Monitoring device

Abstract

The utility model provides monitoring equipment, which is provided with an X axis and a Y axis which are perpendicular to each other, and comprises a mounting assembly and a camera shooting assembly, the mounting assembly is used for being connected with an external environment, the mounting assembly comprises a base and a first driving mechanism, the base is rotationally connected with the first driving mechanism, and the camera shooting assembly is arranged on the base. The first driving mechanism is used for driving the base to rotate around the X axis, the camera shooting assembly is rotationally connected with the base, the camera shooting assembly comprises a camera and a second driving mechanism, the second driving mechanism is used for driving the camera to rotate around the Y axis, and the purpose is to enlarge the monitoring view field range.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of camera technology, in particular to a monitoring device. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous improvement of consumers' demand for the functions of in-vehicle cameras, especially in the automotive field, autonomous driving and assisted driving technologies are advancing rapidly. In the front-view cameras of vehicles, the use of binocular or multi-camera systems has become the mainstream. For binocular front-view cameras, existing in-vehicle binocular front-view camera modules basically continue to use a combination of two independent cameras installed at a fixed angle. Each single camera cannot rotate automatically, and only the entire module can be manually adjusted around a certain direction. The left and right viewing ranges are limited, which causes inconvenience to the driver. Summary of the Utility Model

[0003] In view of this, the purpose of the utility model is to provide a monitoring device, aiming to expand the monitoring visual range.

[0004] The utility model provides a monitoring device with mutually perpendicular X-axis and Y-axis, including an installation component and a camera component. The installation component is used to connect with the external environment. The installation component includes a base and a first driving mechanism. The base is rotationally connected to the first driving mechanism. The first driving mechanism is used to drive the base to rotate around the X-axis. The camera component is rotationally connected to the base. The camera component includes a camera and a second driving mechanism. The second driving mechanism is used to drive the camera to rotate around the Y-axis.

[0005] In one embodiment, the number of the cameras is multiple. A transmission wheel is arranged between two adjacent cameras, and two adjacent cameras are both meshed with the transmission wheel.

[0006] In one embodiment, the second driving mechanism includes at least one first reduction motor. The first reduction motor is used to drive the transmission wheel to rotate, so as to drive the camera to rotate around the Y-axis.

[0007] In one embodiment, the camera component further includes a bionic eyeball. The bionic eyeball has a light-transmitting area. The camera is arranged inside the bionic eyeball and takes pictures outward through the light-transmitting area.

[0008] In one embodiment, the camera component further includes an eyeball protection cover. The eyeball protection cover is used to connect the base. The eyeball protection cover has a shell and an avoidance opening arranged on the shell. The bionic eyeball is rotatably arranged inside the shell. The avoidance opening is aligned with the light-transmitting area of the bionic eyeball to avoid the monitoring work of the bionic eyeball.

[0009] In one embodiment, a permanent magnet is provided inside the bionic eyeball, a coil is provided on the eyeball protection cover, and the second driving mechanism is used to energize the coil to control the electromagnetic force of the permanent magnet to drive the bionic eyeball to rotate around the X-axis or Y-axis.

[0010] In one embodiment, the bionic eyeball is provided with a connecting column parallel to the Y-axis, the eyeball protection cover is provided with a connecting hole matching the connecting column, and the connecting column is inserted into the connecting hole to enable the bionic eyeball to rotate around the Y-axis.

[0011] In one embodiment, the arc-shaped opening is formed at the position where the housing is provided with the avoidance opening, the light-transmitting area is located in the middle of the avoidance opening, and the radian between the boundary of the avoidance opening and the boundary of the light-transmitting area is [π / 18, π / 9].

[0012] In one embodiment, the first driving machine includes a reduction motor and a cam. The cam has a connecting end and a contact end. The connecting end is used to connect the reduction motor, the contact end is rotatably connected to the base, and the reduction motor is used to drive the cam to rotate to drive the base to rotate. The width of the cam gradually increases from the contact end to the connecting end.

