Camera cross beam and binocular camera

Abstract

The utility model relates to a camera crossbeam and a binocular camera, relates to the binocular camera field, the camera crossbeam comprises two lens seats, a crossbeam installation seat and two groups of support arms, the two lens seats are respectively arranged at two ends of the crossbeam installation seat, each lens seat is fixedly connected with the crossbeam installation seat through one group of support arms, and the crossbeam installation seat is fixedly connected with the crossbeam installation seat through the other group of support arms. And each group of supporting arms comprises at least two telescopic supporting columns which are arranged at intervals. The beneficial effects are that the length of the telescopic support column can be adjusted, so the camera crossbeam can actively adjust the angles of the two lens seats, thus adjusting the inclination angles of the lenses on the lens seats, realizing parallelism of the optical centers of the left and right lenses, and ensuring the distance measurement accuracy of the binocular camera. The optical center parallelism of the lens of the binocular camera is no longer an uncontrollable quantity, the stability of the mechanical position of the lens mount can be actively maintained for a long time, manual adjustment or factory returning calibration is not needed for a long time, and the binocular camera is particularly suitable for being used under the long-term maintenance-free working conditions such as automatic driving vehicles and lunar probe vehicles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of binocular cameras, and particularly to a camera cross beam and a binocular camera. Background Art

[0002] In traditional binocular cameras, once the camera lenses are installed on the cross beam, they cannot be adjusted again. Due to reasons such as stress relaxation inside the cross beam, vibration, minor collision, and temperature change, the problem of non - parallel optical centers of the left and right lenses will occur, resulting in inaccurate camera ranging.

[0003] Currently, the cross beam with a compensation function actually fixes the entire cross beam to the camera housing through a flexible connection, and then compensates for the offset of the lens through software algorithms. It is not a mechanical compensation device that mechanically adjusts the two lenses of the binocular camera to the set relative positions, and manual adjustment or factory calibration is often required. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is how to compensate for the offset of the binocular camera lens.

[0005] The technical solution of the utility model to solve the above - mentioned technical problem is as follows: A camera cross beam includes lens seats, a cross - beam mounting seat, and support arms. There are two lens seats and two groups of support arms. The two lens seats are respectively located at both ends of the cross - beam mounting seat. Each lens seat is fixedly connected to the cross - beam mounting seat through a group of support arms. Each group of support arms includes at least two telescopic support columns arranged at intervals.

[0006] The beneficial effect of the utility model is that the length of the telescopic support column can be adjusted, so that the camera cross beam can actively adjust the angles of the two lens seats, and then adjust the inclination angles of the lenses on the lens seats, realizing the parallelism of the optical centers of the left and right lenses, and ensuring the ranging accuracy of the binocular camera. The parallelism of the optical centers of the binocular camera lenses is no longer an uncontrollable quantity, and the mechanical position of the lens seat can be actively maintained stable for a long time, realizing long - term use without manual adjustment or factory calibration, and is particularly suitable for working conditions without maintenance for a long time, such as autonomous driving vehicles and lunar rovers.

[0007] On the basis of the above - mentioned technical solution, the utility model can be further improved as follows.

[0008] Further, the telescopic support column includes a telescopic section, and the material of the telescopic section is a conductive material.

[0009] The beneficial effect of adopting the above - mentioned further solution is that by using a conductive material to make the telescopic section, when a certain voltage is applied to both ends of the telescopic section, the volume of the telescopic section will expand due to current heating, so that the overall length of the telescopic support column changes. The change in the length of the telescopic support column will cause the position and angle of the lens seat connected to it to change accordingly, realizing the compensation for the micro - deformation of the lens seat.

[0010] Furthermore, the telescopic support column further includes two insulating sections made of insulating materials. One end of each of the two insulating sections is fixedly connected to both ends of the telescopic section, and the other end of each of the two insulating sections is fixedly connected to the corresponding lens holder and crossbeam mounting seat respectively.

[0011] The beneficial effect of adopting the above further solution is that the two insulating sections are connected to both ends of the telescopic section, which can not only play a role in stably supporting the lens holder, but also prevent the current on the telescopic section from affecting the normal operation of the control boards on the two lens holders.

