Hand-held thermal imager

Abstract

The application provides a handheld thermal imager, which comprises a handle shell, an infrared imaging module and a display module. A key assembly is arranged on the handle shell, and the key assembly is used for controlling the handheld thermal imager. The infrared imaging module is arranged at one end of the handle shell, and all components of the infrared imaging module are located in the interior of the handle shell except that a part of a lens assembly is exposed to the exterior of the handle shell. The display module is arranged on the outer wall of the end of the handle shell where the infrared imaging module is arranged, and the display module is rotationally connected to the handle shell. The handheld thermal imager provided by the application has stable and reliable line connection structure, and the overall operation stability of the equipment is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of imaging equipment technology, and in particular to a handheld thermal imager. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, handheld thermal imagers equipped with display screens generally fall into two categories. One type has the display screen embedded within the imager's housing. This type of imager has a fixed display screen, which cannot meet the observation needs of certain specific locations, and the screen size is often small, making clear observation difficult. The other type has the display screen located externally on the imager's housing. This larger screen size facilitates clear observation. However, this type of imager often suffers from inconvenient circuit connections between components, poor connection stability, and also affects the overall waterproof performance of the imager. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Based on this, this application provides a handheld thermal imager to improve the problems of poor connection stability and inconvenient circuit connection of thermal imagers with external display screen structures in the prior art.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this application embodiment is implemented as follows:

[0005] This application provides a handheld thermal imager, including a handle housing, an infrared imaging module, and a display module;

[0006] The handle housing is provided with a button assembly, which is used to control the handheld thermal imager;

[0007] The infrared imaging module is located at one end of the handle housing, and except for a part of the lens assembly which is exposed outside the handle housing, all other components of the infrared imaging module are located inside the handle housing;

[0008] The display module is located on the outer wall of the end of the handle housing where the infrared imaging module is located, and is rotatably connected to the handle housing.

[0009] In one embodiment, the display module is rotatably connected to the handle housing via a damping pivot, the damping pivot being used to adjust the pitch angle of the display module relative to the handle housing.

[0010] In one embodiment, the handle housing is a one-piece molded structure; or, the handle housing includes two parts, one part for mounting the infrared imaging module and the other part for gripping.

[0011] In one embodiment, the handheld thermal imager further includes a motherboard disposed within the handle housing and electrically connected to the infrared imaging module within the handle housing.

[0012] In one embodiment, the infrared imaging module includes an infrared detector and the lens assembly; the infrared detector is disposed inside the handle housing, and the lens assembly includes a focusing ring, which is disposed on two opposite outer walls of the handle housing, along with the display module.

[0013] In one embodiment, the infrared imaging module further includes a lens cover, which is suspended from the outer wall of the handle housing by a connector. The lens cover is made of a soft material and is used to cover the focusing ring.

[0014] In one embodiment, a mounting hole is provided on the outer wall of the handle housing between the focusing ring and the display module, the mounting hole being used to install external accessories.

[0015] In one embodiment, the handheld thermal imager further includes a power supply module, which includes a battery compartment and a battery compartment cover. The battery compartment is fixed inside the handle housing and is used to house a battery. One end of the battery compartment, away from the display module, extends out of the handle housing and is detachably connected to the battery compartment cover. Electrode contacts are provided on the battery compartment and the battery compartment cover respectively. The battery compartment is electrically connected to the motherboard through the electrode contacts.

[0016] In one embodiment, the display module and the motherboard are electrically connected via a connecting cable.

[0017] This application has at least the following beneficial effects: The handheld thermal imager of this application houses the majority of the infrared imaging module within the handle housing, facilitating circuit connections within the housing. The handle housing provides excellent protection for the infrared imaging module, and its internal location ensures good connection stability. The display module is located on the outer wall of the handle housing, allowing it to be adapted to a suitable screen size to meet different user needs. Furthermore, the display module can rotate relative to the handle housing, enabling users to observe targets from different angles and directions. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of a handheld thermal imager according to an embodiment of this application.

[0019] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the display screen side of a handheld thermal imager.

[0020] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the lens side of a handheld thermal imager.

[0021] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A magnified schematic diagram of the structure at point A of the handheld thermal imager.

[0022] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the exploded structure of a handheld thermal imager.

