A rotating holder for unmanned aerial vehicles

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of rotating cradles for unmanned aerial vehicle, solve the problem of large size of cradle structure in prior art, limit the field of view range of camera.The utility model includes the fixed disc being connected with unmanned aerial vehicle, shell is rotatably equipped on fixed disc, motor is equipped in shell, motor is fixedly connected in the lower part of fixed disc by motor placing platform, motor is driven shell relative fixed disc to rotate by gear pair;Camera is inlaid in shell;The utility model adopts the design of fixed disc and shell to form hollow annular structure, integrates motor in cradle inner ring, to avoid cable winding;And the structure design does not need external support, camera is not blocked, realize true 360 continuous rotation, improve the flexibility of the rotating cradle while expanding the field of view range.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, and in particular to a rotating gimbal. Background Technology

[0002] A drone gimbal is a rotating camera mount installed on a drone for stabilizing shooting and enabling free multi-angle camera movement. Existing drone gimbals typically refer to three-axis mechanical stabilization gimbals. Their three-axis motors, frame, and shock absorption structure result in a large overall size and considerable weight, increasing the overall load on the drone, significantly shortening flight time, limiting drone miniaturization / portability, and increasing flight drag. Existing technology, such as the drone-mounted gimbal with patent number CN211281507U, utilizes multiple carbon fiber plates to form a frame-type gimbal structure. The entire gimbal structure consists of an upper carbon fiber plate assembly and a lower carbon fiber plate assembly. The upper carbon fiber plate assembly is designed with two sets of structures: one set is used to fix the servo motor and connect it to the drone, and the other set connects to the servo arm and the lower carbon fiber plate assembly, suitable for supporting the camera. However, its structure is large, increasing the drone's load; moreover, the gimbal structure itself limits the camera's field of view, preventing true 360-degree shooting without blind spots. In addition, the rotating parts are exposed and easily damaged during landing or collision, resulting in high maintenance costs. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the shortcomings in the aforementioned background technology, this utility model proposes a rotating gimbal for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which solves the problems of large gimbal structure and limited camera field of view in the prior art.

[0004] The technical solution of this utility model is implemented as follows: A rotating gimbal for drones includes a fixed disk connected to the drone, a housing rotatably mounted on the fixed disk, a motor housed within the housing, and the motor fixedly connected to the lower part of the fixed disk via a motor mounting platform. The motor drives the housing to rotate relative to the fixed disk via a gear pair. A camera is embedded within the housing; the camera adopts a built-in design with no obstruction, enabling 360-degree shooting without blind spots. This rotating gimbal uses a design where the housing is fixed to the fixed disk, simplifying the structure while improving reliability.

[0005] In a further preferred embodiment, an end cap is fitted onto the fixed disk, a bearing is provided between the end cap and the fixed disk, and at least two ear plates are provided circumferentially at the bottom of the end cap. The outer shell is fixedly connected to the ear plates by locking screws, and the locking screws are fixed by locking nuts; this ensures the firm connection between the outer shell and the end cap; and the outer shell cooperates with the fixed disk through the end cap, making the structure more compact.

[0006] In a further preferred embodiment, the gear pair includes a driving gear mounted on the output shaft of the motor and a driven gear fixed inside the housing, with the driving gear meshing with the driven gear for transmission. The motor drives the driven gear to rotate via the driving gear, which in turn drives the housing to rotate. Integrating the motor within the housing avoids cable tangling and achieves true 360° continuous rotation.

[0007] In a further preferred embodiment, the housing is provided with a positioning boss, and a limiting shaft is provided on the positioning boss. The driven gear is located on the positioning boss, and a limiting hole that cooperates with the limiting shaft is provided on the driven gear. The driven gear is an annular disk, and a gear ring that cooperates with the driving gear is provided on the inner ring surface of the annular disk. The driven gear is fixedly connected to the housing through the cooperation of the limiting shaft and the limiting hole, thereby improving the transmission stability.

[0008] Further preferred, the positioning boss is an annular boss, and the limiting shafts are evenly distributed along the circumference of the annular boss; multi-point connection improves the connection stability of the driven gear.

