JP2017173389A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus capable of preventing the reflection of a wiper or the like, while having a function for removing foreign matter adhered to a glass for preventing a camera or the like.SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus includes a camera unit 5 which images an object, a rotation glass 3 which is arranged on a side closer to the object than the camera unit 5 and prevents the foreign matter from entering the camera unit 5, a monitor unit 4 which operates the rotation glass 3, and a wiper 2 which comes into contact with the rotation glass 3, when the rotation glass 3 is operated, to remove the foreign matter of the surface of the rotation glass 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  One embodiment of the present invention relates to an imaging device such as a monitoring camera used mainly in a state exposed to rain and wind.

  In recent years, surveillance cameras and vehicle-mounted cameras are becoming widespread. Such surveillance cameras and in-vehicle cameras may be placed in places exposed to rain and wind, and in such an environment, the lens or the glass placed on the subject side of the lens may get wet or dirty with rain. is there. Conventionally, there has been a technique using a wiper member to remove glass deposits in such a monitoring camera (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-125367

  However, in the conventional technology, when removing the adhered matter on the glass, the wiper moves to wipe the glass while moving, so that the wiper may appear in the captured image (including video and moving images). there were.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to solve the above problems. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, reference numerals and the like in the drawings are appended in parentheses, but each component of the present invention is not limited to these appendices. It should be construed broadly to the extent that contractors can technically understand.

One means of the present invention is to
An imaging unit (camera unit 5) for imaging a target;
A transmissive member (rotating glass 3) disposed on the target side from the imaging unit and preventing foreign matter from entering the imaging unit;
A transmission member driving unit (motor unit 4) for operating the transmission member;
A foreign matter removing member (wiper 2) that removes foreign matter on the surface of the transparent member by contacting the transparent member when the transparent member is operated,
An imaging device.

  According to the above imaging apparatus, the transmissive member (rotating glass) operates instead of the foreign matter removing member (wiper or the like), thereby removing the foreign matter on the transmissive member. Therefore, it can be set as the structure which prevents that a foreign material removal member is reflected in the image etc. (a video and a moving image are also included) imaged by the imaging part.

In the imaging apparatus, preferably,
A front cover (1) that is disposed on the object side of the transmission member and includes a window portion that defines incident light entering the imaging unit;
A groove (11a) for allowing the foreign matter to flow out is formed near the corner of the window portion of the front cover.

  According to the above-described imaging device, liquid or dust accumulated in the foreign matter removing member (wiper or the like) can flow out of the groove, thereby preventing the liquid or dust from remaining in the foreign matter removing member. it can.

In the imaging apparatus, preferably,
A front cover (1) that is disposed on the object side of the transmission member and includes a window portion that defines incident light entering the imaging unit;
A hole (12a) for allowing the foreign matter to flow out is formed in the vicinity of the corner of the window portion of the front cover.

  According to the above-described imaging device, liquid or dust accumulated in the foreign matter removing member (wiper or the like) can be discharged from the hole, thereby preventing the liquid or dust from remaining in the foreign matter removing member. it can.

In the imaging apparatus, preferably,
The foreign matter removing member is configured such that at least one side of the long side is curved.

  According to the above imaging device, it is possible to allow the liquid or dust wiped off by the foreign matter removing member (such as a wiper) to flow to the side of the foreign matter removing member, thereby collecting the liquid or dust on the foreign matter removing member. Can be prevented.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the surveillance camera according to the first embodiment. 1 is an external view of a surveillance camera according to Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure which shows the 1st state of the surveillance camera of Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure which shows the 2nd state of the surveillance camera of Embodiment 1. FIG. Sectional drawing of the 1st state of the surveillance camera of Embodiment 1. FIG. Sectional drawing of the 2nd state of the surveillance camera of Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a surveillance camera according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is an external view of a surveillance camera according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view around a front cover groove of a surveillance camera according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a surveillance camera according to a third embodiment. FIG. 6 is an external view of a surveillance camera according to a third embodiment. The figure which shows the rotation glass and wiper in the surveillance camera of Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a front cover hole of a surveillance camera according to a third embodiment.

An embodiment according to the present invention will be specifically described according to the following configuration with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and the description may be abbreviate | omitted. Each embodiment will be described by taking a surveillance camera as an example for the sake of specific and simplified explanation. However, these embodiments are not limited to surveillance cameras, and may be used outdoors. It can be applied to all imaging devices used in easy environments.
1. Embodiment 1
2. Embodiment 2
3. Embodiment 3
4). Supplementary matter

<1. Embodiment 1>
The surveillance camera of the present embodiment is, for example, a surveillance camera used outdoors, and is configured to remove dirt on the glass by a wiper whose position is fixed by rotating the glass protecting the lens. One of the features. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the surveillance camera of the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the surveillance camera of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an external view of the state in which the surveillance camera of the present embodiment is assembled.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the surveillance camera of this embodiment includes a front cover 1, wipers 2a and 2b (sometimes collectively referred to as wiper 2), rotating glass 3, motor unit 4, and camera unit. 5 and a lens optical unit base 6. As shown in FIG. 2, in the assembled state, the entire surveillance camera is covered by the front cover 1 and the lens optical unit base 6, and only the rotating glass 3 is visible from the window portion of the front cover 1.

