Lens cleaning device and inspection system

Abstract

The utility model provides a lens cleaning device and an inspection system. The lens cleaning device comprises a control panel, a high-pressure air injection device and an air filter. The air inlet end of the high-pressure air injection device is communicated with the air outlet of the air filter, the air outlet end of the high-pressure air injection device is connected with an air outlet nozzle, and the air outlet nozzle is used for injecting air to a lens to clean water drops attached to the lens; and the control panel is used for controlling the high-pressure air injection device. According to the lens cleaning device and the inspection system, the situation that shooting is affected by dirt on the surface of the lens of the inspection robot can be improved, the lens can achieve clear imaging, and therefore the inspection reliability of the inspection system is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of inspection equipment, and in particular to a lens cleaning device and an inspection system. Background Art

[0002] With the development of artificial intelligence technology, the traditional farming industry is gradually moving towards intelligentization. To improve farming efficiency, many breeding sites, including pig farms, have begun to use track inspection robots. These robots can be used to inspect the breeding sites, for example, to detect the condition of pigs, and to capture and monitor individual pigs. The inspection robots can reciprocate on tracks. The required tracks can be pre-built according to the internal conditions of the pig house, ensuring that the robots can monitor the condition of each pig in the pen, achieving comprehensive monitoring.

[0003] In current applications, due to the complex environment within pig farms, affected by factors such as flying insects, dust, and condensation, the inspection robot's lens surface is easily obscured by dirt, ultimately affecting image recognition. A water-based cleaning solution can be used to maintain lens dirt. While water cleaning effectively removes surface dirt, residual water droplets evaporate and form water stains on the lens surface. These water stains can still lead to insufficient lens clarity and are difficult to remove, affecting the robot's monitoring function over time. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on this, the present application provides a lens cleaning device and an inspection system to remove water stains remaining on the lens surface of the inspection system in the prior art due to water cleaning, so that the lens can image clearly.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application is implemented as follows:

[0006] On the one hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a lens cleaning device, comprising a control panel, a high-pressure jet device and an air filter; the air inlet end of the high-pressure jet device is connected to the air outlet of the air filter, and the air outlet end of the high-pressure jet device is connected to an air outlet nozzle, which is used to spray air toward the lens to clean water droplets attached to the lens; the control panel is used to control the high-pressure jet device.

[0007] In one embodiment, the high-pressure jet device also includes an air pump, an air storage tank and a control valve connected in sequence, the air inlet end of the air pump is connected to the air outlet of the air filter, and the air outlet end of the control valve is connected to the air inlet end of the air outlet nozzle; the control panel is electrically connected to the air pump and the control valve respectively.

[0008] In one embodiment, the lens cleaning device also includes a water spraying device, which includes a water pump and a water outlet nozzle. The water inlet end of the water pump is used to connect to an external water source, and the water outlet end of the water pump is connected to the water outlet nozzle. The water outlet nozzle is used to spray water onto the lens to clean the lens.

[0009] In one embodiment, the control board is electrically connected to the water pump for controlling the start and stop of the water pump.

[0010] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application provides an inspection system for use in a breeding site, comprising the lens cleaning device as described above.

[0011] In one embodiment, the inspection system also includes a track, a charging pile and an inspection robot; the track is installed in the breeding site; the charging pile is fixed on the track, and is used to charge the inspection robot and power the lens cleaning device; the inspection robot is suspended on the track, and the lens is provided on the side of the inspection robot away from the track, and the inspection robot is used to walk along the track and photograph and monitor the breeding site through the lens; the control panel is electrically connected to the charging pile.

[0012] In one embodiment, the inspection system includes a water spray device, and the water spray device includes a water outlet nozzle. The water outlet nozzle and the air outlet nozzle are arranged in parallel on a side of the lens away from the track.

[0013] In one embodiment, the inspection robot further includes a visible light camera and an infrared camera, and both the visible light camera and the infrared camera take images of the target object through the lens.

[0014] In one embodiment, a travel switch is provided on the charging pile, and the travel switch is used to detect whether the inspection robot is in a charging state. If so, the control panel is triggered to control the lens cleaning device to start.

