U.S. patent application number 17/134038 was filed with the patent office on 2021-04-22 for gimbal photographing device.
The applicant listed for this patent is SZ DJI OSMO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Dengfeng HU, Qiu LAN, Yifen LIU, Tianfei ZHAO.
Application Number | 20210116792 17/134038 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005305672 |
Filed Date | 2021-04-22 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210116792 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LIU; Yifen ; et al. |
April 22, 2021 |
GIMBAL PHOTOGRAPHING DEVICE
Abstract
A gimbal photographing device includes a machine body, a
foldable mechanism connected with the machine body, and a gimbal
camera connected with the foldable mechanism. The gimbal camera is
configured to cling to the machine body through the foldable
mechanism and to be positioned in an extended state or a folded
state. The machine body includes a support wall configured to
support the gimbal camera. The foldable mechanism includes a
rotation member rotatably connected with the support wall around a
rotation axis direction to cause the gimbal camera to rotate
relative to the machine body. The rotation member is configured to
cause the gimbal camera to rotate to the folded state in which the
gimbal camera clings to the support wall.
Inventors: |
LIU; Yifen; (Shenzhen,
CN) ; HU; Dengfeng; (Shenzhen, CN) ; LAN;
Qiu; (Shenzhen, CN) ; ZHAO; Tianfei;
(Shenzhen, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SZ DJI OSMO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. |
Shenzhen |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005305672 |
Appl. No.: |
17/134038 |
Filed: |
December 24, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16736027 |
Jan 7, 2020 |
10921690 |
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17134038 |
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PCT/CN2017/095217 |
Jul 31, 2017 |
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16736027 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 11/18 20130101;
G03B 17/561 20130101; F16M 2200/021 20130101; F16M 11/38 20130101;
F16M 11/08 20130101; F16M 2200/068 20130101; F16M 11/2071 20130101;
F16M 11/2042 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G03B 17/56 20060101
G03B017/56; F16M 11/08 20060101 F16M011/08; F16M 11/18 20060101
F16M011/18; F16M 11/20 20060101 F16M011/20; F16M 11/38 20060101
F16M011/38 |
Claims
1. A gimbal photographing device comprising: a machine body; a
foldable mechanism connected with the machine body; and a gimbal
camera connected with the foldable mechanism, the gimbal camera
being configured to cling to the machine body through the foldable
mechanism, and to be positioned in an extended state or a folded
state; wherein: the machine body includes a support wall configured
to support the gimbal camera; the foldable mechanism includes a
rotation member rotatably connected with the support wall around a
rotation axis direction to cause the gimbal camera to rotate
relative to the machine body, and configured to cause the gimbal
camera to rotate to the folded state in which the gimbal camera
clings to the support wall.
2. The gimbal photographing device according to claim 1, wherein
the rotation axis direction is slantly disposed with respect to the
support wall.
3. The gimbal photographing device according to claim 1, wherein
the gimbal camera includes a clinging surface at an end of the
gimbal camera facing against the rotation axis direction.
4. The gimbal photographing device according to claim 1, wherein:
the foldable mechanism includes: a position limiting element
connected with the support wall along a direction perpendicular to
the rotation axis direction; and a base including the rotation
member and a position limiting member connected with the rotation
member, the position limiting member being connected with the
gimbal camera; when the rotation member causes the gimbal camera to
rotate to the extended state, a first end of the position limiting
member abuts against the position limiting element; and when the
rotation member causes the gimbal camera to rotate to the folded
state, a second end of the position limiting member opposite to the
first end abuts against the position limiting element.
5. The gimbal photographing device according to claim 4, wherein
the position limiting member includes: a first abutting surface at
the first end and configured to abut the position limiting element
when the gimbal camera is in the extended state; and a second
abutting surface at the second end and configured to abut against
the position limiting element when the gimbal camera is in the
folded state.
6. The gimbal photographing device according to claim 4, further
comprising: a driving motor connected with the base and configured
to drive the rotation member to rotate.
7. The gimbal photographing device according to claim 1, further
comprising: a locking structure configured to lock the rotation
member.
