Embedded imaging device with automatic drainage

Abstract

An embedded imaging device with automatic drainage includes a base unit, an electronic component unit, and an automatic drainage unit. The base unit has a water collection chamber, a viewing window, and a top cover assembly. The top cover assembly has a water guide hole, a water guide ramp, a side opening formed on one side, and a filter element installed between the side opening and the water collection chamber. The electronic component unit includes an imaging module adjacent to the viewing window. The automatic drainage unit includes an electrically driven actuator that, when activated, discharges water from the water collection chamber to the outside. Therefore, water accumulation is prevented, allowing the imaging module to operate normally. Simultaneously, the filter element and the side opening are formed on the side, preventing water flow blockage and maintaining unobstructed flow.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an embedded imaging device, and more particularly to an embedded imaging device capable of automatic drainage. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Referring to Figure 1, an embedded electronic device with drainage function, created by the applicant and holding the People's Republic of China Patent No. CN113256994B, includes a fixing unit 11, a camera module 12, and a top cover 13. The fixing unit 11 includes an outer cylinder 111 and an inner cylinder 112 housed within the outer cylinder 111. The outer cylinder 111 has a drain pipe 113 extending downward from the bottom. The camera module 12 is mounted on the top of the inner cylinder 112 and has a lens 121 for photographing license plate numbers outward. The top cover 13 is mounted on the top side of the fixing unit 11 and covers the camera module 12.

[0003] The aforementioned embedded electronic device, by installing the drain pipe 113 on the outer cylinder 111, allows water flowing into the outer cylinder 11 to be discharged downwards into a ditch, thus avoiding image distortion caused by poor drainage. However, many roads lack drainage ditches, which prevents water in the outer cylinder 11 from draining smoothly, affecting the shooting function of the lens 121. In view of this, the applicant, with a spirit of continuous improvement, has conducted in-depth research, creation, and refinement. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an embedded imaging device that can automatically drain water.

[0005] Thus, the embedded imaging device of the present invention, which can automatically drain water, includes a base unit, an electronic component unit, and an automatic drainage unit.

[0006] The cylindrical base unit has a water collection chamber, a light-transmitting window located at the top in a top-bottom direction, and a cover assembly for covering the water collection chamber. The cover assembly has a water guide hole fluidly communicating with the outside, a water guide slope extending from the outer edge toward the water guide hole and inclined downwards, a side opening formed on the side and spatially communicating between the water guide hole and the water collection chamber, and a filter element installed between the side opening and the water collection chamber. The electronic component unit is installed in the cylindrical base unit and includes an image module adjacent to the window. The automatic drainage unit is installed in the cylindrical base unit and is used to automatically drain water that seeps into and / or flows into the water collection chamber from the outside. The automatic drainage unit includes an electrically driven actuator that, when activated, drains water from the water collection chamber to the outside.

[0007] The advantages of this invention are: the water-guiding slope guides water from top to bottom into the water collection chamber, and the automatic drainage unit automatically forces water that seeps into and / or flows into the water collection chamber to the outside, thus having an automatic drainage function. Therefore, water accumulation in the viewing window can be avoided, allowing the image module to operate normally (e.g., for shooting or projection). At the same time, the filter and the side opening are formed on the side, making it less prone to water blockage and keeping the flow unobstructed.

Implementation Method

[0009] Referring to Figures 2 to 4, an embodiment of the automatically draining embedded imaging device of the present invention is suitable for installation in a ground 9 (see Figure 6) and for capturing vehicle license plates. This automatically draining embedded imaging device is suitable for mounting on and electrically connecting to a power unit 91 (see Figure 6). In this embodiment, the power unit 91 is illustrated using a battery as an example; however, in some embodiments, the present invention can also be electrically connected to an external power source, eliminating the need for a battery. The automatically draining embedded imaging device includes a base unit 200, an electronic component unit 6, and an automatic drainage unit 7.

[0010] Referring to Figures 2, 3, and 5, the cylinder base unit 200 includes a cylinder body 23, a water collection box 24, a top cover assembly 400, and a nozzle assembly 25. The cylinder body 23 has an open end 231 and a closed end 232 arranged opposite to each other in a top-bottom direction Z. In this embodiment, the cylinder body 23 has an annular portion 233, a first cylinder portion 234 extending downward from the annular portion 233, and a second cylinder portion 235 adjacent to the first cylinder portion 234 and extending downward from the annular portion 233. The length of the first cylinder portion 234 in the top-bottom direction Z is greater than the length of the second cylinder portion 235 in the top-bottom direction Z. The annular portion 233 forms the open end 231. The first cylinder portion 234 forms a first chamber 236 with an open top. The second cylinder portion 235 forms a second chamber 237 with an open top. The closed end 232 is defined by the bottom of the first cylindrical portion 234 and the second cylindrical portion 235. The first chamber 236 is adapted to accommodate the power unit 91.

