor 31, can precisely control the viewing angle adjustment process of the camera array, and the operation is convenient and quick; in addition, one end of the camera mounting base 22 in this embodiment is rotatably connected to the third rotating shaft 112, which not only makes the position of the camera mounting base 22 stable and reliable, but also makes the angle adjustment of the camera mounting base 22 more precise, thereby making the viewing angle of the camera array 6 more consistent; at the same time, this embodiment uses the structure of driving the movable seat 21 to move linearly on the lead screw 32, driving the connecting rod 23 to pull the camera mounting base 22 to rotate. The components are simplified, the structure is simple and stable, and it is easy to determine the angle of the camera array 6 to achieve precise control.

[0042] Specifically, such as Figure 2 As shown, the limiting unit 5 includes a proximity switch 51, which is fixed on the movable seat 21. The sensor of the proximity switch 51 faces the first fixed seat 11. During automatic zeroing operation, the proximity switch 51 determines the distance between the movable seat 21 and the first fixed seat 11 to position the movable seat 21 at the zero point, thereby achieving the zeroing state of the camera array device.

[0043] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 As shown, the limiting unit 5 in this embodiment also includes a positioning ring 52, used to position the movable seat 21 when the camera array device is manually adjusted. The positioning ring 52 is arranged below the movable seat 21 and sleeved on the outer periphery of the guide post 41. Preferably, the positioning ring 52 is a quick-release positioning ring.

[0044] When manually adjusting the camera array device, the coupling 34 or the lead screw 32 is rotated manually, causing the movable seat 21 to move linearly along the lead screw 32. The movable seat 21 drives the connecting rod 23 to move, thereby adjusting the camera array 6 to the preset angle. Manual adjustment is then stopped, and the positioning ring 52 is pressed tightly against the underside of the movable seat 21. The positioning ring 52 is then fastened to the guide post 41 with fastening screws, thus achieving the locking function of the camera array 6's viewing angle. Preferably, the positioning ring 52 is a separate optical axis positioning ring.

[0045] Example 2

[0046] This embodiment discloses a drone with a camera array device of Embodiment 1, including a drone body and a camera array device. The camera array device is fixed on the drone body, and can be horizontally fixed on the bottom of the body, or fixed on other parts of the body as needed.

[0047] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A camera array device, characterized in that, It includes a fixed unit (1), a camera rotation unit (2), a drive unit (3), and a camera array (6); The camera rotation unit (2) includes a movable seat (21), a camera mounting seat (22), and a connecting rod (23); Multiple connecting rods (23) are evenly distributed in a circumferential array. One end of each connecting rod (23) is rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft (212) of the movable seat (21), and the other end is rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft (221) of the camera mounting base (22). The camera mounting base (22) is also rotatably connected to the third rotating shaft (112) of the fixing unit (1); Each camera in the camera array (6) is fixed on a camera mounting base (22); the camera is located between the second rotating shaft (221) and the third rotating shaft (112); The drive unit (3) can drive the movable seat (21) to perform linear motion, thereby realizing the angle adjustment of the camera array (6).

2. The camera array device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The radius of the circle containing the first rotating shaft (212) is smaller than the radius of the circle containing the third rotating shaft (112).

3. The camera array device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fixing unit (1) includes a first fixing seat (11), and the edge of the first fixing seat (11) is provided with a first hinge part (111).

4. The camera array device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The third rotating shaft (112) is rotatably connected to the first hinge (111).

5. The camera array device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a guide unit (4), which includes a guide post (41) that is parallel to the movement direction of the movable seat (21).

6. The camera array device according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a limiting unit (5), which includes a positioning ring (52) that is detachably sleeved on the guide post (41).

7. The camera array device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The positioning ring (52) is located below the movable seat (21) and is used to lock the movement of the movable seat (21) when the viewing angle of the camera array (6) is manually adjusted.

8. The camera array device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The limiting unit (5) also includes a proximity switch (51), which is used to zero the field of view of the camera array (6) during electric adjustment.

9. The camera array device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The proximity switch (51) is fixed on the movable seat (21) and faces the first fixed seat (11).

10. A drone, characterized in that, It includes a drone body and a camera array device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the camera array device is fixed to the drone body.

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