Underwater micro camera

Abstract

The utility model relates to an underwater micro camera, which comprises a shell, a compression ring and a watertight socket, a front positioning sleeve is axially and slidably mounted in the shell, and an image sensor is arranged on one side of the front positioning sleeve; the pressing ring is rotationally installed at one end of the shell, and a lens is fixedly arranged in the pressing ring and is in threaded connection with the front positioning sleeve; and the watertight socket is fixedly arranged at the other end of the shell and is electrically connected with the image sensor. A front positioning sleeve is axially and slidably mounted in a shell, an image sensor is arranged on one side of the front positioning sleeve, a compression ring is rotatably mounted at one end of the shell, and a lens in threaded connection with the front positioning sleeve is fixedly arranged in the compression ring, so that the lens can rotate along with the compression ring and drives the front positioning sleeve to axially move, the distance between the lens and the image sensor is changed, and zooming is realized. The technical problems that an underwater camera with a focusing function in the prior art is complex in structure, large in size and high in price, and an underwater camera with a small size is mainly a pan-focus camera are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of underwater monitoring technology, specifically to an underwater miniature camera. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, underwater engineering platforms or underwater robots need to be equipped with cameras to monitor critical parts of the system and ensure the safety of underwater operations, such as cameras that monitor the oil compensator in the oil-filled balance tank or the underwater oil cylinder.

[0003] In related technologies, underwater cameras with focusing capabilities are complex in structure, large in size, and expensive. Smaller underwater cameras are mainly pan-focus cameras, which have a clear field of view at long distances but cannot take into account the field of view at close distances.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to design a new underwater miniature camera to overcome the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application provides an underwater miniature camera that can solve the technical problems of underwater cameras with focusing function being complex in structure, large in size and expensive in price, while smaller underwater cameras are mainly pan-focus cameras.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide an underwater miniature camera, comprising: a housing, a pressure ring, and a watertight socket. A front positioning sleeve is axially slidably mounted inside the housing, and an image sensor is provided on one side of the front positioning sleeve. The pressure ring is rotatably mounted on one end of the housing, and a lens is fixed inside the pressure ring. The lens is threadedly connected to the front positioning sleeve. The watertight socket is fixed on the other end of the housing and is electrically connected to the image sensor.

[0007] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, a front end cap is also fixed inside the pressure ring, and the lens is fixed inside the front end cap.

[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the inner side of the pressure ring is provided with a first circumferential limiting groove, and the front end cover is provided with a first circumferential limiting block. The first circumferential limiting block is inserted into the first circumferential limiting groove to fix the front end cover and the pressure ring circumferentially.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, a front window is further provided inside the pressure ring, and the front window is located on the side of the lens away from the image sensor.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, a sealing ring is provided between the contact surfaces of the front window glass and the front cover, and between the front cover and the housing.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the front positioning sleeve is provided with a second circumferential limiting groove, and the housing is provided with a second circumferential limiting block. The second circumferential limiting block is inserted into the second circumferential limiting groove to fix the front positioning sleeve and the housing circumferentially.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the watertight socket is electrically connected to the image sensor via an image processing circuit board, the image sensor is mounted on the image processing circuit board, the image processing circuit board abuts against the front positioning sleeve, and a foam pad is provided on the side of the image processing circuit board away from the image sensor, the foam pad abutting against the inner wall of the housing.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the image processing circuit board is further provided with a rear positioning block on the side away from the image sensor, and the rear positioning block is plugged into the image processing circuit board.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the rear positioning block is provided with a rear cable passage notch.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the housing is provided with an insertion portion at one end near the pressure ring, the pressure ring is provided with a threading opening, and the insertion portion passes through the threading opening to axially fix the pressure ring and the housing.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the technical solutions provided in this application include:

[0017] By axially sliding a front positioning sleeve inside the housing, an image sensor is set on one side of the front positioning sleeve, and a pressure ring is rotatably installed at one end of the housing. A lens that is threadedly connected to the front positioning sleeve is fixed inside the pressure ring, so that the lens can rotate with the pressure ring and drive the front positioning sleeve to move axially, thereby changing the distance between the lens and the image sensor to achieve zoom. This solves the technical problems of underwater cameras with focusing function being complex in structure, large in size and expensive, while smaller underwater cameras are mainly pan-focus cameras. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an underwater miniature camera with the front-end housing removed, provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Exploded view;

