Ball head

Abstract

We provide a ball head that enables one-touch switching between 2D rotational motion mode and 3D rotational motion mode. [Solution] The system includes a base 100, a tripod head body 200, a ball assembly, and a rotation dimension switching assembly. A rotation chamber is provided within the tripod head body. The ball assembly includes an outer casing 310 rotatably mounted relative to the rotation chamber, an inner casing 320 that rotates and engages with the outer casing, a swing arm bracket 330 fixedly connected within the outer casing, and a swing arm 350 fixedly connected to the inner casing and rotating around the axial direction of a rotation pin to connect to the swing arm bracket. The rotation dimension switching assembly includes a driven component movably connected to the tripod head body, a positioning pin 520 connected to the driven component and for locking the inner casing, and an operating component for driving and moving the driven component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of photographic equipment, and more particularly to a ball head.

Background Art

[0002] A ball head is a support mechanism for fixedly mounting devices such as cameras and video cameras. Currently, most commercially available cameras and video cameras adjust their shooting angles through a universal ball joint inside the ball head. When in use, the shooting angle is determined by tightening the universal ball joint through a tightening mechanism at the bottom of the universal ball joint. Currently commercially available ball heads are either independent two-dimensional motion type ball heads or independent three-dimensional motion type ball heads. The ball head cannot achieve stable switching between the two-dimensional motion mode and the three-dimensional motion mode.

[0003] A search revealed a Chinese patent, publication number CN115773432A, disclosing a ball head with switchable rotational dimensions, comprising a quick-release plate base, a ball, an outer casing, and a damped rotation chassis. The outer casing is fixed to the damped rotation chassis, and the outer casing encloses the ball to form a universal ball joint. The upper end of the ball is connected to the quick-release plate base through the ball diameter, and a conical ring is provided below the ball. The conical ring has a contraction groove, and a screw engages with an internal thread to retract or release the contraction groove, thereby compressing or releasing the ball bushing and adjusting and tightening the ball damping. A horizontal axis is provided inside the ball, with the center line of the horizontal axis passing through the center of the sphere. A positioning hole is provided at one end of the horizontal axis, concentric with the horizontal axis. A rectangular positioning pin is provided inside the outer casing, opposite the positioning hole. The rectangular positioning pin is inserted into the positioning hole, restricting the ball to rotate around the horizontal axis. The rectangular positioning pin moves forward or backward, guided by a screw mechanism at a corresponding position on the outer casing. Such a ball head can be freely switched between 2D and 3D modes for use in various shooting scenarios.

[0004] However, with the ball head described above, after the square positioning pin on the outer casing is deeply inserted into the horizontal positioning hole, the ball can only rotate around the horizontal axis (first dimension). The ball cannot rotate around the vertical axis relative to the outer casing. To manipulate the ball to rotate around the vertical axis, the screw on the outer circumference of the damped rotation chassis below the outer casing must be released. In this case, the outer casing and ball as a whole cannot be manipulated to rotate around the vertical axis. The ball head does not allow for one-touch switching between 3D and 2D motion modes, and its operation is complex. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] Therefore, the problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a ball head that overcomes the drawback of conventional ball heads with switchable rotation dimensions, which cannot switch between 3D and 2D motion modes with a single touch and are therefore complicated to operate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The technical solution of this invention to solve the above problems is as follows. It is a ball head, Bass and, A tripod head body, which is fixedly connected to the base and has a rotating chamber provided inside the tripod head body, A ball assembly comprising: an outer casing confined to the spherical surface formed by the rotating chamber and rotatably mounted relative to the rotating chamber; an inner casing rotatably engaging with the inner wall surface of the outer casing; a swing arm bracket fixedly connected to the inside of the outer casing; and a swing arm fixedly connected to the inner casing and rotating around the axial direction of a rotating pin to connect to the swing arm bracket, wherein the center line of the rotating pin passes through the center of the sphere formed by the rotating chamber; A ball clamping assembly connected to the tripod head body and for tightening or releasing the outer casing, A rotational dimension switching assembly comprising: a driven component movably connected to the pan / tilt head body; a positioning pin connected to the side of the driven component facing the inner casing; and an operating component operably connected to the pan / tilt head body and for driving the driven component to move along the direction of the central axis of the pan / tilt head body, wherein the positioning pin can achieve locking or unlocking relative to the inner casing, the center line of the positioning pin passes through the center of a sphere formed by the rotating chamber, and when the inner casing is locked by the positioning pin, the outer casing is limited to two-dimensional rotational motion around the axial direction of the positioning pin and the axial direction of the rotating pin, and when the inner casing is not locked by the positioning pin, the outer casing is capable of three-dimensional rotational motion within the rotating chamber.

[0007] Furthermore, an elastic return component is provided between the outer casing and the inner casing to maintain relative stationary position. When the outer casing moves around a direction different from the axial direction of the rotating pin, the inner casing is kept in synchronous motion with respect to the outer casing by the constraints of the swing arm and the swing arm bracket. When the positioning pin does not lock the inner casing, and the outer casing rotates around the axial direction of the rotating pin, the inner casing maintains synchronous movement with respect to the outer casing due to the action of the elastic return component. The positioning pin locks the inner casing, and when the outer casing rotates around the axial direction of the rotating pin, the inner casing maintains its position, and the outer casing and the inner casing move relative to each other around the axial direction of the rotating pin.

[0008] Furthermore, the elastic return component includes a return torsion spring wound around the outer circumference of the rotating pin, with one end of the return torsion spring connected to the swing arm bracket or the outer casing, and the other end of the return torsion spring connected to the swing arm or the inner casing, the inner casing being locked by the positioning pin, and as the outer casing and the inner casing move relative to each other around the axial direction of the rotating pin, the return torsion spring twists and accumulates elastic energy, and when the inner casing is not locked by the positioning pin, the inner casing moves to an initial position where it maintains relative rest to the outer casing due to the action of the elastic energy released by the return torsion spring.

