Built-in optical device with automatic drainage function

Abstract

Providing a recessed optical device with an automatic drainage function that does not rely on road drainage infrastructure. [Solution] A recessed optical device with an automatic drainage function comprising a tubular housing means 200 that surrounds a water collection chamber and to which an electronic component means 6 is attached, and a cover member attached to the upper end of the tubular housing means 200, wherein the cover member is formed to have a guide inlet that allows water to be taken into the water collection chamber from the outside, and a guide recess that communicates with the guide inlet and is located lower than the ground, and the automatic drainage means is attached to the tubular housing means 200 and has a pump member used to discharge water from the water collection chamber to the outside.

Description

Technical Field

[0002]

[0001] The present invention relates to an embedded optical device, and more particularly to an embedded optical device with an automatic drainage function.

Background Art

[0002] Fig. 1 shows the configuration of an embedded optical device with an automatic drainage function described in Patent Document 1. As shown in the figure, this conventional embedded optical device with an automatic drainage function has a fixing means 11, a photographing module 12, and a top cover 13. The fixing means 11 has an outer tubular portion 111, an inner tubular portion 112 disposed inside the outer tubular portion 111, and a drain pipe 113 extending downward from the lower end portion of the outer tubular portion 111. The photographing module 12 is disposed at the upper end of the inner tubular portion 112 so as to have a camera 121 that photographs toward the outside of the fixing means 11. The top cover 13 is attached to the upper end portion of the fixing means 11 and is configured to be able to shield the photographing module 12.

[0003] In the thus configured embedded photographing device, since the drain pipe 113 is formed in the outer tubular portion 111, even if, for example, rainwater or the like enters the outer tubular portion 111 through the gap of the device exterior, by discharging this to the roadside gutter, it is possible to prevent the camera 121 from malfunctioning or failing due to the influence of moisture and ensure normal operation.

[0004] However, since not all roads are equipped with a complete drainage function, there is a long-felt need for an embedded photographing device with an automatic drainage function that can also be used in areas where the drainage function is not well-developed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide an embedded optical device with an automatic drainage function that does not depend on road drainage infrastructure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides an embedded optical device with an automatic drainage function, comprising a tubular housing means surrounding a water collection chamber, an electronic component means attached to the tubular housing means, and an automatic drainage means attached to the tubular housing means and used to discharge water from the water collection chamber to the outside, and is used to be embedded in the ground. The tubular housing means is formed to have a window portion at its upper end in the vertical direction that can take in light, a guide inlet located above the water collection chamber and communicating with the outside to allow water to be taken into the water collection chamber, and a guide recess communicating with the guide inlet and configured to be at a lower position than the ground when the embedded optical device with automatic drainage function is embedded in the ground. The electronic component means is configured to have an optical module facing the window portion, The present invention provides a built-in optical device with an automatic drainage function, comprising an electrically driven pump member capable of discharging water contained in the water collection chamber to the outside. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] With the above configuration, the embedded optical device with automatic drainage function of the present invention can discharge water taken into the water collection chamber to the outside by the operation of the pump component of the automatic drainage means, thereby achieving an automatic drainage function that enables drainage around the optical module without relying on the road's drainage infrastructure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a conventional embedded optical device described in Patent Document 1. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the embedded optical device with automatic drainage function of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a partially cut-out perspective view showing the positional relationship between the water collection case, nozzle mechanism, and electronic component means in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a partially cutaway perspective view of the area around the power supply means in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a partially cut-out perspective view showing the first embodiment embedded in the ground, with the drainage route indicated. [Figure 7] This is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of the nozzle mechanism and cover member in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] This is an exploded perspective view showing the cover member in an open state and the water collection case being removed. [Figure 9] This is an exploded perspective view showing the replacement of electronic components. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the embedded optical device with automatic drainage function of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment. [Figure 12] This is a partial perspective view showing the configuration of the inner tubular portion and the control board disposed in the inner tubular portion in the second embodiment. [Figure 13] This is a partially exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the second embodiment. [Figure 14] This is a partially exploded perspective view shown from a different angle than Figure 13. [Figure 15] This is a partially cut-out perspective view of the second embodiment. [Figure 16] This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the second embodiment embedded in the ground. [Figure 17] This is a partial cross-sectional view along the line XVII-XVII in Figure 10. [Figure 18] This is a partial perspective view of the second embodiment. [Figure 19] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX in FIG. 16.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0010] In order to more clearly explain the object, technical means, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention, hereinafter, in combination with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention, the technical means in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and detailedly described. It will be apparent that the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Usually, the components of the embodiments of the present invention depicted and shown in the accompanying drawings can be arranged and designed in various different arrangements. Therefore, hereinafter, the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings does not constitute any limitation to the protection scope of the present invention, but merely shows the selected embodiments of the present invention.

[0011] Before explaining the present invention in detail, it should be noted that in the following description, elements that perform the same role or function may be represented by the same number even if they do not have exactly the same configuration.

[0012] Also, in this specification, for the convenience of explanation, terms indicating the relative positional relationship of each component, such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc., are used for explanation while referring to the examples in the drawings, and it should be noted that they are not absolute terms limiting the configuration of the present invention.

