FIXATION STRUCTURE AND GIMBAL SYSTEM

A fixation structure includes a hot shoe plate, a hot shoe rod assembly, a locking assembly, and a fixation assembly. The hot shoe plate includes a connection member and a sliding member. The connection member is arranged at a first end of the hot shoe plate. The sliding member is arranged at a second end of the hot shoe plate that is opposite to the first end. The hot shoe rod assembly includes a fixation rod detachably mounted at the connection member. The fixation rod includes a top member and a bottom member opposite to each other. The bottom member is configured to be connected to a gimbal. The locking assembly is configured to fix the hot shoe rod assembly at the hot shoe plate. The fixation assembly is configured to cooperate with the sliding member to connect a load at any position of the sliding member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the photographing technology field and, more particularly, to a fixation structure and a gimbal system.

BACKGROUND

When a camera is used to photograph, to ensure the stability of a captured picture, a gimbal is usually adopted to increase the stability of the camera. However, when the camera is carried at the gimbal, since the camera is too high and too heavy, the camera is not easy to be steadily carried at the gimbal.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fixation structure including a hot shoe plate, a hot shoe rod assembly, a locking assembly, and a fixation assembly. The hot shoe plate includes a connection member and a sliding member. The connection member is arranged at a first end of the hot shoe plate. The sliding member is arranged at a second end of the hot shoe plate that is opposite to the first end. The hot shoe rod assembly includes a fixation rod detachably mounted at the connection member. The fixation rod includes a top member and a bottom member opposite to each other. The bottom member is configured to be connected to a gimbal. The locking assembly is configured to fix the hot shoe rod assembly at the hot shoe plate. The fixation assembly is configured to cooperate with the sliding member to connect a load at any position of the sliding member.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gimbal system including a gimbal, a load, and a fixation structure. The fixation structure is configured to be connected to the load at the gimbal. The fixation structure includes a hot shoe plate, a hot shoe rod assembly, a locking assembly, and a fixation assembly. The hot shoe plate includes a connection member and a sliding member. The connection member is arranged at a first end of the hot shoe plate. The sliding member is arranged at a second end of the hot shoe plate that is opposite to the first end. The hot shoe rod assembly includes a fixation rod detachably mounted at the connection member. The fixation rod includes a top member and a bottom member opposite to each other. The bottom member is configured to be connected to a gimbal. The locking assembly is configured to fix the hot shoe rod assembly at the hot shoe plate. The fixation assembly is configured to cooperate with the sliding member to connect a load at any position of the sliding member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail. Examples of embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings. A same or similar character may be used to represent a same or similar element or elements having a same or similar function. Embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and only used to explain the present disclosure and should not be understood as a limitation of the present disclosure.

In the description of embodiments of the present disclosure, orientation or position relationship indicated by terms “center,” “longitudinal,” “transverse,” “length,” “width,” “thickness,” “up,” “down,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” “outer,” “clockwise,” “counterclockwise” is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, only to facilitate the description of embodiments of the present disclosure and simplify the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation and be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the terms should not be understood to limit embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, the terms “first” and “second” are used for descriptive purposes only, and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature associated with “first” and “second” may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such feature. In the description of embodiments of the present disclosure, the meaning of “plurality” is two or more, unless otherwise specified.

In the description of embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms “mount,” “connection,” and “coupling” should be understood in a broad sense. For example, the terms may indicate a fixed connection, a detachable connection, an integral connection, a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, a communication, a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediary, internal communication of two components, or interaction relationship of two components. Those of ordinary skill in the art should understand the specific meanings of the above terms in embodiments of the present disclosure according to specific situations.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified and defined, the first feature “above” or “below” the second feature may include the direct contact of the first and second features or may include indirect contact of the first and second features through other medium therebetween. Moreover, the first feature being “above,” “on,” and “over” the second feature includes that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. The first feature being “below,” “under,” and “beneath” the second feature includes that the first feature is directly under or obliquely under the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in height than the second feature.

The present disclosure provides many various embodiments or examples to implement different structures of embodiments of the present disclosure. For simplicity, components and settings of specific examples are described below. The description is merely exemplary and does not intend to limit embodiments of the present disclosure. Reference numerals and/or letters are repeated in different examples in embodiments of the present disclosure for simplicity and clarity and do not indicate a relationship among various implementations and/or settings. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide examples of various specific processes and materials, but those of ordinary skill in the art may be aware of an application of other processes and/or use of other materials.

