The present disclosure generally relates to the field of electronic equipment technology and, more particularly, relates to a protective cover and an unmanned aerial vehicle.
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is equipped with a gimbal camera, which protrudes from a fuselage surface of the UAV and has a plurality of degrees of freedom adapt to adjust shooting angle thereof. The gimbal camera includes a yaw axis, a pitch axis and a roll axis. By controlling rotational and translational movements of the yaw axis, the pitch axis, and the roll axis, the gimbal camera can make stable shootings during a UAV flight and shooting angles are wide.
The gimbal camera and the UAV are in a cantilever beam structure. In a process of transporting and carrying the UAV, there are inevitable vibration and shock. If the gimbal camera is not supported and protected, the gimbal camera is vulnerable to bumps, which may result in poor operations and even damages.
In related technologies, the gimbal camera applies an additional protection mechanism to protect a safety of the gimbal camera during transportation. For example, a gimbal lock is applied to lock the gimbal camera to limit degrees of freedom of the gimbal camera, and a gimbal protective cover is disposed on the gimbal camera jacket to protect the gimbal camera from impact damages during transportation. However, components of the protection mechanism are scattered and easily lost after repeated uses. Moreover, the UAV needs to be used frequently. During a disassembly and assembly of the gimbal camera, the multi-component protection mechanism is cumbersome to use, and a user experience is poor.
In view of the above description, one object of the present disclosure is to provide a protective cover and a UAV.
One aspect of the present disclosure provides a protective cover for a gimbal camera of a UAV. The protective cover includes a stopper slidingly connected to the UAV and a locking member rotatably connected to the stopper. The locking member is configured to be locked to the UAV such that the stopper and the locking member are fixed to the UAV. The locking member is closed with the stopper to at least partially cover the gimbal camera.
Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a UAV. The UAV includes a fuselage, a gimbal camera mounted on the fuselage, and a protective cover for fixing the gimbal camera of the UAV. The protective cover covers the gimbal camera and is connected to the fuselage. The protective cover includes a stopper slidingly connected to the fuselage and a locking member rotatably connected to the stopper. The locking member is configured to be locked to the fuselage such that the stopper and the locking member are fixed to the fuselage. The locking member is closed with the stopper to at least partially cover the gimbal camera.
In order to more clearly explain embodiments of the present disclosure, drawings used in a description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be acquired based on these drawings without creative efforts.
The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, but not all the embodiments. Based on the described embodiments of the present disclosure, other embodiments acquired by those skilled in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.
As shown in
The protective cover 10 is assembled to the fuselage 20 and matches the recessed part 21. At least part of the protective cover 10 is embedded in the recessed part 21 so that a closed space is formed at the recessed part 21. The protective cover 10 stores the gimbal camera 30 in the enclosed space. An inner surface of the protective cover 10 is configured to restrict at least one degree of freedom of the gimbal camera 30. In order to facilitate the understanding of degrees of freedom of the gimbal camera 10 by the protective cover 10, upward-downward, forward-backward directions are defined: a side where the gimbal camera 30 is assembled with the fuselage 20 is defined as a downward direction, and an end where the gimbal camera 30 is assembled with the fuselage 20 is defined as a forward direction. Taking a three-axis gimbal as an example, the gimbal includes a pitch axis 32, a roll axis 31 and a yaw axis (not shown). The roll axis 31 is in the front-rear direction. The pitch axis 32 is assembled to the roll axis 31. The yaw axis is perpendicular to a bottom surface of the recessed part 21.
The protective cover 10 includes a stopper 12 slidably connected to the fuselage 20 and a locking member 11 rotatably connected to the stopper 12. The locking member 11 rotates around the stopper 12 so that the protective cover 10 can be in an expanded state or a closed state. Fixing methods of the stopper 12 and the locking member 11 may include, but are not limited to, the following two methods.
Exemplary method 1: the stopper 12 and the locking member 11 are closed and connected to form a whole. The locking member 11 or the stopper 12 is connected to the fuselage 20 to fix the protective cover 10 on the fuselage 20. In the fixing method, the stopper 12 and the locking member 11 of the protective cover 10 are configured to independently restrict degrees of freedom of the gimbal camera 30 through their own structures, and transmit impact forces received by the protective cover 10 to the fuselage 20 through a connection portion. The fixing method improves an impact resistance of the gimbal and has a desired buffer effect and an easy disassembly.
