Gimbal, imaging device, and unmanned aerial vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10745149-B2
Application number	US-201816202875-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 28, 2018
Priority date	May 30, 2016
Publication date	Aug 18, 2020
Grant date	Aug 18, 2020

Abstract

A gimbal for carrying a load includes a first frame configured to be coupled with the load. The gimbal also includes a second frame rotatably coupled with the first frame. At least one of the first frame or the second frame includes a connecting segment and a movable segment movably coupled with the connecting segment, the movable segment being movable relative to the connecting segment to cause the at least one of the first frame or the second frame to extend or retract.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A gimbal for carrying a load, comprising:
a first frame configured to be coupled with the load; and
a second frame rotatably coupled with the first frame,
wherein:
at least one of the first frame or the second frame comprises a connecting segment and a movable segment movably coupled with the connecting segment, the movable segment being movable relative to the connecting segment to cause the at least one of the first frame or the second frame to extend or retract, and
the movable segment includes a receiving chamber and a threaded hole connected with the receiving chamber, the at least one of the first frame or the second frame comprises a locking part, an outer surface of an end of the locking part comprises external threads matched with the threaded hole, such that the locking part and the movable segment are coupled with one another through threads, and the end of the locking part having the external threads abuts against the connecting segment or disengages from the connecting segment.

2. The gimbal of claim 1 ,
wherein the connecting segment and the movable segment are sleeve coupled, and
wherein the movable segment is movable relative to the connecting segment to cause the at least one of the first frame or the second frame to extend or retract, the extension or retraction causes an adjustment of a position of the load relative to the gimbal, which in turn causes an adjustment of a center of gravity of the gimbal and the load.

3. The gimbal of claim 1 , wherein the locking part comprises:
a rotatable knob; or
a press locking mechanism.

4. The gimbal of claim 1 , further comprising:
a transmission mechanism configured to couple the movable segment and the connecting segment, wherein the movable segment is movable relative to the connecting segment through the transmission mechanism.

5. The gimbal of claim 4 , wherein the transmission mechanism comprises a lead screw disposed on the connecting segment and a nut coupled with the lead screw, the movable segment is coupled with the nut, the lead screw and the nut are coupled by threads, the lead screw is rotatable to cause the nut to move, movement of the nut causes the movable segment to move relative to the connecting segment; or
the transmission mechanism comprises a gear disposed on the connecting segment and a teeth strap coupled with the movable segment and meshed with the gear, wherein the gear is rotatable to cause the teeth strap to move, and movement of the teeth strap causes the movable segment to move relative to the connecting segment; or
the transmission mechanism comprises a cam and a follower, the follower is movably coupled with the cam, the cam is rotatable to cause the follower to move, and movement of the follower causes the movable segment to move relative to the connecting segment; or
the transmission mechanism comprises a fixing part and a movable part, the fixing part is disposed on the connecting segment, the movable part is coupled with the movable segment, and movement of the movable part causes the movable segment to move synchronously relative to the connecting segment; or
the transmission mechanism comprises a linear motor configured to drive the movable segment to move relative to the connecting segment.

6. The gimbal of claim 1 , wherein the connecting segment and the movable segment are pivotably coupled, the movable segment is pivotable relative to the connecting segment, the at least one of the first frame or the second frame is extendable or retractable when an angle between the movable segment and the connecting segment is adjusted, which causes an adjustment to a position of a load relative to the gimbal, and an adjustment to a center of gravity of the gimbal and the load.

7. The gimbal of claim 6 , wherein the at least one of the first frame or the second frame further comprises a mounting segment rotatably coupled with the movable segment, the at least one of the first frame or the second frame is extendable or retractable when an angle between the movable segment, the connecting segment, and the mounting segment is adjusted, which causes an adjustment to a position of a load relative to the gimbal.

8. The gimbal of claim 1 , further comprising a holder coupled with the first frame to hold a load.

9. The gimbal of claim 1 , further comprising:
a third frame rotatably coupled with an end of the second frame that is distant from the first frame.

10. The gimbal of claim 9 , wherein:
the connecting segment is a first connecting segment, and the movable segment is a first movable segment; and
the third frame comprises a second connecting segment and a second movable segment movably coupled with the second connecting segment.

11. An imaging device, comprising:
an image capturing sensor configured to capture one or more images; and
a gimbal for carrying the image capturing sensor, the gimbal comprising:
a first frame configured to be coupled with the image capturing sensor; and
a second frame rotatably coupled with the first frame,
wherein:
at least one of the first frame or the second frame comprises a connecting segment and a movable segment movably coupled with the connecting segment, the movable segment being movable relative to the connecting segment to cause the at least one of the first frame or the second frame to extend or retract, and
the movable segment includes a receiving chamber and a threaded hole connected with the receiving chamber, the at least one of the first frame or the second frame comprises a locking part, an outer surface of an end of the locking part comprises external threads matched with the threaded hole, such that the locking part and the movable segment are coupled with one another through threads, and the end of the locking part having the external threads abuts against the connecting segment or disengages from the connecting segment.

12. The imaging device of claim 11 ,
wherein the connecting segment and the movable segment are sleeve coupled, and
wherein the movable segment is movable relative to the connecting segment to cause the at least one of the first frame or the second frame to extend or retract, the extension or retraction causes an adjustment of a position of the load relative to the gimbal, which in turn causes an adjustment of a center of gravity of the gimbal and the load.

13. The imaging device of claim 11 , further comprising:
a transmission mechanism configured to couple the movable segment and the connecting segment, wherein the movable segment is movable relative to the connecting segment through the transmission mechanism.

14. An unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising:
a body; and
an imaging device mounted to the body, the imaging device comprising:
an image capturing sensor configured to capture one or more images; and
a gimbal for carrying the image capturing sensor, the gimbal comprising:
a first frame configured to be coupled with the image capturing sensor; and
a second frame rotatably coupled with the first frame,
wherein:
at least one of the first frame or the second frame comprises a connecting segment and a movable segment movably coupled with the connecting segment, the movable segment being movable relative to the connecting segment to cause the at least one of the first frame or the second frame to extend or retract, and
the movable segment includes a receiving chamber and a threaded hole connected with the receiving chamber, the at least one of the first frame or the second frame comprises a locking part, an outer surface of an end of the locking part comprises external threads matched with the threaded hole, such that t

Assignees

• Sz Dji Osmo Technology Co Ltd

Inventors

• Sun Rongjian
• Zhao Xifeng
• Yan Xin
• Ma Tianhang

Classifications

• B64U2101/30

  for imaging, photography or videography · CPC title

• B64U20/87

  Mounting of imaging devices, e.g. mounting of gimbals · CPC title

• F16M2200/041

  for balancing rotational movement of the head · CPC title

• F16M11/2071

  for panning and rolling (F16M11/2078 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16M2200/044

  for balancing rotational movement of the undercarriage · CPC title