JP2002354293A - Camera device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] In a camera device in which an imaging direction of the camera device is set by horizontal rotation or vertical rotation, a vertical rotation unit performing vertical rotation and exposing the vertical rotation axis to the outside are eliminated. It is an object of the present invention to reduce the size of a rotation drive source and to eliminate factors that hinder vertical rotation operation due to snowfall or freezing in winter. A fixed portion to which the camera device is fixed is provided with a horizontal rotating portion capable of horizontal rotation, and the horizontal rotating portion is provided with an opening for securing a vertical imaging direction of an imaging device for imaging a subject, A horizontal rotation drive mechanism for horizontally rotating the horizontal rotation unit and a vertical rotation drive mechanism for vertically rotating the imaging device in a vertical direction of the opening are housed inside the horizontal rotation unit. .

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera device capable of capturing images in a wide range by rotating the camera device in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction with respect to a mounting surface of the camera device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional camera device capable of capturing a wide range by rotating horizontally and vertically.

Since this conventional camera device is installed outdoors or in an environment similar to the outdoors, a camera, a drive mechanism for performing horizontal rotation and vertical rotation, and a drive control unit (not shown) are provided. It is housed in a housing having a waterproof structure to protect it from rainwater, snow, or the outside air environment.

[0004] The horizontal rotation unit 15 is connected to the fixed unit 14 via a horizontal rotation motor 22 and a horizontal worm gear reduction mechanism 21 constituting a horizontal rotation drive mechanism.
8 is attached so as to be rotatable.

Further, a vertical rotation unit 16 containing a camera 20 for capturing light of a subject is vertically mounted on the horizontal rotation unit 15 via a vertical rotation motor 24 and a vertical worm gear reduction mechanism 23 constituting a vertical rotation drive mechanism. Rotating shaft 19
It is attached so that it can rotate around the center.

The horizontal rotation unit 15 and the vertical rotation unit 16 are housed in separate housings. The camera 20 has a vertical rotation unit 16
, And the front window 17 is flat.

[0007]

In the prior art, it is necessary to prepare separate housings for the horizontal rotation unit and the vertical rotation unit.

In addition, since the rotating operation of the horizontal rotating unit and the vertical rotating unit is performed outdoors or in an environment similar to the outdoors, the motor that is the driving source of the rotating operation needs to take into account the resistance due to wind pressure and the load due to snow cover. It is necessary to have a large output, and an increase in the size of the motor is inevitable. Increasing the size of the motor leads to an increase in power consumption and an increase in the size of the power supply unit with an increase in the capacity, which leads to an increase in the size of the device.

Further, since both the horizontal rotation axis and the vertical rotation axis are exposed to the outside, an operation failure due to snow accumulation or freezing in winter is caused.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a camera apparatus for capturing an image of a subject.
A horizontal rotation unit capable of horizontal rotation is provided in a fixed unit to which the camera device is fixed, and an opening is provided in the horizontal rotation unit to secure an imaging direction of an imaging device that images the subject. Further, a rotation drive mechanism for setting an imaging direction of the imaging device is housed.

More specifically, in a camera device in which the imaging direction of a subject is set by horizontal rotation or vertical rotation, a horizontal rotation unit capable of horizontal rotation is provided in a fixed unit to which the camera device is fixed. An opening for securing a vertical imaging direction of an imaging device for imaging the subject is provided in the horizontal rotation unit, and inside the horizontal rotation unit,
A horizontal rotation drive mechanism for horizontally rotating the horizontal rotation unit and a vertical rotation drive mechanism for vertically rotating the imaging device in a direction perpendicular to the opening are housed.
By doing so, the vertical rotation axis is not exposed to the outside.

Further, in order to easily secure the vertical imaging direction, in a camera device in which the imaging direction of a subject is set by horizontal rotation or vertical rotation, the horizontal rotation is performed by a fixing portion to which the camera device is fixed. Providing a horizontal rotating part having a protruding part is possible, providing an opening in the protruding part of the horizontal rotating part to secure a vertical imaging direction of an imaging device that images the subject, inside the horizontal rotating part, A horizontal rotation drive mechanism for horizontally rotating the horizontal rotation unit and a vertical rotation drive mechanism for vertically rotating the imaging device in a direction perpendicular to the opening are housed.