[0009] Furthermore, the outer casing is an incomplete casing with an opening at the bottom, and the inner casing is an incomplete casing with an opening at the top. When the inner casing is in its initial position, maintaining relative stillness to the outer casing, the orientation of the openings of the inner casing and the outer casing are opposite, with the inner casing blocking the opening side of the outer casing.

[0010] Furthermore, a connecting column is provided in the center of the inside of the inner casing, one end of the swing arm is fixedly connected to the connecting column, the torsion spring includes a first torsion spring and a second torsion spring, one end of both the first and second torsion springs is connected to the swing arm bracket, the other end of both the first and second torsion springs is connected to the swing arm, the elastic force of the first torsion spring causes the swing arm and the inner casing to move clockwise to an initial position where they are stationary relative to the outer casing, and the elastic force of the second torsion spring causes the swing arm and the inner casing to move counterclockwise to an initial position where they are stationary relative to the outer casing.

[0011] Furthermore, an inner groove is provided on the outside of the inner casing, and when the positioning pin moves according to the driven component, it can enter the inner groove to lock the inner casing and extend out of the inner groove to release the lock on the inner casing.

[0012] Furthermore, the operating component is an adjustment ring connected between the base and the tripod head body, the adjustment ring is provided to rotate circumferentially while maintaining axial fixation with respect to the tripod head body, an internal thread is provided on the inner wall of the adjustment ring, the driven component is a movable disc screwed into the inside of the adjustment ring, and the positioning pin is connected to the movable disc.

[0013] Furthermore, the movable disc includes a central column located in the center, the direction of the centerline of the central column is perpendicular to the direction of the centerline of the rotating pin and passes through the center of the sphere formed by the rotating chamber, and the positioning pin is fitted onto the outer circumference of the central column.

[0014] Furthermore, the movable disc further includes an annular groove surrounding the outer circumference of the central column, the positioning pin includes a positioning pin body movably fitted onto the outer circumference of the central column, and a positioning pin sleeve fixedly connected to the outer circumference of the positioning pin body and having an outer diameter larger than that of the positioning pin body, the positioning pin sleeve is placed in the annular groove, a limiting ring is connected to the movable disc to restrict the positioning pin sleeve to the annular groove, the positioning pin body passes through the limiting ring, and an elastic energy storage component is provided in the annular groove, elastically positioned between the positioning pin sleeve and the bottom wall of the annular groove.

[0015] Furthermore, the adjustment ring has an unlocked position, an intermediate position, and a locked position, which are sequentially set as it rotates around the circumferential direction of the tripod head body. When the adjustment ring is in the unlocked position, the positioning pin separates from the inner casing, the inner casing is not locked by the positioning pin, and the outer casing is in a state of three-dimensional motion capable of three-dimensional rotational motion. When the adjustment ring is in the locked position, the outer casing is in a two-dimensional motion state in which it can only perform two-dimensional rotational motion around the axial direction of the positioning pin and the axial direction of the rotation pin. When the outer casing switches from a three-dimensional motion state to a two-dimensional motion state, the adjustment ring first rotates from the unlocked position to the intermediate position, and then rotates from the intermediate position to the locked position. When the adjustment ring rotates from the unlocked position to the intermediate position, the positioning pin contacts the outer spherical surface of the inner casing, and the elastic energy storage component is compressed and then in a stored state. At this time, the outer casing can perform three-dimensional rotational motion within the rotating chamber. When the positioning pin continues to move to a position facing the inner groove, a portion of the positioning pin enters the inner groove due to the action of the elastic force of the elastic energy storage component, the inner casing is temporarily positioned by the positioning pin, and the outer casing is temporarily positioned in a two-dimensional motion state. When the adjustment ring rotates from the intermediate position to the locked position, the central column presses the positioning pin upward, the positioning pin presses the bottom of the inner groove, the elastic energy storage component is compressed again and enters the storage state, the inner casing is completely locked by the positioning pin, and the outer casing is completely locked in a two-dimensional motion state. When the outer casing switches from a two-dimensional motion state to a three-dimensional motion state, the adjustment ring rotates directly from the locked position to the unlocked position, the central column releases the positioning pin, and due to the action of the elastic force of the elastic energy storage component, a portion of the positioning pin extends out of the inner groove, separating the positioning pin from the inner casing, and the inner casing is no longer locked by the positioning pin.

[0016] Furthermore, a fixing bracket is fixed and connected inside the tripod head body, and the fixing bracket is fixed and connected to the base through a plurality of guide columns, the plurality of guide columns passing through the driven component, and the driven component is slidably connected to the plurality of guide columns along the axial direction of the plurality of guide columns.

[0017] Furthermore, a mounting ring is provided inside the tripod head body, and the mounting ring is fixedly attached to the side of the fixing bracket that is away from the base, and the tripod head body is fixedly connected to the mounting ring, and a damping bushing is further provided inside the tripod head body, located on the side of the mounting ring that is away from the fixing bracket, and the internal space of the damping bushing is the rotation chamber.

[0018] Furthermore, a quick-release platform is fixedly connected to the outer casing, a mounting head for attaching a camera or video camera is provided on the quick-release platform, and a handle is connected to the quick-release platform. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] The technical solution of this invention has the following advantages. 1. According to the ball pan / tilt head provided by the present invention, the ball assembly of the ball pan / tilt head includes an outer casing and an inner casing that are rotatably provided to rotate around the axial direction of the rotating pin. When it is desired to switch the ball assembly of the ball pan / tilt head from the three-dimensional rotational motion mode to the two-dimensional rotational motion mode, it is only necessary to operate the operating component of the rotational dimension switching assembly. Thereby, the operating component moves along the direction of the central axis of the pan / tilt head body with the driven component. When the positioning pin moves according to the driven component, locking or unlocking of the inner casing can be realized. When the inner casing is locked by the positioning pin, the outer casing is limited to perform a two-dimensional rotational motion around the axial direction of the positioning pin and the axial direction of the rotating pin. When the inner casing is not locked by the positioning pin, the outer casing can perform a three-dimensional rotational motion within the rotation chamber, thereby realizing a one-touch switching between the three-dimensional rotational motion mode and the two-dimensional rotational motion mode, making it easier to operate.

