Control device for a gimbal and method of controlling the same

• US 9,851,046 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2016
• Issued: 12/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2014
• 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: Pan, Paul, Zhu, Ming Liang, Zhao, Xi Feng
• Primary Examiner(s): Duckworth, Bradley
• Application Number:
  US15/298,836
• Publication Number:
  US 20170037995A1
• Time in Patent Office: 432 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/12 in more than one direction
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 3/00 Control of position or direction G05D1/00 takes precedence; numerical control to execute positioning G05B19/18
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 3/12 using feedback

Abstract

The present invention discloses a controlling device, a gimbal on which the controlling device is applied and a method for controlling a gimbal. The gimbal, for controlling an optical device to perform an action, may comprise a controlling device, a controlling assembly connected with the controlling device, and a performing assembly connected with the controlling assembly; wherein the controlling device may comprise a rocker for receiving an action instruction and generating a control instruction to be sent to the controlling assembly, the rocker may comprise a rocker handle and a potentiometer assembly connected with the rocker handle; the controlling assembly may be configured for generating a performing instruction for implementing a corresponding action according to the control instruction sent by the controlling device, and send the performing instruction to the performing assembly; the performing assembly may be configured for implementing a directional control for the optical device according to the performing instruction. The gimbal according to the present invention is easy to operate and has a good hand feeling, since the rocker is utilized to send the control instruction.

Claims

1. A gimbal for controlling an optical device, said gimbal comprising:

a rocker for receiving an action instruction and generating a control instruction, wherein the rocker comprises a rocker handle, a potentiometer assembly operably connected to the rocker handle, and a keypad for switching between two or more operating modes of the gimbal, the operating modes of the gimbal comprising;

(1) a follow mode in which a shooting direction of the optical device follows a moving direction of the gimbal and (2) a locked mode in which the shooting direction of the optical device is locked in a specified direction regardless of movement of the gimbal;

a controlling assembly configured to (1) receive the control instruction from the rocker, and (2) generate, based on the control instruction, a performing instruction for controlling the optical device;

a performing assembly configured to (1) receive the performing instruction from the controlling assembly, and (2) implement a directional control of the optical device in accordance with the performing instruction; and

a support arm configured to support the rocker, the controlling assembly and the performing assembly on an end of the support arm.

2. The gimbal according to claim 1, wherein the potentiometer assembly comprises a first potentiometer configured to control a pitch action of the optical device, and a second potentiometer configured to control a rotation action of the optical device.

3. The gimbal according to claim 1, wherein the rocker handle is operably coupled to the keypad to generate a switch control instruction for switching between the two or more operating modes of the gimbal.

4. The gimbal according to claim 1, further comprising a bracket located on another end of the support arm.

5. The gimbal according to claim 1, wherein the support arm has a bucket shape.

6. The gimbal according to claim 1, wherein the performing assembly comprises a first rotation member, a second rotation member connected with the first rotation member, a carrying member connected with the second rotation member, a first motor for driving the second rotation member to rotate relative to the first rotation member and a second motor for driving the carrying member to rotate relative to the second rotation member.

7. The gimbal according to claim 1, wherein the action instruction is a short press action instruction or a long press action instruction.

8. The gimbal according to claim 7, wherein the short press action instruction is configured to cause the gimbal to switch between the two or more operating modes.

9. The gimbal according to claim 7, wherein the long press action instruction is configured to cause the rocker handle to return to a middle position.

10. A controlling device for controlling an action of a gimbal, said controlling device comprising:

a rocker for receiving a control instruction and sending the control instruction to a controlling assembly to effect action of the gimbal, wherein the rocker comprises a rocker handle, a potentiometer assembly connected with the rocker handle, and a keypad for switching between two or more operating modes of the gimbal, the operating modes of the gimbal comprising;

(1) a follow mode in which a shooting direction of an optical device follows a moving direction of the gimbal and (2) a locked mode in which the shooting direction of the optical device is locked in a specified direction regardless of movement of the gimbal; and

a support arm configured to support the rocker and the controlling assembly on an end of the support arm.

11. The controlling device according to claim 10, wherein the potentiometer assembly comprises a first potentiometer for controlling a pitch action of the optical device via the gimbal and a second potentiometer for controlling a rotation action of the optical device via the gimbal.

12. The controlling device according to claim 10, wherein the rocker handle is operably coupled to the keypad to generate a switch control instruction for switching between the two or more operating modes of the gimbal.

13. The controlling device according to claim 10, wherein the control instruction is generated based on a short press action instruction or a long press action instruction.

14. A method for controlling an optical device, said method comprising:

receiving an action instruction and generating a control instruction by a rocker, wherein the rocker comprises a keypad for switching between two or more operating modes of a gimbal, the operating modes of the gimbal comprising;

(1) a follow mode in which a shooting direction of the optical device follows a moving direction of the gimbal and (2) a locked mode in which the shooting direction of the optical device is locked in a specified direction regardless of movement of the gimbal;

sending the control instruction to a controlling assembly;

generating, based on the control instruction, a performing instruction for a directional control of the optical device;

sending the performing instruction to a performing assembly; and

implementing, with aid of the performing assembly, the directional control for the optical device according to the performing instruction, wherein the rocker, the controlling assembly and the performing assembly are supported on an end of a support arm.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the performing assembly comprises a first rotation member, a second rotation member connected with the first rotation member, a carrying member connected with the second rotation member, a first motor for driving the second rotation member to rotate relative to the first rotation member and a second motor for driving the carrying member to rotate relative to the second rotation member.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the rocker further comprises a potentiometer assembly which comprises a first potentiometer for controlling a pitch action of the optical device via the gimbal and a second potentiometer for controlling a rotation action of the optical device via the gimbal.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the rocker further comprises a rocker handle connected with the potentiometer assembly.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the rocker handle is operably connected with the keypad to generate a switch control instruction for switching between the two or more operating modes of the gimbal.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein the action instruction is a short press action instruction or a long press action instruction.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the short press action instruction is configured to cause the gimbal to switch between the two or more operating modes.