Compact Survey Camera Body With Solid-State FMC Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera systems for airborne and spaceborne surveying devices face challenges due to large construction and high mass inertia, limiting their integration in size-constrained applications, while software solutions are either underperforming or computationally intensive.

Innovation Solution

A compact camera body design with mechanical FMC stabilization using a movable sensor and a motor system with solid-state joints and an eccentric element, allowing for precise and constant motion control, reducing the number of components and improving reaction times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional mechanical FMC stabilization system is used, then image stabilization performance is improved, but camera body size and mass inertia increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage stabilization performanceVSAvoidcamera body size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical FMC stabilization components with a solid-state actuator that directly moves the sensor along the flight direction. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical linkages, gears, and moving mirrors, achieving image stabilization through direct sensor displacement controlled by solid-state actuators, thereby reducing camera body size while maintaining stabilization performance

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary mechanical components from the traditional FMC system. By removing intermediate mechanical transmission elements and retaining only the essential sensor displacement function, the design achieves compact dimensions while preserving the core image stabilization capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If traditional mechanical FMC components are used, then stabilization function is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestabilization functionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate mechanical FMC components into a single integrated assembly where the sensor, solid-state actuators, and support structure form a unified system. This consolidation reduces the number of discrete parts, simplifies the overall structure, and eliminates the need for complex mechanical linkages while maintaining the stabilization function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The solid-state actuators serve multiple functions: they provide precise positional control of the sensor, enable FMC stabilization along the flight direction, and integrate with the camera's existing mounting and support structures. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated components, thereby simplifying the overall device complexity

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 solution enables a compact, lightweight, and stable camera system with faster reaction times, capable of high-resolution imaging without blur, suitable for multi-camera systems.

Implementation Method 1

The mover is a rotor and the camera body further comprises an eccentric element connected to the rotor, the rotor is operatively linked with the first movable part via the eccentric element the motor is configured for rotating the eccentric element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentEP4008995B1Camera body with mechanical FMC stabilzation for an airborne or spaceborne surveying device
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
  • EP4008995B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4008995B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4008995B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a camera body for an airborne or spaceborne surveying device adapted to be mounted on an aircraft or satellite and to survey the earth surface, the camera body comprising an optics interface configured for receiving projection optics, a holder coupled with the optics interface, a sensor arranged on the holder and configured for being movable relative to the optics interface along a stabilisation axis, the stabilisation axis to be aligned with a movement direction of the aircraft or satellite relative to the earth surface, circuitry connected to the sensor and configured for generating surveying data, the holder comprising a first frame and a first movable part that is connected to the first frame via a first solid-state joint, the sensor arranged on the first movable part, the first solid-state joint configured for providing a movability of the first movable part relative to the first frame along the stabilisation axis, a motor having a mover and a stator, the motor connected to the circuitry, the mover operatively linked with the first movable part, and the stator fixedly arranged relative to the first frame. The invention further relates to an airborne or spaceborne surveying device adapted to be mounted on an aircraft or a satellite and to survey the earth surface, comprising at least one camera with projection optics and a camera body according to the description herein.