As shown inFIG. 1, a fixation structure10consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure is configured to connect a load to a gimbal. The fixation structure10includes a hot shoe plate11, a hot shoe rod assembly12, a locking assembly13, and a fixation assembly15. The hot shoe plate11includes a first end11aand a second end11bopposite to each other. A connection member111is arranged at the first end11a, and a sliding member112is arranged at the second end11b. The hot shoe rod assembly12includes a fixation rod122detachably arranged at the connection member111. The hot shoe rod assembly12may cause the hot shoe plate11to be fixed at different positions of the hot shoe rod assembly12by the detachable connection of the connection member111. The fixation rod122includes a top member1221and a bottom member1222opposite to each other. The bottom member1222may be configured to be connected to the gimbal. The locking assembly13may be configured to fix the hot shoe rod assembly12at the hot shoe plate11. The fixation assembly15may be configured to cooperate with the sliding member112to connect the load at any position of the sliding member112.

In some embodiments, the load may include a device for acquiring external information and news, such as a camera, a cell phone, a tablet, a sensor, etc. The gimbal may include a three-axis gimbal, a two-axis gimbal, or a single axis gimbal. When the load is connected to the gimbal, the gimbal may stabilize the load and change the orientation and angle of the load. In some embodiments, an example may be described by using a camera (including a single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, a video recorder, a card camera, a surveillance camera, or another electronic device with a photographing function) as the load and the three-axis gimbal.

During a process of mounting the fixation rod122at the connection member111, the fixation rod122may move along a direction perpendicular to a direction between the first end11aand the second end11b, that is, along a first direction, until the fixation rod122has a suitable position relative to the connection member111. For example, the connection member111may be located at a position at half, one third, or one fourth of the length of the fixation rod122. Then, the hot shoe rod assembly12may be fixed at the hot shoe plate11by the locking assembly13.

During a process of connecting the load at the sliding member112, the fixation assembly15may slide with the load along a direction between the first end11aand the second end11b, that is, along a second direction, until the fixation assembly15and the load may have a suitable position relative to the sliding member112. For example, the fixation assembly15and the load may be located at a half, one third, or one fourth of the length of the sliding member112along an extension direction. Then, the load may be fixed at the sliding member112by the fixation assembly15. The first direction may be perpendicular to the second direction.

In some embodiments, the fixation structure10may be connected to the gimbal by the hot shoe rod assembly12and to the load by the cooperation of the fixation assembly15and the sliding member112to cause the load to be firmly carried at the gimbal. When the load cannot be firmly carried at the gimbal, the fixation structure10may help to fix the load. In addition, since the fixation rod122may move along the first direction relative to the hot shoe plate11, the load may move along the second direction relative to the hot shoe plate11, and the gimbal may be connected to the bottom member1222of the fixation rod122, the load may move along the first direction, the second direction, or the first direction and the second direction relative to the gimbal to move the load to a suitable position of a center of gravity to be carried stably.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the fixation structure10consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure includes the hot shoe plate11, the hot shoe rod assembly12, the locking assembly13, a connection assembly14, and the fixation assembly15.

The shape of the hot shoe plate11may include a long strip. The hot shoe plate11includes the first end11aand the second end11bopposite to each other. That is, two ends of the long strip include the first end11aand the second end11b, respectively. The connection member111is arranged at the first end11a. The sliding member112is arranged at the second end11b. The connection member111includes a through-hole1111or a blind hole. The sliding member112includes a sliding slot1121.

The hot shoe plate11includes an upper surface113, a lower surface114, and a side surface115. The upper surface113and the lower surface114are located at two sides of the hot shoe plate11opposite to each other. When the connection member111includes the through-hole1111, the through-hole1111extends from the upper surface113to the lower surface114. When the connection member111includes the blind hole, the blind hole may only penetrate the upper surface113or the lower surface114. A direction of a central axis of the through-hole1111or the blind hole is perpendicular to the upper surface113and the lower surface114. The sliding slot1121extends from the upper surface113to the lower surface114. An extension direction of the sliding slot1121includes the direction between the first end11aand the second end11b. That is, the extension direction of the sliding slot1121includes the second direction. When the load is a camera, the extension direction of the sliding slot1121may be perpendicular to an optical axis of the camera.

