Imaging device

Abstract

To provide an imaging device capable of adjusting an illumination direction and efficiently releasing heat emitted by an LED.SOLUTION: An imaging device includes: a camera part for imaging a subject; and an illumination part which is partitioned from the camara part so as to be connected to it and which emits illumination light to the subject. The illumination part includes: a housing having a first cover member; a first LED for emitting the illumination light; and an LED holding member which holds the first LED and which has surface contact with the first cover member in a state rotatable relative to the first cover member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a surveillance camera in which a camera unit and an illumination unit are housed in separate housings. The illumination unit is equipped with an LED (light-emitting diode) as a light source. The camera unit and illumination unit are connected and rotatably supported by a base of the surveillance camera and a support arm connected to the base.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes an imaging device equipped with first and second heat dissipation members that dissipate heat from an LED substrate. The first and second heat dissipation members are attached with the LED substrate sandwiched between them, and dissipate heat generated from the LED substrate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6080060 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6671060 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the surveillance camera described in Patent Document 1, the lighting unit uses a single type of LED to illuminate the entire imaging angle of the camera, i.e., to provide illumination light over a wide area and over long distances. Because LEDs with a wide illumination angle diffuse the light, making it difficult for the light to reach long distances, increasing the power level increases the overall light intensity, enabling the light to reach long distances. This makes the LEDs prone to heat generation. The temperature rise caused by the heat generated by the LEDs affects the imaging element in the camera, causing noise in captured images.

[0006] Furthermore, when a surveillance camera is equipped with an illumination unit that has a housing separate from the camera unit, as in the surveillance camera described in Patent Document 1 above, the internal space of the illumination unit is limited, making it difficult to newly install first and second heat dissipation members that dissipate heat from the LED substrate, as in the imaging device described in Patent Document 2 above.

[0007] Therefore, in order to reduce power consumption, it is conceivable to switch between LEDs with a wide illumination angle and LEDs with a narrow illumination angle. LEDs with a narrow illumination angle emit illumination light that reaches farther, but emits illumination light with high directivity. When using LEDs that emit illumination light with high directivity, adjustment must be made in advance to match the imaging field of view of the camera unit with the illumination direction so that illumination light appropriate for the imaging field of view of the camera unit can be illuminated. In contrast, the surveillance camera described in Patent Document 1 and the imaging device described in Patent Document 2 do not take into consideration adjustment of the illumination direction.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device that is capable of adjusting the illumination direction and efficiently dissipating heat generated by an LED. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the imaging device of the present invention comprises a camera unit that captures an image of a subject, and an illumination unit that is partitioned and connected to the camera unit and irradiates illumination light onto the subject, and the illumination unit comprises a housing having a first cover member, a first LED that emits illumination light, and an LED holding member that holds the first LED and is in face-to-face contact with the first cover member while being rotatable relative to the first cover member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to adjust the illumination direction and efficiently dissipate heat generated by the illumination light source. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a surveillance camera according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the surveillance camera. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lighting unit excluding the outer cover and the driver board. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the lighting unit excluding the outer cover and the driver board, as viewed from another direction. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the illumination unit taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 4. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the illumination unit taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 4. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an adjustment mechanism. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the outer cover as viewed from the inner peripheral surface side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment realizes a highly versatile imaging device, thereby contributing to "9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, foster innovation and promote resilience" of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocated by the United Nations.

[0013] [Overall configuration of surveillance cameras] The following describes a surveillance camera, which is one aspect of an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the surveillance camera 10 includes a camera unit 11, an illumination unit 12, a device base 13, a rotating base 14, and a support arm 15.

[0014] In this specification, assuming the posture of the surveillance camera 10 when the optical axis Oc of the imaging unit 21 is perpendicular to the pan axis Pc and first tilt axis T1c (the posture of FIG. 2), the extension direction of the pan axis Pc (the vertical direction on the plane of FIG. 2) is defined as the up-down direction, the extension direction of the first tilt axis T1c (the horizontal direction on the plane of FIG. 2) is defined as the left-right direction, and the direction perpendicular to the pan axis Pc and first tilt axis T1c (the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2) is defined as the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, in the posture of the surveillance camera 10 of FIG. 2, the direction in which the imaging unit 21 captures an image is defined as "forward," and the opposite direction is defined as "rearward." Furthermore, when viewing the surveillance camera 10 of FIG. 2 from the front (front side), the upward, downward, leftward, and rightward directions (i.e., the upward, downward, leftward, and rightward directions on the plane of FIG. 2) are defined. However, each of the above directions is relative and changes depending on the installation direction of the surveillance camera 10 and the posture of the surveillance camera 10.

[0015] The device base 13 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with an upper surface (the surface facing the rotating table 14) having a larger area than the lower surface (the lower surface in FIG. 1). The lower surface of the device base 13 is a mounting surface, and is fixed to a fixed surface such as a floor, ceiling, wall, or pole with fasteners such as bolts.

[0016] 2, the rotating table 14 is disposed on the upper surface of the device base 13 and is supported rotatably about a pan axis Pc extending in the vertical direction relative to the device base 13. The pan axis Pc coincides with the central axis of the device base 13.

