A light shielding mechanism for a climbing rope detection device

Abstract

The utility model relates to bridge cable detection technical field, concretely relates to a shading mechanism for cable climbing detection device, mainly relates to mounting support and sunshade, sunshade is located behind camera unit, mounting support contains the swing lever that sets up in pairs and can swing to the shell, the opening angle between two swing lever is controlled through adjusting lever piece to drive sunshade to adjust its shading angle. The utility model structure is convenient to adjust, can adjust shading angle according to the solar azimuth angle flexibly, effectively suppresses the reflection of cable surface, significantly improves image acquisition quality, enhances the accuracy of defect identification and detection reliability. The present application solves the technical problem that the existing detection device is difficult to identify the poor image quality and slight defect under the complex outdoor lighting conditions due to the strong reflection of cable surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of bridge cable inspection technology, specifically to a light-shielding mechanism for a cable climbing inspection device. Background Technology

[0002] In the automated inspection of bridge cables, climbing robots equipped with visual inspection devices are typically used to collect images along the cable surface. However, complex outdoor lighting conditions, especially the strong reflections from natural light on the cable surface, can severely affect the quality of images captured by the camera, making it difficult to identify minute defects such as surface cracks and corrosion. Existing technologies use fixed sunshades in some inspection devices, but these cannot be adjusted according to changes in the sun's angle, resulting in poor adaptability. Meanwhile, some simple sunshade structures often suffer from insufficient stability and inconvenient adjustment, failing to meet the demands of high-quality inspection.

[0003] In view of the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model is proposed in this study. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention provides a light-shielding mechanism for a cable-climbing inspection device to solve the aforementioned technical problems. The light-shielding mechanism mainly involves a mounting bracket and a light-shielding plate. The light-shielding plate is located behind the camera unit. The mounting bracket includes a pair of swing rods that can swing relative to the housing. An adjusting rod controls the opening angle between the two swing rods, thereby adjusting the light-shielding plate's light-shielding angle. This invention offers convenient structural adjustment and can flexibly adjust the light-shielding angle according to the sun's azimuth angle, effectively suppressing reflections on the cable surface, significantly improving image acquisition quality, and enhancing the accuracy and reliability of defect identification. This application solves the technical problem of poor image quality and difficulty in identifying minute defects caused by strong reflections from the cable surface under complex outdoor lighting conditions in existing inspection devices.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model proposes a light-shielding mechanism for a cable climbing detection device. The light-shielding mechanism is disposed on the cable climbing detection device to reduce the natural light reflected from the cable surface during the visual inspection process. The cable climbing detection device includes a housing and a pair of second mounting seats disposed on the housing. The light-shielding mechanism is rotatably engaged with the second mounting seats. The light-shielding mechanism includes a mounting bracket and a light-shielding plate disposed on the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket can swing relative to the housing. The mounting bracket includes a pair of swing rods that can swing relative to the housing. Each swing rod has a connecting seat at one end near the housing and is rotatably connected to the second mounting seat through the connecting seat. An adjusting rod is connected between the two swing rods to adjust the opening angle between the two swing rods, thereby adjusting the light-shielding angle of the light-shielding plate.

[0006] As described above, a light-shielding mechanism for a climbing cable detection device includes an adjusting rod with a first end and a second end. The first end is hinged to one of the swing rods, and the second end of the adjusting rod is lockably connected to the other swing rod. A second sliding sleeve is provided between the second end of the adjusting rod and the swing rod. The second sliding sleeve slides along the length of the swing rod to change the position of the second sliding sleeve on the swing rod, thereby driving the two swing rods to swing around their respective associated connecting seats.

[0007] As described above, a light-shielding mechanism for a climbing cable detection device includes an adjustment groove on the second end of the adjustment rod. A first locking member is provided between the second end of the adjustment rod and the corresponding swing rod for releasing or locking the two. The adjustment groove adjusts the position relative to the swing rod, and the first locking member locks the adjustment rod in the current position.