[0012] Furthermore, each set of support arms further includes a central pillar, and both ends of the central pillar are fixedly connected to the corresponding lens holder and crossbeam mounting seat respectively.

[0013] The beneficial effect of adopting the above further solution is that the central pillar is used to support the lens holder and plays a main supporting role.

[0014] Furthermore, each set of support arms includes four telescopic support columns, and the four telescopic support columns are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the central pillar, and the telescopic support columns are parallel to the central pillar.

[0015] The beneficial effect of adopting the above further solution is that the telescopic support columns are arranged in four directions in the circumferential direction of the central pillar. By adjusting the length of the telescopic support column in the expected direction, the deformation of the lens holder can be adjusted directionally.

[0016] The present utility model also provides a binocular camera, which includes a control board, two lenses and a camera crossbeam. The control board is respectively connected to each telescopic support column, and the two lenses are respectively fixedly connected to the two lens holders.

[0017] The beneficial effect is that the control board actively adjusts the angle of the lens holder of the camera crossbeam according to the deviation feedback by binocular vision, so as to realize the active parallelism of the optical centers of the two lenses.

[0018] Furthermore, there are two control boards, and the two control boards are respectively fixedly connected to the two lens holders. Each control board is respectively connected to all the telescopic support columns of the corresponding support arm through heating wires.

[0019] The beneficial effect of adopting the above further solution is that the two control boards respectively control the length adjustment of the two support arms.

[0020] Furthermore, the binocular camera further includes a housing, the camera crossbeam is located inside the housing, and the crossbeam mounting seat is fixedly connected to the housing.

[0021] Further, the binocular camera further includes a crossbeam mounting bolt and a positioning pin. The middle part of the crossbeam mounting seat has a crossbeam mounting hole, and the side wall of the crossbeam mounting seat has a positioning groove. One end of the crossbeam mounting bolt passes through the crossbeam mounting hole and is fixedly connected to the housing. The positioning pin is fixedly connected to the housing and is located in the positioning groove.

[0022] The beneficial effect of adopting the above further solution is that the crossbeam mounting seat in the middle of the camera crossbeam is fixed at a single point by the crossbeam mounting bolt and limited by the positioning pin, avoiding the rotation of the camera crossbeam. The support arm is suspended, avoiding being affected by the installation stress.

[0023] Further, the binocular camera further includes an electrical connector, which is fixedly connected to the housing and is electrically connected to the control board.

[0024] The beneficial effect of adopting the above further solution is that data can be transmitted or power can be supplied to the control board through the electrical connector. Description of the Drawings

[0025] Figure 1 is an exploded view of the binocular camera of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 is the front view of the camera crossbeam of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 is the three-dimensional view of the camera crossbeam of the present invention.

[0028] In the drawings, the list of components represented by each reference numeral is as follows:

[0029] 1. Lens mounting hole; 2. Positioning groove; 3. Lens seat; 4. Insulating section; 5. Telescopic section; 6. Central pillar; 7. Crossbeam mounting seat; 8. Crossbeam mounting hole; 9. Lens; 10. Front housing; 11. Control board; 12. Rear housing; 13. Camera end connector; 14. Harness end connector; 15. Heating wire. Detailed Embodiments

[0030] The principles and features of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The examples given are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0031] Embodiment 1

[0032] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, this embodiment provides a camera crossbeam, which includes a lens seat 3, a crossbeam mounting seat 7 and support arms. There are two lens seats 3 and two groups of support arms. The two lens seats 3 are respectively located at both ends of the crossbeam mounting seat 7. Each lens seat 3 is fixedly connected to the crossbeam mounting seat 7 through a group of support arms. Each group of support arms includes at least two telescopic support columns arranged at intervals.

[0033] The length of the telescopic support column can be adjusted, so that the camera crossbeam can actively adjust the angles of the two lens mounts 3, and further adjust the inclination angles of the lenses on the lens mounts 3, realizing the parallelism of the optical centers of the left and right lenses, and ensuring the ranging accuracy of the binocular camera. The parallelism of the optical centers of the binocular camera is no longer an uncontrollable quantity, and the mechanical position of the lens mount 3 can be actively maintained stable for a long time, realizing long-term use without manual adjustment or factory calibration, and is particularly suitable for working conditions without maintenance for a long time, such as autonomous driving vehicles and lunar exploration vehicles.

