Gimbal and camera comprising same

Abstract

The application relates to the field of camera shooting technology, in particular to a gimbal and a camera comprising the same. The gimbal comprises a base, a cover, a winding assembly and an electric wire. The cover is rotationally connected to the base based on a first direction and is used for mounting an electric device. The winding assembly is arranged between the base and the cover along the first direction. The electric wire is limited and wound on the winding assembly. One end of the electric wire extends through the base and is used for connecting with an external circuit. The other end of the electric wire is connected with the electric device. When the cover rotates relative to the base, the length of the electric wire wound on the winding assembly changes. According to the application, the winding assembly is arranged between the base and the cover, the electric wire is wound on the winding assembly, when the cover rotates relative to the base, the electric wire is arranged along the winding assembly, and the length of the electric wire wound on the winding assembly can change adaptively with the rotation of the base, so that the winding stress can be reduced and the service life of the electric wire can be prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of camera technology, and in particular to pan-tilt units and cameras including them. Background Technology

[0002] As an important imaging device, cameras are widely used in many fields such as security monitoring and video communication. To expand the shooting range, cameras with rotating lenses have emerged based on fixed cameras. These cameras typically use an internal drive mechanism to allow the lens to rotate horizontally or in pitch relative to the camera body, thereby achieving multi-angle and wide-range image acquisition.

[0003] Currently, a common mechanism for achieving the aforementioned rotation function involves a fixed base and an outer casing that can rotate horizontally relative to the base. The camera is rotatably mounted on the casing via a pivot mechanism, which allows for pitch rotation. In this mechanism, the power cables for the camera and signal transmission need to be led out from inside the base and pass through the pivot mechanism to connect to the camera. However, in this mechanism, as the camera repeatedly rotates relative to the base, the connecting cables bend and twist. This continuous mechanical movement causes alternating stress concentration inside the cables, which over time can lead to metal fatigue, insulation wear, and even breakage, thus affecting the camera's reliability. Utility Model Content

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a pan-tilt unit and a camera including the pan-tilt unit to address the above problems.

[0005] This application provides a gimbal for driving the movement of an electrical device relative to an external circuit. The gimbal includes: a base; an outer cover rotatably connected to the base in a first direction for mounting the electrical device; a winding assembly disposed between the base and the outer cover in the first direction; and a wire that is limited and wound around the winding assembly. One end of the wire extends through the base for connecting to an external circuit, and the other end of the wire is connected to the electrical device. When the outer cover rotates relative to the base, the length of the wire wound around the winding assembly changes accordingly.

[0006] This application provides a winding assembly between the base and the outer casing, in which the wire is wound. When the outer casing rotates relative to the base, the wire is positioned along the winding assembly, and the length of the wire wound on the winding assembly can adapt to the rotation of the base, thereby reducing winding stress and improving the service life of the wire.

[0007] In some embodiments, the gimbal further includes a first driving member and a first mating part. The first driving member is disposed along a first direction on the side of the base facing the outer cover, and the first mating part is disposed on the side of the outer cover facing the base. The first driving member and the first mating part cooperate to drive the outer cover to rotate, and the winding assembly is disposed around the first driving member and the mating part.

[0008] In some embodiments, the winding assembly includes a winding barrier disposed on a base or cover and forming a gap between it and the other, the width of which is smaller than the diameter of the wire.

[0009] In some implementations, the outer diameter of the first retaining wall and the second retaining wall is D, where D > 40 mm.

[0010] In some embodiments, the winding assembly includes a first retaining wall and a second retaining wall. The first retaining wall is disposed on the base and surrounds the first driving member, and the second retaining wall is disposed on the outer cover and surrounds the first mating part. The first retaining wall and the second retaining wall are respectively configured as cylindrical and have the same outer diameter. The first retaining wall and the second retaining wall are correspondingly disposed in a first direction and have a gap, the width of which is smaller than the diameter of the wire.

[0011] In some embodiments, the winding assembly further includes a limiting member disposed on the outside of the first retaining wall to limit the wire; when the outer cover rotates around the base to the first limit position, the length of the wire wound around the first retaining wall is the shortest, and at this time the position of the wire wound around the first retaining wall is the limiting segment, and the limiting member is disposed in the limiting segment.