[0017] One end (lower end) of a support arm 15 is attached to the rotating base 14. The other end (upper end) of the support arm 15 is attached to the side of the camera unit 11, which will be described later. Here, the support arm 15 is rotatable integrally with the rotating base 14 about a pan axis Pc. One end of the support arm 15 is supported by the rotating base 14 so as to be rotatable about a first tilt axis T1c extending in the left-right direction. The first tilt axis T1c is perpendicular to the pan axis Pc and the optical axis Oc. In other words, the support arm 15 is rotatable relative to the rotating base 14 about the first tilt axis T1c.

[0018] [Configuration of camera unit 11] The camera unit 11 has a housing 20 that is substantially rectangular when viewed from the front and oval when viewed from the side, and an imaging unit 21 incorporated inside the housing 20. The imaging unit 21 includes a lens 22 and an imaging element (not shown). In the imaging unit 21, a subject image is formed on the imaging element by the lens 22, and the imaging element captures the subject image. The lens 22 is covered by a cover glass 23 provided in front of the housing 20.

[0019] The imaging unit 21 is fixed to the housing 20. This eliminates the need for a mechanism that changes the imaging angle of view by physically moving the imaging unit 21 relative to the housing 20, saving space around the imaging unit 21 and improving layout flexibility. Furthermore, by fixing the imaging unit 21 and improving layout flexibility, the position to which the fan that cools the imaging unit 21 is applied can be fixed, making it easier to cool the imaging unit 21. As a result, heat from the camera section 11 can be easily discharged, and noise in images captured by the imaging unit 21 can be suppressed.

[0020] On the other hand, the focal length and imaging angle of view of the imaging unit 21 can be changed between the telephoto end, intermediate distance, and wide-angle end, as will be described later. In particular, when the focal length and imaging angle of view of the imaging unit 21 are at the telephoto end or intermediate distance, the illumination unit 12 also emits illumination light for the telephoto end or intermediate distance in accordance with the imaging unit 21. Because illumination light for the telephoto end or intermediate distance is highly directional, the illumination unit 12 requires an adjustment mechanism 60, described later, that adjusts the illumination direction of the illumination light.

[0021] The camera unit 11 also includes a canopy 24 (see FIG. 3) and a wiper 25. The canopy 24 is located above the cover glass 23 of the housing 20 and protrudes forward from the cover glass 23 of the housing 20, protecting the imaging unit 21 and the cover glass 23 from sunlight and the like. The wiper 25 moves between a position where it covers the front surface of the cover glass 23 and a position where it is retracted from the cover glass 23, and removes dirt from the cover glass 23.

[0022] One side (right side) of camera unit 11 is supported rotatably about second tilt axis T2c extending in the left-right direction relative to the other end (upper end) of support arm 15. Second tilt axis T2c is above and parallel to first tilt axis T1c. In addition, second tilt axis T2c is perpendicular to pan axis Pc and optical axis Oc.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, second tilt axis T2c passes, for example, near the center of gravity of camera unit 11. Camera unit 11 is supported on the other end of support arm 15 at a position spaced apart from swivel base 14 in the vertical direction. That is, camera unit 11 is capable of tilt rotation about two axes, first tilt axis T1c and second tilt axis T2c. As described above, support arm 15 rotates about first tilt axis T1c, so camera unit 11 can be moved in the front-to-rear direction relative to swivel base 14. Furthermore, camera unit 11 rotates about second tilt axis T2c relative to support arm 15, so camera unit 11 can face in the vertical direction.

[0024] The imaging unit 21 is disposed in a position where the optical axis Oc of the lens 22 is spaced apart from the second tilt axis T2c and along a direction perpendicular to the second tilt axis T2c. The optical axis Oc is disposed on the opposite side of the second tilt axis T2c from the first tilt axis T1c. The imaging unit 21 captures images in the direction of the optical axis Oc. The optical axis Oc is a virtual line that passes through the center of the angle of view of the imaging unit 21.

[0025] The imaging unit 21 has a zoom mechanism, and is capable of varying the focal length and imaging angle of view of the lens 22. In this embodiment, the focal length and imaging angle of view of the lens 22 are variable in at least three stages: a telephoto end, a mid-distance end, and a wide-angle end. When the imaging angle of view of the lens 22 changes, the illumination unit 12 performs control to switch the LEDs, which will be described later.

