Temperature-controllable explosion-proof industrial camera
By introducing a temperature regulation system with heaters and temperature sensors, along with a multi-layer composite housing design, into the industrial camera, the temperature control and explosion-proof issues in low-temperature and explosive environments are solved, enabling the camera to operate stably and safely under extreme conditions, and improving its environmental adaptability and service life.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HANGZHOU LUOWEI TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-05
AI Technical Summary
Industrial cameras cannot be temperature controlled or explosion-proofed in low-temperature and explosive environments, leading to performance degradation and safety hazards. Existing explosion-proof retrofits are costly and complex to maintain.
A temperature-controlled explosion-proof industrial camera was designed, which uses a heater and a temperature-sensing switch for temperature regulation. Combined with a multi-layer composite shell structure (anti-corrosion layer, explosion-proof layer, and heat insulation layer) and a sealed explosion-proof design, it ensures that the camera operates within a suitable temperature range and prevents electrical sparks from leaking out.
It achieves stable temperature control and explosion-proof performance in low-temperature environments, improving the camera's environmental adaptability and service life, and is particularly suitable for harsh industrial scenarios such as petroleum and chemical industries.
Smart Images
Figure CN224203559U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of industrial camera vision technology, specifically to a temperature-controlled explosion-proof industrial camera. Background Technology
[0002] Industrial cameras are image acquisition devices specifically designed for industrial applications, primarily used for automated inspection, measurement, positioning, and identification tasks. Compared to ordinary consumer-grade cameras (such as mobile phones or digital cameras), industrial cameras place greater emphasis on high precision, high stability, anti-interference capabilities, and compatibility with industrial environments, and typically require the use of computers for image processing and analysis.
[0003] When operating in low-temperature and explosive environments, the application of industrial cameras faces significant challenges: First, extreme low temperatures may cause the performance of camera components (such as sensors and batteries) to degrade or fail, or even cause structural damage due to material shrinkage; second, in explosive environments, once an explosion occurs, it will directly cause the product to be scrapped, and explosion-proof modification often leads to high camera costs and complex maintenance. Utility Model Content
[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a temperature-controlled explosion-proof industrial camera to solve the problem that industrial cameras cannot be temperature-controlled and explosion-proof in low-temperature and explosive environments.
[0005] This utility model provides a temperature-controlled explosion-proof industrial camera, comprising:
[0006] The outer casing is a sealed space that comes into direct contact with the working environment.
[0007] Heater, the heater is located inside the housing;
[0008] Temperature sensor switch, which is electrically connected to the heater;
[0009] Power supply, suitable for powering the shooting equipment and heater;
[0010] The camera is mounted inside the casing.
[0011] Beneficial effects: This utility model realizes the automatic temperature regulation function of industrial cameras in low-temperature environments by setting a heater and temperature sensing switch inside the shell, ensuring that the shooting device works stably within a suitable temperature range; the sealed explosion-proof shell design effectively blocks external explosions and prevents internal electrical sparks from leaking out, combining explosion-proof and temperature control functions; the overall structure is compact and reasonable, and can operate reliably in harsh industrial environments such as petroleum and chemical industries, significantly improving the environmental adaptability and service life of industrial cameras.
[0012] In one optional embodiment, the outer shell consists of an anti-corrosion layer, an explosion-proof layer, and a thermal insulation layer, which are made of anti-corrosion materials, explosion-proof materials, and thermal insulation materials, respectively, from the outside to the inside.
[0013] Beneficial effects: By incorporating a multi-layered composite structure with anti-corrosion, explosion-proof, and thermal insulation layers within the outer casing, the industrial camera possesses excellent corrosion resistance, explosion-proof, and thermal insulation properties: the anti-corrosion layer resists the erosion of chemical media such as acids and alkalis, extending the equipment's service life; the explosion-proof layer effectively blocks external explosions and suppresses the leakage of internal electrical sparks, ensuring safe operation in hazardous environments; the thermal insulation layer significantly reduces heat loss, and in conjunction with the internal heating system, achieves efficient temperature control, enabling the camera to maintain stable operation even under extreme temperature conditions, making it particularly suitable for harsh industrial scenarios such as petroleum and chemical industries.
[0014] In one alternative embodiment, the housing has a shooting window that is coaxially aligned with the shooting port of the shooting device, and the shooting window is adapted to enable the shooting device to acquire visual information.
