Camera platform apparatus

Abstract

To provide a universal head device capable of easily adjusting horizontal inclination with simple constitution.SOLUTION: A camera platform device 100 includes a housing 101 that houses an imaging device 200, a base 114 that is installed inside the housing 100, and a fixing base 115 that fixes the imaging device 200, in which the fixing base 115 is attached to the base 114 by a hinge portion 121 on one side and by a height-adjustable fixing portion 122 on the other side across an optical axis OA of the imaging device 200, and an inclination of the fixing base 115 with respect to the base 114 is changeable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a camera platform device that includes a housing for accommodating an imaging device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there exists a photography system in which an imaging device is mounted on a camera platform and remotely controlled to take pictures. By installing a camera platform equipped with an imaging device, for example, on top of a steel tower or the roof of a building, and taking pictures from places that people normally cannot enter, it becomes possible to provide images with higher added value. For example, when broadcasting a disaster or weather forecast, by remotely controlling the camera platform and imaging device, it is possible to take pictures and broadcast them with a desired angle of view. This type of imaging device is often a high-magnification, high-performance product, and strict performance is required regarding the horizontal tilt of the captured image, so the horizontal tilt of the angle of view is adjusted separately. As a technology for adjusting the tilt of an imaging device mounted on a camera platform device, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which the imaging device stored inside a housing is rotated to adjust the tilt, and in order to fix the imaging device at that tilt, a movable holding member rotates toward a fixed holding member using a hinge as a fulcrum, and the movable holding member and the fixed holding member are fastened and fixed with fixing members such as screws. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-17689 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the configuration for adjusting the tilt is complex, which may increase costs. Also, in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to adjust the rotation of the imaging device, which may result in a time-consuming adjustment process.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pan head device that allows horizontal tilt adjustment to be easily performed with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The pan / tilt head device of the present invention is a pan / tilt head device equipped with a housing for storing an imaging device, and is equipped with a base table installed inside the housing and a fixed table for fixing the imaging device, the fixed table being attached to the base table by a hinge portion on one side across the optical axis of the imaging device and by a height-adjustable fixed portion on the other side, and the inclination of the fixed table relative to the base table is changeable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pan head device that allows horizontal tilt adjustment to be easily performed with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging system. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the imaging device mounted on a camera stand unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the imaging device mounted on a camera stand unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for adjusting a horizontal tilt. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. A pan head device 100 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a camera platform device 100 according to an embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the directions indicated by arrows in Fig. 1 are defined as the X, Y, and Z directions, respectively, and rotation around the X axis extending horizontally and the Z axis extending vertically is defined as rotation in the tilt direction (tilt drive) and rotation in the pan direction (pan drive), respectively.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the camera head device 100 includes a camera housing unit 101, a head unit 102 that supports the camera housing unit 101, and a base unit 103 that supports the head unit 102.

[0011] The camera housing unit 101 is a housing that houses the imaging device 200, and is capable of rotating around the X axis relative to the head unit 102. The imaging device 200 housed inside the camera housing unit 101 captures images of the surroundings through a protective glass 112. The imaging device 200 is mounted inside the camera housing unit 101 in order to protect it from external factors. In the camera platform device 100, the side on which the protective glass 112, through which the imaging device 200 captures images, is located is defined as the front. The head unit 102 can rotate around the Z axis relative to the base unit 103. The base unit 103 has an interface (not shown) that can fix the pan head device 100 to a desired installation position. In the Z-axis direction, the side where the head unit 102 is located is defined as the top, and the side where the base unit 103 is located is defined as the bottom.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a photography system including the camera platform device 100. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 300 is connected to the camera platform device 100 via a network 400 . In the camera platform device 100, the camera housing unit 101 is provided with the imaging device 200, an internal fan 105, a video processing unit 1011, an imaging device control unit 1012, and a fan control unit 1013. The head unit 102 is also provided with a drive control unit 1021, a tilt motor 1023 and a tilt control unit 1022, a pan motor 1025 and a pan control unit 1024. Furthermore, a communication unit 1031 is installed in the base unit 103. The camera housing unit 101 , head unit 102 , and base unit 103 are connected via a transmission path 104 .