[0013] Referring to Figures 2 to 4, the first embodiment of the embedded optical device with automatic drainage function of the present invention is, as shown, embedded in the ground 9 (see Figure 6) of a parking lot, for example, to photograph the license plates of vehicles for the purpose of managing vehicles in use. The embedded optical device with automatic drainage function of the present invention comprises a tubular housing means 200, an electronic component means 6, and an automatic drainage means 7. In addition, the embedded optical device with automatic drainage function of this first embodiment is configured to provide electricity for operation to the electronic component means 6 and the automatic drainage means 7 using an electrical supply means 91 (see Figure 6) as a battery, but in the present invention, it is also possible to use a cable (not shown) connected to an external power source as the electrical supply means.

[0014] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5, the tubular housing means 200 includes a housing body 23, a water collection case 24, a cover member 400, and a nozzle mechanism 25. The housing body 23 has an upper opening 231 and a bottom portion 232 that is not open and is on the opposite side of the upper opening 231 in the vertical direction Z. In this embodiment, the housing body 23 is formed to have an upper opening 231 and an annular wall portion 233 formed in an annular shape, a first cylindrical portion 234 extending downward from the annular wall portion 233, and a second cylindrical portion 235 adjacent to the first cylindrical portion 234 and also extending downward from the annular wall portion 233. In this embodiment, the length of the first cylindrical portion 234 extending in the vertical direction Z is greater than the length of the second cylindrical portion 235 extending in the vertical direction Z. The first cylindrical portion 234 opens toward the upper opening 231 and surrounds the first chamber 236 in which the power supply means 91, which acts as a battery, is housed. The second cylindrical portion 235 surrounds the second chamber 237, which opens toward the upper opening 231. The bottom portion 232 is formed by the lower parts of both the first cylindrical portion 234 and the second cylindrical portion 235.

[0015] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the electronic component means 6 is arranged in the tubular housing means 200 so as to be located above the first chamber 236. The electronic component means 6 includes a module case 61 arranged in the annular wall portion 233 so as to be located above the first chamber 236, a waterproof member 62 made of, for example, a rubber material and arranged between the module case 61 and the first chamber 236 (i.e., below the module case 61) to provide a watertight effect, and an optical module 8 arranged in the module case 61 and electrically connected to the power supply means 91 housed in the first chamber 236, and configured to have a camera that can take pictures in a substantially horizontal direction at a position above the second cylindrical portion 235. With this configuration, moisture cannot enter the inside of the first chamber 236, so that the power supply means 91 inside the first chamber 236 does not malfunction due to moisture.

[0016] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the water collection case 24 is detachably configured between the upper opening 231 and the bottom 232 of the housing body 23. When the water collection case 24 is attached to the housing body 23, the housing body 23 surrounds the water collection chamber 241 which communicates with the upper opening 231, and the water collection case 24 is positioned inside the housing body 23 so as to extend from the second chamber 237 into the annular wall portion 233. In this embodiment, since the water collection case 24 is detachably configured from the housing body 23, it becomes possible to remove the water collection case 24 from the second chamber 237 for replacement or cleaning. Regarding the specific shape of the water collection case 24, in this embodiment, it comprises a vertical plate 2401 adjacent to the first cylindrical portion 234, an upper end tab 2402 protruding from the upper end edge of the vertical plate 2401 in a direction away from the first cylindrical portion 234, a communication hole 242 formed in the upper end tab 2402 so as to communicate with the water collection chamber 241, and a projection extending upward from the upper end tab 2402 at a position adjacent to the communication hole 242, and along a direction away from the first cylindrical portion 234. The device includes an engagement block 243 formed to have a slope that extends diagonally downward, a first water guide slope 244 formed on the upper end tab 2402 so as to extend diagonally downward from the slope that extends diagonally downward on the engagement block 243 to a tip away from the first cylindrical portion 234 of the upper end tab 2402, and a window portion 245 formed to project upward from a location adjacent to the first cylindrical portion 234 of the upper end tab 2402. In this way, by defining a water collection chamber 241 within a water collection case 24 that is removablely configured between the upper opening 231 and the bottom 232 of the housing body 23, the water collection chamber 241 becomes an independent space that is reliably separated from the first chamber 236 in which the power supply means 91 is housed. As a result, the route by which moisture enters the first chamber 236 from the water collection chamber 241 is blocked, and a situation in which the power supply means 91 housed in the first chamber 236 malfunctions due to moisture in the water collection chamber 241 is avoided.

[0017] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6, in this embodiment, the water collection chamber 241 defined by the water collection case 24 is divided into an outer portion 246 located away from the first cylindrical portion 234 and an inner portion 247 located adjacent to the first cylindrical portion 234. The upper end tab 2402, which has a communication hole 242, an engagement block 243, and a first water guide slope 244, is located above the inner portion 247 of the water collection chamber 241, and the window portion 245 has an opening adjacent to the camera of the optical module 8 and through which light can pass. Specifically, in this embodiment, the window portion 245 is formed in the shape of a U-shape at the upper end opening, but it is also possible to use a circular or square opening instead of a U-shaped opening, or a configuration in which a window plate made of a transparent material is fitted inside a circular or square opening.

