Balanced Orbital Camera Hub for Low-Vibration Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orbital camera systems are typically fixed and unbalanced, leading to vibrations during rotation, limiting their versatility and effectiveness in imaging applications.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible orbital camera system with a motor-driven hub and extensions that rotate about a balanced axis, featuring a counterweight system and adjustable focal elements, allowing for precise positioning and reduced vibration, along with wireless remote control for motion and lighting management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If existing orbital camera systems are fixed mounted, then structural stability is improved, but versatility and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components including a hub, multiple extensions with cameras, counterweights, and mounting mechanisms. Each extension can be independently positioned and configured, allowing the system to maintain stability through modular assembly while achieving versatility through various configuration arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The extensions are designed to be dynamically adjustable in position and orientation around the hub. The motorized rotation mechanism allows extensions to move to different angular positions, and the focal elements can be adjusted along the rotation axis, enabling the system to adapt to different imaging scenarios while maintaining structural integrity.
2Device complexity
If orbital camera systems rotate unbalanced, then device complexity is reduced, but vibration and imaging quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Counterweights are strategically positioned on extensions to balance the rotating mass distribution around the hub. This counterbalancing mechanism eliminates vibrations caused by unbalanced rotation, allowing the system to rotate smoothly without requiring complex vibration damping systems.
3Ease of operation
If extensions are fixed in position, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to different imaging configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Extensions are equipped with motorized rotation capabilities that allow them to be easily repositioned around the hub to different angular positions. The focal elements can also be adjusted along the rotation axis, providing dynamic configurability while maintaining simple operation through automated control mechanisms.
4Measurement precision
If camera system is mounted close to object, then imaging detail is improved, but stability and vibration control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the hub (mounting point) from the camera extensions, allowing the hub to remain stable at a distance while extensions position cameras close to objects. This segmentation enables stable mounting with precise imaging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Counterweights on extensions balance the system even when cameras are positioned close to objects, maintaining stability during rotation and preventing vibrations that would compromise both imaging quality and structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
An orbital camera system has at least two extensions that extend from a hub to rotate a camera about a hub in a balanced and low vibration manner. In addition, the exemplary orbital camera system is versatile in configuration having extensions with hinges to allow variations in the configuration. The hub may be powered by a motor that provides smooth rotation even at low speeds. The hub is coupled to a down rod and the motor may be detachably attached to the down rod. A counterweight may be a battery or a battery station that enables detachable attachment of a battery thereto. An illumination light is coupled to the hub to provide uniform light over the imaging area. A focal element and/or a centering light emitter may be configured along the rotational axis for aid in placing an object to be imaged.