Underwater camera module
By incorporating a drive component and a slip ring within the underwater camera module, the camera can rotate 360 degrees, solving the problem of limited recording angle, increasing the camera coverage area, and reducing costs.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520133210.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-25
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-01-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing underwater cameras have limited shooting angles, making it impossible to capture underwater images from different angles, and they are also costly.
An underwater camera module was designed. By setting a driving component such as a motor or servo motor inside a transparent shell, the camera is driven to rotate 360 degrees along the circumference of the shell. Power supply and information exchange are achieved through a slip ring. The camera angle can be adjusted on a gimbal.
It enables the camera to rotate 360 degrees, increases the camera coverage area, avoids cable tangling, and has a simple structure, is easy to assemble, and has a low cost.
Smart Images
Figure CN223590957U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the technical field of underwater photography equipment, and relates to the improvement of underwater photography structure, especially an underwater camera module. Background Technology
[0002] The underwater environment is harsh and dangerous, and human diving depth is limited. Therefore, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), as robots for extreme underwater operations, have become important tools for ocean exploration. ROVs include both tethered and air-based remotely operated vehicles (AUVs). Underwater cameras are mounted on ROVs, providing visual data for underwater robot operations and image data for recording the underwater environment; they are crucial visual equipment.
[0003] Underwater cameras assemble photography-related components in a sealed, waterproof housing. Their photosensitive elements and lens modules capture images of the underwater environment through a transparent window on one end of the housing. Because the photosensitive elements are located at the end of the housing, the shooting angle is relatively small, making it impossible to capture underwater images from different angles. The housing is mostly made of metal, which increases the cost. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide an underwater camera module that is simple in structure, easy to assemble, and can rotate 360 degrees and record.
[0005] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the technical problem is:
[0006] An underwater camera module is characterized in that it includes a camera, a transparent housing, and an end cap. One end of the transparent housing is provided with a sealed end cap, and a cable is sealed inside the end cap. A driving component is provided inside the transparent housing near the end cap, and the driving component drives the camera disposed inside the transparent housing to rotate. When the camera rotates or is stationary, it acquires external images or videos through the side of the transparent housing.
[0007] Furthermore, the cable can power the drive components and the camera, and the drive components and the camera can exchange various information with the outside world through the cable.
[0008] Furthermore: the driving component is a motor or a servo motor, and the output end of the motor or servo motor is connected to the camera and drives it to rotate.
[0009] Furthermore: the output end of the motor or servo is connected to a rotating rod, which is connected to a frame on which the camera is mounted.
[0010] Further, the rotating rod is detachably fixed with the output end of the motor or steering engine through a flange.
[0011] Further, the output end of the motor or steering engine is connected with a rotating end of a slip ring, the rotating end is connected with a frame, and the camera is installed on the frame.
[0012] Further, the rotating end of the slip ring is detachably fixed with the output end of the motor or steering engine through a flange.
[0013] Further, the rotating rod is detachably fixed with the output end of the motor or steering engine through a flange.
[0014] Further, the rotating rod is detachably fixed with the output end of the motor or steering engine through a flange.
[0015] Further, the stationary ring sleeved outside the rotating end of the slip ring is detachably fixed with the end cover of the cable.
[0016] The utility model discloses technical effects are:
[0017] In the utility model, one end cover is arranged in the transparent shell, the cable is arranged in the end cover, the motor or steering engine in the transparent shell drives the frame to rotate, the camera arranged on the mounting plate in the recess of the frame rotates together and obtains the image or image outside the side of the transparent shell, and the power supply of the camera and the exchange of internal and external information are realized by a slip ring. The various structures are matched with each other, the camera can rotate 360 degrees along the circumferential direction of the transparent shell, the camera can also be provided with a holder, that is, the camera rotates 360 degrees and changes the angle in the long direction of the transparent shell at the same time, so that the coverage area of the camera is increased, the camera does not appear the winding or knot of the cable caused by the rotation when working, the whole structure is simple, the assembly is simple and the cost is low. ACCURACY OF DRAWINGS
[0018] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic drawing of the utility model (the internal structure of the transparent shell adopts a dashed line).
[0019] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of A-A of
[0020] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a perspective view of
[0021] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a rear view (remove the arc cover of the recess).
[0022] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a rear view (remove the camera).
[0023] Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the side plate of the frame.
[0024] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the slip ring.
[0025] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the rotating end of the slip ring.