[0023] The meanings of the labels in the attached diagram are as follows:

[0024] 1. Handle housing; 11. Main board; 12. Hot melt nut; 121. Mounting hole; 2. Infrared imaging module; 21. Lens assembly; 211. Focusing ring; 22. Lens cap; 23. Connector; 24. Infrared detector; 3. Display module; 31. Display screen module; 32. Display housing; 4. Damping hinge; 5. Power supply module; 51. Battery compartment cover; 511. Lanyard hole; 52. Battery compartment; 53. Battery; 6. Button assembly; 7. Flexible ribbon cable; 8. Connector port; 9. Connecting cable; 10. Flexible protective sleeve. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solution of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein in the specification of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the ways in which this application may be implemented. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0027] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are used 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 on this application. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0028] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly 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 direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0029] Please see Figures 1 to 3 The handheld thermal imager of this application embodiment includes a handle housing 1, an infrared imaging module 2, and a display module 3.

[0030] The infrared imaging module 2 is located at least partially inside the handle housing 1. In this embodiment, the infrared imaging module 2 is located at one end of the handle housing 1, and except for a part of the lens assembly 21 which is exposed outside the handle housing 1, all other components of the infrared imaging module 2 are located inside the handle housing 1.

[0031] The display module 3 is located on the outer wall of the end of the handle housing 1 where the infrared imaging module 2 is located, and is rotatably connected to the handle housing 1.

[0032] Combination Figures 1-3 ,by Figure 1 Taking the left side as the front and the right side as the rear as an example, the infrared imaging module 2 and the display module 3 are located on opposite sides of the handle housing 1, that is, the infrared imaging module 2 is located in front of the handle housing 1 with the lens facing forward, so as to facilitate the acquisition of images of the target scene in front; the display module 3 is located in the rear of the handle housing 1 with the display interface facing backward, so as to facilitate the user's observation.

[0033] The display module 3 includes a display screen module 31 and a display housing 32. The display screen module 31 is at least partially disposed within the display housing 32. The display housing 32 is rotatably connected to the handle housing 1 via a damping pivot 4, allowing the display module 3 to rotate relative to the handle housing 1 to adjust for a more suitable observation angle (pitch angle). The damping pivot 4 keeps the display module 3 relatively fixed to the handle housing 1 at the desired angle. In this embodiment, the handheld thermal imager integrates the display module 3 and the infrared imaging module 2 into one unit, making it more convenient for users. Users do not need to connect a separate display device when using the handheld thermal imager; they can immediately measure and view the image using the handheld thermal imager of this embodiment, which is very convenient. When using the handheld thermal imager for observation, certain targets in specific orientations may be difficult to observe. Therefore, this embodiment designs a rotatable and adjustable display module 3, which can rotate a certain angle on the handle housing 1 to facilitate user observation.

[0034] In this embodiment, the handle housing 1 is a one-piece molded structure. In other embodiments, the handle housing 1 can also be a split structure composed of multiple parts. The one-piece molded handle housing 1 in this embodiment has better waterproof sealing and the overall stability of the one-piece structure is better. The split handle housing 1 can include two parts: one part is located at the upper part for mounting the infrared imaging module 2, and the other part is located at the lower part and connects with the upper part to form a grip for hand gripping. At the same time, the internal space of the grip is also a space for accommodating internal components, such as power supply module 5, motherboard 11, etc. The upper part of the handle housing 1 has an opening at one end along the thickness direction, which is used to form the optical path entrance of the infrared imaging module 2. The outer wall of the other end opposite to the opening is provided with a bracket for mounting the display module 3.

[0035] The handheld thermal imager in this application embodiment also includes a motherboard 11, which is disposed inside the handle housing 1 and electrically connected to the infrared imaging module 2 inside the handle housing 1.

[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, a button assembly 6 can also be provided on the handle housing 1. The button assembly 6 includes a button and a control circuit board. The control circuit board is electrically connected to the main board 11 inside the handle housing 1. The button is located on the control circuit board, and the button cap is exposed outside the handle housing 1. The button is used to control the handheld thermal imager, such as turning it on and off and other operations.