[0012] In some embodiments, the gimbal also includes a support member disposed on the base or the outer cover and rolledly connected to the other. By providing the support member, the support member supports the outer cover when it rotates relative to the base, thereby ensuring the stability of the outer cover when it rotates relative to the base. This prevents the outer cover from wobbling when the first drive member drives the outer cover to rotate, and enhances the stability of the outer cover during rotation.

[0013] In some embodiments, the winding assembly is mounted on the base, a support is disposed on the side of the winding assembly near the first drive member, and the support abuts against the outer cover.

[0014] In some embodiments, the support is configured as a plurality of rollers with connecting shafts, the plurality of rollers being rotatably connected to the winding assembly via corresponding connecting shafts, and the circumferential surface of the rollers being in rolling contact with the outer cover;

[0015] Multiple rollers are arranged at circumferential intervals along the winding assembly.

[0016] In some embodiments, the outer cover is provided with reinforcing ribs along the movement trajectory of the roller, the circumferential surface of the roller abuts against the reinforcing ribs, and the roller can roll along the reinforcing ribs when the outer cover rotates.

[0017] This application also provides the following solution: a camera, including: a webcam; and a pan-tilt unit as in any of the above embodiments, wherein the webcam is mounted on an outer casing and electrically connected to a wire.

[0018] In some embodiments, the camera is provided with a second driving member, and the outer cover is provided with a second mating part. The second driving member and the second mating part cooperate to enable the camera to rotate relative to the outer cover in a second direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

[0019] The gimbal uses a winding assembly between the base and the outer casing to wind the wires. When the outer casing rotates relative to the base, the wires are wound along the winding assembly. The length of the wires wound around the winding assembly can adapt to the rotation of the base, thereby reducing winding stress and improving the service life of the wires. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a camera according to one or more embodiments;

[0021] Figure 2 A side view of a camera according to one or more embodiments;

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Sectional view at point AA;

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of point B in the middle;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the base according to one or more embodiments;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a structural schematic diagram of an outer casing according to one or more embodiments.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0027] 100. Gimbal; 10. Base; 11. First drive component; 20. Outer cover; 21. First mating part; 30. Winding assembly; 31. First retaining wall; 32. Second retaining wall; 33. Gap; 34. Limiting component; 35. Limiting section; 40. Wire; 50. Support component; 51. Connecting shaft; 52. Roller; 521. Circumferential surface; 53. Reinforcing rib;

[0028] 200. Camera; 201. Camera lens; 202. Second drive component; 203. Second mating part; 204. Bracket. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0030] In the description of this application, 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", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0031] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0032] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., 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. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0033] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; a flexible connection or a rigid connection along at least one direction; a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or a direct connection with an intermediate medium present; and they can also refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. The terms "installed," "set," "fixed," etc., can be broadly understood as connection. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0034] refer to Figures 1 to 6 The embodiments of this application provide a pan-tilt unit 100, which is used to drive the movement of an electrical device relative to an external circuit. Here, the electrical device typically refers to a rotating component in a photographic or video recording device. In this application, the electrical device may be the camera 201 of a camera 200 fixed to a wall.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the gimbal 100 includes a base 10, an outer cover 20, a winding assembly 30, and a power cable 40.

[0036] The outer casing 20 is rotatably connected to the base 10 in a first direction y for mounting electrical equipment. A winding assembly 30 is disposed between the base 10 and the outer casing 20 along the first direction y. A wire 40 is positioned and wound around the winding assembly 30; one end of the wire 40 extends through the base 10 for connection to an external circuit, and the other end of the wire 40 connects to the electrical equipment. When the outer casing 20 rotates relative to the base 10, the length of the wire 40 wound around the winding assembly 30 changes accordingly.

[0037] In this embodiment, a winding assembly 30 is provided between the base 10 and the outer cover 20. The wire 40 is wound around the winding assembly 30. When the outer cover 20 rotates relative to the base 10, the wire 40 is positioned along the winding assembly 30. The winding radius of the wire 40 is not less than the radius of the winding assembly 30. Furthermore, the length of the wire 40 wound around the winding assembly 30 can adapt to the rotation of the base 10, thereby reducing the winding stress and improving the service life of the wire 40.

