Camera Cooling Device

Abstract

To provide a cooling device of a camera which protects the camera from heat and dust to prevent deterioration of performance and enable the camera to capture images clearly even at a harsh site such as a molten slag discharge pit.SOLUTION: A cooling device of a camera includes: a housing 3 which houses a camera 2 therein and has a cooling gas inlet 32 located behind the camera, a photographic window 31 which is located in front of the camera and into which a transparent panel is fitted, and a cooling gas outlet 33 configured to blow a cooling gas G to the outside toward the front side of the camera; a pipe 4 which is connected at an end to the cooling gas inlet 32 to send the cooling gas into the housing and configured so that a wiring 2a of the camera may be inserted thereinto; and a front guide wall 51 facing the cooling gas outlet 33 and erected in front of the photographic window.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device for a camera. [Background technology]

[0002] Cameras are used to take pictures and monitor work in high-temperature environments such as molten slag removal areas and welding work sites. In these high-temperature environments, to prevent the camera's temperature from rising due to radiant heat, the camera is placed away from the heat source being photographed and the telephoto function is used to take pictures.

[0003] However, there are problems with camera equipment with telephoto capabilities: it is expensive, and if the camera is installed at a high altitude away from the subject, the image is a bird's-eye view, making it difficult to see differences in elevation, and it is difficult to remotely operate heavy machinery based on the camera image.

[0004] To address this problem, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a camera unit including the camera body is cooled by providing a camera case that houses the camera body and circulating cooling gas inside the camera case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6956055 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, when such conventional camera cooling devices are used in, for example, a slag treatment plant where molten slag is handled, the high temperature and dusty environment can lead to dust adhering to the housing, which can impair the camera's visibility. Furthermore, if the housing has multiple openings, dust can get inside the housing and cause camera malfunctions.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and its purpose is to provide a camera cooling device that protects the camera from heat and dust, prevents performance degradation, and enables clear photography, even in harsh environments with high temperatures and a lot of dust, such as a molten slag waste disposal site. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is provided with a front guide wall that guides the cooling gas blown out from the housing.

[0009] Specifically, in the first invention, a housing that houses a camera therein, and has a cooling gas inlet at the rear of the camera, a photographing window in front of the camera with a transparent panel fitted therein, and a cooling gas outlet configured to blow cooling gas outward toward the front of the camera; a pipe having an end connected to the cooling gas inlet for supplying cooling gas into the housing and configured to allow wiring of the camera to be inserted therethrough; and a front guide wall that faces the cooling gas outlet and stands in front of the photographing window.

[0010] According to the first aspect of the present invention, when cooling gas used to maintain a constant temperature for the camera inside the housing is blown out through the housing, it collides with a guide wall facing the cooling gas outlet, bends its flow path, and flows toward the photographing window. The cooling gas forms an air curtain around the photographing window, preventing fogging due to outside air and contamination due to dust adhesion, thereby maintaining clear images captured by the camera. In addition, the camera's wiring is inserted through the piping that sends cooling gas into the housing, preventing damage to the wiring due to heat. Since there is no need to provide a separate wiring insertion hole in the housing, external dust is less likely to enter the housing, and a decrease in the cooling efficiency of the cooling gas is also prevented.

[0011] In the second invention, in the first invention, the cooling gas outlet provided below the photographing window; the front guide wall facing the photographing window and the cooling gas outlet and erected across the entire width of the photographing window; and side guide walls extending from both left and right ends of the front guide wall toward the housing.

[0012] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the front of the photographic window is surrounded by the front guide wall and the side guide walls, so that the cooling gas is guided through the flow path by the front guide wall and the side guide walls, and an air curtain can be formed in front of the photographic window. This allows the cooling gas to flow more efficiently along the entire area of ​​the photographic window, thereby enhancing the protection effect of the photographic window.

[0013] In the third invention, in the second invention, The front guide wall, the side guide wall, and a bottom wall extending from the housing to the lower ends of the front guide wall and the side guide wall form a pocket that opens upward in front of the photographing window.