[0026] [Configuration of lighting unit 12] Illumination unit 12 is connected to the other side (left side) of camera unit 11. That is, illumination unit 12 is rotatable integrally with turntable 14, support arm 15, and camera unit 11 about pan axis Pc. Illumination unit 12 is also rotatable integrally with support arm 15 and camera unit 11 about first tilt axis T1c. Illumination unit 12 is also rotatable integrally with camera unit 11 about second tilt axis T2c.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the illumination unit 12 includes a housing 30, a first LED substrate 31, and a second LED substrate 32. The first LED substrate 31 and the second LED substrate 32 are incorporated inside the housing 30 and are covered by a cover glass 33 (see FIGS. 2 and 8) provided on the front surface of the housing 30. The housing 30 of the illumination unit 12 is a separate housing from the housing 20 of the camera unit 11. Specifically, an inner cover 42 (described below) constituting the housing 30 is fixed to the other side surface (left side surface) of the housing 20 of the camera unit 11. Therefore, the internal space of the housing 20 that houses the imaging unit 21 is separated from the internal space of the housing 30 that houses the illumination unit 12. In other words, the space between the imaging unit 21 and the illumination unit 12 is separated by the other side surface of the housing 20 and the inner cover 42. This allows for easy specification changes even when there are various variations, such as white LED types and infrared LED types.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 5, the lighting unit 12 includes, in addition to the housing 30, first LED substrate 31, and second LED substrate 32 described above, a first optical member 34, a second optical member 35 (see FIG. 6), an LED holding member 36, a cooling fan 37, an LED driver substrate 38, and a heat dissipation sheet 39.

[0029] The housing 30 includes an outer cover 41 (second cover member) and an inner cover 42 (first cover member). A water-stop rubber 43 (see FIGS. 6, 8, and 9) is provided between the outer cover 41 and the inner cover 42, along the outer periphery of the inner cover 42. The outer periphery (right side) of the inner cover 42 is positioned facing the other side (left side) of the camera unit 11, and the inner periphery of the outer cover 41 is positioned facing the inner periphery of the inner cover 42, with the outer periphery of the outer cover 41 exposed to the outside. The water-stop rubber 43 is sandwiched between the outer cover 41 and the inner cover 42 and tightly adheres to them, preventing water from entering the housing 30. In this specification, the surface of the inner cover 42 facing the camera unit 11 is referred to as the outer periphery, and the surface facing the outer cover 41 is referred to as the inner periphery. The surface of the outer cover 41 facing the inner cover 42 is referred to as the inner periphery, and the surface exposed to the outside is referred to as the outer periphery.

[0030] [Configuration of inner cover 42] 6, the inner cover 42 has a protrusion 44 that protrudes toward the outer cover 41 (left side), and a second LED board holding portion 45 that is disposed forward of the protrusion 44. The protrusion 44 is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the inner cover 42. The protrusion 44 has a substantially rectangular outer shape when viewed from the left.

[0031] The protrusion 44 has a flat surface 44A, a mating pin 44B protruding in a direction perpendicular to the flat surface 44A, multiple female screw holes 44C, and a through-hole 44D. The flat surface 44A is the end face of the protrusion 44 on the side (left side) facing the outer cover 41 and faces a first holding member 61 (described later). The mating pin 44B is formed in a cylindrical shape protruding from near the front end of the flat surface 44A toward the outer cover 41 (left side) and fits into a mating hole 63B of the first holding member 61 (described later). The through-hole 44D penetrates in the left-right direction from near the center of the flat surface 44A to the outer peripheral surface of the inner cover 42. The through-hole 44D allows cables, etc. drawn from the camera unit 11, to pass through into the housing 30. The female screw hole 44C is located near the edge of the flat surface 44A and is threadedly engaged with a screw 65.

[0032] [Configuration of the first LED substrate 31 and the second LED substrate 32] A telephoto LED 46 and an intermediate distance LED 47 (first LEDs) are mounted on the first LED substrate 31. A first optical member 34 is disposed on the front surface of the first LED substrate 31. Lenses 48 and 49 that cover the front surfaces of the telephoto LED 46 and the intermediate distance LED 47, respectively, are integrally formed on the first optical member 34.

[0033] By combining the telephoto LED 46 with the lens 48 and the intermediate distance LED 47 with the lens 49, it is possible to irradiate the subject with illumination light according to the imaging angle of view of the imaging unit 21. That is, the lens 48 irradiates the illumination light from the telephoto LED 46 at a narrow irradiation angle in accordance with the telephoto end of the imaging unit 21. On the other hand, the lens 49 irradiates the illumination light from the intermediate distance LED 47 at a wider irradiation angle than at the telephoto end in accordance with the intermediate distance of the imaging unit 21.

[0034] Wide-angle LEDs 51 (second LEDs) are mounted on the second LED substrate 32. A second optical member 35 is disposed on the front surface of the second LED substrate 32. A lens 52 that covers the front surface of the wide-angle LEDs 51 is integrally formed on the second optical member 35. The second optical member 35 is attached to the front surface of the second LED substrate 32 via a holding frame 53.

[0035] By combining the wide-angle LED 51 with the lens 52, it is possible to emit illumination light according to the imaging angle of view of the imaging unit 21. In other words, the lens 52 irradiates illumination light from the wide-angle LED 51 at a wider irradiation angle than in the case of an intermediate distance, in accordance with the wide-angle end of the imaging unit 21.

[0036] The second LED board holding portion 45 protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the inner cover 42 toward the outer cover 41 (left side), and the front surface facing the cover glass 33 serves as an attachment surface 45A. The second LED board 32, together with the second optical member 35 and the holding frame 53, is fixed to the attachment surface 45A of the second LED board holding portion 45 by fastening screws 54.