8. The gimbal photographing device according to claim 1, further
comprising: a rotation axis assembly connected with the support
wall and includes a rotation axis disposed along the rotation axis
direction, the rotation member being pivotably connected with the
rotation axis.
9. The gimbal photographing device according to claim 8, wherein
the rotation axis assembly also includes a support member connected
with the support wall and including a support surface slantly
disposed with respect to the support wall in a direction
perpendicular to the rotation axis direction, the rotation axis
being perpendicularly connected with the support surface.
10. The gimbal photographing device according to claim 9, wherein a
tilting angle between the support surface and the support wall is
in a range of 40.degree. to 50.degree..
11. The gimbal photographing device according to claim 9, wherein
the rotation axis includes an axis base at one end of the rotation
axis and fixed to the support member through a fastening
member.
12. The gimbal photographing device according to claim 11, wherein
the support member is provided with a positioning groove, and the
axis base is provided in the positioning groove.
13. The gimbal photographing device according to claim 9, wherein
the rotation member is provided with a through hole extendedly
disposed along the rotation axis direction, and the rotation axis
is configured to penetrate throughout the through hole.
14. The gimbal photographing device according to claim 1, wherein a
tilting angle between the rotation axis direction and the support
wall is in a range of 40.degree. to 50.degree..
15. The gimbal photographing device according to claim 1, wherein
the gimbal camera includes: a three-axis gimbal frame including a
yaw axis assembly movably connected with the foldable mechanism, a
roll axis assembly movably connected with the yaw axis assembly,
and a pitch axis assembly movably connected with the roll axis
assembly; and an imaging device carried on the pitch axis
assembly.
16. The gimbal photographing device according to claim 1, further
comprising: a mounting frame disposed at the machine body and
configured to mount an external display device.
17. The gimbal photographing device according to claim 1, further
comprising: a screen disposed at a side surface of the machine
body.
18. The gimbal photographing device according to claim 1, further
comprising: a button disposed at the support wall and configured to
operate the gimbal camera to perform photographing when the gimbal
camera is in the extended state.
19. The gimbal photographing device according to claim 1, further
comprising a button disposed at a side wall of the machine body
adjacent the support wall and configured to: operate the gimbal
camera to perform photographing when the gimbal camera is in the
folded state; or adjust an imaging angle or an imaging mode of the
gimbal camera when the gimbal camera is in the extended state.
20. The gimbal photographing device according to claim 1, further
comprising: a power button disposed at a side wall of the machine
body adjacent the support wall and configured to turn on or off the
gimbal photographing device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
16/736,027, filed on Jan. 7, 2020, which is a continuation of
International Application No. PCT/CN2017/095217, filed on Jul. 31,
2017, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of
gimbals and, more particular, to a gimbal photographing device.
BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY
[0003] In conventional technologies, a gimbal photographing device
or a handheld gimbal photographing device can photograph stable
images in a moving state, therefore it has become a favorite of
many users. The gimbal photographing device uses a gyroscope and a
motor to stabilize the lens photographing device, such that the
captured images are stable and shake-proof.
[0004] The gimbal photographing device typically includes a machine
body and a gimbal camera mounted on the machine body. When the
gimbal photographing device operates, it may adjust the location of
the gimbal camera based on the moving state of the user, such that
the lens of the gimbal camera stays at a predetermined location to
capture images, thereby capturing the images stably. However, when
the gimbal photographing device is not in operation, the location
of the gimbal camera may arbitrarily shake and the gimbal camera
may occupy a relatively large space, causing instability in the
structure of the gimbal photographing device, which is
disadvantageous for carrying and storage.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is
provided a gimbal photographing device. The gimbal photographing
device includes a machine body and a foldable mechanism connected
with the machine body. The gimbal photographing device also
includes a gimbal camera connected with the foldable mechanism. The
gimbal camera is configured to cling to the machine body through
the foldable mechanism, and is configured to be positioned in an
extended state or a folded state. The machine body includes a
support wall configured to support the foldable mechanism and the
gimbal camera. The foldable mechanism includes a base including a
rotation member and a position limiting member connected with the
rotation member. The position limiting member is connected with the
gimbal camera. The position limiting member includes a first end
and a second end that are opposingly disposed. The rotation member
is rotatably connected with the support wall around a rotation axis
direction to cause the gimbal camera to rotate relative to the
machine body. The rotation axis direction is slantly disposed with
respect to the support wall. The foldable mechanism includes a
position limiting element connected with the support wall along a
direction perpendicular to the rotation axis direction. The
rotation member is configured to cause the gimbal camera to rotate
to the extended state. The first end of the position limiting
member abuts against the position limiting element. The rotation
member is also configured to cause the gimbal camera to rotate to
the folded state. The second end of the position limiting member
opposing the first end abuts against the position limiting element.