[0020] 2. According to the ball pan / tilt head provided by the present invention, by further providing an elastic return component between the outer casing and the inner casing to keep both of them in relative static state, when the positioning pin does not lock the inner casing and the outer casing rotates around the axial direction of the rotating pin, the inner casing can always maintain synchronous movement with respect to the outer casing under the action of the elastic return component.

[0021] 3. In the ball head provided by this invention, one end of the return torsion spring is connected to the swing arm bracket or the outer casing, and the other end of the return torsion spring is connected to the swing arm or the inner casing. When the inner casing is locked by the positioning pin, and the outer and inner casings move relative to each other around the axial direction of the rotation pin, the return torsion spring twists and accumulates elastic energy. When the inner casing is not locked by the positioning pin, the inner casing moves to an initial position where it remains stationary relative to the outer casing due to the action of the elastic energy released by the return torsion spring, making it easy for the positioning pin to be positioned and engaged with the inner casing. Compared to the conventional method of positioning and locking the ball using only the ball's positioning hole and a square positioning pin, this invention avoids the difficulty of accurately aligning the ball's positioning hole with the square positioning pin.

[0022] 4. According to the ball head provided by the present invention, by providing an elastic energy storage component elastically positioned between a positioning pin and the bottom wall of the annular groove of the movable disc, when the ball assembly of the ball head is in a three-dimensional rotational motion mode, the elastic force of the elastic energy storage component can cause the positioning pin to contact the spherical surface on the inside of the inner casing. When the inner casing rotates in three dimensions according to the outer casing, the positioning pin can apply a small rotational damping force to the inner casing. When the inner casing moves to a position where its inner groove aligns with the positioning pin, the elastic force of the elastic energy storage component can cause the positioning pin to enter the inner groove, achieving temporary positioning relative to the inner casing. At this time, when the inner casing moves according to the outer casing, there is still a possibility that it may disengage from the lock provided by the positioning pin. When the ball assembly switches from a three-dimensional rotational motion mode to a two-dimensional rotational motion mode, the central column of the movable disc presses the positioning pin upward, and the positioning pin is fully tightened into the inner groove of the inner casing. At this time, as the outer casing moves around the axial direction of the rotation pin, the inner casing maintains its position. When the ball assembly switches from a two-dimensional rotational motion mode to a three-dimensional rotational motion mode, the elasticity of the elastic energy storage component allows the positioning pin to be pulled out and released from the inner groove, thus avoiding the phenomenon where the positioning pin gets stuck in the inner groove and prevents a quick switch in the motion mode.

[0023] According to the ball turntable provided by the present invention, when the adjustment ring rotates from the unlock position to the intermediate position and further to the lock position, the ball assembly can be switched from the three-dimensional rotational motion mode to the two-dimensional rotational motion mode. The reason for providing the intermediate position is that when the positioning pin cannot be aligned with the inner groove and the upward stroke is too large, the inner casing may be pressed against the positioning pin and jam. By providing the intermediate position, this phenomenon can be prevented, thereby making the process of switching the ball assembly from the three-dimensional rotational motion mode to the two-dimensional rotational motion mode smoother. When the adjustment ring rotates directly from the lock position to the unlock position, the ball assembly can be quickly switched from the two-dimensional rotational motion mode to the three-dimensional rotational motion mode.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] Next, to more clearly explain the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions according to the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced. Needless to say, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can also obtain other drawings from these drawings without performing inventive work.

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the ball turntable according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the ball turntable according to an embodiment of the present invention when the adjustment ring is in the unlock position. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view of the ball turntable according to an embodiment of the present invention when the adjustment ring is in the unlock position. [Figure 4] It is a schematic diagram of the connection relationship between the movable disk and the fixed bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the ball assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view of the ball assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]This is a schematic diagram showing the connection relationship between the inner casing, swing arm bracket, swing arm, and elastic return component according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the inner casing after it has rotated clockwise by a certain angle around the center line of the rotating pin. [Figure 9] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the inner casing after it has rotated counterclockwise by a certain angle around the center line of the rotating pin. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the ball head according to an embodiment of the present invention when the adjustment ring is in the intermediate position. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view of the ball head according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the adjustment ring is in the intermediate position and the positioning pin is in contact with the inner casing. [Figure 12] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing the positioning pin when it falls into the inner groove. [Figure 13] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing the outer casing after it has rotated a predetermined angle following the positioning pin falling into the inner groove. [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the ball head adjustment ring according to an embodiment of the present invention when it is in the locked position. [Figure 15] This is a cross-sectional view of the adjustment ring of the ball head according to an embodiment of the present invention when it is in the locked position. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0026] 100 base 200 Ball head body 210 Mounting Ring 220 Damping Bushing 300 Ball Assembly 310 Outer casing 320 Inner casing 321 Inner groove 330 Swingarm Bracket 340 rotating pins 350 Swingarm 360 Elastic recovery parts 361 First Torsion Spring 362 Second Torsion Spring 370 Connecting pole 380 connection seats 390 Fixing screw 400 Ball Clamping Assembly 500 Rotation Dimensional Switching Assembly 510 Movable Disc 511 Central pillar 512 Ring groove 520 positioning pins 521 Positioning pin body 522 Positioning pin sleeve 530 Adjustment Ring 540 Restriction Ring 550 Elastic energy storage component 560 Fixing Bracket 570 Guidepost 600 Quick Release Platform 610 Mounting Head 700 Handle A Unlock position B Intermediate position C Lock position [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] Next, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described with reference to the drawings. Needless to say, the embodiments described are not all embodiments, but only a few embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without performing inventive work based on embodiments of the present invention are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] Furthermore, the directions or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "center," "up," "down," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inside," and "outside" in the description of this invention are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings and are merely used to make the description of this invention easier to understand and to simplify the description. They do not explicitly state or suggest that the devices or parts to which they apply must necessarily have a specific direction, be configured in a specific direction, or be operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be considered limitations on this invention. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used only for descriptive purposes and cannot be considered to explicitly state or suggest relative importance.

