Pan-Tilt Locking Ring Structure for Compact Quick Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pan-tilt quick locking devices are bulky, complex, and require significant space, making them unsuitable for modern, smaller, and lighter photographing instruments, particularly in UAV applications where compactness and ease of operation are essential.

Innovation Solution

A pan-tilt quick locking device featuring a slide rail mechanism with a locking ring and pan-tilt connecting device, utilizing a concave-convex mating structure and elastic positioning members for relative sliding and locking, allowing for compact design, simple operation, and flexible positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional eccentric wheel mechanisms are used for pan-tilt quick locking, then reliable locking function is achieved, but device volume and structural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking functionVSAvoiddevice volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential locking function from the complex eccentric wheel mechanism, retaining only the necessary components (locking ring with positioning holes, elastic positioning members, and sliding slots) while eliminating unnecessary mechanical elements. This extraction maintains reliable locking while significantly reducing device volume and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical eccentric wheel system with a simplified mechanism using elastic positioning members that slide into positioning slots. This substitution eliminates complex linkages and reduces the overall mechanical system size while maintaining the quick locking and releasing functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If traditional eccentric wheel mechanisms are used for pan-tilt quick locking, then reliable locking function is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking functionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential locking function from the complex eccentric wheel mechanism, retaining only the necessary components (locking ring with positioning holes, elastic positioning members, and sliding slots) while eliminating unnecessary mechanical elements. This extraction maintains reliable locking while significantly reducing device volume and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple functions into integrated components. The locking ring simultaneously provides structural support, defines the locking path through its geometry, and contains the positioning holes that guide the elastic members. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining reliable locking functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If traditional quick locking devices are used, then locking function is achieved, but operating space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequick locking and releasingVSAvoidoperating space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a nested structure where the elastic positioning members are contained within the locking ring's inner cavity. The positioning members slide within predefined slots, and the entire mechanism is compactly arranged to minimize the operating space required for quick locking and releasing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from planar eccentric wheel motion to a three-dimensional sliding mechanism where elastic members move along vertical slots within the locking ring's inner cavity. This dimensional change allows the locking mechanism to operate in a compact vertical space rather than requiring larger horizontal operating area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Weight of stationary object

If smaller and lighter photographing instruments are used, then instrument size and weight are reduced, but compatibility with existing locking devices decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotographing instrument weightVSAvoidcompatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a universal locking mechanism with a standardized locking ring structure that can accommodate various sizes of photographing instruments. The adjustable positioning holes and elastic members allow the same basic mechanism to work with different instrument weights and dimensions, ensuring compatibility across smaller and lighter photographing equipment while maintaining secure locking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The device achieves compactness, ease of operation, and expanded application range by enabling secure locking and loosening of the pan-tilt head within a small space, accommodating smaller and lighter photographing instruments effectively.

Implementation Method 1

a first elastic positioning member located in the first positioning hole... one end of the first elastic positioning member extends into the sliding slot, and can slide into the first positioning slot or the second positioning slot along the sliding slot

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3597982B1Pan-tilt quick locking device
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 PRODRONE TECH (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
  • EP3597982B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3597982B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3597982B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention provides a pan-tilt quick locking device, comprising a locking ring and a pan-tilt connecting device capable of generating relative forward and backward sliding with the locking ring along an inner cavity of the locking ring via a slide rail mechanism, and the pan-tilt connecting device locking the pan-tilt connecting device or loosening the pan-tilt connecting device via the relative sliding in the inner cavity of the locking ring. The pan-tilt quick locking device is structurally compact, has a small volume, can operate in a relatively small space, is simple to operate overall, and is convenient to use.