Camera Dolly Telescopic Column Nested Tube Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertical telescopic columns for camera dollies have a direct relation between maximum and minimum height, limiting the camera's position to the top of the longest tube, making it impossible to lower the camera below the height of the longest tube, which increases size, weight, noise, and instability when attempting to reduce the minimum height.
Innovation Solution
An additional externally movable tube and supporting element are integrated around the telescopic column, allowing the camera head to descend to the base of the dolly, with PAN and TILT control mechanisms, enabling the camera to reach lower positions without increasing the size or weight of the assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If more tubes are added and made shorter to reduce minimum height, then the minimum height of the optics can be reduced, but the size, weight, noise, and instability of the assembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The movable tube is nested within the telescopic column structure, with the camera head able to position itself at different heights along the tube. This allows the minimum height to be reduced without adding external support structures, thereby avoiding increased weight and instability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a movable tube with a movable supporting element that can dynamically adjust the camera head position. This dynamic system allows the camera to reach lower positions than the fixed tube configuration would permit, reducing the minimum height without requiring additional static tubes that would increase weight.
2Length of stationary object
If more tubes are added and made shorter to reduce minimum height, then the minimum height of the optics can be reduced, but the noise while in operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the movable tube within the existing telescopic column, the invention avoids adding multiple separate tube assemblies that would each require motors and generate noise. The integrated design reduces the number of moving parts and motors, thereby reducing operational noise.
3Length of stationary object
If more tubes are added and made shorter to reduce minimum height, then the minimum height of the optics can be reduced, but the instability of the assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nested tube design maintains a compact, integrated structure that is more stable than multiple separate tubes. The movable supporting element is securely guided within the tube, preventing lateral movement and maintaining stability even at reduced heights.
Data Source
AI summary
A dolly used for filming includes a vertical telescopic column having a filming head or camera positioned on the end thereof. The column includes a movable tube placed externally around a stationary main column; the movable tube is connected to the end of the telescopic column. A camera-supporting element is in turn movably mounted on the movable tube, and a tilting mechanism is included as well.