[0008] As described above, in a light-shielding mechanism for a climbing cable detection device, the second sliding sleeve has a threaded portion, and the locking member passes through the adjusting rod and is threadedly connected to the threaded portion in the second sliding sleeve.

[0009] As described above, in a light-shielding mechanism for a climbing cable detection device, the swing rod where the second sliding sleeve is located is also provided with a limiting stop to prevent the second sliding sleeve from disengaging from the swing rod.

[0010] As described above, the light-shielding mechanism for a climbing cable detection device includes an adjusting rod comprising a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod. The first connecting rod is mounted on one of the swing rods, and the second connecting rod is mounted on the other swing rod. The first connecting rod is telescopically sleeved on the second connecting rod, and the adjusting rod is locked between the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod by a second locking member.

[0011] As described above, a light-shielding mechanism for a climbing cable detection device maintains an air duct for airflow between two light-shielding plates that can move towards or away from each other.

[0012] As described above, in a light-shielding mechanism for a climbing cable detection device, the surface of the adjusting rod is provided with scale markings for indicating the relative extension and contraction distance between the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod.

[0013] As described above, a light-shielding mechanism for a cable-climbing detection device has a solar energy storage unit on the side of the light-shielding plate facing outward away from the cable, which is used to receive solar energy and power the device.

[0014] As described above, a light-shielding mechanism for a cable inspection device includes a light source module on the side of the light-shielding plate closest to the cable, which provides supplementary lighting during the cable appearance inspection process.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the light-shielding mechanism for the climbing cable detection device of this utility model has the following advantages:

[0016] 1. This application effectively adjusts the light-blocking angle of the light-blocking plate by cooperating with the swing rod and adjusting rod in the mounting bracket, thereby improving the clarity of the images acquired by the camera unit under complex outdoor lighting conditions, effectively resisting most of the interference from external light, and in particular eliminating the adverse effects of reflection on the cable surface on the detection results, making defect identification more reliable.

[0017] 2. In this application, one end of the adjusting rod is hinged to a swing rod, and the other end is fixedly connected to another swing rod. During the adjustment process, the adjusting rod can swing freely by cooperating with the second sliding sleeve, so that the opening angle between the two swing rods can swing flexibly. After locking, the overall structure is stable and reliable.

[0018] 3. In this application, by providing an adjustment groove at the second end of the adjustment rod, during the adjustment process, while the second sliding sleeve slides along the swing rod, the relative position of the adjustment rod and the swing rod can be moved and adjusted along the adjustment groove, so that the swing rod can be driven to a larger tilt angle, and the adjustable range of the relative opening angle between the two swing rods is increased, which can expand the angle adjustment range of the light shield and enable it to correspond to a wider range of lighting conditions. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The specific embodiments of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0020] Figure 1 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the light-shielding mechanism in this utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 This is the second schematic diagram of the light-shielding mechanism in this utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a specific structure of an embodiment of the adjusting rod in this utility model;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the light-shielding mechanism distributed on the climbing cable detection device in this utility model.

[0024] In the picture:

[0025] 1. Housing; 11. Second mounting base; 2. Power climbing mechanism; 4. Detection mechanism; 41. External detection component; 411. Camera unit; 42. Internal detection component; 421. Electromagnetic non-destructive testing component; 43. Mounting bracket; 431. Connecting seat; 432. Swing rod; 4321. Limit stop; 433. Adjusting guide rod; 4330. Adjusting groove; 4331. First connecting support rod; 4332. Second connecting support rod; 4333. First end; 4334. Second end; 434. First sliding sleeve; 435. Second sliding sleeve; 4351. Threaded part; 436. First locking element; 437. Second locking element; 44. Sunshade plate; 441. Solar energy storage unit; 442. Light source module; 443. Air duct. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The embodiments of this utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, this utility model includes a light-shielding mechanism for a cable-climbing detection device. This mechanism reduces the amount of natural light reflected from the cable surface during visual inspection. The cable-climbing detection device has a pair of second mounting seats 11 that rotatably engage with the light-shielding mechanism. The light-shielding mechanism includes a mounting bracket 43 and a light-shielding plate 44. The mounting bracket 43 is mounted on the housing 1, and the light-shielding plate 44 is located at the end of the mounting bracket 43 furthest from the cable. The light-shielding plate 44 faces the direction of sunlight to prevent external light from interfering with the cable inspection process and affecting the image clarity of the visual inspection. The mounting bracket 43 includes a pair of swing rods 432 that can swing relative to the housing 1. Each swing rod 432 has a connecting seat 431 at its end near the housing 1, and the connecting seat 431 is rotatably connected to the second mounting seat 11. Each pair of swing rods 432 is connected to an adjusting rod 433 for adjusting the opening angle between the two swing rods 432. By adjusting the opening angle of the swing rods 432, the light-shielding plate 44 is driven to adjust its light-shielding angle to adapt to different lighting conditions.

