Camera Dolly Steering Device with Wheel Decoupling Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera carriage steering devices are complex to manufacture and prone to failure, with cumbersome repositioning of steering rods and interactions with peripheral devices, making them difficult to handle and operate.
Innovation Solution
A steering device with a pivoting mechanism that allows decoupling of wheels from the steering system, enabling all wheels to pivot together or independently, with a simplified locking and adjustment system that eliminates the need for repositioning the steering rod, allowing easy mode changes and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a steering device with multiple operating modes is implemented using prior art solutions (central drive chain with multiple chains or repositioning steering rod), then the camera carriage can achieve various steering modes (front wheel steering, rear wheel steering, crab mode, round mode), but the construction becomes complex to manufacture and prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The steering device is segmented into independent wheel steering units, where each wheel (front and rear) can be independently coupled or decoupled from the steering rod. This segmentation allows the system to achieve multiple steering modes by selectively engaging or disengaging individual wheels from the steering mechanism, eliminating the need for complex multi-chain drive systems or repositioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering device employs dynamic coupling and decoupling mechanisms that allow wheels to be selectively connected or disconnected from the steering rod during operation. This dynamic reconfiguration enables transition between different steering modes (front wheel steering, rear wheel steering, crab mode, round mode) without requiring physical repositioning of the steering rod or complex mechanical transformations, thereby simplifying the overall construction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the steering rod is repositioned to change operating modes in prior art solutions, then different steering modes can be achieved, but the repositioning process is complex and annoying, especially when peripheral devices, seat arrangements, etc. are connected to the camera carriage
Solution Approach 1:
The steering device incorporates preliminary coupling mechanisms that pre-position the wheels in their respective steering configurations. The wheels are pre-configured with coupling devices that can be quickly engaged or disengaged from the steering rod, eliminating the need for complex repositioning operations. This preliminary arrangement allows operators to switch between steering modes by simply actuating the coupling mechanisms rather than manually repositioning the steering rod amidst peripheral devices and seat arrangements.
3Device complexity
If all wheels are coupled together via gear to pivot in the same direction, then the construction is simple, but each individual wheel cannot be decoupled for free pivoting when needed (e.g., during operation on rail)
Solution Approach 1:
The steering device employs dynamic coupling and decoupling mechanisms that allow wheels to be selectively connected or disconnected from the steering rod. This dynamic reconfiguration enables transition between different steering modes (front wheel steering, rear wheel steering, crab mode, round mode) without requiring physical repositioning of the steering rod or complex mechanical transformations, thereby simplifying the overall construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering device is segmented into independent wheel steering units, where each wheel (front and rear) can be independently coupled or decoupled from the steering rod. This segmentation allows the system to achieve multiple steering modes by selectively engaging or disengaging individual wheels from the steering mechanism, eliminating the need for complex multi-chain drive systems or repositioning mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The device has a handle bar connected with a wheel (10) e.g. front wheel and rear wheel, including pivoting units (13, 14, 18), and a handle bar operatively connected with the pivoting units. Another wheel is pivoted through one of the pivoting units by a operating transmission unit in a pivoting axis (17), and decoupling units (23, 25) decouple the former wheel from the pivoting units such that the latter wheel is decoupled from the former wheel by pivoting the former wheel by the pivoting units. Locking units (22, 24) lock the wheels opposite to a chassis frame of a camera dolly.