The gimbal camera clings to the support wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] To more clearly explain the technical solutions of the
present disclosure, next, the accompanying drawings illustrating
the embodiments will be briefly introduced. The accompanying
drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present
disclosure. A person having ordinary skills in the art can obtain
other drawings based on the accompanying drawings without spending
creative effort.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gimbal photographing
device in an extended state, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a side view of the gimbal photographing device in
the extended state, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the gimbal photographing
device in a folded state, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a side view of the gimbal photographing device in
the folded state, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the gimbal photographing
device along the A-A direction shown in FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the gimbal photographing
device in a rotation process, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0013] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present
disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the preset disclosure.
The embodiments described herein are only some embodiments of the
present disclosure, and are not all of the embodiments. All other
embodiments obtained by a person having ordinary skills in the art
based on these embodiments of the present disclosure without
spending creative effort all belong to the scope of protection of
the present disclosure.
[0014] The illustrative embodiments will be described in detail,
examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. In the
following descriptions, when the accompanying drawings are
referenced to, unless there are other express indication, the same
numbers in different accompanying drawings indicate the same or
similar elements. The implementation methods described in the
following illustrative embodiments do not represent all
implementation methods consistent with the present disclosure.
Conversely, they are only examples of the device and method that
are consistent with some aspects of the present disclosure that are
described in the accompanying claims.
[0015] The terms used in the present disclosure are only for the
purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not for
limiting the present disclosure. The singular forms of "a," "the,"
and "said" used in the present disclosure and the accompanying
claims also include plural forms, unless the context indicates
other meaning expressly. It should be understood that the term
"and/or" used in the present description means any or all possible
combinations of one or multiple associated listed items.
[0016] With regard to the issue of the gimbal camera arbitrarily
shaking, the structure being not stable and occupying a large space
when the gimbal photographing device is not in operation, the
present disclosure provides a gimbal photographing device that
occupies a small space when not in operation and that is convenient
to carry. The gimbal photographing device of the present disclosure
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings. When there is no conflict, the following embodiments and
features of the embodiments can be combined with one another.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, embodiments of the present
disclosure provide a gimbal photographing device 100, which may
include a machine body 10, a foldable mechanism 20 connected with
the machine body 10, and a gimbal camera 30 connected with the
foldable mechanism 20. The gimbal camera 30 may cling to the
machine body 10 (e.g., be disposed in close proximity to the
machine body 10, and in contact or not in contact with the machine
body 10) through the foldable mechanism 20. The machine body 10 may
include a support wall 101 configured to support the foldable
mechanism 20 and the gimbal camera 30. The gimbal camera 30 may be
in an extended state (the non-folded state as shown in FIG. 1 and
FIG. 2) and a folded state (as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4). The
foldable mechanism 20 can cause the gimbal camera 30 to switch
between the two states of the extended state and the folded state.
In a general situation, the gimbal camera 30 is in the folded state
when not in operation. When in operation, the gimbal camera 30 can
be in the extended state or in the folded state. In this
embodiment, the mounting location of the foldable mechanism 20 may
be provided at a left edge of the support wall 101 of the machine
body 10, or at the right edge of the support wall 101 of the
machine body 10. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the mounting
location of the foldable mechanism 20 may be provided at the left
edge of the support wall 101 of the machine body 10. The machine
body 10 may include a rectangular structure. The support wall 101
may be located at a top surface of the machine body 10.
