Storage container

Abstract

To provide a storage container which is hardly affected by a water flow.SOLUTION: The accommodating container 1 capable of accommodating the imaging device 110 includes the housing 10 having the first accommodating part 11 that accommodates the main body part 111 of the imaging device 110 and the second accommodating part 12 that is provided on one side of the first accommodating part 11 and accommodates the imaging part 112 of the imaging device 110, and the attachment part 20 that is fixed to the second accommodating part 12 and is formed in a shape in which the outer diameter decreases as the distance from the second accommodating part 12 increases.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage container. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, for underwater surveying and investigation, a camera is housed in a housing and the housing is submerged underwater to take underwater photographs and collect images and videos. The collected images can then be visually inspected by workers or analyzed on a PC to understand the situation underwater and predict dangers.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes an underwater viewing device. This underwater viewing device includes an underwater camera, a hollow case that can house the underwater camera, and a viewing device operating member fixed to the top surface of the hollow case. A weight is attached to the hollow case, and the weight can stabilize the orientation of the hollow case in the water along the vertical direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-069763 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, underwater cameras located below the water surface are generally susceptible to the effects of water currents, and if the underwater camera sways underwater, the captured images may be blurred or the case itself may be damaged. In this regard, it is difficult to say that the underwater viewing device described in Patent Document 1 has a shape that takes into consideration the effects of water currents.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage container that is less susceptible to the effects of water flow. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In response to the above-mentioned problems, the storage container of the present invention is a storage container capable of storing an imaging device, and comprises: a housing having a first storage section that stores a main body section of the imaging device; and a second storage section that is provided on one side of the first storage section and stores an imaging section of the imaging device; and an attachment section that is fixed to the second storage section and is formed in a shape whose outer diameter decreases with increasing distance from the second storage section, wherein the second storage section is formed in a substantially spherical shape and has a curved section that curves so as to protrude toward the attachment section, and the attachment section has a concave section that is formed in a curved shape so as to fit along the curved section, and a flat section located on the opposite side of the concave section.

[0008] Here, it is preferable that the device further includes a locking metal fitting attached to the mounting portion, and that the locking metal fitting is fixed to the mounting portion via a washer fixed in close contact with the flat portion.

[0009] Furthermore, it is desirable that the locking fitting have a ring-shaped head and a shaft extending from the head toward the recessed portion, and that the tip of the shaft be positioned with a gap between it and the recessed portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] As described above, the storage container of the present invention includes a housing having a first storage section that stores the main body of the imaging device, a second storage section provided on one side of the first storage section that stores the imaging section of the imaging device, and an attachment section that is fixed to the second storage section and has a shape that decreases in outer diameter as it moves away from the second storage section. Therefore, the attachment section has a shape that gradually tapers toward the tip as it moves away from the second storage section. This makes it possible to make the storage container itself less susceptible to the effects of water flow.

[0011] Here, a locking fitting is further provided that is attached to the mounting portion, and the locking fitting is fixed to the mounting portion via a washer that is fixed in close contact with the flat portion. This allows the locking fitting to be fixed in a tight contact state to the mounting portion, and therefore prevents the locking fitting from coming off the mounting portion even if a strong force is applied to it.

[0012] The locking fitting has an annular head and a shaft extending from the head toward the recessed portion, with the tip of the shaft positioned with a gap between it and the recessed portion, preventing the locking fitting from interfering with the recessed portion and preventing damage to the mounting portion by the locking fitting. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an imaging system to which a storage container according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied; [Figure 2] 1 is an overall view of a storage container according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1A is an enlarged view of the periphery of the attachment portion of the storage container, and FIG. 1B is a partially exploded view of the storage container. [Figure 4] 1A is a cross-sectional view of the mounting portion, and FIG. 1B is a top view of the mounting portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of an imaging system 200 to which a storage container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and Fig. 2 is an overall view of the storage container 1 according to the embodiment. The storage container 1 is used, for example, as part of an underwater camera 100 that stores an imaging device 110 therein.

[0015] The imaging system 200 is composed of an underwater camera 100, a rod 201, a sinker 202, a first connecting thread 203 connecting the rod 201 and the underwater camera 100, and a second connecting thread 204 connecting the underwater camera 100 and the sinker 202.