[0011] Referring to Figures 3 to 5, the water collection box 24 is installed in the second chamber 237 of the cylinder body 23 and its top extends into the ring portion 233. In this embodiment, the water collection box 24 is detachably installed in the cylinder body 23, so the water collection box 24 can be removed from the second chamber 237 for easy cleaning.

[0012] The water collection box 24 has a water collection chamber 241, an opening 242, a positioning block 243, a water guiding slope 244, and a viewing window 245. The water collection chamber 241 is located between the open end 231 and the closed end 232 of the cylinder body 23 and is spatially independent of the first chamber 236, so that the first chamber 236 can be kept dry and the power unit 91 is prevented from getting damp.

[0013] Referring to Figures 3, 4, and 6, in this embodiment, the water collection chamber 241 is divided into a left half-space 246 and a right half-space 247 that are connected. The left half-space 246 is located in the ring portion 233 of the cylinder body 23, and the right half-space 247 is located in the ring portion 233 and the second chamber 237. The opening 242 is located on the top side of the right half-space 247 and is spatially connected to the water collection chamber 241. The positioning block 243 is adjacent to the opening 242 and has a slope on its top side. The water-guiding slope 244 is adjacent to the side of the positioning block 243 opposite to the opening 242 and slopes downward toward the water collection chamber 241. The viewing window 245 is located on the top side and is light-transmitting. In this embodiment, the window portion 245 consists of a U-shaped block located on the side opposite to the positioning block 243 of the opening 242, and a transparent sheet installed between the U-shaped block and the electronic component unit 6, but is not limited thereto.

[0014] Referring to Figures 2, 3, and 5, the upper cover assembly 400 is used to cover the opening end 231 of the cylinder body 23 to close the water collection chamber 241. In some embodiments, the upper cover assembly 400 has an upper cover 43 that is pivotally connected to the cylinder body 23 and a water guide seat 44 disposed on the upper cover 43. In this embodiment, the upper cover 43 has a pivot portion 431 that is pivotally connected to the ring portion 233 and a fan-shaped notch 432 that is disposed opposite to the pivot portion 431.

[0015] The water guide seat 44 is shaped to fit the notch 432 and is fixed to the notch 432. The lower half of the water guide seat 44 extends into the water collection chamber 241 and has a body 441 and a filter element 442 that can be detachably installed on the body 441. The body 441 has a water guide hole 443 that is fluidly connected to the outside and the opening 242 of the water collection box 24, a water guide slope 444 adjacent to the water guide hole 443, and a hollow portion 445 located below the water guide hole 443. The water guide hole 443 is lower than the ground 9 (see Figure 6) and is spatially connected to the water collection chamber 241. The water guide hole 443 is semi-elliptical and its area is larger than the area of ​​the opening 242 of the water collection box 24. The water guide slope 444 extends from the outer edge toward the water guide hole 443 and slopes downward.

[0016] Referring to Figures 3 and 6, a side opening 446 is formed on the side of the hollow portion 445, connecting the water guide hole 443 and the water collection chamber 241, and a water inlet slope 447 is located below the water guide hole 443, facing the water collection chamber 241 and sloping downwards. The side opening 446 is formed on the side of the water inlet slope 447 away from the water guide hole 443 and extends along the top-bottom direction Z. The water inlet slope 447 connects to the water guide slope 244 and forms a height difference in the top-bottom direction Z.

[0017] The filter element 442 is installed between the side opening 446 and the water collection chamber 241. In some embodiments, the filter element 442 is a filter screen and is removable and replaceable.

[0018] Referring to Figures 3, 6, and 7, the nozzle assembly 25 has a nozzle head 251 installed in the opening 242 of the water collection box 24 and standing upright in the water guide hole 443, and a connecting pipe 252 connected to the bottom end of the nozzle head 251 and extending downward. The nozzle head 251 has an exposed spray hole 253 and a spray surface 254 higher than the spray hole 253. In this embodiment, the spray surface 254 is an approximately quarter-circle arc when viewed from the side. The connecting pipe 252 is in fluid communication with the spray hole 253. When the nozzle assembly 25 is installed in the water collection box 24, the shape of the positioning block 243 facilitates assembly and fixation.