[0018] In the configuration, the foldable mechanism 20 may include
a position limiting element 40 and a base 50. The base 50 may
include a rotatable member 503 and a position limiting member 505
connected with the rotatable member 503. The position limiting
member 505 may be connected with the gimbal camera 30. The position
limiting member 505 may include a first end 501 (as shown in FIG.
3) and a second end 506 (as shown in FIG. 1) that are opposingly
disposed. The first end 501 and the second end 506 may be
understood as two side portions of the position limiting member 505
symmetrically disposed relative to the gimbal camera 30. The
rotatable member 503 may be rotatably connected with the support
wall 101 around a rotation axis direction 70, to cause the gimbal
camera 30 to rotate relative to the machine body 10, thereby
realizing switching between the two states, the extended state and
the folded state, for the gimbal camera 30. The rotation axis
direction 70 may be slantly or tiltingly disposed with respect to
the support wall 101. The configuration direction of the rotation
axis direction 70 is shown as the X direction in FIG. 2. The
position limiting element 40 may be connected with the support wall
101 along a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis direction
70, as shown in FIG. 1 as the Y direction. In some embodiments, the
tilting angle between the rotation axis direction 70 and the
support wall 101 may be in a range of 40.degree.-50.degree.,
preferably 45.degree..
[0019] The rotation member 503 of the base 50 may cause the gimbal
camera 30 to rotate to the extended state. The first end 501 of the
position limiting member 505 may abut against the position limiting
element 40. The location of the gimbal camera 30 may be limited
through the coupling between the first end 501 of the position
limiting member 505 and the position limiting element 40, such that
the location of the gimbal camera 30 is stably maintained in the
extended state. The rotation member 503 of the base 50 may cause
the gimbal camera 30 to rotate to the folded state. The second end
506 of the position limiting member 505 may abut against the
position limiting element 40. The gimbal camera 30 may cling to the
support wall 101. That is, the gimbal camera 30 may be received or
positioned at the top surface of the machine body 10, which can
reduce the volume of the gimbal photographing device 100 in order
to solve the issue of space occupied by the gimbal camera 30 being
relatively large when in the non-operating folded state, and can
reduce or eliminate the shaking of the gimbal camera 30 in the
non-operating folded state. As a result, the portability of the
gimbal photographing device 100 for carrying and storage can be
enhanced.
[0020] It can be known from the above embodiments, in the gimbal
photographing device 100 of the present disclosure, by using the
rotation member 503 of the base 50 of the foldable mechanism 20 to
cause the gimbal camera 30 to switch between the extended state and
the folded state, the folding of the gimbal camera 30 is realized.
When the gimbal camera 30 extends to operate, the location of the
gimbal camera 30 can be limited through the coupling between the
first end 501 of the position limiting member 505 and the position
limiting element 40, such that the location of the gimbal camera 30
in the extended state is stably maintained. When the gimbal camera
30 is not in operation, the gimbal camera 30 can be folded to cling
to the support wall 101 of the machine body 10, and the location of
the gimbal camera 30 can be limited through the coupling between
the second end 506 of the position limiting member 505 and the
position limiting element 40. That is, the gimbal camera 30 may be
received or positioned at a side of the machine body 10, which can
reduce the volume of the gimbal photographing device 100 in order
to solve the issue of the space occupied by the gimbal camera 30
being relatively large when in the non-operating folded state. As a
result, the portability of the gimbal photographing device 100 for
carrying and storage can be further enhanced, and the overall
compactness of the structural design can be improved.
