A cleaning structure for inspection robot cameras

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of inspection robot technology and discloses a cleaning structure for inspection robot cameras. It includes a water tank mounted on the robot body, a support rod mounted on the robot body, a gimbal mounted on the top of the support rod, monitoring cameras mounted on both sides of the gimbal, a flow guide assembly connected to the bottom of the water tank, and the other end of the flow guide assembly connected to two monitoring cameras respectively. Protective glass is fixedly connected to the front end of each of the two monitoring cameras, and a water recovery assembly is connected below each of the two monitoring cameras, communicating with the water tank. In this cleaning structure for inspection robot cameras, the water used for cleaning is collected by the water recovery assembly as it flows down the glass surface and returns to the water tank. The recovered cleaning water can be reused for subsequent camera cleaning, achieving water resource recycling, effectively reducing cleaning water consumption, and improving the utilization efficiency of the robot's water carrying capacity and continuous operating capability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of inspection robot technology, specifically a cleaning structure for the camera of an inspection robot. Background Technology

[0002] Inspection robots are automated devices designed to perform routine inspections and monitoring tasks in a variety of environments, replacing humans in repetitive, hazardous, or hard-to-reach areas. These robots are widely used in various fields, including but not limited to power facilities, chemical plants, oil and gas pipelines, railway tracks, warehouses, data centers, and smart buildings.

[0003] As one of the key components of the inspection robot, the camera is mainly used for visual monitoring and data collection. In order to protect the camera from collision damage, a protective lens is usually installed on the outside of the camera. This protects the camera without affecting its normal monitoring. When the inspection robot is running outdoors or in a dusty environment, the protective lens is usually cleaned regularly to prevent dust or other contaminants from adhering to the protective lens and affecting the clarity of the camera monitoring.

[0004] For example, patent announcement CN215037524U discloses an intelligent remote inspection robot, including a robot body, a camera, and a slot. A water tank is fitted inside the slot, and a water pump is bolted inside the water tank. The water pump's outlet is connected to an L-shaped pipe for water delivery. The water tank can store a suitable amount of water. Activating the water pump draws water from the tank and sprays it through a nozzle, facilitating camera cleaning and avoiding the need to move the device to a designated cleaning location. The water tank can be secured within the slot for easy installation and removal. A protective sleeve can be fastened to the camera surface for protection when not in use, preventing damage and increasing the device's lifespan. The gooseneck tube allows for easy adjustment of its position when the protective sleeve is not in use, preventing interference when the camera is in use, making it convenient to use.

[0005] However, the inspection robots mentioned above still have the following problems: Although the design of the water tank and nozzle makes it convenient to clean the camera on the robot, the inspection robots usually replace humans to carry out inspection work outdoors, and the amount of cleaning water they carry is limited, so they cannot achieve long-term cleaning operation. They need to add cleaning water frequently, which delays the robot's inspection work. Utility Model Content

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a cleaning structure for inspection robot cameras that can recycle and reuse cleaning water, thereby improving the utilization rate of cleaning water and enhancing sustainable cleaning results.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a cleaning structure for a camera of an inspection robot, comprising a water tank installed on the robot body, a support rod installed on the robot body, a gimbal installed on the top of the support rod, monitoring cameras installed on both sides of the gimbal, a flow guiding component connected to the bottom of the water tank, the other end of the flow guiding component being connected to two monitoring cameras respectively, a protective glass fixedly connected to the front end of each of the two monitoring cameras, a scraping component connected to the outer side of each of the two protective glasses, and a water recovery component connected to the bottom of each of the two monitoring cameras, the water recovery component being connected to the water tank.

[0008] Furthermore, the water recycling assembly includes an annular water receiving box and a recycling pipe. The annular water receiving box is sleeved on the outside of the support rod and fixedly connected to the support rod. The recycling pipe is fixedly connected to the bottom of the annular water receiving box, and the other end of the recycling pipe is connected to the water tank. The annular water receiving box is located below the two monitoring cameras and covers the rotation range of the monitoring cameras through the pan-tilt unit.

[0009] Furthermore, a filter screen is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the opening at the top of the annular water receiving box.

[0010] Furthermore, the scraping assembly includes a scraping motor and a scraping rod. The scraping motor is embedded on the side of the monitoring head near the top of the protective glass. The output end of the scraping motor faces the protective glass and extends through to the outside of the monitoring head. The output end of the scraping motor is fixedly connected to the scraping rod, and the scraping rod is slidably connected to the outside of the protective glass.