[0034] Optionally, the telescopic support column is made of a conductive material, or the telescopic support column is a telescopic mechanism such as an electric telescopic rod.

[0035] Specifically, both ends of each telescopic support column are fixedly connected to the crossbeam mounting seat 7 and the corresponding lens mount 3 respectively.

[0036] Optionally, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, at least two telescopic support columns of each group of support arms are parallel to each other; or at least two telescopic support columns are inclined with respect to the connection line between the lens mount 3 and the crossbeam mounting seat 7.

[0037] Embodiment 2

[0038] On the basis of Embodiment 1, the telescopic support column includes a telescopic section 5, and the material of the telescopic section 5 is a conductive material.

[0039] When the telescopic section 5 is made of a conductive material and a certain voltage is applied to both ends of the telescopic section 5, the volume of the telescopic section 5 will expand due to current heating, so that the overall length of the telescopic support column changes. The change in the length of the telescopic support column will cause the position and angle of the lens mount 3 connected thereto to change accordingly, realizing the compensation for the micro-deformation of the lens mount 3.

[0040] On the basis of the above solution, the telescopic support column further includes two insulating sections 4, the material of the insulating sections 4 is an insulating material, one ends of the two insulating sections 4 are respectively fixedly connected to both ends of the telescopic section 5, and the other ends of the two insulating sections 4 are respectively fixedly connected to the corresponding lens mount 3 and the crossbeam mounting seat 7.

[0041] The two insulating sections 4 are connected to both ends of the telescopic section 5, which can not only play a role in stably supporting the lens mount 3, but also prevent the current on the telescopic section 5 from affecting the normal operation of the control boards 11 on the two lens mounts 3.

[0042] On the basis of the above solution, each group of support arms further includes a central support column 6, and both ends of the central support column 6 are respectively fixedly connected to the corresponding lens mount 3 and the crossbeam mounting seat 7.

[0043] The central support column 6 is used to support the lens mount 3 and plays a main supporting role.

[0044] It should be noted that the central pillar 6 is connected to the middle of the end face of the lens mount 3, without affecting the telescopic support column from causing slight deformation of the lens mount 3.

[0045] In one specific example, the material of the telescopic section 5 is an aluminum-tungsten alloy. Aluminum has a high coefficient of thermal expansion, and under the same temperature rise, the deformation of the telescopic section 5 is greater when using aluminum. Tungsten has a high melting point, which can ensure the stability of the long-term use of the telescopic section 5. The main components of the insulating section 4 are ceramics and calcium silicate. The telescopic support column is made by powder metallurgy process. At the die stage, metallurgical powders of different components are added to different positions of the crossbeam die. Among them, the central pillar 6 uses aluminum alloy material, the telescopic section 5 uses aluminum-tungsten mixed powder, and the insulating section 4 uses ceramic and calcium silicate powder, and is compressed and formed under a pressure of 1100-1200 MPa, and sintered and solidified at a high temperature of 1150-1200 °C. Thus, the crossbeam assembly with the required structural composition is obtained.

[0046] Alternatively, the telescopic section 5 can be made of other conductive materials, such as other pure metals or alloys; the insulating section 4 can be made of other insulating materials, and can be made of a single insulating material or a mixture of multiple insulating materials.

[0047] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the telescopic section 5 realizes the increase in length by using the principle of electric heating, so the telescopic section 5 can only be heated and cannot be cooled. The telescopic section 5 can only expand actively and cannot contract actively. It can actively compensate for the negative change of the baseline of the binocular lens. It cannot compensate for the positive change of the baseline, or a semiconductor refrigeration sheet is additionally mounted on the telescopic section 5 to realize refrigeration, so that the telescopic section 5 contracts.

[0048] On the basis of the above solution, specifically, each group of support arms includes four telescopic support columns, and the four telescopic support columns are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the central pillar 6, and the telescopic support columns are parallel to the central pillar 6.

