Nested Gimbal Drive Assemblies for UAV Camera Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gimbals for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are large and bulky, hindering the miniaturization of the vehicles and causing instability in camera lenses during flight or movement.
Innovation Solution
A compact gimbal design featuring multiple drive assemblies connected within a carrying housing, allowing for adjustable angles and balanced weight distribution of camera lenses, reducing overall size and eliminating shaking through precise motor-driven rotations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a traditional gimbal structure is used, then the camera can be mounted and adjusted, but the overall dimension and volume become large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the third drive assembly inside the carrying housing that contains the photographing apparatus. This nested configuration allows the gimbal to maintain its camera adjustment functionality while significantly reducing the overall volume, as the drive assembly is housed within the existing structure rather than adding external components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions the third drive assembly from a traditional external location to an internal location within the carrying housing. This spatial reconfiguration in three-dimensional space allows the gimbal to achieve compactness without sacrificing the camera's adjustability in multiple directions, effectively using dimensional optimization to resolve the contradiction.
2Length of moving object
If the gimbal structure is made compact, then the overall dimension is reduced, but the stability of the camera lens may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterweight principles by strategically positioning the third drive assembly at the center of gravity of the photographing apparatus within the carrying housing. This placement creates a balanced configuration where the drive assembly's mass counterbalances the camera and lens components, maintaining stability even in the compact structure. The balanced distribution prevents unwanted vibrations and oscillations during UAV flight or handheld use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple drive assemblies are used for adjustment, then the photographing angle can be adjusted from multiple directions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the third drive assembly with the carrying housing structure, integrating it into the existing framework rather than adding it as a separate external component. This merging approach allows the gimbal to provide multi-directional adjustment capability through three drive assemblies while reducing the perceived complexity, as the components are unified into a cohesive structure where the third drive assembly shares space and structural support with the carrying housing.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present invention provides a gimbal, a photographing apparatus having same, and an unmanned aerial vehicle. The gimbal includes at least two drive assemblies connected successively; a carrying housing configured to mount the photographing apparatus; one drive assembly of the at least two drive assemblies being mounted within the carrying housing, and the at least two drive assemblies being capable of driving the carrying housing to rotate toward at least two directions, so as to adjust an angle of the photographing apparatus from the at least two directions.