[0011] Furthermore, the flow guiding assembly includes a booster pump, a water suction pipe, and a flow guiding hose. The booster pump is fixedly connected to the bottom side wall of the water tank. One end of the water suction pipe is fixedly connected to the bottom side wall of the water tank, and the other end of the water suction pipe is fixedly connected to the inlet end of the booster pump. One end of the flow guiding hose is fixedly connected to the outlet end of the booster pump. The other end of the flow guiding hose passes upward from the bottom of the annular water receiving box and is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the pan-tilt unit. The excess portion of the flow guiding hose above the annular water receiving box is coiled around the surface of the filter screen. The end of the flow guiding hose near the pan-tilt unit is fixedly connected to two branch pipes through a three-way connector. The ends of the two branch pipes away from the flow guiding hose are each connected to a spray assembly. The two spray assemblies are respectively close to the two protective glass panels.

[0012] Furthermore, the spray assembly includes a nozzle pipe, with one end of the diverter pipe away from the guide hose fixedly connected to the middle position of the nozzle pipe. Both ends of the nozzle pipe pass through the top housing of the monitoring camera and are fixedly connected to universal tubes. The two universal tubes are located at the top ends of the protective glass on the side away from the monitoring camera, and the ends of the two universal tubes away from the nozzle pipe are fixedly connected to the spray head.

[0013] Furthermore, a tank cover is hinged to the top of the water tank near the support rod via a hinge. Two fixed rods are fixedly connected to the side of the water tank away from the support rod. An L-shaped hook plate is rotatably connected between the two fixed rods via a pivot. The inner wall of the hook end of the L-shaped hook plate abuts against the outer wall of the tank cover. A return spring is fixedly connected to the side of the L-shaped hook plate away from the tank cover and near the water tank. The other end of the return spring is fixedly connected to the water tank. The end of the recovery pipe away from the annular water receiving box is fixedly connected to the tank cover.

[0014] Furthermore, an installation ring is fixedly connected to the middle of the inner wall of the water tank, and a perforated filter plate is connected to the side of the installation ring near the tank cover. Filter cotton is abutted against the side of the perforated filter plate near the tank cover.

[0015] Furthermore, the perforated filter plate is fixedly connected to the four corners of the mounting ring by bolts.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: This cleaning structure for inspection robot cameras uses a flow guiding component to direct cleaning water from the tank to the two monitoring cameras. During the cleaning process, a scraping component removes dirt and dust adhering to the outer surface of the camera's protective glass. The cleaning water is collected by a water recycling component as it flows down the glass surface and returns to the tank. The recycled cleaning water can be reused for subsequent camera cleaning, achieving water resource recycling, effectively reducing cleaning water consumption, and improving the efficiency of the robot's water usage per trip and its continuous operating capability. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall connection structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the connection structure of the water recycling component of this utility model; Figure 3 for Figure 1 Enlarged schematic diagram of the connection structure at point A in the middle; Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the internal structure of the water tank of this utility model; Figure 5 This is a side view of the overall connection structure of this utility model; Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged schematic diagram of the connection structure at point C; Figure 7 for Figure 5 Enlarged schematic diagram of the connection structure at point B.

[0018] In the diagram: 1. Robot body; 2. Water tank; 3. Support rod; 4. Gimbal; 5. Monitoring camera; 6. Flow guiding assembly; 7. Protective glass; 8. Scraping assembly; 9. Water recovery assembly; 10. Spray assembly; 11. Spray nozzle pipe; 12. Universal pipe; 13. Spray head; 21. Tank cover; 22. Fixing rod; 23. L-shaped hook plate; 24. Return spring; 25. Mounting ring; 26. Perforated filter plate; 27. Filter cotton; 61. Booster pump; 62. Water suction pipe; 63. Flow guiding hose; 64. Diverter pipe; 81. Scraping motor; 82. Scraping rod; 91. Annular water receiving box; 92. Recovery pipe; 93. Filter screen. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments.

[0020] Please see Figures 1 to 7 A cleaning structure for inspection robot cameras includes a water tank 2 mounted on the robot body 1, a support rod 3 mounted on the robot body 1, a pan-tilt unit 4 mounted on the top of the support rod 3, monitoring cameras 5 mounted on both sides of the pan-tilt unit 4, a flow guide assembly 6 connected to the bottom of the water tank 2, the other end of the flow guide assembly 6 connected to the two monitoring cameras 5 respectively, a protective glass 7 fixedly connected to the front end of each of the two monitoring cameras 5, a scraping assembly 8 connected to the outer side of each of the two protective glasses 7, and a water recovery assembly 9 connected to the bottom of each of the two monitoring cameras 5, the water recovery assembly 9 being connected to the water tank 2.

