Direct-Drive UAV Gimbal Platform for Fast Multi-Axis Stabilization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerial photography stabilizing platforms for unmanned aerial vehicles suffer from long response times and limited adjustment precision due to gear transmission, making it difficult to adapt to various flying postures and resulting in suboptimal image quality.

Innovation Solution

A multi-rotor aerial vehicle equipped with a tri-axis platform featuring a dual-axis mechanism driven by direct motor connection, allowing for quick and indefinitely variable adjustments to maintain image stability, utilizing DC brushless motors and sensors for dynamic posture monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If gear transmission is used to achieve dual-axis or tri-axis rotation of the camera, then the platform can perform multi-axis rotation, but the response time is long and adjustment is slow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timeVSAvoidtransmission structure
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the gear transmission mechanism from the system and replaces it with direct motor-to-bracket connections. This extraction of the problematic transmission component eliminates the lag inherent in gear systems while maintaining the multi-axis rotation capability through direct motor drive of the first, second, and third brackets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical gear transmission system with a direct electromagnetic motor drive system. Instead of using mechanical gears to transfer motion, the invention uses motors directly coupled to the brackets, replacing the mechanical transmission chain with a more responsive electromagnetic actuation system.

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

2Measurement precision

If gear transmission is used to achieve camera rotation, then the platform can adapt to various postures, but the adjustment precision is not high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment precisionVSAvoidposture adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic adjustment system where motors continuously control the rotation of brackets to adapt to changing flight postures. The system transitions from static gear-based positioning to dynamic motor-controlled positioning, enabling real-time precision adjustment as the UAV changes orientation during flight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates sensors that detect the UAV's flight posture and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables the motors to continuously adjust the camera angle with high precision, maintaining optimal shooting angles despite changes in flight posture through closed-loop control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If gear transmission platform is used, then the structure is relatively simple, but it cannot eliminate the influence due to low frequency shake or airframe tilt

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage stabilityVSAvoidplatform structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses sensors to detect low-frequency vibrations and airframe tilts, feeding this information back to the motor control system. The motors then actively compensate for these disturbances by adjusting the camera angle in real-time, eliminating the influence of platform vibrations and tilts on image stability through active stabilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary detection of flight posture and vibration characteristics using sensors, allowing the system to anticipate and pre-adjust the camera angle before image quality deteriorates. This proactive adjustment prevents vibration and tilt effects from degrading image stability rather than merely reacting after degradation occurs.

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

The solution enables timely and precise adjustments to the camera's angle, improving shooting stability and image quality by reducing energy consumption and enhancing response times, thus meeting professional standards.

Implementation Method 1

the first motor is configured to directly drive the first bracket to rotate relative to the second bracket

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the second motor is configured to directly drive the second bracket to rotate relative to the third bracket

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

the third motor is configured to directly drive the third bracket to rotate relative to the connecting frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3549872B1Dual-axis platform for use in a small unmanned aerial vehicle and tri-axis platform for use in a small unmanned aerial vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 SZ DJI OSMO TECH CO LTD
  • EP3549872B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3549872B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3549872B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention discloses a dual-axis platform for use in an unmanned aerial vehicle and a tri-axis platform for use in an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising a machine frame assembly, a transmission assembly and a shooting assembly. The machine frame assembly comprises a first bracket, a second bracket and a third bracket, wherein the shooting assembly is fixed on the first bracket, the first bracket is rotatably arranged with the second bracket, and the second bracket is rotatably arranged with the third bracket. The transmission assembly comprises a first motor and a second motor, wherein the first motor drives the first bracket to rotate about its rotation axis relative to the second bracket, and the second motor drives the second bracket to rotate about its rotation axis relative to the third bracket. The present invention employs the motors, as a motive power, to directly connect to the machine frame assembly of the platform, consumes less energy and saves electrical power; meanwhile the motors have a short action response time, are capable of starting and stopping quickly, or adjusting the magnitude of the rotation speed in a timely manner to adapt for various flying postures of the unmanned aerial vehicles and thereby improving shooting stability of the shooting assembly.