[0026] Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the steering engine.
[0027] Figure 10 is a schematic view of the relationship between the steering engine and the slip ring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The utility model will be further described in detail below through specific embodiments, the following embodiments are only descriptive, not restrictive, and cannot limit the protection scope of the utility model.
[0029] An underwater camera module, as shown, comprises a camera 12, a transparent shell 4 and an end cover, one end of the transparent shell is provided with a sealed end cover, a plurality of cables 1 are arranged in the one end cover through commonly used sealing structures such as wiring terminals or wire columns 2, a driving component 16 is arranged in the transparent shell close to the side end cover, the driving component drives the camera arranged in the transparent shell to rotate, and the camera obtains external images or videos through the side of the transparent shell when rotating or being static.
[0030] The cables are multiple, part of which is used to power the driving component and the camera, and another part is used to exchange various information with the outside, including but not limited to control instructions, response data, image data and video data. The above wiring terminal or wire column can also be replaced with a quick-release connector with sealing and waterproof function or other structures that can be used underwater.
[0031] As Figure 1 , 2As shown, the transparent shell is provided with an end cover on both sides, which are left end cover 3 and right end cover 15, respectively. The left end cover is integrally provided with a sleeve 7 inside the transparent shell, and a sealing ring 5 is arranged in the groove 6 between the sleeve and the left end cover. Similarly, the right end cover is integrally provided with a protruding column 14 inside the transparent shell, and another sealing ring 5 is arranged in the groove 6 between the protruding column and the right end cover. The two sealing rings are tightly attached to the inner wall of the transparent shell, thereby achieving the sealing effect. The contact position between the transparent shell and the two end covers can be sealed and fixed together by adhesive or other common connection methods.
[0032] The transparent shell does not mean that the whole is transparent, and part of it can be transparent, such as the part aligned with the camera is transparent, while the rest is opaque. Such structure is also possible, but the preferred is fully transparent, which is convenient for observing the inside from the outside.
[0033] The driving component is a motor or a steering engine, and the output end of the motor or the steering engine is connected to the camera and drives it to rotate. The output end of the motor is the output shaft of the motor, and a flange plate for connection can be installed on it through a bolt 19, while the output end of the steering engine is the output shaft of the steering engine, and a steering disc 17 for connection can be installed on it through a bolt 19.
[0034] The connection structure of the driving component and the camera is selected from the following 1 or 2:
[0035] 1. Connection through connecting rod
[0036] The flange plate of the motor or the steering disc of the steering engine is fixedly connected to one side end of the connecting rod through a bolt 19, and the other end of the connecting rod is detachably fixed with a cylindrical frame 8, and the camera is installed in the frame, and the two ends of the frame are respectively provided with a certain gap with the sleeve and the protruding column.
[0037] A rotating rod is arranged inside the opening of one end of the frame, and a recess 32 is arranged on the side surface of the other end of the frame. A side plate is arranged on each side of the recess inside the frame, and the side plate 24 on one side of the recess is detachably fixedly connected with the rotating rod, and the protruding shaft 30 arranged on the side plate 27 on the other side of the recess is rotatably arranged in the bearing 29 arranged in the same side end of the transparent shell or the circular hole 28 arranged in the protruding column 14 of the right end cover 15 arranged on the same side end of the transparent shell.
[0038] 2. Connection through conductive slip ring
[0039] The flange of the motor or the steering disc of the steering engine is fixedly connected with the flange 18 on the one side end of the rotating end 21 of the slip ring 20 through the bolt 19, and the other end of the rotating end is detachably fixed with a cylindrical frame 8, the camera is installed in the frame, and the two ends of the frame are respectively reserved a certain gap with the sleeve and the convex column.
[0040] The specific connection and positional relationship of the steering engine, the slip ring and the frame are described below in the second structure, as shown in Figures 1-10
[0041] The frame is provided with the slip ring at one end, and the other end is provided with a recess 32, and an arc-shaped cover 11 is buckled on the recess, and the fixing screw 10 in the mounting hole 9 of the arc-shaped cover is fixed on the recess of the frame.
[0042] The frame of the recess is provided with a mounting plate 25, and the bottom plate 26 of the camera is fixed on the mounting plate through the fixing screw 10, and the camera is located at the cavity 31 between the mounting plates, and the surface of the frame opposite to the recess is provided with a through hole 13, and the camera is just out of the frame from the through hole.
