WO2023280898A1

WO2023280898A1 - Stabilization system for guiding a camera

Info

Publication number: WO2023280898A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/068678
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans-Heiner Siems
Original assignee: Siems Hans Heiner
Priority date: 2021-07-06
Filing date: 2022-07-06
Publication date: 2023-01-12
Also published as: DE102021117445B3

Abstract

The invention relates to a stabilization system (10) for image stabilization of mobile film and video cameras (70). The stabilization system (10) according to the invention has a gimbal (60) configured to receive a camera (70) and to compensate for unintentional movements of the camera (70), a body vest (20) configured to transfer the weight of the system (10) to the body of a camera operator, a connection arrangement (40, 50) between gimbal (60) and body vest (20), configured to transfer the weight of the stabilization system (10) to the body vest (20), and a magnetic spring arrangement (30) configured to compensate for the weight of the stabilization system (10), wherein the magnetic spring arrangement (30) has at least one magnetic spring (31).

Description

Camera stabilization system

The invention relates to a stabilization system for mobile film and video cameras (cameras for short), in particular for the ambitious amateur filmmaker, but also for certain shooting conditions in the professional field.

Filming freehand is demanding. In addition to the desired movements of horizontal and vertical panning, there are also undesired movements caused by the camera work. These are primarily the lateral swaying ("rolling") and the irregular up and down movements that are unavoidable when the person operating the camera walks. Modern cameras have optical stabilizers in the lenses or electronic correction algorithms that ensure a certain image stabilization as standard, but these do not meet high quality requirements.

In the 1970s, the cameraman Gerrett Brown developed the so-called Steadycam, also known as the "levitation tripod". Spring force and moment of inertia are the physical means used, which are able to almost completely compensate for unwanted movements of the camera. A spring arm system transfers the weight of the camera and the system to the body and compensates for the up and down movements that occur when walking. The camera itself is attached to a rod, which is balanced on a gimbal by means of counterweights on the opposite side of the joint. The inertial mass eliminates unwanted lateral rolling movements, but is otherwise freely movable in the gimbal.

The result is smooth, stabilized recordings, even when running faster, with the visual effect of gliding, hovering, and flying. This visual effect is based on the physical principles mentioned above, which means that the camera on the spring arm system always gently follows the movements of the person operating the camera. The steadycam has become indispensable, especially for professional filmmakers, and will retain its importance.

Completely independent of this development, in the 2000s more and more remote-controlled drones for private use, which are able to deliver completely smooth aerial photographs, became fashionable. This was made possible by immense progress in the miniaturization of high-resolution cameras and development motorized gimbals (“gimbal” for “gimbals”), i.e. active gimbals.

A gimbal is a mounting or suspension of a camera, the camera being mounted such that it can rotate about the horizontal axis and the vertical axis. A corresponding motorization can also actively enable a rotational movement of the camera around these spatial axes. As a result, unwanted movements of the camera can be actively compensated for by the motorization and thus the film recordings can be stabilized. The gimbal makes these corrections autonomously. In addition, it can also be completely remote-controlled, for example if you want to change the viewing direction of the camera.

In the meantime, gimbals are also widely used and known in the prior art for hand-held cameras. They are used for larger handheld cameras such as digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLR) and camcorders weighing up to approx. 3 kg and, last but not least, for smartphones.

While the small smartphone gimbals are very easy to handle because of their low weight, this still poses a major problem for the larger cameras intended for serious film use. A DSLR camera with the appropriate optics and gimbal easily weighs up to 4-5kg. This makes longer hand-held recordings unrealistic. Although some additional camera controls can be operated with one hand (e.g. via a joystick), not all the possibilities offered by a gimbal can be used by far.

In addition to this, gimbals have the disadvantage that in principle they cannot, or at least only poorly, compensate for the undesirable movement of the irregular up and down when the cameraman walks. Although there has been a solution with a double parallel spring arrangement for about two years, in which the gimbal and the camera are clamped, the disadvantage is an even higher weight and definitely the loss of further control options using the joystick during recording, since the spring arms must always be held with both hands.

The obvious idea is to use the spring arm principle of the Steadycam to compensate for the weight of the motorized gimbal. There are also corresponding systems with body vests and spring arms to which the gimbal is attached directly. But here you lose significant freedom of movement, since the gimbal is basically clamped upright. For example, extremely close-up shots are not possible.