[0021] In an embodiment, the gimbal camera 30 may include a gimbal
frame and an imaging device 302 carried by the gimbal frame. In
this configuration, the gimbal frame can be a single-axis,
two-axis, or multi-axis gimbal frame. In the example shown in the
figure, the gimbal frame is a three-axis gimbal frame. The
three-axis gimbal frame includes a yaw axis assembly 303 movably
connected with the position limiting member 505 of the base 50, a
roll axis assembly 304 movably connected with the yaw axis assembly
303, and a pitch axis assembly 305 movably connected with the roll
axis assembly 304. The imaging device 302 may be carried by the
pitch axis assembly 305. The yaw axis assembly 303 may be
configured to control the yaw movement of the gimbal camera 30
through a yaw axis motor, the roll axis assembly 304 may be
configured to control the roll movement of the gimbal camera 30
through a roll axis motor, and the pitch axis assembly 305 may be
configured to control the pitch movement of the gimbal camera 30
through a pitch axis motor. Thus, the imaging device 302 may be
controlled to capture images from different imaging angles, and the
location of the gimbal camera 30 may be adjusted based on a desired
imaging angle. When the gimbal camera 30 is in the folded state (as
shown in FIG. 4), a rotation axis of the yaw axis assembly 303 is
disposed perpendicular to the support wall 101 of the machine body
10, a rotation axis of the roll axis assembly 304 is disposed in
parallel with the support wall 101 of the machine body 10, and a
rotation axis of the pitch assembly 305 is disposed perpendicular
to the support wall 101 of the machine body 10. When the gimbal
camera 30 is in the extended state (as shown in FIG. 1), the
rotation axis of the yaw axis assembly 303 is disposed
perpendicular to the rotation axis direction 70, a location of the
rotation axis of the roll axis assembly 304 relative to the
rotation axis direction 70 may change with the rotation of the yaw
axis assembly 303, and a location of the rotation axis of the pitch
axis assembly 305 relative to the rotation axis direction 70 may
change with the rotation of the roll axis assembly 304.
[0022] In an embodiment, the first end 501 of the position limiting
member 505 may be provided with a first abutting surface, the
second end 506 of the position limiting member 505 may be provided
with a second abutting surface, and an end of the imaging device
302 of the gimbal camera 30 facing against the rotation axis
direction 70 may be provided with a clinging surface 301 (as shown
in FIG. 1). The rotation member 503 of the base 50 may cause the
gimbal camera 30 to rotate to the extended state. The first
abutting surface of the position limiting member 505 may abut
against the position limiting element 40. The location of the
gimbal camera 30 may be limited through the coupling between the
first abutting surface of the position limiting member 505 and the
position limiting element 40, such that the location of the gimbal
camera 30 in the extended state can be stably maintained. When the
gimbal camera 30 is not in operation, the rotation member 503 of
the base 50 may cause the gimbal camera 30 to rotate to the folded
state. The second abutting surface of the position limiting member
505 may abut against the position limiting element 40. The clinging
surface 301 of the gimbal camera 30 may cling to the support wall
101 of the machine body 10. The location of the gimbal camera 30
may be limited through the coupling between second abutting surface
of the position limiting member 505 and the position limiting
element 40, which can reduce the volume of the gimbal photographing
device 100, such that the location of the gimbal camera 30 in the
non-operating folded state can be stably maintained, thereby
avoiding shaking of the gimbal camera 30.
[0023] In some embodiments, to make the location of the gimbal
camera 30 in the folded state more stable, fastening structures
configured to couple with one another can be provided at the
clinging surface 301 of the gimbal camera 30 and at a location of
the support wall 101 of the machine body 10 corresponding to the
clinging surface 301 of the gimbal camera 30, such that when the
gimbal camera 30 clings to the support wall 101 of the machine body
10, the gimbal camera 30 is even less prone to shake. For example,
the fastening structures that are configured to couple with one
another can be one of snap-fit structures, or magnetic attachment
structures, or locking structures.
[0024] In an embodiment, the gimbal photographing device 100 may
also include a rotation axis assembly connected with the support
wall 101. The rotation axis assembly may include a rotation axis
201 disposed along the rotation axis direction 70 and a support
member 205 connected with the support wall 101. The support member
205 may include a support surface 206. The support surface 206 may
be slantly or tiltingly disposed relative to the support wall 101
in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis direction 70. In
some embodiments, the tilting angle between the support surface 206
of the support member 205 and the support wall 101 may be in a
range of 40.degree.-50.degree., for example, 45.degree.. It should
be noted that the rotation axis 201 may adopt multiple different
rotation configurations, such as a damping axis, a spring axis,
etc.
