CN216111885U

CN216111885U - Damping device for folding equipment

Info

Publication number: CN216111885U
Application number: CN202121122840.7U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 不公告发明人
Original assignee: Suzhou Zhendi Intelligent Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Suzhou Zhendi Intelligent Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-05-24
Filing date: 2021-05-24
Publication date: 2022-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 2031-05-24

Abstract

The present invention provides a damping apparatus for a foldable device having a first part and a second part movable relative to each other, the damping apparatus comprising: the first connecting assembly is fixedly connected with the first component and provided with a first cam, and the first cam is provided with a first cam surface; the second connecting assembly is fixedly connected with the second component and is provided with a second cam, and the second cam is provided with a second cam surface, wherein the first cam surface and the second cam surface are abutted together; and an elastic member that engages with the first cam portion or the second cam portion to act the first cam surface and the second cam surface in a direction to abut against each other.

Description

Damping device for folding equipment

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of mechanical structures, and in particular, to a damping device for a folding apparatus and a cradle head, and a folding apparatus and a cradle head including the damping device.

Background

With the increase of the demand of people for mobile phone photography and the improvement of the requirement of shot picture quality, more and more people select to use the handheld holder stabilizer as an auxiliary tool for daily shooting, but the known handheld holder stabilizer in the market at present is generally large in size, inconvenient to carry and single in function. At present, the foldable tripod head stabilizer which is commonly used needs to be unfolded/folded to a specified position by a nut screwing mode. In order to solve the above problem, the application provides a new damping axle that can be used to folding equipment, can be applied to folding cloud platform stabilizer, realizes that cloud platform stabilizer can be more convenient than other modes, is more convenient for accomodate and carry.

The statements in this background section merely represent techniques known to the public and are not, of course, representative of the prior art.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In view of at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art, the present disclosure provides a damping device usable with a foldable apparatus having a first part and a second part movable relative to each other, characterized in that the damping device comprises:

the first connecting assembly is fixedly connected with the first component and provided with a first cam, and the first cam is provided with a first cam surface;

the second connecting assembly is fixedly connected with the second component and is provided with a second cam, and the second cam is provided with a second cam surface, wherein the first cam surface and the second cam surface are abutted together; and

an elastic member that engages with the first cam portion or the second cam portion to act the first cam surface and the second cam surface in a direction to abut against each other.

According to one aspect of the utility model, the first coupling member includes a flange having an intermediate opening, wherein the first cam surface is located on a side surface of the flange; the second connecting assembly comprises a mandrel penetrating through the middle opening of the flange plate, the second cam is sleeved on the mandrel and can move along the axial direction of the mandrel and is fixed with the mandrel along the circumferential direction, and the mandrel is fixedly connected to the second component.

According to one aspect of the utility model, the second connection assembly has an axial end flange on the opposite side of the spindle to the second cam for fixed connection to the second component.

According to one aspect of the utility model, the first coupling assembly comprises a coupling arm having a central opening at one side, wherein the first cam surface is located on one surface of the coupling arm at that side; the second connecting assembly includes a mandrel passing through the central opening, the second cam is sleeved on the mandrel and can move along the axial direction of the mandrel and is fixed with the mandrel along the circumferential direction, and the mandrel is fixedly connected to the second component.

According to one aspect of the utility model, the connecting arm is perpendicular to the spindle, and the second connecting assembly has a profile on the opposite side of the spindle to the second cam for fixed connection to the second component.

According to one aspect of the utility model, the first connection assembly includes a bracket connected on an outer side of the first cam for connection to the first component, the first cam having a central opening through the first cam surface; the second connecting assembly includes a shaft passing through the central opening, the second cam is sleeved on the mandrel and can move along the axial direction of the mandrel and is fixed with the mandrel along the circumferential direction, and the mandrel is fixedly connected to the second component.

According to one aspect of the utility model, the bracket is generally perpendicular to the first cam surface, and the second connection assembly has a formation on an opposite side of the shaft from the second cam for fixed connection to the second component.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the damping device further includes a locker provided at one end of the stem for trapping the elastic member between the locker and the second cam.