The other combination, i.e. attaching a gimbal head (without handles) with the camera to a complete Steadycam system with spring arms and mounted rod with counterweights, is also implemented in the professional context in particular. This gives you a camera position that enables hanging, extremely close-to-the-ground shots when the gimbal and camera are completely turned over on the rod bearing and the camera is hanging upside down on the gimbal. However, the very expensive and space-consuming combination of steadycam and gimbal is still not suitable for wider use in the amateur sector and when the shooting conditions require compact equipment. The perfect handling of a Steadycam requires months of training and places the highest demands on the physical constitution of the cameraman, since professional systems weigh up to 30 kg. On the other hand, the weight of a compact system of approx. 5kg, which is rather cheap for the ambitious amateur sector, is simply too low to be able to reliably use the inertia-based image-stabilizing effect of a Steadycam with the well-known spring arm system and the weight-balanced rod. This circumstance is also critically pointed out in professional circles, which is why a combination of gimbal and steadycam does not lead to the desired success, especially with light and compact systems.

All mobile stabilization systems have another critical feature: for image control, the person filming must always be more or less behind the camera, so many adjustments have to be made while walking sideways or backwards. When shooting very close to the ground with the gimbal, there is no longer any direct image control, so that the section to be filmed can only be shown to the person operating the camera with a monitor that is temporarily attached, for example, to the movable spring arms.

Against the described background of the prior art, it is therefore the object of the invention to provide a stabilization system for the camera work, which autonomously corrects undesired disturbing movements and compensates for the weight of the camera system, so that only the dynamic forces of the camera movement are applied by the arms of the person operating the camera and on the other hand to enable the camera to move as naturally as possible in the desired direction of movement.

This object is solved by the subject matter of the main claim. Advantageous developments of the invention are contained in the dependent claims.

The stabilization system for camera work according to the invention has a gimbal which is configured to hold a camera and to compensate for unwanted or unintentional movements of the camera during camera work. In addition, the stabilization system according to the invention has a body vest, which is worn by a person operating the camera and is configured to transfer the weight of the entire system to the body of this person. In addition, a connection arrangement is arranged between the gimbal and the body vest, which is intended to transfer the weight of the system to the body vest. Advantageously, the linkage assembly is also configured to allow vertical and horizontal panning of the camera. Furthermore, the stabilization system according to the invention has a magnetic spring arrangement, comprising at least one magnetic spring, which is configured to compensate for the weight of the entire stabilization system and to ensure that the system can be adjusted in height.

A magnetic spring is used in particular in linear actuators in order to counteract the weight of objects during movement when arranged vertically to compensate for or with gravity. By compensating for the force of weight, the corresponding actuators only have to apply the dynamic forces that are necessary to move the corresponding objects against or with the force of gravity. A magnetic spring has a rod-shaped rotor which moves in a stator. The functional principle of the magnetic spring is discussed in more detail in the description of the figures (FIGS. 2a, 2b).

Due to the weight compensation of the magnetic spring, it is possible for the person operating the camera to adjust the height of the stabilization system without having to apply the weight of the entire system with their arms or having to bend their knees. For other camera movements such as horizontal panning, only the dynamic forces have to be applied by the arms. The weight compensation is achieved via a force balance between the force of the magnetic spring and the weight of the weight to be compensated (see explanations for Figs. 2a, 2b).

In an advantageous embodiment of the stabilization system according to the invention, the magnetic spring is attached directly to the body vest and in this position is connected to the gimbal and camera (gimbal unit for short) via the connection arrangement. The weight of the gimbal unit is thus introduced into the body vest via the connection arrangement and the magnetic spring. The at least one magnetic spring is advantageously arranged in such a way that its stator extends essentially vertically and the connection arrangement is connected to the rotor. By attaching the magnetic spring to the body vest, the total weight can be introduced onto the body vest as close as possible to the body of the person operating the camera, whereby the anatomy of the spine and the body in general is stressed as little as possible. In addition, an arrangement of the magnetic spring in the overall system that can be implemented in a technically uncomplicated manner can be ensured in this way.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the magnetic spring is arranged in a vertical guide, in particular directly on the body vest. The guide is configured to ensure pure vertical movement of the connection assembly connected to the magnetic spring, the magnetic spring being arranged in the guide such that vertical movement of the connection assembly pulls the slider of the magnetic spring out of the stator. In this way, a vertical movement of the gimbal unit can be implemented, for which purpose only the dynamic forces have to be applied due to the weight-force-compensating effect of the magnetic spring.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connection arrangement has at least one joint, which enables a tilting movement (vertical pivoting movement) of the gimbal unit. An embodiment in which a horizontal pivoting movement is also made possible in addition to the vertical pivoting movement is particularly advantageous. This can advantageously be ensured by means of a further joint or a further bearing, or it can be implemented in the joint that is already present. A joint of this type, with which both the horizontal and the vertical pivoting movement can be implemented, is provided, for example, by a cardanic joint. Preferably is the storage for realizing the horizontal pivoting movement between the connection arrangement and the magnetic spring arrangement is provided.