[0029] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly defined or limited, terms such as "attach," "connect," and "link" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, a connection may be fixed, detachable, or integral. A connection may be mechanical or electrical. A connection may be direct, indirect through an intermediary, or internal communication between two parts. A person skilled in the art will be able to understand the specific meaning of these terms in this invention, depending on the specific situation.

[0030] The ball head shown in Figures 1 and 2 includes a base 100, a ball head body 200, a ball assembly 300, a ball clamping assembly 400, a rotation dimension switching assembly 500, a quick-release platform 600, and a handle 700. The ball head body 200 is fixedly connected above the base 100, and a rotating chamber with an upper opening is provided inside the ball head body 200. The ball assembly 300 is confined within the spherical surface formed by the rotating chamber and is rotatably mounted relative to the rotating chamber, with a portion of the ball assembly 300 exposed through the upper opening of the ball head body 200. The ball clamping assembly 400 is connected to the ball head body 200 and enables the tightening and loosening of the ball assembly 300. The rotation dimension switching assembly 500 is movably connected between the base 100 and the ball head body 200 and controls the ball assembly 300 to switch between two-dimensional and three-dimensional rotational motion. The quick-release platform 600 is fixedly connected to the portion of the ball assembly 300 that extends from the tripod head body 200, and a mounting head 610 for attaching a camera or video camera is provided on the quick-release platform 600. A handle 700 is connected to one side of the quick-release platform 600, and when the ball clamping assembly 400 is in the released state, the handle 700 can be operated to move the quick-release platform 600 and the ball assembly 300 in a three-dimensional or two-dimensional rotational motion relative to the rotation chamber in the tripod head body 200.

[0031] As shown in Figures 3, 5 to 9, the ball assembly 300 includes a rotating outer casing 310 and an inner casing 320. The outer casing 310 is confined within the spherical surface formed by the rotating chamber and is rotatably mounted relative to the rotating chamber. The quick-release platform 600 is fixedly connected to the portion of the outer casing 310 that extends from the ball head body 200. The outer casing 310 is an incomplete casing with a hollow interior and an opening at its bottom, and the surface area of ​​the spherical portion of the outer casing 310 exceeds two-thirds of the surface area of ​​the spherical surface on which the spherical portion of the outer casing 310 is located. The inner casing 320 rotates and engages with the inner wall surface of the outer casing 310. The inner casing 320 is an incomplete casing with a cavity inside and an opening at its top. The orientation of the opening of the inner casing 320 and the opening of the outer casing 310 are opposite. When the inner casing 320 is in its initial position, maintaining relative station to the outer casing 310, the spherical openings of the inner casing 320 and the outer casing 310 complement each other, forming a complete casing with a closed sphere, i.e., the inner casing 320 blocks the opening side of the outer casing 310.

[0032] As shown in Figures 3, 6, and 7, the ball assembly 300 further includes a swing arm bracket 330, a rotating pin 340, and a swing arm 350. The swing arm bracket 330 is fixed and connected to the inside of the outer casing 310 by a number of long screws, and a pair of connecting lug plates are provided opposite each other below the swing arm bracket 330. Both ends of the rotating pin 340 are fixed and connected to one of the connecting lug plates of the swing arm bracket 330 by fixing screws 390, and the centerline of the rotating pin 340 passes through the center of the sphere formed by the rotating chamber. A connecting column 370 is integrally connected to the center of the inner wall surface of the inner casing 320, and the lower end of the swing arm 350 is fixed and connected to the connecting column 370. The upper end of the swingarm 350 is fitted into a pair of connecting lug plates of the swingarm bracket 330, and a rotating pin 340 passes through an internal hole in the upper end of the swingarm 350, thereby allowing the swingarm 350 to rotate around the axial direction of the rotating pin 340 and connect to the swingarm bracket 330. The outer casing 310 is fixedly connected to the swingarm bracket 330, and the inner casing 320 is fixedly connected to the swingarm 350, so that the outer casing 310 and the inner casing 320 can rotate relative to each other around the axial direction of the rotating pin 340.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the rotation dimension switching assembly 500 includes a positioning pin 520 that is movably connected between the base 100 and the tripod head body 200. The center line of the positioning pin 520 passes through the center of the sphere formed by the rotation chamber, and the positioning pin 520 can lock or unlock the inner casing 320 when it moves. The direction of the center line of the rotation pin 340 is defined as the X-axis direction, the direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction in the horizontal plane is defined as the Y-axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction in the vertical plane is defined as the Z-axis direction, with the Z-axis direction being the direction of motion of the positioning pin 520. When the positioning pin 520 of the rotation dimension switching assembly 500 locks the inner casing 320, the outer casing 310 can only perform two-dimensional rotational motion along the X and Z axes relative to the rotation chamber. When the positioning pin 520 of the rotation dimension switching assembly 500 does not lock the inner casing 320, the outer casing 310 can perform three-dimensional rotational motion, freely rotating within the sphere limited by the rotation chamber. In some embodiments, an inner groove 321 is provided outside the inner casing 320, and when the positioning pin 520 moves into the inner groove 321 along the Z-axis, the positioning pin 520 can lock the inner casing 320, and when the positioning pin 520 moves out of the inner groove 321 along the Z-axis, the positioning pin 520 can release the lock from the inner casing 320.