[0028] During cable inspection, operators typically use camera unit 411 to inspect the cable's appearance for cracks, damage, or other defects. Camera unit 411 is usually mounted on mounting bracket 43, with a light-shielding plate 44 positioned behind it. In practical applications, the light-shielding plate 44 is located behind camera unit 411, facing the sunlight. The effective light-shielding area formed by the light-shielding plate 44 significantly isolates interference from complex external light sources. Under the light-shielding area, the image clarity captured by camera unit 411 is improved. This prevents potential safety hazards caused by small defects on the cable surface going undetected. Operators can flexibly adjust the light-shielding angle of the light-shielding plate 44 according to changes in the sun's azimuth angle to ensure it is always in the optimal light-shielding position, overcoming the limitations of existing fixed light shields that can only handle specific lighting angles. This light-shielding mechanism improves the image clarity of the camera unit 411 under complex outdoor lighting conditions, effectively resists most of the interference from external light, and in particular eliminates the adverse effects of reflection on the cable surface on the detection results, making defect identification more reliable.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, in a preferred embodiment of this application, the adjusting rod 433 includes a first end 4331 and a second end 4334. The first end 4331 is hinged to one of the swing rods 432, and the second end 4334 is lockably connected to the other swing rod 432. To achieve flexible angle adjustment, a second sliding sleeve 435 is provided between the second end 4334 of the adjusting rod 433 and the swing rod 432. The second sliding sleeve 435 slides along the length of the swing rod 432 to change its position on the swing rod 432, thereby driving the two swing rods 432 to swing around their respective associated connecting seats 431. Specifically, the two swing rods 432 are spaced apart without interfering with each other. The adjusting rod 433, the second sliding sleeve 435, and the two swing rods 432 together constitute a steplessly adjustable linkage mechanism. Its working principle is as follows: When the angle of the light-shielding plate 44 needs to be adjusted, the locking state of the second end 4334 of the adjusting rod 433 is released. At this time, the swing rod 432 can swing freely around the connecting seat 431, and at the same time, the second end 4334 of the adjusting rod 433 moves on the swing rod 432 through the second sliding sleeve 435. This design allows the opening angle between the two swing rods 432 to swing flexibly, thereby adjusting the tilt angle of the light-shielding plate 44 installed on the swing rod 432 to adapt to different light-shielding requirements. After locking, the overall structure is stable and reliable.

[0030] Specifically, an adjustment groove 4330 is provided on the second end 4334 of the adjusting rod 433. A first locking member 436 for releasing or locking the two is provided between the second end 4334 of the adjusting rod 433 and the corresponding swing rod 432. The position of the adjustment groove 4330 relative to the swing rod 432 is adjusted, and the adjusting rod 433 is locked in the current position by the first locking member 436. The first locking member 436 can pass through the adjustment groove 4330 and lock with the second sliding sleeve 435. By releasing the first locking member 436, sliding the second sliding sleeve 435 to the desired position, and then locking it, stepless angle adjustment and reliable fixation can be easily achieved.

