Gravity center adjustment mechanism and related camera device

A camera device includes a base, an image sensing component and a gravity center adjustment mechanism. The image sensing component is located on the base. The gravity center adjustment mechanism includes a circuit board disposed on the base, an adjusting module and a weight component. An angle detecting unit on the circuit board is used to detect an inclined angle of the circuit board related to a reference surface. The adjusting module is disposed on the circuit board. The weight component is connected to the circuit board via the adjusting module. An processing unit on the circuit board drives the adjusting module to rotate the weight component according to the inclined angle, so as to change position of a gravity center of the camera device and to adjust a capturing angle of the image sensing component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mobile camera device, and more particularly, to a gravity center adjustment mechanism and a related camera device having stable balancing function and capable of utilizing the gravity center adjustment mechanism to adjust a visual angle of the camera device while the camera device moves.

2. Description of the Prior Art

With the advanced technology, the robot is widespread applied to manufacturing factory and consumer's family life. The household robot can be a vertical robot and a spherical robot. The vertical robot has to overcome coordination of limbs balance, and has a drawback of slow and unstable motion. The spherical robot can rapidly move on the ground and conforms to the ordinary household demand. The conventional spherical household robot includes a camera, the user can remotely control a video capturing function of the spherical household robot, and can monitor interior environment while stays outside, such as being in the office. The camera of the conventional spherical household robot is simultaneously rotated with rolling of the spherical housing. Please refer toFIG. 1.FIG. 1is a diagram of showing variation of the camera12while the spherical household robot10moves in prior art. As the wheel set14is rotated above an inner wall of the spherical housing, the spherical household robot10is moved on the supporting plane, the camera12is violently reversed while the conventional spherical household robot10is rolled and cannot keep at the specific predetermined vision angle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a gravity center adjustment mechanism and a related camera device having stable balancing function and capable of utilizing the gravity center adjustment mechanism to adjust a visual angle of the camera device while the camera device moves for solving above drawbacks.

According to the claimed invention, a gravity center adjustment mechanism includes a circuit board, an adjusting module and a weight component. The circuit board has a processing unit and an angle detecting unit, and the angle detecting unit is utilized to detect an inclined angle of the circuit board relative to a reference surface. The adjusting module is disposed on the circuit board. The weight component is movably connected to the circuit board via the adjusting module. The processing unit drives the adjusting module to move the weight component according to the inclined angle, so as to change a gravity center of an assembly of the circuit board, the adjusting module and the weight component, and to adjust rotation of the circuit board relative to the reference surface.

According to the claimed invention, he weight component is a pendulum, an end of the pendulum has a weight block, and the other end of the pendulum is pivotally connected to the adjusting module.

According to the claimed invention, the adjusting module includes a first counterweight adjusting unit and a second counterweight adjusting unit, the weight component includes a first counterweight portion and a second counterweight portion, and an oscillating variation of the first counterweight portion rotated by the first counterweight adjusting unit is different from an oscillating variation of the second counterweight portion rotated by the second counterweight adjusting unit.

According to the claimed invention, a first rotating direction of the first counterweight portion is identical with or opposite to a second rotating direction of the second counterweight portion.

According to the claimed invention, an included angle is formed between a first rotating direction of the first counterweight portion and a second rotating direction of the second counterweight portion.

According to the claimed invention, the weight component includes a supporting seat and a plurality of weight blocks, the supporting seat has a plurality of accommodating structures, and the plurality of weight blocks having different weight is respectively disposed inside the plurality of accommodating structures.

According to the claimed invention, the adjusting module utilizes an orthogonal gear set to rotate the weight component.

According to the claimed invention, A camera device includes a base, an image sensing component and a gravity center adjustment mechanism. The image sensing component is disposed on the base and utilized to obtain image information. The gravity center adjustment mechanism includes a circuit board, an adjusting module and a weight component. The circuit board has a processing unit and an angle detecting unit, and the angle detecting unit is utilized to detect an inclined angle of the circuit board relative to a reference surface. The adjusting module is disposed on the circuit board. The weight component is movably connected to the circuit board via the adjusting module. The processing unit drives the adjusting module to move the weight component according to the inclined angle, so as to change a gravity center of the camera device and to adjust a capturing angle of the image sensing component.