[0015] In one embodiment, the inspection robot further includes a signal receiving device, and the inspection system further includes a signal transmitting device, wherein the signal transmitting device is used to transmit a control signal, and the signal receiving device is used to receive the control signal and control the inspection robot to walk along the track and take pictures according to the control instructions of the control signal.

[0016] This application has at least the following beneficial effects: The lens cleaning device and inspection system provided in the embodiments of the present application utilize a high-pressure jet device to spray air onto the cleaned lens surface to remove water droplets adhering to the lens, thereby leaving the lens surface clean. This method is both convenient and quick, and prevents residual cleaning water from forming water stains on the lens surface. Furthermore, the air inlet of the high-pressure jet device in the embodiments of the present application is connected to an air filter, which dries the air entering the high-pressure jet device, effectively preventing the formation of water droplets on the lens surface during the jet, thereby effectively ensuring the cleanliness of the lens surface and improving the clarity of the image. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of an inspection system according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of an inspection system according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0019] The meanings of the reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0020] 1. Track; 2. Charging pile; 3. Inspection robot; 31. Lens; 4. Lens cleaning device; 41. Control panel; 42. Air filter; 43. High-pressure jet device; 431. Air pump; 432. Air tank; 433. Control valve; 434. Air outlet nozzle; 44. Water spray device; 441. Water pump; 442. Water outlet nozzle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The technical solution of this application is further elaborated in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0022] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application pertains. The terms used herein in the specification of this application are intended only to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the implementation of this application. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0023] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center," "up," "down," "front," "back," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inside," "outside," and the like, indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended only to facilitate the description of this application and simplify the description. They do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this application. In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more.

[0024] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" should be understood broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to direct connections, indirect connections through an intermediate medium, or internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0025] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 The inspection system of the embodiment of the present application is used in a breeding site, for example, it can be used for inspection work in breeding sites such as pig houses and chicken houses. Specifically, the inspection system includes a track 1, a charging pile 2, an inspection robot 3 and a lens cleaning device 4. The track 1 is set up in the breeding site, and the charging pile 2 is fixed on the track 1 for charging the inspection robot 3 and supplying power to the lens cleaning device 4; the inspection robot 3 is suspended on the track 1, and the lens 31 is set on the side of the inspection robot 3 away from the track 1. The inspection robot 3 is used to walk along the track 1 and shoot and monitor the breeding site through the lens 31; the lens cleaning device 4 is electrically connected to the charging pile 2.

[0026] The inspection robot 3 of this embodiment needs to travel on a track 1. Therefore, the required track 1 must be built in advance based on the internal conditions of the pigsty (or other location) to ensure that the inspection robot 3 can monitor the conditions of the pigs in each pen, enabling the inspection robot 3 to achieve comprehensive monitoring of the entire location. For example, the track 1 can be set up directly above the pigsty, approximately two meters above the ground. The inspection robot 3 is suspended on the track 1, and the lens 31 is located on the side of the inspection robot 3 away from the track 1, that is, the bottom of the inspection robot 3 in the figure. The lens 31 is located at the bottom of the inspection robot 3. By properly setting the height of the track 1, the range of light entering the lens 31 can cover the entire pigsty. The inspection robot 3 of this embodiment includes a housing, a rechargeable battery located within the housing, a controller, a visible light camera, an infrared camera, and a signal receiving device. A charging port is provided on the side of the housing near the charging station 2. The charging port is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery. The charging port is connected to the charging station 2 to charge the rechargeable battery, which can be, for example, a lithium battery. The visible light camera is used to perform visible light imaging of the target object, and the infrared camera is used to perform infrared imaging of the target object. Both the visible light camera and the infrared camera shoot and image the target object through the lens 31. The visible light image and the infrared image can be fused by the controller to improve the imaging effect. The signal receiving device can be electrically connected to the controller. The signal receiving device can be, for example, an infrared receiver, or other wireless transmission devices such as Bluetooth, WiFi, etc. The inspection system can also include a signal transmitting device. The signal transmitting device can transmit a control signal to the signal receiving device. The signal transmitting device can be, for example, an infrared remote control, or other terminal devices, such as a mobile phone, a computer, etc. After receiving the control signal, the signal receiving device controls the inspection robot 3 to walk along the track and take pictures according to the control instructions of the control signal.