[0021] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the cleaning structure for the camera of the inspection robot in this utility model is similar to the structure of existing inspection robots, such as the intelligent remote inspection robot disclosed in patent publication number CN215037524U. The main improvement of this utility model is to improve the battery life of the robot for outdoor cleaning operations. Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the cleaning structure for the inspection robot camera in this utility model, during use, guides the cleaning water in the water tank 2 to the protective glass 7 in front of the two monitoring cameras 5 through the flow guiding component 6, and removes the dirt and dust attached to the outside of the camera protective glass 7 with the scraping component 8. At the same time, during the cleaning process, as the cleaning water flows down the surface of the protective glass 7, it is collected by the water recovery component 9 and flows back into the water tank 2. The recovered cleaning water can be reused for subsequent cleaning of the monitoring cameras 5, realizing the recycling of cleaning water, effectively reducing the consumption of cleaning water, improving the utilization efficiency of the cleaning water carried by the robot per trip and the continuous operation capability.

[0022] like Figures 1 to 5As shown, the water recycling assembly 9 includes an annular water receiving box 91 and a recycling pipe 92. The annular water receiving box 91 is sleeved on the outside of the support rod 3 and fixedly connected to the support rod 3. The recycling pipe 92 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the annular water receiving box 91, and the other end of the recycling pipe 92 is connected to the water tank 2. The annular water receiving box 91 is located below the two monitoring cameras 5 and covers the rotation range of the monitoring cameras 5 through the pan-tilt unit 4. The annular water receiving box 91 is used to collect the cleaning water left on the surface of the protective glass 7. During the rotation of the monitoring cameras 5 driven by the pan-tilt unit 4, it is always ensured that the lower annular water receiving box 91 can receive the cleaning water left on the surface of the protective glass 7. The cleaning water collected in the annular water receiving box 91 flows back to the water tank 2 through the bottom recycling pipe 92, completing the cleaning water recycling operation.

[0023] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a filter screen 93 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the top opening of the annular water receiving box 91. During the outdoor movement of the inspection robot, by setting the filter screen 93 inside the top opening of the annular water receiving box 91, outdoor leaves and other impurities can be blocked, preventing impurities from clogging the annular water receiving box 91. At the same time, the cleaning water flowing down from the outside of the protective glass 7 can be smoothly collected into the annular water receiving box 91 through the filter screen 93, thus successfully completing the collection of cleaning water.

[0024] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the scraping assembly 8 includes a scraping motor 81 and a scraping rod 82. The scraping motor 81 is embedded in the side of the monitoring camera 5 near the top of the protective glass 7. The output end of the scraping motor 81 faces the protective glass 7 and extends to the outside of the monitoring camera 5. The output end of the scraping motor 81 is fixedly connected to the scraping rod 82, and the scraping rod 82 is slidably connected to the outside of the protective glass 7. The scraping motor 81 drives the scraping rod 82 to scrape back and forth on the surface of the protective glass 7. With the help of cleaning water, dirt and dust attached to the surface of the protective glass 7 can be better cleaned and scraped away. When the scraping motor 81 is started, the scraping rod 82 performs a cyclic scraping operation on the outside of the protective glass 7, similar to a car windshield wiper, and does not affect the camera monitoring. In addition, when not in use, the scraping motor 81 will rotate the scraping rod 82 to a horizontal position above the camera, which also does not affect the use of the camera for monitoring.

[0025] like Figures 1 to 6As shown, the flow guiding assembly 6 includes a booster pump 61, a water suction pipe 62, and a flow guiding hose 63. The booster pump 61 is fixedly connected to the bottom side wall of the water tank 2. One end of the water suction pipe 62 is fixedly connected to the bottom side wall of the water tank 2, and the other end of the water suction pipe 62 is fixedly connected to the water inlet of the booster pump 61. One end of the flow guiding hose 63 is fixedly connected to the water outlet of the booster pump 61. The other end of the flow guiding hose 63 passes through the bottom of the annular water receiving box 91 and is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the gimbal 4. The excess portion of the flow guiding hose 63 above the annular water receiving box 91 is coiled around the upper surface of the filter screen 93. The end of the flow guiding hose 63 near the gimbal 4 is fixedly connected to two diversion pipes 64 through a three-way connector. The ends of the two diversion pipes 64 away from the flow guiding hose 63 are each connected to a spray assembly 10. The two spray assemblies 10 are respectively close to the two protective glasses 7. During the cleaning operation of the protective glass 7 of the monitoring camera 5, the cleaning water in the water tank 2 is pumped into the guide hose 63 through the booster pump 61 and the water suction pipe 62. The cleaning water is then pumped into two branch pipes 64 through the guide hose 63, and finally sprayed onto the outside of the protective glass 7 through the spray assembly 10. During the rotation of the pan-tilt unit 4, the top of the guide hose 63 rotates with the pan-tilt unit 4. Simultaneously, the guide hose 63, coiled on the filter screen 93, ensures that the rotation of the pan-tilt unit 4 is not obstructed, thus maintaining effective cleaning water flow during the pan-tilt unit 4's rotation operation. Furthermore, the excess portion of the guide hose 63 is coiled on the filter screen 93, providing sufficient slack for the guide hose 63 during the reciprocating rotation of the pan-tilt unit 4.

