mechanical gimbal for binoculars
[axis]
2023 | Individual project
Duration: 4 months
Cooperation: Swarovski Optik
The “axis” concept is a mechanical stabilization system for binoculars that compensates for body movements and as a result enables a better, steadier view. It was developed in cooperation with Swarovski Optik as an accessory for the company's binoculars.
Improving the accessibility of birdwatching with a sustainable design approach
The Swarovski axis is primarily designed for wild bird watching, which is a common use of Swarovski binoculars. The image stabilization helps to make this hobby more accessible to a wider range of people by compensating for motor limitations.
Minimizing the consumption of resources was one of the requirements for the concept. For this reason, no electronic components are used and materials which can be easily recycled were selected.
When observing birds with binoculars, the animals are often far away. This distance means that even small movements of the viewer affect the sharpness of the image. The designed concept compensates for this movement and therefore improves the image quality.
In the system, a mechanical gimbal encloses the binoculars. Thereby, the binoculars are not longer in direct contact with the user and are decoupled from movement.
Mechanical design
The binoculars are mounted on a joint that can rotate around two axes in a sideways and lengthwise direction. That way, the gimbal can can move around the binoculars while the binoculars are attached to the user's body by a tensioned cord and held in position. This allows the gimbal to compensate for rotational movements of up to 8°.
The user's body weight is used to stabilize the binoculars. To achieve this, the binoculars are attached to a belt clip on the user's hip with a rope via a roll-up mechanism. The gimbal can also be hung onto this clip when it is not in use.
To attach the binoculars, their central element is placed on a platform on the joint and secured with elastic bands
The main material used is aluminum, as it is durable while being lightweight. The surface is bead-blasted to make it more resistant to damage.
The contact points to the hands are padded. Different hand pads can be attached here. Depending on the type of application, waterproof rubber pads or recycled leather pads for a more classic look are available.
Design process
The project began with a field trip to identify the needs relating to birdwatching.
In the process, the goal of stabilizing the image of binoculars through a mechanical solution was set. After that, several functional models were made. These models use joint hinges or flexible damping elements to stabilize the image.
Functional test of a gimbal with tilting bearings, which is stabilized by body weight.
Image stabilization using a joint with counterweight proved to be the most promising concept for solving the given problem. Models and sketches were made for aesthetic development, which led to the final design.
