The present disclosure generally relates to the mechanical stabilization technology field and, more particularly, to a gimbal and a gimbal system.
Connection arms of a gimbal are usually connected by a shaft. A plurality of connection arms are electrically connected via wires in a hollow portion of the shaft. In order for the hollow portion to have sufficient space for wiring, a diameter of the shaft is made relatively large, which results in a relatively large volume of the gimbal, making it difficult to realize miniaturization of the gimbal and to carry the gimbal.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gimbal, including a shaft, a first connection arm, a second connection arm, a connector, and a motor. The first connection arm includes an avoidance hole. The second connection arm is rotatably connected to the first connection arm. The connector passes through the avoidance hole. Two ends of the connector are connected to the first connection arm and the second connection arm, respectively. The motor is configured to drive the first connection arm and the second connection arm to rotate relative to each other around the shaft. The connector moves in the avoidance hole.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gimbal system, including a gimbal and a load. The gimbal includes a shaft, a first connection arm, a second connection arm, a connector, and a motor. The first connection arm includes an avoidance hole. The second connection arm is rotatably connected to the first connection arm. The connector passes through the avoidance hole. Two ends of the connector are connected to the first connection arm and the second connection arm, respectively. The motor is configured to drive the first connection arm and the second connection arm to rotate relative to each other around the shaft. The connector moves in the avoidance hole. The load is mounted at the second connection arm. When rotating relative to the first connection arm, the second connection arm is configured to drive the load to rotate relative to the first connection arm.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are further described in connection with the accompanying drawings. Same or similar signs in the accompanying drawings represent same or similar elements or elements having same or similar functions.
In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure described in connection with the accompanying drawings are exemplary and merely embodiments used to describe the present disclosure but not to be understood as a limitation to the present disclosure.
In the present disclosure, unless otherwise determined and specified, a first feature “on” or “below” a second feature may include that the first feature contacts the second feature directly or indirectly via an intermediate medium. Moreover, a first feature being “above,” “on,” or “over” a second feature may include that the first feature is right or obliquely above the second feature, or a horizontal height of the first feature is higher than a horizontal height of the second feature. A first feature being “under,” “below,” or “beneath” a second feature may include that the first feature is right or obliquely under the second feature, or the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than the horizontal height of the second feature.
As shown in
The load 200 is mounted at the gimbal 100. In some embodiments, the load 200 may be detachably mounted at the gimbal 100. The load 200 may communicate with the gimbal 100 via a wired connection or a wireless connection. The load 200 may also not communicate with the gimbal 100. Different loads 200 may be chosen to be carried at the gimbal 100 according to different application requirements of the gimbal system 1000. For example, the load 200 may include an imaging device, such as a visible light camera, a cell phone having a photographing function, a depth camera, an infrared camera, etc. For another example, the load 200 may include a display device, such as a cell phone having a display function, a game console, a smartwatch, a projecting display device, etc. The load 200 may include a device having the imaging function and the display function or a device configured to realize other functions, for example, a flashlight, a radar, etc. Hereinafter, embodiments are described with the load 200 being an imaging device having a display function as an example.
The gimbal 100 may be configured to carry the load 200. The gimbal 100 may move to drive the load 200 to move to change a direction and a position of the load 200 of collecting or transmitting data. In some embodiments, the gimbal 100 may move to change the direction of the imaging device for collecting images, and to drive an angle of the imaging device for displaying the image to change. The gimbal 100 may include a handheld gimbal. A user may hold the gimbal 100 with one hand or both hands. The gimbal 100 may be an on-board gimbal. The gimbal 100 may be carried at an unmanned machine, for example, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), an unmanned vehicle, an unmanned ship, etc. In some embodiments, for example, the gimbal 100 is described as a handheld gimbal 100. The gimbal 100 includes a first connection arm 10, a second connection arm 20, a shaft 30, a connector 40, and a motor 50.
As shown in
In the gimbal system 1000 of embodiments of the present disclosure, the connector 40 passes through the avoidance hole 11 to connect the first connection arm 10 and the second connection arm 20. When the first connection arm 10 and the second connection arm 20 rotate relative to each other, the connector 40 may move in the avoidance hole 11. Since a space may not need to be formed in the shaft 30 for the connector 40 to pass through, a diameter of the shaft 30 may be made relatively small, which is beneficial for the miniaturization of the gimbal 100 and the gimbal 100 may be convenient to carry.
As shown in
In some embodiments, the avoidance hole 11 is arranged at the first wall 14. The avoidance hole 11 communicates with two sides of the first wall 14. After the connector 40 passes through the avoidance hole 11, a portion of the connector 40 is located on one side of the first wall 14, and another portion of the connector 40 is located on the other side of the first wall 14. In some embodiments, a portion of the connector 40 is located in the avoidance space 13, and another portion of the connector 40 is located outside the avoidance space 13. The two portions pass through the avoidance hole and are connected to each other. In some other embodiments, the avoidance hole 11 may be arranged at the first wall 14 and may not pass through the first wall 14. For example, the avoidance hole 11 may be arranged on one side of the first wall 14, and the first wall 14 may include a hollow chamber. The avoidance hole 11 may communicate with the avoidance space 13 and the hollow chamber. The user may insert the connector 40 from the avoidance hole 11 into the hollow chamber to be connected to the first arm 10.