[0037] [Configuration of adjustment mechanism 60] The LED holding member 36 and the inner cover 42 constitute an adjustment mechanism 60. The telephoto LEDs 46 and the intermediate distance LEDs 47 have a narrower illumination angle than the wide-angle LEDs 51, i.e., they emit illumination light with high directivity, and therefore require adjustment of the illumination direction. Note that the wide-angle LEDs 51, which emit illumination light with a wide illumination angle (low directivity), emit wide-angle illumination without adjusting the illumination direction, so the second LED substrate 32 is fixed to the inner cover 42. The LED holding member 36 includes a first holding member 61 and a second holding member 62.

[0038] [Configuration of first holding member 61] The first holding member 61 is located to the left of the inner cover 42 and has a tilt adjustment portion 63 and a holding portion 64. The tilt adjustment portion 63 is formed in the shape of a flat plate having an outer shape similar to that of the protrusion 44. The tilt adjustment portion 63 has a first contact surface 63A, a fitting hole 63B (see FIGS. 7 and 10), an elongated adjustment hole 63C, and a through-hole 63D. The holding portion 64 is formed at one end (front end) of the tilt adjustment portion 63. The tilt adjustment portion 63 is attached so as to substantially overlap the protrusion 44, and therefore the holding portion 64 is located forward of the protrusion 44. The fitting hole 63B rotatably fits with a fitting pin 44B of the inner cover 42.

[0039] The first holding member 61 is in surface contact with the inner cover 42 and is rotatable about a tilt adjustment axis Ta (see FIG. 10) described later relative to the inner cover 42. Specifically, a first contact surface 63A, which is the surface of the tilt adjustment part 63 on the side facing the flat surface 44A (right side), is in surface contact with the flat surface 44A (see FIGS. 8 and 9). This facilitates heat conduction from the first holding member 61 to the inner cover 42 through the first contact surface 63A and the flat surface 44A.

[0040] The flat surface 44A and the first contact surface 63A are perpendicular to the tilt adjustment axis Ta. The tilt adjustment axis Ta (first adjustment axis) (see FIG. 10), which is the central axis of the fitting pin 44B, is disposed so as to intersect with the optical axis Oc of the imaging unit 21 and extend in the left-right direction. This allows the first holding member 61 to rotate relative to the inner cover 42 in a tilt direction Td (circumferential direction around the tilt adjustment axis Ta; see FIG. 10) centered on the tilt adjustment axis Ta. That is, the first holding member 61 comes into surface contact with the inner cover 42 in a state where it can rotate around the tilt adjustment axis Ta.

[0041] Of the housing 30, the inner cover 42 is made of a metal with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum die-cast or zinc die-cast. The first holding member 61 and the second holding member 62 are also preferably made of a metal with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum die-cast or zinc die-cast. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and the inner cover 42, the first holding member 61, and the second holding member 62 may be made of a different metal.

[0042] The adjustment elongated holes 63C are provided near the edge of the tilt adjustment portion 63 and are multiple elongated holes extending in the circumferential direction of the fitting pin 44B (tilt adjustment axis Ta). Screws 65 can be fastened to the female screw holes 44C of the inner cover 42 through the adjustment elongated holes 63C. Furthermore, the screws 65 fastened to the female screw holes 44C through the adjustment elongated holes 63C can be loosened once, and after rotating the first holding member 61 in the tilt direction Td, the screws 65 can be fastened again to the female screw holes 44C. The through-holes 63D can be used to pass cables and the like drawn from the camera unit 11. The cables drawn from the camera unit 11 are connected to the LED driver board 38.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 7, the holding portion 64 has a recess 64A, heat dissipation fins 64B, and elongated adjustment holes 64C. As shown in Fig. 8, the holding portion 64 has an arc-shaped cross section when viewed from above and below, and is open on the front, upper, and lower surfaces. The recess 64A is an inner peripheral surface with an arc-shaped cross section that forms the opening of the holding portion 64.

[0044] The heat dissipation fins 64B are formed on the outer peripheral surface 64D (see FIG. 8) side of the holding portion 64. The heat dissipation fins 64B are multiple protrusions that protrude in the left-right direction intersecting with the outer peripheral surface 64D of the holding portion 64. The adjustment elongated holes 64C are through-holes that penetrate the holding portion 64 in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface 64D of the holding portion 64 to the recessed portion 64A (inner peripheral surface) and extend in the circumferential direction of the holding portion 64. The adjustment elongated holes 64C are located near the end of the holding portion 64, specifically above and below the heat dissipation fins 64B.

[0045] In addition to outer peripheral surface 64D, holding portion 64 has outer peripheral surface 64E. Outer peripheral surfaces 64D and 64E are separated with tilt adjustment portion 63 sandwiched therebetween, and for convenience, the outer peripheral surface on the side facing outer cover 41 (left side) is referred to as 64D, and the outer peripheral surface on the side facing inner cover 42 (right side) is referred to as 64E.

[0046] The outer peripheral surface 64E is spaced apart from the front end surface 44E of the protrusion 44 of the inner cover 42 (see FIG. 8). This is because the holding portion 64 is located forward of the protrusion 44. As a result, heat conducted to the holding portion 64 does not affect the protrusion 44. As described above, heat is easily conducted from the first holding member 61 to the inner cover 42 through the first contact surface 63A and the flat surface 44A, but heat is not conducted from the outer peripheral surface 64E to the protrusion 44.