[0021] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of an underwater miniature camera provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the pressure ring and the front end cover provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the housing and the front positioning sleeve provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0024] In the diagram: 1. Housing; 101. Second circumferential limiting block; 102. Insertion part; 2. Front positioning sleeve; 21. Second circumferential limiting groove; 3. Image sensor; 4. Pressure ring; 41. First circumferential limiting groove; 42. Threading port; 5. Lens; 6. Watertight socket; 7. Front cover; 71. First circumferential limiting block; 8. Front window glass; 9. Image processing circuit board; 10. Foam gasket; 11. Rear positioning block. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0026] This application provides an underwater miniature camera that solves the technical problems of underwater cameras with focusing function being complex in structure, large in size and expensive, and small underwater cameras being mainly pan-focus cameras.

[0027] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the figure, this application provides an underwater miniature camera, which includes: a housing 1, a pressure ring 4, and a watertight socket 6. A front positioning sleeve 2 is axially slidably installed inside the housing 1, and an image sensor 3 is provided on one side of the front positioning sleeve 2. The pressure ring 4 is rotatably installed at one end of the housing 1, and a lens 5 is fixed inside the pressure ring 4. The lens 5 is threadedly connected to the front positioning sleeve 2. The watertight socket 6 is fixed at the other end of the housing 1 and is electrically connected to the image sensor 3.

[0028] In this embodiment, the lens 5 rotates with the pressure ring 4, and the front positioning sleeve 2 moves along the axis of the housing 1, changing the distance between the lens 5 and the image sensor 3. The image sensor 3 can be fixed inside the front positioning sleeve 2 or installed on one side of the front positioning sleeve 2 by a support member. The watertight socket 6 is threaded to the housing 1. The housing 1 can be made of metal to improve the overall pressure resistance of the underwater miniature camera.

[0029] In this embodiment, the front positioning sleeve 2 is axially slidably installed inside the housing 1. The image sensor 3 is disposed on one side of the front positioning sleeve 2, and the pressure ring 4 is rotatably installed at one end of the housing 1. The lens 5, which is threadedly connected to the front positioning sleeve 2, is fixed inside the pressure ring 4. When the pressure ring 4 is rotated, the lens 5 can rotate with the pressure ring 4. Since the lens 5 is threadedly connected to the front positioning sleeve 2, the rotation of the lens 5 drives the front positioning sleeve 2 to move axially, thereby changing the distance between the lens 5 and the image sensor 3 to achieve zoom. This solves the technical problems of related technologies, such as the complex structure, large size, and high price of underwater cameras with focusing function, and the fact that smaller underwater cameras are mainly pan-focus cameras.

[0030] Further, see Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, a front end cover 7 is also fixed inside the pressure ring 4, and the lens 5 is fixed inside the front end cover 7.

[0031] In this embodiment, the lens 5 is provided with a threaded post, the front end cover 7 is provided with a thread, the lens 5 is screwed into the front end cover 7 and threadedly connected to the front end cover 7, and the lens 5 is bonded to the front end cover 7. The tail end of the lens 5 is threadedly connected to the front positioning sleeve 2. The pressure ring 4 can be made of engineering plastic to avoid scratching the glass products in contact. The front end cover 7 can be made of metal material to improve the pressure resistance of the underwater miniature camera.

[0032] Further, see Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the inner side of the pressure ring 4 is provided with a first circumferential limiting groove 41, and the front end cover 7 is provided with a first circumferential limiting block 71. The first circumferential limiting block 71 is inserted into the first circumferential limiting groove 41 to fix the front end cover 7 and the pressure ring 4 circumferentially.

[0033] In this embodiment, two first circumferential limiting grooves 41 may be provided on the inner side of the pressure ring 4. The two first circumferential limiting grooves 41 are symmetrically arranged along the axis of the pressure ring 4. Two first circumferential limiting blocks 71 may be provided on the outer side of the front end cover 7. The two first circumferential limiting blocks 71 are symmetrically arranged along the axis of the front end cover 7. The axis of the pressure ring 4 coincides with the axis of the front end cover 7. Each first circumferential limiting block 71 is inserted into the first circumferential limiting groove 41, so that the front end cover 7 and the pressure ring 4 are circumferentially fixed, increasing the motion stability between the pressure ring 4 and the front end cover 7. Rotating the pressure ring 4 rotates the front end cover 7 and the lens 5 mounted on the front end cover 7. In other embodiments, one or more first circumferential limiting grooves 41 may be provided on the inner side of the pressure ring 4, and one or more first circumferential limiting blocks 71 may be provided on the outer side of the front end cover 7.