[0013] In one embodiment, a control module is further included. The control module includes a detection unit and a control unit. The detection unit is used to detect the change of the load current of the first driving mechanism and the second driving mechanism, and send a limit signal to the control unit to control the first driving mechanism and / or the second driving mechanism to continue or stop driving the base and / or the camera.

[0014] The monitoring device provided by the present invention drives the base through the first driving mechanism and drives the camera to rotate around the X-axis, expanding the field of view in the X-axis direction. The second driving mechanism drives the camera to rotate around the Y-axis, expanding the field of view in the Y-axis direction, reducing the monitoring blind area, and solving the problem of limited field of view of the vehicle-mounted camera. The driver only needs to control the first driving mechanism and the second driving mechanism in the cab to adjust the real-time monitoring range of the camera to align with the area to be observed, and the operability without vision is high. Especially when applied to vehicle reverse parking and starting, many conventional vision blind area obstacles can be avoided, improving driving safety. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention, and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0016] Figure 1 It is a schematic three-dimensional structure diagram of a binocular camera module in the prior art.

[0017] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic side view structure diagram of the binocular camera module in

[0018] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a schematic side view structure diagram of the binocular camera module when rotating in

[0019] Figure 4 It is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of a monitoring device in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a schematic diagram of the visible range of the monitoring device in

[0021] Figure 6 is Figure 4 a schematic three-dimensional structure diagram of the monitoring device in

[0022] Figure 7 is Figure 4 a schematic exploded structure diagram of the monitoring device in

[0023] Figure 8 is Figure 4 a schematic side view structure diagram of the monitoring device in

[0024] Reference numerals: mounting assembly - 10; base - 11; connecting groove - 111; first driving mechanism - 12; reduction motor - 121; cam - 122; connecting end - 122a; contact end - 122b; camera - 21; second driving mechanism - 22; first reducer - 221; motor - 221a; driving shaft - 221b; transmission wheel - 23; toothed belt - 24; bionic eyeball - 25; light-transmitting area - 251; connecting column - 252; eyeball protection cover - 26; outer shell - 261; avoidance opening - 262; connecting hole - 263; in-situ visible area - V; X-axis direction expanded visible area - VX; Y-axis direction expanded visible area - VY. Specific embodiments

[0025] Next, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the description of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] In the description of the present utility model, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, terms such as "set", "installed", "connected", etc. shall be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0027] The orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the utility model product is usually placed during use. It is only for the convenience of description and simplification of the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation to the present utility model.

[0028] Terms such as "first", "second", "third", etc. are only used to distinguish elements with similar attributes, rather than indicating or implying relative importance or a specific order.

[0029] The term "comprising", "including" or any other variant thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. In addition to including the listed elements, it may also include other elements not specifically listed.

[0030] Please refer to Figures 1-3 , in the prior art, a binocular camera module is designed to be fixed on a base. The height is adjusted manually by twisting a ball screw, and the binocular camera module is driven by the base to swing up and down as a whole around the rotation axes on both sides of the base by a certain angle. However, each camera cannot rotate left and right, and the left and right visual ranges are limited.

[0031] Please refer to Figures 4-8 , an embodiment of the present utility model provides a monitoring device having mutually perpendicular X-axis and Y-axis, including an installation component 10 and a camera component. The installation component 10 is used to connect with the external environment. The installation component 10 includes a base 11 and a first driving mechanism 12. The base 11 is rotationally connected to the first driving mechanism 12. The first driving mechanism 12 is used to drive the base 11 to rotate around the X-axis. The camera component is rotationally connected to the base 11. The camera component includes a camera 21 and a second driving mechanism 22. The second driving mechanism 22 is used to drive the camera 21 to rotate around the Y-axis.