[0047] [Configuration of second holding member 62] 7, the second holding member 62 is located in front of the first holding member 61 and includes a pan adjustment portion 66 and a substrate fixing portion 67. The pan adjustment portion 66 is formed in a columnar shape with a semicircular cross section. The pan adjustment portion 66 has a second contact surface 66A which is an outer peripheral surface with an arc-shaped cross section, flange portions 66B and 66C located at both ends (upper and lower ends) of the second contact surface 66A in the longitudinal direction, and a female screw hole 66D.

[0048] The board fixing portion 67 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape and is located in front of the pan adjustment portion 66. The board fixing portion 67 has a mounting surface 67A on the front surface facing the cover glass 33. The mounting surface 67A is a flat surface arranged parallel to the pan adjustment axis Pa, which will be described later. The first LED board 31 is fixed to the mounting surface 67A of the board fixing portion 67 together with the first optical member 34 by fastening screws 69. In other words, the first LED board 31 is located in front of the first holding member 61 and the second holding member 62. The pan adjustment portion 66 is located on the mounting surface 67A, i.e., on the opposite side (rear side) of the board fixing portion 67 from the first LED board 31.

[0049] The second contact surface 66A can be fitted into the recess 64A. The second contact surface 66A and the recess 64A are in surface contact. Specifically, when the pan adjustment part 66 is housed inside (on the inner peripheral surface side of) the holding part 64, the second contact surface 66A is in surface contact with the recess 64A over the entire circumferential direction (see FIG. 8).

[0050] The second holding member 62 is in surface contact with the first holding member 61 while being rotatable relative to the first holding member 61. Specifically, the second holding member 62 is rotatable around a pan adjustment axis Pa (second adjustment axis) (see FIG. 10), which is the central axis of the second contact surface 66A and the recess 64A. The central axis here refers to the central axis when the arc of the second contact surface 66A and the recess 64A is extended to form a circle. The pan adjustment axis Pa intersects with the tilt adjustment axis Ta and the optical axis Oc of the camera unit 11 and is disposed to extend in the vertical direction. This allows the second holding member 62 to rotate in a pan direction Pd centered on the pan adjustment axis Pa (a circumferential direction centered on the pan adjustment axis Pa; see FIG. 10). That is, the second holding member 62 is in surface contact with the first holding member 61 while being rotatable around the pan adjustment axis Pa.

[0051] The female screw hole 66D is a female screw hole that opens radially from the second contact surface 66A (outer peripheral surface) of the pan adjustment part 66 toward the central axis of the pan adjustment part 66. A screw 68 that has passed through the elongated adjustment hole 64C can be fastened to the female screw hole 66D. Furthermore, the screw 68 that has been fastened to the female screw hole 66D through the elongated adjustment hole 64C can be temporarily loosened, and after rotating the second holding member 62 in the pan direction Pd, the screw 68 can be re-fastened to the female screw hole 66D.

[0052] The flange portions 66B and 66C protrude radially beyond the second contact surface 66A. The flange portions 66B and 66C face both end surfaces 64F and 64G (upper and lower ends) of the holding portion 64 (see FIG. 10). This prevents the second holding member 62 from coming off the holding portion 64 in the vertical direction.

[0053] The cooling fan 37 is fixed to the inner cover 42 by screw fastening. The cooling fan 37 blows air toward the first LED substrate 31 (see FIG. 10). This can improve the heat dissipation effect of the illumination unit 12.

[0054] 10, the second LED board 32 and the second LED board holder 45 are located forward of the first LED board 31 and the board fixing part 67. For the wide-angle LEDs 51 that emit illumination light over a wide range, it is preferable to position the second LED board 32 on which the wide-angle LEDs 51 are mounted forward, since it is possible to emit illumination light over a wider range by positioning it closer to the front (towards the subject). This leaves more space behind the second LED board 32 and the second LED board holder 45, and below the first LED board 31 and the board fixing part 67.

[0055] In this embodiment, the cooling fan 37 is disposed in the space behind the second LED board 32 and the second LED board holder 45. This space is also located below the flange portion 66C, so that the air blown by the cooling fan 37 is likely to hit the flange portion 66C. Therefore, the air blown by the cooling fan 37 improves the heat dissipation effect of the pan adjustment portion 66 including the flange portion 66C, the board fixing portion 67 integrated with the pan adjustment portion 66, and the holder 64 in contact with the pan adjustment portion 66, and also improves the heat dissipation effect of the first LED board 31 fixed to the board fixing portion 67.

[0056] The first holding member 61 is also provided with fixing bosses 70 (see FIG. 7) for fixing the LED driver board 38. The fixing bosses 70 are provided at multiple locations (four locations in this embodiment) on the tilt adjustment section 63, and protrude toward the outer cover 41 side (left side). The fixing bosses 70 are arranged near the edge of the tilt adjustment section 63 and at positions different from the adjustment elongated holes 63C. The LED driver board 38 is fixed to the fixing bosses 70 by screwing.

