Camera Crane Tractor Tread System for Soft Terrain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera cranes and their mobile bases perform poorly on soft surfaces like sand or mud and are limited to use on relatively flat or gradually inclined surfaces, leading to instability and unsatisfactory filming due to shock and vibration.
Innovation Solution
A camera crane tractor with parallel wheel decks, tread rollers, and angled wheel guide strips, along with a motor-driven system, securely attaches a mobile base with clamps and jacks to distribute the camera's weight directly onto the tractor chassis, ensuring stability on varied surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile base with wheels is used to support the camera crane, then the camera can be moved on flat surfaces, but the camera crane performs poorly on soft surfaces like sand or mud and is limited to relatively flat or gradually inclined surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the contact interface parameters by replacing wheeled contact with tread-based contact. The treads have a different geometric configuration (interlocking lobes) that changes how the mobile base interacts with soft surfaces, allowing it to penetrate and grip rather than sink and slip, thereby improving reliability on soft surfaces while maintaining versatility across different terrain types
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile base is segmented into multiple treads with interlocking lobes rather than a single wheeled contact point. This segmentation allows different parts of the tread system to engage with the terrain at different points, distributing the load and providing mechanical interlocking with soft surfaces, which improves stability without limiting surface adaptability
2Ease of operation
If a mobile base with wheels is used to support the camera crane, then the camera can be moved on flat surfaces, but the camera crane experiences shock and vibration leading to unsatisfactory filming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the motion transmission parameters by replacing direct wheeled contact with a tread-based system featuring damping elements. This modifies how terrain irregularities are transmitted to the camera crane, filtering out high-frequency vibrations and shocks while maintaining the ability to move the camera across different surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The damping elements act as intermediary components between the treads and the camera crane. These intermediaries absorb and attenuate shock and vibration forces generated by terrain irregularities, preventing them from being transmitted to the camera while still allowing the camera to be moved to different positions
3Adaptability or versatility
If tread rollers are used instead of wheels on the mobile base, then the camera crane can operate on soft surfaces, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tread system is segmented into modular treads with interlocking lobes that can be assembled around the tread rollers. This segmentation allows the complex tread structure to be built from standardized components, reducing manufacturing complexity while achieving the surface adaptability needed for soft terrain operation
Solution Approach 2:
The tread rollers are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide the rotational drive mechanism while also supporting the tread structure that enables soft surface operation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining surface versatility
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 allows for smooth and stable camera movement on a wide range of surfaces, including soft and steeply inclined areas, reducing unwanted camera movement and improving image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a motor (46) for driving the treads (44)
Implementation Method 2
The treads (44) distribute the weight of the tractor (40) over a large area allowing the tractor to move over soft ground
Implementation Method 3
The wheel guide strips may have an angle complimentary to an angled sidewall of the wheels of the mobile base
Implementation Method 4
A clamp bolt is tightened to clamp the mobile base down onto the tractor
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A camera crane tractor (40) includes first and second spaced apart and parallel wheel decks (48) on a chassis (42). The tractor has left and right side treads (44) supported on tread rollers (54) on the chassis, and a motor (46) for driving the treads. One or more wheel guide strips (50) on each of the wheel decks guides the wheels (32) of a mobile base (26) rolling onto the wheel decks. The wheel guide strips may have an angle complimentary to an angled sidewall of the wheels of the mobile base. Wheels stops (58, 60) are positioned at the ends of the wheel decks to prevent longitudinal movement of the mobile base after it is loaded onto the tractor. Threaded holes (64) may be provided in the chassis between the wheel decks to allow the mobile base to be clamped down onto the tractor.