[0032] Specifically, the monitoring device is installed in an automobile or other usage environment through the installation component 10. The base 11 can be rotatably connected to the outside, and the first driving mechanism 12 drives the base 11 to rotate around the X-axis to drive the camera 21 to rotate around the X-axis. Alternatively, the first driving mechanism 12 is fixedly connected to the outside, and the first driving mechanism 12 drives the base 11 to rotate around the X-axis through a transmission member. After the camera assembly is rotatably connected to the base 11, the second driving mechanism 22 drives the camera 21 to rotate around the Y-axis. The first driving mechanism 12 and the second driving mechanism 22 are independent driving systems, which can disperse the working pressure of a single driving system, making it more convenient for the main board to control the first driving mechanism 12 or the second driving mechanism 22 individually, and the principle is also simpler, avoiding misoperations and reducing costs. When applied to the automotive field, it can also improve driving safety and convenience.

[0033] Please continue to refer to Figure 5 , which is a schematic diagram of the visible range of the monitoring device in this embodiment. Among them, V is the visible range of the monitoring device when neither the base 11 nor the camera 21 rotates; VX is the increased visible range of the monitoring device in the X-axis direction when the camera 21 rotates around the Y-axis; VY is the increased visible range of the monitoring device in the Y-axis direction when the base 11 rotates around the X-axis.

[0034] In other embodiments, the first driving mechanism 12 can also drive the base 11 to rotate around both the X-axis and the Y-axis.

[0035] In this embodiment, the number of cameras 21 is multiple, and a transmission wheel 23 is provided between two adjacent cameras 21, and two adjacent cameras 21 are both engaged with the transmission wheel 23.

[0036] Specifically, arc-shaped toothed belts 24 are provided on the opposite sides of two adjacent cameras 21, the convex surfaces of the two arc-shaped toothed belts 24 are arranged opposite to each other, and the two arc-shaped toothed belts 24 are both engaged with the transmission wheel 23. At this time, the second driving mechanism 22 can drive one of the cameras 21 to rotate around the Y-axis, and the transmission wheel 23 drives the other camera 21 to rotate, so that the binocular cameras 21 can rotate around the X-axis simultaneously. Or, with the central axis of the transmission wheel 23 as the X-axis, the second driving mechanism 22 drives the transmission wheel 23 to rotate around the X-axis, and the transmission wheel 23 can drive two adjacent cameras 21 at the same time.

[0037] In this embodiment, the second driving mechanism 22 includes at least one first reduction motor 221. The first reduction motor 221 is used to drive the transmission wheel 23 to rotate to drive the camera 21 to rotate around the Y-axis. The first reduction motor 221 is usually formed by a motor 221a and a drive shaft 221b extending from the motor 221a. The motor 221a drives the drive shaft 221b to rotate, and the drive shaft 221b is inserted and fixed to the transmission wheel 23 to drive the transmission wheel 23 to rotate in sequence.

[0038] Specifically, when the number of cameras 21 is two, only one first reduction motor 221 can be provided to drive the transmission wheels 23 between two adjacent cameras 21, or two independent first reduction motors 221 can be provided to separately drive each camera 21 to rotate around the X-axis; when the number of cameras 21 is three or more, transmission wheels 23 need to be provided between every two adjacent cameras 21, and each transmission wheel 23 is respectively configured with a first reduction motor 221. Of course, in other embodiments, it can also be that multiple transmission wheels 23 are further connected to an additional transmission mechanism, and only one first reduction motor 221 is provided to drive the additional transmission mechanism, and the multiple transmission wheels 23 are engaged with the additional transmission mechanism. At this time, the first reduction motor 221 is connected to the additional transmission mechanism to jointly drive the multiple transmission wheels 23 and drive the multiple cameras 21 to rotate together. Further, the additional transmission mechanism can be a rotating wheel with an unlimited shape, and the drive shaft of the first reduction motor 221 is inserted into the rotating wheel.

[0039] In this embodiment, the imaging assembly 20 further includes a bionic eyeball 25. The bionic eyeball 25 has a light-transmitting area 251, and the camera 21 is disposed inside the bionic eyeball 25 and images outward through the light-transmitting area 251.