In the camera work, a distinction is made between three different camera movements around three different axes. The first movement is the rotation around the optical axis, i.e. the axis that points in the direction of the camera. This movement is also known as rolling. Rotation about the vertical axis is called (horizontal) pan, while rotation about the horizontal axis perpendicular to the line of sight is called tilt or vertical pan. As already described, the rolling movement is compensated by the gimbal. The pivoting movements are ensured on the one hand by appropriate joints or appropriate bearings in the connection arrangement, but can also be achieved by appropriate adjustment of the viewing direction on the gimbal itself.

By providing a joint for the tilting movement in the connection arrangement, it is divided, with one part being connected to the magnetic spring or the body vest and the other part being connected to the gimbal unit.

Through the joint, the part connected to the gimbal unit can now be folded down against the part connected to the body vest, as a result of which the gimbal unit is tilted. The gimbal unit can be folded down so far that the camera hangs in the gimbal, whereby the gimbal is located above the camera, unlike when it is not folded down, and is guided just above the ground, making extremely close-to-the-ground recordings possible, with the person operating the camera still be able to walk upright. When panning using the joints, the gimbal can be adjusted so that the viewing direction of the camera and thus the film clip follows the panning movement of the gimbal, or on the other hand so that the viewing direction of the camera is always forward and the panning movement is not participates. With the latter setting, movements of the camera to extremely close to the ground and back are possible, with only the distance between the camera and the ground changing.

Furthermore, such an embodiment is advantageous if an elastic element is provided between the two parts of the connection arrangement, which is configured to apply a force during the tilting movement of the gimbal unit using a joint, which counteracts the torque generated during this tilting movement. Such an elastic element can ensure that the leverage of the gimbal unit during the tilting movement is at least partially compensated by the force applied by the elastic element and the person operating the camera therefore has to exert less holding force during the tilting movement. Ideally, the elasticity of the elastic element and thus the force caused by the element is selected with the camera as a function of the weight of the gimbal or can be adjusted using different pretensions.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the stabilization system has a spring system which is intended to prevent vertical movements of the gimbal and thus of the camera. Such a Spring system can be ensured, for example, by two springs arranged in parallel in the connection arrangement, the end points of the springs being supported horizontally linearly. Such a spring system can compensate for the undesired up and down movements of the camera, which occur when the person operating the camera walks.

Furthermore, in a further advantageous embodiment, the connection arrangement has a handle for guiding the camera and/or a control joystick for aligning the gimbal unit. Advantageously, the joystick can be arranged on a handle. Manual control of the camera can be carried out precisely with one grip. The handle is advantageously movable and arranged in such a way that it can be easily reached and operated in any position of the gimbal unit, ie even when taking pictures close to the ground or when the camera is panned sideways or backwards. Movable in this context means that the handle can be adjusted depending on the position of the gimbal unit, for example using joints or a telescopic rod on which the handle is mounted, so that it can be conveniently operated in any position of the gimbal unit. As already explained at the beginning, the direction of view of the camera can also be adjusted in the gimbal using the motors provided in the gimbal. If the grip offers appropriate control options (e.g. with a joystick), then the person operating the camera can combine the manual camera control and the active camera movements in the gimbal during the recording as desired.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the stabilization system has a holder for a video monitor or a smartphone, which is arranged in particular on the body vest, the magnetic spring arrangement or the connection arrangement, but preferably on the handle (guide handle).