[0018] As shown in Figures 2, 3, 5, and 6, the cover member 400 is used to shield the upper opening 231 and the water collection chamber 241 of the housing body 23 from above. In this embodiment, the cover member 400 has a movable cover 43 that is pivotably configured by a hinge structure and a water guide 44 that is disposed on the movable cover 43. Specifically, the movable cover 43 has a pivot portion 431 that has a hinge structure pivotally supported on the annular wall portion 233 so as to be pivotable, and an installation opening 432 formed in a fan shape on the opposite side of the pivot portion 431. The water guide 44 has a guide body 441 that is removablely configured on the movable cover 43 so as to fit into the installation opening 432, and a filter member 442 that is removablely attached to the guide body 441. The guide body 441 of the water guide section 44 is attached to the movable cover 43 such that its upper part fits into an installation opening 432 formed in the movable cover 43, and its lower part extends into the water collection chamber 241 and is formed hollow so as to surround the hollow section 445 where the upper end tab 2402 of the water collection case 24 is located.

[0019] On the upper inner side of the guide body 441 (i.e., the side adjacent to the pivot 431 of the movable cover 43), a guide inlet 443 is formed so as to communicate with the hollow section 445, and the guide inlet 443 is located above the first water guide slope 244 of the upper end tab 2402 of the water collection case 24. A guide recess 444 is formed on the upper outer side of the guide body 441 (the side away from the pivot 431 of the movable cover 43 and adjacent to the fan-shaped circumference of the installation opening 432) to the guide inlet 443 on the inside, with a slope extending diagonally from top to bottom.

[0020] The guide body 441 has a guide outlet 446 that connects the hollow section 445 and the water collection chamber 241, and a second water guide slope 447 is formed at the bottom of the guide body 441, which has a slope that extends diagonally from diagonally upward to downward from the outer edge of the first water guide slope 244 of the upper end tab 2402 of the water collection case 24 to the guide outlet 446.

[0021] The filter member 442 is attached to the guide body 441 so as to cover the guide outlet 446. Incidentally, in this embodiment, for example, a metal mesh filter is used as the filter member 442.

[0022] With this configuration, as shown in Figure 6, when the embedded optical device with automatic drainage function of the present invention is embedded in the ground 9, if the outer upper part of the guide body 441 is at a height approximately equal to the ground 9, the guide inlet 443 and guide recess 444 formed in the guide body 441 will be located below ground level. For example, rainwater that has accumulated on the ground 9 and is on top of the cover member 400 is guided by the guide recess 444 to the guide inlet 443 which is below ground level, and enters the hollow section 445 from the guide inlet 443. Then, guided by the first water guide slope 244 and the second water guide slope 447 of the upper end tab 2402 of the water collection case 24, it enters the guide outlet 446 and passes through the filter member 442. Only rainwater that has been filtered, with relatively large debris such as pebbles, fallen leaves, or insect carcasses removed, enters the water collection chamber 241 and is collected. Furthermore, by periodically removing the guide unit body 441 from the movable cover 43 and cleaning it, any debris accumulated in the hollow section 445 of the guide unit body 441 can be removed all at once. In addition, since the debris in the hollow section 445 of the guide unit body 441 accumulates inside the guide exit 446 located below the guide inlet 443, the guide inlet 443 is not blocked even if debris accumulates, which has the advantage of extending the time between the need to remove and clean the guide unit body 441.

[0023] As shown in Figures 3, 6, and 7, the nozzle mechanism 25 includes a nozzle head 251 that is attached to the upper end tab 2402 of the water collection case 24 from above, passing through the communication hole 242, and is exposed on the upper side of the cover member 400 via a guide inlet 443 formed in the movable cover 43 of the cover member 400, and a connecting pipe 252 that is connected to the lower end of the nozzle head 251 that has passed through the communication hole 242 and is located inside the water collection chamber 241, and is located inside the water collection chamber 241. Incidentally, the nozzle head 251 has an engaging projection 2510 that engages with an engaging recess 2430 formed on the communication hole 242 side of the engaging block 243, so that the orientation in which the nozzle head 251 is attached to the upper end tab 2402 of the water collection case 24 can be determined. Furthermore, if there are other means to determine the mounting position of the nozzle head 251 and the upper end tab 2402 of the water collection case 24 (for example, if an engagement hole is formed on one side and an engagement rod is formed on the other side to be inserted into the engagement hole), the engagement block 243 can be omitted.

[0024] The portion of the nozzle head 251 that is exposed on the upper side of the cover member 400 has a spray hole 253 that communicates with the communication hole 242 and opens upward, and an injection guide surface 254 that is recessed toward the spray hole 253 on the upper side of the spray hole 253 and has an arc-shaped vertical cross-section.

[0025] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6, the automatic drainage means 7 is attached to the tubular housing means 200 so as to communicate with the nozzle head 251 via the connecting pipe 252. Specifically, the automatic drainage means 7 includes a pump member 71 positioned around the bottom of the water collection chamber 241 and electrically connected to the power supply means 91 to receive power for operation, and a drain pipe 72 extending from the pump member 71 along the vertical direction Z and connected to the connecting pipe 252 of the nozzle mechanism 25. The pump member 71 can draw up water accumulated in the water collection chamber 241 and eject it from the spray holes 253 of the nozzle head 251 via the connecting pipe 252. As the pump member 71, for example, a drive pump, a water pump motor, a submersible pump, or other type of motor can be used. In other words, any means that can control the direction of water flow can be used as the pump member 71 in this invention. Incidentally, as the pump component 71 operates, the water ejected from the spray hole 253 along the vertical direction Z via the drain pipe 72 and connecting pipe 252 hits the injection guide surface 254, and guided by the injection guide surface 254, which has an arc-shaped vertical cross-section, an automatic drainage function is realized in which the water is ejected away from the nozzle mechanism 25 in a horizontal direction approximately perpendicular to the vertical direction Z.