[0026] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the spray assembly 10 includes a nozzle pipe 11. A diverter pipe 64, located away from the guide hose 63, is fixedly connected to the middle of the nozzle pipe 11. Both ends of the nozzle pipe 11 pass through the top housing of the monitoring camera 5 and are fixedly connected to universal joints 12. The two universal joints 12 are located at the top ends of the protective glass 7 on the side away from the monitoring camera 5, and each end of the two universal joints 12 away from the nozzle pipe 11 is fixedly connected to a spray head 13. Cleaning water enters the two universal joints 12 through the nozzle pipe 11 and is finally sprayed from the spray heads 13 at the ends of the two universal joints 12 onto the outside of the protective glass 7. The auxiliary scraper 82 cleans the dirt and dust adhering to the outside of the protective glass 7.

[0027] like Figures 1 to 7As shown, a lid 21 is hinged to the top of the water tank 2 near the support rod 3. Two fixing rods 22 are fixedly connected to the side of the water tank 2 away from the support rod 3. An L-shaped hook plate 23 is rotatably connected between the two fixing rods 22 via a pivot. The inner wall of the hook end of the L-shaped hook plate 23 abuts against the outer wall of the lid 21. A return spring 24 is fixedly connected to the side of the L-shaped hook plate 23 away from the lid 21 and near the water tank 2. The other end of the return spring 24 is fixedly connected to the water tank 2. The end of the recovery pipe 92 away from the annular water receiving box 91 is fixedly connected to the lid 21. The cleaning water collected in the annular water receiving box 91 flows downward through the bottom recovery pipe 92 and flows into the water tank 2 from the top of the cover 21, completing the collection of cleaning water. The return spring 24 pushes the lower end of the L-shaped hook plate 23 outward, and with the help of the two fixing rods 22, the hook at the other end of the L-shaped hook plate 23 moves inward and hooks onto the top of the cover 21, thereby fixing the cover 21 to the top of the water tank 2. When it is necessary to open the cover 21, simply press the lower end of the L-shaped hook plate 23 and squeeze the return spring 24 inward, so that one end of the hook of the L-shaped hook plate 23 can be removed from the cover 21, and the cover 21 can be opened. Cleaning water can be added to the water tank 2, and dirty water inside can also be cleaned.

[0028] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, a mounting ring 25 is fixedly connected to the middle of the inner wall of the water tank 2. A perforated filter plate 26 is connected to the side of the mounting ring 25 near the tank cover 21, and filter cotton 27 abuts against the side of the perforated filter plate 26 near the tank cover 21. The cleaning water flowing into the water tank 2 through the recovery pipe 92 falls onto the filter cotton 27 and is filtered by the filter cotton 27, leaving the impurities carried by the cleaning water on the filter cotton 27. Subsequently, the filtered cleaning water flows into the bottom of the water tank 2 through the holes of the perforated filter plate 26 and is reused for cleaning the monitoring camera 5. The mounting ring 25 is used to support the perforated filter plate 26. The filter cotton 27 is preferably the filter cotton used in aquariums, which does not affect the filtration speed and can be cleaned or replaced periodically.

[0029] like Figure 4 As shown, the perforated filter plate 26 is fixedly connected to the four corners of the mounting ring 25 by bolts. The bolts facilitate the installation and fixation of the perforated filter plate 26 onto the mounting ring 25, preventing the filter plate 26 from shifting or shaking due to water washing onto the filter cotton 27 during the cleaning water recovery process, thus improving the stability of the filtration structure.

