Universal Camera Tripod Head Adapter with Pan and Tilt Encoders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large robotic camera systems face challenges with low encoder resolution in direct drive servo motors, leading to poor positional accuracy and high costs, while advanced systems are expensive and exceed budgetary constraints of independent filmmakers.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical design that increases encoder resolution through ratio-metric multiplication by mating a low-resolution quadrature encoder with the rotor hub of a direct drive servo motor, using a silicone rubber sleeve or small spur gear, and incorporating heavy-duty precision bearings for improved repeatability and mounting flexibility, along with a universal camera tripod head adapter to provide comparable functionality at a lower cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a low-resolution encoder is used in a direct drive servo motor, then the cost is reduced, but the positional accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the encoder from the motor assembly, allowing the encoder to be mounted independently on the motor shaft or rotor hub. This segmentation enables the use of a low-resolution encoder while achieving high effective resolution through the mechanical multiplication mechanism, thus reducing cost without sacrificing measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
A mechanical intermediary mechanism (such as a belt, gear, or pulley system) is introduced between the motor shaft and the encoder. This intermediary multiplies the rotational displacement, allowing a low-resolution encoder to accurately measure the position of the motor shaft by amplifying the motion it detects.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an integrated encoder-equipped tripod head is used, then the functionality is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assembly serves multiple functions: it provides encoder mounting, offers various mounting configurations for different tripod heads, and enables both pan and tilt axis encoding. This multi-functionality in a single adapter unit achieves the functionality of integrated encoder-equipped tripod heads while maintaining lower cost through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter acts as an intermediary device that bridges basic tripod heads and encoder requirements. Instead of requiring expensive integrated encoder tripod heads, the adapter mediates between the simple tripod head structure and the encoding functionality, providing the same capability at lower cost.
3Stability of the object's composition
If encoders are built into tripod heads by the manufacturer, then the integration is improved, but the encoder options are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the encoder from the tripod head integration and providing a standardized adapter interface, the system allows users to select different encoder types (optical, magnetic, incremental, absolute) while maintaining stable integration through the universal adapter mounting mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static, manufacturer-fixed encoder configuration to a dynamic, user-configurable setup. The adapter design allows for different encoder types and configurations to be swapped and adapted to various tripod head models, providing flexibility and adaptability while maintaining stable integration.
Data Source
AI summary
A direct drive servo motor is provided and may include a quadrature encoder and a silicone rubber sleeve affixed to the encoder's shaft that is attached to the rotor hub and may also include an axle fixed to the rotor hub, inner and outer bearings, front and rear bearing plates, an outer stator, and an inner rotor rare earth magnet ring. A computer-controlled camera system is also provided and includes a direct drive camera gimbal; a pan-bar system; a robotic control system; a master interconnect unit; custom control software; and a track and gantry system. A universal camera tripod head adapter is also provided and includes front and rear clamps, a clamp handle, side and rear brackets and a silicone rubber sleeve affixed to the shaft of each encoder that rides on the pan and tilt axis lips of a camera tripod head.