In some other embodiments, the avoidance hole 11 may be arranged at the first wall 16. The connector 40 may pass through the avoidance hole 11 to pass through the second wall 16. In some other embodiments, the avoidance holes 11 may be arranged at both of the first wall 14 and the second wall 16. At least one connector 40 may pass through the avoidance hole 11 at the first wall 14 to pass through the first wall 14, and at least one connector 40 may pass through the avoidance hole 11 at the second wall 16 to pass through the second wall 16. When the avoidance hole 11 is arranged at the second wall 16, the avoidance hole 11 may not pass through the second wall 16. For example, the avoidance hole 11 may be arranged on one side of the second wall 16. The second wall 16 may include a hollow chamber. The avoidance hole 11 may communicate with the avoidance space 13 and the hollow chamber. The user may insert the connector 40 from the avoidance hole 11 into the hollow chamber to be connected to the first connection arm 10.
A first connection base 12 is mounted at the first connection arm 10. The first connection base 12 may be configured as a portion of the first connection arm 10. The first connection base 12 may include a plug configured for an electrical connection. Pins of the first connection base 12 may be connected to an electronic device mounted at the first connection arm 10. In some embodiments, the first connection base 12 is arranged at the first wall 14.
As shown in
In some embodiments, the second connection arm 20 includes a body 21 and a cover 22. The cover 22 is detachably mounted at the body 21. When the second connection arm 20 and the first connection arm 10 are assembled, the cover 22 is located between the body 21 and the first wall 14. The cover 22 includes a through-hole 221. A position of the through-hole 221 corresponds to a position of the avoidance hole 11. After passing through the avoidance hole 11, the connector 40 passes through the through-hole 221 to pass through the cover 22 to be further connected to the body 21. A shape of the through-hole 221 may include a circle, an oval, a rectangle, etc. In some embodiments, a centerline of the through-hole 221 may be in an arc shape. The centerline of the through-hole 221 is centered on the shaft 30. When the second connection arm 20 and the first connection arm 10 rotate relative to each other around the shaft 30, the connector 40 may move in the through-hole 221. The through-hole 221 with the centerline in the arc shape may cause the second connection arm 20 and the first connection arm 10 to rotate relative to each other with a greater angle.
A second connection base 23 is mounted at the second connection arm 20. The second connection base 23 may be configured as a portion of the second connection arm 20. The second connection base 23 may include a plug configured for the electrical connection. Pins of the second connection base 23 may be connected to an electronic device mounted at the second connection arm 20. In some embodiments, the second connection base 23 may be arranged at the body 21. One or more second connection bases 23 may be included. After the cover 22 is mounted at the body 21, the cover may prevent dust and water vapor from entering the second connection base 23 to improve the overall sealing of the gimbal 100.
As shown in
In some embodiments, the shaft 30 passes through the first connection arm 10 and the second connection arm 20 to rotatably connect to the first connection arm 10 and the second connection arm 20. In some embodiments, the first connection arm 10 includes a first shaft hole 17, the second connection arm 20 includes a second shaft hole 24, and the second shaft hole 24 may be aligned with the first shaft hole 17. In some embodiments, the first shaft hole 17 is arranged at the first wall 14 and the second wall 16, and the second shaft hole 24 is arranged at the cover 22 and the body 21. The shaft 30 passes through the first shaft hole 17 and the second shaft hole 24. Two shafts 30 may be included. One shaft 30 passes through the first shaft hole 17 at the first wall 14, the second shaft hole 24 at the cover 22, and the second shaft hole 24 at the body 21 in sequence. The other shaft 30 passes through the first shaft hole 17 at the second wall 16 and the second shaft hole 24 at the body 21 in sequence.
The shaft 30 is rotatably connected to the first wall 14 and the second wall 16. The shaft 30 is fixedly connected to the second connection arm 20. In some embodiments, bearings are mounted in the first shaft hole 17, and the shaft 30 passed through the first shaft hole 17 and is rotatably connected to the first wall 14 and the second wall 16 through the bearings. After being inserted into the second shaft hole 24, the shaft 30 is fixedly connected to the second connection arm 20. For example, the shaft 30 may include a screw. The shaft 30 is inserted in the second shaft hole 24 and may be connected to the second connection arm 20 by a threaded connection. When the second connection arm 20 and the first connection arm 10 rotate relative to each other, the shaft 30 may rotate with the second connection arm 20 synchronously.
In some other embodiments, the shaft 30 may be fixedly connected to the first connection arm 10 and rotate with the first connection arm 10 synchronously. Further, the shaft 30 may be rotatably connected to the second connection arm 20. The first shaft hole 17 may only be arranged at the first wall 14 or on the second wall 16. A single shaft 30 may be included. A specific form of the shaft 3 may not be limited to the above examples, as long as the shaft 3 may rotatably connect the first connection arm 10 and the second connection arm 20.