[0034] As shown in Figures 3, 6, and 7, the ball assembly 300 further includes an elastic return component elastically provided between the outer casing 310 and the inner casing 320, which ensures that the outer casing 310 and the inner casing 320 maintain relative station. When the outer casing 310 moves around a direction other than the axial direction of the rotating pin 340, the inner casing 320 is always kept in synchronous motion with respect to the outer casing 310, due to the constraints of the swing arm 350 and the swing arm bracket 330. When the positioning pin 520 does not lock the inner casing 320, and the outer casing 310 rotates around the axial direction of the rotating pin 340, the inner casing 320 is kept in synchronous motion with respect to the outer casing 310 due to the action of the elastic return component. When the positioning pin 520 locks the inner casing 320 and the outer casing 310 rotates around the axial direction of the rotating pin 340, the inner casing 320 maintains its position, and the outer casing 310 and inner casing 320 can move relative to each other around the axial direction of the rotating pin 340.

[0035] As shown in Figures 3, 6, and 7, the elastic return component includes a return torsion spring wound around the outer circumference of the rotating pin 340, with one end of the return torsion spring connected to the swing arm bracket 330 or the outer casing 310, and the other end connected to the swing arm 350 or the inner casing 320. When the inner casing 320 is locked by the positioning pin 520, and the outer casing 310 and the inner casing 320 move relative to each other around the axial direction of the rotating pin 340, the return torsion spring twists and stores elastic energy. When the inner casing 320 is not locked by the positioning pin 520, the inner casing 320 is always in an initial position that maintains relative stationary to the outer casing 310 due to the action of the elastic energy released by the return torsion spring, and the inner casing 320 can always maintain synchronous movement with respect to the outer casing 310. In some embodiments, the return torsion spring includes a first torsion spring 361 and a second torsion spring 362, with one end of both the first torsion spring 361 and the second torsion spring 362 connected to the swing arm bracket 330, and the other end of both the first torsion spring 361 and the second torsion spring 362 connected to the swing arm 350. In some embodiments, the elastic return component is not limited to a torsion spring, and the elastic return component may be other storage devices.

[0036] As shown in Figures 3, 6, and 7, when the inner casing 320 is locked by the positioning pin 520 and the outer casing 310 and inner casing 320 are moving around the axial direction of the rotating pin 340 to the relative position shown in Figure 9, the first torsion spring 361 twists and stores elastic energy, and the swing arm 350 and inner casing 320 move clockwise due to the action of the elastic energy released by the first torsion spring 361 to the initial position where they are stationary relative to the outer casing 310 (i.e., the relative position of the inner casing 320 and outer casing 310 in Figure 7). When the inner casing 320 is locked by the positioning pin 520, and the outer casing 310 and inner casing 320 are moving around the axial direction of the rotating pin 340 to the relative position shown in Figure 8, the second torsion spring 362 twists and stores elastic energy, and the swing arm 350 and inner casing 320 move counterclockwise due to the action of the elastic energy released by the second torsion spring 362 to the initial position where they are stationary relative to the outer casing 310 (i.e., the relative position of the inner casing 320 and outer casing 310 in Figure 7). By setting it up this way, it becomes easy to position and engage the positioning pin 520 with respect to the inner casing 320. Compared to the conventional method of positioning and locking the ball using only the ball's positioning hole and a square positioning pin, this avoids the difficulty of accurately aligning the ball's positioning hole with the square positioning pin.

[0037] As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, the rotational dimension switching assembly 500 includes a fixed bracket 560 provided between the base 100 and the inner casing 320. The fixed bracket 560 is annular in shape as a whole, and a plurality of guide columns 570 are fixedly connected to one end of the fixed bracket 560 facing the base 100, along the circumferential direction of the fixed bracket 560, with the axial direction of the guide columns 570 being in the Z-axis direction, and the other end of the plurality of guide columns 570 away from the fixed bracket 560 is fixedly connected to the base 100 by screws (see Figures 11 and 12). A mounting ring 210 located inside the tripod head body 200 is fixedly connected to the side of the fixed bracket 560 facing the base 100, and the tripod head body 200 is fixedly connected to the outer circumference of the mounting ring 210. Inside the tripod head body 200, a damping bushing 220 is further provided, located on the side of the mounting ring 210 facing the fixed bracket 560, and the internal space of the damping bushing 220 is a rotation chamber. A contraction groove is provided on the side of the damping bushing 220. When the ball clamping assembly 400 is tightened, the contraction groove of the damping bushing 220 is retracted, allowing the damping bushing 220 to grip the outer casing 310 located inside it. When the ball clamping assembly 400 is released, the contraction groove of the damping bushing 220 is restored, allowing the outer casing 310 to rotate within the rotating chamber inside the damping bushing 220.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the rotational dimension switching assembly 500 further includes a driven component and an operating component, the operating component being transmissibly connected to the driven component, and when the operating component is operated to perform rotational motion, it can move the driven component and positioning pin 520 back and forth along the Z-axis. In some embodiments, the operating component is specifically an adjustment ring 530 connected between the base 100 and the pan / tilt head body 200, the adjustment ring 530 being mounted to rotate circumferentially while maintaining axial fixation with respect to the pan / tilt head body 200, and an internal thread is provided on the inner wall of the adjustment ring 530. The driven component is specifically a movable disc 510 screw-connected inside the adjustment ring 530, and the positioning pin 520 is connected to the side of the movable disc 510 facing the inner casing 320. In alternative embodiments, the operating component and driven component are not limited to transmissibly connected by screws, and the operating component may move the driven component and positioning pin 520 back and forth along the Z-axis through a cam transmission structure, a slope transmission structure, or the like.