According to the claimed invention, the camera device further includes a spherical housing and a rolling kit. The base, the image sensing component and the gravity center adjustment mechanism are disposed inside the spherical housing, and image sensing component faces a transparent region of the spherical housing. The rolling kit is disposed on the base and contacts an inner wall of the spherical housing in a rolling manner.

According to the claimed invention, the adjusting module rotates the weight component in a specific direction for guiding the rolling kit to be rolled in the specific direction.

According to the claimed invention, the camera device further includes a control motor disposed on the base and connected to the rolling kit, and the control motor is adapted to drive rotation of the rolling kit.

According to the claimed invention, the camera device further includes a positioning wheel set disposed on a position on the base different from the rolling kit, and contacting the inner wall in the rolling manner.

According to the claimed invention, the camera device further includes an audio sensing component electrically connected to the processing unit, and the processing unit drives rotation of the rolling kit in accordance with a sensing result of the audio sensing component.

According to the claimed invention, the camera device further includes a visual angle adjustment module disposed on the base and adapted to adjust a rotary angle of the image sensing component relative to the base.

The camera device of the present invention utilizes the gravity center adjustment mechanism to execute the angle balancing function. The weight component of the gravity center adjustment mechanism can change the structural gravity center of the camera device while being oscillated or rotated. The pendulum of the weight component can be hanged down to keep the circuit board in the horizontal, and the image sensing component is utilized to obtain the level image; while the pendulum of the weight component is oscillated forward or backward, the circuit board is inclined according to variation of the gravity center, and the scene orientation of the image sensing component can be adjusted accordingly to change the capturing angle. Due to the angle balancing function of the gravity center adjustment mechanism, deviation of the camera device in shift or in oscillation can be amended immediately for preferred scene stability, and roller design of the camera device can be used to expand the special vision angle of the camera lens. The gravity center adjustment mechanism not only can be installed inside the spherical camera device, but also can be applied to a hydro-camera device, an aerial-camera device or any movable camera device. The camera device of the present invention can overcome sudden accident resulted from unstable water flow or airflow to ensure quality stability of the image information. Comparing to the prior art, the camera device of the present invention can keep the camera lens of the image sensing component at the specific vision angle via the gravity center adjustment mechanism no matter how the camera device is oscillated or shaken, and the camera device on the march can continuously execute effective image capturing operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Please refer toFIG. 2andFIG. 3.FIG. 2is a sectional view of a camera device20according to a first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3is a diagram of the camera device20according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The camera device20can include a spherical housing22, a base24, a rolling kit26, an image sensing component28and a gravity center adjustment mechanism30. The spherical housing22is utilized to accommodate elements of the camera device20for providing cover protection and preferred aesthetic. The spherical housing22has a transparent region32. The image sensing component28is disposed on the base24inside the spherical housing22, a fixing component can be used to fix the image sensing component28on the base24through the circuit board36, and an actual assembling position is not limited to the said situation. The image sensing component28faces toward the transparent region32to obtain image information outside the camera device20. The rolling kit26is disposed on the base24, and can contact an inner wall34of the spherical housing22in a rolling manner. The rolling kit26is an optional element. For example, while the camera device20is put on the table or on the ground, the rolling kit26is preferably disposed inside the spherical housing22to let the camera device20be able to rotate and shift above a supporting plane (the supporting plane can be interpreted as the foresaid table, the ground or any surface whereon the camera device20is located). Application of the rolling kit26is not limited to the said embodiment, and depends on design demand.

The gravity center adjustment mechanism30can include a circuit board36, an adjusting module38and a weight component40. The circuit board36is disposed on the base24, and can be located above or under the base24, and further can be integrated with the base24monolithically. The circuit board36has a processing unit42and an angle detecting unit44. The angle detecting unit44is utilized to detect an inclined angle of the circuit board36(or the image sensing component28) relative to the reference surface. Because the image sensing component28is connected with the circuit board36, the angle detecting unit44detects the inclined angle of the circuit board36relative to the reference surface can be interpreted as detecting the inclined angle of the image sensing component28relative to the reference surface. The reference surface is not limited to a specific surface in real; for example, the reference surface can be defined as a horizontal plane relative to the supporting plane, or be set in accordance with an initial putting angle of the circuit board36relative to the supporting plane. The weight component40can be disposed on the circuit board36via the adjusting module38in a movable manner. In the first embodiment, the adjusting module38can be a rotary motor, and the weight component40can be a pendulum. An end of the pendulum is pivotally connected to the rotary motor, and the other end of the pendulum has a weight block401. The adjusting module38can change a gravity center of the camera device20by translational movement or rotation of the weight component40. The camera device20can optionally include a control motor46disposed on the base24and connected to the rolling kit26. The control motor46is utilized to drive rotation of the rolling kit26, which means driving the rolling kit26to roll relative to the inner wall34, and the camera device20can be moved forward and backward above the supporting plane accordingly.