[0038] like Figure 3As shown, in some embodiments, the gimbal 100 further includes a first driving member 11 and a first mating part 21. The first driving member 11 is disposed along a first direction y on the side of the base 10 facing the outer cover 20, and the first mating part 21 is disposed on the side of the outer cover 20 facing the base 10. The first driving member 11 and the first mating part 21 cooperate to drive the outer cover 20 to rotate. The winding assembly 30 is disposed around the first driving member 11 and the mating part. Here, the first driving member 11 can be configured as a motor that connects to a transmission component such as a rotating shaft or gear. When the transmission component is a rotating shaft, the first mating part 21 can be configured as a rotating shaft hole that limits the axial movement of the rotating shaft. When the transmission component is a gear, the first mating part 21 can be configured as a rack.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first driving member 11 is configured as a motor with a motor shaft, and the first mating part 21 is configured as a shaft hole that limits the axial movement of the shaft. Thus, the first driving member 11 can drive the outer cover 20 to rotate, offering advantages such as low cost and high transmission efficiency.

[0040] like Figures 3 to 6 As shown, in some embodiments, the winding assembly 30 includes a first retaining wall 31 and a second retaining wall 32. The first retaining wall 31 is disposed on the base 10 and surrounds the first driving member 11. The second retaining wall 32 is disposed on the outer cover 20 and surrounds the first mating part 21. The first retaining wall 31 and the second retaining wall 32 are respectively configured as cylindrical and have the same outer diameter. The first retaining wall 31 and the second retaining wall 32 are correspondingly disposed in the first direction y and have a gap 33. The width of the gap 33 is smaller than the diameter of the wire 40.

[0041] By setting up winding retaining walls, the wire 40 can be positioned along the retaining walls, preventing stress concentration caused by arbitrary bending of the wire 40. Furthermore, by configuring the first retaining wall 31 and the second retaining wall 32 into a cylindrical shape, the bending stress of the wire 40 against the winding retaining walls can be correlated with the radius of the cylinder. The bending stress of the wire 40 can be controlled by adjusting the radius of the cylinder, thus achieving effective control over the bending stress of the wire 40.

[0042] Furthermore, by setting a gap 33 with a width smaller than that of the wire 40, the outer cover 20 can rotate relative to the base 10 without generating friction, and the wire 40 will not get stuck in the gap 33. The gap 33 of the retaining wall is smaller than the wire diameter of the wire 40, which can also prevent the wire 40 from winding into the retaining wall and avoid accidents caused by the winding radius being too small.

[0043] In some embodiments, the outer diameters of the first retaining wall 31 and the second retaining wall 32 are D, where D > 40 mm. For example, the outer diameters of the first retaining wall 31 and the second retaining wall 32 can be selected as D = 45 mm, D = 50 mm, D = 60 mm, D = 80 mm, etc. It can be understood that the winding radius of the wire 40 is greater than or equal to the radii of the first retaining wall 31 and the second retaining wall 32; therefore, the larger the outer diameters of the first retaining wall 31 and the second retaining wall 32, the larger the winding radius. When the wire 40 rotates with the horizontal outer casing 20, the larger the winding radius, the lower the stress on the wire 40, and the longer the lifespan of the wire 40.

[0044] In other embodiments, the winding assembly 30 includes a winding barrier. The winding barrier may be disposed on the base 10 or the outer cover 20, forming a gap 33 between the two, the width of which is smaller than the diameter of the wire 40. The winding barrier may be configured as a cylindrical shape coaxial with the first drive member 11, or it may be a structure of multiple arc-shaped plates or multiple winding shafts.

[0045] like Figure 5 As shown, the winding assembly 30 also includes a limiting member 34, which is disposed on the outside of the first retaining wall 31 to limit the wire 40. When the outer cover 20 rotates around the base 10 to the first extreme position, the length of the wire 40 wound around the first retaining wall 31 is the shortest. At this time, the position of the wire 40 wound around the first retaining wall 31 is the limiting segment 35, and the limiting member 34 is disposed in the limiting segment 35. Normally, the length of the wire 40 wound on the first retaining wall 31 is less than the circumference of the first retaining wall 31, that is, the wire 40 wound around the first retaining wall 31 less than once. Therefore, the limiting segment 35 at this time is the section of the first retaining wall 31 where the wire 40 is still wound when the outer cover 20 rotates to the first extreme position. The limiting member 34 can be configured as a limiting rod, a limiting buckle, or other structures.