[0026] Furthermore, the automatic drainage means 7 may be configured to include a water level sensing means (not shown) that detects the water level accumulated in the water collection chamber 241 and activates the pump member 71 when a predetermined water level is reached.

[0027] In this embodiment, the optical module 8 has a camera 81 that shoots toward the window 245 to photograph the license plate for the purpose of managing the vehicle. However, the optical module 8 can also be configured to have other functions, such as a projector, and is not limited to the function of taking pictures.

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 8, in this embodiment, the cover member 400 has a movable cover 43 that is configured to swing by a hinge structure, so that the cover member 400 can be switched between a shielding position (see Figure 2) in which the upper opening 231 of the housing body 23 is shielded and an open position (see Figure 8) in which the upper opening 231 is not shielded. As shown in Figure 8, when the cover member 400 is switched to the open position by swinging by the pivot 431 having a hinge structure, the shielding of the tubular housing means 200 from the upper opening 231 is released, so that the water collection case 24 can be removed from the housing body 23, and the water collection case 24 can be cleaned or the pump member 71 or nozzle mechanism 25 can be inspected.

[0029] Of course, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the movable cover 43 is fixed to the housing body 23 using a screw structure, for example, instead of a hinge structure. In this case, the movable cover 43 can be removed from the housing body 23 by removing the screws, and the water collection case 24 can be cleaned.

[0030] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, when the cover member 400 is switched to the open position, it is also possible to replace the module case 61, the waterproof member 62, and the power supply means 91 housed in the first chamber 236.

[0031] As shown in Figures 3 and 9, in this embodiment, the movable cover 43 has two engagement slots 433 that open toward the installation opening 432, and the guide body 441 of the water guide 44 has two engagement plates 448 that fit into the two engagement slots 433, respectively, thereby engaging the guide body 441 with the movable cover 43. In this way, the guide body 441 of the water guide 44 is also configured to be removable from the movable cover 43, so that the filter member 442 can be removed and replaced, and the guide body 441 can be cleaned. Of course, even when the movable cover 43 and the water guide 44 are manufactured as a single unit, it is also possible to clean the entire integrated cover member 400 after removing it from the tubular housing means 200.

[0032] Figures 10 to 12 show a second embodiment of the embedded optical device with automatic drainage function of the present invention. As shown, this second embodiment of the embedded optical device with automatic drainage function is embedded, for example, in the ground 9 of a parking lot (see Figure 16) and is used to photograph the license plates of vehicles for the purpose of managing vehicles in use. Unlike the first embodiment, it is configured to operate on electricity supplied from a power cable (not shown) connected to an external power source.

[0033] Therefore, the embedded optical device with automatic drainage function of this second embodiment comprises a tubular housing means 200, an electronic component means 6, and an automatic drainage means 7.

[0034] The tubular housing means 200 in this second embodiment includes a lower base 21, a housing body 22, an upper base assembly 301, and a cover member 4.

[0035] The housing body 22 is fixed to the lower base 21 so as to extend in the vertical direction Z, and is formed to surround a hollow water collection chamber 20 that opens upward. The housing body 22 is made of, for example, metal (including alloys), plastic material, or other material, and a cable passage hole 221 through which a power cable (not shown) that provides electricity passes extends from the water collection chamber 20 to the outside. Furthermore, as long as the water collection chamber 20 is defined within the tubular housing means 200, it is also possible to consider the bottom and surrounding area of ​​a hole formed by, for example, digging a hole in the ground that corresponds to the water collection chamber 20 as the tubular housing means 200 having the lower base 21 and the housing body 22.

[0036] As shown in Figures 10, 12, and 13, the upper base assembly 301 is mounted on the upper end of the housing body 22 along the vertical direction Z so as to shield most of the opening of the water collection chamber 20 from above. Specifically, the upper base assembly 301 has an outer tubular portion 31, an inner tubular portion 3 mounted on the upper end of the housing body 22 so as to be located inside the outer tubular portion 31, a filter member 32 installed inside the inner tubular portion 3, and a wiring box 33 arranged inside the inner tubular portion 3. The outer tubular portion 31 is formed in an annular shape so as to surround the housing hole 311 and is mounted on the upper end of the housing body 22. In this embodiment, the outer tubular portion 31 is made of aluminum alloy so as to have a larger diameter than the housing body 22 and an outer tubular housing 312 that abuts against the upper end surface of the housing body 22, and a lower flange 313 that extends downward from the outer tubular housing 312 and surrounds the upper end of the housing body 22 from the outside. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 16, when the embedded optical device with automatic drainage function of this second embodiment is embedded in the ground 9 (see Figure 16), it is preferable that the upper end surface of the outer tubular portion 31 is at a height that is approximately at the same level as the ground 9.