[0014] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the pocket bends the flow path of the cooling gas, causing the gas to flow from bottom to top, thereby more reliably forming an air curtain over the entire area of ​​the photographing window. This allows the cooling gas to flow more efficiently, further enhancing the protective effect of the photographing window.

[0015] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the housing is attached to a support in a forward tilted position, The housing has the cooling gas outlet at the bottom of the front wall.

[0016] When moisture contained in the cooling gas condenses inside the housing and water accumulates, the water flows forward along the bottom plate of the housing while being pressed by the cooling gas, and accumulates at the bottom of the front wall. According to the fourth invention, the cooling gas outlet is located in the position where water accumulates, so the water is pushed out by the cooling gas and easily discharged from the cooling gas outlet. This makes it possible to prevent camera damage caused by water.

[0017] The fifth invention is the fourth invention, The side guide wall has a communication hole that connects the inside and outside of the pocket, and the bottom of the communication hole is formed to be continuous with the upper surface of the bottom wall of the pocket.

[0018] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the water discharged from the cooling gas outlet can be further discharged outside the pocket through the communication holes. By providing the communication holes in the side guide walls, the water can be discharged without reducing the cooling gas guiding effect of the pocket, and the discharged water is prevented from splashing onto the imaging window.

[0019] The sixth invention is the fifth invention, The piping is characterized by including a flow rate adjusting valve that adjusts the flow rate of the cooling gas, and a pressure adjusting device that adjusts the pressure of the cooling gas.

[0020] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the cooling gas can be adjusted according to the outside air temperature by using a flow control valve and a pressure control valve to adjust the gas flow rate and pressure, thereby making it possible to keep the temperature inside the housing constant at all times. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] As described above, according to the present invention, even in harsh environments with high temperatures and a lot of dust, such as a molten slag waste disposal site, the camera can be protected from heat and dust, and its performance can be prevented from deteriorating. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the camera cooling device according to the present embodiment is attached to a slag disposal area. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view showing the configuration of a camera cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a side view showing the configuration of a camera cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a side view of a main part for explaining the air curtain function of the camera cooling device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a side view of a main part for explaining the water discharge action of the camera cooling device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a view taken along the line BB in FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description of the preferred embodiments is merely an example and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0024] <Configuration of camera cooling device> The camera cooling device 1 is used in harsh environments with high temperatures and a lot of dust, such as molten slag disposal sites.It houses a camera that monitors the work area inside a housing, keeping the camera's temperature constant and protecting it from dust and dirt.

[0025] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the camera cooling device according to this embodiment is installed in a slag removal area. As shown in FIG. 1, the camera cooling device 1 according to this embodiment is attached to a support Y at a position away from the high-temperature molten slag X. The camera cooling device 1 can be installed at a position closer to the molten slag X than the worker H.

[0026] 2 and 3 are side views showing the configuration of the camera cooling device according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2 and 3, the camera cooling device 1 according to this embodiment includes a housing 3 that houses a camera 2, a pipe 4 that sends cooling gas G into the housing 3, a pocket 5 that guides the cooling gas G, and a flow rate adjustment valve 6 and a pressure adjustment device 7 that adjust the cooling gas G.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the housing 3 and the pocket 5. As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 3 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped with a space inside to house the camera 2. The housing 3 is attached to the support Y via a rotating member 10. The rotating member 10 supports the housing 3 so that it can rotate relative to the support Y. Therefore, by attaching the housing 3 in a forward-leaning position relative to the support Y, it is possible to photograph an object below. A roof body 8 is attached to the top of the housing 3, but the roof body 8 is not shown in FIG. 4.

[0028] The housing 3 has a photographic window 31 with a transparent panel fitted into a front wall 30 erected in front of the camera 2. The photographic window 31 is large enough to allow the camera 2 to photograph the outside, and is erected in front of the lens of the camera 2. The housing 3 has a cooling gas inlet 32 ​​behind the camera 2 and a cooling gas outlet 33 in front of the camera 2. Other than the cooling gas inlet 32 ​​and the cooling gas outlet 33, the housing 3 does not have any openings that communicate between the inside of the housing 3 and the outside.