A monitor or smartphone with a control app for the gimbal can be provided in the mount, where the live recording of the camera can be streamed. This means that the person operating the camera always has full camera control, even in extreme positions of the camera, for example just above the ground, and can adjust the camera view with corresponding precision.

The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached figures.

1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the stabilization system according to the invention

FIG. 2a shows a detailed view of a magnetic spring arrangement of the embodiment according to the invention from FIG. 1 in the front view

FIG. 2b shows a detailed view of the magnetic spring arrangement from FIG. 2a in a side view

FIG. 3a shows a detailed view of the first connection arrangement of the embodiment according to the invention from FIG. 1 in a first state

FIG. 3b shows the detailed view from FIG. 3a in a second state FIG. 3c shows the detailed view from FIG. 3a in the first state in a frontal view

FIG. 4a shows a detailed view of the second connection arrangement of the embodiment according to the invention from FIG. 1 in a front view

FIG. 4b shows the second connection arrangement from FIG. 4a in a side view

5a shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of the stabilization system according to the invention in a first configuration

5b shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of the stabilization system according to the invention in a first configuration

1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the stabilization system 10 according to the invention. A person operating the camera can be seen with a body vest 20. This has a reinforcement 21 on its front, which can be provided, for example, by hard plastic or a metal plate. Body vests of this type are also used in already known stabilization systems from the prior art, such as in conventional steadycam solutions. The weight of the stabilization system 10 is essentially directed to the hips and the lower torso of the person using the camera via a hip belt, a waist belt and two straps that each reach over the shoulders, resulting in considerable relief for the spine. A magnetic spring arrangement 30 is arranged on the reinforcement 21, which is described in more detail in FIGS. 2a and 2b.

At the lower end of the magnetic spring arrangement 30 there is a cantilever receptacle 36 with a horizontally rotatable first coupling element 361. This can be firmly connected via a second coupling element 411 to a cantilever 41 of a first connection arrangement 40. The first connection arrangement 40 consists of two parts which, in the position shown in FIG. 1, are arranged at a 90 degree angle to one another, the cantilever 41 being one of the two parts. The other part (foldable section 46 ), which is perpendicular to the boom 41 and can be folded down, is connected to the boom 41 via a joint 42 . The first connection arrangement 40 is explained in more detail in FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c.

At the upper end of the foldable part 46 there is a third coupling element 45 which can be firmly connected to a second connection arrangement 50 via a fourth coupling element 55 . The second connection arrangement 50 is shown in Figures 4a and 4b in detail. Also connected to the second connection arrangement 50 is a gimbal 60 on which a camera 70 is mounted. Both the camera 70 and the gimbal 60 are commercially available items known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, a more detailed description of these components will not be given at this point. The second link assembly 50 includes a T-bar 54 on which a guide handle 53 is movably (i.e., adjustable as defined above) mounted. If this guide handle contains control elements such as a joystick (not shown), the viewing direction of the camera 70 can also be controlled and aligned via the gimbal 60 using this joystick. In addition, the second connection arrangement 50 has two handles 56, only one of these two handles 56 being visible in the view shown, since one handle 56 blocks the view of the other.

In FIGS. 2a and 2b, the magnetic spring arrangement 30 is shown in detail in a front view (FIG. 2a) and in a side view (FIG. 2b). In this embodiment of the invention, the magnetic spring arrangement 30 has two magnetic springs 31, each of which has a hollow-cylindrical stator 311 and a rod-shaped runner 312 that can be moved in translation therein, with the runners 312 being longer than the stators 311. Of course, other embodiments with more or less magnetic springs 30 conceivable.

The magnetic spring 31 uses the functional principle of magnetic repulsion or attraction. For this purpose, the rotor 312 is typically magnetized over part of its length and the stator 311 is made of a magnetic material. When the rotor 312 is inserted into the stator 311, the magnetic force acts in such a way that the rotor 312 is drawn into the stator 311 until the magnetized part of the rotor 312 is completely inside the stator 311. From this position, the rotor 312 can be moved translationally in the stator 311 with an expenditure of force which exceeds the force caused by the magnetization.

The working range of the magnetic spring is defined by the length of the magnetization of the rotor 312 and the length of the stator 311. It ends when the magnetized part of the rotor 312 is completely outside the stator 311. The special feature of the magnetic spring 30 is that the magnetization exerts a constant force on the rotor 312 over the entire working range.