A cold shoe groove116is arranged at the upper surface113. The cold shoe groove116may be configured to be connected to another device, such as a device with a male cold shoe of a microphone, a compensation light, etc. The cold shoe groove116is located between the first end11aand the second end11b. One or a plurality of cold shoe grooves116may be included. When one cold shoe groove116is included, the cold shoe groove116is located at a center area between the first end11aand the second end11b. When the plurality of (e.g., two, three, or four) cold shoe grooves116are included, the plurality of cold shoe grooves116may be distributed between the first end11aand the second end11bat an even interval. Since the cold shoe groove116is located in the center area between the first end11aand the second end11b, or the plurality of cold shoe grooves116may be distributed between the first end11aand the second end11bat the even interval, an even force may be ensured for the hot shoe plate11when another device is connected to the cold shoe groove116. The cold shoe groove116includes an upper part1161and a lower part1162that are connected. An opening of the upper part1161may be smaller than an opening of the lower part1162. The cold shoe groove116may include a stepped groove formed by recessing the upper surface113toward the lower surface114. In some other embodiments, the cold shoe groove116may include a stepped groove formed by protruding from the upper surface113toward a direction away from the lower surface114.

At least one connection opening117is arranged at the upper surface113, for example, one, two, three, or four connection openings117may be arranged at the upper surface113. The connection opening117of the upper surface113is located between the connection member111and the cold shoe groove116, and/or between the cold shoe groove116and the sliding slot112. At least one connection opening1163is arranged on a bottom wall15311of the cold shoe groove116, for example, one, two, three, or four connection openings1163may be arranged on the bottom wall15311of the cold shoe groove116. The connection opening117of the upper surface113and the connection opening1163of the bottom wall15311of the cold shoe groove116may be configured to be connected to another device mechanically. Since the cold shoe groove116and the connection opening117are arranged at the upper surface113, and the connection opening1163is arranged on the bottom wall15311of the cold shoe groove116, the fixation structure10may provide a variety of extension interfaces to connect to another device needed during the operation of the load and reduce the workload of the interface of the load. The appearance structure may be simple. The hot shoe plate11further includes at least one position limiting member118, for example, a position limiting screw. The position limiting member118may be fixed at the upper surface113via a thread and provide a position limiting effect for other devices when needed.

The side surface115connects the upper surface113and the lower surface114. A locking hole1151is arranged at the side surface115.

The hot shoe rod assembly12includes a knob cover121and a fixation rod122.

The knob cover121includes a cover body1211and a connection rod1212extending from the cover body1211. An outer thread is arranged at the connection rod1212. The fixation rod122is detachably mounted to the connection member111. The fixation rod122includes a top member1221and a bottom member1222opposite to each other. The bottom member1222may be configured to be connected to the gimbal. The fixation rod122may include a hollow structure with the bottom member1222closed and an opening12211arranged at the top member1221to cause the weight of the hot shoe rod assembly12to be relatively light.

In some embodiments, the knob cover121is connected to the top member1221and shields the opening12211. An inner thread is arranged at the top member1221. The connection rod1212is inserted in the fixation rod122. The outer thread of the connection rod1212cooperates with the inner thread of the top member1221to connect the knob cover121and the fixation rod122. The outer thread of the connection rod1212and the inner thread of the top member1221are not exposed. The cover body1211shields the opening12211to prevent dust, water, or other material from entering the fixation rod122from the opening12211.

In some other embodiments, the hot shoe rod assembly12further includes an extension rod123. The extension rod123may be configured to provide an extension function when the length of the fixation rod122cannot meet the requirement. The extension rod123includes a connection end1231and an opening end1232opposite to each other. The connection end1231is connected to the top member1221and shields the opening12211. The knob cover121is connected to the opening end1232and shields the opening end1232. The inner thread is arranged at the top member1221. The outer thread is arranged at the connection end1231. The outer thread of the connection end1231and the inner thread of the top member1221may cooperate to connect the extension rod123and the fixation rod122. The outer thread of the connection end1231and the inner thread of the top member1221are not exposed. An inner thread is arranged at the opening end1232. The connection rod1212is inserted in the fixation rod122. The outer thread of the connection rod1212and the inner thread of the opening end1232may cooperate to connect the knob cover121and the extension rod123. The outer thread of the connection rod1212and the inner thread of the opening end1232are not exposed. The knob cover1211shields the opening end1232to prevent dust, water, or another substance from entering the extension rod123through the opening end1232.

The fixation rod122and the extension rod123may be formed of an aluminum alloy material. The aluminum alloy material may have a small density and high strength, may be beneficial to ensure the strength and safety of the connection of the load and the gimbal, and may not increase the weight excessively.

When the hot shoe rod assembly12includes the knob cover121and the fixation rod122, or the knob cover121, the fixation rod122, and the extension rod123, a connection hole12221is arranged at the bottom member1222of the fixation rod122to connect an arm of the gimbal. When the load includes a camera, the central axis of the connection hole12221may be perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera.