[0040] Specifically, the bionic eyeball 25 is usually spherical, and the light-transmitting area 251 is an arc surface with a convex surface facing outward, similar to the eyeball of an animal, achieving the effects of expanded field of view and simulation.

[0041] In this embodiment, the imaging assembly 20 further includes an eyeball protection cover 26. The eyeball protection cover 26 is used to connect to the base 11. The eyeball protection cover 26 has a housing 261 and an avoidance opening 262 provided on the housing 261. The bionic eyeball 25 is rotatably disposed inside the housing 261, and the avoidance opening 262 is aligned with the light-transmitting area 251 of the bionic eyeball 25 to avoid the monitoring work of the bionic eyeball 25.

[0042] Specifically, the structure of the bionic eyeball 25 is precise, and the surface of the light-transmitting area 251 is easily scratched, resulting in a decrease in the imaging or monitoring quality. The eyeball protection cover 26 wraps the bionic eyeball 25, which is beneficial to protecting the bionic eyeball 25 to a certain extent. At least a part of the housing 261 around the light-transmitting area 251 is designed to be spherical to avoid other shapes from restricting the camera 21. The avoidance opening 262 provided on the housing 261 always exposes the light-transmitting area 251 of the bionic eyeball 25, that is, it will not block the monitoring of the camera 21 even after the camera 21 rotates.

[0043] In other embodiments, a permanent magnet is provided inside the bionic eyeball 25, a coil is provided on the eyeball protection cover 26, and the second driving mechanism 22 is used to energize the coil to control the electromagnetic force of the permanent magnet to drive the bionic eyeball 25 to rotate around the X-axis or the Y-axis.

[0044] Specifically, by controlling the rotation of the camera 21 through magnetic force, the setting of mechanical structures such as transmission structures can be reduced, avoiding the limitations caused by mechanical structures. The magnetic force control enables the camera 21 to rotate in all directions without being restricted by the transmission structure in terms of direction. For the reset of the camera 21, magnetic force reverse control can be adopted, or a spring can be set for auxiliary reset.

[0045] In this embodiment, the bionic eyeball 25 is provided with a connecting column 252 parallel to the Y-axis. The eyeball protection cover 26 is provided with a connecting hole 263 that cooperates with the connecting column 252. The connecting column 252 is inserted into the connecting hole 263 so that the bionic eyeball 25 rotates around the Y-axis, and the connecting column 252 also plays a limiting role.

[0046] Specifically, the connecting column 252 is parallel to the Y-axis. At this time, taking the central axis of the connecting column 252 as the Y-axis, only by controlling the self-rotation of the connecting column 252 can the bionic eyeball 25 rotate around the Y-axis, simplifying the structure and the driving method.

[0047] In this embodiment, the arc-shaped avoidance opening 262 is formed in the outer shell 261. The light-transmitting area 251 is located in the middle of the avoidance opening 262. The radian of the boundary of the avoidance opening 262 and the boundary of the light-transmitting area 251 is [π / 18, π / 9].

[0048] Specifically, the bionic eyeball 25 rotates relative to the eyeball protection cover 26, while the eyeball protection cover 26 is fixed relative to the base 11 and is not affected by the driving of the second driving mechanism 22. During the rotation of the bionic eyeball 25, the outer shell 261 of the eyeball protection cover 26 plays a limiting role, that is, it restricts the excessive rotation of the bionic eyeball 25 so that the rotating wheel disengages from the toothed belt 24, or avoids the light-transmitting area 251 of the bionic eyeball 25 entering the shielding area of the eyeball protection cover 26, resulting in ineffective monitoring and affecting the adjustment of the monitoring angle. Setting the radian of the opening boundary of the avoidance opening 262 and the boundary of the light-transmitting area 251 within the range of [π / 18, π / 9] can ensure the limiting effect of the outer shell 261 and does not affect the visual range of the bionic eyeball 25. That is, when the bionic eyeball 25 is facing the avoidance opening 262, it can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise around the Y-axis by 10°-20°. Preferably, when the bionic eyeball 25 is facing the avoidance opening 262, it reaches the maximum value of rotation and is limited after rotating 16° clockwise or counterclockwise around the Y-axis.

