Gimbal Yaw-Axis Locking Structure for Secure Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gimbals lack a mechanism to securely lock their attitude in a non-operational state, making them inconvenient to store and transport.
Innovation Solution
A locking structure for a gimbal that includes a rotating member, a bearing member, a cover, a locking switch, and a positioning snap member connected via an elastic member, allowing for yaw-axis locking by snapping the snap-fit portion into a preset position on the bearing member when the locking switch is activated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If limiting structures are provided to limit operating angle in operational state, then the gimbal can rotate within particular angular ranges, but the attitude of the gimbal is not locked when in non-operational state
Solution Approach 1:
The locking structure dynamically transitions between locked and unlocked states based on operational requirements. The snap member can engage with the bearing member to lock the yaw axis in non-operational states, or disengage to allow rotation during operational states, making the system adaptable to different functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The limiting structure is segmented into separate functional components: a snap member for locking, a bearing member for rotation, and an elastic member for providing restoring force. This segmentation allows independent optimization of locking reliability and operational flexibility.
2Reliability
If a locking structure is added to lock the gimbal in non-operational state, then the gimbal can be securely stored and transported, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking structure is merged with the existing yaw-axis rotation structure. The snap member integrates with the bearing member and rotating member, sharing common components and spatial arrangement, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving reliable locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member automatically provides restoring force to return the snap member to its initial position after locking or unlocking, eliminating the need for additional actuators or complex control mechanisms. The structure serves itself by using elastic deformation to maintain operational states.
3Reliability
If the snap-fit portion is snapped to the bearing member to effect yaw-axis locking, then the gimbal attitude is securely locked, but the mechanism requires precise alignment with preset position
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member allows the snap member to undergo positional changes and absorb alignment tolerances through elastic deformation. This parameter change capability enables the locking mechanism to achieve reliable engagement without requiring extremely precise manufacturing alignment between the snap-fit portion and the bearing member.
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 secure locking of the gimbal in a non-operational state, preventing unwanted rotation and facilitating storage and transport by ensuring the yaw-axis is fixed at a preset position.
Implementation Method 1
One end of the positioning snap member is connected to the locking switch via an elastic member
Data Source
AI summary
A gimbal includes an axis structure including a rotating member, a bearing member rotatably connected to the rotating member, and a locking structure. The rotating member includes a rotor of a motor or a member fixedly connected to a rotor. The bearing member includes a stator of the motor or a member fixedly connected to a stator. The locking structure includes a positioning snap member movably provided on one of the rotating member and the bearing member and configured to engage with another one of the rotating member and the bearing member. The axis structure is a yaw-axis structure, a roll-axis structure or a pitch-axis structure. The motor is configured to control a movement about a pitch axis, a movement about a yaw axis, or a movement about a roll axis. A rotational position of the rotating member relative to the bearing member is locked by the locking structure when the rotating member rotates to a preset position.