[0039] As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, in some embodiments, the movable disc 510 is provided with guide holes through which a plurality of guide columns 570 each pass, and the movable disc 510 is slidably connected to the plurality of guide columns 570 of the fixed bracket 560 along the Z-axis direction. A positioning pin 520 is connected to the side of the movable disc 510 facing the inner casing 320, and the centerline of the positioning pin 520 passes through the center of the sphere formed by the rotating chamber. An adjustment ring 530 is operably connected between the tripod head body 200 and the base 100, and the adjustment ring 530 is transmissibly connected to the movable disc 510, and when the adjustment ring 530 is operated and rotated, it can cause the movable disc 510 to reciprocate along the Z-axis direction. When the positioning pin 520 moves in accordance with the movable disc 510, it can enter the inner groove 321 and lock the inner casing 320, or extend out of the inner groove 321 and release the lock from the inner casing 320. To switch the ball assembly 300 of the ball head from three-dimensional rotational motion mode to two-dimensional rotational motion mode, simply rotate the adjustment ring 530. The adjustment ring 530 moves the movable disc 510 along the direction of the central axis of the ball head body 200, and the positioning pin 520 moves in accordance with the movable disc 510 to lock or unlock the inner casing 320. When the inner casing 320 is locked by the positioning pin 520, the outer casing 310 is limited to two-dimensional rotational motion around the axial direction of the positioning pin 520 (Z-axis direction) and the axial direction of the rotation pin 340 (X-axis direction). When the inner casing 320 is not locked by the positioning pin 520, the outer casing 310 can perform three-dimensional rotational motion within the rotation chamber. This allows the ball head to be switched between three-dimensional and two-dimensional rotational motion modes with a single touch, making it easier to operate.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, in some embodiments, the movable disk 510 includes a central column 511 located in the center, the direction of which the centerline of the central column 511 is perpendicular to the direction of the centerline of the rotating pin 340 and passes through the center of the sphere formed by the rotating chamber, and the positioning pin 520 is fitted onto the outer circumference of the central column 511.

[0041] As shown in Figure 3, the movable disk 510 further includes an annular groove 512 surrounding the outer circumference of the central column 511. The positioning pin 520 includes a positioning pin body 521 that is movably fitted onto the outer circumference of the central column 511, and a positioning pin sleeve 522 that is fixedly connected to the outer circumference of the positioning pin body 521 and has an outer diameter larger than that of the positioning pin body 521. The positioning pin sleeve 522 is in the annular groove 512, and a limiting ring 540 is connected to the movable disk 510 to restrict the positioning pin sleeve 522 within the annular groove 512, with the positioning pin body 521 passing through the limiting ring 540, and an elastic energy storage component 550 is provided within the annular groove 512, elastically positioned between the positioning pin sleeve 522 and the bottom wall of the annular groove 512.

[0042] When the ball assembly 300 of the ball head is in a three-dimensional rotational motion mode, the elastic force of the elastic energy storage component 550 can cause the positioning pin 520 to contact the inner spherical surface of the inner casing 320, and when the inner casing 320 rotates in three dimensions according to the outer casing 310, the positioning pin 520 can apply a small rotational damping force to the inner casing 320, and when the inner casing 320 has moved to a position where its inner groove 321 is aligned with the positioning pin 520, the elastic force of the elastic energy storage component 550 can cause the positioning pin 520 to enter the inner groove 321, thereby achieving temporary positioning relative to the inner casing 320, at which point the inner casing 320 may still disengage from the lock by the positioning pin 520 as it moves according to the outer casing 310. When the ball assembly 300 switches from a three-dimensional rotational motion mode to a two-dimensional rotational motion mode, the central column 511 of the movable disk 510 presses the positioning pin 520 upward, and the positioning pin 520 is completely tightened into the inner groove 321 of the inner casing 320. At this time, as the outer casing 310 moves around the axial direction of the rotation pin 340, the inner casing 320 maintains its position. When the ball assembly 300 switches from a two-dimensional rotational motion mode to a three-dimensional rotational motion mode, the elasticity of the elastic energy storage component 550 is able to pull out the positioning pin 520 and disengage it from the inner groove 321, thus avoiding the phenomenon where the positioning pin 520 gets stuck in the inner groove 321 and prevents the motion mode from switching quickly.

[0043] As shown in Figures 2, 10, and 14, the adjustment ring 530 has an unlocked position A, an intermediate position, and a locked position C, which are sequentially set as it rotates around the circumferential direction of the ball head body 200. In Figures 2 and 3, the ball head's adjustment ring is in the unlocked position; in Figures 10, 11, 12, and 13, the ball head's adjustment ring is in the intermediate position; and in Figures 14 and 15, the ball head's adjustment ring is in the locked position.

[0044] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, when the adjustment ring 530 is in the unlocked position A, the positioning pin 520 separates from the inner casing 320, the inner casing 320 is not locked by the positioning pin 520, and the outer casing 310 is in a three-dimensional motion state that allows for three-dimensional rotational motion.

[0045] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, when the adjustment ring 530 is in the locked position C, the positioning pin 520 is fully engaged with the inner groove 321 of the inner casing 320, the central column 511 presses the positioning pin 520 upward, the inner casing 320 is fully locked by the positioning pin 520, and the outer casing 310 is in a two-dimensional motion state in which it can only perform two-dimensional rotational motion around the axial direction of the positioning pin 520 and the axial direction of the rotation pin 340.

[0046] As shown in Figures 2, 10, and 14, when the outer casing 310 switches from a three-dimensional motion state to a two-dimensional motion state, the adjustment ring 530 first rotates from the unlocked position A to the intermediate position B, and then rotates from the intermediate position B to the locked position C.

[0047] As shown in Figure 11, when the adjustment ring 530 rotates from the unlocked position A to the intermediate position B, the positioning pin 520 contacts the outer spherical surface of the inner casing 320, and the elastic energy storage component 550 is compressed and then in a stored state. At this time, the outer casing 310 can perform three-dimensional rotational motion within the rotating chamber. When the inner casing 320 moves to the position shown in Figure 12, the inner groove 321 of the inner casing 320 is provided facing the positioning pin 520. Due to the action of the elastic force of the elastic energy storage component 550, a portion of the positioning pin 520 enters the inner groove 321, and the inner casing 320 is temporarily positioned by the positioning pin 520, and the outer casing 310 is temporarily positioned in a two-dimensional motion state. At this time, the outer casing 310 can rotate relative to the inner casing 320 until it reaches the state shown in Figure 13.

[0048] As shown in Figures 12 and 15, when the adjustment ring 530 rotates from the intermediate position B to the locked position C, the central column 511 presses the positioning pin 520 upward, the positioning pin 520 presses the bottom of the inner groove 321, the elastic energy storage component 550 is compressed again and enters the storage state, the inner casing 320 is completely locked by the positioning pin 520 and the outer casing 310 is completely locked in a two-dimensional motion state.