Further, the projecting portion of the horizontal rotating portion is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the opening portion is opened in the cylindrical surface, so that it is easy to secure a vertical imaging direction in the vertical rotation of the imaging device. This is to reduce the wind pressure on the protrusion.

The cylindrical surface of the opening is covered with a light transmitting member that transmits light, such as transparent or translucent glass, resin, or the like so as not to hinder the imaging of the imaging device. This is to eliminate a factor that hinders imaging due to rain, snow, or foreign matter intrusion.

Further, a wiper that adheres to a covering on the cylindrical surface of the opening to wipe off obstacles such as water droplets and dirt that may hinder the imaging of the image pickup device, and the wiper is provided for the opening of the opening. And a wiper drive mechanism that operates to wipe an obstacle attached to the light transmitting member having the cylindrical surface.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of an embodiment of the present invention. The horizontal rotating portion 1 is integrally formed of a vertical portion having a predetermined height and a protruding portion which protrudes horizontally at a predetermined length at a predetermined height at a predetermined length. The horizontal rotation unit 1 is horizontally rotated with respect to the fixed unit 2 by a horizontal rotation driving mechanism described later. A camera lens unit 3 for condensing light of a subject is housed in a protruding portion of the horizontal rotating portion 1, and a front window portion 4 as an opening for securing a vertical imaging range and a front window portion 4 of the front window portion 4 are provided. A wiper for wiping rainwater, snow, or dirt is provided. Camera lens unit 3
The vertical rotation drive mechanism for performing the vertical rotation and the drive mechanism for the wiper will be described later. Hereinafter, the control unit of each drive mechanism unit is not shown.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing drive mechanisms for performing the horizontal rotation of the horizontal rotation unit 1, the vertical rotation of the camera lens unit 6, and the wiper rotation of the wiper 6. The horizontal rotating unit 1 is attached to the fixed unit 2 in a horizontally rotatable state via a horizontal rotating motor 25 and a horizontal worm gear reduction mechanism 26 which are components of a horizontal rotating driving mechanism.

Inside the horizontal rotation unit 1, a camera lens mounted to rotate via a vertical rotation motor 27 and a vertical worm gear reduction mechanism 28, which are components of a vertical rotation drive mechanism, in addition to the horizontal rotation drive mechanism. The unit 3 is stored. Further, at one end of the protruding portion of the horizontal rotating portion 1,
The drive mechanism of the wiper 6, which will be described later, is housed therein.

The front window 4 is opened in the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical horizontal rotating unit 1 so as to secure a vertical imaging range of the camera lens unit 3. Therefore, the front window 4
Has a quadratic curved surface shape. For the front window 4, a light transmitting member that transmits light such as transparent or translucent glass or resin for imaging is used.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, a description will be given of a drive mechanism of a wiper for wiping rainwater, snow, dirt, and the like which adhere to the front window 4 and hinder imaging. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the drive mechanism of the wiper. Also, the storage state of the drive mechanism of the wiper and the camera lens unit 6 in the protruding portion of the horizontal rotating unit 1 is shown in a top view in FIG. 4 and a side view in FIG.

The wiper has an L-shaped wiper blade 5 for following the front window 4 which is a cylindrical surface, which is a secondary curved surface, and for wiping rain water, snow, or dirt attached thereto. The arm 6 is attached with elasticity so as to ensure close contact with the front window 4. One end of the wiper arm 6 is attached to a rotating shaft 7 that is concentric with the center axis of the radius of curvature of the front window portion 4.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a wiper rotation motor 8 which is a component of the wiper driving mechanism, and is disposed at a place where the rotation of the camera lens unit 3 is not hindered, and transmits power via the belt 10.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a potentiometer for detecting the rotational position of the wiper, and the amount of rotation is transmitted to the potentiometer 9 for detecting the rotational position of the wiper from the rotating shaft of the motor via the gear 11.

