Video Camera Support Head Lever Disengagement Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support heads for video photographic apparatus lack intuitiveness and require significant user effort due to unclear disengagement mechanisms and high elastic constants to prevent unbalanced loads, leading to potential apparatus instability.
Innovation Solution
A three-axis support head with articulated joints and a gear reduction mechanism using an endless screw and ring gear, combined with a pivoting operating lever and grip appendage, allows for intuitive and precise rotation about multiple axes while maintaining engagement against unbalanced loads through a spring and safety elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high elastic constant spring is used to keep the adjustment mechanism engaged against unbalanced loads, then the reliability of preventing unintended disengagement is improved, but the user effort required to rotate the ring nut and maintain disengagement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A cam surface is introduced as an intermediary mechanical element between the spring force and the operating lever. The cam surface converts the spring's elastic force into a directional pushing action that automatically re-engages the pinion with the rack when the lever is released, eliminating the need for the user to manually overcome the full spring force to maintain disengagement.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the user to actively maintain disengagement against the spring force, the system is inverted so that the spring force itself becomes the mechanism for automatic re-engagement. The cam surface inverts the action by using the spring's pushing force to automatically return the lever to the engaged position when released, making disengagement maintenance passive rather than active.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a ring nut rotation mechanism is used to disengage the adjustment mechanism, then the ability to disengage gearing is achieved, but the intuitiveness for the user deteriorates as there is no immediate indication of the rotation direction required
Solution Approach 1:
The operating lever is designed with asymmetric geometry, being wider at one end than the other. This asymmetric shape provides immediate tactile and visual indication to the user about the correct rotation direction, as the wider end naturally guides the user's hand and indicates which direction to push or rotate the lever for disengagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam surface acts as an intermediary that translates the user's pushing action on the operating lever into the rotational movement needed to disengage the gearing. Instead of requiring the user to understand ring nut rotation directions, the cam surface mediates by converting a simple push action into the appropriate disengagement motion.
3Manufacturing precision
If a gear reduction mechanism is used to achieve precise rotation, then the manufacturing precision of apparatus positioning is improved, but the speed of rotation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: engaged mode where the gear reduction mechanism provides precise rotation control, and disengaged mode where free rotation enables high-speed movement. The operating lever allows the user to dynamically transition between these modes, combining the advantages of both precision and speed in different phases of the positioning operation.
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 intuitive and precise control over the video photographic apparatus' orientation, reducing user effort and preventing unintended disengagement, thus enhancing safety and usability by allowing fast initial positioning and fine adjustments with reduced risk of apparatus instability.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic action of a spring which tends to keep the adjustment mechanism in mutual engagement
Implementation Method 2
The adjustment mechanism typically comprises a reduction mechanism such that a rotation of the operating lever carried out by the user results in a rotation of much smaller angular amplitude of the first body relative to the second body
Implementation Method 3
the operating lever is pivoted on the second body so as to be able to oscillate about a pivot axis
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 5~8B
AI summary
A support head for video photographic apparatus, comprises: an attachment element (3) for the video photographic apparatus (4), at least one articulated joint (10a; 10b; 10c) formed between a first joint element (11; 12; 13) and a second joint element (12; 13; 14) designed to rotate the attachment element relative to a base about an axis of rotation (X; Y; Z) of the head, an operating lever (22; 32; 42) associated with the second joint element to rotate the second joint element relative to the first joint element, wherein the operating lever is pivoted on the second joint element and can be oscillated to disengage a second gear element from a first gear element and allow the first and the second joint elements to rotate freely.