According to one aspect of the utility model, the retaining member includes a retaining nut, and the spindle has a thread at one end for screwing the retaining nut.

According to one aspect of the utility model, the elastic member comprises a spring or one or more elastic washers which are sleeved on the mandrel, and the position of the locking member is adjustable to adjust the elastic force of the elastic member.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the second connecting member further includes an angle restricting piece that is fitted over the spindle and circumferentially fixed with respect to the spindle, the angle restricting piece abutting the first cam and having a notch portion, the first cam having a projection on a side opposite to the first cam surface, the projection being received in the notch portion so as to restrict a rotational angle range of the first cam with respect to the second cam.

According to one aspect of the utility model, the first cam and the second cam are mounted coaxially.

According to one aspect of the utility model, wherein the mandrel has a cavity along its axial direction for passing a lead.

The present invention also provides a foldable device comprising:

a first member;

a second component; and

a damping device as described above, the damping device relatively rotatably connecting the first and second parts together.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the disclosure and are not to limit the disclosure. In the drawings:

figure 1 shows an exploded view of a damping device according to a first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the damping device of the first embodiment from another direction;

FIG. 3 shows an assembly view of the damping device of the first embodiment;

fig. 4 shows an exploded view of the damping device of the first embodiment when assembled with a pan and tilt head;

fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the damping device of the first embodiment assembled with the head;

figure 6 shows an exploded view of a damping device according to a second embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the damping device of the second embodiment from another direction;

FIG. 8 shows an assembly view of the damping device of the second embodiment;

fig. 9 shows an exploded view of the damping device of the second embodiment when assembled with a pan and tilt head;

fig. 10 shows a perspective view of the damping device of the second embodiment assembled with the head;

figure 11 shows an exploded view of a damping device according to a third embodiment of the present application;

figures 12 and 13 show perspective views of the first connection assembly;

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the angle limiting piece;

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of the mandrel and forming section;

fig. 16 shows an exploded view of the damping device of the third embodiment assembled with a head;

fig. 17 and 18 show two limit positions of the damping device of the third embodiment, respectively.

Detailed Description

In the following, only certain exemplary embodiments are briefly described. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

In the description of the present application, it is to be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," and the like are used in the orientations and positional relationships indicated in the drawings for convenience in describing the present application and for simplicity in description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the referenced devices or elements must have a particular orientation, be constructed in a particular orientation, and be operated in a particular manner, and are not to be construed as limiting the present application. Furthermore, the terms "first", "second" and "first" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defined as "first", "second", may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the described features. In the description of the present application, "a plurality" means two or more unless specifically limited otherwise.

In the description of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise explicitly stated or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" are to be construed broadly, e.g., as meaning either a fixed connection, a removable connection, or an integral connection, either mechanically, electrically, or in communication with each other; either directly or indirectly through intervening media, either internally or in any other relationship. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art as appropriate.

In this application, unless expressly stated or limited otherwise, the first feature "on" or "under" the second feature may comprise direct contact of the first and second features, or may comprise contact of the first and second features not directly but through another feature in between. Also, the first feature being "on," "above" and "over" the second feature includes the first feature being directly on and obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicating that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. A first feature being "under," "below," and "beneath" a second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply meaning that the first feature is at a lesser level than the second feature.

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing different features of the application. In order to simplify the disclosure of the present application, specific example components and arrangements are described below. Of course, they are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present application. Moreover, the present application may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples, such repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. In addition, examples of various specific processes and materials are provided herein, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize applications of other processes and/or use of other materials.

The preferred embodiments of the present application will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and it will be understood that they are described herein only to illustrate and explain the present application and not to limit the present application.

In a shooting assistance apparatus such as a pan/tilt head, in order to adjust the shooting apparatus to an appropriate shooting angle, relative movement is often required between respective parts of the pan/tilt head to achieve an adjustment function. These relative movements are achieved, in some cases, by controlling the motor and, in some cases, by manual operation by the user, which also requires the use of a nut-screwing means. Especially for the movements manually operated by the user, if some damping effects can be provided, the use is more convenient, and the operation experience of the user can be improved. And in other collapsible equipment, like collapsible unmanned aerial vehicle, the horn also needs fold condition and expansion state conversion with the fuselage, for reducing manually operation's step to strengthen unmanned aerial vehicle's operational safety, also can provide damping device, improve user's operation experience.