[0029] The cooling gas inlet 32 ​​is provided at the rear of the camera 2. In this embodiment, the cooling gas inlet 32 ​​is provided on the bottom plate 34 of the housing 3, but may be provided on the left and right side walls or the rear wall of the housing 3. The cooling gas inlet 32 ​​is a circular opening large enough to allow the wiring 2a of the camera 2 and other wiring to pass through. The wiring 2a includes the power wiring and communication wiring of the camera 2. The cooling gas outlet 33 is configured to blow cooling gas G outward toward the front of the camera 2. In this embodiment, the cooling gas outlet 33 is a hole that penetrates the front wall 30 in the front-to-rear direction and is provided in approximately the center below the shooting window 31. The cooling gas outlet 33 is provided at the bottom of the front wall 30. More specifically, the cooling gas outlet 33 is provided at the lower end of the front wall 30, and the bottom of the cooling gas outlet 33 is formed continuously with the upper surface of the bottom plate 34 of the housing 3.

[0030] The piping 4 is cylindrical and has a diameter large enough to allow the wiring 2a for the camera 2 to pass through and to send the cooling gas G into the housing 3. One end of the piping 4 is connected to a cooling gas inlet 32 ​​provided in the housing 3. The piping 4 and the housing 3 are connected without any gaps at the cooling gas inlet 32. As shown in FIG. 3 , the piping 4 has a flow rate adjustment valve 6 that adjusts the flow rate of the cooling gas and a pressure adjustment device 7 that adjusts the pressure of the cooling gas.

[0031] The flow rate adjustment valve 6 is attached to the pipe 4 and is capable of adjusting the flow rate of the cooling gas passing through the pipe 4 to a desired level. The flow rate adjustment valve 6 may be configured to be manually adjustable using an operating rod 6a rotatably provided relative to the cooling gas flow path, or may be configured to be automatically controlled in accordance with the temperature and pressure inside the housing 3. For example, the flow rate adjustment valve 6 may be automatically controlled so that when a sensor detects a rise in temperature inside the housing 3, the flow rate adjustment valve 6 increases the flow rate of the cooling gas to lower the temperature inside the housing, and when a temperature drop is detected, the flow rate adjustment valve 6 decreases the flow rate of the cooling gas to raise the temperature inside the housing.

[0032] The pressure regulator 7 can adjust the pressure of the cooling gas passing through the piping to a desired level. The pressure regulator 7 may be configured to be manually adjustable, or may be configured to be automatically controlled according to the temperature and pressure inside the housing 3.

[0033] In FIG. 2, the flow rate adjusting valve 6 is installed downstream of the pressure adjusting device 7 in the direction of flow of the cooling gas, but it may also be installed upstream of the pressure adjusting device 7.

[0034] 4, the other end of the pipe 4 is connected to the inside of the control panel 9 of the camera 2. Wiring 2a of the camera 2 housed in the housing 3 is inserted into the pipe 4 via the cooling gas inlet 32, and the end is connected to the control panel 9. A T-shaped joint is attached to the other end of the pipe 4 between the control panel 9 and the pressure regulator 7 or the flow rate regulator valve 6, and the joint serves as the gas inlet 4a.

[0035] The gas inlet 4a is connected to a cooling gas supply device (not shown) and supplies cooling gas to the piping 4. The cooling gas supplied to the piping 4 can be, for example, nitrogen gas or compressed air. The cooling gas supply device can be, for example, a gas cylinder or a compressor. The compressor can be, for example, a rotary air compressor or an oscillating air compressor. By locating the gas inlet 4a at a location away from the housing 3, which is installed in a high-temperature environment, it is possible to introduce the cooling gas without being affected by heat or dust. This not only improves cooling efficiency but also prevents dust and other particles from entering the housing 3.

[0036] A pocket 5 is provided in the front of the housing 3. The pocket 5 protrudes forward from the front surface of the front wall 30 of the housing 3. It is desirable that the roof 8 provided on the top of the housing 3 extend to the top of the pocket 5. The pocket 5 is formed by a front guide wall 51, a side guide wall 52, and a bottom wall 53 extending from the housing 3 to the lower ends of the front guide wall 51 and the side guide wall 52, and has a pocket shape that opens upward.

