Imaging device
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2021092735
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-06-02
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-02
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-06-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing surveillance camera designs with heaters face inefficiencies in heating the front window due to heat conduction and diffusion through thermally conductive housings, particularly when made of materials like metal.
The design incorporates a housing with a first and second cover, a lens unit, a protective member, and a heat-generating member positioned to heat the protective member, using a heat-generating member separated from the second cover and insulated by a sealing member to efficiently warm the front window and LED window.
The solution allows for efficient heating of the front window and LED window, effectively melting ice and snow with reduced power consumption and improved impact resistance, while maintaining waterproof integrity.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device provided with a heater.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, surveillance cameras have been used in various locations regardless of the installation location. Some outdoor surveillance cameras are equipped with a heater for melting ice and snow adhering to the front window of the camera. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a heater structure for the front window attached to a housing. In the heater structure disclosed in Patent Document 1, a heater as a heating element is fixed to a frame, and the front window is heated via the frame. Further, the heat that warms the front window is transferred to the housing.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] In the configuration disclosed in the above Patent Document 1, when the housing is made of a high heat-conducting material such as metal, the heat transferred to the housing may conduct and diffuse throughout the housing.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device capable of efficiently heating a front window by a heater.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] To solve the above problems, the imaging device of the present invention comprises a housing consisting of a first cover and a second cover, a lens unit disposed inside the housing, a transparent protective member disposed on the first cover, a heating member disposed at a distance from the second cover for heating the protective member, and a sealing member disposed between the first cover and the second cover. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging device that can efficiently heat the front window with a heater. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] Perspective view of a surveillance camera in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view of a surveillance camera in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of a surveillance camera in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 4] Exploded view of a surveillance camera in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view of a heater unit in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 6] Exploded view of the heater unit in an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 to 6. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the surveillance camera 100 in this embodiment. Figures 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views of the surveillance camera 100 in this embodiment. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view at section AA of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view at section BB of Figure 1. Figure 4 is an exploded view of the surveillance camera 100 in this embodiment. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the front window unit 120 in this embodiment. Figure 6 is an exploded view of the front window unit 120 in this embodiment.
[0010] As an example of an imaging device, the surveillance camera 100 is a box-shaped surveillance camera for use outside a vehicle. The surveillance camera 100 comprises a housing and a front window unit 120. Although the surveillance camera 100 of this embodiment is intended for outdoor use, it is not limited to this. The present invention can be adapted when the surveillance camera 100 is installed in an environment that requires a heater.
[0011] The housing consists of an upper cover 113 and a front cover 111, each of which is made of, for example, die-cast aluminum. Openings are formed in the upper cover 113 and the front cover 111. The front cover 111 is positioned in the opening of the upper cover 113, and the front window 131 is positioned in the opening of the front cover 111. The front cover 111 is positioned on the front side of the upper cover 113. The front side is the left side in Figures 2 and 3, which is the subject side of the lens unit 151. The upper cover 113 has a lower cover 114. The lower cover 114 is a component that is installed on the ceiling or the like, and the main circuit board 143 and the like are positioned on it. The upper cover 113 corresponds to the second cover. The front cover 111 corresponds to the first cover.
[0012] The front window 131 is a transparent window component, made of, for example, glass or polycarbonate. A lens unit 151 is positioned inside the front window 131. Light enters the lens unit 151 through the front window 131. The front window 131 is positioned approximately in the center of the front cover 111 and is rectangular in shape. The front window 131 corresponds to a protective component.
[0013] The housing contains a lens unit 151, a main board 141, and an LED 141. The lens unit 151 captures images of the outside through the front window 131. The lens unit 151, including the imaging optical system, captures images of the outside world (subject) from inside the surveillance camera 100 and generates a video signal. The lens unit 151 consists of a lens barrel, a fixed lens fixed to the lens barrel, a sensor, etc. The video signal generated by the lens unit 151 is transmitted to the main board 143 via a cable (not shown).
[0014] The main board 143 is an electrical circuit board. Various electrical components (not shown) are mounted on the main board 143. The main board 143 processes the video signal output from the lens unit 151 and applies compression encoding to the processed video signal. The main board 143 transmits the compressed video signal to an external camera control device, for example, via a network.
