A folding rocker structure and a middle shaft adjusting structure

Abstract

The utility model discloses a folding rocker structure relates to photographic equipment field, aims at solving the problem that existing rocker portability and stability are difficult to give priority to. It includes transmission shaft, rocker, action element, positioning constraint module and moving piece, moving piece moves along transmission shaft axis relative to it, can be switched at first, second position, the rocker rotates relative to moving piece, positioning constraint module is used for the constraint of rocker rotation, action element forces to moving piece, drives it to keep first position. When moving piece is in first position, positioning constraint module locks, and the rocker keeps unfolding position stably, avoids using virtual position, when moving piece removes to second position, positioning constraint module is unlocked, and the rocker can rotate to the folding position, reduces the volume. The structure gives consideration to portability and use stability, and the operation is convenient, is applicable to the scene such as the axial adjustment in photographic equipment, improves user experience and equipment practicality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of rocker drive technology, and in particular to a folding rocker structure and a central axis adjustment structure. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of photography equipment, to meet users' diverse needs for shooting angles, framing range, and image stability, precise position adjustments are often required for key components such as the center column, gimbal, and lens mount. The joystick, as a convenient and highly precise drive source, is widely used in these position adjustment scenarios. Specifically, by manually cranking the joystick, the user transmits the force to a connected transmission module. This module then converts the force into corresponding mechanical motion, thereby driving components such as the center column to achieve multi-dimensional position adjustments, including lifting, rotating, and tilting. Ultimately, this helps users obtain the desired shooting results. Therefore, the joystick drive structure plays a crucial role in the overall functionality of photography equipment. However, the joystick-driven structure currently used in photographic equipment still has many shortcomings that need improvement in practical applications, specifically the deficiencies of the following two mainstream structures: Firstly, there are joysticks with a one-piece structure design. In this type of joystick, the lever body is fixedly connected to components such as the drive shaft and drive module, and the lever body cannot be folded or retracted relative to these components. When the photography equipment is not in use and needs to be stored or carried, the one-piece joystick, because it cannot be folded, remains in its extended position as in use. This significantly increases the overall size of the photography equipment, and the joystick protrudes noticeably from the main body of the equipment. This protruding structure not only occupies more storage space—for example, when placed in a camera bag, more space needs to be reserved to accommodate the protruding joystick, otherwise it may squeeze other photography accessories—but also, during carrying, the protruding joystick is prone to collisions and scratches with external objects, potentially causing damage or deformation to the joystick itself and affecting its subsequent normal use. Secondly, to address the issue of one-piece joysticks not being foldable, a rotatable joystick structure has emerged on the market. This type of joystick can rotate relative to its connected drive shaft, allowing switching between an extended position (where the joystick is extended for normal use and easy for the user) and a folded position (where the joystick folds close to the main body of the device to reduce overall size when stored or carried). Theoretically, this rotatable joystick structure improves upon the bulkiness and portability of one-piece joysticks to some extent. However, in practical applications, because this type of rotatable joystick structure lacks an effective positioning constraint structure, when the joystick is in the extended position, there is a lack of stable limiting and fixing between the joystick and the drive shaft, leading to relative wobbling or swinging, i.e., noticeable "play." The presence of this play significantly impacts the accuracy and stability of joystick operation. For example, when a user attempts to fine-tune the center axis position by shaking the joystick, the play prevents the applied force from being accurately and promptly transmitted to the transmission module. This can result in situations where the joystick rotates but the center axis does not move accordingly, or the movement of the center axis does not match the rotation of the joystick, making it difficult to achieve precise adjustment of the center axis position and affecting shooting results. Furthermore, with increased usage time, the connection between the joystick and the transmission shaft will wear down due to long-term relative shaking and friction. This wear further exacerbates the gap between them, leading to an even larger play, which intensifies the joystick's shaking and wobbling problems, further reducing operational stability and accuracy. In severe cases, it may even prevent the joystick from properly driving the transmission module to adjust the center axis position, greatly affecting the performance of photographic equipment and the user experience. Therefore, the stability of this type of rotatable joystick structure urgently needs further improvement. Utility Model Content

[0003] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention proposes a folding rocker structure and a central axis adjustment structure.