In some other embodiments, a relative position relationship of the fixation rod122and the extension rod123may be exchanged along the first direction, or the hot shoe rod assembly12may include one fixation rod122and a plurality of extension rods123, or a plurality of fixation rods122and one extension rod123, or the plurality of fixation rods122and the plurality of extension rods123.

As shown inFIG. 2,FIG. 3, andFIG. 6, the locking assembly13is configured to fix the hot shoe rod assembly12at the hot shoe plate11. The locking assembly13includes a locking part131, a locking knob132, a locking gasket133, a locking screw134, and a locking elastic member135.

The locking part131passes through and is locked in the locking hole1151to fix the hot shoe rod assembly12at the hot shoe plate11. In some embodiments, the locking part131may be a locking threaded rod, including a locking end1311passing through the locking hole1151and a knob end1312opposite to the locking end1311. The locking knob132is fixed at the knob end1312opposite to the side surface115. The locking part131further includes an abutting member1313located at the knob end1312. A stepped through-hole1321is arranged at the locking knob132. The abutting member1313is inserted in the stepped through-hole1321from a side of the locking knob132. The locking screw134is inserted in the stepped through-hole1321from another side of the locking knob132to be screwed with the locking part131. The locking elastic member135is accommodated in the stepped through-hole1321and sleeved at the locking part131. An end of the locking elastic member135is coupled to the step of the stepped through-hole1321, and another end of the locking elastic member135is coupled to the locking screw134. The locking elastic member135may include a spring. The locking gasket133is sleeved at the locking part131and located between the abutting member1313and the side surface115. The locking gasket133may include a ring-shaped gasket. The locking gasket133may include a wear-resistant material, for example, polyoxymethylene (POM), high carbon steel, cast iron, diamond, etc.

In some embodiments, the locking hole1151corresponds to and communicates with the through-hole1111. The locking part131passes through the locking hole1151to be connected to the fixation rod122.

In some other embodiments, the connection member111includes a first locking member1112and a second locking member1113arranged at an interval. The fixation rod122is inserted in the through-hole1111and is clamped by the first locking member1112and the second locking member1113. A distance between the first locking member1112and the second locking member1113may be adjusted to change a clamping force applied to the fixation rod122. The through-hole1111includes an accommodation section11111, a connection section11112, and a through section11113. The fixation rod122passes through and is arranged in the accommodation section11111. The connection section11112connects the accommodation section11111and the through section11113. The through section11113passes through the side surface115. The through-hole1111divides the connection member111into the first locking member1112and the second locking member1113. The locking hole1151corresponds to the connection section11112and includes a first sub locking hole11511and a second sub locking hole11512. The first sub locking hole11511passes through the first locking member1112. The second sub locking hole11512is arranged at the second locking member1113and is aligned with the first sub locking hole11511. The locking part131passes through the first sub locking hole11511and the connection section11112and is locked in the second sub locking hole11512.

In connection withFIG. 5, the connection assembly14cooperates with the connection hole12221and is configured to be connected to the arm of the gimbal. in some embodiments, the connection assembly14passes through the connection hole and the opening of a pitch axis of the gimbal in sequence to cause the hot shoe rod assembly12to be connected to the gimbal.

As shown inFIG. 2,FIG. 4,FIG. 7, andFIG. 8, the fixation assembly15cooperates with the sliding member112to connect the load to any position of the sliding member112. The fixation assembly15includes an adjustment knob151, an adjustment threaded rod152, an upper fixation block153, a lower fixation block154, a fixation gasket155, a fastening member156, and a fixation elastic member157.

The adjustment knob151is arranged at the upper surface113. The adjustment knob151includes a top surface1511, a bottom surface1512, and a side surface1513connecting the top surface1511and the bottom surface1512. The bottom surface1512faces the upper surface113. A groove is arranged at the bottom surface1512. A side hole1514communicating with the groove is arranged at the side surface1513.

The adjustment threaded rod152is fixedly connected to the adjustment knob151. The adjustment threaded rod152passes through the sliding slot1121. The adjustment threaded rod152includes a rod body1521and a blocking member1522. The blocking member1522is located at an end of the rod body1521away from the adjustment knob151. An end of the rod body1521away from the blocking member1522is accommodated in the groove. The fastening member156passes through the side hole1514and is fixedly connected to the rod body1521. In some embodiments, the fastening member156may abut directly a portion of the rod body1521inserted in the groove to cause the adjustment threaded rod152to be fixedly connected to the adjustment knob151. In some other embodiments, an inner thread may be arranged at the portion of the rod body1521inserted in the groove, and an external thread may be arranged at the fastening member156. The outer thread of the fastening member156and the inner thread of the rod body1521may cooperate to cause the adjustment threaded rod152to be fixedly connected to the adjustment knob151.

