Compact 3-Axis Camera Gimbal Layout for Vertical Shooting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera gimbals are large, expensive, and heavy due to the use of brushless motors, making them unsuitable for small drones and unable to photograph in a vertical direction, as the rolling axis rotation is limited, causing the yawing and pitching axes to overlap and lose functionality.
Innovation Solution
A compact three-axis gimbal design with a pitching housing, yawing housing, and rolling housing, each with specific rotational axes, allowing for independent rotation and enabling photography in vertical and horizontal directions, using common gears for driving units to reduce components and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a brushless motor is used in the gimbal, then the photographing stability and quality are improved, but the size, weight, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional brushless motor with a voice coil motor, which uses electromagnetic suspension and magnetic field interaction to achieve positioning without mechanical contact. This substitution eliminates brushes and mechanical wear, reducing weight while maintaining photographing stability through electromagnetic control
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rolling axis is rotated by 90 degrees to photograph in vertical direction, then the photographing versatility is improved, but the yawing and pitching axes overlap causing loss of function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric axis design where the rolling axis is positioned offset from the center, and the yawing and pitching axes are arranged in a non-traditional configuration. This asymmetric arrangement prevents axis overlap when rotating to vertical positions, allowing 360-degree rotation while maintaining all three axes functional and independent
3Manufacturing precision
If a separate camera is mounted on the gimbal, then the photographing quality is improved, but the overall system size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the camera module directly into the gimbal structure, merging the camera housing with the gimbal housing. This integration eliminates the need for separate camera mounting mechanisms and external camera assemblies, reducing system complexity and size while maintaining photographing quality through precise gimbal control
Solution Approach 2:
The gimbal housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the driving units, and integrates the camera module. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated camera mounting structures, simplifying the overall system while achieving high photographing quality
Data Source
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AI summary
A camera gimbal is disclosed. The disclosed camera gimbal comprises: a pitching housing, in which a lens part is disposed, rotating around a first axis; a yawing housing rotating around a second axis vertical to the first axis, and to which the pitching housing is coupled so as to be rotatable around the second axis; and a rolling housing rotating around a third axis vertical to the first and second axes, and to which the yawing housing is coupled so as to be rotatable around the third axis, wherein the first and second axes can cross at a right angle, the second and third axes can cross at a right angle, the first and third axes can be spaced from each other in a state in which the first and third axes can cross at a right angle, and the first and third axes can be arranged on the same plane. In the present invention, various examples are possible.