Adjustable Camera Head Stabilization for Moving Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera stabilization systems face challenges in maintaining camera stability when mounted on moving vehicles, particularly due to changes in vehicle orientation, gravitational loads, and wind forces, leading to undesirable lens movement and reduced image quality.
Innovation Solution
A camera head with adjustable pan and tilt frames, equipped with gyro sensors and motors, which are remotely controlled to maintain camera stability by compensating for unwanted movements, and can be configured to accommodate various payload sizes and shapes through adjustable arm lengths and extensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large camera head is used to support a large payload, then the payload capacity is improved, but the weight and bulk of the equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera head incorporates adjustable pan and tilt frames with variable arm lengths that can be dynamically reconfigured. The pan frame arms and tilt frame arms can be extended or repositioned along their respective axes, allowing the camera head to adapt its structure to match different payload requirements rather than being fixed at a large size for all situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the camera head structure by allowing adjustment of arm lengths and frame positions. The pan frame arms can be positioned at different distances from the center, and the tilt frame arms can be extended or retracted, effectively changing the moment arm parameters to optimize for different payload weights and dimensions.
2Quantity of substance
If a large camera head is used to support a large payload, then the payload capacity is improved, but the speed of desired movements and overall versatility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By making the camera head structure dynamically adjustable, the system can switch between compact configurations for fast movement and extended configurations for heavy payload support. The adjustable arms and frames allow optimization of the moment of inertia by repositioning components closer to the rotation axis when speed is prioritized.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the camera is mounted on a moving vehicle, then the ability to follow action and achieve desired angles is improved, but camera stability deteriorates due to vehicle movement
Solution Approach 1:
The camera head incorporates gyro sensors that detect unwanted movements and rotations. This sensory feedback is processed by a computer controller that then actuates motors to counteract the detected movements, creating a closed-loop feedback system that maintains camera stability despite vehicle motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilization system works by detecting unwanted motion and applying counteracting forces through motors before the motion significantly affects the camera positioning. The system proactively counteracts disturbances rather than merely reacting to them.
4Adaptability or versatility
If remote camera head operations are used to access difficult locations, then the ability to film from inaccessible positions is improved, but the complexity of the equipment and control systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera head integrates multiple functions into a single unit: pan and tilt rotation, payload adjustment mechanisms, gyro stabilization, and remote control capability. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require separate devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to operate in difficult locations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively stabilizes the camera, reducing unwanted movement and improving image quality by dynamically adjusting to changes in the vehicle's motion and payload configuration, while allowing for versatile use with different camera setups.
Implementation Method 1
A remote camera head is mounted on a camera crane. The crane can move the camera head, and the camera on the head, into locations not accessible using conventional camera operations
Implementation Method 2
A computer controller then operates electric motors linked to the camera platform. The electric motors move the platform to try to cancel out the undesired lens movement and keep the lens steady and aimed as desired
Data Source
AI summary
A camera support or head has a pan frame pivotably attached to a support hub. The support hub is attached to a camera crane or similar apparatus. The pan frame has first and second spaced apart and parallel adjustable length pan arms. A pan motor is attached to the pan frame and adapted to pivot the pan frame about a pan axis relative to the support hub. A tilt frame is pivotably attached to the pan frame. The tilt frame may include first and second spaced apart and parallel adjustable length tilt arms attached to opposite ends of a camera mounting plate. A tilt motor is attached to the tilt frame and to the pan frame and is adapted to pivot the tilt frame about a tilt axis perpendicular to the pan axis. The adjustable length tilt arms allow the camera head to extended to accommodate cameras requiring more vertical clearance. The adjustable length tilt arms allow the camera platform to be moved to better locate the center of gravity of the camera on the tilt axis, for more balanced loading.