[0046] like Figures 3 to 6 As shown, the gimbal 100 also includes a support member 50, which is disposed on the base 10 or the outer cover 20 and is rotatably connected to the other. By providing the support member 50, when the outer cover 20 rotates relative to the base 10, the support member 50 provides support for the outer cover 20, thereby ensuring the stability of the outer cover 20 when rotating relative to the base 10. This prevents the outer cover 20 from shaking when driven by the first drive member 11, and enhances the stability of the outer cover 20 during rotation.

[0047] In some embodiments, the winding assembly 30 is mounted on the base 10, and the support member 50 is disposed on the side of the winding assembly 30 near the first drive member 11, and the support member 50 abuts against the outer cover 20. By disposing the support member 50 on the side of the winding assembly 30 near the first drive member 11, the support member 50 is located inside the winding assembly 30, thus not obstructing the movement of the wire 40.

[0048] In some embodiments, the support member 50 is configured as a plurality of rollers 52 with connecting shafts 51. The plurality of rollers 52 are rotatably connected to the winding assembly 30 through corresponding connecting shafts 51, and the circumferential surface 521 of the rollers 52 is in rolling contact with the outer cover 20. The plurality of rollers 52 are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the winding assembly 30. By providing a plurality of rollers 52 with connecting shafts 51 to support the outer cover 20, the rotational stability of the outer cover 20 is increased. At the same time, the rolling friction formed between the rollers 52 and the base 10 can reduce the noise when the outer cover 20 rotates.

[0049] The number of rollers 52 can be configured to be three, four, five, six, etc., and the number of connecting shafts 51 is the same as that of rollers 52 and is set to correspond one-to-one with rollers 52.

[0050] In addition, the support member 50 can also be configured as multiple balls or multiple rollers. When configured as multiple balls, additional guide rails or raceways are required to confine the balls to the guide rails or raceways to form a support bearing structure.

[0051] In some embodiments, the outer cover 20 is provided with reinforcing ribs 53 along the movement trajectory of the roller 52. The circumferential surface 521 of the roller 52 abuts against the reinforcing ribs 53, and the roller 52 can roll along the reinforcing ribs 53 when the outer cover 20 rotates. By providing reinforcing ribs 53 and grooves between the reinforcing ribs 53, the weight of the outer cover 20 can be reduced while ensuring the rotational stability of the outer cover 20, which is beneficial to the lightweight design of the gimbal 100.

[0052] This application also provides a camera 200, which includes a camera 201 and a pan / tilt unit 100. The pan / tilt unit 100 can be any of the pan / tilt units described in the above embodiments. The camera 201 is disposed on the outer casing 20 and is electrically connected to the cable 40.

[0053] In some embodiments, a second driving member 202 is provided on the camera 201, and a second mating part 203 is provided on the outer cover 20. The second driving member 202 and the second mating part 203 cooperate to enable the camera 201 to rotate relative to the outer cover 20 in a second direction x, which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction y. Specifically, the angle between the second direction x and the first direction y is 80°, 85°, 90°, 95°, 100°, etc. In this embodiment, the first direction y is a vertical direction, and the second direction x is a horizontal direction. Here, the specific structure of the second driving member 202 and the second mating part 203 can be the same as the structure of the first driving member 11 and the first mating part 21, and will not be described in detail here.

[0054] In some embodiments, the camera 200 further includes a bracket 204, one end of which is connected to the base 10, and the other end is fixed to a preset position by means of screws, adhesive, magnetism, etc. The preset position can be a wall, ceiling, door, etc.

[0055] The technical features of the above-disclosed embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0056] In the embodiments disclosed above, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the execution order of each step is not restricted. For example, they can be executed in parallel or sequentially in different orders. The sub-steps of each step can also be executed alternately. Various forms of processes described above can be used, and steps can be reordered, added, or deleted, as long as the desired result of the technical solution provided in this application can be achieved, and this application does not impose any restrictions here.

