An unmanned aerial vehicle infrared thermal imager

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of unmanned aerial vehicle infrared thermal imager, comprising: cabin, infrared thermal imager, first temperature sensor and second temperature sensor, the cabin is equipped with window, infrared glass lens is installed on the window, heating sheet is installed in the position close to infrared glass lens in the cabin, the infrared thermal imager is installed in cabin, and the fixed focus lens of the infrared thermal imager is installed towards window, the first temperature sensor and second temperature sensor are all installed on the cabin, heating sheet is arranged inside, can avoid the temperature difference existing between the temperature inside the fixed focus lens of infrared thermal imager and outside air temperature, so that the surface of fixed focus lens, infrared glass lens is easy to fog blur, affect the effect of aerial photography.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of thermal imaging technology, and in particular to an infrared thermal imager for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Background Technology

[0002] Infrared thermal imagers are aerial photography accessories mounted on drones. They convert the invisible infrared energy emitted by objects into visible thermal images, with different colors representing different temperatures of the object. However, current technology still has the following drawbacks:

[0003] 1. When existing infrared thermal imagers are used in conjunction with drones for infrared detection and aerial photography, especially when the drones are flying at high speeds or in low-temperature environments, there will be a certain temperature difference between the internal temperature of the infrared thermal imager and the external temperature. This temperature difference will cause the lens surface inside the infrared thermal imager to fog up and become blurry, affecting the quality of the subsequent infrared thermal imaging images.

[0004] 2. When existing infrared thermal imagers are used in conjunction with drones for infrared detection and aerial photography, the interior of the infrared thermal imager is prone to moisture due to the humid external environment. This can lead to mold growth and microbial development inside the infrared thermal imager, affecting the aerial photography results.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to provide an infrared thermal imager for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an infrared thermal imager for drones, which has a heating element inside to prevent temperature differences between the internal temperature of the fixed-focus lens and the external temperature, thus avoiding fogging and blurring of the fixed-focus lens and infrared glass lens, which would affect the aerial photography effect.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution proposed in this utility model is as follows: an infrared thermal imager for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), comprising: a cabin, an infrared thermal imager, a first temperature sensor, and a second temperature sensor.

[0008] The cabin is provided with a window, and an infrared glass lens is installed on the window. A heating element is installed inside the cabin near the infrared glass lens. The infrared thermal imager is installed inside the cabin, and the fixed-focus lens of the infrared thermal imager is installed facing the window. The first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor are both installed on the cabin.

[0009] Preferably, the cabin is divided into a protective cover and a bottom shell, with a support block provided on the bottom shell, the infrared thermal imager mounted on the support block, and the protective cover mounted on the bottom shell.

[0010] Preferably, the protective cover is provided with an inflation port and an vent.

[0011] Preferably, the window is located at the front end of the cabin, the inflation port is located at the rear end of the cabin, and the deflation port is located on the side wall of the cabin.

[0012] Preferably, a power interface is provided at the rear end of the cabin.

[0013] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages are: 1) The internal heating element can prevent the temperature difference between the internal temperature of the fixed-focus lens of the infrared thermal imager and the external temperature, which would make the surface of the fixed-focus lens and the infrared glass lens prone to fogging and blurring, affecting the aerial photography effect. The fixed-focus lens of the infrared thermal imager observes the lower part of the tail of the fixed-wing UAV through the window and obtains thermal imaging images of ground or air targets in real time and clearly.

[0014] 2) The protective cover is equipped with an air inlet and an air outlet. Nitrogen is pre-filled through the air inlet to expel the original air inside the cabin, thereby reducing the oxygen content and moisture inside the cabin and creating an environment that is not prone to mold and is oxygen-free. This can inhibit the growth of microorganisms inside the cabin and avoid affecting the aerial photography effect of the fixed-focus lens of the infrared thermal imager.

[0015] Other features and advantages of this invention will be set forth in the following description, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The features and advantages of this invention may be realized and obtained by means of the elements and combinations specifically pointed out in the appended claims. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this utility model and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the UAV infrared thermal imager provided by this utility model.

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a partial structural schematic of the UAV infrared thermal imager.

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a partial structural schematic of the UAV infrared thermal imager.

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The image shown is a stereoscopic view from another perspective of the drone's infrared thermal imager.

[0021] Figure 5 for Figure 1 The image shown is a stereoscopic view from another perspective of the drone's infrared thermal imager.

[0022] Reference numerals: 1. Cabin; 11. Window; 12. Infrared glass lens; 13. Protective cover; 14. Bottom shell; 15. Support block; 16. Inflation port; 17. Exhaust port; 18. Power interface; 2. Infrared thermal imager; 3. First temperature sensor; 4. Second temperature sensor; 5. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described in this specification are merely for explaining the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model.

[0024] It should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", and "outer" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0025] It should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, terms such as "installation," "connection," "joining," "fixing," and "setting" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; 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 of two components or the interaction between two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0026] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first," "second," or "third" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. Additionally, "multiple" and "several" mean two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0027] Please see Figures 1 to 5This invention proposes an infrared thermal imager for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), mounted on a fixed-wing UAV, for observing the area below the tail of the UAV. The imager includes: a cabin 1, an infrared thermal imager 2, a first temperature sensor 3, and a second temperature sensor 4.

[0028] The cabin 1 is provided with a window 11, and an infrared glass lens 12 is installed on the window 11. A heating element is installed inside the cabin 1 near the infrared glass lens 12. The infrared thermal imager 2 is installed inside the cabin 1, and the fixed-focus lens of the infrared thermal imager 2 is installed facing the window 11. The first temperature sensor 3 and the second temperature sensor 4 are both installed on the cabin 1. The first temperature sensor 3 is used to detect the ambient temperature, and the second temperature sensor 4 is used to detect the temperature at the fixed-focus lens.