[0019] As shown in Figure 6, since the slope of the water guide slope 444 of the water guide seat 44 is downward, external water, such as rainwater, can flow smoothly along the water guide slope 444 to the water guide hole 443, preventing water accumulation. Then, most of the water falls directly into the water inlet slope 244 of the water collection box 24, while a small portion flows along the slope of the positioning block 243 back to the water inlet slope 244. Next, the water flows downward through the water inlet slope 447 and towards the side opening 446, finally passing through the filter element 442 before flowing into the water collection chamber 241. The filter element 442 filters out foreign objects, preventing mud, leaves, gravel, and other debris from entering the water collection chamber 241. In other variations, the positioning block 243 can be omitted from the water collection box 24.

[0020] Since the filter element 442 is located in the side opening 446, when foreign objects are blocked in the filter element 442, the foreign objects will first accumulate from the bottom side of the side opening 446, while the top of the side opening 446 remains unobstructed. Therefore, it will not affect the flow of water into the water collection chamber 241, so the water flows smoothly.

[0021] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the electronic component unit 6 is mounted on the socket unit 200 and includes a module box 61 located on the ring portion 233, a waterproof component 62 disposed between the module box 61 and the first chamber 236, and an image module 8 mounted inside the module box 61 and adjacent to the window portion 245. The module box 61 is located on the first chamber 236. The power unit 91 is also adapted to provide power to the electronic component unit 6. The waterproof component 62 is a waterproof rubber cap that has a watertight function, ensuring that the first chamber 236 remains dry and preventing the power unit 91 from getting damp.

[0022] In this embodiment, the image module 8 is used to capture vehicle license plates and has a lens 81 facing the viewing window 245. In other variations, the image module 8 may be a projector or other optical device.

[0023] Referring to Figures 3, 4, and 6, the automatic drainage unit 7 is installed in the cylinder base unit 200 and is in fluid communication with the nozzle head 251. The automatic drainage unit 7 is used to automatically discharge water that seeps into and / or flows into the water collection chamber 241 from the outside, and includes a driver 71 that can be driven by the power unit 91, and a water suction pipe 72 connected to the connecting pipe 252 of the nozzle assembly 25. The driver 71 can be a water pump, a water pumping motor, a submersible motor, or other types of motors, as long as they can pump water. In some variations, the automatic drainage unit 7 also includes a level sensor (not shown) that can detect the water level in the water collection chamber 241 to determine whether to activate the pumping function.

[0024] When there is water accumulation on the ground 9, the water will flow from top to bottom into the water collection chamber 241 along the water guide slope 444, or it may seep into the water collection chamber 241 through the joints of the components. Driven by the driver 71, the water in the water collection chamber 241 can be forcibly and automatically drained to the outside through the water pipe 72 and the nozzle assembly 25. Therefore, water will not accumulate in front of the viewing window 245, so the lens 81 can take pictures normally, ensuring that the image module 8 operates normally. More specifically, during automatic drainage, water will be accelerated and sprayed out from the spray hole 253 of the nozzle head 251 (see Figure 7) and discharged to the outside through the spray surface 254.

[0025] Referring to Figures 2 and 8, in some embodiments, the top cover assembly 400 can move relative to the cylinder body 23 between an open position (Figure 8) where the opening end 231 is not covered and a closed position (Figure 2) where the opening end 231 is covered. As shown in Figure 8, when the top cover assembly 400 is in the open position, it is lifted to one side with the pivot 431 as the rotation center, and the opening end 231 of the cylinder seat unit 200 is opened. At this time, the water collection box 24 can be removed from the cylinder body 23 to facilitate the removal of sludge or foreign matter from the water collection box 24. If necessary, the actuator 71 or the nozzle assembly 25 can also be removed from the water collection box 24 for cleaning or maintenance. At the same time, the filter element 442 can also be removed from the seat 441 for cleaning or replacement with a new one.

[0026] In some variations, the top cover 43 can be secured to the cylinder body 23 with screws, eliminating the need for the pivot part 431. Therefore, when the cylinder base unit 200 is installed on the ground 9, the top cover assembly 400 can be removed simply by loosening the screws, and the water collection box 24 and the filter element 442 can also be cleaned, providing convenient disassembly.

[0027] As shown in Figure 9, if the power unit 91 has no power, the top cover assembly 400 can be opened to the open position, and the module box 61 and the waterproof component 62 can be removed before the power unit 91 can be replaced.

[0028] Referring to Figures 3 and 9, in some embodiments, the water guide seat 44 is detachably mounted on the upper cover 43. Specifically, the upper cover 43 also forms two slots 433 that spatially communicate with the notch 432. The water guide seat 44 also has two insert plates 448 that are respectively inserted into the slots 433, so that the water guide seat 44 can be detachably engaged with the notch 432 of the upper cover 43. Therefore, it is more convenient to clean the water guide seat 44 or replace the filter element 442. It is understood that the water guide seat 44 and the upper cover 43 can also be made as one piece.

