This invention relates to a turntable assembly, more specifically, the present disclosure relates to a mounting unit for turntable assembly.
BACKGROUND
[002] With constantly evolving technology, a lot of platform like devices which operate independently or in association with one or more equipments have been proposed for placement of an object and aid in its rotation. Turntable is one such device which is employed for various applications such as in product photography equipment, 360 degree presentations, 3D scanning etc.
[003] The material, design and working of turntables are subject to the application for which they are employed. The conventional turntables with central support offer few disadvantages when employed for capturing digital images such as reflection due to central support resulting in shadow creation, etc. Moreover, the wheels utilized for providing motion to the turntable result in consumption of more energy. Further, existing turntables do not include an efficient drive mechanism. The conventional drive mechanisms utilized in turntables cause vertical wobbling of the turntable while it is rotating. Hence, a highly jerky video is obtained which may not be utilized for any professional purpose. Further, sometimes the vertical wobbling results in toppling of the product over the turntable.
[004] Therefore, a turntable which overcomes the downsides of the existing turntables is needed to be devised.
SUMMARY
[005] The present invention discloses a turntable assembly. The turntable assembly includes a processor. The turntable assembly also includes a table with

a periphery. The periphery of table has a first portion and a second portion. Further, the turntable assembly includes a drive side sub-assembly coupled to a first portion of the periphery of the table. The drive side sub-assembly in turn includes a first panel provided at the periphery of the table and has a top surface and a bottom surface. A first mounting unit is coupled to the top surface of the first panel. The first mounting unit includes a first primary support and a first resilient member coupled to the first primary support. Further, the drive side sub-assembly includes at least one drive wheel coupled in front of the first mounting unit. The at least one drive wheel is driven by an at least one drive mechanism. The drive mechanism receives instructions from the processor to rotate the table by exerting the force at the periphery of the table.
[006] Further, the turntable assembly includes an idler side sub-assembly coupled to a second portion of the periphery of the table. The idler side sub¬assembly includes a second panel provided at the periphery of the table and has a top surface and a bottom surface. A second mounting unit is coupled to the top surface of the second panel. The second mounting unit in turn includes a second primary support and a second resilient member coupled to the second primary support. The idler side sub-assembly at least one idler wheel coupled in front of the mounting plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[007] The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale.

[008] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary architecture of a turntable assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[009] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the drive side sub-assembly of the turntable assembly of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIGs. 3a-3c show an enlarged view of the first mounting unit 102e of the turntable assembly of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 depicts shows an enlarged view of the idler side sub-assembly of the turntable assembly of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIGs. 4a & 4b show an enlarged view of the second mounting unit 106e of the idler side sub-assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] Prior to describing the invention in detail, definitions of certain words or phrases used throughout this patent document will be defined: the terms "include" and "comprise", as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term "or" is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases "coupled with" and "associated therewith", as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; definitions of certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that such definitions apply in many, if not most, instances to prior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

[0014] Wherever possible, same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to same or like parts. Moreover, references to various elements described herein are made collectively or individually when there may be more than one element of the same type. However, such references are merely exemplary in nature. It may be noted that any reference to elements in the singular may also be construed to relate to the plural and vice-versa without limiting the scope of the disclosure to the exact number or type of such elements unless set forth explicitly in the appended claims.
[0015] Particular embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
[0016] The terms "turntable" and "turntable assembly" can be used interchangeably as they both relate to the same structural unit with respect to the present invention.
[0017] The present invention discloses a turntable assembly which may be utilized for various applications such as but not limited to photography systems for 360° product view, microwave oven, etc. The turntable assembly may include multiple components for its operation. The components may include, without limitation, a table, mounting structures, support structures, driving structures, processor, etc.

