Camera Stabilization System Using Slip Rings and Gyro Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern camera systems experience undesirable jitteriness and unnatural field of view movement due to rotation around multiple axes, leading to suboptimal video and image stabilization.
Innovation Solution
An electronic stabilization apparatus incorporating gyroscopic feedback, motor control boards, adjustable mounting plates, balancing motors, and slip rings for power and signal connections, allowing for dynamic stabilization along multiple axes, including a fourth axis assembly for additional stabilization and flexibility in mounting orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If camera systems rotate around multiple axes to enable flexible positioning and 360-degree rotation, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but image stability and video quality deteriorate due to unwanted jitteriness and unnatural field of view movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs gyroscopic sensors to detect rotation and movement of the camera system in real-time, feeding this information back to control motors that actively counteract unwanted motion. This feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain image stability while allowing flexible positioning and 360-degree rotation, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses counterbalancing motors and weighting mechanisms to offset the effects of gravity and unwanted rotational forces. By applying counteracting forces through these mechanisms, the system maintains stable imaging while enabling flexible multi-axis positioning and rotation, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If 360-degree rotation capability is implemented for flexible camera positioning, then adaptability is improved, but wiring complexity increases due to potential twisting and connection issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces slip rings as intermediary components that enable continuous 360-degree rotation while maintaining stable electrical connections. These slip rings act as mediators between the rotating camera assembly and the stationary power/signal sources, preventing wire twisting and simplifying the wiring system despite the enhanced rotation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates power and signal transmission through a unified slip ring system that handles multiple functions simultaneously. This multi-functional approach reduces the number of separate connection systems needed, thereby reducing overall wiring complexity while enabling full 360-degree rotational freedom.
3Stability of the object's composition
If gyroscopic feedback and motor control systems are added for stabilization, then image stability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines gyroscopic sensing, motor control, and stabilization functions into an integrated system where components work together as a unified whole. By merging these functions rather than treating them as separate add-ons, the system achieves effective image stabilization while reducing overall complexity compared to a collection of independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-balancing and self-stabilization capabilities where the system automatically detects and corrects its own positioning and orientation without external intervention. This self-service approach reduces the need for complex external control systems and manual adjustments, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high stabilization performance.
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 provides robust stabilization along X, Y, and Z axes, allowing for 360-degree rotation without twisting wiring, reducing unwanted motion, and enabling flexible camera positioning while maintaining a level horizon, thus enhancing image and video quality.
Implementation Method 1
The stabilization apparatus may include a motor control board with one or more gyroscopic sensors
Implementation Method 2
one or more balancing motors to rotate elements of the stabilization apparatus around a pan, tilt, and/or roll axis
Data Source
AI summary
In embodiments, a roll axis assembly may include a camera mounting plate to mount with a camera such that an optical axis of the camera is approximately parallel with the camera mounting plate and coincident with a first axis of the apparatus. The roll axis assembly may further include a roll motor coupled with the camera mounting plate, the roll motor to rotate the camera mounting plate around the first axis. The apparatus may further include a pan/tilt axis assembly coupled with the roll axis assembly, the pan/tilt axis assembly to rotate the camera mounting plate around a second axis of the apparatus that is perpendicular to the first axis of the apparatus and also perpendicular to the camera mounting plate. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.