Unipod Rotating Apparatus Locking Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unipod rotating apparatuses for video shooting equipment suffer from structural unreasonableness, inaccurate angle adjustment, poor appearance, and inconvenience in use, with issues such as vibration during rotation and sealing problems in damping systems.
Innovation Solution
A unipod rotating apparatus with a main rod, adapting platform, and rotating device featuring a rotating tube, threaded connections, and a locking structure, which allows for 360° rotation while preventing external forces from causing inaccurate angles and includes wear-proof and locking mechanisms to enhance stability and usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a damping device with damping oil is used to reduce vibration during rotation, then vibration damping effect is improved, but sealing complexity increases and the device requires maintenance after seal aging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the damping device and damping oil from the rotating apparatus, extracting the harmful factor (sealing complexity and maintenance burden) while accepting a trade-off in vibration damping performance. The solution focuses on achieving stability through structural design rather than fluid damping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple mechanical structures with wear-resistant treatments instead of complex sealed damping systems. The connecting screw and rotating tube use straightforward mechanical connections that are easier to manufacture and maintain, even if they have shorter service lives compared to well-sealed damping systems.
2Reliability
If a projecting regulating screw is used for locking the universal joint, then locking function is achieved, but the appearance is affected and the screw may hook clothing
Solution Approach 1:
The locking structure is nested within the rotating tube, with the locking groove and locking block integrated into the tube's wall. This nested design eliminates the need for external projecting screws, maintaining a clean appearance while providing reliable locking through the internal groove-block mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific locking groove with precise geometry at the locking location, and using a corresponding locking block with matching features. This localized structural design provides reliable locking without requiring a projecting screw that would affect overall appearance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If clearance exists between the sleeve rod and sleeve cup for rotation, then 360° rotation is enabled, but obvious vibration occurs during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material approaches by applying wear-resistant treatments (such as PTFE coating or hardening layers) to the rotating tube and connecting screw surfaces. This creates a composite structure that maintains rotational capability while reducing friction and vibration through the specialized surface properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional sleeve-rod mechanical connection with a rotating tube and connecting screw assembly that uses threaded engagement combined with friction-based rotation control. This substitution reduces clearance-induced vibration while maintaining 360° rotation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A unipod rotating apparatus includes a main rod, an adapting platform fixing photographic equipment, and a rotating device connecting the adapting platform to the main rod in a rotatable manner, in which the rotating device includes a rotating tube, a first connecting structure, a second connecting structure and a rotation connecting structure, in which the rotating tube is sleeved around the main rod; the first connecting structure fixedly connects the adapting platform to the upper end of the rotating tube; the second connecting structure is fixedly connected to the upper end of the main rod; and the rotation connecting structure is arranged between the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure, such that the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure are connected with each other in a relatively rotatable manner.