The present application provides a damping apparatus that may be used with a folding device having a first member and a second member that are movable relative to each other. In the technical scheme of this application, damping device includes first coupling assembling and second coupling assembling, is used for respectively with first part and second part fixed connection, wherein first coupling assembling has first cam, first cam has first cam surface, and second coupling assembling has the second cam, and the second cam has the second cam surface, and first cam surface and second cam surface butt together each other to thereby close to each other through the elastic component effect. Preferred embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The damping device can be used in a holder, a stabilizer and a holder stabilizer, connects two parts of the holder, and can also be introduced into other types of folding equipment, including but not limited to unmanned aerial vehicles. In the present application, the terms "pan/tilt", "stabilizer" and "pan/tilt stabilizer" are used interchangeably.

Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a damping device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present application, fig. 2 shows an exploded view of the damping device 10 viewed from another direction, fig. 3 shows an assembled view of the damping device 10, fig. 4 shows an exploded view of the damping device 10 when assembled with a pan and tilt head, and fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the damping device 10 after assembled with a pan and tilt head. The damping device 10 is described in detail below with reference to fig. 1-5.

As shown in fig. 1, the damping device 10 comprises a flange 11 and a spindle 12, wherein the flange 11 is connected to a first part of the head as a first connecting assembly and the spindle 12 is fixedly connected to a second part of the head as a part of a second connecting assembly. The flange 11 has an opening in the middle through which the spindle 12 fits, while the spindle 12 is rotatable with respect to the flange 11, so that the first part of the head is rotatable with respect to the second part. In the embodiment of fig. 1, the flange 11 itself may constitute the first cam, and the first cam surface 111 is provided on one side surface (lower surface in the drawing) of the flange 11, that is, the lower surface thereof is a non-flat surface. Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of the damping device 10 from the underside, wherein the first cam surface 111 is clearly shown, which is embedded in the interior of the flange 11.

In addition to the spindle 12, the second connecting assembly further comprises a second cam 13, the second cam 13 being fitted over the spindle 12. The mandrel 12 may have a non-circular cross-section, for example cut along one chord of a circle, or cut along two symmetrical chords of a circle, and the second cam 13 has a central hole with a shape corresponding to the cross-section of the mandrel 12, so that the second cam 13 is fixed to the mandrel 12 in the circumferential direction, and cannot rotate relative to the mandrel 12, but the second cam 13 can slide up and down in the axial direction of the mandrel 12. The second cam 13 has a second cam surface 131, and the second cam surface 131 has a contour or shape corresponding to the first cam surface 111 so that the two are engaged together.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present application, in order to fix the second connecting assembly to the second part of the head, an axial end flange 14 may be provided on the side of the spindle 12 opposite to the second cam 13, for fixed connection to said second part. As shown in fig. 1, the axial end flange 14 is fixedly attached to one end of the spindle 12 and has a plurality of through or threaded holes for attachment to other components.

As shown in fig. 1, the damping means comprises a plurality of resilient pads 15, which are fitted over the spindle 12 and adjacent to the second cam 13, the resilient pads 15 being normally in a compressed state, thereby pressing the second cam 13 towards the flange 11 and forcing the first and second cam surfaces 111, 131 together. The number of the elastic pads 15 is not limited in the present application, and the number of the elastic pads 15 may be adjusted according to the specific size and the elasticity requirement, and may be one or more. In addition, it is possible to use a different type of elastic element, for example a spring, instead of the elastic pad 15, all within the scope of protection of the present application.