[0031] In this application, the distance between the two swing rods 432 is adjusted via the adjusting groove 4330, and the first locking member 436 is used to fix and release this position, ensuring the rigid connection and overall stability of the light-shielding mechanism in the working state. While the second sliding sleeve 435 slides along the swing rod 432, the relative position of the adjusting rod 433 and the swing rod 432 can be adjusted along the adjusting groove 4330. The superposition of these two movements allows the swing rod 432 to be driven to a larger tilt angle, increasing the adjustable range of the relative opening angle between the two swing rods 432, thus expanding the angle adjustment range of the light-shielding plate 44 to accommodate a wider range of lighting conditions. Furthermore, the adjustable design of the two degrees of freedom of the second sliding sleeve 435 and the adjusting groove 4330 avoids potential interference or jamming when increasing the angle, making the opening action of the swing rod 432 smoother and less strenuous.

[0032] It should be noted that the first locking element 436 and the second locking element 437 can also be conventional fasteners such as screws or bolts used for locking. Specifically, the first locking element 436 can be a conventional wing bolt, which has the advantages of simple structure and easy operation due to its built-in handle design.

[0033] like Figure 3 As shown, in another preferred embodiment of this application, the adjusting rod 433 includes a first connecting rod 4331 and a second connecting rod 4332. The first connecting rod 4331 is mounted on one of the swing rods 432, and the second connecting rod 4332 is mounted on the other swing rod 432. The first connecting rod 4331 is telescopically fitted onto the second connecting rod 4332, and the adjusting rod 4333 is locked between the first connecting rod 4331 and the second connecting rod 4332 by a second locking member 437. Specifically, the first connecting rod 4331 has a plurality of openings linearly distributed thereon that can lock and engage with the second locking member 437. This technical solution designs the adjusting rod 433 as a telescopic structure composed of the first connecting rod 4331 and the second connecting rod 4332, and locks its telescopic position by the second locking member, thereby achieving a greater adjustment of the shading angle.

[0034] In fact, a set of light-shielding mechanisms is usually provided on the two power climbing mechanisms 2 on the housing 1 of the detection device, and an air duct 443 for airflow is maintained between the two mounting brackets 43. This minimizes the windward area of ​​the entire light-shielding mechanism, which helps to reduce the air resistance experienced by the climbing detection device when climbing the cable or encountering crosswinds.

[0035] Furthermore, the surface of the adjusting rod 433 can also be provided with scale markings to indicate the relative extension and contraction distance between the first connecting rod 4331 and the second connecting rod 4332. The operator can set the length of the adjusting rod 433 according to the value displayed on the scale markings, thereby quickly and accurately adjusting the light shield 44 to the predetermined optimal light shielding angle. This not only realizes the quantification of the adjustment process, but also ensures the consistency and repeatability of the angle adjustment operation.

[0036] For example, in a pair of swing arms 432, the corresponding two swing arms 432 are connected by an adjusting rod 433. Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, as a further technical solution of this application, a first sliding sleeve 434 is also provided on one of the swing rods 432 that is hinged to the first end 4333 of the adjusting rod 433. The first sliding sleeve 434 can slide relative to the swing rod 432. The first end 4333 of the adjusting rod 433 is directly hinged to the first sliding sleeve 434, and the first sliding sleeve 434 can slide on the swing rod 432. Therefore, the positions of the first sliding sleeve 434 and the second sliding sleeve 435 can be adjusted separately or in concert, thereby changing the relative position of the adjusting rod 433 on the entire mounting bracket 43.

[0037] This allows operators to adjust the positions of the two sliding sleeves on the swing rod 432 individually or collaboratively, and dynamically change the relative position of the adjusting rod 433 on the entire mounting bracket 43 during adjustment. This not only enables more precise and wider stepless adjustment of the angle of the light-shielding plate 44 to adapt to complex outdoor light variations, but also, compared to the existing light-shielding adjustment mechanisms that commonly use a single hinge point, concentrate the adjustment load on a thin connection, easily leading to excessive wear at that point. This solution, through two independent sliding sleeves, effectively avoids the problem of single-point stress concentration, thereby improving the overall rigidity of the mechanism and effectively extending its service life.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, as a further technical solution of this application, the second sliding sleeve 435 is provided with a threaded part 4351. The first locking member 436 passes through the adjusting rod 433 and is threadedly connected to the threaded part 4351 in the second sliding sleeve 435. The locking force is large and not easy to loosen through the threaded connection, and the structure is stable and reliable.