[0034] Further, see Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the pressure ring 4 is further provided with a front window glass 8, which is located on the side of the lens 5 away from the image sensor 3.

[0035] In this embodiment, the pressure ring 4 presses the front window glass 8 and the front cover 7 to the front end of the housing 1. The front window glass 8 abuts against the front cover 7 and is sealed inside the pressure ring 4, ensuring the water tightness of the lens 5 and providing the front field of view of the lens 5.

[0036] Further, see Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, sealing rings are provided between the contact surfaces of the front window glass 8 and the front cover 7, and between the front cover 7 and the housing 1.

[0037] In this embodiment, the sealing ring can be set as an O-ring. The sealing ring is set between the contact surfaces of the front window glass 8 and the front end cover 7 to ensure that the front window glass 8 and the end face of the front end cover 7 are sealed. The sealing ring is set between the front end cover 7 and the housing 1. The sealing ring is sleeved on the front end cover 7 and abuts against the housing 1 to ensure the watertightness of the inner cavity of the underwater miniature camera. The number of sealing rings can be set to one, two or more.

[0038] Further, see Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, in some embodiments, the front positioning sleeve 2 is provided with a second circumferential limiting groove 21, and the housing 1 is provided with a second circumferential limiting block 101. The second circumferential limiting block 101 is inserted into the second circumferential limiting groove 21 to fix the front positioning sleeve 2 and the housing 1 circumferentially.

[0039] In this embodiment, two second circumferential limiting grooves 21 can be provided on the outer side of the front positioning sleeve 2. The two second circumferential limiting grooves 21 are symmetrically arranged along the axis of the front positioning sleeve 2. Two second circumferential limiting blocks 101 can be provided at the front end of the inner side of the housing 1. The two second circumferential limiting blocks 101 are symmetrically arranged along the axis of the housing 1. The axis of the front positioning sleeve 2 coincides with the axis of the housing 1. Each second circumferential limiting block 101 is inserted into the second circumferential limiting groove 21, so that the front positioning sleeve 2 is circumferentially fixed to the housing 1, increasing the motion stability between the front positioning sleeve 2 and the housing 1. Rotating the pressure ring 4 rotates the lens 5, and the front positioning sleeve 2 moves axially under the action of the lens 5, changing the distance between the lens 5 and the image sensor 3. In other embodiments, one or more second circumferential limiting grooves 21 can be provided on the outer side of the front positioning sleeve 2, and one or more second circumferential limiting blocks 101 can be provided at the front end of the inner side of the housing 1.

[0040] Further, see Figure 1-3 As shown, in some embodiments, the watertight socket 6 is electrically connected to the image sensor 3 via an image processing circuit board 9. The image sensor 3 is mounted on the image processing circuit board 9, and the image processing circuit board 9 abuts against the front positioning sleeve 2. A foam pad 10 is provided on the side of the image processing circuit board 9 away from the image sensor 3, and the foam pad 10 abuts against the inner wall of the housing 1.

[0041] In this embodiment, the image sensor 3 can be fixed to the image processing circuit board 9. The image processing circuit board 9 can be T-shaped or other shapes, forming a T-shaped mechanism with the image sensor 3 and the image processing circuit board 9. The foam pad 10 is pressed against the front positioning sleeve 2 through the image processing circuit board 9. When the pressure ring 4 is rotated, the lens 5 rotates, and the front positioning sleeve 2 can move axially. Exemplarily, the front positioning sleeve 2 moves downward, and the image processing circuit board 9 is forced to compress the foam pad 10, increasing the distance between the lens 5 and the image sensor 3. In other embodiments, a spring can be provided on the side of the image processing circuit board 9 away from the image sensor 3, and the spring abuts against the inner wall of the housing 1.

[0042] Further, see Figure 1-3 As shown, in some embodiments, the image processing circuit board 9 is further provided with a rear positioning block 11 on the side away from the image sensor 3, and the rear positioning block 11 is inserted into the image processing circuit board 9.