As shown in fig. 1, the damping device 10 further comprises a locking member 16, said locking member 16 being arranged at one end of said spindle 12, for example at the end opposite to the shaft end flange 14, for trapping said resilient pad 15 between said locking member 16 and said second cam 13. The locking element 16 may be a locking nut and, correspondingly, has a thread on one end of the spindle 12 for screwing the locking nut. In addition, it is contemplated that other types of retaining members 16 may be used, and retaining member 16 may be, for example, a retaining plate that fits over spindle 12, has a through hole in spindle 12, and has a locking pin inserted therein to retain the retaining plate on spindle 12. In addition, the position of the locker 16 may be set to be adjustable to adjust the elastic force of the elastic member. For example, when the retaining member 16 is a lock nut, the degree of compression of the resilient washer 15 (or spring) and thus the biasing force on the second cam 13 can be varied by adjusting the depth of the lock nut's penetration into the spindle 12. Fig. 3 shows the damping device 10 in an assembled state.

Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of the damping device 10 when assembled with the head, and fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the damping device 10 after assembled with the head. As shown in fig. 4, the damping device 10 is positioned between the first and second parts of the head, wherein the bolts S1 pass through threaded holes or through holes in the flange 11 and are screwed to the first part of the head; the shaft end flange 14 is also provided with a threaded hole so as to be fixedly connected to the second part of the head by means of a bolt S2. Wherein the first part is for example a fixed arm of the head and the second part is for example a movable arm of the head, or vice versa.

The operation of the damping device 10 is described below. When the second part of the head is rotated relative to the first part, the spindle 12 is caused to rotate together with the second cam 13 relative to the flange 11. Preferably, the circumferential limit flat position (including the circumferential surface which can have a symmetrical rectangular surface as the flat position) of the mandrel 12 is used for driving the second cam 13 to rotate during the rotation of the mandrel. The first cam surface 111 of the flange 11 and the second cam 13 are engaged with each other, and relative rotation of the two causes the second cam 13 to move up and down along the axial direction of the spindle 12, thereby changing the compression amount of the elastic pad 15 (or spring). For example, when the compression amount of the elastic pad 15 is increased, the reverse elastic force generated by the elastic pad 15 will be increased, the reverse elastic force acts on the second cam 13, the action tendency is to block the mutual rotation between the first cam surface 111 and the second cam 13, and the acting force can generate a certain damping effect when the second component is opposite to the first component, thereby improving the operation experience of the user. When the damping needs to be adjusted, the position of the preload piece 16 on the mandrel 12 is changed, so that the second cam is matched with the first cam, and the change of the rotating resistance curve is realized.

In addition, according to a preferred embodiment of the present application, the mandrel 12 may also be hollow, with a through hole provided therein for passing a lead therethrough, so that power or signals may be transmitted. According to a preferred embodiment of the present application, the mandrel, the flange and the second cam may be manufactured by a powder metallurgy process or by an injection molding process.

In the embodiment of fig. 1-5, the proper change of the damping curve can be realized, in addition, the central wire passing hole is designed in the mandrel, the folding of the tripod head structure can be realized, in addition, the lead wire passes through the structure without leakage, and therefore, the abrasion of the wire can be reduced. In addition, the folding structure is compact, and the folding structure is convenient to tighten.

Fig. 6 shows an exploded view of the damping device 20 according to the second embodiment of the present application, fig. 7 shows an exploded view of the damping device 20 viewed from another direction, fig. 8 shows an assembled view of the damping device 20, fig. 9 shows an exploded view when the damping device 20 is assembled with the pan/tilt head, and fig. 10 shows a perspective view after the damping device 20 is assembled with the pan/tilt head. The damping device 20 is described in detail below with reference to fig. 6-10.

As shown in fig. 6, the damping device 20 comprises a connecting arm 21, a spindle 22, wherein the connecting arm 21 is connected as a first connecting assembly to a first part of the head and the spindle 22 is fixedly connected as a part of a second connecting assembly to a second part of the head. The connecting arm 21 is substantially in the form of an elongated plate having on one side thereof (the lower right side in fig. 6) a central opening through which the spindle 22 is fitted, while the spindle 22 is rotatable relative to the connecting arm 21, so that the first part of the head is rotatable relative to the second part. In the embodiment of fig. 6, a part of the connecting arm 21 itself may constitute the first cam, and the connecting arm 21 has a first cam surface 211 on one surface thereof, i.e., a surface whose lower surface is non-flat. Fig. 7 shows an exploded view of the damping device 20 from the underside, wherein the first cam surface 211 is clearly shown, the intermediate opening of the connecting arm 21 passing through the first cam surface 211.