[0037] The bottom wall 53 extends forward from the front wall 30 at least below the cooling gas outlet 33 so that the cooling gas G and water are discharged into the pocket from the cooling gas outlet 33. In this embodiment, the bottom wall 53 is formed contiguous with the bottom of the cooling gas outlet 33 and the upper surface of the bottom plate 34 of the housing 3.

[0038] The front guide wall 51 stands upright at a distance forward from the front wall 30 of the housing 3. More specifically, the front guide wall 51 faces at least the cooling gas outlet 33 and stands upright in front of the photographing window 31. In this embodiment, the front guide wall 51 stands upright facing the photographing window 31 and the cooling gas outlet 33. The upper end of the front guide wall 51 is lower than the lens 2b of the camera 2 and reaches the height of the bottom of the photographing window 31. The left-right width of the front guide wall 51 extends across at least the entire width of the photographing window 31.

[0039] The side guide walls 52 extend from both left and right ends of the front guide wall 51 toward the front wall 30 of the housing 3. In a plan view, the front guide wall 51 and the left and right side guide walls 52 are U-shaped and open on the housing 3 side. The side guide walls 52 have a communication hole 54 at their lower ends that connects the inside and outside of the pocket 5. The bottom of the communication hole 54 is formed contiguous with the upper surface of the bottom wall 53 of the pocket 5. The size of the communication hole 54 is smaller than the cooling gas outlet 33. The communication hole 54 only needs to be large enough to allow the cooling gas G to push out water accumulated in the pocket 5.

[0040] <Air curtain action of camera cooling device> The camera cooling device 1 configured as described above has an air curtain action to prevent contamination, adhesion of water droplets, and fogging of the photographing window 31. The air curtain action will be explained with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a side view of the main part for explaining the air curtain action of the camera cooling device, and Figure 6 is a view taken along line AA in Figure 5. In Figures 5 and 6, the thick arrows indicate the flow path of the cooling gas G.

[0041] Within the housing 3, cooling gas G for maintaining a constant temperature of the camera 2 flows from the cooling gas inlet 32 ​​to the cooling gas outlet 33 from rear to front. When the cooling gas G is blown out from the cooling gas outlet 33, it collides with the front guide wall 51 and the side guide walls 52 that face the cooling gas outlet 33, bending the flow path. Because the front guide wall 51, the side guide walls 52, and the bottom wall 53 are pocket-shaped and open upward, the cooling gas G is guided by the pocket 5 and flows upward. Furthermore, part of the cooling gas G flows out of the pocket 5 through the communication holes 54 provided in the side guide walls 52.

[0042] The cooling gas G guided upward by the pocket 5 flows toward the photographing window 31. The cooling gas G flows from bottom to top around the photographing window 31 as an air curtain, which makes it possible to prevent the photographing window 31 from fogging due to the outside air, the adhesion of water droplets, and contamination due to the adhesion of dust, and the like, thereby enabling the image captured by the camera 2 to be kept clear.

[0043] Furthermore, the wiring 2a for the camera 2 is inserted into the piping 4 that sends the cooling gas G into the housing 3, so it is possible to prevent damage to the wiring 2a due to heat. There is no need to provide a separate insertion hole for the wiring 2a in the housing 3, and the housing 3 has no openings other than the cooling gas inlet 32 ​​and the cooling gas outlet 33, which are connected to the piping 4 without any gaps. This makes it difficult for external dust to enter the housing 3, and it is also possible to prevent a decrease in the cooling efficiency of the cooling gas G.

[0044] <Water discharge function of camera cooling device> Furthermore, camera cooling device 1 has a water drainage function that prevents water from accumulating inside housing 3. The water drainage function will be explained with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Fig. 7 is a side view of the main part for explaining the water drainage function of the camera cooling device, and Fig. 8 is a view taken along line BB in Fig. 7.