[0015] Beneficial effects: By opening a shooting window on the outer shell that corresponds to the shooting device on the same axis, the normal visual acquisition function of the industrial camera in the sealed explosion-proof environment is ensured, while the overall protective performance of the outer shell is maintained. This allows the camera to stably acquire high-quality image information even in harsh working conditions such as flammable and explosive environments, dusty and humid conditions, effectively solving the problem of decreased imaging quality caused by the sealing requirements of traditional explosion-proof cameras.
[0016] In one alternative embodiment, a heat dissipation grille is provided on the outside of the power supply, and the heat dissipation grille is fixed to the inner wall of the housing by bolts.
[0017] Beneficial effects: By setting a heat dissipation grille fixed with bolts on the outside of the power supply, the heat dissipation efficiency of the power module is effectively improved, preventing high temperature from affecting the stability of the camera; the bolt connection between the grille and the inner wall of the housing not only ensures the robustness of the heat dissipation structure, but also facilitates maintenance and disassembly. At the same time, the hollow design of the metal grille promotes air circulation without affecting the explosion-proof performance, so that the power system can still maintain low temperature and reliable operation when the camera is working under high load for a long time.
[0018] In one alternative implementation, the shooting window is made of a transparent, explosion-proof material.
[0019] Beneficial effects: The shooting window is made of transparent explosion-proof material, which can resist external impact and corrosion while ensuring clear imaging.
[0020] In one alternative implementation, the temperature-sensing switch is connected to the heater.
[0021] Beneficial effects: The temperature sensor is connected to the heater, which can control the heater's heating according to the external temperature to ensure a suitable working environment for the industrial camera.
[0022] In one alternative implementation, the electrical connection wires are fixed to the inner wall of the housing by a wire-fixing sheet metal.
[0023] Beneficial effects: By using sheet metal to reliably fix the electrical connection wires to the inner wall of the housing, short circuits or poor contact caused by cable loosening or wear during equipment vibration or movement are effectively prevented; the sheet metal fixing structure combines high strength and easy installation, making the internal wiring neat and standardized, which not only improves electrical safety but also facilitates maintenance and repair. At the same time, it avoids the potential risks caused by the friction between the cable and the inner wall of the housing, ensuring that the industrial camera maintains stable electrical connection performance under harsh conditions such as vibration and impact.
[0024] In one optional embodiment, the imaging device includes: a front shell including an imaging port; a middle shell including a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter and receiver being adapted to acquire and transmit visual signals; the middle shell also including a motherboard and a power board, the transmitter, receiver, motherboard and power board being arranged sequentially and closely along a direction away from the front shell, the motherboard being electrically connected to the transmitter and receiver, and the power board being electrically connected to the motherboard; and a rear shell including an interface for connecting to the outside; the front shell, middle shell and rear shell being sequentially and closely connected; a heat sink is also provided between the motherboard and the power board.
[0025] Beneficial effects: The compact modular design of the front, middle, and rear shells integrates the shooting port, optical components, motherboard, power board, and heat sink along the axis, achieving efficient space utilization and excellent heat dissipation performance for industrial cameras; the layout of the transmitter and receiver ensures low-loss transmission of visual signals, while the heat sink significantly reduces the operating temperature of the motherboard and power board, improving system stability; the tight connection of the three shells forms a compact overall structure, giving the camera stronger environmental adaptability and a longer service life, making it especially suitable for harsh industrial scenarios with limited space.
[0026] In one alternative embodiment, the middle shell further includes a bracket, and the transmitter and receiver are fixed by the bracket, which is secured by snap-fitting the inner wall of the middle shell.
[0027] Beneficial effects: By setting a snap-fit bracket structure inside the middle shell, precise positioning and stable fixation of the transmitter and receiver are achieved, effectively avoiding the loosening and displacement problems that may occur with traditional screw fixing methods; the snap-fit design between the bracket and the inner wall of the middle shell not only simplifies the assembly process and improves production efficiency, but also ensures the positional stability of the optical components under vibration and shock environments, making visual signal transmission more reliable; the modular bracket structure also facilitates later maintenance and replacement, significantly improving the maintainability and service life of the product while ensuring the consistency of the imaging quality of industrial cameras.
[0028] In one alternative embodiment, sealing rings are provided at the connections between the front shell and the middle shell, and between the middle shell and the rear shell.