[0037] As shown in Figures 12, 14, 15, and 16, the inner tubular portion 3 is attached to the outer tubular portion 31 so as to be inserted into the housing hole 311 of the outer tubular portion 31. The inner tubular portion 3 includes an inner tubular housing 34 that engages with the outer tubular housing 312 so as to be inserted into the housing body 22 via the housing hole 311 of the outer tubular portion 31, an inner tubular portion base 35 that is mounted on the inner tubular housing 34 from below upward, a watertight member 36 made of rubber material that is mounted so as to abut the inner tubular housing 34 from above downward, a nozzle mechanism 37 that is fixed to the watertight member 36 from above downward, and a water entry valve 38 that is detachably mounted on the inner tubular housing 34.

[0038] As shown in Figures 13, 14, 16, and 17, the inner tubular housing 34 has an opening upward and a storage tank defining section 341 that defines a storage tank 340 communicating with the water collection chamber 20, an opening section 342 that extends upward and is configured to allow light to pass through, two protrusions 343 formed on both sides of the opening section 342 so as to protrude upward, a transparent plate 344 attached to the opening section 342, an inner annular wall 345 that surrounds the storage tank defining section 341 and the opening section 342 on the inside, and an outer annular wall 346 that surrounds the inner annular wall 345 on the inside. An annular groove 347 is defined between the inner annular wall 345 and the outer annular wall 346. The housing body 22 is inserted into the housing hole 311 from the lower flange 313 side of the outer tubular portion 31 to the outer tubular housing 312 side, and the upper end of the housing body 22 is inserted between the lower flange 313 of the outer tubular portion 31 and the outer annular wall 346 of the inner tubular housing 34.

[0039] The container tank defining section 341 has a water inlet 3411 communicating with the container tank 340 and the water collection chamber 20, a through hole 3412 communicating with the container tank 340 and the water collection chamber 20 at a position away from the water inlet 3411, and an inclined curved surface 3413 that protrudes diagonally outward from the top of the container tank 340. The inclined curved surface 3413 can be formed in the shape of a fan, for example, but is not limited thereto. The window section 342 is located at the upper end of the upper base assembly 301 in this second embodiment in the vertical direction Z, and defines the container chamber 3420, and a light passage hole 3421 is formed adjacent to the container tank 340 at a position higher than the container tank 340, communicating with the container chamber 3420. When the embedded optical device with automatic drainage function of this second embodiment is embedded in the ground 9 (see Figure 16), most of the light passage hole 3421 is at a position lower than the ground 9 in the vertical direction Z. Each projection 343 protrudes upward from the hollowed-out section. The transparent plate 344 is made of, for example, glass material and is fitted into the light-passing hole 3421, allowing light to pass through the light-passing hole 3421 and providing a waterproof function in the light-passing hole 3421.

[0040] As shown in Figures 14, 17, and 18, the inner tubular base 35 has a base portion 351 having a circular outline and a peripheral wall 352 that surrounds the base portion 351 and fits into an annular groove 347 in the inner tubular housing 34. The base portion 351 has a mounting slot 353 into which the housing tank defining portion 341 of the inner tubular housing 34 is inserted, and a wiring box mounting portion 354 that is inserted into a projection 343 of the inner tubular housing 34 and to which the wiring box 33 is attached.

[0041] As shown in Figures 12, 13, 16, and 19, the watertight member 36 is made of rubber material and is attached to the inner tubular housing 34's storage tank defining portion 3413 so as to abut against the inclined curved surface 3413. The watertight member 36 has a mounting groove 361 that communicates with the storage tank 340, a tapered surface 362 that abuts against the inclined curved surface 3413, a slope located on the side of the mounting groove 361 away from the tapered surface 362, and a water guide surface 363 adjacent to the transparent plate 344. Due to the slope of the water guide surface 363 adjacent to the transparent plate 344, for example, water that hits the transparent plate 344 is guided by the water guide surface 363 towards the mounting groove 361.

[0042] The nozzle mechanism 37 is positioned to fit into the mounting groove 361 of the watertight member 36 and to be inserted into the storage tank defining portion 341 of the inner tubular housing 34. The nozzle mechanism 37 abuts against the watertight member 36 and has a guide body 371 and a nozzle head 372 mounted on the guide body 371 along the vertical direction Z. The guide body 371 and the watertight member 36 have corresponding fan-shaped structures. The guide body 371 has an arcuate surface 373 that opens to face upward, a water inlet 374 formed to extend downward from a position directly above the water entry hole 3411 in the inner tubular housing 34 on the arcuate surface 373 and penetrate the guide body 371, and a water outlet 375 formed to extend downward from a position directly above the through hole 3412 in the inner tubular housing 34 on the arcuate surface 373 and penetrate the guide body 371. In this embodiment, the openings of the water inlet 374 and water outlet 375 at the upper end of the guide body 371 communicate with the outside, and the openings of the water inlet 374 and water outlet 375 at the lower end of the guide body 371 communicate with the storage tank 340 defined by the storage tank defining section 341. The nozzle head 372 is fixed to the water outlet 375 and has a spray hole 376 at its upper end that communicates with the outside, and an injection guide surface 377 formed above the spray hole 376 that is recessed toward the spray hole 376 and has an arc-shaped vertical cross-section.