As shown in fig. 6, the second connecting assembly further includes a second cam 23, and the second cam 23 is sleeved on the core shaft 22. The mandrel 22 may have a non-circular cross section, for example, the mandrel may be cut along one chord of a circle, or may be cut along two symmetrical chords of a circle, so as to form a substantially flat structure, and the second cam 23 may have a central hole, the shape of which corresponds to the cross section of the mandrel 22, so that the second cam 23 is fixed with the mandrel 22 along the circumferential direction, and the two cannot rotate relative to each other, and preferably, the circumferential limit flat position of the mandrel 21 (including the circumferential surface may have a symmetrical rectangular surface as the flat position) is used for driving the second cam 23 to rotate during the rotation of the mandrel, but the second cam 23 may slide up and down along the axial direction of the mandrel 22. The second cam 23 has a second cam surface 231, and the second cam surface 231 has a contour or shape corresponding to the first cam surface 211 so that the two are engaged together.

As shown in fig. 6, the connecting arm 21 is substantially perpendicular to the spindle 22, and the second connecting assembly has a profile 24 on the opposite side of the spindle 22 from the second cam 23 for fixed connection to the second component. The formation 24 may be used to fixedly attach the spindle 22 to an external device, such as a second part of a head. As shown in fig. 6, said shaped portion 24 may have a substantially flat configuration, or a semicircular configuration, or a regular polygonal configuration, so as to be inserted in a corresponding recess of the second part of the head, forming a fixed connection. In addition, through holes or threaded holes may be provided on the shaped portion 24 for connection to the second part of the head.

As shown in fig. 6, the damping device 20 comprises a plurality of elastic pads 25, which are sleeved on the mandrel 22 and adjacent to the second cam 23, and the elastic pads 25 are normally in a compressed state, so as to press the second cam 23 towards the connecting arm 21, and to join the first cam surface 211 and the second cam surface 231 together. The number of the elastic pads 25 is not limited in the present application, and the number of the elastic pads 25 may be adjusted according to the specific size and the elasticity requirement, and may be one or more. In addition, it is possible to use a different type of elastic element, for example a spring, instead of the elastic pad 25, all within the scope of protection of the present application.

As shown in fig. 6, the damping device 20 further comprises a locking member 26, said locking member 26 being arranged at one end of said spindle 22, for example at the end opposite to the forming portion 24, for trapping said resilient pad 25 between said locking member 26 and said second cam 23. The locking element 26 may be a locking nut and, correspondingly, has a thread on one end of the spindle 22 for screwing the locking nut. In addition, it is also contemplated that other types of retaining members 26 may be used, and that retaining member 26 may be, for example, a retaining plate that fits over spindle 22, has a through hole in spindle 22, and has a locking pin inserted therein to retain the retaining plate on spindle 22. In addition, the position of the locker 26 may be set to be adjustable to adjust the elastic force of the elastic member. For example, when the retaining member 26 is a lock nut, the degree of compression of the resilient washer 25 (or spring) and thus the biasing force on the second cam 23 can be varied by adjusting the depth of the lock nut's penetration into the spindle 22. Fig. 8 shows the state of the damper device 20 after assembly.

Fig. 9 shows an exploded view of the damping device 20 when assembled with the head, and fig. 10 shows a perspective view of the damping device 20 after assembled with the head. As shown in fig. 9, the damping device 20 is located between a first part of the head, such as an R-axis motor structure of the head, and a second part of the head, such as a P-axis motor structure of the head. The connecting arm 21 of the damping device 20 is connected to the first part and the spindle 22 is connected to the second part by means of the profile 24. As shown in fig. 9, the R-axis motor structure (first member) of the head has two projecting arm portions having recesses therein, and the connecting arm 21 of the damping device is fixed in the recesses by screws S, thereby fixedly connecting the connecting arm 21 to the R-axis motor structure of the head. The P-axis motor structure (second component) of the pan/tilt head has an opening, and the bottom of the opening has a notch portion corresponding to the forming portion 24 in shape, so that the forming portion can be received, and the R-axis motor structure and the mandrel 22 can be fixedly connected. Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of the damping device 20 assembled with the head, from which it can be seen that the spindle 22 constitutes the pivot axis of the R-axis motor structure (first part) with respect to the P-axis motor structure (second part).