[0029] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the infrared thermal imager 2, the first temperature sensor 3, and the second temperature sensor 4 are all electrically connected to the power supply on the fixed-wing UAV. After the infrared thermal imager 2, the first temperature sensor 3, and the second temperature sensor 4 are installed on the cabin 1, the interior of the cabin 1 remains sealed, and the protection level of the UAV infrared thermal imager 2 is IP66.

[0030] It should also be noted that the window 11 is circular, the infrared glass lens 12 is circular, and the temperature measurement range of the first temperature sensor 3 and the second temperature sensor 4 is -50℃ to +125℃; the temperature measurement accuracy is ±0.5°C; and the operating voltage is 3.3-5V.

[0031] Thus, the fixed-focus lens of the infrared thermal imager observes the area below the tail of the fixed-wing UAV through window 11, acquiring clear thermal images of targets on the ground or in the air in real time. When the first temperature sensor 3 and the second temperature sensor 4 detect that the ambient temperature is ≤10℃, the detection signals of the first temperature sensor 3 and the second temperature sensor 4 are transmitted to the fixed-wing UAV. The power supply on the fixed-wing UAV supplies power to the heating element, and the heating element begins to heat up. This avoids a temperature difference between the internal temperature of the fixed-focus lens of the infrared thermal imager and the ambient temperature, which would easily cause fogging and blurring of the surface of the fixed-focus lens and the infrared glass lens, affecting the aerial photography effect. When the first temperature sensor 3 and the second temperature sensor 4 detect that the ambient temperature is ≥15℃, the power supply on the fixed-wing UAV stops supplying power to the heating element, and the heating element stops heating. It should also be noted that when the temperature of the heating element is >50℃, the power supply on the fixed-wing UAV stops supplying power to the heating element, and the heating element also stops heating.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the cabin 1 is divided into a protective cover 13 and a bottom shell 14. A support block 15 is provided on the bottom shell 14, and the infrared thermal imager 2 is fixedly mounted on the support block 15. The protective cover 13 is mounted on the bottom shell 14. In this way, the support block 15 is provided on the bottom shell 14 in advance, which facilitates the fixed installation of the infrared thermal imager 2.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the protective cover 13 is provided with an inflation port 16 and an vent port 17, which facilitates the inflation of nitrogen into the cabin 1 through the inflation port 16, and the vent port 17 is used to release nitrogen from the cabin 1.

[0034] It should be noted that after the protective cover 13 is fully inflated, the inflation port 16 and the deflation port 17 are sealed. Inflation can be performed by removing the sealing plug at the inflation port 16 only when inflation is needed; deflation can be performed by removing the sealing plug at the deflation port 17 only when deflation is needed.

[0035] When the UAV infrared thermal imager 2 is in use, nitrogen is pre-filled through the air inlet to expel the original air inside the cabin 1, thereby reducing the oxygen content and moisture inside the cabin 1 and creating an environment that is not prone to mold and is oxygen-free. This can inhibit the growth of microorganisms inside the cabin 1 and avoid affecting the aerial photography effect of the fixed-focus lens of the infrared thermal imager 2.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the window 11 is located at the front end of the cabin 1, the inflation port 16 is located at the rear end of the cabin 1, and the deflation port 17 is located on the side wall of the cabin 1.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the tail end of the cabin 1 is provided with a power interface 18, which is electrically connected to the power supply on the fixed-wing UAV.

[0038] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the technical parameters of the infrared thermal imager 2 are as follows:

[0039] Resolution: 1280×1024; Pixel pitch: 12μm; Detector frame rate: 50Hz; Response band: 8~14μm; Operating voltage: 4.0~5.5V DC; Power interface 18: RS232.

[0040] This invention is not limited to the description in the specification and embodiments. Therefore, other advantages and modifications can be readily realized by those skilled in the art. Thus, without departing from the spirit and scope of the general concept as defined by the claims and their equivalents, this invention is not limited to the specific details, representative devices and illustrated examples shown and described herein.

Claims

1. An infrared thermal imager for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), characterized in that, include: The cabin (1), infrared thermal imager (2), first temperature sensor (3) and second temperature sensor (4). The cabin (1) is provided with a window (11), an infrared glass lens (12) is installed on the window (11), a heating element is installed inside the cabin (1) near the infrared glass lens (12), an infrared thermal imager (2) is installed inside the cabin (1), and the fixed-focus lens of the infrared thermal imager (2) is installed facing the window (11), and the first temperature sensor (3) and the second temperature sensor (4) are both installed on the cabin (1).

2. The UAV infrared thermal imager of claim 1, wherein, The cabin (1) is divided into a protective cover (13) and a bottom shell (14). A support block (15) is provided on the bottom shell (14). The infrared thermal imager (2) is installed on the support block (15), and the protective cover (13) is installed on the bottom shell (14).

3. The UAV infrared thermal imager of claim 2, wherein, The protective cover (13) is provided with an air inlet (16) and an air outlet (17).

4. The UAV infrared thermal imager of claim 3, wherein, The window (11) is located at the front end of the cabin (1), the air inlet (16) is located at the rear end of the cabin (1), and the air outlet (17) is located on the side wall of the cabin (1).

5. The UAV infrared thermal imager of claim 4, wherein, The rear end of the cabin (1) is provided with a power interface (18).

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