If a weight is provided on a vertically arranged rotor 312 of a magnet spring 31, the weight of which corresponds to the force caused by the magnetization, these two forces are in equilibrium, as a result of which the weight of the weight is compensated by the magnet spring. The slider can then be easily moved within the working range of the magnetic spring by applying a small additional force. The weight is thus made to "float". The stabilization system 10 according to the invention makes use of this functional principle.

Since stators 311 and runners 312 are magnetized to different degrees and can be combined with one another as desired, a gradually adjustable total magnetic force can be achieved which is matched to the total weight of the stabilization system 10, typically between 60 and 120N. This makes it possible to use a large number of gimbals 60 and cameras 70 with different total weights. There is no need for time-consuming balancing before each shot, as is the case with spring arm systems. A magnetic spring works passively, ie no external power supply is required and, apart from occasional lubrication of the rotor, it is maintenance-free. In the present magnetic spring arrangement 30 from FIGS. 2a and 2b, the stators 311 are arranged in a fixed manner in a housing 33 of the magnetic spring arrangement 30. The runners 312, on the other hand, are firmly connected to a cantilever mount 36. This in turn is immovably integrated into a carriage 34, which can be moved in a guide 35 (see FIG. 2b) in the vertical direction along the housing. In this embodiment, the guide 35 is provided by means of a plurality of rollers 351, 352, which can be subdivided into guide rollers 351 and support rollers 352. The guide rollers 351 are arranged in the plane of the drawing at the top of the carriage 34 and run in rails integrated in the housing 33 . The support rollers 352, on the other hand, support the carriage 34 at the lower end of the magnetic spring arrangement 30 in the plane of the drawing, the carriage 34 against a back plate 37 on which the arrangement 30 is mounted. The embodiment of the guide 35 shown has the advantage that the leverage of the stabilization system 10 can be well balanced. Of course, any other form of linear guide is also conceivable without deviating from the idea of the invention.

Thus, the assembly 30 is made up of two components that can be translated relative to one another by means of the guide 35 and is attached to the body vest 20 by means of the back plate 37 . The first component consists of the carriage 34, the cantilever support 36 with the first coupling element 361 and the runners 312 of the magnetic springs 31, while the other component consists of the housing 33, the back plate 37 and the stators 311.

If the cantilever mount 36 is loaded, taking into account the dead weight of the carriage 34 and the cantilever mount 36, by a force acting vertically downwards in the plane of the drawing, which corresponds in amount to the force caused by the magnetization of the magnetic springs 31, then the system is in (force) equilibrium . The slide 34 can be moved vertically along the guide 35 in the working area of the magnetic springs 31 up and down by a very small additional force that has to be applied. In order to apply this additional force to the carriage 34, a magnetic spring grip 38 is provided on the carriage 34 in the embodiment of the invention shown.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the two connection arrangements 40 and 50 and thus the gimbal 60 together with the camera 70 are fastened to the cantilever mount 36 . The above-described balance of forces is thus established by the dead weight of the components mentioned on the one hand and the magnetic force of the magnetic springs 31 on the other. In other words, the inherent weight of the components is compensated for by the magnetic springs 31, which means that the person operating the camera can change the height of the camera 70 with extremely little effort, without having to bend his knees, for example.

In FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c, the first connection arrangement 40 of the embodiment according to the invention from FIG. 1 is shown in detail from different views. The arrangement 40 has a jib 41 which, as already described, is connected to the jib receptacle 36 via the first coupling element 361 and the second coupling element 411 so that it can rotate horizontally. Furthermore, it has a foldable section 46, which can be connected via a joint 42 is connected to the boom 41. A third coupling element 45 is used to connect the first connection arrangement 40 to the second connection arrangement 50, as shown in FIG. The foldable section 46 consists of a straight axis 461 which is rotatably arranged in two horizontally arranged ball bearings 462 and 463, the lower ball bearing 462 being connected via the joint 42 to the boom 41 so that it can be tilted vertically. With the aid of the horizontally arranged ball bearings 462 and 463, the movement of the horizontal pivoting of the gimbal unit can be realized when the straight axis 461 is in the upright position. They thus serve as a rotary bearing for the straight axis 461.