[0025] In some embodiments, the position limiting element 40 may be
connected to a side portion of the support member 205. The position
limiting element 40 may be disposed perpendicular to the support
surface 206 of the support member 205. Both of the two ends of the
position limiting element 40 may include a position limiting boss
401 protruding from the position limiting member 505 of the base 50
along a radial direction of the rotation axis direction 70. The
position limiting boss 401 may be configured to couple with the
first abutting surface and the second abutting surface of the
position limiting member 505 of the base 50. When the gimbal camera
30 rotates to the extended state, the gimbal camera 30 may be
position-limited through the coupling between the position limiting
boss 401 located at a side of the position limiting element 40 away
from the support wall 101 of the machine body 10 and the first
abutting surface of the position limiting member 505. When the
gimbal camera 30 rotates to the folded state, the gimbal camera 30
may be position-limited through the coupling between the position
limiting boss 401 located at a side of the position limiting
element 40 adjacent the support wall 101 of the machine body 10 and
the second abutting surface of the position limiting member 505. In
some embodiments, the position limiting element 40 and the support
member 205 are integrally formed, and the connection portion
between the position limiting element 40 and the support member 205
is a smooth transition, which may enhance the structural strength
of the position limiting member 40.
[0026] In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the rotation member
503 of the base 50 may be provided with a through hole 502
extending in the direction of the rotation axis direction 70. The
rotation axis 201 is configured to penetrate or extend throughout
the through hole 502, such that the rotation member 503 of the base
50 is pivotably connected with the rotation axis 201. A first end
of the rotation axis 201 may be provided with an axis base 202. The
support member 205 may be provided with a positioning groove 207.
The axis base 202 may be configured to snap-fit with the
positioning groove 207. The axis base 202 may be fixed to the
support member 205 through a fastening member 203, thereby fixing
the rotation axis 201 with the support member 205. In some
embodiments, the fastening member 203 may be a screw, or may use
fixed connection methods such as a pin, gluing, etc. The similar
variations of the connection methods all fall within the scope of
protection of the present disclosure. The second end of the
rotation axis 201 may be provided with a positioning end 208. The
positioning end 208 may be configured to protrude from the rotation
member 503 of the base 50. The positioning end 208 may be
detachably provided with a positioning member 209, thereby
detachably connecting the base 50 and the rotation axis 201. When
the positioning member 209 is detached from the positioning end 208
of the rotation axis 201, the rotation member 503 of the base 50
can be retrieved from the rotation axis 201, thereby separating the
gimbal camera 30 and the machine body 10, making it convenient for
replacement, carrying, and storage. In some embodiments, the
positioning end 208 may be a threaded segment. The positioning
member 209 may be a threaded connection member matching with the
threaded segment. Other detachable connection methods such as
screws can also be used. Such similar variations of the connection
methods all fall within the scope of the protection of the present
disclosure.
[0027] In an embodiment, the positioning member 505 of the base 50
and the rotation member 503 may be slantly or tiltingly disposed
with respect to one another. The gimbal camera 30 may be connected
with the positioning member 505 along a slant or tilting direction
of the positioning member 505 relative to the rotation member 503.
Thus, the rotation angle of the gimbal camera 30 may be limited. In
some embodiments, the tilting angle between the position limiting
member 505 and the rotation member 503 may be in a range of
40.degree.-50.degree., for example, 45.degree.. For example, the
gimbal camera 30 may be controlled to rotate along a 45.degree.
direction with respect to the support wall 101 of the machine body
10, from the folded state (i.e., folded to cling to the support
wall 101 of the machine body 10) to the extended state (i.e.,
vertically standing over the machine body 10), or from the extended
state to the folded state. In some embodiments, the position
limiting member 505 of the base 50 and the rotation member 503 may
be integrally formed.
[0028] In some embodiments, the length of the gimbal camera 30
(which can be understood as the length in the Z direction shown in
FIG. 1) may be smaller than the length of the machine body 10
(which can be similarly understood as the length in the Z direction
shown in FIG. 1). This may ensure that when the gimbal camera 30 is
in the folded state, the gimbal camera 30 is within the structural
range of the machine body 10. The size of the gimbal camera 30 may
match with the size of the positioning member 505 of the base 50,
to avoid the issue relating to the size of the gimbal camera 30
being too large or too small such that it cannot cling to the
support wall 101 of the machine body 10 when the gimbal camera 30
is in the folded state. For example, in the illustrated embodiment,
the size of the gimbal camera 30 is the same as the size of the
positioning member 505 of the base 50.