[0027] Since the inspection robot 3 is arranged on the track 1 and is located at a high position, and the lens 31 is located at the bottom of the inspection robot 3, it is difficult to clean. If the lens cleaning device 4 of this embodiment is used, the lens 31 can be cleaned quickly and thoroughly, effectively improving the clarity of the lens 31.

[0028] The lens cleaning device 4 of this embodiment includes a control panel 41, a high-pressure jet device 43, an air filter 42 and a water spray device 44. In this embodiment, the lens cleaning device 4 includes the high-pressure jet device 43 and the water spray device 44. In other embodiments, the lens cleaning device 4 may also include only the high-pressure jet device 43 (e.g., Figure 1 As shown), the water spraying device 44 can be replaced by other means, such as using a high-pressure water gun to spray water to the lens 31 for cleaning.

[0029] The air inlet of the high-pressure jet device 43 is connected to the air outlet of the air filter 42. The air outlet of the high-pressure jet device 43 is connected to an air outlet nozzle 434, which is used to spray air toward the lens 31 to clean water droplets adhering to the lens 31. The control board 41 is used to control the high-pressure jet device 43. Specifically, the high-pressure jet device 43 includes an air pump 431, an air tank 432, a control valve 433, and an air outlet nozzle 434, which are sequentially connected. The air inlet of the air pump 431 is connected to the air outlet of the air filter 42, and the air outlet of the control valve 433 is connected to the air inlet of the air outlet nozzle 434. The control valve 433 can be, for example, a solenoid valve. The control board 41 is electrically connected to the air pump 431 and the control valve 433, respectively. The air filter 42 is located at the front end of the high-pressure jet device 43, and its air inlet and outlet are always open. The air inlet of the air pump 431 is connected to the air outlet of the air filter 42 via an air pipe. The air outlet of the air pump 431 is connected to the air inlet of the air tank 432 via an air pipe. The air outlet of the air tank 432 is connected to the air inlet of the control valve 433 via an air pipe. The air outlet of the control valve 433 is connected to the air outlet nozzle 434 via an air pipe. In this embodiment, the control valve 433 is normally closed and is opened only when air is to be sprayed toward the lens 31.

[0030] The water spraying device 44 includes a water pump 441 and a water outlet nozzle 442. The water inlet of the water pump 441 is connected to an external water source, and the water outlet of the water pump 441 is connected to the water outlet nozzle 442. The water outlet nozzle 442 is used to spray water toward the lens 31 to clean the lens 31. The control board 41 is electrically connected to the water pump 441 and is used to control the start and stop of the water pump 441.

[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, the high-pressure jet device 43 and the water spray device 44 are arranged side by side and operate independently. The water outlet nozzle 442 and the air outlet nozzle 434 are arranged side by side on the side of the lens 31 away from the track 1, that is, the water outlet nozzle 442 and the air outlet nozzle 434 are arranged side by side directly below the lens 31 to facilitate cleaning of the lens 31.

[0032] In this embodiment, the charging station 2 is also provided with a limit switch, which is used to detect whether the inspection robot 3 is in a charging state. If so, it triggers the control board 41 to activate the lens cleaning device 4. For example, when the inspection robot 3 returns to the charging station 2 for charging, the inspection robot 3 touches the limit switch, closing the switch and triggering the control board 41 to activate the lens cleaning device 4.

[0033] The inspection system of this embodiment operates as follows: A terminal device or signal transmitter controls the robot to inspect the piggery along track 1. For example, the robot can be deployed at pre-set locations, assigned scheduled tasks, and stop at pre-set locations to monitor the pigs' condition. After completing its inspection mission, inspection robot 3 automatically returns along track 1 to charging station 2 for charging. Upon touching the travel switch, control panel 41 activates water spray device 44, causing water pump 441 to start operating and spraying lens 31 through nozzle 442. After the water spray cleaning is completed (for example, a preset time, such as three minutes, can be set, and the spraying automatically ends after the time is reached), the control board 41 immediately controls the high-pressure jet device 43 to start, and the air pump 431 starts to suck air. The air is filtered and dried by the air filter 42, and the water vapor carried by it is removed. At this time, the control valve 433 is still in the closed state. The air pump 431 inflates the air tank 432. After a period of inflation or the air pressure in the air tank 432 reaches a preset value, the control board 41 sends a control signal to open the control valve 433. The dry high-pressure air in the air tank 432 is ejected through the air pipe from the air outlet nozzle 434, blowing away any remaining water droplets on the lens 31, eliminating any water stains on the lens 31, thereby improving the image clarity of the lens 31 and avoiding blurry images. After the jet cleaning is completed, the control board 41 controls the high-pressure jet device 43 to stop working. At this time, the lens 31 of the inspection robot 3 has been cleaned and can effectively ensure the image clarity of the next inspection task.

