Camera Pan-Tilt Gear Drive for Reverse Pull Robustness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current camera pan-tilt-zoom controls suffer from poor robustness, as users may damage components when reversing the camera's angle adjustment, particularly when manually pulling the vertical swing arm or bracket, which can lead to mechanical failure.

Innovation Solution

A camera pan-tilt-zoom control system featuring a gear drive system with a full gear and sector gear configuration, where the first drive system includes a first gear and a second gear engaged with each other, connected to a motor, and a camera mounting bracket securely attached to the pan-tilt-zoom bracket via a bearing, allowing for parallel rotation and reducing the risk of damage during reverse adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a screw drive mechanism is used to adjust the camera angle, then the camera can be adjusted in a vertical direction, but the components may be damaged when the user manually pulls the mechanism reversely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera angle adjustmentVSAvoidcomponent durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional screw drive mechanism by using a rack and pinion system where the rack can be freely pulled in either direction without damage. Instead of a threaded rod that resists reverse motion, the system uses a linear rack that engages with a pinion gear, allowing bidirectional movement while maintaining mechanical integrity through gear engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the screw drive mechanism with a rack and pinion mechanical system. This substitution eliminates the problematic threaded connection that is vulnerable to reverse pulling damage, while providing a more robust gear-based mechanism that can withstand bidirectional forces and manual adjustment operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Speed

If the camera needs to rotate quickly in the opposite direction, then manual pulling is required, but this may damage the vertical swing arm or bracket

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera rotation speedVSAvoidvertical swing arm strength
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the force transmission mechanism by allowing the rack to move freely in either direction under manual force, while the pinion gear on the motor shaft provides controlled engagement. This inversion enables quick reverse rotation by simply pulling the rack, without subjecting the swing arm or bracket to damaging reverse forces on threaded connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the pinion gear as an intermediary between the motor and the rack. This intermediary allows the motor to drive the rack in controlled directions while also permitting manual bidirectional movement of the rack without transmitting damaging forces to the structural components like the swing arm and bracket.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system enhances the robustness of camera pan-tilt-zoom controls by minimizing damage from reverse forces, enabling smooth and wide-angle adjustments without compromising the mechanical integrity of the components.

Implementation Method 1

the camera mounting bracket is securely connected to the pan-tilt-zoom bracket by using a bearing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

the first drive system includes a first gear and a second gear engaged with each other; the first motor is connected to the first gear, and is configured to drive the first gear to rotate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear transmission: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP3591279B1Camera pan-tilt and camera system
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3591279B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3591279B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3591279B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A camera pan-tilt-zoom and a camera system are disclosed. The camera pan-tilt-zoom includes a pan-tilt-zoom bracket (100), a first drive system (200), a camera mounting bracket (300), and a first motor (400). The first drive system (200) includes a first gear and a second gear engaged with each other. The first motor (400) is connected to the first gear, and is configured to drive the first gear to rotate. The camera mounting bracket (300) is connected to the second gear, and is securely connected to the pan-tilt-zoom bracket (100) by using a bearing. The camera mounting bracket (300) is configured to support a camera. A first gear shaft of the first gear, a second gear shaft of the second gear, and an axle center of the bearing are parallel to each other. The camera pan-tilt-zoom adjusts an angle of the camera by using the first drive system, and the first drive system is a gear drive system. When a user manually pulls the first drive system or the camera mounting bracket reversely to adjust an angle of the camera in a vertical direction, components in the camera pan-tilt-zoom are not easily damaged, thereby improving robustness of the camera pan-tilt-zoom.