[0057] [LED driver board configuration] The LED driver board 38 is connected to the first LED board 31 and the second LED board 32 via cables (not shown). The LED driver board 38 performs switching control to supply power to any one of the telephoto LED 46, the intermediate distance LED 47, and the wide-angle LED 51 based on a control signal from the camera unit 11. The LED driver board 38 converts power supplied from a power supply (not shown) into current values ​​suited to the telephoto LED 46, the intermediate distance LED 47, and the wide-angle LED 51, respectively, and supplies the converted currents.

[0058] The LED driver board 38 converts the current value of the power supplied from the power supply, and therefore converts into heat energy the amount of power not supplied to the first LED board 31 and the second LED board 32. As a result, the LED driver board 38 becomes a heat source, just like the first LED board 31 and the second LED board 32.

[0059] As described above, the LED driver board 38 is fixed by screws to fixing bosses 70 provided at multiple locations on the tilt adjustment unit 63. Therefore, the LED driver board 38 is spaced apart from the surface 63E (left end surface; see FIG. 8 ) of the tilt adjustment unit 63 facing the outer cover 41. In other words, the LED driver board 38 is attached at a distance from the inner cover 42. This makes it difficult for heat generated by the LED driver board 38 to be conducted toward the tilt adjustment unit 63 (first holding member 61), i.e., toward the inner cover 42. Therefore, in this embodiment, as will be described later, the heat generated by the LED driver board 38 is configured to be dissipated toward the outer cover 41.

[0060] [Configuration of outer cover 41] 8 and 9, the outer cover 41 includes a first outer cover 71 and a second outer cover 72. The first outer cover 71 is an exterior cover that covers the inner circumferential surface of the inner cover 42 and is located on the outer side (left side), and has a curved shape that is continuous with the housing 20 of the camera unit 11. A through hole 71A is formed in the first outer cover 71. The outer cover 41 is joined to the inner cover 42 by fastening screws 73 (see FIG. 5).

[0061] The second outer cover 72 is located inside the first outer cover 71. The second outer cover 72 includes heat dissipation fins 72A and an extension portion 72B. The heat dissipation fins 72A are exposed to the outside through the through holes 71A of the first outer cover 71. Note that the configuration of the second outer cover 72 is not limited to this, and for example, the heat dissipation fins 72A may be omitted. In this embodiment, the presence of the heat dissipation fins 72A improves the heat dissipation effect of the LED driver board 38.

[0062] The inner peripheral surface of the second outer cover 72 has an extension portion 72B. The extension portion 72B is located particularly inside the heat dissipation fins 72A and extends toward the inner cover 42 (right side), that is, toward the LED driver board 38. The heat dissipation sheet 39 is laminated on the LED driver board 38 and is located between the extension portion 72B and the LED driver board 38. The heat dissipation sheet 39 is a sheet whose main component is a highly flexible resin such as acrylic or silicone, and which contains a filler made of a metal material with high thermal conductivity.

[0063] As described above, the LED driver board 38 is screwed to the fixing bosses 70 of the first holding member 61 and is attached at a distance from the inner cover 42. In contrast, the outer cover 41 is provided with an extension portion 72B, and the heat dissipation sheet 39 is sandwiched between the extension portion 72B and the LED driver board 38 and is in close contact with the extension portion 72B and the LED driver board 38. Therefore, the LED driver board 38 can conduct heat generated when supplying power to any one of the telephoto LEDs 46, the intermediate distance LEDs 47, and the wide-angle LEDs 51 from the extension portion 72B to the second outer cover 72 (outer cover 41) via the heat dissipation sheet 39, and further to the heat dissipation fins 72A.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11 , the extension portion 72B has a tip surface 72C and a stepped surface 72D. The tip surface 72C is the end face of the extension portion 72B that protrudes most toward the inner cover 42 (right side). The stepped surface 72D is the bottom surface of a groove that is recessed one step toward the first outer cover 71 (left side) from the tip surface 72C. The tip surface 72C is positioned to match a portion of the LED driver board 38 where no circuit elements are present, and the stepped surface 72D is positioned to match a portion where circuit elements are present. As a result, the extension portion 72B does not abut against the heat dissipation sheet 39 at the portion where the stepped surface 72D is located, avoiding the circuit elements, and the heat dissipation sheet 39 abuts against the LED driver board 38 at the portion where the tip surface 72C is located. This allows the LED driver board 38, the heat dissipation sheet 39, and the extension portion 72B to be in close contact with each other, thereby enhancing the heat dissipation effect.

[0065] In the outer cover 41, the second outer cover 72 is made of metal, and the first outer cover 71 is made of resin. However, this is not limiting, and both the first outer cover 71 and the second outer cover 72 may be made of resin.

[0066] [Lighting adjustment process] 10, adjustment of the illumination directions of the telephoto LED 46 and the intermediate distance LED 47 by the adjustment mechanism 60 will be described. With the first holding member 61, the second holding member 62, the first LED board 31, the second LED board 32, the first optical member 34, and the second optical member 35 attached to the inner cover 42, the illumination directions of the telephoto LED 46 and the intermediate distance LED 47 are adjusted by the adjustment mechanism 60. This is because the telephoto LED 46 and the intermediate distance LED 47 emit illumination light with a narrower illumination angle (higher directionality) than the wide-angle LED 51, and therefore, unless the illumination direction is adjusted, the illumination light cannot be properly emitted to the imaging angle of view of the imaging unit 21.