[0045] When moisture contained in the cooling gas G condenses inside the housing 3 and water W accumulates, the water W flows forward along the bottom plate 34 of the housing 3 while being pressed by the cooling gas G. If the housing 3 is installed in a forward-leaning position, the water W flows forward more easily. Inside the housing 3, the water W accumulates at the corner between the bottom plate 34 and the front wall 30. The cooling gas outlet 33 is provided at the bottom of the front wall 30 and is positioned at a position where water accumulates. Water W that accumulates in the front of the housing 3 is easily discharged from the cooling gas outlet 33, as if pushed out by the cooling gas G. If the cooling gas outlet 33 is provided at the lower end of the front wall 30 and the bottom of the cooling gas outlet 33 is formed contiguous with the upper surface of the bottom plate 34 of the housing 3, the water is more easily discharged to the outside of the housing 3.

[0046] Furthermore, water discharged from cooling gas outlet 33 into pocket 5 outside housing 3 can be further discharged outside pocket 5 through communication hole 54. By providing communication hole 54 in side guide wall 52, water can be discharged without reducing the air curtain effect of cooling gas G provided by pocket 5, and the discharged water can also be prevented from splashing onto photographing window 31.

[0047] Conventionally, monitors used when operating heavy machinery that works on molten slag, or cameras used to monitor the molten slag, have been installed at a position sufficiently far from the molten slag X, such as position Z in Figure 1. In this embodiment, the camera 2 is protected from heat and dust by the camera cooling device 1 as described above, so it can be installed closer to the molten slag X than the worker H. Since it is possible to capture images from a position closer to the molten slag X than conventionally, when operating heavy machinery based on those images, it is easier to grasp the sense of height and operate. Furthermore, the camera cooling device 1 of this embodiment can cool the temperature of the housing 3 to approximately 30°C and the temperature inside the housing 3 to approximately 23°C in an external environment where the temperature normally rises to 50°C. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1. Camera cooling device 2 Cameras 2a wiring 2b lens 3. Housing 4 Piping 4a Gas inlet 5 pockets 6. Flow control valve 7 Pressure Regulating Device 8 Roof body 9 Control Panel 10 Rotating member 30 Front side wall 31 Photo window 32 Cooling gas inlet 33 Cooling gas outlet 34 Bottom plate 51 Front guide wall 52 Side guide wall 53 Bottom wall 54 Communication hole G Cooling gas H worker W water X Molten slag Y support

Claims

1. a housing that houses a camera therein, and has a cooling gas inlet at the rear of the camera, a photographing window in front of the camera with a transparent panel fitted therein, and a cooling gas outlet configured to blow cooling gas outward toward the front of the camera; a pipe having an end connected to the cooling gas inlet for supplying cooling gas into the housing and configured to allow wiring of the camera to be inserted therethrough; a front guide wall that faces the cooling gas outlet and is erected in front of the photographing window, The cooling gas outlet is provided below the photographing window, and the bottom of the cooling gas outlet is formed continuously with the upper surface of the bottom plate of the housing.

2. The front guide wall is erected across the entire width of the photographing window, facing the photographing window and the cooling gas outlet, 2. The camera cooling device according to claim 1, further comprising: side guide walls extending from both left and right end portions of said front guide wall toward said housing.

3. 3. The camera cooling device according to claim 2, wherein the front guide wall, the side guide wall, and a bottom wall extending from the housing to the lower ends of the front guide wall and the side guide wall form a pocket that opens upward in front of the photographic window.

4. the housing is attached to a support in a forward tilted position, 4. The camera cooling device according to claim 3, wherein the housing has the cooling gas outlet at a lower part of a front wall.

5. 5. A camera cooling device according to claim 4, wherein the side guide wall has a communication hole that connects the inside and outside of the pocket, and the bottom of the communication hole is formed to be continuous with the upper surface of the bottom wall of the pocket.

6. 6. The camera cooling device according to claim 5, wherein the piping is provided with a flow rate adjusting valve that adjusts the flow rate of the cooling gas, and a pressure adjusting device that adjusts the pressure of the cooling gas.

Images