The operation of the wiper is controlled by a control unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of the camera device of the present invention. The position of the wiper arm 6 is read by the amount of rotation of the wiper rotational position detecting potentiometer 9 to rotate the camera. ,
Stop rotation and change direction.

In the above, the potentiometer 9 for detecting the rotational position of the wiper has been described as a rotational position detector. Of course, sensors are arranged at both ends of the operating range of the wiper arm 6, and the operation of the wiper is controlled based on this information. You may do it.

[0027]

According to the present invention, since the camera lens unit is housed so as to be vertically rotated inside the horizontal rotation unit, the load resistance to the vertical rotation motor due to wind pressure resistance and snow load is reduced. The influence can be eliminated, the vertical rotation motor can be reduced in size, the power consumption of the camera device can be reduced, and the device cost can be reduced. In addition, since the projection in which the camera lens unit is housed is cylindrical, the wind pressure is reduced, and it is difficult for snow to accumulate, so that the load on the vertical rotation motor can be reduced.

Further, since there is no vertical rotating part exposed to the outside as in the prior art, no vertical rotation operation failure due to snow accumulation or freezing in winter occurs. This should be taken into account.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a wiper capable of wiping a front window having a quadratic curved shape for securing an imaging range in the vertical direction.
Since it is possible to wipe off snow or dirt, it is possible to capture a camera image even outdoors or under an environment similar to the outdoors.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a wiper mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a conventional appearance.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: horizontal rotating part, 2: fixed part, 3: camera lens unit, 4: front window part, 5: wiper blade, 6: wiper arm, 7: rotating shaft, 8: wiper rotating motor, 9:
Wiper rotational position detecting potentiometer, 10: belt, 11: gear, 14: fixed part, 15: horizontal rotating part, 1
6: vertical rotation part, 17: front window part, 18: horizontal rotation axis,
19: vertical rotation axis, 20: camera, 21: horizontal worm gear reduction mechanism, 22: horizontal rotation motor, 23: vertical worm gear reduction mechanism, 24: vertical rotation motor, 25: horizontal rotation motor, 26: horizontal worm gear reduction mechanism, 27 :
Vertical rotation motor, 28: Vertical worm gear reduction mechanism

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A camera device for picking up an image of a subject, wherein a fixed portion to which the camera device is fixed is provided with a horizontal rotating portion capable of horizontal rotation. A camera device comprising: an opening for securing; and a rotation drive mechanism for setting an imaging direction of the imaging device is housed inside the horizontal rotation unit. 2. A camera device in which an imaging direction of a subject is set by horizontal rotation or vertical rotation, wherein a horizontal rotation portion capable of horizontal rotation is provided on a fixed portion to which the camera device is fixed, and the horizontal rotation portion is provided on the horizontal rotation portion. An opening for securing a vertical imaging direction of the imaging device for imaging the subject is provided. Inside the horizontal rotation unit, a horizontal rotation driving mechanism for horizontally rotating the horizontal rotation unit and the imaging device are connected to the opening. And a vertical rotation driving mechanism for vertically rotating the camera in the vertical direction. 3. A camera device in which an imaging direction of a subject is set by horizontal rotation or vertical rotation, wherein a horizontal rotation portion having a protruding portion capable of horizontal rotation is provided on a fixed portion to which the camera device is fixed. A horizontal rotation drive mechanism for horizontally rotating the horizontal rotation unit is provided inside the horizontal rotation unit, and an opening for securing a vertical imaging direction of the imaging device for imaging the subject is provided on the protrusion of the horizontal rotation unit. A camera device comprising a vertical rotation drive mechanism for vertically rotating the imaging device in a direction perpendicular to the opening. 4. The camera device according to claim 3, wherein the protruding portion of the horizontal rotating portion has a cylindrical shape, and the opening portion opens on the cylindrical surface. 5. The camera device according to claim 4, wherein the cylindrical surface of the opening is covered with a light transmitting member that transmits light. 6. A wiper according to claim 5, wherein said wiper wipes off an obstacle which is attached to a light transmitting member on a cylindrical surface of said opening and hinders imaging of said imaging device. A camera device comprising: a wiper drive mechanism that operates to wipe an obstacle attached to a light transmitting member having a cylindrical surface of an opening.