[0043] The water entry valve 38 is detachably mounted below the water entry hole 3411 of the inner tubular portion 3, interposed between the storage tank 340 and the water collection chamber 20, and has a valve opening 381 that opens toward the water collection chamber 20.

[0044] The filter member 32 is installed inside the storage tank 340 of the inner tubular section 3 so as to be located above the valve opening 381 of the water inlet valve 38. In this embodiment, the filter member 32 is made of stainless steel in a cylindrical shape with an upward opening, and numerous filtration holes are formed in its side walls. As a result, relatively large debris such as pebbles, fallen leaves, or insect carcasses that enter the storage tank 340 of the inner tubular section 3 from the water inlet 374 along with rainwater are collected inside the cylindrical filter member 32. When the filter member 32 is removed for cleaning or replacement, the debris collected inside the filter member 32 can be disposed of all at once.

[0045] As shown in Figures 10, 11, 15, and 16, the cover member 4 is located above the water collection chamber 20 along the vertical direction Z and is fixed to the upper side of the outer tubular portion 31 by a plurality of screws. Specifically, a fan-shaped guide area 41 is formed on the upper surface of the cover member 4, which is lower than other parts so that water can be taken in. That is, the guide area 41 has a guide recess 411 that is located lower than the ground 9 (see Figure 16) when the embedded optical device with automatic drainage function of this second embodiment is embedded in the ground 9, and a guide inlet 412 that penetrates the cover member 4 along the vertical direction Z so as to open adjacent to the guide recess 411 at a position directly above the arcuate surface 373, the water inlet 374, and the water outlet 375. The guide recess 411 has a water guide slope 413 that extends diagonally from top to bottom as it approaches the guide inlet 412 from the peripheral portion of the cover member 4. The periphery of the guide inlet 412 that is in contact with the water guide slope 413 is also in contact with the upper edge of the arcuate surface 373 of the guide body 371, and the nozzle head 372 attached to the guide body 371 is exposed upright above the guide inlet 412 via the guide inlet 412. With this configuration, the guide inlet 412, the water inlet 374, the water outlet 375, the storage tank 340, and the water inlet 3411 are in communication with each other, and when water such as rainwater from the outside flows into the guide inlet 412 via the water guide slope 413, it first passes through the guide inlet 412 and enters the filter member 32, where relatively large debris such as pebbles, fallen leaves, or insect carcasses is filtered out, and then the water is collected in the water collection chamber 20 via the water inlet valve 38 attached to the water inlet 3411.

[0046] Furthermore, in this second embodiment, a watertight pad 5 made of rubber material is placed between the cover member 4 and the upper base assembly 301. With this configuration, the watertight pad 5 eliminates the gap between the cover member 4 and the upper base assembly 301, ensuring a watertight effect.

[0047] As shown in Figures 12, 16, and 17, the electronic component means 6 is attached to the tubular housing means 200 and includes a control board 63 positioned on the upper base assembly 301 and an optical module 8 positioned adjacent to the window portion 342. The control board 63 is attached to the base portion 351 of the inner tubular base 35 so as to be located in the hollow portion of another projection 343 of the inner tubular housing 34 (a projection 343 on which the wiring box mounting portion 354 to which the wiring box 33 is attached is not located). Specifically, the optical module 8 is positioned inside the window portion 342 of the upper base assembly 301 and is positioned facing the transparent plate 344. In this second embodiment, the optical module 8 has a camera 81 that photographs the license plate of the vehicle for the purpose of vehicle management, from a position below the ground 9 (see Figure 16) towards the transparent plate 344 of the window portion 342. Furthermore, the optical module 8 can be configured to have functions other than a camera, such as a projector, and is not limited to a shooting function.

[0048] As shown in Figures 11, 15, 16, and 18, the automatic drainage means 7 of this second embodiment is mounted on the upper base assembly 301 so as to be located below the nozzle mechanism 37 in the water collection chamber 20 of the housing body 22, and is used to draw up water collected in the water collection chamber 20 from the outside through the filter member 32 and discharge it from the nozzle mechanism 37. Specifically, the automatic drainage means 7 is configured to include a pump member 71 located in the water collection chamber 20 and electrically connected to a control board 63 (see Figure 17), a drain pipe 72 extending from the pump member 71 to the nozzle mechanism 37 so as to substantially coincide with the vertical direction Z, a wiring tube 73 extending from the pump member 71 to the wiring box 33 along the vertical direction Z, and a water level sensing means 74 located in the water collection chamber 20. For example, a drive pump or a water pumping motor can be used as the pump member 71. The drain pipe 72 passes through the filter member 32 and communicates with the spray holes 376 of the nozzle head 372 of the nozzle mechanism 37. Incidentally, in this second embodiment, the inner diameter of the spray holes 376 is shorter than the inner diameter of the drain pipe 72. The water level sensing means 74 is configured to detect the water level accumulated in the water collection chamber 20 and transmit a signal to the pump member 71, thereby activating the pump member 71 when a predetermined water level is reached. Alternatively, the water level sensing means 74 can be configured to detect the water level and transmit a signal to the control board 63, and the control board 63 can then control the pump member 71 based on its judgment. The technology for controlling the pump member 71 in this way is well known and can be appropriately designed by those skilled in the art, so a detailed explanation is omitted. In this second embodiment, the water level sensing means 74 includes a low water level sensor 741 that detects when the water level in the water collection chamber 20 reaches a predetermined lower limit water level, and a high water level sensor 742 that is positioned higher than the low water level sensor 741 and detects when the water level in the water collection chamber 20 reaches a predetermined upper limit water level.