The damping device 20 operates in a substantially similar manner and principle to the damping device 10 and will not be described in detail herein.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present application, the connecting arm, the mandrel and the second cam can be manufactured by a powder metallurgy process or an injection molding process. Through the embodiment of fig. 6-10, the damping shaft and the wire passing hole are separately arranged in a small space, the rotation axes are overlapped, the cables concentrically rotate and are pulled without cables, so that the abrasion can be reduced, and the folding structure is compact.

Fig. 11 shows an exploded view of a damping device 30 according to a third embodiment of the present application, fig. 12 and 13 show perspective views of a first connecting assembly, fig. 14 shows a perspective view of an angle limiting piece, fig. 15 shows a perspective view of a mandrel and a forming part, fig. 16 shows an exploded view of an assembly of the damping device of the third embodiment with a head, and fig. 17 and 18 show two limiting positions of the damping device of the third embodiment, respectively.

As shown in fig. 11 to 13, the first connecting member 31 of the damper device 30 includes a first cam 311 and a bracket 312 on an outer side of the first cam 311, the bracket 312 being for connection to the first member. As shown in fig. 12 and 13, the first cam 311 has a substantially cylindrical shape and has a first cam surface 3111 on a lower end surface thereof, and the first cam 311 has an intermediate opening passing through the first cam surface 3111. The bracket 312 is, for example, plate-shaped and is fixedly attached to an outer side of the first cam 311, the bracket 312 is substantially perpendicular to the first cam surface 3111, and as shown in the drawing, two brackets 312 are provided, which are substantially parallel to an axial direction of the first cam 311. The bracket 312 has a position adjustment hole 3121 and a fixing hole 3122, wherein the position adjustment hole 3121 is used for adjusting the fixing position of the bracket 312 on the first member, and the fixing hole 3122 is used for fixing to the first member by a fastener.

The second connecting component of the damping device 30 comprises a spindle 32 and a second cam 33, the spindle 32 is assembled through the middle opening of the first cam 311, the second cam 33 is sleeved on the spindle 32 and can move along the axial direction of the spindle 32 and is fixed with the spindle 32 along the circumferential direction, and the spindle 32 is fixedly connected to the second component. The mandrel 32 may have a non-circular cross section, for example, cut along one chord of a circle, or cut along two symmetrical chords of a circle, forming a substantially flat structure, and the second cam 33 has a central hole having a shape corresponding to the cross section of the mandrel 32, so that the second cam 33 is fixed to the mandrel 32 along the circumferential direction, and the two cams cannot rotate relative to each other, preferably, the mandrel circumferential limit flat position is used for driving the second cam 33 to rotate during the rotation of the mandrel, but the second cam 33 can slide up and down along the axial direction of the mandrel 32. The second cam 33 has a second cam surface 331, and the second cam surface 331 has a contour or shape corresponding to the first cam surface 3111 so that the two are engaged together.

In the embodiment of fig. 11, the spindle 32 is fitted through the central opening of the first cam 311, while the spindle 32 is rotatable with respect to the first cam 311, so that the first part of the head is rotatable with respect to the second part. In the embodiment of fig. 11, the lower surface of the first cam 311 is a first cam surface 3111, i.e., the lower surface is a non-flat surface, the upper surface of the second cam 33 is a second cam surface 331, and the first cam surface 3111 and the second cam surface 331 are joined together.

In order to fixedly connect the spindle 32 to the second component, according to a preferred embodiment of the application, a profile 34 may be provided on the opposite side of the spindle 32 from the second cam 33 for fixedly connecting to the second component. The formation 34 may be used to fixedly attach the spindle 32 to an external device, such as a second part of a head. As shown in fig. 11, said shaped portion 34 may have a substantially flat configuration, or a semicircular configuration, or a regular polygonal configuration, so as to be inserted in a corresponding recess of the second part of the head, forming a fixed connection. In addition, through holes or threaded holes may be provided on the shaped portion 34 for connection to the second part of the head.