[0049] In this embodiment, the first driving mechanism 12 includes a reduction motor 121 and a cam 122. The cam 122 has a connecting end 122a and a contact end 122b. The connecting end 122a is used to connect the reduction motor 121, and the contact end 122b is rotatably connected to the base 11. The reduction motor 121 is used to drive the cam 122 to rotate so as to drive the base 11 to rotate. The width of the cam 122 gradually increases from the contact end 122b to the connecting end 122a.

[0050] Specifically, the specific shape of the cam 122 is set according to the rotation path of the base 11 in the actual application. In this embodiment, the reduction motor 121 drives the cam 122 to rotate with the X-axis as the rotation axis, which can drive the base 11 to rotate around the X-axis. Further, the lens module is disposed on the base 11. When the base 11 rotates, the lens module can be fixed relative to the base 11, and the lens module rotates around the X-axis along with the base 11. A connection groove 111 is formed on the base 11, and the connection groove 111 is used to abut against the cam 122. When the cam 122 rotates, the contact end 122b will lift upward until it contacts the inner wall of the connection groove 111. At this time, the force on the contact end 122b will push the base 11 to move upward, so that the base 11 rotates.

[0051] Since the width of the cam 122 gradually increases from the contact end 122b to the connection end 122a, when the cam 122 rotates, the edge slope of the contact end 122b on the cam 122 will alternately increase or decrease, and the base 11 will change the rotation direction or stop according to the edge slope of the contact end 122b.

[0052] In other embodiments, the transmission wheel 23 and the cam 122 can also be replaced with transmission mechanisms such as a crank-slider mechanism, a crank-rocker mechanism, and a Geneva mechanism, and the rotation reset can be replicated by setting a spring.

[0053] In this embodiment, a control module is further included. The control module includes a detection unit and a control unit. The detection unit is used to detect the load current change of the first driving mechanism 12 and the second driving mechanism 22, and send a limit signal to the control unit to control the first driving mechanism 12 and / or the second driving mechanism 22 to continue or stop driving the base 11 and / or the camera 21.

[0054] Specifically, when the second driving mechanism 22 drives the transmission wheel 23 to drive the camera 21 to rotate counterclockwise, the two cameras 21 rotate along the clockwise direction with the bionic eyeball 25. The two cameras 21 rotate synchronously, and the rotation angle is about 16 degrees. The light-transmitting area 251 of the flange of the bionic eyeball 25 reaches the boundary of the avoidance opening 262 of the housing 261 and is limited to stop rotating. At this time, the detection unit of the main board detects the change in the load current in the second driving mechanism 22 and sends a stop driving signal to the control unit to control the second driving mechanism 22 to stop driving the camera 21; when the second driving mechanism 22 continues to drive the transmission wheel 23 to rotate clockwise, the two cameras 21 rotate along the counterclockwise direction with the bionic eyeball 25, and the rotation angle is about 32 degrees. The light-transmitting area 251 of the flange of the bionic eyeball 25 reaches the boundary of the avoidance opening 262 of the housing 261 and is limited to stop rotating. At this time, the detection unit of the main board detects the change in the load current in the second driving mechanism 22 and sends a limit stop signal and a stop driving signal to the control unit to control the second driving mechanism 22 to stop driving the camera 21.