[0049] As described above, in this second embodiment, the system is configured to operate using electricity supplied from a power cable (not shown) connected to an external power source. The power cable extends through the cable passage hole 221 into the wiring box 33 and is electrically connected to the control board 63, supplying the electricity necessary for operation to the pump component 71, water level sensing means 74, etc., through the control board 63. Since the wiring box 33 is coated with waterproof paint, malfunctions due to moisture can be prevented. It should be noted that a configuration in which a battery is placed in the wiring box mounting section 354 instead of the wiring box 33 is also conceivable, in which case the installation of the cable passage hole 221 becomes unnecessary. When the high-level sensor 742 detects that the water level in the water collection chamber 20 has reached a predetermined upper limit, the pump member 71 operates in response to a signal transmitted from the high-level sensor 742 to the pump member 71, allowing the water accumulated in the water collection chamber 20 to be ejected from the nozzle head 372 of the nozzle mechanism 37 via the drain pipe 72. At this time, since the inner diameter of the spray holes 376 formed in the nozzle head 372 is shorter than the inner diameter of the drain pipe 72, water can be ejected from the spray holes 376 over a long distance. Furthermore, when the low-level sensor 741 detects that the water level in the water collection chamber 20 has reached a predetermined lower limit, the pump member 71 stops operating in response to a signal transmitted from the low-level sensor 741 to the pump member 71.

[0050] Thus, in this second embodiment, the water in the water collection chamber 20 can be discharged to the outside from the nozzle head 372 by the pump member 71 which operates on power from an external power source, and it can be said that the same effects as in the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0051] Another feature of this second embodiment is that, by having a launching valve 38, the flow rate into the water collection chamber 20 can be controlled by replacing the launching valve 38 with one having a valve opening 381 of a different inner diameter. That is, if the inner diameter of the valve opening 381 of the launching valve 38 is relatively wide, the flow rate into the water collection chamber 20 is relatively high, which has the advantage of making clogging less likely. On the other hand, if the inner diameter of the valve opening 381 of the launching valve 38 is relatively narrow, the flow rate into the water collection chamber 20 is relatively low, which can reduce the operating rate of the pump member 71 of the automatic drainage means 7 and extend the service life of the pump member 71. Thus, in this second embodiment, by replacing the launching valve 38, it is possible to select and use a launching valve 38 having a valve opening 381 with an appropriate inner diameter depending on the surrounding environment of the installation location. Furthermore, in this second embodiment, the water level sensing means 74 can detect the water level accumulated in the water collection chamber 20 and control the automatic drainage by the pump member 71, allowing the water accumulated in the water collection chamber 20 to be ejected from the nozzle head 372. However, it is also conceivable that the same effect could be achieved by integrating the water level sensing function into the pump member 71.

[0052] Incidentally, in this second embodiment, the light-passing holes 3421 of the window portion 342 are arranged adjacent to the nozzle mechanism 37 so as to face it. However, in the present invention, it is also possible to arrange the light-passing holes 3421 of the window portion 342 so as to face in a different direction from the nozzle mechanism 37, or to arrange the nozzle head 372 that ejects water from the water collection chamber 20 and the guide inlet 412 that takes water into the water collection chamber 20 at a distance from each other in the horizontal direction. In other words, the positional relationship between the window portion 342, the guide inlet 412 and the nozzle mechanism 37 is not limited to the configuration shown in this second embodiment.

[0053] In this second embodiment, when the embedded optical device with automatic drainage function is embedded in the ground 9 (see Figure 16), the light passage holes 3421 formed in the inner tubular housing 34 and the camera 81 are located almost below the ground 9. Therefore, if rainwater or other liquids accumulate on the ground 9, they will flow into the water collection chamber 20 via the guide recess 411. The automatic drainage means 7 of the present invention will then automatically drain the water from the water collection chamber 20, preventing water from accumulating in front of the camera 81 and allowing it to perform its shooting function normally.

[0054] In summary, the embedded optical device with automatic drainage function of the present invention, when embedded in the ground, can take in water from the ground 9 through the guide inlet 443 / guide inlet 412 and guide recess 444 / guide recess 411 located below the ground 9 into the water collection chamber 241 / water collection chamber 20, and the water in the water collection chamber 241 / water collection chamber 20 can be discharged to the outside by the pump member 71. As a result, the optical module 8 having the camera 81 operates normally, and the objective of the present invention is reliably achieved.