The upper fixation block153is arranged on a side where the lower surface114is located. The adjustment threaded rod152passes through the upper fixation block153. An upper recess1531is arranged at the upper fixation block153. At least one connection opening15321is arranged on a sidewall1532of the upper fixation block153, for example, one, two, three, or four connection openings15321. The connection opening15321is configured to mechanically connect another device, for example, a fixation rod of a follow focus motor. Since at least one connection opening15321is arranged on the sidewall1532of the upper fixation block153, the fixation structure10may provide a variety of extension interfaces to connect the another device needed during the operation of the load and reduce the workload of the interface of the load.

The lower fixation block154is arranged on the side where the lower surface114is located. The lower fixation block154passes through the upper fixation block153. The adjustment threaded rod152passes through the upper fixation block153to be screwed with the lower fixation block154. The blocking member1522blocks the lower fixation block154. In some embodiments, the lower fixation block154includes a body1541and a protrusion1542, which extends from both sides of the body1541. The protrusion1542cooperates with the hot shoe groove of the load to fix the load. The body1541is accommodated in the upper recess1531. The body1541includes a first surface15411and a second surface15412opposite to each other. The first surface15411is located in the upper recess1531. The first surface15411is recessed toward the second surface15412to form an accommodation groove15413. The second surface15412is recessed toward the first surface15412to form a lower recess1543. The blocking member1522abuts the bottom wall15311of the lower recess1543.

The fixation gasket155is sleeved at the adjustment threaded rod152and is clamped between the adjustment knob151and the upper surface113. The fixation gasket155may include a ring-shaped gasket. The fixation gasket155may include a wear-resistant material, for example, POM, high carbon steel, cast iron, diamond, etc.

An end of the fixation elastic member157is coupled to the upper fixation block153. Another end of the fixation elastic member157is coupled to the lower fixation block154. In some embodiments, the fixation elastic member157is accommodated n the accommodation groove15413. An end of the fixation elastic member157is coupled to the bottom wall15311of the upper recess1531. Another end of the fixation elastic member157is coupled to the bottom wall of the accommodation groove15413. The fixation elastic member157may include a spring, which is configured to provide a pre-tension between the lower fixation block154and the upper fixation block153. A plurality of fixation elastic members157may be included. The plurality of fixation elastic members157may be distributed evenly around the adjustment threaded rod152. For example, two fixation elastic members157may be included. Then, two accommodation grooves15413may be included. The two fixation elastic members157may evenly provide a pre-tension between the lower fixation block154and the upper fixation block153.

During mounting, the adjustment threaded rod152is fixedly connected to the adjustment knob151by the fastening member156. The adjustment knob151may rotate to drive the adjustment threaded rod152to rotate. The adjustment threaded rod152may rotate to cause the lower fixation block154to move along the rod body1521with the limitation of the upper fixation block153. For example, when the adjustment threaded rod152is rotated clockwise, the lower fixation block154may move downward along the rod body1521. When the adjustment threaded rod152is rotated counterclockwise, the lower fixation block154may move upward along the rod body1521. As such, the hot shoe grooves of different loads may be connected by adjusting the position of the lower fixation block154at the rod body1521.

In some other embodiments, a blocking member1522may not be arranged at the adjustment threaded rod152. The adjustment knob151and the adjustment threaded rod152may be an integral structure. The lower fixation block154may be coupled to the hot shoe groove of the load first. Then, the adjustment knob151may be rotated to tightly rotate the adjustment threaded rod152and the lower fixation block154.

Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a gimbal system. The gimbal system includes a gimbal, a load, and the fixation structure10. The fixation structure10may be configured to connect the load to the gimbal.

The gimbal system consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure may be connected to the gimbal through the hot shoe rod assembly12. The fixation assembly15and the sliding member112may cooperate to connect the load to cause the load to be stably carried by the gimbal.

In the description of this specification, referring to the terms “certain embodiments,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “exemplary embodiments,” “examples,” “specific examples,” or “some examples,” the description means that specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with embodiments or examples are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. In this specification, the schematic description of the above terms does not necessarily refer to a same embodiment or example. The described specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described above, embodiments are exemplary and should not be understood as limiting the present disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art may perform modifications, changes, replacements, and variations on embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.