Electronic Dampener Circuit for Camera Crane Oscillation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Camera cranes without active stabilization systems experience oscillating movements due to elastic strain in cables, leading to undesirable camera platform movement, especially in high-definition and three-dimensional filming.
Innovation Solution
An electronic dampener is introduced, connecting the camera platform's motors in series and using a circuit with a rectifier and variable resistor to provide resistance and dampen oscillations, allowing the platform to return smoothly to a level position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a mechanical leveling system with cables is used to maintain camera platform level position, then the camera platform can be kept level regardless of elevation angle, but oscillating movements occur due to elastic strain in the cables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical cable-based leveling system with an electronic dampening system that uses electrical circuits to resist back-driving of motors. The electronic dampener circuit converts mechanical oscillations into electrical energy dissipation through resistors, eliminating the elastic strain oscillations inherent in mechanical cable systems while maintaining the leveling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electronic dampener circuit as an intermediary between the motor and the mechanical leveling system. This circuit acts as a mediator that absorbs and dissipates the oscillating energy generated by cable elastic strain, preventing the oscillations from manifesting as harmful camera platform movement while allowing the mechanical leveling system to maintain its level position function.
2Speed
If active stabilization systems with electric motors are used to correct out of level conditions, then instantaneous correction can be achieved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing electronic dampening only for the leveling motors rather than a complete active stabilization system with sensors and control circuits for all camera movements. This provides sufficient dampening to eliminate oscillations and improve leveling speed without the full complexity of an active stabilization system, achieving the necessary performance with minimal added complexity.
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 electronic dampener effectively reduces oscillating movements of the camera platform, enabling smoother and quicker leveling, even when active stabilization systems are not used, and simplifies camera mounting by reducing platform movement during transport and use.
Implementation Method 1
The motors used in an active stabilization system... resist the back driving of the motors
Implementation Method 2
connects the series output of the two motors to a variable resistor through a rectifier
Data Source
AI summary
A camera platform may be stabilized by reducing or avoiding oscillating movement, when active stabilization systems are not used. A passive dampener resists the back driving of the motors used in the active stabilization system. This dampening or resistance to back driving the motors in turn dampens movement of the camera platform. Oscillations are reduced or avoided and the camera platform may return more quickly and smoothly to a level position. The dampener may be provided as an add-on or temporarily electrically switched in accessory. The dampener may include a circuit that connects the first and second motors of the active stabilization system in series, and connects the series output of the two motors to a variable resistor through a rectifier. A transistor may be with the variable resistor to provide for more linear adjusting and a more compact variable resistor.