[0013] When an operator operates the controller 300, an operation command corresponding to the operation content is transmitted from the controller 300 to the pan / tilt head device 100 via the network 400. The pan / tilt head device 100 performs control according to the operation command, thereby enabling the controller 300 to remotely operate the pan / tilt head device 100. An operation command from the operation device 300 is received by the communication unit 1031 of the base unit 103 via the network 400 . If the operation command is a pan drive control command, a pan control signal is sent from the communication unit 1031 to the pan control unit 1024 via the drive control unit 1021 of the head unit 102, and the pan control unit 1024 drives the pan motor 1025. If the operation command is a tilt drive control command, a tilt control signal is sent from the communication unit 1031 to the tilt control unit 1022 via the drive control unit 1021 of the head unit 102, and the tilt control unit 1022 drives the tilt motor 1023. Furthermore, if the operation command is an imaging device control command (such as to start shooting or change settings of the imaging device 200), an imaging device control signal is sent from the communication unit 1031 to the imaging device control unit 1012 of the camera housing unit 101. The imaging device control unit 1012 instructs the imaging device 200 to start shooting, change settings, etc. The video processing unit 1011 acquires video data captured by the imaging device 200, performs various data processing, and then transmits the data to the outside via the communication unit 1031. The fan control unit 1013 controls the internal fan 105 .

[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of the camera head device 100, showing the state in which the housing door 107 of the camera housing unit 101 is open. The camera housing unit 101 includes a long, box-shaped housing 106 and a door member, a housing door 107. The housing door 107 is disposed on the side opposite the head unit 102, and is attached so as to be able to open and close via a hinge portion 108 provided at the bottom of the side of the housing 106. Closing the housing door 107 seals the camera housing unit 101, making it waterproof and dustproof.

[0015] A sunshade 109 is installed on the camera housing unit 101 so as to cover the top and both side surfaces of the camera housing unit 101. By installing the sunshade 109, the temperature rise of the camera housing unit 101 caused by light irradiated from sunlight is reduced.

[0016] Inside the camera housing unit 101, an internal fan 105, a camera stand unit 110, and a housing substrate 111 are installed. Inside the housing 106, a camera stand unit 110 is installed on the bottom. An imaging device 200 is fixed to this camera stand unit 110. The imaging device 200 is made up of an imaging device main body 201 and a lens unit 202 attached to the imaging device main body 201. The camera stand unit 110 will be described in detail later.

[0017] A housing substrate 111 is installed inside the housing casing 106 at a position that does not interfere with the image capturing device 200. The housing substrate 111 is connected to the image capturing device 200, the internal fan 105, the wiper unit 113, and the communication unit 1031 of the base unit 103 via respective cables. The housing substrate 111 is equipped with an image processing unit 1011, an image capturing device control unit 1012, and a fan control unit 1013, and processes the image data captured by the image capturing device 200, controls the image capturing device 200, controls the internal fan 105, and controls the wiper unit 113, as described above.

[0018] An internal fan 105 is installed on the ceiling inside the housing 106. The internal fan 105 is an axial fan that draws in air from the front and expels it to the rear. The image capture device body 201, which serves as a heat source, is located behind the internal fan 105, and is positioned such that the air expelled by the internal fan 105 hits the top of the image capture device body 201. By generating an air flow with the internal fan 105 in this way, it has the effect of cooling the image capture device body 201 and agitating the air inside the camera housing unit 101.

[0019] A protective glass 112 is installed on the front of the housing casing 106. The imaging device 200 housed inside the camera housing unit 101 captures images of the surroundings through the protective glass 112. A wiper unit 113 is provided on the front of the protective glass 112, and when water droplets or dust adhere to the protective glass 112, the front of the protective glass 112 can be cleaned by operating the wiper unit 113.

[0020] Next, the camera stand unit 110 will be described in detail. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the imaging device 200 mounted on the camera stand unit 110. FIG. The camera stand unit 110 includes a base stand 114 installed inside the camera housing unit 101, and a fixed stand 115 to which the imaging device 200 is fixed.

[0021] The fixed base 115 is mainly composed of a lens base 116 that fixes and supports the lens unit 202, and a camera base 117 that fixes and supports the imaging device main body 201. Both the lens base 116 and the camera base 117 have a top surface and both side surfaces as their basic structures. The lens base 116 and the camera base 117 are each formed by processing sheet metal, for example.

[0022] Lens base 116 is longer in the front-to-back direction than camera base 117, and camera base 117 is attached to the rear of lens base 116 from above and fastened and fixed at two locations on each side with screws 118. Support members 119a and 119b are provided side by side in the front and rear directions on the top surface of the front part of lens base 116, and lens unit 202 is supported and fixed by support members 119a and 119b. Imaging device main body 201 is placed on the top surface of camera base 117 and fastened and fixed with screws (not shown).

[0023] Lens mount 116 constituting fixed mount 115 is assembled to base mount 114 from above and attached to base mount 114 at two points on one side by hinge portions 121 (see FIG. 5) and at two points on the other side by height-adjustable fixed portions 122 (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 3, fixed portions 122 are disposed on the housing door 107 side, and hinge portions 121 are disposed on the opposite side, i.e., the side farther from housing door 107.