[0004] A folding rocker structure designed for this purpose includes a drive shaft, a rocker arm, an action element, a positioning constraint module, and a moving part; The movable component is movable relative to the drive shaft along the axial direction of the drive shaft; The rocker arm is rotatably configured relative to the moving component; When the moving component moves relative to the drive shaft, it can switch between a first position and a second position; The positioning constraint module is used to constrain the rotation of the joystick relative to the moving part; When the moving part is in the first position, the positioning constraint module is in a locked state; constraining the joystick to remain in the extended position; When the movable component is in the second position, the positioning constraint module is in an unlocked state, and the joystick can rotate relative to the movable component from the unfolded position to the folded position. The actuating element is used to apply a force to the moving member to drive the moving member to remain in the first position.

[0005] Preferably, the positioning constraint module includes several first positioning features and several second positioning features; The first positioning feature is disposed on the rocker arm, and the second positioning feature is disposed on the drive shaft; When the movable part is in the first position, the first positioning feature and the second positioning feature are in a plug-in engagement state. When the moving part is in the second position, the first positioning feature and the second positioning feature are completely separated.

[0006] Preferably, the device further includes a shaft; the shaft is connected to the movable component and the rocker arm; the rocker arm rotates relative to the transmission shaft about the axis of rotation of the shaft; the axis of the shaft and the axis of the transmission shaft are perpendicular to each other.

[0007] Preferably, the rocker arm is provided with a docking space, the docking space being open towards the drive shaft; the drive shaft is provided with a docking portion extending into the docking space; The docking part is provided with an assembly space that runs vertically through it; the movable part is disposed within the assembly space and is movable along the assembly space. The actuating element is disposed within the assembly space and applies a force to the moving part.

[0008] Preferably, the upper and lower surfaces of the movable component are in contact with the upper and lower side walls of the docking space; The upper and lower sides of the docking space are provided with shaft holes; both ends of the shaft are inserted into the shaft holes.

[0009] Preferably, the positioning constraint module includes a third positioning feature disposed on the docking portion and a fourth positioning feature disposed within the docking space; When the movable part is in the first position, the third positioning feature and the fourth positioning feature are in a plug-in engagement state; When the moving part is in the second position, the third positioning feature and the fourth positioning feature are completely separated.

[0010] Preferably, the first positioning feature is a protrusion; the second positioning feature is a groove; the protrusion extends toward the drive shaft; the groove is recessed away from the rocker arm.

[0011] Preferably, the third positioning feature is a positioning pin; the fourth positioning feature is a pin groove; the positioning pin extends toward the rocker arm; the pin groove is recessed away from the drive shaft.

[0012] A central axis adjustment structure includes a fixed base and a central axis that is movably disposed relative to the fixed base, and also includes a folding rocker structure; the transmission shaft is rotatably disposed on the fixed base; the fixed base is provided with a transmission module, and the transmission module is connected to the transmission shaft and the central axis in a transmission manner.

[0013] Preferably, the central shaft is provided with toothed grooves arranged along its axial direction, and the power output end of the transmission module meshes with the toothed grooves for transmission.