As shown in fig. 11, the damping device 30 includes a spring 35, which is disposed on the core shaft 32 and adjacent to the second cam 33, and the spring 35 is normally in a compressed state, so as to press the second cam 33 toward the first cam 311, and to engage the first cam surface 3111 and the second cam surface 331 together. In addition, it is possible to use a different type of elastic element, for example an elastic pad instead of said spring 35, all within the scope of protection of the present application.

As shown in fig. 11, the damping device 30 further comprises a locking member 36, said locking member 36 being arranged at one end of said spindle 32, for example at the end opposite to the profile 34, for trapping said spring 35 between said locking member 36 and said second cam 33. The locking element 36 may be a locking nut and, correspondingly, has a thread on one end of the spindle 32 for screwing the locking nut. In addition, it is contemplated that other types of retaining members 36 may be used, and retaining member 36 may be, for example, a retaining plate that fits over spindle 32, has a through hole in spindle 32, and has a locking pin inserted therein to retain the retaining plate on spindle 32. In addition, the position of the locker 36 may be set to be adjustable to adjust the elastic force of the elastic member. For example, when the retaining member 36 is a lock nut, the degree of compression of the resilient washer (or spring) and thus the biasing force on the second cam 33 can be varied by adjusting the depth of the lock nut's penetration into the spindle 32.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present application, the second connecting component of the damping device 30 further comprises an angle limiting piece 37, the angle limiting piece 37 is sleeved on the mandrel 32 and circumferentially fixed relative to the mandrel, and the angle limiting piece 37 is adjacent to the first cam 311. As shown in fig. 14, the angle-limiting piece 37 has a central through hole 371 for fitting over the core shaft 32. The shape of the through hole 371 corresponds to the shape of the core shaft 32, and the core shaft 32 drives the angle limiting sheet 37 to rotate together in the rotating process, so that the two are relatively fixed in the axial direction. The angle restricting piece 37 has a notch 372, and is located, for example, on the peripheral edge of the angle restricting piece 371, and has a substantially arc shape. The first cam 311 has a boss 3112 on the opposite side to the first cam surface 3111 in correspondence with the notch 372, and the boss 3112 is received in the notch to thereby restrict the rotational angle range of the first cam with respect to the second cam.

Fig. 15 shows a perspective view of the mandrel 32 and the forming section 34. As shown in fig. 14, the mandrel 32 is threaded at one end for threading with a retaining member 36 and at the other end is connected to the forming section 34. The shaped portion 34 has a threaded or through hole 341 for the fixed connection to the second part of the head and a positioning plane 342 for positioning when connected, with a positioning slot 343 at one end of the shaped portion.

Fig. 16 shows an exploded view of the damping device 30 when assembled with the head. As shown in fig. 16, the damping device 30 is located between the first and second parts of the head. The bracket 312 of the damping device 30 is connected to the first component by screws S1 and jackscrews S3, and the formation 34 of the mandrel 32 is connected to the second component by screws S2. During assembly, screw S1 is moved downward and through a through hole in bracket 312 to initially lock the second component, then the position of damping device 30 relative to the first component is adjusted, screw S1 is locked, and then jackscrew S3 is moved downward and locked to bracket 312 against the first component to fix the position of the damping device relative to the first component.

Fig. 17 and 18 show limit position 1 and limit position 2, respectively, of the damping device 30. At the limit position 1, the spindle 32 is rotated counterclockwise, the spindle 32 drives the angle limit gasket 37 and the second cam 33 to rotate counterclockwise, and the first cam surface 3111 is matched with the second cam surface 331, so that the second cam 33 rotates and the extrusion spring 35 moves downward; after rotating a certain angle, due to the matching relationship between the second cam 33 and the bracket 312 on the two cam surfaces, the second cam 33 moves upward under the action of the spring 35, and drives the core shaft 32 and the angle limiting gasket 37 to be pressed at the limiting position 2. When the spindle 32 is rotated clockwise at the limit position 2, the above-mentioned operation is reversed, and the limit position 1 is reached.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 11-18, the damping shaft 30 is compact, and not only can be matched in all directions for two parts to be matched, but also the function of adjusting the relative positions of the two parts in the axial direction is designed. In addition, the limiting structure is designed in the damping shaft structure, so that the space of the handheld cloud deck is saved, and the folding angle of the specific position in the handheld cloud deck is more accurate. The damping device can still ensure that the relative positions of the two parts in the axial direction are unchanged in the relative rotation process of the parts at the two ends connected with the damping device.

