Three-Axis Stabilization Platform With Nested Gimbal Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles with six degrees of freedom face challenges in stabilizing directional components, such as sensors or antennas, within compact spaces, as existing solutions only allow stabilization about one or two axes, not three, due to size constraints.
Innovation Solution
A compact stabilization platform using three motors to stabilize a platform along three axes, with a roll motor, elevation motor, and rotation motor, coupled with a control system that utilizes sensor information from an inertial reference frame to maintain orientation, allowing for independent pivoting or rotation about azimuth, elevation, and roll axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If stabilization about three axes is implemented, then the stability of directional components is improved, but the device complexity increases due to requiring three motors and associated mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested gimbal structure where the first gimbal assembly (with roll motor) is positioned within the second gimbal assembly (with elevation motor), which is in turn positioned within the third gimbal assembly (with rotation motor). This nesting arrangement allows three-axis stabilization while minimizing the overall footprint and reducing structural complexity compared to a distributed three-motor configuration.
2Ease of manufacture
If three motors are spaced apart along the azimuth axis, then the manufacturing and assembly is simplified, but the volume of the sensor compartment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nested gimbal configuration allows the three motors to be arranged in a compact vertical stack along the azimuth axis rather than being spaced apart horizontally. The roll motor is nested within the elevation motor assembly, which is nested within the rotation motor assembly, significantly reducing the sensor compartment volume while maintaining ease of assembly through modular construction.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact sensor compartment is used, then the space constraints are satisfied, but the ability to implement three-axis stabilization is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The nested gimbal structure enables three-axis stabilization within a compact sensor compartment by stacking the rotational mechanisms vertically. The first gimbal (roll axis) is nested within the second gimbal (elevation axis), which is nested within the third gimbal (rotation/azimuth axis), maximizing the use of vertical space and achieving full three-axis capability in a minimal footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a horizontal distribution of motors to a vertical stacking arrangement, utilizing the vertical dimension to accommodate all three motors and their mechanisms. This dimensional reorganization allows the sensor compartment to be compact in horizontal footprint while maintaining full three-axis stabilization capability through the vertical nesting of gimbal assemblies.
Data Source
AI summary
A stabilization system is provided with at least one sensor to measure and correct orientation of a platform relative to an inertial reference frame. A roll motor is affixed to a platform for pivoting the platform about a roll axis and an elevation motor is configured to rotate the platform about an elevation axis. A rotation motor pivots the platform about an azimuth axis. A control system using the sensor measurements, actuates the roll motor, elevation motor and the rotation motor to maintain a substantially constant orientation of the platform relative to the inertial frame of reference. The rotation motor, the elevation motor and the roll motor are spaced apart from each other along the azimuth axis.