[0029] In an embodiment, the machine body 10 may be provided with a
button for controlling the imaging device 302 to perform
photographing (which may be capturing photos or capturing videos).
In some embodiments, the support wall 101 of the machine body 10
may be provided with a first button 80a (the first button 80a shown
in the figure is provided at the top surface of the machine body
10), such that the user can operate the imaging device 302 to
perform photographing when the gimbal camera 30 is in the extended
state. In some embodiments, a side wall of the machine body 10 that
is adjacent the support wall 101 may be provided with a second
button 80b (the second button 80b shown in the figure is provided
on a side surface of the machine body 10). For example, the second
button 80b may be provided at a side surface of the machine body 10
facing against the lens of the imaging device 302, such that the
user can operate the imaging device 302 to perform photographing
when the gimbal camera 30 is in the folded state, so the gimbal
camera 30 can still be used for photographing when in the folded
state. In addition, when the gimbal camera 30 is in the extended
state, the second button 80b may be operated to adjust the gimbal
frame of the gimbal camera 30 to change the imaging angle of the
imaging device 302, or to switch the imaging modes of the imaging
device 302. For example, when the gimbal camera 30 is in the
extended state, pressing the second button 80b for one time may
switch the imaging mode of the imaging device 302 between the photo
mode and the video mode. Continuously pressing the second button
80b for two times may adjust the gimbal frame to a back to normal
state, thereby realizing the automatic back to normal function.
Continuously pressing the second button 80b for three times may
control the yaw axis assembly 303 of the gimbal frame to rotate,
such that the imaging device 302 rotates to face the user to
realize the selfie function. It can be understood that the number
of the times the button is continuously pressed, and the
corresponding mode realized by the gimbal camera 30 can be
configured based on needs, which is not limited by the present
disclosure.
[0030] In some embodiments, the machine body 10 may be provided
with a power button 90 configured to turn on or off the gimbal
photographing device 100. In some embodiments, the power button 90
may be provide on a side wall of the machine body 10 adjacent the
support wall 101. In the illustrated example, the power button 90
may be provided on the same side surface of the machine body 10 as
the second button 80b, and may be located over the second button
80b.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and FIG. 6, when the gimbal
camera 30 rotates from the extended state to the folded state, the
changing process of the location of the gimbal camera 30 is
rotating from the location where the gimbal camera 30 vertically
stands at the support wall 101 of the machine body 10 as shown in
FIG. 1 to the location where the gimbal camera 30 is tilted with
respect to the support wall 101 of the machine body 10 as shown in
FIG. 6, and then rotating from the location shown in FIG. 6 to the
location where the gimbal camera 30 slings to support wall 101 of
the machine body 10 as shown in FIG. 3. Correspondingly, the
location change of the gimbal camera 30 from the extended state to
the non-operating state is similar. When the gimbal camera 30
rotates from the folded state to the extended state, the location
changing process of the gimbal camera 30 is rotating from the
location where the gimbal camera 30 clings to the support wall 101
of the machine body 10 as shown in FIG. 3 to the location where the
gimbal camera 30 is tilted with respect to the support wall 101 of
the machine body 10 as shown in FIG. 6, and then rotating from the
location shown in FIG. 6 to the location where the gimbal camera 30
vertically stands at the support wall 101 of the machine body 10 as
shown in FIG. 1. Correspondingly, the location change of the gimbal
camera 30 when switching from the non-operating state to the
extended state is similar. When the gimbal camera 30 operates in
the extended state, the imaging device 302 may be operated to
perform photographing through the first button 80a. When the gimbal
camera 30 is in the folded state and is to operate, the imaging
device 302 may be operated to perform photographing through the
second button 80b.