The damping device of the above three embodiments of the present invention can have an automatic return effect. Wherein the embodiment of figures 1-5 and the embodiment of figures 6-10 are maintained in a null position, a specific limit position, by a retaining force against the structural member (RP) when the damping device itself returns to position; in the embodiment of fig. 11-18, the zero, specific angular position is limited by an angular stop.

For the embodiment shown in fig. 1-18, both the first cam and the second cam may be mounted coaxially.

The present application also relates to a folding apparatus comprising: a first part, a second part and a damping

device

10, 20 or 30 as described above, which relatively rotatably connects the first and second parts together. The folding device includes, but is not limited to, a pan-tilt, a stabilizer, a pan-tilt stabilizer, an unmanned aerial vehicle, and the like.

Finally, it should be noted that: although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the embodiments described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement and the like made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A damping apparatus usable with a foldable device having a first member and a second member movable relative to each other, the damping apparatus comprising:

2. The damper apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first connector element includes a flange having a central opening, wherein said first cam surface is located on a side surface of said flange; the second connecting assembly comprises a mandrel penetrating through the middle opening of the flange plate, the second cam is sleeved on the mandrel and can move along the axial direction of the mandrel and is fixed with the mandrel along the circumferential direction, and the mandrel is fixedly connected to the second component.

3. A damping device according to claim 2, characterised in that the second connecting assembly has an axial end flange on the opposite side of the spindle to the second cam for fixed connection to the second component.

4. A damper according to claim 1, wherein said first link assembly includes a link arm having a central opening at one side, wherein said first cam surface is located on a surface of said link arm at that side; the second connecting assembly includes a mandrel passing through the central opening, the second cam is sleeved on the mandrel and can move along the axial direction of the mandrel and is fixed with the mandrel along the circumferential direction, and the mandrel is fixedly connected to the second component.

5. A damping device according to claim 4, characterised in that the connecting arm is perpendicular to the spindle, the second connecting assembly having a formation on the opposite side of the spindle to the second cam for fixed connection to the second component.

6. The damper apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first linkage assembly includes a bracket attached to an outer side of the first cam, the bracket for attachment to the first member, the first cam having a central opening through the first cam surface; the second connecting assembly includes a shaft passing through the central opening, the second cam is sleeved on the mandrel and can move along the axial direction of the mandrel and is fixed with the mandrel along the circumferential direction, and the mandrel is fixedly connected to the second component.

7. A damping device according to claim 6, characterised in that the bracket is substantially perpendicular to the first cam surface and the second connecting assembly has a formation on the opposite side of the shaft to the second cam for fixed connection to the second component.

8. A damping device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that it further comprises a retaining member provided at one end of the spindle for trapping the resilient member between the retaining member and the second cam.

9. The damper of claim 8, wherein the retaining member includes a retaining nut and the spindle has threads at one end for threading the retaining nut.

10. A damper according to claim 8 in which the resilient member comprises a spring or one or more resilient washers mounted on the spindle, the position of the locking member being adjustable to adjust the resilient force of the resilient member.

11. The damper device of claim 8, wherein the second coupling assembly further includes an angle limiting tab that fits over the spindle and is circumferentially fixed relative to the spindle, the angle limiting tab abutting the first cam and having a notch, the first cam having a protrusion on a side opposite the first cam surface, the protrusion being received in the notch to limit a range of rotational angles of the first cam relative to the second cam.

12. A damping device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the first and second cams are mounted coaxially.

13. A damping device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the mandrel has a cavity along its axis for the passage of a lead.

14. A foldable device, comprising:

a first member;

a second component; and

a damping device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, the damping device relatively rotatably connecting the first and second parts together.