GIMBAL HAVING PARALLEL STABILITY MECHANISM

摘要

The present disclosure describes devices and methods for providing movement of a payload about at least two degrees of freedom. A gimbal mechanism as described herein can provide rotation of a payload about at least two different axes, wherein the rotation about the two axes is controlled by two actuators that can be actuated independently of one another. The two actuators can be fixed in position and orientation relative to one another, such that neither actuator is driven by the other. Therefore, the gimbal mechanism can control movement of the payload about two degrees of freedom in a parallel manner. The gimbal mechanisms described herein can have a compact configuration that allows for minimizing the volume and weight of the gimbal mechanisms, while improving the stability of movement provided by the gimbal mechanisms.

主权项

1. A gimbal mechanism for providing movement of a payload about at least two degrees of freedom, the gimbal mechanism comprising:
a first actuator providing rotation about a first actuator axis; a second actuator providing rotation about a second actuator axis different from the first actuator axis; a first coupler operatively coupling the first actuator and the payload, the first coupler configured to affect rotation of the payload about the first actuator axis; and a second coupler operatively coupling the second actuator and the payload, the second coupler configured to affect rotation of the payload about the second actuator axis, wherein the first coupler is configured to allow free rotation of the payload about the second actuator axis, and wherein the second coupler is configured to allow free rotation of the payload about the first actuator axis.