[0039] As a further technical solution of this application, refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 The second sliding sleeve 435 is also provided with a limiting stop 4321 on the swing rod 432 to prevent the second sliding sleeve 435 from disengaging from the swing rod 432. This can prevent the second sliding sleeve 435 from accidentally slipping out of the effective range of the swing rod 432 during the adjustment process, thus avoiding mechanism failure due to improper operation.

[0040] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, as a further technical solution of this application, an air duct 443 for airflow is maintained between the two light-shielding plates 44 that can swing towards or away from each other, forming a heat dissipation channel for the detection device. The flowing air can carry away the heat accumulated inside through this channel, thereby effectively preventing the components from overheating and ensuring the stability of long-term operation. Furthermore, the light-shielding plate 44 has a planar plate structure, which can reduce wind resistance when the detection device is operating at a high altitude above the ground, effectively preventing the light-shielding plate 44 and other components from shaking.

[0041] Reference Figure 4 In cable-climbing detection devices, two openable and closable powered climbing mechanisms 2 are typically clamped around the cable. In this application, a light-shielding structure can be separately installed on each powered climbing mechanism 2, with each light-shielding mechanism symmetrically arranged relative to the cable. In each light-shielding mechanism, a pair of swing rods 432 undergo an independent swing process via an adjusting rod 433. Each swing rod 432 has its own light-shielding plate 44, and a camera unit 411 is mounted on a mounting bracket 43 and configured to swing together with the light-shielding plate 44. Specifically, the camera unit 411 has a wide-angle lens, which can expand the single-shot field of view, making it easier to fully capture defects such as cracks or rust on the cable surface and reduce missed detections. It should be noted that multiple camera units 411 are provided, and they are correspondingly arranged with the swing rods 432. During the movement with the swing rods 432, there are no blind spots in the field of view because the camera unit 411 has a wide-angle lens.

[0042] like Figure 1 , Figure 4As shown, as a further technical solution of this application, a light source module 442, such as an LED supplementary light, is integrated on the side of the light-shielding plate 44 near the cable. When light is insufficient, the light-shielding plate 44 provides uniform illumination to the camera unit 411, ensuring all-weather operation. Furthermore, a solar energy storage unit 441, such as a flexible solar panel, is laid on the surface of the light-shielding plate 44 facing away from the cable. The solar energy storage unit 441 can provide supplementary power to other systems in the detection device, extending the operating time. By setting up the light-shielding plate 44 and the light source module 442, this application effectively solves the problem of light interference in outdoor detection. The light-shielding plate 44 can block the strong reflection of natural light on the cable surface; while the light source module 442 provides supplementary illumination when light is insufficient. This combination ensures that the camera unit 411 can acquire clear, stable, and high-quality images under any lighting conditions, enabling all-weather detection.

[0043] Angle Adjustment Mechanism: To prevent interference from external light during detection under varying illumination times, the mounting bracket 43 is equipped with an angle adjustment structure to ensure that the light-shielding plate 44 and camera unit 411 are always at the optimal angle. A first sliding sleeve 434 and a second sliding sleeve 435 are respectively fitted onto the two swing rods 432. The first sliding sleeve 434 and the second sliding sleeve 435 are slidably connected to their respective swing rods 432. The two ends of an adjusting guide rod 433 are hinged to the first sliding sleeve 434 and connected to the second sliding sleeve 435 via locking members 436. By sliding the second sliding sleeve 435 on the swing rod 432, the opening angle between the two swing rods 432 can be changed, thereby causing the entire light-shielding plate 44 assembly to rotate around the hinge point of the connecting seat 431.