The section 46 that can be folded down can be folded down relative to the boom 41 via the joint 42 . A fully folded-down state of the first connection arrangement 40 is shown in FIG. 3b. It goes without saying that all intermediate positions between the two in Figs. 3a and 3b are possible. The rotatability of the straight axle 461 in the ball bearings 462 and 463 is fully retained in any position when folding down. The resulting direction of movement varies depending on the extent of the collapse. Horizontal pivoting results in the upright (Fig. 3a) and fully folded (Fig. 3b) position. In the case of, for example, forward flaps by 90 degrees, a rolling movement results, with which the visual effect of swaying back and forth can be intentionally evoked, for example, with the camera pointing forward. Above all, however, the tilting mechanism, for example due to the state shown in FIG. 3b, makes it possible to take extremely close-to-the-ground recording positions, with the person operating the camera still being able to move upright, which greatly increases the comfort for such recordings.

The weight of the second connection arrangement 50 attached to the third coupling element 45, the gimbal 60 and the camera 70 creates a leverage effect when the foldable section 46 is folded down, which pulls the components mentioned downwards and must therefore be compensated for by the person operating the camera. In order to facilitate the compensation, two elastic elements 43 are provided on the first connection arrangement (see FIG. 3c), which are arranged between the cantilever 41 and the horizontal ball bearing 463 and are thus stretched by the folding movement. The stretching creates a force that counteracts the folding movement. The further the foldable section 46 is folded down, the greater the elongation and the compensating force caused by it. This reduces the force required by the person operating the camera to fold it down and open it again.

In the embodiment shown, the two elastic elements 43 are provided as rubber bands, which are attached to the boom 41 on one side by means of a fastener 44 and to the upper horizontal ball bearing 463 on the other side via an intermediate element 47 . The fastening means 44 is provided by a metal plate which is screwed to the cantilever 41 via a wing screw and clamps the elastic element 43 between itself and the cantilever 41 . The position of the metal plate can also be used to set the prestressing of the elastic elements 43 and thus the resulting balancing force when folding down. When the foldable section 46 reaches a position in which it is folded about 90 degrees to the starting position shown in Fig. 1, the intermediate elements 47 each reach a supporting element 48. If folding takes place beyond this position, the intermediate elements 47 are supported each on the corresponding support element 48 (see Fig. 3b). Although embodiments without intermediate elements 47 and/or support elements 48 are undoubtedly also conceivable, in which the elastic elements 43 are connected directly to upper ball bearings 463, such embodiments have the disadvantage that the elastic elements 43 then rub somewhere on the first connection arrangement 40 would and thus the wear of these elements 43 would be significantly increased. In addition, there would be a greater risk that the elements 43 could get caught somewhere, which would hamper the use of the system.

FIGS. 4a and 4b show detailed views of the second connection arrangement 50 of the embodiment according to the invention from FIG. 1, with FIG. 4a showing a front view and FIG. 4b showing a side view. The second connection arrangement 50 has a fourth coupling element 55 with which the second connection arrangement 50 can be connected to the first connection arrangement 40 via the third coupling arrangement 45 . Such a coupling can take place, for example, via a plug-in and quick-release system, as is widespread in such systems.

Furthermore, the second connection arrangement 50 has a T-arm 54, at one end of which a guide handle 53 with or without a joystick (for adjusting the gimbal 60) and at the other two ends of which handles 56 are arranged. The T-bar 54 is in the shape of a "T" when viewed from above (view not shown). The camera can thus be pivoted about the straight axis 461, preferably with the guide handle 53, but also with the side handles 56. As a result, for example, when the straight axis 461 is in an upright position, "sideways" recordings, for example of a walker, or, with the extension arm 41 additionally swiveled to the side, also recordings past the person operating the camera backwards, i.e. "backwards" are possible. The person operating the camera can continue to move forward. This significantly increases the comfort when recording from such camera positions.

The gimbal 60 is connected to the second connection arrangement 50 using a gimbal mount 52 . The gimbal mount 52 is in turn connected to the handles 56 by a spring system 51, the spring system 51 in the present embodiment being provided by two individual springs arranged in parallel. The springs are mounted at their ends on the handles 56 in linear guides that run horizontally. The purpose of the spring system 51 is to make the up and down movements of the camera 70 that occur when walking softer and to compensate for them as comprehensively as possible.