Exemplary method 2: the stopper 12 is configured to slide along the fuselage 20 and is restricted to a preset position of the fuselage 20, and the locking member 11 is snap-connected to the fuselage 20 or connected by a fastener. In the fixing method, the stopper 12 and the locking member 11 are combined with the fuselage 20 to achieve restrictions of degrees of freedom of the gimbal camera 30. The stopper 12 and the locking member 11 respectively transmit impact forces received by the protective cover 10 to the fuselage 20, so as to avoid transmitting vibration to the gimbal camera 30, resulting a desired protection performance of the gimbal camera 30.
The process of assembling the protective cover 10 to the fuselage 20 is as follows: The stopper 12 is configured to slide from a free end of the gimbal camera 30 to a fixed end of the gimbal camera 30 along the recessed part 21 of the fuselage 20, and cover at least part of the gimbal camera 30. The stopper 12 slides to the preset position of the fuselage 20 so that the gimbal camera 30 is at least partially accommodated in the stopper 12. During a sliding of the stopper 12 and after the stopper 12 slides to the preset position of the fuselage 20, the stopper 12 is at least partially abutted against the gimbal camera 30 to restrict at least one degree of freedom of the gimbal camera 30. The locking member 11 is pivotally connected to the stopper 12, and the locking member 11 rotates to lock the locking member 11 to the fuselage 20. In a state where the locking member 11 rotates around the stopper 12 and is snap-connected to the fuselage 20, the locking member 11 is at least partially abutted against the gimbal camera 30 to restrict at least one degree of freedom of the gimbal camera 30. Optionally, an enclosed space 13 is formed among the locking member 11, the stopper 12 and the fuselage 20. The stopper 12 and/or the locking member 11 are configured to restrict at least one degree of freedom of the gimbal camera 30, so that the gimbal camera 30 is restricted in the enclosed space 13.
In a disassembly process of the protective cover, a lock relationship is first unlocked between the lock member 11 and the fuselage 20, such as removing fasteners and compressing the locking member 11 to release the locking relationship between the locking member 11 and fuselage 20. Then the locking member 11 is rotated to disengage the fuselage 20 and slide the stopper 12 in a direction away from the fuselage 20, so that the stopper 12 slides along the fuselage 20 and is pulled out, and a restriction on the gimbal camera 30 is released. The protective cover 10 is easily disassembled.
The stopper 12 and the locking member 11 can be detachably assembled to the fuselage 20 of the UAV, which is convenient for the protection cover 10 to protect and support the gimbal camera 30, so that the gimbal camera 30 has a desired anti-vibration performance during transportation and carrying. The gimbal camera 30 is disposed in the storage space of the recessed part 21. The stopper 12 slides along the fuselage 20 and closes one side openings of the recessed part 21. The locking member 11 is rotatably connected and configured to be locked to the fuselage 20 to close openings on the other side of the recessed part 21 to form the enclosed space 13 so that the gimbal camera 30 is in a closed environment with high security. An edge of the protective cover 10 is flush with an edge of the recessed part 21, so that the structure is beautiful.
As shown in
The limiting part 1221 protrudes from an inner surface of the side wall part 122. A shape of the inner surface of the side wall part 122 can be adapted according to the positioning surface 352 of the restricted gimbal frame 35. For example, the limiting part 1221 includes a plurality of spaced-apart ribs. Surfaces of the ribs facing the enclosed space 13 are flushed to form limit surfaces. Or, projections are formed on the side wall part 122. Surfaces of the projections facing the enclosed space 13 form limit surfaces. During a sliding of the stopper 12, degrees of freedom of the gimbal camera 30 are partially restricted by two limit surfaces. For example, rotational degrees of freedom of the roll axis 31 and the yaw axis of this gimbal, and translational degrees of freedom along the pitch axis 32 are restricted by limit surfaces.
As shown in
The main body 121 is also configured to restrict forward translation freedoms of the roll axis 31 of the gimbal camera 30. The forward translation freedoms can be restricted by matching the main body 121 itself with the gimbal camera, or by protruding structures or rib structures protruding from the main body 121. For example, the body part 121 includes rib parts 1211 protruding from inner surfaces of the body part 121 in a direction away from the body part 121. The gimbal camera 30 abuts against the rib part 1211 to restrict translational degrees of freedom and rotational degrees of freedom of the roll axis 31 in the forward direction. A disposition of the rib part 1211 may reduce a contact surface between the body part 121 and the gimbal camera, reduce an effective area of the protective cover 10 transmitted to the gimbal camera 30, improve buffer effects, and stabilize a position of the gimbal camera 30. Optionally, the rib part 1211 intersects the limiting part 1221, and are on the same plane. The whole structure is simple and convenient to process.