[0014] Compared with existing technologies, this invention addresses the issues of large size and inconvenience caused by the inability to fold an integrated joystick. In this structure, the movable component can move along the transmission shaft axis. When the movable component switches to the second position, the positioning constraint module unlocks, allowing the joystick to rotate relative to the movable component to the folded position. This significantly reduces the overall size, minimizes storage space, and avoids the problem of the joystick protruding and easily colliding during transport, thus significantly improving portability. Furthermore, compared to rotatable joysticks without positioning constraints, this structure, through the cooperation of the positioning constraint module and the action element, ensures that when the movable component is in the first position (i.e., when the joystick is unfolded), the action element drives the movable component to remain in that position, while the positioning constraint module is simultaneously locked. This stably constrains the rotation of the joystick relative to the movable component, creating a firm positioning relationship between the joystick and the transmission shaft. This completely eliminates the "play" caused by the lack of constraint in existing structures, ensuring that the force is accurately and promptly transmitted to the transmission module when the user operates the joystick. This enables precise position adjustment of components such as the central axis, guaranteeing the stability of the shooting effect. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the joystick in the extended position; Figure 2 This is an exploded structural diagram of the present invention; Figure 3 This is one of the cross-sectional structural schematic diagrams of this utility model; Figure 4 This is the second cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 5 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the joystick in the retracted position; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the folding rocker structure applied to the central axis module; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the central axis module mounted on a tripod. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0017] See Figures 1-7 A folding rocker structure includes a drive shaft 10, a rocker arm 20, an actuating element 30, a positioning constraint module 40, and a moving member 50. The moving member 50 is movable relative to the drive shaft 10 along its axial direction. The rocker arm 20 is rotatable relative to the moving member 50. When the moving member 50 moves relative to the drive shaft 10, it can switch between a first position and a second position. The positioning constraint module 40 is used to constrain the rocker arm 20 from rotating relative to the moving member 50. When the moving member 50 is in the first position, the positioning constraint module 40 is locked, constraining the rocker arm 20 to remain in the unfolded position. When the moving member 50 is in the second position, the positioning constraint module 40 is unlocked, and the rocker arm 20 can rotate relative to the moving member 50 from the unfolded position to the folded position. The actuating element 30 is used to apply a force to the moving member 50 to drive it to remain in the first position.

[0018] This folding joystick structure achieves the switching between "unfolded for use" and "folded for storage" through component linkage. The principle is as follows: In the default state, the actuating element 30 applies force to the moving part 50 along the axis of the transmission shaft 10, stabilizing it in the first position. At this time, the moving part 50 triggers the positioning constraint module 40 to lock, restricting the rotation of the joystick 20 relative to the moving part 50, and the joystick 20 remains extended. When the user operates the joystick 20, the force is transmitted through the moving part 50 to the transmission shaft 10, thereby driving the transmission module to adjust the position of the central shaft. When folding, the user applies external force to the moving part 50, overcoming the force of the acting element 30, causing the moving part 50 to move to the second position along the axis of the drive shaft 10. At this time, the positioning constraint module 40 is unlocked, and the rocker arm 20 can rotate relative to the moving part 50. The user rotates it to the folded position that fits against the drive shaft 10, reducing its size for easy carrying. When the device needs to be used again, the user rotates the joystick 20 back to the extended position, removing the external force on the moving part 50. The actuating element 30 drives the moving part 50 back to the first position, the positioning constraint module 40 relocks, and the structure returns to its usable state.

[0019] See Figures 1 to 5The positioning constraint module 40 includes several first positioning features 410 and several second positioning features 420. The first positioning features 410 are disposed on the rocker arm 20, and the second positioning features 420 are disposed on the transmission shaft 10. When the moving member 50 is in the first position, the first positioning features 410 and the second positioning features 420 are engaged to form a physical limit, restricting the rocker arm 20 from rotating relative to the moving member 50, ensuring that the rocker arm is stably in the unfolded position and avoiding play during use. When the moving member 50 moves to the second position, the first positioning features 410 and the second positioning features 420 are completely separated, the limit is released, and the rocker arm 20 can rotate freely to the folded position to meet storage requirements.

[0020] See Figure 2 and Figure 3 It also includes a shaft 60; the shaft 60 is connected to the movable member 50 and the rocker arm 20; the rocker arm 20 rotates relative to the transmission shaft 10 about the axis of the shaft 60; the axis of the shaft 60 and the axis of the transmission shaft 10 are perpendicular to each other. In this embodiment, the shaft 60 provides a rotation axis: the rocker arm 20 rotates about the axis of the shaft 60 as a reference, ensuring that the rocker arm can stably switch from the unfolded position to the folded position.

