Camera Dolly Rail With Elastomeric Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Camera dolly systems on rail tracks face issues such as jerks and noise due to wheel movement over joint cuts and rail wheel squeal, which affect image quality and studio noise levels, and require large, obstructive rail tracks that are difficult to integrate into studio environments.
Innovation Solution
A dolly system with a rail assembly featuring elongated continuous resilient elements made of rubber, attached to the rail sections, and a wheel assembly with independently rotating lateral support wheels that interact with the resilient element to minimize bumps and noise, allowing smooth movement without gaps or squeal noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional rail sections with joint cuts are used, then the rail track can be assembled from standard sections, but the wheel rolls over bumps and jerks are generated affecting image quality
Solution Approach 1:
An elastomeric element is introduced as an intermediary between the rail section and the wheel. This element absorbs the impact and jerk when the wheel passes over the joint cut, eliminating the harmful effects while maintaining the modularity of the rail system.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric element is pre-installed on the rail section to provide cushioning before the wheel encounters the joint cut. This beforehand cushioning prevents the wheel from directly impacting the joint, thereby eliminating bumps and jerks.
2Ease of manufacture
If rail tracks are placed on studio floor at standard height, then the rail system is easily installed, but the track creates an obstacle protruding up to 20 cm from the floor surface
Solution Approach 1:
The rail track design incorporates a low-profile structure where the elastomeric element and wheel assembly are positioned in a compact arrangement. This reduces the vertical dimension of the obstruction, allowing the rail to be installed on the studio floor without creating a 20 cm protruding obstacle.
3Speed
If rail wheel contact is used for movement, then the dolly can move along the rail track, but rail wheel squeal noise is generated especially on curves
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric element serves as a mediator between the wheel and the rail track. This intermediate layer reduces direct metal-to-metal contact, thereby eliminating the squeal noise generated during wheel-rail interaction, especially when the dolly moves along curves.
Solution Approach 2:
The introduction of the elastomeric element changes the friction and contact parameters between the wheel and rail track. This parameter change reduces the squeal noise by providing a softer, more compliant contact surface that prevents the high-frequency vibrations characteristic of rail wheel squeal.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If micro-accurate engineering is used to minimize joint gaps, then the bump and jerk are reduced, but much time and effort is required during setup
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric element acts as a universal intermediary that compensates for any gaps or misalignments between rail sections. This eliminates the need for micro-accurate engineering during setup, as the elastomeric material naturally fills and cushions against any variations in joint spacing.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric element introduces a compliant parameter that allows the system to accommodate variations in rail section positioning. This parameter change enables the system to tolerate larger joint gaps without generating significant bumps or jerks, thereby reducing setup time and effort.
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 a compact, non-obstructive rail system that reduces jerks and noise, ensuring smooth camera movement and high-quality recordings by using a resilient element and independently rotating lateral support wheels to absorb shocks and prevent wheel climbing noise.
Implementation Method 1
An elastomeric element, which in one embodiment is made by a rubber, is configured to be attached to the at least one rail section along the rail track
Implementation Method 2
The wheel assembly is configured to roll along the rail track on top of the elastomeric element... ensures smooth camera movement and high-quality recordings by using a resilient element and independently rotating lateral support wheels to absorb shocks
Implementation Method 3
The first lateral support wheel and the second lateral support wheel are configured to rotate independent of each other and independent of the center wheel... prevent wheel climbing noise
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A dolly system is disclosed, which overcomes drawbacks related to unwanted noise and jerks of prior art dolly systems. The dolly system comprises wheel assemblies (130) that have independently rotating lateral support wheels (132, 133) in combination with a center wheel (131) that interact with a continuous resilient element (122) when rolling along a rail track, without encountering any gaps or bumps and without producing squeal noise due to so-called wheel-climbing that may occur in curves along the rail track.