The curve part 1222 is configured to guide the gimbal camera 30 from both sides. In order to improve an efficiency and an accuracy of restriction of the gimbal camera 30 by the stopper 12, during a movement of the stopper 12, the stopper 12 can also be guided from a bottom or top of the gimbal camera 30 to slide along the gimbal camera 30, so that the gimbal camera 30 is restricted by the stopper 12.
In one embodiment, the stopper 12 includes a lead part 123 protruding from a side of the body part 121. The lead part 123 extends to both sides and intersects the side wall part 122. The gimbal camera 30 slides along the lead part 123 and is restricted by the limiting part 1221. During a movement of the stopper 12 along the fuselage 20, the lead part 123 is in an accommodation space and moves along a top surface of the groove portion 21 to support a side of the gimbal camera 30 facing the top surface of the groove portion.
The lead part 123 includes a circular arc part 1231 that matches a shape of the gimbal camera 30, and a slope part 1232 that is inclined to intersect the circular arc part 1231. The body part 121 has a curved shape. The circular arc part 1231 intersects the body part 121 so that the body part 121 and the lead part 123 make a circular arc transition, which makes a structure beautiful. The slope part 1232 is inclined toward the recessed part 21, so that the gimbal camera 30 moves smoothly to the circular arc part 1231. The lead part 123 is configured to restrict translational degrees of freedom of the gimbal camera 30 along the upward direction of the yaw axis, and rotational degrees of freedom of the pitch axis 32. Or, the slope part 1232 and the circular arc part 1231 are connected by a flat part 1234. The flat part 1234 is configured to restrict translational degrees of freedom of the yaw axis in the upward direction and rotational degrees of freedom of the pitch axis 32 of the gimbal camera 30.
An end of the gimbal camera 30 is disposed with a protruding part, such as a lens, etc. Correspondingly, the lead part 123 includes a guide groove part 1233 recessed from a surface of the lead part 123. The guide groove part 1233 extends toward the body part 121. The body part 121 is recessed to form an accommodating groove 125. The accommodating groove 125 is in the extending direction of the recessed part 21 and is configured to accommodate a protruding structure of the gimbal camera 30. During a movement of the gimbal along the lead part 123, the protruding structure of the gimbal camera 30 moves along the guide groove part 1233 and is stored in the accommodating groove 125, so that the gimbal camera 30 is restricted to the circular arc part 1231, and a restriction effect is desired.
As shown in
When the stopper 12 is assembled to the preset position of the fuselage 20, the locking member 11 is rotated and connected to the fuselage 20. The abutting portion 114 includes a front bezel 1141 protruding from the body part 121 and having a flat plate shape. When the locking member 11 is locked to the fuselage 20, the front bezel 1141 abuts against an end surface 341 of the gimbal camera 30. The end surface 341 is a side surface of the driving device 34 and is opposite to the body part 121. The front bezel 1141 is configured to restrict translational degrees of freedom of the roll axis 31 of the gimbal camera 30.
In one embodiment, the abutment 114 includes a back bezel 1142 disposed at a distance from the front bezel 1141 on the main body 111. The back bezel 1142 is configured to abut against an outer peripheral surface 351 of the gimbal frame 35. The back bezel 1142 includes a concave curved surface matching the outer peripheral surface 351 of the gimbal frame 35. The back bezel 1142 abuts against the outer peripheral surface 351, which may restrict translational degrees of freedom of the gimbal camera 30 along the downward direction of the yaw axis and assist in restricting rotational degrees of freedom of the gimbal camera 30 around the roll axis 31.
Degrees of freedom of the gimbal camera 30 are fully restricted by combining the stopper 12 and the locking member 11. When the stopper 12 and the lock 11 are assembled again after disassembly, degrees of freedom of the gimbal camera 30 may be accurately restricted, and a repeatability is ensured. Through a sliding limitation of the stopper 12 and a rotation lock of the locking member 11, degrees of freedom of the gimbal camera 30 are fully restricted. The gimbal camera 30 is easy to operate.