[0009] Preferably, the bottom of the housing is provided with a cable tray, and the outer side of the housing is provided with an outlet hole corresponding to the cable tray, into which a camera is installed. The camera body extends through the outlet hole, and the cable is routed through the cable tray to prevent internal wires from becoming tangled.

[0010] In a further preferred embodiment, the bottom of the fixed plate is provided with a connecting protrusion, and the motor placement platform is connected to the connecting protrusion by fixing screws, which are then fixed by fixing nuts; this improves the connection stability between the motor placement platform and the fixed plate, thereby improving the stability of the motor.

[0011] In a further preferred embodiment, the motor placement platform is a triangular frame, with a motor shaft hole on the bottom surface and a placement platform fixing hole on the top side of the triangular frame that matches the fixing screw.

[0012] Further preferably, the top surface of the fixed plate is provided with a connecting hole and a fixing hole, and one side of the fixed plate is provided with a motor inlet hole corresponding to the motor; this is for the smooth lead-out of the motor wire and to avoid internal tangling.

[0013] Further preferably, the drone is equipped with a slip ring at its bottom, which mates with a connecting hole and is secured by bolts that mate with a fixing hole. As a core connecting component, the slip ring is firmly connected at one end to the fixed plate and at the other end to the drone, forming a connection bridge between the rotating gimbal and the drone. Through the slip ring's unique transmission mechanism, stable power transmission and efficient communication of various data signals are ensured during complex movements such as rotation and oscillation of the gimbal relative to the drone, guaranteeing reliable collaborative operation between the drone and the gimbal.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This utility model adopts a hollow ring structure formed by the design of the fixed plate and the outer shell, integrating the motor into the inner ring of the gimbal, avoiding cable tangling; moreover, this structural design eliminates the need for an external support, ensuring unobstructed camera view and achieving true 360° continuous rotation, expanding the field of view while improving the flexibility of the rotating gimbal. This utility model uses only a fixed plate, cover, and outer shell, resulting in a small structural volume, simplifying the structure while improving stability. The modular design facilitates maintenance and replacement of damaged parts; furthermore, it optimizes the lightweight and compact design of the gimbal; thus, it possesses high market value and promotional potential. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the embodiments of this utility model, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the rotating gimbal of this utility model along the plane of symmetry; Figure 2 This is a front view of the rotating gimbal of this utility model; Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the rotating gimbal of this utility model; Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the rotating gimbal mounting plate, motor placement platform, and gear engagement. Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the meshing state of the gimbal end cap, outer shell, and driven gear; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the rotating gimbal mounted on a drone in operation. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0018] Example 1, as Figure 1As shown, a rotating gimbal for a drone includes a fixed disk 3 connected to the drone 15, which is fixedly mounted relative to the drone body. A housing 9 is rotatably mounted on the fixed disk 3, meaning the housing can rotate relative to the fixed disk. In this embodiment, a motor 4 is housed within the housing 9, and the motor 4 is fixedly connected to the lower part of the fixed disk 3 via a motor mounting platform 5, thus fixing the motor relative to the fixed disk. The motor 4 drives the housing 9 to rotate relative to the fixed disk 3 via a gear pair. A camera is embedded within the housing 9. The camera features a built-in design with no obstructions, enabling 360-degree shooting without blind spots, expanding the field of view while improving the flexibility of the rotating gimbal. This rotating gimbal uses a design where the housing and fixed disk are fixed, simplifying the structure while improving reliability. To further achieve lightweighting of the gimbal, the fixed disk and housing can be made of materials with a higher strength-to-weight ratio, such as new aerospace aluminum alloys, carbon fiber composite materials, and engineering plastics.