[0024] A cable holder 120 for holding a cable connecting the imaging device main body 201 and the housing substrate 111 is provided on the side surface of the camera stand 117 on the side of the fixed portion 122.

[0025] 4 to 9, horizontal tilt adjustment of imaging device 200 will be described in detail below. Although camera platform device 100 can be rotated around the X-axis and Z-axis by pan driving and tilt driving, it cannot be rotated around the Y-axis that extends horizontally. Therefore, horizontal tilt adjustment, which is tilt adjustment around the Y-axis, must be performed during production.

[0026] Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of part A (a region including fixed part 122) in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of part B (a region including fixed part 122) in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows a state in which fixed base 115 is rotated around hinge part 121. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 3. The imaging device 200 is a high-magnification, high-performance product, and strict performance is required with regard to the horizontal tilt of the captured image, so the horizontal tilt of the angle of view is adjusted separately.

[0027] In this embodiment, the horizontal tilt of the imaging device 200 is adjusted between the lens mount 116 and the base mount 114 that constitute the fixed mount 115. As described above, the lens mount 116 is assembled to the base mount 114 from above, and is attached to the base mount 114 at two points on one side by hinge portions 121 (see FIG. 5) and at two points on the other side by height-adjustable fixing portions 122 (see FIG. 4). More specifically, a plate-shaped extension portion 116a extending laterally is provided at the lower end of the side surface of lens base 116 facing fixed portion 122. As shown in Fig. 6, fixed portion 122 includes bolt 123 provided to protrude upward from below base 114, and nut 124 assembled to bolt 123. With bolt 123 inserted through hole 116b formed in extension portion 116a, nut 124 is assembled to bolt 123 from above extension portion 116a, thereby fixing lens base 116. Although nut 124 is used in the above embodiment, a cylindrical or rectangular spacer having an internal thread may also be used.

[0028] In the fixed portion 122, below the extension portion 116a, a washer 125, which is a plate-shaped member for adjusting height, is inserted into the bolt 123. The fixed base 115 is rotatable around the hinge portion 121 relative to the base base 114, and by interposing the washer 125 between the base base 114 and the extension portion 116a, the lens base 116 can be tilted relative to the base base 114. By changing the number of washers 125, the height can be adjusted in the fixed portion 122, and the horizontal tilt of the imaging device 200 can be adjusted.

[0029] Specifically, the procedure for increasing or decreasing the number of washers 125 will be described. As shown in Fig. 7, housing door 107 is opened, nuts 124 are released, and extending portion 116a is lifted to rotate fixed base 115 about hinge portion 121. Note that Fig. 7 shows a state in which nuts 124 are placed on extending portion 116a, but nuts 124 are actually members separate and independent from extending portion 116a. When fixed base 115 is rotated, the tips of bolts 123 come out of holes 116b of extending portion 116a, so that washers 125 can be inserted or removed from the tip side of bolt 123, making it possible to increase or decrease the number of washers.

[0030] After increasing or decreasing the number of washers 125, the extension 116a is lowered and the fixed base 115 is rotated in the opposite direction around the hinge 121. Then, with the bolt 123 inserted through the hole 116b of the extension 116a, the nut 124 is attached to the bolt 123 from above the extension 116a. If the thickness of the washers 125 is kept constant and the angle that can be adjusted with one washer 125 is set to a known value, horizontal tilt adjustment becomes easier.

[0031] In this way, when adjusting the horizontal tilt of imaging device 200, the only work required is to perform the work at fixing portion 122 (rotating fixing base 115 by raising and lowering extension portion 116a, increasing or decreasing washer 125, etc.), and the horizontal tilt adjustment can be easily performed. Furthermore, since fixing portion 122 is disposed closer to housing door 107 than hinge portion 121, work at fixing portion 122 can be performed by opening housing door 107. In other words, there is no need to remove camera base unit 110 from camera housing unit 101 to perform the horizontal tilt adjustment work, and the number of steps for adjustment can be reduced.

[0032] Furthermore, as described above, the cable is held by the cable holding section 120 of the camera stand 117, so that the cable moves together with the fixed stand 115, and it is possible to prevent the cable from being pinched between the lens stand 116 and the base stand 114.

[0033] 8, lens base 116 is provided with a contact portion 126 that contacts housing 106 when it is rotated a predetermined amount around hinge portion 121. When fixed base 115 is rotated too far, contact portion 126 first comes into contact with housing 106, thereby preventing damage to imaging device body 201 and lens unit 202.