[0029] Beneficial effects: The sealing ring ensures the overall sealing of the shooting device, achieving multiple sealing protection inside the industrial camera and effectively preventing the intrusion of external dust, moisture and corrosive gases; the rubber ring sealing structure ensures the tightness of the shell connection while having excellent shock absorption and cushioning effect. Attached Figure Description
[0030] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.
[0031] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the imaging device of this utility model;
[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the imaging device of this utility model;
[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the temperature-controlled explosion-proof industrial camera of this utility model;
[0034] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the temperature-controlled explosion-proof industrial camera of this utility model.
[0035] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:
[0036] 101. Shooting device; 1. Front shell; 2. Transmitter; 3. Receiver; 4. Main board; 5. Power board; 6. Middle shell; 7. Rear shell; 8. Interface; 102. Heater; 103. Temperature sensor switch; 104. Power supply; 105. Outer shell; 106. Shooting window. Detailed Implementation
[0037] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.
[0038] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," 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 utility model 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 utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0039] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" 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; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.
[0040] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of this utility model described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.
[0041] Industrial cameras are image acquisition devices specifically designed for industrial applications. Their core function is to support automated inspection, measurement, positioning, and identification tasks. Industrial cameras offer significant advantages in accuracy, stability, and anti-interference capabilities, while also meeting the stringent requirements of industrial environments. These cameras typically employ industrial-grade sensors and robust housings to ensure stable operation under conditions of vibration, dust, or temperature and humidity fluctuations. However, when applications involve low-temperature and potentially explosive environments, their performance and reliability face severe challenges: low temperatures can lead to decreased sensor response speed, drastically reduced battery capacity, and even mechanical deformation or cracking due to the contraction of metal or plastic components, directly impacting image quality or equipment lifespan.
[0042] In explosive environments, the safety hazards of industrial cameras are even more pronounced. The presence of explosive gases or dust necessitates explosion-proof designs for cameras, such as using flameproof housings (105) or intrinsically safe circuitry to eliminate the risk of combustion and explosion caused by electrical sparks or high temperatures. Such explosion-proof modifications significantly increase material costs and manufacturing complexity, for example, by employing heavy metal housings (105) or special sealing technologies, leading to increased equipment size and weight, and increased maintenance difficulty. Furthermore, the combination of low temperatures and explosion-proof requirements necessitates resolving the conflict between heat dissipation and explosion protection, further driving up design costs. In the event of an explosion, not only will the camera be completely destroyed, but the entire production line may also be endangered.
[0043] The following is combined Figures 1 to 4 The following describes embodiments of the present invention.
[0044] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a temperature-controlled explosion-proof industrial camera is provided, comprising:
[0045] The outer casing 105 is a sealed space that is in direct contact with the working environment.
[0046] Heater 102 is disposed inside housing 105;
[0047] Temperature sensor 103 is electrically connected to heater 102;
[0048] Power supply 104, which is adapted to supply power to the shooting device 101 and the heater 102;
[0049] The shooting device 101 is located inside the housing 105.
[0050] This invention addresses the safety issues of unstable operation of industrial cameras in low-temperature environments and in explosive locations by proposing a temperature-controlled explosion-proof industrial camera. The temperature regulation system is organically integrated with the explosion-proof structure. A heater 102 and a temperature sensor 103 are arranged inside the housing 105. The temperature sensor 103 automatically activates the heating circuit, maintaining the temperature inside the housing 105 within a preset operating temperature range. Simultaneously, the explosion-proof housing 105 design, with its thick stainless steel shell and precision-machined explosion-proof mating surfaces, can withstand the explosive impact of external flammable gases and isolate potential electrical sparks generated by the internal circuitry.
[0051] In some embodiments, the outer casing 105 comprises, from the outside to the inside, an anti-corrosion layer, an explosion-proof layer, and a thermal insulation layer, which are respectively made of anti-corrosion materials, explosion-proof materials, and thermal insulation materials. By providing a multi-layered composite structure of anti-corrosion, explosion-proof, and thermal insulation layers in the outer casing 105, the industrial camera possesses excellent corrosion resistance, explosion-proof, and thermal insulation properties: the anti-corrosion layer can resist the erosion of chemical media such as acids and alkalis, extending the service life of the equipment; the explosion-proof layer can effectively block external explosions and suppress the leakage of internal electrical sparks, ensuring safe operation in hazardous environments; the thermal insulation layer significantly reduces heat loss, and in conjunction with the internal heating system, achieves efficient temperature control, enabling the camera to maintain stable operation under extreme temperature conditions, making it particularly suitable for harsh industrial scenarios such as petroleum and chemical industries.