[0037] Specifically, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the infrared imaging module 2 is used to acquire target images and includes an infrared detector 24, a lens assembly 21, and a lens cap 22. The infrared detector 24 is located inside the handle housing 1 and at the upper part of the handle housing 1 (i.e., the end away from the handheld part). The lens assembly 21 is mostly located inside the handle housing 1 and includes an optical system and a focusing ring 211. The focusing ring 211 and the display module 3 are respectively disposed on two opposite outer walls of the handle housing 1 (i.e., the focusing ring 211 and the display module 3 are respectively disposed on the two sides of the upper part of the handle housing 1). The focusing ring 211 is used to focus the optical system. The lens cap 22 is detachably disposed on the focusing ring 211. To prevent the lens cap 22 from being lost during use, a connector 23 can be provided on the lens cap 22. The two ends of the connector 23 are respectively connected to the lens cap 22 and the handle housing 1 or integrally formed therefrom. The lens cap 22 can be suspended on the outer wall of the handle housing 1 through the connector 23. The lens cap 22 may be made of a soft material, such as plastic, and the inner diameter of the lens cap 22 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the focusing ring 211 so that the lens cap 22 will not fall off when it is placed on the focusing ring 211.

[0038] like Figure 5As shown, a mounting hole 121 is also provided on the outer wall of the handle housing 1 between the focusing ring 211 and the display module 3. The mounting hole 121 is used to install external accessories. For example, a thermosetting nut 12 can be installed on the outer wall of the handle housing 1, and the internal thread hole of the thermosetting nut 12 forms the mounting hole 121. In this embodiment, there are two mounting holes 121. In other embodiments, an appropriate number of mounting holes 121 can be selected as needed. External accessories can be installed on the mounting hole 121 by screws or other connectors to be fixedly connected to the handle housing 1.

[0039] like Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, in some embodiments, the handheld thermal imager may also include a power supply module 5, which is at least partially located inside the handle housing 1. The power supply module 5 supplies power to the handheld thermal imager and includes a battery compartment 52 and a battery compartment cover 51. In some embodiments, it may also include a battery 53. The battery compartment 52 is partially located inside the handle housing 1, below the infrared detector 24 (near the handheld part), and is used to house the battery 53. The end of the battery compartment 52 furthest from the display module 3 extends out of the handle housing 1 and is detachably connected to the battery compartment cover 51. The detachable connection between the battery compartment cover 51 and the battery compartment 52 can be, for example, a threaded connection or a rotating flip-top connection. Separating the battery compartment cover 51 from the battery compartment 52 (opening the battery compartment cover 51) allows for the replacement or removal of the battery 53. The battery compartment cover 51 can be completely detached from the battery compartment 52, or it can be rotatably connected to the battery compartment 52. This maintains the connection between the battery compartment cover 51 and the battery compartment 52 during battery removal and installation, preventing the battery compartment cover 51 from being accidentally lost. To enhance the waterproof performance of the handheld thermal imager, a seal can be provided between the battery compartment cover 51 and the battery compartment 52. Electrode contacts are provided on the two inner walls of the battery compartment 52 opposite to the battery compartment cover 51, i.e., the bottom of the battery compartment 52 and the inner bottom of the battery compartment cover 51. One has a positive contact (not shown), and the other has a negative contact (not shown). The battery 53 is installed inside the battery compartment 52 and is electrically connected to the positive and negative contacts. The positive and negative contacts can be conductive structures such as springs, sheet metal springs, or spring pins, used to connect to the positive and negative terminals of the battery 53. The main board 11 is electrically connected to the power supply module 5 inside the handle housing 1 via the electrode contacts on the battery compartment 52. To facilitate carrying the handheld thermal imager, a lanyard hole 511 can be provided on the battery compartment cover 51 for threading a lanyard, making it convenient for the user to carry the handheld thermal imager.

[0040] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, a sealed connection channel is provided on the side where the display module 3 and the handle housing 1 are close to each other. A connection cable 9 is threaded through the connection channel, and the two ends of the connection cable 9 are electrically connected to the motherboard 11 and the display module 3, respectively.