[0029] In summary, the embedded imaging device of the present invention, which can automatically drain water, utilizes the water-guiding inclined surface 444 to guide water from top to bottom into the water collection chamber 241, and the actuator 71 can automatically force the water in the water collection chamber 241 to the outside, thus avoiding water accumulation problems and allowing the imaging module 8 to take pictures or project normally. At the same time, the filter element 442 and the side opening 446 are formed on the side, and the water flow is not easily blocked, keeping it unobstructed, thus effectively achieving the purpose of the present invention.

[0030] However, the above description is only an embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the patent application and the contents of the patent specification of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the patent of the present invention. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0008] Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an incomplete cross-sectional view illustrating the embedded electronic device with drainage function according to the People's Republic of China Invention Patent No. CN113256994B; Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the embedded imaging device of the present invention capable of automatic drainage; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment; Figure 4 is a perspective schematic diagram illustrating the combination of a water collection box, a nozzle assembly, and an electronic component unit in the embodiment; Figure 5 is a perspective cross-sectional schematic diagram of the embodiment with a power unit installed; Figure 6 is an incomplete cross-sectional schematic diagram of the embodiment applicable to being buried in the ground, illustrating the automatic drainage method of the embodiment; Figure 7 is a partially enlarged perspective view illustrating the cooperation between the nozzle assembly and a top cover assembly in the embodiment; Figure 8 is a usage schematic diagram illustrating that the top cover assembly can be opened and the water collection box can be removed; and Figure 9 is a usage schematic diagram illustrating that the electronic component unit can be removed from the base unit, and the power unit can be replaced.

Claims

1. An embedded imaging device capable of automatic drainage, comprising: a base unit having a water collection chamber, a light-transmitting window portion located at the top in a top-bottom direction, and a cover assembly for covering the water collection chamber, the cover assembly having a water guide hole fluidly communicating with the outside, a water guide slope extending from the outer edge toward the water guide hole and inclined downwards, a side opening formed on the side and spatially communicating with the water guide hole and the water collection chamber, and a filter element installed between the side opening and the water collection chamber; an electronic component unit installed in the base unit and including an imaging module adjacent to the window portion; and an automatic drainage unit installed in the base unit and used to automatically drain water that seeps into and / or flows into the water collection chamber from the outside, the automatic drainage unit including an electrically driven actuator that, when the actuator is actuated, can drain water from the water collection chamber to the outside.

2. The embedded imaging device with automatic drainage as described in claim 1, wherein, The cylinder base unit also has a nozzle assembly with a nozzle head that stands upright in the water guide hole. The nozzle head is in fluid communication with the automatic drainage unit. When the actuator is driven, the water in the water collection chamber can be discharged to the outside through the nozzle head.

3. The embedded imaging device with automatic drainage as described in claim 1, wherein, The cylinder unit includes a cylinder having an open end and a closed end disposed opposite to each other in the top-bottom direction, the water collection chamber being located between the open end and the closed end, and the upper cover assembly being movable relative to the cylinder between an open position that does not cover the open end and a closed position that covers the open end.

4. The embedded imaging device with automatic drainage as described in claim 1, wherein, The cylinder base unit includes a cylinder body and a water collection box that can be detachably mounted on the cylinder body, the water collection box forming the water collection chamber.

5. The embedded imaging device with automatic drainage as described in claim 1, wherein, The cylinder unit also has a first chamber separate from the water collection chamber space, the first chamber being suitable for accommodating an electrical unit.

6. The embedded imaging device with automatic drainage as described in claim 4, wherein, The water collection box also has an opening that connects the water collection chamber and the water guide hole, and a water-guiding slope located below the water guide hole and inclined toward the water collection chamber.

7. The embedded imaging device with automatic drainage as described in claim 1, wherein, The top cover assembly has an openable top cover and a water guide seat disposed on the top cover, the water guide seat having the water guide hole, the side opening, the water guide slope and the filter element.

8. The embedded imaging device with automatic drainage as described in claim 7, wherein, The water guide seat also has a body on which the filter element can be detachably installed.

9. The embedded imaging device with automatic drainage as described in claim 8, wherein, The base also has a hollow portion located below the water guide hole, and the hollow portion has a water inlet slope that is inclined toward the water collection chamber. The side opening is formed on the side of the water inlet slope away from the water guide hole.

10. The embedded imaging device with automatic drainage as described in claim 7, wherein, The water guide seat can be detachably attached to the top cover.

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