[0043] The frame of the recess is provided with a side plate 24 and 27 respectively, and the side plate 24 on one side of the recess is detachably fixed with the end part 22 of the rotating end of the slip ring, and the convex shaft 30 provided on the side plate 27 on the other side of the recess is rotatably arranged in the bearing 29 inside the circular hole 28 of the convex column 14 of the right end cover 15 provided on the same side of the transparent shell.
[0044] The installation of the steering engine is shown in Figure 2 7 The mounting piece 36 provided above the steering engine is fixed in the sleeve through the bolt 19, and the mounting piece below the steering engine is fixed with the pressing plate 35 in the sleeve through the bolt. The steering disc 17 of the steering engine is fixed with the flange 18 provided on the end part of the rotating end through a plurality of bolts, and the stationary ring of the slip ring rotatably sleeved on the outside of the rotating end is fixed with two connecting plates 38 close to the surface of the steering engine, and the two connecting plates are fixed in the sleeve through the bolt 19.
[0045] The end part 22 close to the side plate 24 of the rotating end is made into a flat surface 37, and the side wall 33 of the hole 23 made in the side plate 24 is also made into a flat surface, when the end part is inserted into the hole, the two flat surfaces are in close contact with each other, and the bolt 19 inserted into the opening 34 in the hole is screwed into the threaded hole made in the end part 22 in position and fixes the side plate 24 and the end part 22 together. When the steering disc 17 of the steering engine rotates, the steering disc drives the rotating end to rotate through the flange 18, the rotating end drives the frame to rotate through the side plate 24, and the frame drives the camera 12 to rotate.
[0046] The utility model discloses, transparent casing both ends are provided with one end cover respectively, one end cover inside passes and installs cable, and the motor or rudder machine drive frame rotation in the transparent casing inside, and the mounting plate of the recess of frame sets up the camera rotation together and obtains the image or image of outside from the lateral surface of transparent casing, and the power supply of camera and the exchange of internal and external information are realized by a slip ring. The above-mentioned various structures cooperate with each other, make camera can along the circumferential direction of transparent casing 360 degree rotation, camera itself can also set up holder, i.
Claims
1. An underwater camera module, characterized by: The application relates to a camera, a transparent shell and an end cover, one end of the transparent shell is provided with a sealed end cover, a cable is sealingly arranged in the one end cover, a driving part is arranged in the interior of the transparent shell close to the side end cover, the driving part drives the camera arranged in the transparent shell to rotate, and the camera obtains external images or videos through the side of the transparent shell when rotating or being static.
2. An underwater camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cable can supply power to the driving part and the camera, and the driving part and the camera can exchange various information with the outside through the cable.
3. An underwater camera module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The driving part is a motor or a rudder machine, and the output end of the motor or the rudder machine is connected with the camera and drives the camera to rotate.
4. An underwater camera module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The output end of the motor or the rudder machine is connected with a rotating rod, the rotating rod is connected with a frame, and the camera is arranged on the frame.
5. An underwater camera module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The rotating rod is detachably fixed with the output end of the motor or the rudder machine through a flange plate.
6. The underwater camera module of claim 3, wherein: The output end of the motor or the rudder machine is connected with a rotating end of a slip ring, the rotating end is connected with a frame, and the camera is arranged on the frame.
7. An underwater camera module according to claim 6, characterized in that: The rotating end of the slip ring is detachably fixed with the output end of the motor or the rudder machine through a flange plate.
8. An underwater camera module according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: One end of the frame is provided with the rotating rod in the open interior, the other end of the frame is provided with a recess on the side surface, one side plate is arranged in the frame on the two sides of the recess, the side plate on one side of the recess is detachably fixedly connected with the rotating rod, and the side plate on the other side of the recess is rotatably arranged in the end part on the same side of the transparent shell or in another end cover arranged on the end part on the same side of the transparent shell.
9. An underwater camera module according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: One end of the frame is provided with the rotating rod in the open interior, the other end of the frame is provided with a recess on the side surface, one side plate is arranged in the frame on the two sides of the recess, the side plate on one side of the recess is detachably fixedly connected with the rotating rod, and the side plate on the other side of the recess is rotatably arranged in the end part on the same side of the transparent shell or in another end cover arranged on the end part on the same side of the transparent shell.
10. The underwater camera module of claim 9, wherein: The static ring arranged outside the rotating end of the slip ring is detachably fixed with the end cover of the cable.