In some other embodiments, the first connection arm 10 and the second connection arm 20 may include opposite connection structures. For example, the second connection arm 20 may include the first wall, the connection wall, and the second wall and form a recessed structure. The first connection arm 10 may include a protrusion structure and be located in the avoidance space formed by the first wall, the connection wall, and the second wall. The recessed structure of the first connection arm 10 may cooperate with the protrusion structure of the second connection arm 20 and the recessed structure of the first connection arm 10 and the protrusion structure of the second connection arm 20 may rotate relative to each other around the shaft 30. Correspondingly, the avoidance hole 11 may be arranged at at least one of the first wall or the second wall. An end of the connector 40 is connected to the first connection arm 10 in the avoidance space 13 through the avoidance hole 11, and another end of the connector 40 is connected to the first wall or the second wall of the second connection arm 20. As such, a connection function same as a connection function of the connection structure of the first connection arm 10 and the second connection arm 20 may be realized.
As shown in
In some embodiments, the connector 40 includes a conductive wire 41 and connection heads 42. The conductive wire 41 passes through the avoidance hole 11 and the through-hole 221. When the first connection arm 10 and the second connection arm 20 rotate relative to each other, the conductive wire 41 may move in the avoidance hole 11. The connection heads 42 are arranged at two ends of the conductive wire 41. One or more connection heads 42 may be arranged at any one end of the conductive wire 41. As shown in
Further, as shown in
As shown in
When the gimbal 100 is in operation, the motor 50 may drive the second connection arm 20 and the first connection arm 10 to rotate relative to each other around the shaft 30 with the control signal transmitted by the connector 40. The load 200 may also rotate with the second connection arm 20.
In summary, the connector 40 of the gimbal 100 passes through the avoidance hole 11 to connect the first connection arm 10 and the second connection arm 20. When the first connection arm 10 and the second connection arm 20 rotate relative to each other, the connector 40 may move in the avoidance hole 11. A space may not need to be formed in the shaft 30 for the connector 40 to pass through. Thus, the diameter of the shaft 30 may be made to be relatively small, which is beneficial for the miniaturization of the gimbal 100, and the gimbal 100 is convenient to carry.
As shown in
A specific shape of the avoidance hole 11 is not limited to the above and may include another shape. For example, the avoidance hole 11 may include a circle, an oval, a square, etc., as long as the avoidance hole 11 may include the space for the connector 40 to move.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The user may hold the handle 60 by hand to hold the gimbal 100. An operation component 62 is arranged at the handle 60. The operation component 62 may include a button, a joystick, a touch screen, a touchpad, etc. The user may operate at the operation component 62 to control the gimbal 100 while holding the handle 60 by hand, for example, control the first connection arm 10 to rotate relative to the handle 60, control the second connection arm 20 to rotate relative to the first connection arm 10, control the load 200 to rotate relative to the second connection arm 20, etc. The connection wire 61 may include a flexible circuit board. The connection wire 61 is connected to the connection device 1b. The connection device 1b may be electrically connected to the electronic device of the first connection arm 10, for example, electrically connected to the first connection base 12.
An operation instruction entered by the user at the handle 60 may be transmitted to the connection device 1b via the connection wire 61. Then, the operation instruction may be transmitted by the connection device 1b to the electronic device of the first connection arm 10, or be transmitted to the electronic device of the second connection arm 20 through the first connection base 12, the connector 40, and the second connection base 23. Information of operational statuses of the electronic device of the second connection arm 20 and the electronic device of the first connection arm 10 may be transmitted to the handle 60 via the connection wire 61.
The bottom of the first wall 14 may include an end of the first wall 14 connected to the connection wall 15. The connection device 1b and the connection wire 61 may all be shielded by the end cover 19 and not be exposed to the outside of the gimbal 100. Thus, the appearance of the gimbal 100 may be aesthetic, and the connection device 1b and the connection wire 61 may be prevented from being affected by external dust and water vapor.
In the description of this specification, reference terms of “certain embodiments,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “examples,” “specific examples,” “some examples,” etc., are intended to incorporate the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described by embodiments or examples to be included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. In this specification, the schematic representations of the terms do not necessarily refer to same embodiments or examples. Moreover, the described specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, when there is no conflict, those skilled in the art can combine and group different embodiments or examples and the characteristics of different embodiments or examples described in this specification.
In addition, the terms “first” and “second” are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature associated with “first” and “second” may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the feature. In the description of the present disclosure, “plurality” means at least two, such as two or three, unless otherwise specified.
Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described above, embodiments are exemplary and should not be understood to limit the present disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art may perform changes, modifications, replacements, and variations on embodiments. All these changes, modifications, replacements, and variations are within the scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.
This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2018/097886, filed Aug. 1, 2018, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/CN2018/097886 | Aug 2018 | US |
Child | 17158730 | US |