Pan-Tilt Camera Mounting Without Image Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional security camera systems require complex mechanical and electronic adjustments, including rotational mechanisms, to maintain a level image when mounted on walls, which increases complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A camera system that uses two-axis pan and tilt functionality without Z-axis gimbal rotation, allowing the same support body and camera subsystem to be used for both ceiling and wall mounts, with the pan axis always in the vertical direction, eliminating the need for rotational movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional 3-axis gimbal with rotational mechanisms is used to maintain a level image when wall mounted, then the image can be leveled, but the mechanical and electronic complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the Z-axis rotational mechanism from the conventional 3-axis gimbal system. By extracting this unnecessary rotational component, the system achieves image leveling for both wall and ceiling mounts using only pan and tilt movements, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining the required manufacturing precision for level images
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal mounting system where the same support body and camera subsystem can be used for both ceiling and wall mounts. The pan axis is designed to always remain in the vertical direction regardless of mounting orientation, allowing the single system to perform multiple mounting functions without requiring rotational mechanisms
2Adaptability or versatility
If rotational mechanisms are added to handle wall mounting, then the system can be adapted to wall mounts, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support body is designed with universal adaptability to accommodate both ceiling and wall mounting configurations. The same support body structure works for both mounting types by maintaining the pan axis in the vertical direction, eliminating the need for separate rotational mechanisms for different mounting orientations and thereby reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of rotating the camera or support body to adapt to different mounting orientations, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the pan axis consistently vertical regardless of mounting orientation. This inversion eliminates the need for rotational adaptation mechanisms while maintaining mounting versatility
3Manufacturing precision
If rotational mechanisms are included for wall mounting capability, then the system can maintain level images, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the costly rotational mechanism from the system. By eliminating this component, the system achieves image leveling through pan and tilt movements alone, directly reducing material costs, assembly costs, and maintenance costs while maintaining the required manufacturing precision for level images
Data Source
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AI summary
A camera system is disclosed that enables movement in the pan and tilt directions while maintaining a level image when wall or ceiling mounted. The camera system includes one or more motors to pan or tilt the camera, but does not include a motor to rotate the camera image. The camera system can have a wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted configuration, with the pan axis of the camera in the vertical direction. In this way, movements in the pan or tilt direction of the camera maintain the level image, thereby avoiding any need to rotate the camera. For example, the camera system may include a support body and a camera subsystem, which includes the camera. The position of the support body relative to the camera may be different in the wall-mounted configuration versus the ceiling-mounted configuration; however, in both configurations, the camera can have its pan axis in the vertical direction.