[0021] See Figure 2 The rocker arm 20 is provided with a docking space 210, which is open towards the drive shaft 10. The drive shaft 10 is provided with a docking portion 110 extending into the docking space 210. The docking portion 110 is provided with a vertically penetrating assembly space 120. The movable component 50 is disposed within the assembly space 120 and is movable along the assembly space 120. The actuating element 30 is disposed within the assembly space 120 and applies a force to the movable component 50. The assembly space 120 provides a dedicated installation and movement space for the movable component 50, ensuring that the movable component 50 can move stably along the extension direction of the assembly space 120 (i.e., the direction of the drive shaft axis) and avoiding deviation of the movement trajectory. On the other hand, it provides a closed and fixed installation environment for the actuating element 30, enabling the actuating element 30 to continuously and stably apply a force to the movable component 50 within the assembly space 120, ensuring effective force transmission and ensuring that the movable component 50 can be stably maintained in the first position without external force intervention.

[0022] In this invention, the upper and lower surfaces of the movable component 50 are in contact with the upper and lower side walls of the docking space 210; shaft holes are provided on the upper and lower sides of the docking space 210; and both ends of the shaft 60 pass through the shaft holes. This embodiment can form a precise guiding and limiting structure. On the one hand, this contact relationship can strictly constrain the movement trajectory of the movable component 50, ensuring that it moves stably only along the extension direction of the docking space 210 (i.e., the direction of the transmission shaft axis), avoiding vertical offset or shaking during movement, and ensuring the accuracy of the movable component 50 switching between the first position and the second position; on the other hand, the tightly fitted structure can reduce the gap between the movable component 50 and the docking space 210, reduce wear caused by relative movement between components, and at the same time improve the rigidity of the overall structure, avoiding the "play" problem caused by the gap during use, and further ensuring the stability of the rocker arm 20 when it is deployed.

[0023] See Figure 2 and Figure 3 The positioning constraint module 40 includes a third positioning feature 440 disposed on the docking part 110 and a fourth positioning feature 430 disposed in the docking space 210; when the moving part 50 is in the first position, the third positioning feature 440 and the fourth positioning feature 430 are in a plug-in engagement state; when the moving part 50 is in the second position, the third positioning feature 440 and the fourth positioning feature 430 are in a completely separated state.

[0024] In this invention, the first positioning feature 410 is a protrusion; the second positioning feature 420 is a groove; the protrusion extends toward the drive shaft 10; the groove is recessed away from the rocker arm 20.

[0025] In this utility model, the third positioning feature 440 is a positioning pin; the fourth positioning feature 430 is a pin groove; the positioning pin extends toward the rocker arm 20; the pin groove is recessed away from the drive shaft 10.

[0026] In this invention, the actuating element is a spring, with one end of the spring abutting against the moving member 50 and the other end abutting against the transmission shaft 10. This allows the spring to push the moving member 50 towards the first position when releasing its stored force. During unlocking, the moving member 50 moves from the first position to the second position, causing the spring to be compressed and stored.

[0027] In this invention, the actuating element uses two magnets. Magnets are installed on both the transmission shaft 10 and the moving part 50. The moving part 50 is subjected to a force by means of attraction or repulsion. Under the force of the two magnets, the moving part 50 moves toward the first position.

[0028] See Figure 6A central axis adjustment structure includes a fixed base 70 fixed on a stand 90 and a central axis 80 movably disposed relative to the fixed base 70, and also includes the aforementioned folding rocker arm structure; a transmission shaft 10 is rotatably disposed on the fixed base 70; a transmission module is disposed inside the fixed base 70, and the transmission module is drively connected to the transmission shaft 10 and the central axis 80. The central axis 80 has toothed grooves 810 arranged along its axial direction, and the power output end of the transmission module meshes with the toothed grooves 810 for transmission. When the user operates the joystick, power is transmitted to the drive shaft, which is rotatably mounted on the fixed base, causing the drive shaft to rotate. The drive shaft then transmits the rotational power to the transmission module inside the fixed base (if a gear drive is used, the drive shaft can mesh with the driven gear of the transmission module through the driving gear; if a worm gear drive is used, the drive shaft can be connected to the worm and mesh with the worm wheel of the transmission module). The power output end of the transmission module meshes with the toothed grooves arranged along the axial direction on the central shaft, converting the rotational power into linear power along the axial direction of the central shaft, ultimately driving the central shaft to move relative to the fixed base, thus achieving the adjustment of the central shaft position.