In the synopsis of the individual components, the result is the stabilization system 10 shown in Fig. 1. The person operating the camera is able to assume various camera positions with the least possible effort and, for example, also take pictures close to the ground or laterally and rearwardly directed pictures in an upright posture and while walking forward. Around In order to be able to ensure complete image control even with such camera positions, it is possible to provide a monitor or display such as a smartphone 80 on a holder provided for this purpose on e.g. the guide handle 53 of the second connection arrangement 50, with the live - Camera image can be streamed. The position of the monitor 80 can be adjusted via various setting options so that the person operating the camera has complete image control, regardless of the position of the gimbal 60 and the camera 70, even when taking pictures from camera positions in which they cannot see the camera display.

By decoupling the individual problems that stabilization systems bring with them according to the state of the art, and solving the problems through individual approaches that are independent of one another, in particular the sensible distribution of the tasks of the system elements, these are: the weight force compensation directly on the body, the camera work in comfortable reach of the hands and the autonomous movement corrections close to the camera, it is possible to provide a system which, with comparatively simple means, enables stable, precise camera work with a variety of camera positions without great physical exertion for the person operating the camera and with constant image control.

the figs 5a and 5b show a further embodiment of the stabilization system (10) according to the invention. This largely corresponds to the embodiment already described in FIG. 1, which is why only the differences will be discussed at this point.

The ones shown in Figs. The embodiment shown in Figures 5a and 5b has a first configuration shown in Figure 5a in which the camera 70 is held in an upright position and allows filming from a perspective which is approximately at head level of the filming person. In contrast to the embodiment in FIG. 1, the first coupling element 361 is located at a greater distance from the magnetic spring arrangement 30. A first pivot bearing 414 is arranged on the first coupling element 361, which enables the cantilever 41 to rotate (pivot) about a vertical axis . In addition, a swivel handle 413 is provided on the boom 41 . By means of the pivot bearing 414 and the pivot handle 413, the extension arm 41 and thus the camera 70 can be pivoted.

Furthermore, the boom 41 is designed as a telescopic boom and has a telescopic fixation 412 . Thus, the length of the boom 41 and thus the horizontal distance of the camera 70 from the body of the filming person can be adjusted. In particular, this simplifies recordings that are to be recorded backwards past the body. For such recordings, the boom 41 can be rotated through 90 degrees using the pivot bearing 414 and adjusted to the appropriate length which is required to film past the body. The telescopic fixation 412 is there to fix the length of the telescopic boom and make it adjustable by loosening the telescopic fixation 412 . Conventional telescopic systems can be used here. At the end of the boom 41 there is an upper third coupling element 451 on the upper side and a lower third coupling element 452 on the lower side. In the configuration shown in Fig. 5a is the second connection arrangement 50 and thus also the gimbal 60 and the camera 70 arranged on the upper third coupling element 451 . In addition, a second pivot bearing 414 is provided, which enables the second connection arrangement 50 together with the camera 70 to be pivoted. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 1 , the second connection arrangement 50 here has a joint 42 which enables a tilting movement of at least parts of the second connection arrangement 50 and thus a pitching movement (vertical panning) of the camera 70 . In the first embodiment described like. 1 this joint 42 is part of the first connection arrangement 40.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, too, this pitching movement is at least partially compensated for by a force which is applied by an elastic element 43 when the pitching movement is carried out. In the second embodiment shown, however, the elastic element 43 is arranged between a restoring section 431 and a second element (here the second pivot bearing 415) arranged below the joint 42 . In this way, the pitching movement of the second connection arrangement 50 can be compensated for by the elastic element 43 independently of the pivoting movement carried out.

Furthermore, the guide handle 53 is connected to the second guide arrangement 50 via a handle attachment 540 . Due to the changed handle arrangement, the handles 56 of the second connection arrangement 50, as shown in the first embodiment, can be dispensed with and only brackets 560 are provided instead. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 5a and 5b, the handle attachment 540 is connected to a connecting element which attaches the gimbal 60 to the second connecting arrangement 50, more precisely to the gimbal mount 52 (see FIG. 4a). However, it is conceivable to attach the handle attachment 540 to a different location on the second connection arrangement 50, for example to a horizontal connection between the two brackets 560.