[0049] When the adjustment ring 530 rotates from the unlocked position A to the intermediate position B, and then to the locked position C, the ball assembly 300 can be switched from a three-dimensional rotational motion mode to a two-dimensional rotational motion mode. The intermediate position B prevents the inner casing 320 from getting stuck because the upward stroke of the positioning pin 520 is too large when it cannot be aligned with the inner groove 321, thus making the process of switching the ball assembly 300 from a three-dimensional rotational motion mode to a two-dimensional rotational motion mode smoother.

[0050] The adjustment ring 530 rotates directly from the locked position C to the unlocked position A, allowing the ball assembly 300 to switch from a two-dimensional rotational motion mode to a three-dimensional rotational motion mode. At this time, the central column 511 releases the positioning pin 520, and due to the action of the elastic force of the elastic energy storage component 550, a portion of the positioning pin 520 extends out of the inner groove 321, separating the positioning pin 520 from the inner casing 320, and the inner casing 320 is no longer locked by the positioning pin 520. When the adjustment ring 530 rotates directly from the locked position C to the unlocked position A, the ball assembly 300 can be quickly switched from a two-dimensional rotational motion mode to a three-dimensional rotational motion mode.

[0051] In short, according to the ball head provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the ball assembly 300 includes an outer casing 310 and an inner casing 320 that are rotatably mounted around the axial direction of the rotating pin 340, and when it is desired to switch the ball assembly 300 of the ball head from a three-dimensional rotational motion mode to a two-dimensional rotational motion mode, the adjustment ring 530 is rotated, causing the adjustment ring 530 to move along the direction of the central axis of the ball head body 200, along with the movable disc 510 and the positioning pin 520, and the positioning pin 520 can lock or unlock the inner casing 320 when it moves. When the inner casing 320 is locked by the positioning pin 520, the outer casing 310 is limited to two-dimensional rotational motion around the axial direction of the positioning pin 520 and the axial direction of the rotating pin 340. When the inner casing 320 is not locked by the positioning pin 520, the outer casing 310 can perform three-dimensional rotational motion within the rotation chamber, enabling the ball head to switch between three-dimensional and two-dimensional rotational motion modes with a single touch, making it easier to operate.

[0052] Needless to say, the above embodiments are not limitations on the embodiments, but merely examples given for clarity. Those skilled in the art can make various other forms of modifications or changes based on the above description. It is not necessary, nor is it possible, to cover all embodiments here. Obvious modifications or changes derived therefrom are also covered within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. It is a ball head, Base (100) and, A tripod head body (200) is fixedly connected to the base (100), and a rotating chamber is provided inside the tripod head body (200), A ball assembly (300) comprising: an outer casing (310) confined within the spherical surface formed by the rotating chamber and rotatably mounted relative to the rotating chamber; an inner casing (320) that rotates and engages with the inner wall surface of the outer casing (310); a swing arm bracket (330) fixedly connected to the inside of the outer casing (310); and a swing arm (350) fixedly connected to the inner casing (320) and rotating around the axial direction of a rotating pin (340) to connect to the swing arm bracket (330), wherein the center line of the rotating pin (340) passes through the center of the sphere formed by the rotating chamber; A rotational dimension switching assembly (500) comprising a driven component movably connected to the pan / tilt head body (200), a positioning pin (520) connected to the side of the driven component facing the inner casing (320), and an operating component operably connected to the pan / tilt head body (200) and for driving the driven component to move along the direction of the central axis of the pan / tilt head body (200), wherein the positioning pin (520) can achieve locking or unlocking with respect to the inner casing (320), and the center line of the positioning pin (520) is the spherical surface formed by the rotation chamber. A ball head comprising: a rotation dimension switching assembly (500) that passes through the center of a sphere, and when the inner casing (320) is locked by the positioning pin (520), the outer casing (310) is limited to two-dimensional rotational motion around the axial direction of the positioning pin (520) and the axial direction of the rotation pin (340), and when the inner casing (320) is not locked by the positioning pin (520), the outer casing (310) is allowed to perform three-dimensional rotational motion within the rotation chamber.

2. An elastic return component is provided between the outer casing (310) and the inner casing (320) to maintain relative stationary position between them. When the outer casing (310) moves around a direction different from the axial direction of the rotating pin (340), the inner casing (320) is kept from moving synchronously with the outer casing (310) due to the constraints of the swing arm (350) and the swing arm bracket (330). When the positioning pin (520) does not lock the inner casing (320), and the outer casing (310) rotates around the axial direction of the rotating pin (340), the inner casing (320) maintains synchronous movement with respect to the outer casing (310) due to the action of the elastic return component. The ball head according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning pin (520) locks the inner casing (320), and when the outer casing (310) rotates around the axial direction of the rotating pin (340), the inner casing (320) maintains its position, and the outer casing (310) and the inner casing (320) move relative to each other around the axial direction of the rotating pin (340).

3. The ball head according to claim 2, wherein the elastic return component includes a return torsion spring wound around the outer circumference of the rotating pin (340), one end of the return torsion spring is connected to the swing arm bracket (330) or the outer casing (310), the other end of the return torsion spring is connected to the swing arm (350) or the inner casing (320), the inner casing (320) is locked by the positioning pin (520), and when the outer casing (310) and the inner casing (320) move relative to each other around the axial direction of the rotating pin (340), the return torsion spring twists and accumulates elastic energy, and when the inner casing (320) is not locked by the positioning pin (520), the inner casing (320) moves to an initial position where it remains stationary relative to the outer casing (310) due to the action of the elastic energy released by the return torsion spring.

4. The ball head according to claim 3, characterized in that the outer casing (310) is an incomplete casing with an opening at the bottom, the inner casing (320) is an incomplete casing with an opening at the top, and when the inner casing (320) is in an initial position maintaining relative stationary position with respect to the outer casing (310), the orientation of the opening of the inner casing (320) and the orientation of the opening of the outer casing (310) are opposite, and the inner casing (320) is blocking the opening side of the outer casing (310).