[0044] In use, the detection device is secured to the cable, and then activated to ascend along the cable. During the ascent, the camera unit 411, aided by the light-shielding plate 44, continuously acquires clear images of the cable surface; the electromagnetic non-destructive testing component 421 simultaneously detects internal damage to the cable. All detection data can be transmitted to the ground control system in real time, enabling efficient, comprehensive, and automated detection of the cable's health status.

Claims

1. A light-shielding mechanism for a cable-climbing detection device, the light-shielding mechanism being disposed on the cable-climbing detection device to reduce natural light reflected from the cable surface during visual inspection; the cable-climbing detection device includes a housing (1) and a pair of second mounting seats (11) disposed on the housing (1), the light-shielding mechanism being rotatably engaged with the second mounting seats (11); characterized in that The light-shielding mechanism includes a mounting bracket (43) and a light-shielding plate (44) disposed on the mounting bracket (43). The mounting bracket (43) can swing relative to the housing (1). The mounting bracket (43) includes a pair of swing rods (432) that can swing relative to the housing (1). Each swing rod (432) has a connecting seat (431) at one end near the housing (1) and is rotatably connected to the second mounting seat (11) through the connecting seat (431). An adjusting rod (433) is connected between the two swing rods (432) to adjust the opening angle between the two swing rods (432), thereby adjusting the light-shielding angle of the light-shielding plate (44).

2. The light-shielding mechanism for a climbing cable detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that... The adjusting rod (433) includes a first end (4333) and a second end (4334). The first end (4333) is hinged to one of the swing rods (432), and the second end (4334) of the adjusting rod (433) is lockably connected to the other swing rod (432). A second sliding sleeve (435) is provided between the second end (4334) of the adjusting rod (433) and the swing rod (432). The second sliding sleeve (435) slides along the length direction of the swing rod (432) to change the position of the second sliding sleeve (435) on the swing rod (432), thereby driving the two swing rods (432) to swing around their respective associated connecting seats (431).

3. The light-shielding mechanism for a climbing cable detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that... An adjustment groove (4330) is provided on the second end (4334) of the adjustment rod (433). A first locking member (436) for releasing or locking the two is provided between the second end (4334) of the adjustment rod (433) and the corresponding swing rod (432). The adjustment groove (4330) adjusts the position relative to the swing rod (432) and locks the adjustment rod (433) in the current position through the first locking member (436).

4. The light-shielding mechanism for a climbing cable detection device according to claim 3, characterized in that... The second sliding sleeve (435) is provided with a threaded part (4351), and the first locking member (436) passes through the adjusting rod (433) and is threadedly connected to the threaded part (4351) in the second sliding sleeve (435).

5. The light-shielding mechanism for a climbing cable detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that... The second sliding sleeve (435) is located on the swing rod (432) and a limiting stop (4321) is provided to prevent the second sliding sleeve (435) from disengaging from the swing rod (432).

6. The light-shielding mechanism for a climbing cable detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that... The adjusting rod (433) includes a first connecting rod (4331) and a second connecting rod (4332). The first connecting rod (4331) is mounted on one of the swing rods (432), and the second connecting rod (4332) is mounted on the other swing rod (432). The first connecting rod (4331) is telescopically sleeved on the second connecting rod (4332), and the adjusting rod (433) is locked between the first connecting rod (4331) and the second connecting rod (4332) by a second locking member (437).

7. The light-shielding mechanism for a climbing cable detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that... An air duct (443) is maintained between the two light-shielding plates (44) that can move toward or away from each other.

8. A light-shielding mechanism for a climbing cable detection device according to claim 6, characterized in that... The surface of the adjusting rod (433) is provided with scale markings for indicating the relative extension and contraction distance between the first connecting rod (4331) and the second connecting rod (4332).

9. A light-shielding mechanism for a climbing cable detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that... The shading plate (44) has a solar energy storage unit (441) on the side away from the cable and facing outward, for receiving solar energy and powering the device.

10. A light-shielding mechanism for a climbing cable detection device according to claim 9, characterized in that... The light shield (44) has a light source module (442) on the side near the cable for providing supplementary lighting during the cable appearance inspection process.

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