[0015] LED141 is a lighting component mounted on the LED board 142. When it is determined that the surrounding area is dark based on images captured by the lens unit 151 or an illuminance sensor (not shown), LED141 turns ON. The light emitted from LED141 passes through the LED window 112 and illuminates the outside. The light emitted from LED141 is visible light or infrared light.
[0016] The LED window 112 is made of a light-transmitting material, such as polycarbonate. The LED window 112 is fixed to the front cover 111 by screws or adhesive (not shown). An LED 141 is placed inside the LED window 112. The space between the LED window 112 and the front cover 111 is waterproofed by waterproof rubber or adhesive (not shown). Two LED windows 112 are provided, flanking the front window 131, and they are rectangular in shape. The LEDs are lighting components, and the LED window 112 corresponds to a lighting protection component.
[0017] The front window unit 120 consists of the aforementioned front window 131, heater 132, heater sheet metal 133, heater holder 134, and gasket 121. The front window unit 120 is assembled between the housing, which consists of the front cover 111 and the upper cover 113.
[0018] The heater 132 is a heating element with an opening in the center. The heater 132 is an FPC type heater with a meandering pattern. The heater 132 is electrically connected to the main board 143 by a cable (not shown). The heater 132 is fixed to the heater sheet metal 133 by double-sided tape (not shown). A heater holder 134 and a gasket 121 are positioned between the heater 132 and the upper cover 113.
[0019] When a temperature sensor (not shown) detects a sub-zero temperature or when snow or ice adhesion to the front window 131 is detected based on an image captured by the lens unit 151, etc., the heater 132 is turned on. The heat generated by the heater 132 warms the front window 131 and melts the snow and ice. Further, the heat generated by the heater 132 is transmitted to the LED window 112 via the front cover 131. This enables melting of snow or ice even if it adheres to the LED window 112.
[0020] In this embodiment, the control of the heater 132 is configured to switch between two states of ON / OFF of the heater 132. Also, the heating mode of the heater 132 may be configured to switch among three states of ON1 (low power consumption for melting only the ice adhesion on the front window 131), ON2 (high power consumption for melting the ice adhesion on both the front window 131 and the LED window 112), and OFF. In this case, the switching between ON1 and ON2 is controlled due to the ON / OFF of the LED 141.
[0021] The heater sheet metal 133 is a heat diffusion member that diffuses the heat generated by the heater 132 so that it becomes uniform on the surface of the heater 132. The heater sheet metal 133 is, for example, an aluminum sheet metal and has an opening at the center.
[0022] The heater holder 134 is a retaining component that holds the front window 131, the heater 132, and the heater sheet metal 133. The heater holder 134 holds the front window 131, the heater 132, and the heater sheet metal 133, for example, by a snap fit. The heater holder 134 is made of plastic, for example, and has an opening in the center. Since the heater holder 134 is made of plastic and the gasket 121 is made of silicone rubber, they have lower thermal conductivity compared to aluminum, etc., and have an insulating effect between the heater 132 and the upper cover 113. A gap 125 corresponding to an insulating area is formed between the heater holder 134 and the upper cover 113. That is, the heater holder 134 and the upper cover 113 are spaced apart. The air in the gap 125 has a thermal conductivity of about 0.02 W / m·K, which is even lower than that of plastic or rubber, and has an even higher insulating effect. Note that the heater 132 does not necessarily have to be held by the heater holder 134. In this case, a gap should be formed between the heater 132 and the upper cover 113.
[0023] Furthermore, the gap 125 between the heater holder 134 and the upper cover 113 allows the front window 131 to retract by the gap 125 even if a stone hits it. This retraction structure reduces the impact on the front window 131, improving the impact resistance of the surveillance camera 100. Also, the amount of deformation of the second elastic part 123 when the front window unit 120 is assembled to the housing is greater than the amount of movement of the front window unit 120. Therefore, even if the front window 131 retracts in the event of impact, the second elastic part can maintain the waterproof performance between the front cover 111 and the front window 131. The heater holder 134 corresponds to a retaining member.
