Handheld Gimbal Follow Modes for Fast Motion and Stable Imaging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handheld gimbals face challenges in effectively tracking various sports activities due to limitations in controlling movement to capture smooth and stable images or videos, especially during rapid rotations and dynamic movements.

Innovation Solution

A handheld gimbal control method and device that includes a processor to select from multiple follow modes with different speeds, allowing the gimbal to follow the movement of an input device or handheld member, with the roll axis arm maintaining a horizontal attitude in the fastest follow mode, using axis assemblies driven by electric motors and an inertial measurement unit for attitude control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the gimbal follows movement rapidly to capture high-motion sports activities, then the ability to track fast movements is improved, but image stability and smoothness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefollowing speedVSAvoidimage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multiple follow modes (first follow mode and second follow mode) that dynamically adjust the gimbal's response characteristics. The system can switch between different following speeds and attitude maintenance strategies based on operational requirements, allowing rapid response for tracking fast movements while maintaining stability for smooth footage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key control parameters including following speed and roll axis behavior. In the first follow mode, the gimbal maintains horizontal attitude on the roll axis for stability. In the second follow mode, the gimbal follows roll axis movements for faster tracking. This parameter switching resolves the contradiction between speed and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the gimbal maintains horizontal attitude on roll axis to ensure stability, then image smoothness is improved, but the ability to follow rapid movements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage smoothnessVSAvoidmovement tracking speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the roll axis behavior based on the selected follow mode. In the first follow mode, the roll axis maintains horizontal attitude for smooth images. In the second follow mode, the roll axis follows input device movements for rapid tracking. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between smoothness and tracking speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The gimbal system is designed to perform multiple functions through different follow modes: it can maintain stable horizontal attitude for smooth footage, or it can rapidly follow movements for action shots. The same hardware platform supports both stabilizing functions, making the system universal for different shooting scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the gimbal uses multiple follow modes with different speeds, then adaptability to various sports activities is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to sports activitiesVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically switches between different follow modes based on user selection or detected motion characteristics. The processor adjusts control parameters in real-time to match the selected mode, enabling adaptability to various sports activities without requiring multiple physical gimbals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes control parameters (following speed, roll axis behavior) based on the selected follow mode. This parameter-based approach allows a single gimbal hardware to adapt to different sports activities by simply adjusting software control parameters, rather than requiring complex mechanical reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables the gimbal to capture high-motion sports activities with stability, maintaining the photograph device in a horizontal attitude, resulting in upright and jitter-free images that faithfully represent the liveliness of the activities.

Implementation Method 1

using axis assemblies driven by electric motors and an inertial measurement unit for attitude control

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertial measurement: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

The at least one axis assembly includes an axis arm and an electric motor to drive the axis arm to move

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Linear Motor

Data Source

PatentEP3736653B1Handheld gimbal control method and handheld gimbal
Publication Date: 2023.03.01 SZ DJI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3736653B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3736653B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3736653B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and device for controlling a handheld gimbal can track various sports activities. The method includes obtaining a first input instruction, selecting one follow mode from a plurality of follow modes for following movement of an input device or a handheld member of the handheld gimbal based on the first input instruction, and controlling movement of the handheld gimbal using the selected follow mode to follow the movement of the input device or the handheld member. The plurality of follow modes have different following speeds.