[0055] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications are possible without departing from its essence. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 20 Water collection room 200 Tubular housing means 21 Lower pedestal 22 Main unit 23 Upper opening 23 Main unit 232 Bottom 233 Annular wall section 234 First cylindrical section 235 Second cylindrical section 236 First Chamber 237 Second Chamber 24 Water collection case 2401 Vertical board 2402 Top tab 242 Communication hole 243 Engagement Block 2430 Engaging recess 244 First water guide slope 245 Counter Service 246 Outer part 247 Inner part 25 Nozzle mechanism 251 Nozzle Head 2510 Engagement protrusion 252 Connecting pipe 253 Fountain hole 254 Injection guide surface 3 Inner tubular part 301 Upper base assembly 311 Containment hole 312 Outer tubular housing 313 Lower flange 32 Filter components 33 Wiring box 34 Inner tubular housing 340 storage tanks 341 Storage tank definition section 3411 Launch hole 3412 Through hole 3413 Inclined curved surface 342 Counter Service 3421 Light passing hole 343 Protrusion 344 Transparent plate 345 Inner ring wall 346 Outer annular wall 347 Ring groove 35 Inner tubular base 351 Base section 352 Peripheral wall 353 mounting slots 354 Wiring box mounting section 36 Watertight member 361 Mounting groove 362 Tapered surface 363 Water guide surface 37 Nozzle mechanism 371 Guide body 372 Nozzle Head 373 Circular Arc Surface 374 Water entrance 375 Water outlet 376 Fountain hole 377 Injection guide surface 38 Launching valve 381 Valve opening 4 Cover component 400 Cover component 41 Guidance Area 411 Guide recess 412 Information Entrance 413 Water Guide Slope 43 Movable cover 431 Cardinal Branch 432 Installation opening 433 Engagement Slots 44 Water Guide Department 441 Guide body 442 Filter component 443 Information Entrance 444 Guide recess 445 Hollow part Exit 446 447 Second water guide slope 448 Engagement Plate 5 watertight pads 6. Electronic component means 61 Module Cases 62 Waterproofing materials 63 Control board 7 Automatic drainage means 71 Pump components 72 Drain pipe 73 Wiring Tubes 74 Water level sensing means 741 Low water level sensor 742 High water level sensor 8 Optical Modules 81 Camera 9 ground 91 Electricity supply means Z vertical direction

Claims

1. An embedded optical device with an automatic drainage function, comprising a tubular housing means surrounding a water collection chamber, an electronic component means attached to the tubular housing means, and an automatic drainage means attached to the tubular housing means and used to discharge water from the water collection chamber to the outside, and used to be embedded in the ground, The tubular housing means is formed to have a window portion at its upper end in the vertical direction that can take in light, a guide inlet located above the water collection chamber and communicating with the outside to allow water to be taken into the water collection chamber, and a guide recess communicating with the guide inlet and configured to be at a lower position than the ground when the embedded optical device with automatic drainage function is embedded in the ground. The electronic component means is configured to have an optical module facing the window portion, The aforementioned automatic drainage means includes a pump member that is electrically driven and can be operated to discharge the water contained in the water collection chamber to the outside, in a recessed optical device with an automatic drainage function.

2. The embedded optical device with automatic drainage function according to claim 1, wherein the tubular housing means further comprises a filter member located between the guide inlet and the water collection chamber.

3. The tubular housing means is configured to have a cover member located above the water collection chamber, The embedded optical device with automatic drainage function according to claim 1, wherein the guide recess extends diagonally from the outer peripheral edge of the cover member toward the guide entrance located below the outer peripheral edge of the cover member.

4. The embedded optical device with automatic drainage function according to claim 3, wherein the cover member is configured to have a guide outlet located next to the cover member and communicating with both the guide inlet and the water collection chamber, and a filter member installed so as to be located between the guide outlet and the water collection chamber.

5. The cover member is configured to have a water guide section having a guide section body in which the guide inlet, the guide recess, and the guide outlet are formed, and the filter member is removablely attached to the guide outlet, as described in claim 4, for a built-in optical device with an automatic drainage function.

6. The embedded optical device with automatic drainage function according to claim 3, wherein a nozzle mechanism having a nozzle head that communicates with the automatic drainage means and discharges water from the water collection chamber to the outside when the pump member is operating is disposed in the tubular housing means.

7. The embedded optical device with an automatic drainage function according to claim 6, wherein the automatic drainage means has a drainage pipe that communicates with the pump member and the nozzle head and extends along the vertical direction, and when the pump member is operating, it outputs the water in the water collection chamber to the nozzle head for discharge.

8. The tubular housing means has an upper opening and a housing body below the upper opening that surrounds the water collection chamber communicating with the upper opening, and the cover member is attached to the housing body and is configured to be switchable between a shielding position that shields the upper opening and an open position that does not shield the upper opening, as described in claim 3.

9. The embedded optical device with automatic drainage function according to claim 1, wherein the tubular housing means is configured to include a housing body surrounding the water collection chamber and a water collection case that is removablely disposed inside the water collection chamber.

10. The embedded optical device with automatic drainage function according to claim 1, wherein a first chamber in which an electrical supply means is arranged is defined as a space separate from the water collection chamber within the tubular housing means.

11. The embedded optical device with automatic drainage function according to claim 3, wherein the cover member comprises a movable cover configured to swing by a hinge structure, and a water guide portion disposed on the movable cover, and having the guide inlet and guide recess formed thereon.

12. The embedded optical device with automatic drainage function according to claim 11, wherein the water guide is configured to be removable from the movable cover.

13. The embedded optical device with automatic drainage function according to claim 1, wherein the automatic drainage means includes a water level sensing means for detecting the water level in the water collection chamber, and the operation of the pump member is controlled based on the detection result of the water level sensing means.

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