[0041] like Figure 4 As shown, the display module 3 and the handle housing 1 have connection ports 8 on their respective sides, close to each other. The connection channel is formed by the flexible protective sleeve 10 with openings at both ends and the two connection ports 8 sealed together in sequence. To make the overall appearance of the handheld thermal imager simpler and more aesthetically pleasing, the two connection ports 8 can be located below the rotating shaft of the display module 3, that is, on the handle housing 1 on the side of the rotating shaft close to the handheld part. This not only facilitates the wiring of the connection channel but also provides a certain degree of concealment, without compromising the simplicity of the appearance. When observation from different directions and angles is required, the display module 3 can be rotated to an angle suitable for human eye observation to facilitate handheld operation and observation. After rotating to the appropriate observation angle, the damping force of the damping shaft 4 can fix the display module 3 at that angle position, allowing the user to observe from that angle.

[0042] The handheld thermal imager of this embodiment integrates the infrared imaging module 2, display module 3, and power supply module 5 into one unit, with all connecting cables housed inside the thermal imager housing. This results in a clean and simple overall appearance. Furthermore, the cables are fixed inside the housing, eliminating the need for manual cable connection, making it more convenient for users and avoiding the reliability issues caused by repeated plugging and unplugging of cables. This makes the overall performance of the device more stable and reliable. It maintains the stability and reliability of traditional fixed handheld thermal imagers (where the display module 3 is located inside and fixedly connected to the handle housing 1, and the viewing angle of the display module 3 cannot be adjusted), while keeping all cables inside the device and eliminating the need for manual plugging and unplugging, resulting in a clean appearance. Simultaneously, it enables the rotation angle adjustment function of the display module 3, facilitating user observation and significantly improving the user experience. In other embodiments, to meet the different needs of different users, the infrared imaging module 2 and display module 3 can be designed to be detachably connected to the handle housing 1, allowing users to select different specifications and parameters of the infrared imaging module 2 or display module 3 as needed.

[0043] like Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, in this embodiment, the flexible protective sleeve 10 is an elastic element used to elastically deform as the display module 3 rotates. Preferably, the length of the flexible protective sleeve 10 in its free state (excluding the connection and fixing portion between the flexible protective sleeve 10 and the two connection ports 8) is equal to the minimum distance between the two connection ports 8. That is, when the relative rotation angle between the handle housing 1 and the display housing 32 is at its minimum, the flexible protective sleeve 10 is in its original length state, and at this time, the flexible protective sleeve 10 does not extend or retract. When the relative rotation angle between the handle housing 1 and the display housing 32 is at its maximum, the flexible protective sleeve 10 extends to its longest state. This design can better protect the flexible circuit board (connecting cable 9) wrapped inside the flexible protective sleeve 10. If the flexible protective sleeve 10 is too long, it will fold when it retracts, which may pull on the internal flexible circuit board and damage it. The flexible protective sleeve 10 and the two connection ports 8 can be sealed together by applying adhesive.

[0044] In this embodiment, the connecting cable 9 is a flexible circuit board, which passes through the flexible protective sleeve 10. The width of the flexible protective sleeve 10 is greater than the width of the connecting cable 9. Preferably, when the display module 3 is rotated to its maximum angle with the handle housing 1, the width of the flexible protective sleeve 10 is still slightly greater than the width of the connecting cable 9, allowing the connecting cable 9 to move easily and preventing it from being pulled and damaged. Preferably, the flexible protective sleeve 10 has an inner cavity, the height of which is greater than the thickness of the connecting cable 9. When the flexible protective sleeve 10 is stretched to a straight state, it has an internal cavity, that is, there is a certain gap between its two inner walls. For example, in the straight state, the cross-section of the flexible protective sleeve 10 is a flat rectangle. This gap allows the connecting cable 9 to move freely inside the flexible protective sleeve 10 even when it is pulled. The fact that the height of the inner cavity of the flexible protective sleeve 10 is greater than the thickness of the flexible circuit board is more conducive to the movement of the flexible circuit board. When connecting the flexible protective sleeve 10 to the connecting port 8, try to keep the flexible protective sleeve 10 in a flat state without deformation, and avoid excessive compression or pulling of the ends of the flexible protective sleeve 10 by the adhesive. For example, a rigid material matching its cross-sectional shape can be inserted into the opening of the flexible protective sleeve 10 for support, and then it can be glued and fixed.