However, the camera device20further can drive the rolling kit26to roll above the inner wall34without the control motor46. Please refer toFIG. 4.FIG. 4is a sectional view of the camera device20′ in another type according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Difference between the camera device20′ and the camera device20is: the camera device20′ does not dispose the control motor on the rolling kit26, and the rolling kit26cannot rotate actively. The camera device20′ utilizes the adjusting module38to oscillate the weight component40at a specific direction D (such as oscillating the weight component40to a right side shown in left portion ofFIG. 4), the gravity center of the camera device20′ is shifted to the right side to rotate the rolling kit26at the specific direction D (such as the foresaid right side direction), and the camera device20′ can be rotated at a clockwise direction and shifted to the right side above the supporting plane. The weight component40which is oscillated to the specific direction D (such like the right side) can be represented as being rotated at a counterclockwise direction; otherwise, the weight component40which is oscillated to the left side can be represented as being rotated at the clockwise direction.

Please refer toFIG. 2andFIG. 3. The camera device20further optionally includes a positioning wheel set48, an audio sensing component50and a visual angle adjustment module52. The positioning wheel set48is disposed on a position of the base24relative to the rolling kit26, and can contact against the inner wall34of the spherical housing22in a rolling manner. The rolling kit26and the positioning wheel set48are respectively located on two opposite sides of the base24to contact the spherical housing22, so as to ensure that the base24is centred within the spherical housing22. The audio sensing component50is electrically connected to the processing unit42and utilized to receive an audio signal outside the spherical housing22. The processing unit42can drive rotation of the rolling kit26according to a sensing result of the audio sensing component50, so as to move the camera device20toward and away from the audio source. In addition, the visual angle adjustment module52is disposed on the base24and utilized to adjust a rotary angle of the image sensing component28relative to the base24, and the image sensing component28can freely change its vision angle within a range of the transparent region32.

Please refer toFIG. 5A,FIG. 5BandFIG. 5C.FIG. 5A,FIG. 5BandFIG. 5Crespectively are diagrams of the camera device20during an immediate amendment process according to the first embodiment of the present invention. While the camera device20is accelerated or passes through the rough supporting plane, as shown inFIG. 5AandFIG. 5B, inner elements of the camera device20are inclined by the centrifugal force, the vision angle of the image sensing component28is aberrant, and the angle detecting unit44can immediately detect the inclined angle of the inner elements (such like the circuit board36); then, the processing unit42can drive the adjusting module38to rotate the weight component40according to variation of the inclined angle, as the clockwise rotation shown inFIG. 5BandFIG. 5C, the gravity center of the camera device20can be varied rapidly and effectively for inclination amendment, and the image sensing component28can be positioned stably and the visual angle adjustment module52can be utilized to amend the angle of the image sensing component28in accordance with actual demand, for settling the image sensing component28toward the monitor orientation.

Besides, the gravity center adjustment mechanism30can be used to execute the special vision angle adjustment of the image sensing component28with the visual angle adjustment module52. Please refer toFIG. 6A,FIG. 6B,FIG. 6C,FIG. 6DandFIG. 6E.FIG. 6A,FIG. 6B,FIG. 6C,FIG. 6DandFIG. 6Erespectively are diagrams of the camera device20under the special vision angle adjustment according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 6A, the vision angle adjustment of the image sensing component28is limited to the range of the transparent region32. As shown inFIG. 6BandFIG. 6C, the weight component40is oscillated to the left side, the gravity center of the camera device20is shifted to guide counterclockwise rotation of the spherical housing22, and an adjustable range of the vision angle of the image sensing component28located on the left side of the camera device20can be increased accordingly. As shown inFIG. 6DandFIG. 6E, the weight component40is oscillated to the right side, the gravity center of the camera device20is shifted to guide the clockwise rotation of the spherical housing22, so as to increase the adjustable range of the vision angle of the image sensing component28located on the right side of the camera device20.