[0029] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated.

[0030] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of this utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of this utility model. Various changes and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claims. The scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A folding rocker structure, characterized in that: It includes a drive shaft (10), a rocker arm (20), an action element (30), a positioning constraint module (40), and a moving part (50); The movable component (50) is movable relative to the drive shaft (10) along the axial direction of the drive shaft (10); The rocker arm (20) is rotatably configured relative to the movable member (50); When the moving part (50) moves relative to the drive shaft (10), it can switch between a first position and a second position; The positioning constraint module (40) is used to constrain the rocker arm (20) to rotate relative to the moving part (50); When the movable part (50) is in the first position, the positioning constraint module (40) is in a locked state; constraining the rocker arm (20) to remain in the unfolded position; When the movable part (50) is in the second position, the positioning constraint module (40) is in the unlocked state, and the rocker arm (20) can rotate relative to the movable part (50) from the unfolded position to the folded position; The actuating element (30) is used to apply a force to the moving part (50) to drive the moving part (50) to remain in the first position.

2. The folding rocker structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning constraint module (40) includes several first positioning features (410) and several second positioning features (420). The first positioning feature (410) is disposed on the rocker arm (20), and the second positioning feature (420) is disposed on the drive shaft (10); When the movable part (50) is in the first position, the first positioning feature (410) and the second positioning feature (420) are in a plug-in engagement state; When the moving part (50) is in the second position, the first positioning feature (410) and the second positioning feature (420) are completely separated.

3. The folding rocker structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a shaft (60); the shaft (60) is connected to the moving part (50) and the rocker arm (20); the rocker arm (20) rotates relative to the transmission shaft (10) with the axis of the shaft (60) as the rotation axis.

4. A folding rocker structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The rocker arm (20) is provided with a docking space (210), which is open toward the drive shaft (10); the drive shaft (10) is provided with a docking part (110) extending into the docking space (210). The docking part (110) is provided with an assembly space (120) that runs vertically through the assembly space; the movable part (50) is disposed within the assembly space (120) and is movable along the assembly space (120); The actuating element (30) is disposed within the assembly space (120) and applies a force to the moving part (50).

5. A folding rocker structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The upper and lower surfaces of the movable part (50) are in contact with the upper and lower side walls of the docking space (210); The docking space (210) has shaft holes on its upper and lower sides; the two ends of the shaft (60) pass through the shaft holes.

6. A folding rocker structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The positioning constraint module (40) includes a third positioning feature (440) disposed on the docking part (110) and a fourth positioning feature (430) disposed in the docking space (210). When the movable part (50) is in the first position, the third positioning feature (440) and the fourth positioning feature (430) are in a plug-in engagement state; When the moving part (50) is in the second position, the third positioning feature (440) and the fourth positioning feature (430) are in a completely separated state.

7. A folding rocker structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first positioning feature (410) is a protrusion; the second positioning feature (420) is a groove; the protrusion extends toward the drive shaft (10); the groove is recessed away from the rocker arm (20).

8. A folding rocker structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The third positioning feature (440) is a positioning pin; the fourth positioning feature (430) is a pin groove; the positioning pin extends toward the rocker arm (20); the pin groove is recessed toward the drive shaft (10).

9. A central shaft adjustment structure, comprising a fixed base (70) and a central shaft (80) movably disposed relative to the fixed base (70), characterized in that: It also includes a folding rocker structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8; the drive shaft (10) is rotatably mounted on the fixed base (70); the fixed base (70) is provided with a drive module inside, and the drive module is connected to the drive shaft (10) and the central shaft (80) in a drive connection.

10. A central axis adjustment structure according to claim 9, characterized in that: The central shaft (80) is provided with toothed grooves (810) arranged along its axial direction, and the power output end of the transmission module meshes with the toothed grooves (810) for transmission.

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