[0045] like Figure 1 and Figure 5As shown, one end of the motherboard 11 is connected to the infrared imaging module 2 via a flexible ribbon cable 7, and the other end is connected to the power supply module 5 via a connector. The other side of the motherboard 11 is connected to a connecting cable 9, the other end of which is connected to the display module 31. In this embodiment, all connections of the handheld thermal imager are located inside the housing or channel, which not only makes the handheld thermal imager more concise and aesthetically pleasing but also improves the reliability of connections between components. The above-described ribbon cable and connector connection method is only one specific implementation of this embodiment; other connection methods can also be selected.

[0046] In this embodiment, the flexible circuit board is completely encased in the flexible protective sleeve 10, with no part exposed on the outside of the device. The flexible protective sleeve 10 is also sealed to the two connection ports 8, improving the waterproof performance of the handheld thermal imager while maintaining a clean appearance, and enhancing the connection stability between components. The flexible circuit board can move freely within the flexible protective sleeve 10, and no matter how the display module 3 rotates, it will not experience any pulling or pushing forces on the flexible circuit board, extending its lifespan and improving the overall product quality.

[0047] In this embodiment of the handheld thermal imager, all connecting cables are located within the housing or channels, with none exposed. This ensures stable connections and improves the overall waterproof performance. The display module in this embodiment can rotate at a certain angle relative to the handle housing, making it easier for the user to observe targets from different directions. The connection between the display module and the motherboard is reliable and simple; the use of a flexible circuit board connection method is more cost-effective than coaxial cable connections.

[0048] It should be noted that, in this document, 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. Unless otherwise specified, 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 that element.

[0049] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A hand-held thermal imager, characterized in that It includes a handle housing (1), an infrared imaging module (2), and a display module (3); The handle housing (1) is provided with a button assembly (6), which is used to control the handheld thermal imager; The infrared imaging module (2) is located at one end of the handle housing (1), and except for a part of the lens assembly (21) which is exposed outside the handle housing (1), the rest of the infrared imaging module (2) is located inside the handle housing (1); The display module (3) is located on the outer wall of the handle housing (1) at the end where the infrared imaging module (2) is located, and is rotatably connected to the handle housing (1).

2. The handheld thermal imager of claim 1, wherein, The display module (3) is rotatably connected to the handle housing (1) via a damping shaft (4), and the damping shaft (4) is used to adjust the pitch angle of the display module (3) relative to the handle housing (1).

3. The handheld thermal imager of claim 1, wherein, The handle housing (1) is a one-piece molded structure; or, the handle housing (1) includes two parts, one part for mounting the infrared imaging module (2) and the other part for gripping.

4. The handheld thermal imager of claim 1, wherein, It also includes a motherboard (11), which is located inside the handle housing (1) and electrically connected to the infrared imaging module (2) inside the handle housing (1).

5. The handheld thermal imager of claim 1, wherein, The infrared imaging module (2) includes an infrared detector (24) and a lens assembly (21); the infrared detector (24) is located inside the handle housing (1), and the lens assembly (21) includes a focusing ring (211), which and the display module (3) are respectively located on two opposite outer walls of the handle housing (1).

6. The handheld thermal imager of claim 5, wherein, The infrared imaging module (2) also includes a lens cover (22), which is suspended on the outer wall of the handle housing (1) by a connector (23). The lens cover (22) is made of soft material and is used to cover the focusing ring (211).

7. The handheld thermal imager of claim 5, wherein, The outer wall of the handle housing (1) between the focusing ring (211) and the display module (3) is also provided with a mounting hole (121), which is used to install external accessories.

8. The handheld thermal imager of claim 4, wherein, It also includes a power supply module (5), which includes a battery compartment (52) and a battery compartment cover (51); the battery compartment (52) is fixed inside the handle housing (1) and is used to accommodate a battery (53); one end of the battery compartment (52) away from the display module (3) is used to be detachably connected to the battery compartment cover (51); the battery compartment (52) and the battery compartment cover (51) are respectively provided with electrode contacts; the battery compartment (52) is electrically connected to the motherboard (11) through the electrode contacts.

9. The handheld thermal imager of claim 4, wherein, The display module (3) and the motherboard (11) are electrically connected via a connecting cable (9).

10. The handheld thermal imager of claim 9, wherein, The display module (3) and the handle housing (1) are provided with a sealed connection channel on the side close to each other. The connection cable (9) is threaded through the connection channel, and the two ends of the connection cable (9) are electrically connected to the motherboard (11) and the display module (3) respectively.

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