[0018] The turntable of the present invention is driven by a drive side sub¬assembly. The drive side sub-assembly includes a drive wheel which is fixed by a first mounting unit. The first mounting unit further includes a first resilient member say, a spring which functions to eliminate inaccuracies in the turntable assembly relating to, without limitation, circularity of a drive wheel, mounting concentricity of a coupler to the drive wheel and mounting concentricity of the drive mechanism to coupler, etc. Further, the presence of the first resilient member (and/or a second resilient member) reduces vertical wobbling during rotation of the table disposed below the drive wheel thereby causing smooth and steady rotation of the table.
[0019] FIG. 1 represents an exemplary architecture of a turntable assembly of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the turntable assembly 100 includes three components: a drive side sub-assembly 102, a table 104, and an idler side sub-assembly 106. In an embodiment, the said components operate in a synchronized manner to provide a 360° product view for photography.
[0020] There may be a presence of at least one drive side sub-assembly 102. The drive side sub-assembly 102 may be placed on either side of the table 104. As depicted in FIG. 1, there is one drive side sub-assembly 102 disposed on a first portion of the periphery of table 104. The drive side sub-assembly 102 may provide support to the table 104 and drive the movement of the table 104. The drive side sub-assembly 102 may further include one or more components as elaborated in FIG. 2.
[0021] The table 104 is a platform for holding an object depending upon the application for which it is to be employed. In an embodiment, the table 104 is a centre less plate used for holding a product for photography applications. The centre less design of the table 104 allows illumination of the object through the bottom of table 104 thus eliminating shadow creation in background images for photography applications.

[0022] The table 104 may be constructed of any material, dimension and shape known in the art. In an embodiment, the table 104 is a circular glass plate with a periphery as depicted in FIG. 1. The table 104 may possess additional features such as without limitation coating, etc. depending upon its application. In an embodiment, the table 104 has an anti-reflective coating for reducing chances of reflection by reducing the amount of light from the table 104.
[0023] The table 104 may be mounted on idler side sub-assembly 106 and drive side sub-assembly 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the drive side sub-assembly 102 is coupled to the first portion of the periphery of table 104 and idler side sub-assembly 106 is coupled to the second portion of the periphery of table 104.
[0024] The turntable assembly 100 includes at least one idler side sub-assembly 106. In an embodiment, one idler side sub-assembly 106 is present on the opposite side of the drive side sub-assembly 102 as depicted in FIG. 1. In an embodiment, the idler side sub-assembly is disposed on the second portion of the periphery of table 104. The idler side sub-assembly 106 may function to provide support for mounting the table 104. In an embodiment, the idler side sub-assembly 106 does not drive the movement of table 104 but aids the drive side sub-assembly 102 in rotating the table 104. Even though the following description mentions the presence of one idler side sub-assembly 106, the scope of the present invention also extends to more than one idler side sub-assemblies 106 for providing support to the table 104.
[0025] FIG. 2 represents the perspective view of the drive side sub-assembly 102. The drive side sub-assembly 102 includes a first panel 102a, at least two base wheels 102b, at least two side rollers 102c, at least one drive wheel 102d, a first mounting unit 102e and a drive mechanism 102f.
[0026] The first panel 102a of the drive side sub-assembly 102 is utilized to mount the other components of the drive side sub-assembly 102.

[0027] The first panel 102a may include an elongated portion al and at least two wings a2. In an embodiment, the elongated portion al supports drive wheel 102d. Each of the wings a2 may be employed to mount the base wheels 102b and the side wheels 102c.
[0028] The first panel 102a may be constructed of a durable and sturdy material known in the art. The materials may include without limitation, aluminium, steel, polymers, etc.
[0029] In an embodiment, the base wheels 102b are not driven by the drive mechanism 102f. The base wheels 102b rotate due to the rotation of the table 104.
[0030] In an embodiment, there are two base wheels 102b. As depicted in FIG. 2, the two base wheels 102b are spaced at a predetermined distance from each other. Each of the two base wheels 102b is mounted on the corresponding wing a2 of the first panel 102a.
[0031] The base wheels 102b may be positioned at any place at the bottom of the table 104. In an embodiment, two base wheels 102b are disposed at the bottom of the table 104 in order to support the weight of table 104 and rotate along with the table 104 to minimize friction. In an embodiment of the present invention, the base wheels 102b are positioned at the bottom and near the periphery of table 104 such that they do not come in the field of view of camera and the center of table 104 comes inside its bounding box.
[0032] In an embodiment, there are two side rollers 102c spaced at a predetermined distance from each other. Each of the two side rollers 102c is mounted on the corresponding wing a2 of the first panel 102a above the base wheel 102c. The side rollers 102c contact the table 104 at the edges of its circumference and rotate along with the table 104 to minimize friction. In an embodiment, the axis of rotation of the side rollers 102c is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the base wheels 102b.