5. A connecting column (370) is provided in the center of the inner casing (320), and one end of the swing arm (350) is fixedly connected to the connecting column (370). The return torsion spring includes a first torsion spring (361) and a second torsion spring (362), and one end of both the first torsion spring (361) and the second torsion spring (362) is connected to the swing arm bracket (330), and the other end of both the first torsion spring (361) and the second torsion spring (362) is connected to the swing arm (350). The ball head according to claim 3, wherein the first torsion spring (361) is connected to the swing arm (350) and the inner casing (320) move clockwise to an initial position in which they remain stationary relative to the outer casing (310), and the second torsion spring (362) is connected to the swing arm (350) and the inner casing (320) move counterclockwise to an initial position in which they remain stationary relative to the outer casing (310).

6. The ball head according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that an inner groove (321) is provided on the outside of the inner casing (320), and the positioning pin (520) can enter the inner groove (321) and lock the inner casing (320) when it moves according to the driven part, and can extend out of the inner groove (321) to release the lock on the inner casing (320).

7. The ball head according to claim 6, wherein the operating component is an adjustment ring (530) connected between the base (100) and the tripod head body (200), the adjustment ring (530) is provided so as to rotate in the circumferential direction while maintaining axial fixation with respect to the tripod head body (200), an internal thread is provided on the inner wall of the adjustment ring (530), the driven component is a movable disc (510) screw-connected to the inside of the adjustment ring (530), and the positioning pin (520) is connected to the movable disc (510).

8. The ball head according to claim 7, wherein the movable disc (510) includes a central column (511) located in the center, the direction of the center line of the central column (511) is perpendicular to the direction of the center line of the rotating pin (340) and passes through the center of the sphere formed by the rotating chamber, and the positioning pin (520) is fitted onto the outer circumference of the central column (511).

9. The movable disc (510) further includes an annular groove (512) surrounding the outer circumference of the central column (511), and the positioning pin (520) includes a positioning pin body (521) that is movably fitted onto the outer circumference of the central column (511), and a positioning pin sleeve (522) that is fixedly connected to the outer circumference of the positioning pin body (521) and has an outer diameter larger than that of the positioning pin body (521), and the positioning pin sleeve (522) is inserted into the annular groove (512). The ball head according to claim 8, wherein a limiting ring (540) for restricting the positioning pin sleeve (522) to the annular groove (512) is connected to the movable disc (510), the positioning pin body (521) passes through the limiting ring (540), and an elastic energy storage component (550) is provided in the annular groove (512) that is elastically provided between the positioning pin sleeve (522) and the bottom wall of the annular groove (512).

10. The adjustment ring (530) has an unlock position (A), an intermediate position (B), and a locked position (C) that are sequentially set as it rotates around the circumferential direction of the tripod head body (200). When the adjustment ring (530) is in the unlocked position (A), the inner casing (320) is not locked by the positioning pin (520), and the outer casing (310) is in a state of three-dimensional motion that allows for three-dimensional rotational motion. When the adjustment ring (530) is in the locked position (C), the outer casing (310) is in a two-dimensional motion state in which it can only perform two-dimensional rotational motion around the axial direction of the positioning pin (520) and the axial direction of the rotation pin (340). When the outer casing (310) switches from a three-dimensional motion state to a two-dimensional motion state, the adjustment ring (530) first rotates from the unlocked position (A) to the intermediate position (B), and then rotates from the intermediate position (B) to the locked position (C). When the adjustment ring (530) rotates from the unlocked position (A) to the intermediate position (B), the positioning pin (520) contacts the outer spherical surface of the inner casing (320), and the elastic energy storage component (550) is compressed and then in a stored state. At this time, the outer casing (310) can perform three-dimensional rotational motion within the rotating chamber. When the positioning pin (520) continues to move to a position facing the inner groove (321), a portion of the positioning pin (520) enters the inner groove (321) due to the action of the elastic force of the elastic energy storage component (550), the inner casing (320) is temporarily positioned by the positioning pin (520), and the outer casing (310) is temporarily positioned in a two-dimensional motion state. When the adjustment ring (530) rotates from the intermediate position (B) to the locked position (C), the central column (511) presses the positioning pin (520) upward, the positioning pin (520) presses against the bottom of the inner groove (321), the inner casing (320) is completely locked by the positioning pin (520), and the outer casing (310) is completely locked in a two-dimensional motion state. The ball head according to claim 9, characterized in that when the outer casing (310) switches from a two-dimensional motion state to a three-dimensional motion state, the adjustment ring (530) rotates directly from the locked position (C) to the unlocked position (A), the central column (511) releases the positioning pin (520), a portion of the positioning pin (520) extends out of the inner groove (321) due to the action of the elastic force of the elastic energy storage component (550), and the inner casing (320) is not locked by the positioning pin (520).

11. The ball head according to claim 1, characterized in that a fixing bracket (560) is fixedly connected inside the tripod head body (200), the fixing bracket (560) is fixedly connected to the base (100) through a plurality of guide columns (570), the plurality of guide columns (570) pass through the driven component, and the driven component is slidably connected to the plurality of guide columns (570) along the axial direction of the plurality of guide columns (570).

12. The ball head according to claim 11, further comprising a mounting ring (210) inside the tripod head body (200), the mounting ring (210) being fixedly attached to the side of the fixing bracket (560) away from the base (100), the tripod head body (200) being fixedly connected to the mounting ring (210), and further comprising a damping bushing (220) located inside the tripod head body (200) on the side of the mounting ring (210) away from the fixing bracket (560), the internal space of the damping bushing (220) being the rotation chamber.

13. The ball head according to claim 1, characterized in that a quick-release platform (600) is fixedly connected to the outer casing (310), a mounting head (610) for attaching a camera or video camera is provided on the quick-release platform (600), and a handle (700) is connected to the quick-release platform (600).

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