Imaging Gimbal Axis Inversion for Continuous Unobstructed Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gimbal apparatuses require manual user intervention and interruption of imaging when the pitch angle increases, leading to potential shielding of the imaging light beam by the gimbal structure.
Innovation Solution
A gimbal apparatus with a processor-controlled drive system that automatically adjusts the gimbal axes to prevent light beam shielding by detecting and correcting excessive rotation angles, allowing continuous imaging without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pitch angle increases during imaging, then the gimbal structure can prevent light beam shielding, but the user must manually invert the roll axis and yaw axis and stop imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The gimbal apparatus automatically detects when the pitch angle exceeds the predetermined threshold and self-corrects by inverting the roll axis and adjusting the yaw axis, eliminating the need for manual user intervention. The control unit monitors the pitch angle continuously and executes the axis inversion autonomously, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring external operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the pitch angle and uses this feedback to determine when axis inversion is necessary. When the pitch angle exceeds the predetermined threshold, the control unit receives feedback about the current orientation and automatically executes the correction sequence, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal imaging conditions without user input.
2Reliability
If the pitch angle increases during imaging, then the gimbal structure may shield the imaging light beam, but manual correction requires stopping imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary axis inversion before the pitch angle causes light beam shielding to occur. By detecting when the pitch angle exceeds the predetermined threshold and executing the inversion sequence proactively, the system prevents the harmful condition of light beam shielding rather than reacting to it after it occurs, thereby maintaining continuous imaging without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic axis inversion mechanism enables continuous imaging by eliminating interruptions. The control unit manages the pitch angle and performs necessary axis inversions in the background without requiring the imaging process to stop, thereby maintaining the continuity of the useful action (image capture) while preventing light beam shielding.
3Productivity
If automatic axis inversion is implemented, then continuous imaging is enabled, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs multiple functions: it monitors the pitch angle, determines when axis inversion is needed, executes the inversion sequence, and manages the overall gimbal operation. By making the control unit universal and multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated components for each function, thereby implementing automatic axis inversion with minimal increase in overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A gimbal apparatus includes a first drive unit configured to rotate a first support portion about a first axis, a second drive unit configured to rotate a second support portion supporting an imaging unit about a second axis, a third drive unit configured to rotate the imaging unit about a third axis, a detector configured to detect a rotation angle about the third axis. In a case where the rotation angle exceeds a predetermined angle during imaging, the gimbal apparatus drives the first drive unit so that the second drive unit rotates to an opposite position to the second-axis orthogonal plane while the imaging unit continues to perform imaging, and drives the third drive unit so that the rotation angle from the second-axis orthogonal plane to an opposite side of the second drive unit with respect to the opposite position is the predetermined angle.