[0067] When adjusting the lighting direction, the LED driver board 38 is electrically connected to the first LED board 31 and the second LED board 32, but does not have to be fixed to the fixing boss 70 of the first holding member 61. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the adjustment of the lighting direction by the adjustment mechanism 60 is performed during the assembly process of the surveillance camera 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to adjustment of the lighting direction after shipping from the factory, such as for maintenance.

[0068] In the adjustment mechanism 60, first, the fastening by the screw 65 is loosened so that the first holding member 61 can rotate in the tilt direction Td relative to the inner cover 42. Then, with the flat surface 44A and the first contact surface 63A in contact with each other, the first holding member 61 is rotated in the tilt direction Td relative to the inner cover 42, whereby the illumination direction of the telephoto LED 46 and the intermediate distance LED 47 can be adjusted in the tilt direction Td.

[0069] Next, the fastening by the screws 68 is loosened so that the second holding member 62 can rotate in the pan direction Pd relative to the first holding member 61. Then, with the recess 64A of the holding portion 64 and the second contact surface 66A in contact with each other, the second holding member 62 is rotated in the pan direction Pd relative to the first holding member 61, whereby the illumination directions of the telephoto LED 46 and the intermediate distance LED 47 can be adjusted in the pan direction Pd.

[0070] When the lighting direction of the telephoto LED 46 and the intermediate distance LED 47 has been adjusted, for example, the camera unit 11 is connected to the lighting unit 12 being adjusted, and an image is captured by the imaging unit 21 while the lighting unit 12 is irradiating the subject with lighting light. Then, by checking the captured image, if the lighting light reaches the entire imaging angle of view, it can be determined that the lighting direction has been adjusted properly. Once the worker confirms that the lighting direction has been adjusted properly by the adjustment mechanism 60, he or she re-tightens the screws 65, 68 to secure the first holding member 61 and the second holding member 62 to the inner cover 42.

[0071] [Effects of the embodiment] According to the above embodiment, the LED holding member 36 is in rotatable surface contact with the inner cover 42, making it possible to adjust the illumination direction of the telephoto LED 46 and the intermediate distance LED 47. Furthermore, heat generated by the telephoto LED 46 and the intermediate distance LED 47 can be conducted to the inner cover 42 via the LED holding member 36. The inner cover 42 has a large volume and surface area among the components of the illumination unit 12, and therefore can sufficiently dissipate the heat generated by the telephoto LED 46 and the intermediate distance LED 47. Furthermore, because the heat generated by the illumination unit 12 can be dissipated, the effect on the image sensor of the camera unit 11 can be reduced, and noise in captured images can be suppressed.

[0072] Furthermore, the LED holding member 36 includes a first holding member 61 that is in face-to-face contact with the inner cover 42 while being rotatable around the tilt adjustment axis Ta, and a second holding member 62 that is in face-to-face contact with the first holding member 61 while being rotatable around the pan adjustment axis Pa. This makes it possible to adjust the lighting direction of the telephoto LED 46 and the intermediate distance LED 47 in two directions, the tilt direction Td and the pan direction Pd, making it possible to more appropriately adjust the lighting direction relative to the imaging angle of view of the imaging unit 21, and also to efficiently dissipate heat generated by the telephoto LED 46 and the intermediate distance LED 47.

[0073] Furthermore, since the flat surface 44A of the inner cover 42 and the first contact surface 63A of the first holding member 61 are in surface contact, heat generated in the first LED board 31 (telephoto LED 46, mid-range LED 47) is conducted from the first LED board 31 to the second holding member 62, and from the second holding member 62 to the first holding member 61, and is further easily conducted to the inner cover 42 through the first contact surface 63A and the flat surface 44A, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect.

[0074] Furthermore, because the recess 64A of the first holding member 61 and the second contact surface 66A of the second holding member 62 are in surface contact, heat generated in the first LED board 31 (telephoto LEDs 46, intermediate distance LEDs 47) is easily conducted from the second holding member 62 (board fixing portion 67) to the first holding member 61 through the recess 64A and the second contact surface 66A, and further, as described above, is easily conducted to the inner cover 42 through the first contact surface 63A and flat surface 44A. In other words, the heat generated in the first LED board 31 can be actively conducted to the inner cover 42 and dissipated. This allows for even more efficient heat dissipation.

[0075] Furthermore, the LED driver board 38, which is a heat source similar to the first LED board 31 and the second LED board 32, is provided with an outer cover 41 that is different from the inner cover 42, and the outer cover 41 is provided with an extension portion 72B that extends toward the LED driver board 38, so that heat from the LED driver board 38 can be conducted from the extension portion 72B to the outer cover 41. This allows heat generated in the LED driver board 38 to be actively conducted to the outer cover 41 and dissipated, and also allows heat from the LED driver board 38 to be dissipated efficiently.

