Multi-Stage Drive Train for Quiet Video Camera Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive trains for pan and tilt heads in professional video cameras generate unacceptable noise at high speeds due to gear or toothed belt drives, which interfere with audio equipment.
Innovation Solution
A drive train system comprising successive stages of belt, friction, and gear drives, where the belt drive reduces rotational velocity and increases torque, the friction drive provides additional torque without noise, and the gear drive stabilizes rotational speed, with a slip facility in the friction drive acting as a mechanical fuse and clutch for overload protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If gear drives or toothed belt drives are used for high torque requirements, then torque transmission is improved, but noise increases making it unacceptable for professional video camera applications
Solution Approach 1:
The drive train is divided into multiple sequential stages, each handling a portion of the torque multiplication. This segmentation allows the use of different drive types (toothed belt, friction, gear) at different stages, combining their advantages while avoiding the noise problem of continuous gear drives at high speed
Solution Approach 2:
A friction drive is introduced as an intermediary element between the toothed belt drive and the final gear drive. This friction drive acts as a noise-absorbing intermediate stage that transmits torque through friction contact rather than tooth meshing, thereby reducing noise while still achieving torque multiplication
2Volume of moving object
If high speed rotation is used for compact packaging, then device size is reduced, but noise from gear meshing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operating parameters of different drive stages, allowing the input stage to operate at high speed for compactness while subsequent stages operate at progressively lower speeds. The friction drive stage specifically operates at intermediate speeds, absorbing noise while maintaining the compact high-speed input configuration
3Object-generated harmful factors
If multiple drive stages are used to reduce noise, then noise is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple drive functions are merged into a single integrated friction drive component that serves both as a torque transmission element and a noise-absorbing element. The friction drive combines the functions of torque multiplication and noise reduction that would otherwise require separate mechanisms
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 system enables quiet operation at high speeds, effectively reducing noise interference with audio equipment, providing increased torque for high torque requirements, and allowing for compact packaging and manual disengagement of the camera platform.
Implementation Method 1
a friction drive which reduces the velocity of rotation and which increases the torque
Implementation Method 2
a belt drive which reduces the velocity of rotation and which increases the torque
Implementation Method 3
said respective successive drive stages incorporating a gear drive
Data Source
AI summary
A drive train apparatus (1) adapted for driving a pan and tilt head, which in use is intended to support a payload (for example a video camera), the apparatus includes respective successive drive elements (2, 3, 4) so coupled as to communicate a rotational movement applied at one end of the apparatus (1) from an output of a rotational input device (8) to a rotational output (16) disposed at the other end of the apparatus (1), in a manner whereby the rotational velocity of the rotational movement is reduced across the drive elements (2, 3, 4) thereby converting the torque applied to the input of each drive element (2, 3, 4) into an increased torque at the output of each drive element (2, 3, 4); a first stage one of the drive elements including a belt drive.