Multirotor Aircraft Rotating Body Camera Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multirotor aircraft designs pose safety risks and operational limitations for the camera system during takeoff and landing, and restrict camera angles and accessibility, especially when changing lenses or requiring independent camera control.

Innovation Solution

A multirotor aircraft design featuring a rotating body connected to a frame via a bearing, equipped with actuator assemblies and a drive system that allows the body to rotate 180 degrees, enabling safe camera positioning during takeoff and landing, and providing 360-degree filming capabilities with a shock-absorbing mechanism and controller for automatic camera stabilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the camera system is moved below the level of the landing structure or the landing structure is moved over the level of camera view, then unobstructed 360 degree view is achieved, but the camera is not safe at takeoff or landing and is hard to reach

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing angleVSAvoidcamera safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a rotating body mechanism that allows the camera assembly to dynamically change its position relative to the landing structure. The body can rotate to bring the camera above the landing structure during flight while keeping it protected below during takeoff and landing, thus achieving both safety and viewing flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the whole flight system has to be rotated, then camera viewing angles are improved, but dynamic control and independence of camera control from flight control is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera viewing angleVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the camera control system from the flight control system by implementing an independent rotating body mechanism. This segmentation allows the camera assembly to be controlled independently through the drive system, enabling camera positioning without requiring rotation of the entire flight system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the camera is positioned for front viewing, then upward and downward views are enabled, but yaw control of the camera requires rotation of the whole system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera viewing directionVSAvoidcamera control ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating body mechanism provides dynamic positioning capability for the camera assembly. The drive system can rotate the body to orient the camera in any direction (up, down, left, right, front, back) independently, eliminating the need for whole system rotation to achieve yaw control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Ensures the camera's safety and ease of access during takeoff and landing, offers expanded filming angles, and maintains robustness by allowing independent camera control without rotating the entire system, enhancing operational flexibility and safety.

Implementation Method 1

body and frame are connected by a bearing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

multirotor aircraft comprises a shock absorbing mechanism coupled with the drive system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3400171B1Multirotor aircraft
Publication Date: 2021.03.31 AUTEL ROBOTICS CO LTD
  • EP3400171B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3400171B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3400171B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A multirotor aircraft (10) comprises a body (12) comprising a main body (122) and a camera assembly (124) with a camera coupled to the main body (122); a frame (14) connected to the body (12), comprising a multirotor propulsion system (142); and a drive system coupled with the body (12) and the frame (14), for driving the body (12) to rotate against the frame (14). With said multirotor aircraft (10), full unobstructed 360° yaw field of view of the camera in the upper or lower hemisphere can be obtained and the camera is in a safe position at takeoff and landing.