[0076] The LED driver board 38 is fixed only by fastening to the fixing boss 70. That is, the LED driver board 38 is attached at a distance from the inner cover 42 and abuts against the tip surface 72C of the extension portion 72B of the outer cover 41 via the heat dissipation sheet 39. This facilitates active conduction of heat generated by the LED driver board 38 to the outer cover 41. The LED driver board 38 does not have surface contact like the adjustment mechanism 60 and is not directly held by the inner cover 42, so heat generated by the LED driver board 38 is less likely to be conducted to the inner cover 42. This facilitates active conduction of heat generated by the LED driver board 38 through the heat dissipation sheet 39 and the extension portion 72B to the outer cover 41, while heat generated by the first LED board 31 (telephoto LEDs 46, intermediate distance LEDs 47) through the second holding member 62 and the first holding member 61 to the inner cover 42. That is, the routes along which the heat generated in the LED driver board 38 and the heat generated in the first LED board 31 are conducted are separate, and there is no influence on the heat dissipation effect of each.

[0077] Furthermore, for the wide-angle LEDs 51, which irradiate illumination light over a wider area than the telephoto LEDs 46 and the intermediate distance LEDs 47, the second LED substrate 32 is fixed directly to the inner cover 42, so the generated heat can be sufficiently dissipated. Furthermore, the wide-angle LEDs 51 have low directivity and do not need to adjust the illumination direction, so the LED holding member 36 that constitutes the adjustment mechanism 60 does not need to be interposed between them. Therefore, the heat generated by the wide-angle LEDs 51 can be efficiently dissipated.

[0078] The above-described embodiments are merely examples for explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make appropriate modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 10. Surveillance Cameras 11 Camera Section 12 Lighting Department 13 Equipment base 14 Turntable 15 Support Arm 20 Case 21 Imaging unit 22 Lens 23 Coverslip 24 Eaves 25 wiper 30 Case 31 First LED board 32 Second LED board 33 Coverslip 34 First optical member 35 Second optical member 36 LED holding member 37 Cooling fan 38 LED driver boards 39 Heat dissipation sheet 41 Outer cover 42 Inner cover 43 Water-stop rubber 44 Convex part 44A flat surface 44B mating pin 44C female screw hole 44D through hole 46 Telephoto LED 47 Intermediate distance LED 48, 49 Lenses 51 Wide-angle LED 52 Lens 53 Retaining frame 54, 65, 68, 69, 73 screws 60 Adjustment mechanism 61 first holding member 62 second holding member 63 Tilt adjustment section 63A 1st contact surface 63B Fitting hole 63C Adjustment long hole 63D through hole 63E side 64 Holding part 64A Recess 64B Heat dissipation fin 64C Adjustment long hole 64D, 64E outer surface 64F, 64G end face 66 Pan adjustment section 66A 2nd contact surface 66B, 66C flange 66D female screw hole 67 Board fixing part 67A Mounting surface 70 Fixing boss 71 First outer cover 71A Through hole 72 Second outer cover 72A Heat dissipation fin 72B extension part 72C Tip surface 72D step surface Oc optical axis Pa Pan adjustment axis PC Pan Axis Ta Tilt adjustment axis T1c 1st tilt axis T2c Second Tilt Axis Pd Panning Direction Td Tilt direction

Claims

1. a camera unit that captures an image of a subject; an illumination unit that is partitioned and connected to the camera unit and that irradiates illumination light onto the subject; The illumination unit includes: a housing having a first cover member; a first LED that emits the illumination light; an LED holding member that holds the first LED and is in surface contact with the first cover member in a state that is rotatable relative to the first cover member; An imaging device comprising:

2. The LED holding member is a first holding member that is in surface contact with the first cover member while being rotatable about a first adjustment axis; 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second holding member that is in surface contact with the first holding member and that is rotatable about a second adjustment axis that intersects with the first adjustment axis, and to which the first LED is fixed.

3. the first cover member has a flat surface perpendicular to the first adjustment axis, The first holding member is a first contact surface that is perpendicular to the first adjustment axis and that is in surface contact with the flat surface; The imaging device according to claim 2 , wherein the imaging device rotates about the first adjustment axis relative to the first cover member while the flat surface and the first contact surface are in surface contact with each other.

4. the first holding member has a recess having an inner circumferential surface with an arc-shaped cross section; The second holding member is a second contact surface that is an outer peripheral surface having an arc-shaped cross section and that comes into surface contact with the recess; The imaging device according to claim 2 , wherein the imaging device rotates about the second adjustment axis relative to the first holding member while the recess and the second contact surface are in surface contact with each other.

5. the illumination unit includes an LED driver board that supplies power to the first LED; a second cover member included in the housing and different from the first cover member; The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the second cover member has an extension portion that extends toward the LED driver board.

6. the second cover member covers an inner circumferential surface of the first cover member, the LED driver board is attached to the first cover member at a distance from the first cover member; The imaging device according to claim 5 , wherein a heat dissipation sheet laminated on the LED driver board abuts against an end face of the extension portion.

7. a second LED that emits illumination light over a wider area than the first LED; The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the second LED is fixed to the first cover member.

8. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the illumination unit is fixed to the first cover member and is provided with a fan for cooling the first LED.

Images