[0052] Specifically, the anti-corrosion layer can be made of epoxy resin, polyurethane, etc., the explosion-proof layer can be made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic or high-strength steel, and the insulation layer is set in the innermost layer, usually using aluminum foil composite material or rock wool, etc.
[0053] Furthermore, the imaging window 106 is made of a transparent explosion-proof material. The imaging window 106 is made of a transparent explosion-proof material, which ensures clear imaging while resisting external impacts and corrosion; options include polycarbonate or tempered glass.
[0054] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 4 and Figure 2 As shown, the housing 105 has a shooting window 106, which is coaxially corresponding to the shooting port of the shooting device 101. The shooting window 106 is adapted to enable the shooting device 101 to acquire visual information.
[0055] By opening a shooting window 106 on the housing 105 that is coaxial with the shooting device 101, the normal visual acquisition function of the industrial camera in the sealed explosion-proof environment is ensured, while the overall protective performance of the housing 105 is maintained. This allows the camera to stably acquire high-quality image information even in harsh working conditions such as flammable and explosive, dusty and humid environments, effectively solving the problem of decreased imaging quality caused by the sealing requirements of traditional explosion-proof cameras.
[0056] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 3 As shown, a heat dissipation grille is provided on the outside of the power supply 104, and the heat dissipation grille is fixed to the inner wall of the housing 105 by bolts. By providing a heat dissipation grille fixed to the outside of the power supply 104 with bolts, the heat dissipation efficiency of the power supply 104 module is effectively improved, preventing high temperature from affecting the stability of the camera. The bolt connection between the grille and the inner wall of the housing 105 not only ensures the robustness of the heat dissipation structure, but also facilitates maintenance and disassembly. At the same time, the hollow design of the metal grille promotes air circulation without affecting the explosion-proof performance, so that the power supply 104 system can still maintain low temperature and reliable operation even when the camera is working under high load for a long time.
[0057] It is worth noting that the temperature sensor 103 is connected to the heater 102. The connection between the temperature sensor 103 and the heater 102 allows for heating control of the heater 102 based on the ambient temperature, ensuring a suitable working environment for the industrial camera. The temperature sensor 103 features a multi-level temperature control strategy: full-power heating is activated when the detected temperature is <0℃; half-power mode is switched when 0℃ ≤ temperature < 5℃; and heating is turned off when the temperature is ≥ 5℃.
[0058] Furthermore, the electrical connection cable is fixed to the inner wall of the housing 105 using a wire-fixing sheet metal. By reliably fixing the electrical connection cable to the inner wall of the housing 105 using a wire-fixing sheet metal, short circuits or poor contact caused by cable loosening or wear during equipment vibration or movement are effectively prevented. The sheet metal fixing structure combines high strength and easy installation, making the internal wiring neat and standardized, which not only improves electrical safety but also facilitates maintenance and repair. At the same time, it avoids the potential risks caused by the friction between the cable and the inner wall of the housing 105, ensuring that the industrial camera maintains stable electrical connection performance under harsh conditions such as vibration and impact.
[0059] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 1 As shown, the imaging device 101 includes: a front shell 1, which includes an imaging port; a middle shell 6, which includes a transmitter 2 and a receiver 3, which are adapted to acquire and transmit visual signals; the middle shell 6 also includes a motherboard 4 and a power board 5, which are arranged closely in sequence away from the front shell 1, with the motherboard 4 electrically connected to the transmitter 2 and the receiver 3, and the power board 5 electrically connected to the motherboard 4; and a rear shell 7, which includes an interface 8 for connecting to the outside; the front shell 1, the middle shell 6, and the rear shell 7 are connected closely in sequence; a heat sink is also provided between the motherboard 4 and the power board 5. Through the compact modular design of the front shell 1, middle shell 6, and rear shell 7, the shooting port, optical components, motherboard 4, power board 5, and heat sink are integrated sequentially along the axis, achieving efficient space utilization and excellent heat dissipation performance for the industrial camera. The layout of the transmitter 2 and receiver 3 ensures low-loss transmission of visual signals, while the heat sink significantly reduces the operating temperature of the motherboard 4 and power board 5, improving system stability. The three shells are tightly connected to form a compact overall structure, giving the camera stronger environmental adaptability and a longer service life, making it especially suitable for harsh industrial scenarios with limited space.