[0034] A connector section (not shown) is provided on the bottom surface of the imaging device main body 201. The connector section is used to extract log data of the imaging device 200, for example, in the event of a malfunction or abnormality. By rotating the fixed base 115 around the hinge section 121, the connector section becomes easier to access, and it becomes possible to insert and remove a debug cable (not shown).

[0035] An example of the procedure for adjusting the horizontal tilt will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure for adjusting the horizontal tilt. In step S1, a predetermined number of washers 125 are assembled into the fixing portion 122 of the camera stand unit 110. In step S2, a horizontal tilt inspection is performed. If the result of the horizontal tilt inspection is within the standard tilt, it is deemed to be within the standard, and adjustment is completed in step S3. If the result of the horizontal tilt inspection is that the tilt is greater than the standard, the process proceeds to step S4. As an example of a horizontal tilt inspection, for example, a horizontal line chart that is guaranteed to be horizontal is photographed by the imaging device 200 mounted on the camera platform device 100. The captured image is displayed on a monitor, and the amount of tilt of the photographed horizontal line chart relative to the horizon is measured. In step S4, the number of washers 125 is adjusted, and the process returns to step S2 to perform a horizontal tilt inspection. This process is repeated until the tilt is within the standard (standard acceptable).

[0036] As described above, fixed base 115 is attached to base base 114 by hinge portion 121 on one side of optical axis OA of imaging device 200 and by height-adjustable fixed portion 122 on the other side. In this configuration, fixed base 115 is rotated around hinge portion 121 and height is adjusted with fixed portion 122, thereby changing the tilt of fixed base 115 relative to base base 114. This makes it possible to provide a pan head device 100 that allows horizontal tilt adjustment to be easily performed with a simple configuration.

[0037] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the above embodiments are merely illustrative of specific examples of how the present invention can be implemented, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited by these embodiments. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its technical concept or main features.

[0038] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) A camera platform device including a housing for accommodating an imaging device, a base installed inside the housing; a fixing base for fixing the imaging device, The fixed platform is attached to the base platform by a hinge portion on one side of the optical axis of the imaging device and by a height-adjustable fixed portion on the other side, and the tilt of the fixed platform relative to the base platform is changeable. (Configuration 2) The fixing portion includes a bolt, A plate-shaped member is inserted through the bolt and interposed between the base and the fixed base, 2. The pan head device according to configuration 1, wherein the height can be adjusted by adjusting the number of the plate-like members. (Configuration 3) the housing includes an openable and closable door member; 3. The pan head device according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the fixing portion is disposed closer to the door member than the hinge portion. (Configuration 4) A pan head device described in any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the fixed base is provided with an abutment portion that abuts against the housing when rotated a predetermined amount around the hinge portion. (Configuration 5) 5. The camera platform device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the fixed base is provided with a cable holding portion that holds a cable connected to the imaging device. (Configuration 6) the imaging device is configured with an imaging device body and a lens unit attached to the imaging device body, 6. The camera platform device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the fixing base fixes the imaging device body and the lens unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 100: camera head device, 101: camera housing unit, 102: head unit, 103: base unit, 106: housing housing, 107: housing door, 110: camera stand unit, 114: base stand, 115: fixing stand, 116: lens stand, 117: camera stand, 120: cable holding part, 121: hinge part, 122: fixing part, 123: bolt, 124: nut, 125: washer, 126: contact part, 200: imaging device, 201: imaging device main body, 202: lens unit

Claims

1. A camera platform device including a housing for accommodating an imaging device, a base installed inside the housing; a fixing base for fixing the imaging device, The fixed platform is attached to the base platform by a hinge portion on one side of the optical axis of the imaging device and by a height-adjustable fixed portion on the other side, and the tilt of the fixed platform relative to the base platform is changeable.

2. The fixing portion includes a bolt, A plate-shaped member is inserted through the bolt and interposed between the base and the fixed base, 2. The pan head device according to claim 1, wherein the height is adjustable by adjusting the number of the plate-like members.

3. the housing includes an openable and closable door member; 3. The camera platform device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing portion is disposed closer to the door member than the hinge portion.

4. 3. The camera platform device according to claim 1, wherein the fixed base is provided with an abutment portion that abuts against the housing when the fixed base rotates a predetermined amount around the hinge portion.

5. 3. The camera platform device according to claim 1, wherein the fixed base is provided with a cable holder for holding a cable connected to the imaging device.

6. the imaging device is configured with an imaging device body and a lens unit attached to the imaging device body, 3. The camera platform device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing base fixes the imaging device body and the lens unit.

Images