<Front cover 1>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front cover 1 has a window (opening) on the subject side, and is configured to cover the entire surveillance camera together with the lens optical unit base 6 in the assembled state. .

<Wiper 2>
As shown in FIG. 1, the wiper 2 is constituted by wipers 2a and 2b arranged at the upper part and the lower part, respectively. The wipers 2 a and 2 b are fixed to the upper and lower portions inside the window portion of the front cover 1 (camera unit side), and are disposed so as to contact the rotating glass 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the wiper 2 cannot be visually recognized from the outside when the surveillance camera is assembled. The wiper 2 removes liquids such as rain and oil and foreign matter such as leaves or sand adhering to the surface (subject side) of the rotating glass 3 as the rotating glass 3 rotates. The wiper 2 is an example of a foreign matter removing member in the present invention.

<Rotating glass 3>
As shown in FIG. 1, the rotating glass 3 is disposed between the front cover 1 and the camera unit 5 and is configured to be rotatable by the motor unit 4. When the rotating glass 3 rotates, a relative movement with respect to the wiper 2 whose position is fixed occurs, and thereby, foreign matters attached to the rotating glass 3 are removed by being wiped off. The rotating glass 3 is formed of glass or the like, for example, but may be formed of plastic having transparency. Furthermore, the rotating glass 3 may be formed of glass or the like that cuts light of a predetermined wavelength, such as an IR (infrared) cut filter. In this case, the upper part and the lower part of the rotating glass 3 may be formed of glass or the like having different wavelength cut characteristics. The rotating glass 3 is an example of the transmission member of the present invention. The rotating glass 3 does not necessarily need to be a rotating glass, and any glass can be used as long as it operates to cause a relative movement with the wiper 2 and thereby remove adhered foreign matter. Selectable.

<Motor unit 4>
As shown in FIG. 1, the motor unit 4 is connected to the rotating glass 3 and rotates the rotating glass 3 by power applied from the outside. The motor unit 4 is an example of the transmission member driving unit of the present invention. The motor unit 4 is not necessarily a motor, and any configuration can be selected as long as the driving unit can operate the rotating glass 3. The motor unit 4 is an example of the transmission member driving unit of the present invention.

<Camera unit 5>
As shown in FIG. 1, the camera unit 5 is configured to have an imaging function fixed to the lens optical unit base 6 and includes, for example, an imaging element (photoelectric conversion element) and a lens. The camera unit 5 has a function of receiving light incident from the window portion of the front cover 1 by an image sensor and converting the incident light into an electric signal and outputting the electric signal. Note that the camera unit 5 does not necessarily include an imaging element, and may have a function of imaging on a film or the like. The camera unit 5 is an example of an imaging unit of the present invention.

<Lens optical unit base 6>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lens optical unit base 6 is configured to cover the entire surveillance camera together with the front cover 1 in an assembled state. A motor unit 4 and a camera unit 5 are fixed and attached to the lens optical unit base 6.

<Operation of surveillance camera>
Next, the operation of the surveillance camera of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 shows a monitoring camera in a state where the rotating glass 3 is positioned on the upper side (first state), and FIG. 4 shows a state where the rotating glass 3 is positioned on the lower side (second state). A surveillance camera is shown. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views from the side of the surveillance camera in the states of FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, when the rotating glass 3 is positioned on the upper side, the wipers 2a and 2b are positioned near the center and the lower end of the rotating glass 3 (A in FIG. 3). See location). When the rotating glass 3 is rotated downward by the motor unit 4 and reaches the end position, the wipers 2a and 2b are respectively near the upper end and the center of the rotating glass 3, as shown in FIGS. (Refer to position A in FIG. 4). As described above, since the rotating glass 3 rotates but the wiper 2 is fixed in position, relative rotation between the wiper 2 and the rotating glass 3 occurs when the rotating glass 3 rotates, and the surface of the rotating glass 3 is thus rotated. The attached foreign matter (including liquid) can be removed by the wiper 2.

  According to the surveillance camera of the present embodiment, the rotating glass 3 rotates instead of the wiper 2 rotating to cause a relative movement between the wiper 2 and the rotating glass 3, thereby the foreign matter adhering to the rotating glass 3. Has been removed. Therefore, it is possible to remove foreign matter adhering to the rotating glass 3 while preventing the wiper 2 from appearing in an image (including video) captured by the camera unit 5, and the camera unit 5 can always display a clear image ( Image) can be taken.

<2. Second Embodiment>
The surveillance camera of the present embodiment is characterized in that a groove for allowing foreign matter to flow out is formed in the front cover 1 as compared with the surveillance camera of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, of the configuration of the surveillance camera according to the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. Note that the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted.

  FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the surveillance camera of the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is an external view of a state in which the surveillance camera of this embodiment is assembled. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the groove 11a (portion B in FIG. 8) of the front cover 11 of the surveillance camera of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the surveillance camera of the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but the front cover 1 is replaced with a front cover 11. Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the front cover 11 of the present embodiment is formed with a groove 11a.

<Front cover 11>
7 and 8, the front cover 11 has a window (opening) on the subject side, and is configured to cover the entire surveillance camera together with the lens optical unit base 6 in the assembled state. . In particular, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the front cover 11 of the present embodiment has grooves 11 a formed on the sides of the four corners of the window, and the rotating glass 3 rotates and is wiped off by the wiper 2. The foreign matter can be removed by the outflow to the side of the groove 11a.

  According to the surveillance camera of the present embodiment, the liquid and dust accumulated in the wiper 2 can be discharged from the groove 11a, thereby more effectively preventing the liquid and dust from remaining in the wiper 2. can do.

<3. Embodiment 3>
The surveillance camera of the present embodiment is characterized in that a hole for allowing foreign matter to flow out is formed in the front cover 1 as compared with the surveillance camera of the first embodiment. Another feature of the present embodiment is that the shape of the wiper 2 is curved. Hereinafter, of the configuration of the surveillance camera according to the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. Note that the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted.

  FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the surveillance camera of the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is an external view of a state in which the surveillance camera of the present embodiment is assembled. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the rotating glass 3 and the wipers 21a and 21b (sometimes collectively referred to as the wiper 21) in the surveillance camera of the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the hole 12a (C portion in FIG. 11) of the front cover 12 of the surveillance camera of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the surveillance camera of the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but the front cover 1 is replaced with a front cover 12. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the wiper 2 in the embodiment is replaced with a wiper 21. Further, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, a hole 12 a is formed in the front cover 12 of the present embodiment.

<Front cover 12>
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the front cover 12 has a window (opening) on the object side, and is configured to cover the entire surveillance camera together with the lens optical unit base 6 in the assembled state. . In particular, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the front cover 12 of this embodiment has holes 12 a formed at the sides of the four corners of the window, and the rotating glass 3 rotates and is wiped off by the wiper 21. The foreign matter can be removed by outflow to the side of the hole 12a.

<Wiper 21>
Furthermore, in the surveillance camera of the present embodiment, the wiper 21 is curved as shown in FIG. The wiper 21 has a curved shape in which the rotating glass 3 rotates and causes relative movement with the rotating glass 3, whereby foreign matter attached to the rotating glass 3 is pushed out to the side of the rotating glass 3. It has become. In addition, although it is preferable that both the upper wiper 21a and the lower wiper 21b have a curved shape, the wiper 21 can obtain a certain effect even if only one of them has a curved shape. it can.

  According to the surveillance camera of the present embodiment, the liquid and dust accumulated in the wiper 2 can be discharged from the hole 12a, thereby preventing the liquid and dust from remaining in the wiper 2 more effectively. can do.

  Furthermore, according to the surveillance camera of the present embodiment, it is possible to allow the liquid and dust wiped off by the wiper 21 to flow to the side of the wiper 21, so that the liquid and dust remain in the wiper 21. This can be more effectively prevented.

<4. Supplementary items>
The specific description of the embodiment of the present invention has been given above. In the above description, the description is merely an embodiment, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, but is broadly interpreted to the extent that a person skilled in the art can grasp.

  The surveillance cameras of the above embodiments can be used in combination. For example, the curved wiper 21 of the third embodiment may be employed in the configuration of the first or second embodiment.

  Further, as already described, the surveillance camera of each of the above embodiments can be employed not only as a surveillance camera but also as an in-vehicle camera. Also, it can be used effectively in scenes where metal powder and oil are likely to adhere, such as assembly equipment in factories.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is effectively used as a surveillance camera or an in-vehicle camera used in a state exposed to rain and wind.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 11, 12 ... Front cover 11a ... Groove 12a ... Hole 2 ... Wiper 2, 2a, 2b, 21, 21a, 21b ... Wiper 3 ... Rotating glass 4 ... Motor unit 5 ... Camera unit 6 ... Lens optical unit base

Claims (4)

An imaging unit for imaging a target;
A transmission member disposed on the target side from the imaging unit and preventing foreign matter from being mixed into the imaging unit;
A transmissive member driving section for operating the transmissive member;
A foreign matter removing member that removes foreign matter on the surface of the transparent member by contacting the transparent member when the transparent member operates, and
Imaging device. A front cover having a window portion that is disposed closer to the object than the transmission member and delimits incident light that enters the imaging unit;
A groove for allowing the foreign matter to flow out is formed in the vicinity of the corner of the window portion of the front cover.
The imaging device according to claim 1. A front cover having a window portion that is disposed closer to the object than the transmission member and delimits incident light that enters the imaging unit;
A hole for allowing the foreign matter to flow out is formed in the vicinity of the corner of the window portion of the front cover.
The imaging device according to claim 1. The foreign matter removing member is configured such that at least one side of its long side is curved,
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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