[0034] The lens cleaning device of the embodiment of the present application can automatically clean the lens of the inspection robot. The water spray device can remove dirt on the lens surface, and the high-pressure jet device can clear water droplets left on the lens surface by the water spray device, effectively ensuring that the lens of the inspection robot is in a clear state every time it performs an inspection task, ensuring the reliability of the inspection system's environmental monitoring, improving cleaning efficiency and cleaning quality, and avoiding affecting the normal progress of the inspection work due to dirty lenses.

[0035] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprises," "includes," or any other variations thereof are intended to encompass non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus comprising the element.

[0036] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any modifications or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be included in the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A lens cleaning device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a control panel (41), a high-pressure jet device (43) and an air filter (42); the air inlet end of the high-pressure jet device (43) is communicated with the air outlet of the air filter (42); the air outlet end of the high-pressure jet device (43) is connected to an air outlet nozzle (434), and the air outlet nozzle (434) is used to spray air toward the lens (31) to clean water droplets attached to the lens (31); and the control panel (41) is used to control the high-pressure jet device (43).

2. The lens cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein: The high-pressure jet device (43) further comprises an air pump (431), an air storage tank (432) and a control valve (433) which are sequentially connected. The air inlet end of the air pump (431) is communicated with the air outlet of the air filter (42), and the air outlet end of the control valve (433) is connected with the air inlet end of the air outlet nozzle (434); and the control panel (41) is electrically connected to the air pump (431) and the control valve (433) respectively.

3. The lens cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein: The invention also includes a water spraying device (44), wherein the water spraying device (44) includes a water pump (441) and a water outlet nozzle (442), wherein the water inlet end of the water pump (441) is used to connect to an external water source, and the water outlet end of the water pump (441) is connected to the water outlet nozzle (442), and the water outlet nozzle (442) is used to spray water toward the lens (31) to clean the lens (31).

4. The lens cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein: The control panel (41) is electrically connected to the water pump (441) and is used to control the start and stop of the water pump (441).

5. A patrol inspection system for use in breeding sites, characterized in that: The lens cleaning device comprises the lens cleaning device (4) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The inspection system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The invention also comprises a track (1), a charging pile (2) and an inspection robot (3); the track (1) is set up on the breeding site; the charging pile (2) is fixed on the track (1) and is used to charge the inspection robot (3) and supply power to the lens cleaning device (4); the inspection robot (3) is suspended on the track (1), the lens (31) is arranged on a side of the inspection robot (3) away from the track (1), and the inspection robot (3) is used to walk along the track (1) and to photograph and monitor the breeding site through the lens (31); the control panel (41) is electrically connected to the charging pile (2).

7. The inspection system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The inspection system includes a water spray device (44), the water spray device (44) includes a water outlet nozzle (442), and the water outlet nozzle (442) and the air outlet nozzle (434) are arranged in parallel on a side of the lens (31) away from the track (1).

8. The inspection system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The inspection robot (3) further comprises a visible light camera and an infrared camera, and both the visible light camera and the infrared camera take pictures of the target object through the lens (31).

9. The inspection system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The charging pile (2) is provided with a travel switch, which is used to detect whether the inspection robot (3) is in a charging state, and if so, triggers the control panel (41) to control the lens cleaning device (4) to start.

10. The inspection system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The inspection robot (3) further includes a signal receiving device, and the inspection system further includes a signal transmitting device, wherein the signal transmitting device is used to transmit a control signal, and the signal receiving device is used to receive the control signal and control the inspection robot (3) to walk along the track (1) and take pictures according to the control instructions of the control signal.

Images