In the second configuration of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5b, the second connection arrangement 50 together with the gimbal 60 and camera 70 is attached to the lower third coupling element 452, so that the camera 70 is guided just above the ground and extremely close-to-the-ground recordings are possible.

A pitching movement of the camera 70 in the first configuration of the embodiment from FIGS. 5a and 5b possible. However, it is not possible to transfer the camera 70 from the first configuration to the second configuration by means of the nodding movement, as is possible in the first described embodiment according to FIG. 1 .

In the second configuration, the handle attachment 540 of the guide handle 53 is further connected to the second connection arrangement 50 via a guide rod 541 . To the movements of the gimbal 60 on the guide rod 541 and In order to be able to better control the handle attachment 540, a guide aid (not shown) is arranged on the second connection arrangement 50, in particular between the joint 42 and the second pivot bearing 415, which stabilizes the guide rod 541.

In all embodiments of the invention, the prestressing of the spring system 51 is in particular continuously adjustable, as a result of which the spring system 51 can be adjusted to different weights of the camera 70 and the gimbal 60 . The adjustment of the spring system 51 can be ensured, for example, via two spring steel elements fastened to the brackets 560, between which the spring system 51 is arranged. The spring steel elements are each connected by means of a ring to the corresponding bracket 560 on which they are arranged. Depending on the positioning of the rings, the deformation of the spring steel element can be influenced and thus the prestressing of the spring system 51 can be influenced.

Of course, non-contradictory features of the two different embodiments described can also be combined with one another. For example, a telescopic extension rod can also be used in the embodiment according to FIG.

REFERENCE LIST

10 stabilization system

20 body vest

21 Reinforcement

30 magnetic spring assembly

31 magnetic spring

311 stator

312 runners

33 housing

34 sleds

35 leadership

351 leadership role

352 support roller

36 boom mount

361 first coupling element

37 backplate

38 magnetic spring grip

40 first connection arrangement

41 boom

411 second coupling element

412 telescope fixation

413 pan handle

414 first pivot bearing

415 second pivot bearing

42 joint

43 elastic member 431 recovery portion

44 fasteners

45 third coupling element

451 upper third coupling element lower third coupling element foldable section straight axis lower horizontal ball bearing upper horizontal ball bearing intermediate element support element second connection arrangement spring system gimbal mount guide handle T-arm handle attachment guide rod fourth coupling element handle bracket gimbal camera monitor

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Stabilization system (10) for camera work, comprising: a gimbal (60) configured to receive a camera (70) and to compensate for unintended movements of the camera (70), a body vest (20) configured to support the weight of the system ( 10) to the body of a person operating the camera, a connection arrangement (40, 50) between the gimbal (60) and body vest (20), configured to transfer the weight of the stabilization system (10) to the body vest (20), and a magnetic spring arrangement (30) configured to compensate for the weight of the stabilization system (10), wherein the magnetic spring arrangement (30) has at least one magnetic spring (31).

2. stabilization system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the

Magnetic spring arrangement (30) is attached directly to the body vest (20) and is connected to the gimbal (60) via the connection arrangement (40, 50).

3. Stabilization system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the magnetic spring (31) is arranged in a vertical guide (35), in particular directly on the body vest (20), which is configured to cause a vertical displacement of the magnetic spring (31) and thus to enable the connection arrangement (40, 50) together with the gimbal (60).

4. Stabilization system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection arrangement (40, 50) has at least one joint (42), in particular a cardanic joint, which is configured to pivot and/or tilt the gimbal (60) to allow.

5. stabilization system (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one elastic element (43) in the connection arrangement (40, 50) is provided, which is configured such that it applies a force during a tilting movement of the gimbal (60) which counteracts the tilting movement.

6. stabilization system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection arrangement (40, 50) further comprises a spring system (51), in particular consisting of two springs arranged in parallel, which is configured to compensate for unintentional vertical movements of the gimbal (60).

7. Stabilization system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stabilization system (10) also has at least one guide handle (53) and/or handle (56) for guiding the camera (70) and/or a control joystick for aligning the gimbal (60 ), wherein the control joystick is arranged in particular on the handle.

8. stabilization system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stabilization system (10) further comprises a holder for a video monitor (80) or a smartphone, which in particular on the body vest (20), the magnetic spring arrangement (30) or the connection arrangement ( 40, 50) is arranged.