[0057] The embodiments disclosed above merely illustrate several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of patent protection of this application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the scope of patent protection claimed by this application. Therefore, the scope of patent protection of this application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gimbal, characterized in that, The pan-tilt unit (100) is used to drive the movement of electrical equipment relative to an external circuit, and includes: Base (10); The outer cover (20) is rotatably connected to the base (10) in a first direction and is used to install the electrical equipment. A winding assembly (30) is disposed between the base (10) and the outer cover (20) along the first direction; and The wire (40) is positioned and wound around the winding assembly (30). One end of the wire (40) extends through the base (10) for connection to the external circuit. The other end of the wire (40) is connected to the electrical equipment. When the outer cover (20) rotates relative to the base (10), the length of the wire (40) wound around the winding assembly (30) changes accordingly.

2. The gimbal according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gimbal (100) further includes a first driving member (11) and a first mating part (21). The first driving member (11) is disposed along a first direction on the side of the base (10) facing the outer cover (20). The first mating part (21) is disposed on the side of the outer cover (20) facing the base (10). The first driving member (11) and the first mating part (21) cooperate to drive the outer cover (20) to rotate. The winding assembly (30) is disposed around the first driving member (11) and the mating part.

3. The gimbal according to claim 2, characterized in that, The winding assembly (30) includes a winding barrier disposed on the base (10) or the outer cover (20) and forming a gap (33) between them, the width of which is smaller than the diameter of the wire (40).

4. The gimbal according to claim 2, characterized in that, The winding assembly (30) includes a first barrier (31) and a second barrier (32). The first barrier (31) is disposed on the base (10) and surrounds the first drive member (11). The second barrier (32) is disposed on the outer cover (20) and surrounds the first mating part (21). The first barrier (31) and the second barrier (32) are respectively configured as cylindrical and have the same outer diameter. The first barrier (31) and the second barrier (32) are respectively arranged in a first direction and have a gap (33). The width of the gap (33) is smaller than the diameter of the wire (40).

5. The gimbal according to claim 4, characterized in that, The outer diameter of the first retaining wall (31) and the second retaining wall (32) is D, where D > 40 mm.

6. The gimbal according to claim 4, characterized in that, The winding assembly (30) also includes a limiting member (34), which is disposed on the outside of the first retaining wall (31) and is used to limit the wire (40). When the outer cover (20) rotates around the base (10) to the first limit position, the length of the wire (40) wound around the first barrier wall (31) is the shortest. At this time, the position where the wire (40) is wound around the first barrier wall (31) is the limiting section (35), and the limiting member (34) is set in the limiting section (35).

7. The gimbal according to claim 2, characterized in that, The gimbal (100) also includes a support (50) which is disposed on the base (10) or the outer cover (20) and is rotatably connected to the other.

8. The gimbal according to claim 7, characterized in that, The winding assembly (30) is mounted on the base (10), the support (50) is disposed on the side of the winding assembly (30) near the first drive member (11), and the support (50) abuts against the outer cover (20).

9. The gimbal according to claim 7, characterized in that, The support member (50) is configured as a plurality of rollers (52) with connecting shafts (51). The plurality of rollers (52) are rotatably connected to the winding assembly (30) through corresponding connecting shafts (51), and the plurality of rollers (52) are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the winding assembly (30). The circumferential surface (521) of the rollers (52) is in rolling connection with the outer cover (20). The outer cover (20) is provided with reinforcing ribs (53) along the movement trajectory of the roller (52). The circumferential surface (521) of the roller (52) abuts against the reinforcing ribs (53), and the roller (52) can roll along the reinforcing ribs (53) when the outer cover (20) rotates.

10. A camera, characterized in that, include: Camera (201); as well as In the gimbal (100) as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, the camera (201) is disposed on the outer cover (20) and the camera (201) is electrically connected to the wire (40).

11. The camera according to claim 10, characterized in that, The camera (201) is provided with a second driving member (202), and the outer cover (20) is provided with a second mating part (203). The second driving member (202) and the second mating part (203) cooperate to enable the camera (201) to rotate relative to the outer cover (20) in a second direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

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