[0033] The side rollers 102c may be of any material known in the art such as rubber (PU), foam rubber, etc.
[0034] The drive wheel 102d is mounted on the elongated portion al of the first panel 102a with the help of the first mounting unit 102e. In an embodiment, the drive wheel 102d is centrally disposed between the side rollers 102c. The drive wheel 102d is placed above the table 104 near the edges of its circumference. In an embodiment, the drive wheel 102d provides the torque to rotate the table 104 at a predetermined angle.
[0035] The drive side sub-assembly 102 includes a drive mechanism 102f utilized for driving the drive wheels 102a. The drive mechanism 102f may also include a coupler for connecting the drive shaft and the drive wheel shaft together at their ends for avoiding misalignment at the time of rotation of the drive wheel 102d.
[0036] In an embodiment, the drive mechanism 102f is a servomotor that allows precise control of angular or linear position, velocity and acceleration of the table 104. The motor may be controlled through a processor (not shown). The processor may be of any kind known in the art. The processor may be internally or externally placed with respect to the turntable assembly 100.
[0037] The input of parameters such as without limitation, rotation step size, speed, degree of rotation etc. can be done with the help of an input device for example, a computer associated with the turntable assembly 100. The motor may include an encoder which enables a closed feedback loop for controlling and tracking the rotation angle of the table 104.
[0038] The drive wheels 102d, base wheels and side roller may operate in a synchronized manner to result in smooth motion of the table 104.
[0039] FIGs. 3a-3c represent the components of the first mounting unit 102e. The first mounting unit 102e functions to affix the drive wheel 102d onto the elongated portion al of the first panel 102a. As represented in FIGs. 3a, 3b & 3c,

the first mounting unit 102e includes a first primary support 1, a plurality of first bolts 3, a first resilient member 5 and a first secondary support 7.
[0040] The first primary support 1 is used as a structure for mounting the drive mechanism 102f and the drive wheel 102d. The first primary support 1 includes a first side la (back) and a second side lb (front). In an embodiment, the drive mechanism 102f which includes a drive shaft fl (shown in FIG. 3c) and a coupler f2 is supported on the first side la of the first primary support 1. The second side lb may include the drive wheel shaft dl and the drive wheel 102d.
[0041] In an embodiment, the first primary support 1 is placed between two first bolts 3 and vertically slides between the first bolts 3. The first bolts 3 may have any predetermined dimensions, for example the first bolts 3 may have the same length. The first bolts 3 may be made of any durable material. The first bolts 3 are disposed at a predefined distance from each other say, 8cm. The predefined distance may vary depending upon the dimensions of the first primary support 1.
[0042] In an embodiment the first primary support 1 is suspended between the first bolts 3 with the help of the first resilient member 5. In an embodiment, the first resilient member 5 is a spring. However, resilient members like rubber, sponge/ foam, polymer, flexible or spring coupling are also within the scope of the present invention.
[0043] The first resilient member 5 includes a first end 5a and a second end 5b. The first end 5a of first resilient member 5 contacts the first primary support 1 while the second end lb rests on the first secondary support 7. The first resilient member 5 may have a predefined length. The first resilient member 5 is compressed or stretched from its resting position and it exerts an opposing force approximately proportional to its change in length on the first primary support 1 when the first primary support 1 slides between the first bolts 3. Thus, the first resilient member 5 controls the sliding of the first primary support 1 and causes friction between the drive wheel 102d and the table 104.

