Posture Control Apparatus for Flight Vehicle Stabilization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera gimbal systems face challenges in accurately controlling the posture of objects, especially when used on flight vehicles, due to the difficulty in distinguishing between dynamic and static acceleration components, which affects the stability and precision of image capture.

Innovation Solution

A posture control apparatus that utilizes a control unit to determine the gravity direction by computing a static acceleration component from both dynamic and static acceleration detection signals, allowing for precise control of the object's posture by adjusting the holding apparatus based on this determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single acceleration detection signal is used to control posture, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of gravity direction deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacceleration detection systemVSAvoidgravity direction
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The acceleration detection signal is segmented into static acceleration component (gravity) and dynamic acceleration component (motion). Two different acceleration detectors are used: one optimized for detecting static acceleration and another for dynamic acceleration. This segmentation allows each detector to specialize in its respective function, improving overall measurement precision without requiring an overly complex single-detector system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A signal processing unit acts as an intermediary that receives signals from both acceleration detectors, separates the static and dynamic components, and processes them appropriately. This intermediary processing stage enables the system to extract gravity direction information from the static component while filtering out motion interference from the dynamic component, achieving high precision without excessive hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If motion compensation is applied to separate static and dynamic acceleration components, then the measurement precision of gravity direction is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestatic acceleration componentVSAvoidsignal processing system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using complex mechanical isolation systems to separate static and dynamic acceleration measurements, the patent substitutes mechanical approaches with signal processing methods. The signal processing unit electronically separates the static and dynamic acceleration components from combined detection signals, achieving the same effect as mechanical isolation but with reduced mechanical complexity and increased flexibility.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the processing parameters of the acceleration signals by applying motion compensation algorithms. By detecting motion state information and using it to compensate the acceleration signals, the system transforms the raw combined signals into separated static and dynamic components. This parameter-based processing approach improves measurement precision while keeping the hardware structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If correction information is generated and applied to the static acceleration component, then the measurement precision of gravity direction is further improved, but the device complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegravity directionVSAvoidcontrol system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Correction information is generated in advance based on detected motion state information and stored for later application. This preliminary preparation of correction data allows the system to quickly compensate static acceleration components during operation without real-time complex calculations. The correction information is pre-processed and stored, reducing the computational burden during active posture control and minimizing processing time while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution enables accurate and stable posture control of objects, even when attached to flight vehicles, by effectively separating static and dynamic acceleration components, thereby improving image capture quality and preventing blurring or object deviation from the view.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric first acceleration detection unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a non-piezoelectric second acceleration detection unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoresistive effect: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10969662B2Posture control apparatus, holding apparatus, posture control method, and program
Publication Date: 2021.04.06 SONY GROUP CORP
  • US10969662B2 patent drawing
  • US10969662B2 patent drawing
  • US10969662B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A posture control apparatus, comprising a control unit that determines, on a basis of a static acceleration component, a gravity direction in a holding apparatus holding an object to be held, the static acceleration component being computed on a basis of a first acceleration detection signal and a second acceleration detection signal, the first acceleration detection signal being acquired by detecting a dynamic acceleration component acting on the holding apparatus, the second acceleration detection signal being acquired by detecting the dynamic acceleration component and the static acceleration component acting on the holding apparatus, and controls, by controlling posture of the holding apparatus on a basis of the gravity direction, posture of the object to be held.