[0055] The monitoring device provided by the present invention drives the base 11 through the first driving mechanism 12 and drives the camera 21 imaging assembly to rotate around the X axis, expanding the field of view in the X-axis direction. The second driving mechanism 22 drives the camera 21 to rotate around the Y axis, expanding the field of view in the Y-axis direction, reducing the monitoring blind area, and solving the problem of limited field of view of the vehicle-mounted camera 21. The driver only needs to control the first driving mechanism 12 and the second driving mechanism 22 in the cab to adjust the real-time monitoring range of the camera 21 imaging assembly to align with the area to be observed, and the operability without vision is high. Especially when applied to vehicle reverse parking and starting, it can avoid many obstacles in the conventional field of view blind area and improve driving safety.

[0056] The above is only the specific implementation manner of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily thought of by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A monitoring device having mutually perpendicular X and Y axes, characterized in that, It includes an installation component (10) and a camera component. The installation component (10) is used to connect with the external environment. The installation component (10) includes a base (11) and a first driving mechanism (12). The base (11) is rotatably connected to the first driving mechanism (12). The first driving mechanism (12) is used to drive the base (11) to rotate around the X-axis. The camera component is rotatably connected to the base (11). The camera component includes a camera (21) and a second driving mechanism (22). The second driving mechanism (22) is used to drive the camera (21) to rotate around the Y-axis.

2. The monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of the cameras (21) is multiple. A transmission wheel (23) is arranged between two adjacent cameras (21), and the two adjacent cameras (21) are both meshed with the transmission wheel (23).

3. The monitoring device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second driving mechanism (22) includes at least one first reduction motor (221). The first reduction motor (221) is used to drive the transmission wheel (23) to rotate, so as to drive the camera (21) to rotate around the Y-axis.

4. The monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The camera component further includes a bionic eyeball (25). The bionic eyeball (25) has a light-transmitting area (251). The camera (21) is arranged inside the bionic eyeball (25) and takes pictures outward through the light-transmitting area (251).

5. The monitoring device according to claim 4, characterized in that The camera component further includes an eyeball protection cover (26). The eyeball protection cover (26) is used to connect the base (11). The eyeball protection cover (26) has a housing (261) and an avoidance opening (262) arranged on the housing (261). The bionic eyeball (25) is rotatably arranged inside the housing (261). The avoidance opening (262) is aligned with the light-transmitting area (251) of the bionic eyeball (25) to avoid the monitoring work of the bionic eyeball (25).

6. The monitoring device according to claim 5, characterized in that, A permanent magnet is arranged inside the bionic eyeball (25), and a coil is arranged on the eyeball protection cover (26). The second driving mechanism (22) is used to energize the coil to control the electromagnetic force of the permanent magnet to drive the bionic eyeball (25) to rotate around the X-axis or the Y-axis.

7. The monitoring device according to claim 6, characterized in that The bionic eyeball (25) is provided with a connecting column (252) parallel to the Y-axis. The eyeball protection cover (26) is provided with a connecting hole (263) matching with the connecting column (252). The connecting column (252) is inserted into the connecting hole (263) to enable the bionic eyeball (25) to rotate around the Y-axis.

8. The monitoring device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The arc of the housing (261) where the avoidance opening (262) is arranged is arc-shaped. The light-transmitting area (251) is located in the middle of the avoidance opening (262). The radian of the boundary of the avoidance opening (262) and the boundary of the light-transmitting area (251) is [π / 18, π / 9].

9. The monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that The first driving mechanism (12) includes a reduction motor (121) and a cam (122). The cam (122) has a connecting end (122a) and a contact end (122b). The connecting end (122a) is used to connect the reduction motor (121), and the contact end (122b) is rotatably connected to the base (11). The reduction motor (121) is used to drive the cam (122) to rotate so as to drive the base (11) to rotate. The width of the cam (122) gradually increases from the contact end (122b) to the connecting end (122a).

10. The monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes a control module. The control module includes a detection unit and a control unit. The detection unit is used to detect the change of the load current of the first driving mechanism (12) and the second driving mechanism (22), and send a limit signal to the control unit to control the first driving mechanism (12) and / or the second driving mechanism (22) to continue or stop driving the base (11) and / or the camera (21).

Images