Battery-Powered Telescoping Camera Crane for Portable Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescoping camera cranes are too heavy for small portable camera dollies and lack stability due to reduced structural components when minimized, and they require a power source via cable, limiting flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight camera crane design featuring a telescopic inner arm within a pivotally attached outer arm, supported by a counterweight carriage and electric extension motor, with a battery-powered electrical unit that includes an AC to DC converter for independent power operation, allowing the crane to be compact, stable, and cable-free.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the camera crane is made smaller and lighter to fit on small portable dollies, then portability is improved, but structural stability deteriorates due to reduced capability to resist bending, flexing, twisting, or vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a telescoping arm design where an inner arm is nested within an outer arm, allowing the crane to extend to full length when needed and retract to a compact size for transport. This nesting principle enables the crane to achieve both small packaged dimensions and full operational length without requiring proportionally heavier construction throughout the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different structural qualities to different parts of the crane arm. The outer arm is constructed with sufficient structural integrity to provide stability when the inner arm is extended, while the inner arm can be lighter since it telescopes within the stronger outer structure. This localized differentiation of structural quality allows weight reduction in critical areas while maintaining overall stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If telescoping camera cranes are made with sufficient structural components to maintain stability, then camera stability is improved, but weight increases exceeding the safe load capacity of small portable dollies
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping configuration allows the stronger outer arm structure to support the camera load while the lighter inner arm provides extension capability. The outer arm carries the primary structural load, enabling the overall crane to be lighter than a solid-arm crane of the same length while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The crane utilizes electric motors to dynamically extend and retract the telescoping arms, replacing the need for continuously heavy structural reinforcement. The motorized extension mechanism allows the crane to achieve full operational length only when needed, permitting weight reduction in the structural components compared to a fixed-length crane that must maintain stability at all times.
3Use of energy by moving object
If wall current is used to power electric motors in telescoping camera cranes, then power availability is improved, but flexibility deteriorates due to cable connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source from the wall current infrastructure and incorporates a rechargeable battery pack directly into the crane assembly. This extraction eliminates the physical cable connection requirement, allowing the crane to operate independently from fixed power sources and be deployed in locations without readily available electrical outlets.
Solution Approach 2:
The crane incorporates an integrated battery pack with AC to DC converter that can be recharged from standard AC outlets when available, but operates autonomously on stored battery power when outlets are unavailable. This self-service capability allows the crane to power its own electric extension and leveling motors without requiring continuous connection to external power infrastructure.
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 design enables a compact, stable, and flexible camera crane that can operate in confined spaces without a power cable, maintaining camera stability and extending/retracting functionality while being portable and self-sufficient.
Implementation Method 1
The electrical power unit may include an AC to DC converter electrically connectable to the electric extension motor
Implementation Method 2
The electrical power unit includes a housing having a battery section
Implementation Method 3
an inner arm telescopically supported within the outer arm on arm rollers. A counterweight carriage is supported on the outer arm on carriage rollers
Data Source
AI summary
A lightweight camera crane has an outer arm pivotally attached to a base. A moving counterweight carriage is supported on carriage rollers on top of the outer arm. An inner arm is supported on arm rollers within the outer arm. An electric extension motor drives telescoping extension and retraction movement of the inner arm via chains, belts or cables connected to the counterweight carriage and the inner arm. An electrical power unit is supported at a back end of the outer arm. The electrical power unit includes a rechargeable battery for powering the electric extension motor.