Payload mounting platform

• US 10,556,708 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2019
• Issued: 02/11/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. (d/b/a DJI) (iFlight Technology Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. (d/b/a DJI) (iFlight Technology Company Limited)
• Inventors: Zhao, Tao, Zhao, Xi Feng, Wang, Yong, Zhou, Li, Wang, Tao
• Primary Examiner(s): LaBalle, Clayton E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hancock, Dennis
• Application Number:
  US16/247,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20190144133A1
• Time in Patent Office: 393 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/87 Mounting of imaging devices, e.g. mounting of gimbals
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2028 for rolling, i.e. for creating a landscape-portrait rotation
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/42 with arrangement for propelling the support stands on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/006 Apparatus mounted on flying objects
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting a payload includes a first support member coupled to the payload and a flexible member configured to be electrically coupled to the first support member and the payload. The payload is configured to rotate around a first rotational axis relative to the first support member. The flexible member is configured to (i) wind around a portion of the first support member or the payload when the payload is rotated in a first direction around the first rotational axis, and (ii) unwind from around the portion when the first support member is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction around the first rotational axis. The flexible member is configured to transmit sensor data indicating a spatial disposition of the payload or the first support member.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supporting a payload, the apparatus comprising:

a first support member coupled to the payload, wherein the payload is configured to rotate around a first rotational axis relative to the first support member; and

a single flexible member configured to be electrically coupled to the first support member and the payload,

wherein the single flexible member is configured to (i) wind around a portion of the first support member or the payload when the payload is rotated in a first direction around the first rotational axis, and (ii) unwind from around the portion when the first support member is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction around the first rotational axis, and

wherein the single flexible member is configured to transmit sensor data indicating a spatial disposition of the payload or the first support member to control a rotation of the payload or the first support member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible member comprises a branched configuration comprising a first extension, a second extension, a third extension, and a first connection portion extending between the first extension and the second extension, the first extension being configured to couple to the payload and the second extension being configured to couple to the first support member.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second extension is configured to electrically couple to a first motor of the first support member.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the third extension extends from a second connection portion extending between the second extension and the third extension, and wherein the third extension is configured to couple the second support member to the first support member and the payload, and wherein the second connection portion of the flexible member is configured to (i) wind around a portion of the first support member or the second support member when the first support member is rotated in a first direction around the second rotational axis, and (ii) unwind from around the portion of the first support member or the second support member when the first support member is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction around the second rotational axis.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible member is configured to electrically couple to the payload and to transmit payload data.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to be releasably coupled to a movable object.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the movable object is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible member is configured to transmit control data from a controller to the payload or the first support member.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor data is generated by a detection module.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the detection module comprises an inertial measurement unit (IMU).

11. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:

a propulsion system;

the apparatus of claim 1; and

one or more processors configured to control the propulsion system and the apparatus of claim 1.

12. An apparatus for supporting a payload, the apparatus comprising:

a first support member configured to be coupled to the payload, wherein the payload is configured to rotate around a first rotational axis relative to the first support member;

a second support member configured to be coupled to the first support member, wherein the first support member is configured to rotate around a second rotational axis relative to the second support member; and

a single flexible member configured to be electrically coupled to the first support member and the second support member,

wherein the single flexible member is configured to (i) wind around a portion of the first support member or the second support member when the payload is rotated in a first direction around the first rotational axis, and (ii) unwind from around the portion when the first support member is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction around the first rotational axis, and

wherein the single flexible member is configured to transmit sensor data indicating a spatial disposition of the payload, first support member, or the second support member to control a rotation of the payload, the first support member, or the second support member.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the flexible member comprises a branched configuration comprising a first extension, a second extension and a third extension, and a first connection portion extending between the first extension and the second extension, wherein the first extension is configured to electrically couple to the first motor of the first support member and the second extension is configured to electrically couple to the second motor of the second support member.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the flexible member is configured to electrically couple to the payload and to transmit payload data.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is configured to be releasably coupled to a movable object.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the movable object is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the flexible member is configured to transmit control data from a controller to the first support member or the second support member.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the sensor data is generated by a detection module.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the detection module comprises at least one of an accelerometer or a gyroscope.

20. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:

a propulsion system;

the apparatus of claim 12; and

one or more processors configured to control the propulsion system and the apparatus of claim 12.