[0060] Furthermore, the middle shell 6 also includes a bracket, through which the transmitter 2 and receiver 3 are fixed. The bracket is secured by snap-fitting the inner wall of the middle shell 6. By setting a snap-fit bracket structure inside the middle shell 6, precise positioning and stable fixation of the transmitter 2 and receiver 3 are achieved, effectively avoiding the loosening and displacement problems that may occur with traditional screw fixing methods. The snap-fit design between the bracket and the inner wall of the middle shell 6 not only simplifies the assembly process and improves production efficiency, but also ensures the positional stability of the optical components under vibration and shock environments, making visual signal transmission more reliable. The modular bracket structure also facilitates later maintenance and replacement, significantly improving the maintainability and service life of the product while ensuring the consistency of the industrial camera's imaging quality.
[0061] Furthermore, sealing rings are provided at the connections between the front shell 1 and the middle shell 6, and between the middle shell 6 and the rear shell 7. The sealing rings ensure the overall sealing of the shooting device 101, achieving multiple sealing protection inside the industrial camera and effectively isolating external dust, moisture, and corrosive gases from intrusion; the sealing structure of the rubber rings ensures the tightness of the shell connection while providing excellent shock absorption and cushioning.
[0062] The primary operating environment of this invention is extreme low temperatures (approximately -40°C), while the normal operating temperature range of the imaging device 101 requires the product to be kept above 0°C. The application scenario is a chemical plant filling port, where this invention is mainly used to detect the liquid level of chemical liquids within the filling port.
[0063] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely examples for clear illustration and are not intended to limit the implementation. Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications and variations fall within the scope defined by the present invention.
Claims
1. A temperature-controlled explosion-proof industrial camera, characterized in that, include: The outer shell (105) is a sealed space that is in direct contact with the working environment; A heater (102) is disposed inside the housing (105); A temperature-sensitive switch (103) is electrically connected to the heater (102); A shooting device (101) is disposed inside the housing (105); A power supply (104) is provided to power the shooting device (101) and the heater (102).
2. The temperature-controlled explosion-proof industrial camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer shell (105) consists of an anti-corrosion layer, an explosion-proof layer, and a thermal insulation layer from the outside to the inside, which are respectively made of anti-corrosion material, explosion-proof material, and thermal insulation material.
3. The temperature-controlled explosion-proof industrial camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer casing (105) has a shooting window (106) which is coaxially corresponding to the shooting port of the shooting device (101). The shooting window (106) is adapted to enable the shooting device (101) to acquire visual information.
4. The temperature-controlled explosion-proof industrial camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power supply (104) is provided with a heat dissipation grille on the outside, and the heat dissipation grille is fixed to the inner wall of the outer shell (105) by bolts.
5. The temperature-controlled explosion-proof industrial camera according to claim 3, characterized in that, The shooting window (106) is made of transparent explosion-proof material.
6. The temperature-controlled explosion-proof industrial camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The temperature-sensitive switch (103) is connected to the heater (102).
7. The temperature-controlled explosion-proof industrial camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrical connection wire is fixed to the inner wall of the housing (105) by a wire fixing sheet metal.
8. The temperature-controlled explosion-proof industrial camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The imaging device (101) includes: Front housing (1), the front housing (1) includes a shooting port; The middle shell (6) includes a transmitter (2) and a receiver (3) inside the middle shell (6). The transmitter (2) and the receiver (3) are adapted to acquire and transmit visual signals. The middle shell (6) also includes a motherboard (4) and a power board (5). The transmitter (2), the receiver (3), the motherboard (4) and the power board (5) are arranged closely in sequence along the direction away from the front shell (1). The motherboard (4) is electrically connected to the transmitter (2) and the receiver (3). The power board (5) is electrically connected to the motherboard (4). The rear shell (7) includes an interface (8) for connecting to the outside; The front shell (1), the middle shell (6), and the rear shell (7) are connected in sequence; A heat sink is also provided between the motherboard (4) and the power board (5).
9. The temperature-controlled explosion-proof industrial camera according to claim 8, characterized in that, The middle shell (6) also includes a bracket, and the transmitting end (2) and the receiving end (3) are fixed by the bracket. The bracket is fixed by snapping into the inner wall of the middle shell (6).
10. The temperature-controlled explosion-proof industrial camera according to claim 8, characterized in that, Sealing rings are provided at the connection points between the front shell (1) and the middle shell (6) and between the middle shell (6) and the rear shell (7).