[0044] The controlled sliding of the first primary support 1 by the first resilient member 5 eliminates inaccuracies in the turntable assembly 100 relating to ,without limitation, circularity of the drive wheel 102d, mounting concentricity of the coupler f2 to the drive wheel 102d and mounting concentricity of the drive mechanism 102f to coupler f2, etc. Further, the presence of first resilient member 5 reduces vertical wobbling during rotation of the table 104 below the drive wheel 102d thereby causing smooth and steady rotation of the table 104. Therefore, in case the table 104 is used for photography applications, videos of an object placed on the table 104 can be easily shot.
[0045] The said components constituting the drive side sub-assembly 102 may be identical or different from the components of idler side sub-assembly 106 (as described above). In an embodiment, the drive side sub-assembly 102 and idler side sub-assembly 106 are structurally identical except for the presence of the drive mechanism 102f in the drive side sub-assembly 102. In such a case, the idler side sub-assembly 106 also includes components as depicted in FIG. 2, such as a second panel 106a, at least two idler base wheels 106b, at least two idler side rollers 106c, at least one idler wheel 106d and a second mounting unit 106e. However, the second mounting unit 106e is different from the first mounting unit 102e of the drive side sub-assembly 102 (as depicted in FIG. 4a & 4b).
[0046] FIG. 4a depicts the components of the second mounting unit 106e. The second mounting unit 106e functions to affix the idler wheel 106d onto the elongated portion al' of the second panel 106a. As represented in FIGs. 4a & 4b, the idler mounting unit 106e includes a second primary support 1', a plurality of second bolts 3', a second resilient member 5' and a second secondary support 7'.
[0047] The second primary support 1' is used as a structure for mounting an encoder 106f and the idler wheel 106d. The second primary support 1' includes a first side la' and a second side lb'. The encoder 106f may enable a closed feedback loop for controlling the speed of the idler wheel 106d.

[0048] In an embodiment, the encoder 106f is supported on the first side la' of the second primary support 1'. The second side lb' may include the idler wheel 106d.
[0049] In an embodiment, the second primary support 1' is placed between two second bolts 3' and vertically slides between the second bolts 3'. The second bolts 3' may have any predetermined dimensions, for example the second bolts 3' may have the same length. The second bolts 3' may be made of any durable material. The second bolts 3' are disposed at a predefined distance from each other say, 8cm. The predefined distance may vary depending upon the dimensions of the second primary support 1'.
[0050] In an embodiment, the second primary support 1' is suspended between the second bolts 3' with the help of the second resilient member 5'. The second resilient member includes a first end 5a' and a second end 5b'. The first end 5a' of second resilient member 5' contacts the second primary support 1' while the second end lb' rests on a second secondary support 7'. The second resilient member 5' may have a predefined length. The second resilient member 5' is compressed or stretched from its resting position and it exerts an opposing force approximately proportional to its change in length on the second primary support 1' when the second primary support 1' slides between the second bolts 3'. Thus, the second resilient member 5' controls the sliding of the second primary support 1' and causes friction between the idler wheel 106d and the table 104.
[0051] The controlled sliding of the second primary support 1' by the second resilient member 5' eliminates inaccuracies in the turntable assembly 100 relating to, without limitation, circularity of the idler wheel 106d, fill gap due to friction and wear, etc. Further, the presence of second resilient member 5' reduces vertical wobbling during rotation of the table 104 below the idler wheel 106d thereby causing smooth and steady rotation of the table 104. Therefore, in

case the table 104 is used for photography applications, shooting videos of an object placed on the table 104 can be easily done.
[0052] It may be noted that those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all components constituting the photography system described herein may be used as independent components for different applications. The actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present invention is/are used.

We Claim:

1. A turntable assembly comprising:
a. a processor;
b. a table with a periphery, the periphery having a first portion and a
second portion;
c. a drive side sub-assembly coupled to a first portion of the periphery
of the table, the drive side sub-assembly includes:
i. a first panel provided at the periphery of the table and having a top surface and a bottom surface;
ii. a first mounting unit coupled to the top surface of the first panel, the first mounting unit including a first primary support and a first resilient member coupled to the first primary support; and
iii. at least one drive wheel coupled in front of the first mounting unit, the at least one drive wheel is driven by an at least one drive mechanism;
d. an idler side sub-assembly coupled to a second portion of the
periphery of the table, the idler side sub-assembly includes:
i. a second panel provided at the periphery of the table and having a top surface and a bottom surface;
ii. a second mounting unit coupled to the top surface of the second panel, the second mounting unit including a second primary support and a second resilient member coupled to the second primary support; and
iii. at least one idler wheel coupled in front of the mounting plate;

wherein the drive mechanism receives instructions from the processor to rotate the table by exerting the force at the periphery of the table.
2. The turntable assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the table is a circular glass plate.
3. The turntable assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first mounting unit includes a plurality of first bolts and a first support.
4. The turntable assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism is a servomotor.
5. The turntable assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism is supported at the back of the first primary support.
6. The turntable assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second mounting unit includes a plurality of second bolts and a second secondary support.