[0049] Telescopic support columns are arranged in four directions in the circumferential direction of the central pillar 6. By adjusting the length of the telescopic support column in the expected direction, the deformation of the lens mount 3 can be adjusted directionally.

[0050] Embodiment III

[0051] As Figure 1 shown, this embodiment provides a binocular camera, including a control board 11, two lenses 9, and the camera crossbeam described in any one of Embodiment I or Embodiment II. The control board 11 is respectively connected to each telescopic support column, and the two lenses 9 are respectively fixedly connected to the two lens mounts 3.

[0052] The control board 11 actively adjusts the angle of the lens mount 3 of the camera crossbeam according to the deviation feedback by binocular vision, so as to actively parallelize the optical centers of the two lenses 9.

[0053] Specifically, each lens mount 3 is provided with a lens mounting hole 1, and the lens 9 is fixed within the corresponding lens mounting hole 1.

[0054] In one specific example, the lens 9 is fixed to the front end of the lens mount 3 by using a fixing glue for auto-focusing machinery. The control board 11 is fixed to the rear end of the lens mount 3 by screws.

[0055] Specifically, the control board 11 is also communicatively connected to two lenses 9, and the data obtained by the lenses 9 is transmitted to the control board 11.

[0056] Specifically, the positive voltage output terminal and the negative voltage output terminal on the control board 11 are respectively connected to both ends of each telescopic section 5.

[0057] In one specific example, for the technical solution in the second embodiment where each set of support arms includes four telescopic support columns, when the control board 11 determines that there is a relative displacement between the optical centers of the left and right lenses 9 based on the data detected by the two lenses 9, it calculates the optical center deviation angle.

[0058] If there is a horizontal deviation between the optical centers of the two lenses 9, then 2 telescopic sections 5 in front of or behind the support arm are electrified and heated to make their volumes expand, thereby pushing the lens mount 3 to rotate horizontally.

[0059] If there is a vertical deviation between the optical centers of the two lenses 9, then 1 telescopic section 5 in one support arm and the farthest 1 telescopic section 5 in the other support arm are electrified and heated to make their volumes expand, thereby pushing the lens mount 3 to rotate obliquely in the vertical direction. The horizontal components generated by the oblique rotation can cancel each other out left and right, and the vertical angle change is the component to be adjusted.

[0060] If the horizontal distance between the two lenses 9 changes and the changed distance is less than the baseline set at the factory, then the 8 telescopic sections 5 of the two support arms are heated simultaneously to make them expand, thereby achieving the function of increasing the baseline.

[0061] Embodiment 4

[0062] Based on Embodiment 3, there are two control boards 11, and the two control boards 11 are respectively fixedly connected to the two lens mounts 3. Each control board 11 is respectively connected to all the telescopic support columns of the corresponding support arm through heating wires 15.

[0063] The two control boards 11 respectively control the length adjustment of the two support arms.

[0064] Alternatively, there is one control board 11, and it is not fixedly connected to the lens mount 3 but is fixedly arranged separately, for example, fixed within the housing of a binocular camera. The control board 11 is connected to all the telescopic support columns through heating wires 15.

[0065] Example 5

[0066] Based on Example 3 or Example 4, the binocular camera further includes a housing. The camera crossbeam is located inside the housing, and the crossbeam mounting base 7 is fixedly connected to the housing.

[0067] Based on the above solution, the binocular camera further includes a crossbeam mounting bolt and a positioning pin. The middle part of the crossbeam mounting base 7 has a crossbeam mounting hole 8, and the side wall of the crossbeam mounting base 7 has a positioning groove 2. One end of the crossbeam mounting bolt passes through the crossbeam mounting hole 8 and is fixedly connected to the housing. The positioning pin is fixedly connected to the housing and is located in the positioning groove 2.

[0068] The crossbeam mounting base 7 in the middle of the camera crossbeam is fixed at a single point by the crossbeam mounting bolt and limited by the positioning pin to prevent the camera crossbeam from rotating. The support arm is suspended to avoid being affected by the installation stress.