[0043] In this embodiment, the image processing circuit board 9 is inserted into the rear positioning block 11 to improve the installation stability of the image processing circuit board 9. The image processing circuit board 9 is bonded to the rear positioning block 11 to ensure the rear-end stability of the image processing circuit board 9.

[0044] Further, see Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the rear positioning block 11 is provided with a rear cable passage notch.

[0045] In this embodiment, the rear positioning block 11 is provided with a rear cable pass-through notch, so that the wires connecting the image processing circuit board 9 and the watertight socket 6 can pass through the rear positioning block 11 through the rear cable pass-through notch, thereby ensuring the connection stability of the image sensor 3 and the watertight socket 6.

[0046] Further, see Figure 1-3 As shown, in some embodiments, the housing 1 has an insertion part 102 at one end near the pressure ring 4, and the pressure ring 4 has a threading hole 42. The insertion part 102 passes through the threading hole 42 to fix the pressure ring 4 and the housing 1 axially.

[0047] In this embodiment, the insertion part 102 can be made of steel wire or nylon wire. The pressure ring 4 is provided with a wire threading groove at the position corresponding to the wire threading port 42 and the housing 1 is provided with a wire threading groove at the position corresponding to the insertion part 102. The wire threading groove can be made of an annular groove. The wire threading port 42 communicates with the wire threading groove. The insertion part 102 passes through the wire threading port 42 and enters the wire threading groove, so that the pressure ring 4 is axially fixed to the housing 1, preventing the pressure ring 4 from coming off the housing 1 during rotation.

[0048] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0049] It should be noted that in this application, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0050] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features claimed herein.

Claims

1. An underwater micro video camera characterized by, It includes: The shell (1) is axially slidingly installed with a front positioning sleeve (2), and one side of the front positioning sleeve (2) is provided with an image sensor (3); The compression ring (4) is rotatably installed at one end of the shell (1), and the lens (5) is fixedly arranged in the compression ring (4), and the lens (5) is threadedly connected with the front positioning sleeve (2); The watertight socket (6) is fixedly arranged at the other end of the shell (1), and the watertight socket (6) is electrically connected with the image sensor (3).

2. The underwater micro video camera of claim 1, wherein, The front end cover (7) is also fixedly arranged in the compression ring (4), and the lens (5) is fixedly arranged in the front end cover (7).

3. The underwater micro video camera of claim 2, wherein, The first circumferential limiting groove (41) is arranged on the inner side of the compression ring (4), the front end cover (7) is provided with a first circumferential limiting block (71), and the first circumferential limiting block (71) is inserted into the first circumferential limiting groove (41) to fix the front end cover (7) and the compression ring (4) circumferentially.

4. The underwater micro video camera of claim 2, wherein, The front window glass (8) is also arranged in the compression ring (4), and the front window glass (8) is located on the side of the lens (5) away from the image sensor (3).

5. The underwater micro video camera of claim 4, wherein, Sealing rings are arranged between the contact surfaces of the front window glass (8) and the front end cover (7) and between the front end cover (7) and the shell (1).

6. The underwater microcam of claim 1, wherein, The front positioning sleeve (2) is provided with a second circumferential limiting groove (21), the shell (1) is provided with a second circumferential limiting block (101), and the second circumferential limiting block (101) is inserted into the second circumferential limiting groove (21) to fix the front positioning sleeve (2) and the shell (1) circumferentially.

7. The underwater microcam of claim 1, wherein, The watertight socket (6) is electrically connected with the image sensor (3) through the image processing circuit board (9), the image sensor (3) is mounted on the image processing circuit board (9), the image processing circuit board (9) abuts against the front positioning sleeve (2), and the image processing circuit board (9) is provided with a foamed pad (10) on the side away from the image sensor (3), and the foamed pad (10) abuts against the inner wall of the shell (1).

8. The underwater micro video camera of claim 7, wherein, The image processing circuit board (9) is also provided with a rear positioning block (11) on the side away from the image sensor (3), and the rear positioning block (11) is inserted into the image processing circuit board (9).

9. The underwater micro video camera of claim 8, wherein, The rear positioning block (11) is provided with a rear cable passing gap.

10. The underwater microcam of claim 1, wherein, The shell (1) is provided with an insertion part (102) near one end of the compression ring (4), the compression ring (4) is provided with a wire passing hole (42), and the insertion part (102) passes through the wire passing hole (42) to axially fix the compression ring (4) and the shell (1).

Images