[0024] The gasket 121 is an elastic member that prevents rainwater and other foreign objects from entering the enclosure. The gasket 121 is positioned between the upper cover 113 and the front cover 111 and also serves to prevent heat from the front cover from transferring to the upper cover 113. The gasket 121 is equivalent to a sealing member. The gasket 121 is made of, for example, silicone rubber. The thermal conductivity of silicone rubber is about 0.2 W / m·K, which is lower than that of metals such as aluminum. The gasket 121 is configured to cover the entire circumference of the heater holder 134 that holds the front window 131, heater 132, and heater sheet metal 133. The gasket 121 is provided with a first elastic part 122, a second elastic part 123, and an extension part 124. The first elastic part 122 is a series of rib shapes that surround the periphery of the opening. The first elastic part 122 waterproofs by sealing the space between the heater holder 134 and the upper cover 113. The second elastic portion 123 is a series of ribs surrounding the opening. The second elastic portion 123 waterproofs the space between the front window 131 and the front cover 112. Furthermore, when the front window unit 120 is assembled to the housing, the first elastic portion 122 and the second elastic portion 123 of the gasket 121 elastically deform, sealing the space and waterproofing it to prevent water from entering the inside of the housing.
[0025] The elastic force of the first elastic part 122 is greater than the elastic force of the second elastic part 123. For example, a greater elastic force can be obtained by making the width of the rib shape of the first elastic part 122 wider than the rib shape of the second elastic part 123. Because the elastic force of the first elastic part 122 is greater, the front window unit 120 is biased to the left in Figure 2 (or Figure 3). In other words, the front window 131 is biased towards the front cover. The position of the front window unit 120 is determined by the contact between the front window 131 and the front cover 111. The contact between the front window 131 and the front cover 111 creates a thermal connection. A thin sheet material or the like may be attached to the contact portion of the front cover 111 with the front window 131 to prevent scratching the front window 131.
[0026] The extension portion 124 has a planar shape that extends around the gasket 121. The extension portion 124 is positioned between the front cover 111 and the upper cover 113 and provides insulation between the front cover 111 and the upper cover. The extension portion 124 also functions as a waterproof portion between the upper cover 113 and the front cover 111. The gasket, which has the first elastic portion 122, the second elastic portion 123 and the extension portion 124, is integrally molded. Integral molding does not increase the number of parts, and parts costs and assembly costs can be reduced. The gasket 121, heater 132, heater sheet metal 133 and heater holder 134 have an opening in the center so as not to obstruct the shooting of the lens unit 151.
[0027] As described above, the extension portion 124 of the gasket 121 provides insulation between the upper cover 113 and the front cover 111. Furthermore, there is an insulating region (gap 125) between the heater holder 134 that holds the heater 132 and the upper cover 113. This allows the heater 132 to efficiently heat the front window 131. These insulating structures also allow the front window 131 to be heated quickly and with low power consumption, melting ice and snow. Similarly, the LED window 112 is also heated by the heater's heat via the front cover 131. The extension portion 124 of the gasket 121 provides insulation between the upper cover 113 and the front cover 111. Furthermore, there is an insulating region (gap 125) between the heater holder 134 that holds the heater 132 and the upper cover 113. This allows the heater 132 to efficiently heat the LED window 112.
[0028] As described above, a surveillance camera capable of efficiently heating the front window 131 and the LED window 112 can be provided. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. [Explanation of symbols]
[0029] 100 surveillance cameras 111 Front cover 112 LED windows 113 Top cover 120 Front window unit 121 Gasket 124 Extension 131 Front window 132 Heater 134 Heater holder 141 LED 151 Lens Unit
Claims
1. a housing consisting of a first cover and a second cover; a lens unit disposed inside the housing; and a protective member disposed on the first cover and being transparent; a heat generating member disposed at a distance from the second cover and configured to heat the protective member; a sealing member disposed between the first cover and the second cover.
2. the sealing member has a first elastic portion and a second elastic portion; the first elastic portion is disposed between the second cover and the protection member, the second elastic portion is disposed between the first cover and the protection member, 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic force of the first elastic portion is greater than the elastic force of the second elastic portion, urging the protective member toward the first cover and causing the first cover and the protective member to abut against each other.
3. 3. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the extension portion disposed between the first cover and the second cover, the first elastic portion, and the second elastic portion are integrally molded.
4. a holding member for holding the heat-generating member, 4. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the holding member is disposed at a distance from the second cover.
5. The imaging device according to claim 4 , wherein the holding member holds the protection member.
6. The device further includes an illumination member and a light protection member that transmits light from the illumination member, The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the illumination protection member is disposed on the first cover, and heat from the heat-generating member is transferred via the first cover.
7. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the first cover and the second cover have a thermal conductivity higher than that of the sealing member.