Tri-Axis Camera Gimbal Structure for Lightweight Posture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing triaxial rotation apparatuses for aerial vehicles are not adequately miniaturized or lightweight, which hinders their ability to maintain camera posture during aerial vehicle rotations, and they lack effective cooling and easy camera replacement mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A triaxial rotation apparatus with a compact design featuring flexible connecting members, a three-axis rotation system, and a heat dissipation structure using aluminum components, allowing for precise camera posture control and easy camera detachment and replacement, while minimizing space and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a triaxial rotation apparatus is mounted on an aerial vehicle to maintain camera posture, then camera posture stability is improved, but the apparatus size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested gimbal structure where the first housing containing the first motor is disposed inside the second housing containing the second motor, and the third housing containing the third motor is disposed inside the second housing. This nesting arrangement allows multiple rotation axes to be compactly integrated, providing triaxial rotation capability while minimizing overall apparatus size and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the driver, three motors, three housings, and camera into a single integrated triaxial rotation apparatus. The driver electrically connects all three motors through flexible connecting members, merging control and actuation functions into one unified system. This integration reduces the number of separate components, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining camera posture stability through coordinated triaxial rotation.
2Volume of moving object
If the triaxial rotation apparatus is miniaturized to reduce weight, then apparatus size is reduced, but manufacturing precision and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the apparatus into three distinct housings (first, second, and third housings), each containing a separate motor and responsible for rotation about a specific axis. This segmentation allows each housing to be manufactured and assembled independently, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements compared to creating a single monolithic compact structure. The modular design facilitates easier assembly and maintenance while achieving miniaturization.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested arrangement of housings creates a hierarchical structure where the third housing is disposed inside the second housing, and the first housing is disposed inside the second housing as well. This nesting provides natural positioning and alignment references, reducing the need for high-precision manufacturing tolerances. The nested structure inherently guides assembly sequences and reduces cumulative positioning errors.
3Ease of operation
If flexible connecting members are used to electrically connect motors, then ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but connection reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible connecting members made of flexible printed circuit boards to electrically connect the driver to the first, second, and third motors. These flexible circuits provide the necessary electrical connectivity while accommodating the relative movements and rotations of the motor assemblies. The flexibility allows the connecting members to bend and deform without breaking during operation, maintaining electrical contact reliability despite the dynamic nature of the triaxial rotation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible connecting members are designed to dynamically adapt to the movement and rotation of the motors within their housings. As the housings rotate about their respective axes, the flexible circuits can bend and flex accordingly, maintaining electrical connectivity throughout the range of motion. This dynamic adaptability ensures reliable electrical connection without requiring rigid, fixed-position wiring that would constrain the movement of the motor assemblies.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of a tri-axial rotation apparatus comprises: a drive part; a first housing which rotates about a first axis and with respect to the drive unit and accommodates a first motor; a second housing which rotates about a second axis, perpendicular to the first axis, and with respect to the first housing, and accommodates a second motor, a third housing which rotates about a third axis, perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis, and with respect to the second housing, accommodates a third motor, and has a camera mounted thereon; a first connection part disposed between the first motor and the first housing along the outer peripheral surface of the first motor; a second connection part disposed between the second motor and the second housing along the outer peripheral surface of the second motor; and a third connection part disposed between the third motor and the third housing along the outer peripheral surface of the third motor, wherein the first connection part, the second connection part, and the third connection part are formed of flexible material and may be electrically connected to the drive part.