[0069] Specifically, as Figures 1 - 3 shown, there is a positioning groove 2 on each of the upper and lower sides of the crossbeam mounting base 7, and a positioning pin is provided at each positioning groove 2. The positioning pin is arranged along the length direction of the positioning groove 2, and the side wall of the positioning pin is embedded in the positioning groove 2; or the positioning pin is perpendicular to the positioning groove 2, and the end of the positioning pin is inserted into the positioning groove 2.

[0070] Based on the above solution, the binocular camera further includes an electrical connector. The electrical connector is fixedly connected to the housing and is electrically connected to the control board 11.

[0071] Through the electrical connector, data can be transmitted or power can be supplied to the control board 11.

[0072] When there are two control boards 11, there are also two corresponding electrical connectors.

[0073] Specifically, the housing includes a front housing 10 and a rear housing 12. The front housing 10 and the rear housing 12 are snapped together to form an accommodation cavity inside. The camera crossbeam and the control board 11 are installed in the accommodation cavity. The camera crossbeam is fixed to the front housing 10 by 1 crossbeam mounting bolt at the central hole, and the rear housing 12 is fixed to the rear side of the front housing 10 by screws. The electrical connector is fixedly connected to the rear housing 12 by screws. The camera end connector 13 is plugged into the electrical connector, and the wire harness end connector 14 is connected to the camera end connector 13 through a wire harness.

[0074] In the description of the present utility model, the meaning of "a plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0075] In the description of this specification, the description referring to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present utility model. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0076] In the description of the present utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0077] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present utility model shall be included in the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A camera beam, characterized in that: The invention comprises a lens seat (3), a crossbeam mounting seat (7) and a support arm, wherein the lens seats (3) are two and the support arms are two groups, the two lens seats (3) are respectively located at two ends of the crossbeam mounting seat (7), each lens seat (3) is fixedly connected to the crossbeam mounting seat (7) via a group of the support arms, and each group of the support arms comprises at least two telescopic support columns arranged at intervals.

2. A camera beam according to claim 1, characterized in that: The telescopic support column comprises a telescopic section (5), and the material of the telescopic section (5) is a conductive material.

3. A camera beam according to claim 2, characterized in that: The telescopic support column further comprises two insulating sections (4), the insulating sections (4) being made of insulating material, one end of the two insulating sections (4) being fixedly connected to the two ends of the telescopic section (5), respectively, and the other ends of the two insulating sections (4) being fixedly connected to the corresponding lens seat (3) and the crossbeam mounting seat (7), respectively.

4. A camera beam according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: Each group of support arms further comprises a central pillar (6), and two ends of the central pillar (6) are respectively fixedly connected to the corresponding lens seat (3) and the crossbeam mounting seat (7).

5. A camera beam according to claim 4, characterized in that: Each group of support arms comprises four telescopic support columns, which are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the central pillar (6), and the telescopic support columns are parallel to the central pillar (6).

6. A binocular camera, characterized in that: It comprises a control panel (11), two lenses (9) and a camera beam as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control panel (11) is respectively connected to each of the telescopic support columns, and the two lenses (9) are respectively fixedly connected to the two lens mounts (3).

7. A binocular camera according to claim 6, characterized in that: There are two control panels (11), and the two control panels (11) are fixedly connected to the two lens mounts (3) respectively. Each control panel (11) is connected to all the telescopic support columns of the corresponding support arm via a heating wire (15).

8. A binocular camera according to claim 6, characterized in that: The binocular camera also includes a shell, the camera beam is located inside the shell, and the beam mounting seat (7) is fixedly connected to the shell.

9. A binocular camera according to claim 8, characterized in that: The binocular camera also includes a crossbeam mounting bolt and a positioning pin, the crossbeam mounting seat (7) has a crossbeam mounting hole (8) in the middle, the side wall of the crossbeam mounting seat (7) has a positioning groove (2), one end of the crossbeam mounting bolt passes through the crossbeam mounting hole (8) and is fixedly connected to the shell, and the positioning pin is fixedly connected to the shell and is located in the positioning groove (2).

10. A binocular camera according to claim 8, characterized in that: The binocular camera also includes an electrical connector, which is fixedly connected to the housing and electrically connected to the control board (11).

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