[0019] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, an end cap 1 is fitted onto the fixed disk 3, and a bearing 2 is provided between the end cap 1 and the fixed disk 3. The end cap and the fixed disk cooperate to form a bearing mounting groove, which serves to prevent dust from entering the bearing. At least two ear plates 102 are provided circumferentially at the bottom of the end cap 1. The outer shell 9 is fixedly connected to the ear plates 102 by locking screws 12, which are then fixed by locking nuts 13. This embodiment uses two symmetrically arranged ear plates as an example. The ear plates are provided with end cap outer shell locking holes 101, and the outer shell 9 is provided with outer shell end cap locking holes 904. The outer shell end cap locking holes 904 correspond to the end cap outer shell locking holes 101. Then, the locking screws 12 pass through the corresponding outer shell end cap locking holes 904 and 101 in sequence, and are then fixed by locking nuts, thus achieving a fixed connection between the outer shell and the end cap. This connection method ensures a firm connection between the outer shell and the end cap; moreover, the outer shell, through the cooperation of the end cap and the fixed disk, allows for unobstructed camera operation, and the structure is more compact.

[0020] Example 2, as Figure 4 As shown, a rotating gimbal for a drone is further optimized based on embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the gear pair includes a driving gear 6 mounted on the output shaft 401 of the motor 4 and a driven gear 8 fixed inside the housing 9, so as to realize the linkage between the rotation of the housing 9 and the driven gear 8; the driving gear 6 and the driven gear 8 mesh and transmit power. The driving gear 6 has a through hole 601 in the middle, which is connected to the output shaft 401 by a key, and the bottom of the output shaft 401 has a radial through hole 402, in which a locking pin 7 is provided, and the driving gear 6 plays a limiting role. The driven gear is coaxial with the housing and fixedly mounted; the driving gear 6 and the driven gear 8 mesh with spur gears. In actual operation, the motor drives the driven gear to rotate through the driving gear, which in turn drives the housing to rotate. The motor is integrated into the housing, avoiding cable entanglement and realizing true 360° continuous rotation.

[0021] In this preferred embodiment, the outer casing 9 is provided with a positioning boss 905 for positioning the driven gear, and a limiting shaft 901 is provided on the positioning boss 905. The driven gear 8 is located on the positioning boss 905, and a limiting hole 801 is provided on the driven gear 8 to cooperate with the limiting shaft 901. During installation, the driven gear 8 is placed on the positioning boss 905, and the limiting shaft 901 is inserted into the limiting hole 801 to circumferentially position the driven gear 8. The driven gear 8 is an annular disk, and a gear ring that cooperates with the driving gear 6 is provided on the inner ring surface of the annular disk. The driving gear and the driven gear mesh internally to drive the driven gear 8 to rotate when the driving gear 6 rotates, thereby driving the synchronous rotation of the outer casing.

[0022] like Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the positioning boss 905 is an annular boss, which is arranged along the inner wall of the outer shell 9 and coaxial with the outer shell. The limiting shaft 901 is evenly distributed along the circumference of the annular boss; the limiting shaft is arranged vertically to achieve quick insertion and engagement with the limiting hole. The bottom of the outer shell 9 is provided with a cable tray 902, through which cables are routed to prevent internal wires from tangling; the outer side of the outer shell 9 is provided with an outlet hole 903 corresponding to the cable tray 902, and a camera is installed in the outlet hole 903. The camera body extends through the outlet hole 903 to perform wide-angle and 360° no-blind-spot shooting.

[0023] Example 3, as Figure 3 As shown, a rotating gimbal for a drone is further optimized based on embodiment 1 or 2. In this embodiment, the bottom of the disk 3 is provided with a connecting protrusion 302, and the motor placement platform 5 is connected to the connecting protrusion 302 by fixing screws 10. The fixing screws 10 are fixed by fixing nuts 11; thus, the motor placement platform and the fixed disk are fixedly connected, and the motor is fixed on the placement platform to ensure the stability of the motor.

[0024] Specifically, the motor mounting platform 5 is a triangular frame, specifically a right-angled triangle. The bottom surface of the triangular frame has a motor shaft hole 502 to facilitate the extension of the motor's output shaft. The top side of the triangular frame has mounting holes 501 that match the fixing screws 10, enabling quick connection between the motor mounting platform and the connecting boss. The top surface of the fixing plate 3 has connecting holes 304 and fixing holes 301. One side of the fixing plate 3 has a motor wiring hole 303 corresponding to the motor 4, facilitating the smooth exit of the motor wiring harness.