As shown in
In one embodiment, the side wall part 122 further includes at least one guide part 1223. The guide parts 1223 respectively disposed on two opposite side wall parts 122 are parallel to each other. The guide parts 1223 are configured to guide the stopper 12 to slide along the UAV. Correspondingly, the fuselage 20 includes at least two guide rail parts 24. The stopper 12 of the protective cover 10 slides along the guide rail parts 24. The guide part 1223 matches the guide rail part 24. For example, the guild part 1223 is a guide groove-like structure that the side wall part 122 is recessed to form. The guide rail part 24 projects outward to form a rib-like structure. The guide part 1223 slides along the guide rail part 24, and vice versa. By providing matching guide parts 1223 and guide rail parts 24 to guide a sliding of the stopper 12 on the fuselage 20, the moving direction is stable. Preset matching positions of the stopper 12 and the fuselage 20 are repeatable. The restricted position of the gimbal camera 30 is stable. The guide part 1223 slides along the guide rail part 24. The stopper 12 only has a translational degree of freedom of sliding along the guide rail part 24, with a combination of a locking connection between the locking member 11 and the fuselage 20, the protective cover is fixed to the fuselage 20. Such installation is relatively easy.
The locking member 11 is hingedly assembled to the stopper 12. Accordingly, the stopper 12 includes a hinge part 124 protruding toward the body part 121. The hinge part 124 extends to both sides and intersects the side wall part 122. The main body 111 of the locking member 11 is hingedly connected to the hinge part 124 of the stopper 12. The locking member 11 and the limiting member 12 are fixedly connected for easy carrying and storage.
As shown in
The locking part 112 is disposed on the main body 111 and is configured to elastically deform after receiving an external force, and to reset after the external force disappears. In one embodiment, the locking part 112 has a U-shaped structure, one side of which is fixed to the body portion 111 as a fixed end 1123, and the other side of which is a free end 1122. There is a deformation space between the fixed end 1123 and the free end 1122. A lock hook 1121 is disposed at the free end 1122. Correspondingly, a deformation groove 1111 is disposed in the main body 111 of the locking member 11. The free end 1122 in the deformation groove 1111 performs an elastic process of compression deformation or expansion reset. In order to improve a practical life of the locking part 112 and control deformation thereof, the locking member 11 further includes at least one limiting boss 1112, which is in the deformation groove 1111 and extends toward the free end 1122.
As shown in
The locking member 11 is snap-connected to the fuselage 20, which restricts a sliding freedom of the lock hook 1121 in a locking direction, and the locking member 11 can be moved in a direction that is not locked by the lock hook 1121. The locking member 11 includes a snap boss 113 protruding from the body portion 111. Correspondingly, the fuselage 20 further includes a bayonet 23 that matches the snap boss 113 of the locking member 11. The locking member 11 is rotated to the fuselage 20 so that the snap boss 113 and the bayonet 23 are plugged and connected.
The locking member 11 is plugged and connected to the bayonet 23 through the snap boss 113, so that the locking member 11 can only move in the plugging direction of the locking member 11 and the bayonet 12. With a combination of a snap connection of the locking part 112, the locking member 11 can be stably connected to the fuselage 20. The installation position is stable, and the lock is secure.
The technical solutions provided by embodiments of the present disclosure may include the following beneficial effects.
The protective cover is an integrated structure. During an assembly of the protective cover to the fuselage of the UAV, the stopper and the locking member are configured to restrict degrees of freedom of the gimbal camera. The protective cover requires fewer accessories and is easy to carry and save. The stopper slides along the UAV, and the locking member is configured to rotate around the stopper and configured to be locked to the UAV, which is easy to be locked and disassembled. The structure of the protective cover matches the fuselage of the UAV. An overall appearance is beautiful, and a protection of the gimbal camera is desired.
Methods and devices provided by embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above. Specific examples are applied to explain principles and implementation modes of the present disclosure. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand methods and core ideas of the present disclosure. For those skilled in the art, according to the ideas of the present disclosure, there may be changes in specific implementations and scopes of application. In the case of no conflict, the embodiments described above and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. Thus, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation on the present disclosure.
This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2017/104575, filed on Sep. 29, 2017, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | PCT/CN2017/104575 | Sep 2017 | US |
Child | 16825671 | US |