[0032] In an embodiment, the gimbal camera 30 may be manually
rotated. The gimbal photographing device 100 may include a locking
structure configured to lock the rotation member 503 of the base
50. When the rotation member 503 of the base 50 causes the gimbal
camera 30 to rotate to the extended state, the location of the
rotation member 503 of the base 50 may be locked through the
locking structure, such that the location of the gimbal camera 30
at the extended state is stably maintained. The detailed structure
of the locking structure may be designed based on different needs.
For example, the locking structure may be a snap-fit structure, a
latch and lock mechanism, etc. In another embodiment, the gimbal
camera 30 may be directly driven by a driving motor to rotate, and
may not use the above described locking structure. The gimbal
photographing device 100 may also include a driving motor connected
to the rotation member 503 of the base 50. The driving motor may
drive the rotation member 503 of the base 50 to rotate around the
rotation axis 201, to cause the gimbal camera 30 to rotate relative
to the machine body 10. The rotation angle of the gimbal camera 30
may be configured by setting the operation time or speed of the
driving motor.
[0033] In an embodiment, the gimbal photographing device 100 may
also include a screen 60. The screen 60 may be disposed at a side
surface of the machine body 10, for a user to observe during
photographing. In the illustrated example, the screen 60, the
second button 80b, and the power button 90 are disposed at the same
side surface of the machine body 10, i.e., the side surface of the
machine body 10 facing against the imaging device 302. In another
embodiment, the gimbal photographing device 100 may also include a
mounting bracket for mounting an external display device. The
mounting bracket may be mounted on the machine body 10. The
external display device may be a device that can receive an image
captured by the imaging device 302, such as a cell phone or a
tablet, etc., which may also be used for observation by the user
during photographing.
[0034] In summary, in the gimbal photographing device 100 of the
present disclosure, the gimbal camera 30 may be caused to rotate by
the rotation member 503 of the base 50 of the foldable mechanism 20
to switch between two states: the extended state and the folded
state, thereby realizing the folding function for the gimbal camera
30. When the gimbal camera 30 is in the extended state, the gimbal
camera 30 may extend to operate normally. The location of the
gimbal camera 30 may be limited by the coupling between the first
abutting surface of the position limiting member 505 and the
position limiting element 40, such that the location of the gimbal
camera in the extended state can be stably maintained. When the
gimbal camera 30 is not operating, the gimbal camera 30 may be
folded to cling to the support wall 101 of the machine body 10. The
location of the gimbal camera 30 may be limited by the coupling
between the second abutting surface of the position limiting member
505 and the position limiting element 40, thereby reducing the
volume of the gimbal photographing device 100 and solving the
issues of the space occupied by the gimbal camera 30 being
relatively large when in the non-operating folded state. Shaking of
the gimbal camera 30 in the non-operating folded state may also be
avoided. As a result, the portability of the gimbal photographing
device 100 for carrying and the storage can be enhanced. The
overall compactness of the structural design can also be
improved.
[0035] It should be noted that in this specification, the
relational terms such as "first," "second" etc., are only used to
distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or
operation, and do not require or imply that any such actual
relationship or order exists between these entities or operations.
The term "including," "comprising" or any of their variations
encompass non-exclusive inclusion, such that the process, method,
object or device that includes a series of elements not only
include those elements, but also include other elements that have
not been expressly listed, or also include inherent elements
included in the process, method, object or device. When not limited
further, an element modified by the phrase "including a . . . "
does not exclude that the process, method, object or device that
includes the element also includes other same elements.
[0036] The above introduced in detail the method and device
provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. This
specification uses specific examples to explain the principle and
implementation methods of the present disclosure. The descriptions
of the above embodiments are only used to help understand the
methods and core spirit of the present disclosure. In the meantime,
a person having ordinary skills in the art can have modifications
to the specific implementation methods and application scope based
on the spirit of the present disclosure. In summary, the content of
the present specification should not be understood to limit the
present disclosure.
[0037] The disclosed content of the present disclosure includes
materials subject to copyright protection. The copyright is owned
by the copyright owner. The copyright owner does not object to
copying, by anyone, this patent document or this patent disclosure
that is in the official record and history of the patent and
trademark office.
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