[0025] like Figure 6As shown, in this embodiment, the drone 15 has a slip ring 14 at its bottom. The slip ring 14 mates with the connecting hole 304 and is fixed by bolts that mate with the fixing hole 301. That is, the slip ring is inserted into the connecting hole and then fixed by bolts passing through the fixing hole. The rotating gimbal is located at the bottom center of the overall structure; the slip ring 14, as the core connecting component, is firmly connected to the rotating gimbal at one end and docks with the drone 15 at the other end, forming a connection bridge between the rotating gimbal and the drone; through the slip ring's unique transmission mechanism, during the complex movements of the rotating gimbal relative to the drone, such as rotation and oscillation, it can ensure stable power transmission and efficient communication of various data signals, ensuring reliable collaborative operation between the drone and the rotating gimbal.

[0026] This invention employs a hollow ring structure formed by the fixed disc and the outer shell, integrating the motor into the inner ring of the gimbal, avoiding cable tangling and achieving true 360° continuous rotation. Furthermore, this structural design eliminates the need for external supports, simplifying the design and optimizing the lightweight and compact design of the gimbal; it has high potential for widespread adoption.

[0027] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A rotating gimbal for a drone, characterized in that: It includes a fixed plate (3) connected to the drone (15), a housing (9) is rotatably mounted on the fixed plate (3), a motor (4) is mounted inside the housing (9), the motor (4) is fixedly connected to the lower part of the fixed plate (3) through a motor mounting platform (5), and the motor (4) drives the housing (9) to rotate relative to the fixed plate (3) through a gear pair; a camera is embedded in the housing (9).

2. The rotating gimbal for a drone according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixed plate (3) is fitted with an end cap (1), and a bearing (2) is provided between the end cap (1) and the fixed plate (3). At least two ear plates (102) are provided on the bottom of the end cap (1) along the circumferential direction. The outer shell (9) is fixedly connected to the ear plates (102) by a locking screw (12), and the locking screw (12) is fixed by a locking nut (13).

3. The rotating gimbal for a drone according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The gear pair includes a driving gear (6) mounted on the output shaft (401) of the motor (4) and a driven gear (8) fixed inside the housing (9), with the driving gear (6) meshing and transmitting power with the driven gear (8).

4. The rotating gimbal for a drone according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outer casing (9) is provided with a positioning boss (905), and a limiting shaft (901) is provided on the positioning boss (905). The driven gear (8) is located on the positioning boss (905), and a limiting hole (801) that cooperates with the limiting shaft (901) is provided on the driven gear (8). The driven gear (8) is an annular disk, and a gear ring that cooperates with the driving gear (6) is provided in the inner ring surface of the annular disk.

5. The rotating gimbal for a drone according to claim 4, characterized in that: The positioning boss (905) is an annular boss, and the limiting shaft (901) is evenly distributed along the circumference of the annular boss.

6. The rotating gimbal for a drone according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The bottom of the outer casing (9) is provided with a cable tray (902), and the outer side of the outer casing (9) is provided with an outlet hole (903) corresponding to the cable tray (902). A camera is provided inside the outlet hole (903).

7. The rotating gimbal for a drone according to claim 1, 2, or 5, characterized in that: The bottom of the fixed plate (3) is provided with a connecting protrusion (302). The motor placement platform (5) is connected to the connecting protrusion (302) by a fixing screw (10). The fixing screw (10) is fixed by a fixing nut (11).

8. The rotating gimbal for a drone according to claim 7, characterized in that: The motor placement platform (5) is a triangular platform with a motor shaft hole (502) on the bottom surface and a placement platform fixing hole (501) that matches the fixing screw (10) on the top side of the triangular platform.

9. The rotating gimbal for a drone according to claim 8, characterized in that: The top surface of the fixed plate (3) is provided with a connecting hole (304) and a fixing hole (301), and one side of the fixed plate (3) is provided with a motor inlet hole (303) corresponding to the motor (4).

10. The rotating gimbal for a drone according to claim 9, characterized in that: The drone (15) has a slip ring (14) at the bottom, which is matched with the connecting hole (304) and fixed by bolts that match the fixing hole (301).

Images