[0016] The imaging system 200 is used to investigate underwater conditions in rivers, lakes, ponds, oceans, etc., and to collect underwater images and videos (hereinafter simply referred to as "images, etc."). An operator can operate the rod 201 from land, allowing work without entering the water. Note that while FIG. 1 shows the underwater camera 100 entirely submerged, a portion of it may also be above the water surface.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the underwater camera 100 is configured to have a storage container 1 and an imaging device 110 stored in the storage container 1. The storage container 1 is configured to have a housing 10 and an attachment part 20 attached to one end of the housing 10 in the axial direction. The storage container 1 may further have a locking metal fitting 30 attached to the attachment part 20. Images etc. acquired by the imaging device 110 are stored in a storage medium such as an SD card stored in the imaging device 110 and are analyzed by a PC etc. on land.

[0018] The housing 10 is configured to have a first housing section 11 that houses a main body section 111 of the imaging device 110, a second housing section 12 that is provided on one side of the first housing section 11 and houses an imaging section 112 of the imaging device 110, and an engaging section 13 that is provided on the other side of the first housing section 11 and engages with the first connecting thread 203. In Figure 2, the side where the engaging section 13 is provided is the water surface side.

[0019] The first housing section 11 is a cylindrical member extending in the vertical direction, and the second housing section 12 is a spherical member located below the first housing section 11. A portion of the second housing section 12 is transparent so that external images can be captured by the imaging section 112. When the underwater camera 100 is in use, the weight 202 is engaged with the engaging section 13 via the second connecting thread 204, and underwater images, etc. are captured by the imaging section 112 with at least the second housing section 12 positioned below the water surface.

[0020] Fig. 3(a) is an enlarged view of the periphery of the mounting portion 20 of the storage container 1, and Fig. 3(b) is a partially exploded view of the storage container 1. Fig. 4(a) is a cross-sectional view of the mounting portion 20, and Fig. 4(b) is a top view of the mounting portion 20.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 3(a) to 4(b), the mounting portion 20 is formed in a shape such that the outer diameter decreases with increasing distance from the second housing portion 12. Specifically, the mounting portion 20 is formed in a substantially truncated cone shape. The mounting portion 20 is configured to have a concave portion 21 formed in a curved surface, an inclined portion 22 corresponding to the side surface of the truncated cone, and a flat portion 23 corresponding to the top surface of the truncated cone. The flat portion 23 is formed in a circular shape when viewed from above, and a screw hole 24 is formed at a position corresponding to the central axis of the flat portion 23. In the mounting portion 20, the flat portion 23 is located on the opposite side of the concave portion 21.

[0022] The second housing portion 12 has a curved portion 12a that curves so as to protrude toward the mounting portion 20, and the mounting portion 20 is fixed to the curved portion 12a. The concave portion 21 has a curved shape that protrudes toward the flat portion 23, and is formed into a curved surface that fits along the curved portion 12a of the second housing portion 12.

[0023] The recessed portion 21 is formed to have a shape that allows it to fit closely to the curved portion 12a, and when the attachment portion 20 is fixed to the second accommodating portion 12, the recessed portion 21 and the curved portion 12a are bonded together with an adhesive or the like. That is, the attachment portion 20 is fixed to a part of the spherical surface of the second accommodating portion 12, which is formed in a substantially spherical shape. It is desirable that the attachment portion 20 be fixed to the apex of the spherical surface of the second accommodating portion 12.

[0024] The mounting portion 20 is detachable from the second accommodating portion 12, and the dimensions of the mounting portion 20 can be changed as appropriate. The curvature of the concave portion 21 can change in relation to the curved portion 12a, but the curvature of the concave portion 21 is not particularly limited as long as the concave portion 21 can fit closely to the curved portion 12a.

[0025] As shown in Figure 4(a), the attachment part 20 is formed so that its diameter gradually decreases as it moves away from the second housing part 12. That is, in use, the attachment part 20 is formed so that its diameter gradually decreases as it moves toward the underwater side (upper side on the paper in Figure 4(a)). In other words, the attachment part 20 is formed so that it tapers toward the underwater side.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3(a), a washer 31 is fixed in close contact with the flat portion 23, and the locking fitting 30 is fixed to the mounting part 20 via the washer 31. In the use state shown in Figure 1, the locking fitting 30 is the component located at the bottom of the storage container 1. In other words, the locking fitting 30 is located at the location furthest from the water surface in the storage container 1. The locking fitting 30 detachably fixes the mounting part 20 to the second storage part 12.

[0027] The locking fitting 30 is configured to have a head portion 30a formed in an annular shape and a shaft portion 30b extending from the head portion 30a toward the recessed portion 21. The tip of the shaft portion 30b is disposed with a gap between it and the recessed portion 21. In other words, the tip of the shaft portion 30b is not in contact with the recessed portion 21, and a space is formed between the shaft portion 30b and the recessed portion 21.