Please refer toFIG. 7andFIG. 8.FIG. 7andFIG. 8respectively are diagrams of the gravity center adjustment mechanism30′ in different views according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, elements having the same numerals as ones of the first embodiment have the same structures and functions, and a detailed description is omitted herein for simplicity. The adjusting module38′ of the gravity center adjustment mechanism30′ can include a first counterweight adjusting unit54and a second counterweight adjusting unit56, and the weight component40′ can include a first counterweight portion58and a second counterweight portion60. A first rotating direction D1of the first counterweight portion58can be identical with or opposite to a second rotating direction D2of the second counterweight portion60. The first counterweight portion58is a main adjusting pendulum, the second counterweight portion60is an auxiliary adjusting pendulum, and an oscillating variation of the first counterweight portion58rotated by the first counterweight adjusting unit54is different from an oscillating variation of the second counterweight portion60rotated by the second counterweight adjusting unit56; for example, the oscillating variation can be large and suitable for coarse adjustment, the oscillating variation further can be slight and suitable for fine adjustment. The adjusting module38′ can provide the delicate gravity center adjustment, and can be utilized to replace the visual angle adjustment module52of the first embodiment. For example, the processing unit42can control the second counterweight adjusting unit56to slightly rotate the second counterweight portion60, the base24has small oscillation, and the vision angle of the image sensing component28can be slightly adjusted. The adjusting module38′ and the visual angle adjustment module52may be both disposed inside the camera device20.

Please refer toFIG. 9.FIG. 9is diagram of the gravity center adjustment mechanism30′ in another type according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the weight component40′ can include a plurality of counterweight portions with different weight for variable amendment during the gravity center adjustment process. The weight component40′ can include the first counterweight portion58′ and the second counterweight portion60′ shaped as the arc pendulum, and an included angle is formed between the first rotating direction D1′ of the first counterweight portion58′ and the second rotating direction D2′ of the second counterweight portion60′. The foresaid included angle can be, but not limited to, ninety degrees in the second embodiment. The first counterweight portion58′ and the second counterweight portion60′ respectively has the first counterweight adjusting unit54′ and the second counterweight adjusting unit56′. The first counterweight portion58′ is the main adjusting pendulum, the second counterweight portion60′ auxiliary adjusting pendulum, application of the said pendulums are similar to the above-mentioned embodiment, and a detailed description is omitted herein for simplicity.

Please refer toFIG. 10.FIG. 10is a diagram of the gravity center adjustment mechanism30″ according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, elements having the same numerals as ones of the above-mentioned embodiments have the same structures and functions, and a detailed description is omitted herein for simplicity. The weight component40″ of the gravity center adjustment mechanism30″ can include a supporting seat62and a plurality of weight blocks64and64′. The plurality of weight blocks64and64′ may have individual weight, and can be respectively disposed inside a plurality of accommodating structures621of the supporting seat62. The adjusting module38can drive oscillation of the weight component40″, or utilize an orthogonal gear set66to rotate the weight component40″. The weight component40″ can be oscillate or rotated by the adjusting module38to change the structural gravity center of the camera device for the inclination amendment.

In conclusion, the camera device of the present invention utilizes the gravity center adjustment mechanism to execute the angle balancing function. The weight component of the gravity center adjustment mechanism can change the structural gravity center of the camera device while being oscillated or rotated. The pendulum of the weight component can be hanged down to keep the circuit board in the horizontal, and the image sensing component is utilized to obtain the level image; while the pendulum of the weight component is oscillated forward or backward, the circuit board is inclined according to variation of the gravity center, and the scene orientation of the image sensing component can be adjusted accordingly to change the capturing angle. Due to the angle balancing function of the gravity center adjustment mechanism, deviation of the camera device in shift or in oscillation can be amended immediately for preferred scene stability, and roller design of the camera device can be used to expand the special vision angle of the camera lens. The gravity center adjustment mechanism not only can be installed inside the spherical camera device, but also can be applied to a hydro-camera device, an aerial-camera device or any movable camera device. The camera device of the present invention can overcome sudden accident resulted from unstable water flow or airflow to ensure quality stability of the image information. Comparing to the prior art, the camera device of the present invention can keep the camera lens of the image sensing component at the specific vision angle via the gravity center adjustment mechanism no matter how the camera device is oscillated or shaken, and the camera device on the march can continuously execute effective image capturing operation.