[0030] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cleaning structure for a camera on an inspection robot, comprising a water tank (2) mounted on a robot body (1), a support rod (3) mounted on the robot body (1), a gimbal (4) mounted on the top of the support rod (3), and monitoring cameras (5) mounted on both sides of the gimbal (4), characterized in that: The bottom of the water tank (2) is connected to a flow guide assembly (6), and the other end of the flow guide assembly (6) is connected to two monitoring cameras (5). The front ends of the two monitoring cameras (5) are fixedly connected to protective glass (7), and the outer sides of the two protective glasses (7) are connected to a scraping assembly (8). The bottom of the two monitoring cameras (5) is connected to a water recovery assembly (9), and the water recovery assembly (9) is connected to the water tank (2).

2. The cleaning structure for a robot camera according to claim 1, wherein: The water recycling assembly (9) includes an annular water receiving box (91) and a recycling pipe (92). The annular water receiving box (91) is sleeved on the outside of the support rod (3) and fixedly connected to the support rod (3). The recycling pipe (92) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the annular water receiving box (91). The other end of the recycling pipe (92) is connected to the water tank (2). The annular water receiving box (91) is located below the two monitoring cameras (5) and covers the rotation range of the monitoring cameras (5) through the pan-tilt unit (4).

3. The cleaning structure for a robot camera according to claim 2, wherein: A filter screen (93) is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the top opening of the annular water receiving box (91).

4. The cleaning structure for a robot camera according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The scraping assembly (8) includes a scraping motor (81) and a scraping rod (82). The scraping motor (81) is embedded on the side of the monitoring camera (5) near the top of the protective glass (7). The output end of the scraping motor (81) faces the protective glass (7) and extends through to the outside of the monitoring camera (5). The output end of the scraping motor (81) is fixedly connected to the scraping rod (82). The scraping rod (82) is slidably connected to the outside of the protective glass (7).

5. The cleaning structure for a robot camera according to claim 3, wherein: The flow guiding assembly (6) includes a booster pump (61), a water suction pipe (62), and a flow guiding hose (63). The booster pump (61) is fixedly connected to the bottom side wall of the water tank (2). One end of the water suction pipe (62) is fixedly connected to the bottom side wall of the water tank (2), and the other end of the water suction pipe (62) is fixedly connected to the inlet end of the booster pump (61). One end of the flow guiding hose (63) is fixedly connected to the outlet end of the booster pump (61), and the other end of the flow guiding hose (63) is connected to the annular water receiving box (91). After the bottom of the tube passes through upwards, it is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the gimbal (4). The excess part of the guide hose (63) above the annular water receiving box (91) is coiled on the upper surface of the filter screen (93). The end of the guide hose (63) near the gimbal (4) is fixedly connected to two diversion pipes (64) through a three-way connector. The ends of the two diversion pipes (64) away from the guide hose (63) are connected to spray assembly (10). The two spray assembly (10) are close to the two protective glasses (7) respectively.

6. The cleaning structure for a robot camera according to claim 5, wherein: The spray assembly (10) includes a nozzle pipe (11), and a diverter pipe (64) is fixedly connected to the middle position of the nozzle pipe (11) at one end away from the guide hose (63). Both ends of the nozzle pipe (11) pass through the top shell of the monitoring camera (5) and are fixedly connected to a universal tube (12). The two universal tubes (12) are located at the top two ends of the protective glass (7) on the side away from the monitoring camera (5), and the ends of the two universal tubes (12) away from the nozzle pipe (11) are fixedly connected to a spray head (13).

7. The cleaning structure for a robot camera according to claim 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6, wherein: The top of the water tank (2) is hinged to the side of the support rod (3) with a lid (21). Two fixed rods (22) are fixedly connected to the side of the water tank (2) away from the support rod (3). An L-shaped hook plate (23) is rotatably connected between the two fixed rods (22) through a rotating shaft. The inner wall of the hook end of the L-shaped hook plate (23) abuts against the outer wall of the lid (21). A return spring (24) is fixedly connected to the side of the L-shaped hook plate (23) away from the lid (21) and close to the water tank (2). The other end of the return spring (24) is fixedly connected to the water tank (2). The end of the recovery pipe (92) away from the annular water receiving box (91) is fixedly connected to the lid (21).

8. The cleaning structure for a robot camera according to claim 7, wherein: An installation ring (25) is fixedly connected to the middle position of the inner wall of the water tank (2). A perforated filter plate (26) is connected to the side of the installation ring (25) near the tank cover (21). A filter cotton (27) is abutted on the side of the perforated filter plate (26) near the tank cover (21).

9. The cleaning structure for a robot camera according to claim 8, wherein: The perforated filter plate (26) is fixedly connected to the four corners of the mounting ring (25) by bolts.

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