[0028] For example, a male screw is formed on the shaft portion 30b, and a female screw that screws into the male screw is formed in the screw hole 24, and the male screw and the female screw screw together to fix the shaft portion 30b to the mounting portion 20. A nut 32 may be provided between the washer 31 and the head 30a.

[0029] As described above, the storage container 1 according to the embodiment includes a housing 10 having a first housing section 11 that houses a main body section 111 of the imaging device 110 and a second housing section 12 that is provided on one side of the first housing section 11 and houses an imaging section 112 of the imaging device 110, and an attachment section 20 that is fixed to the second housing section 12 and is formed in a shape whose outer diameter decreases with increasing distance from the second housing section 12. Therefore, the attachment section 20 has a shape that gradually tapers toward the tip side with increasing distance from the second housing section 12. Therefore, the storage container 1 itself is less susceptible to the effects of water flow, and damage to the housing 10 itself can be prevented.

[0030] Here, the second accommodating section 12 is formed in an approximately spherical shape and has a curved section 12a that curves so as to protrude toward the mounting section 20, and the mounting section 20 has a concave section 21 formed in a curved shape so as to follow the curved section 12a, and a flat section 23 located on the opposite side of the concave section 21.

[0031] This improves the adhesion between the curved portion 12a and the recessed portion 21. Therefore, the mounting portion 20 can be firmly fixed to the housing 10 with an adhesive. Furthermore, a washer 31 into which the locking fitting 30 is inserted can be disposed on the flat portion 23, which is a flat portion of the mounting portion 20. Therefore, the locking fitting 30 can be firmly fixed to the mounting portion 20.

[0032] The storage container 1 further includes a locking fitting 30 that is attached to the mounting portion, and the locking fitting 30 is fixed to the mounting portion 20 via a washer 31 that is fixed in close contact with the flat portion 23. This allows the locking fitting 30 to be fixed in close contact with the mounting portion 20. Therefore, even if a strong force is applied to the locking fitting 30, it is possible to prevent the locking fitting 30 from coming off the mounting portion 20.

[0033] Furthermore, the locking fitting 30 has an annular head 30a and a shaft 30b extending from the head 30a towards the recessed portion 21, with the tip of the shaft 30b positioned with a gap between it and the recessed portion 21. This prevents the locking fitting 30 from interfering with the recessed portion 21. This prevents the mounting portion 20 from being damaged by the locking fitting 30.

[0034] 1, the underwater camera 100 including the storage container 1 according to the embodiment is configured as part of an imaging system 200. The imaging system 200 has a first connecting thread 203 that connects the rod 201 and the underwater camera 100, and a second connecting thread 204 that connects the underwater camera 100 and the sinker 202, and the strength of the first connecting thread 203 is greater than the strength of the second connecting thread 204. Therefore, when a large load acts on the sinker 202, the second connecting thread 204 breaks before the first connecting thread 203. This allows the underwater camera 100 to be protected preferentially over the sinker 202.

[0035] Each embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and design changes that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0036] For example, in the above embodiment, the mounting portion 20 is formed in an approximately truncated cone shape, but this is not limited to this, and it may be in any shape, such as a cone shape or a truncated pyramid shape, as long as the horizontal cross-sectional area decreases as it moves away from the second storage portion 12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1: Storage container 10: Housing 11: First storage section 12: Second storage section 12a: Curved section 13: Engagement part 20: Mounting part 21: Concave part 22: Inclined part 23: Flat part 30: Locking fitting 30a: Head 30b:Shaft part 31: Washer 110: Imaging device 111: Main body 112: Imaging unit

Claims

1. A container capable of accommodating an imaging device, a housing having a first housing section that houses a main body section of the imaging device and a second housing section that is provided on one side of the first housing section and houses an imaging section of the imaging device; an attachment portion fixed to the second housing portion and formed in a shape whose outer diameter decreases with increasing distance from the second housing portion; The second accommodating portion is formed in a substantially spherical shape and has a curved portion that curves so as to protrude toward the attachment portion, The mounting portion has a recessed portion formed in a curved shape so as to fit along the curved portion, and a flat portion located on the opposite side of the recessed portion.

2. Further provided is a locking fitting attached to the attachment portion, 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the locking fitting is fixed to the mounting portion via a washer fixed in close contact with the flat portion.

3. The locking fitting has an annular head portion and a shaft portion extending from the head portion toward the recessed portion, The container according to claim 2 , wherein the tip of the shaft portion is disposed with a gap between it and the recessed portion.

Images