JP4077634B2 - Air purge device in optical observation equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an air purging apparatus for removing outside air contaminated with dust or the like in an optical observation apparatus containing an optical observation device such as a CCD camera.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The applicant has developed and provided a system for measuring the surface shape, volume, and the like of an object by observing the surface of each object with a plurality of CCD cameras. Conventionally, a monitoring system for observing a road or the like with an ITV camera and a temperature measuring system for measuring the temperature of the object by observing the surface of the object with a radiation thermometer are known. Therefore, the term “observation” used in the present specification has a broad meaning including optical observation performed for such measurement and monitoring, and the term “optical observation device” or “optical observation apparatus”. Means broadly an optical device or apparatus including a CCD camera, an ITV camera, a radiation thermometer, etc. mainly used for industrial or industrial observation.
[0003]
By the way, such an optical observation device normally surrounds the periphery of the light transmission plate, a housing main body that houses the optical observation device, a light transmission plate that is disposed to face the front surface of the lens of the optical observation device, and the like. It has a hood means extending forward and an air supply chamber for supplying air to the inner periphery of the hood means, and the air prevents the surface of the translucent plate from being soiled by foreign matters such as dust. .
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the prior art, the air supplied to the inner periphery of the hood means is discharged toward the front of the hood means after passing through the front surface of the translucent plate. Therefore, as long as a large amount of clean air is supplied, the translucent plate is protected from contamination by foreign substances such as dust, and the original function of the optical observation device is maintained while maintaining the transparency of the translucent plate. Can do.
[0005]
However, in order to always supply a large amount of air, there is a problem that an air supply source such as a compressor or a blower has a large capacity and a large size, which increases the size of the apparatus and increases the cost and running costs.
[0006]
Therefore, it is desirable that the air supply source be relatively small. However, in the case of the prior art, when the supply amount of air is reduced, there is a problem that outside contaminated outside air easily enters the internal space of the hood means and stains the surface of the light transmitting plate.
[0007]
In particular, in the case of the prior art, while the supplied air is discharged toward the front of the hood means, outside air is drawn in from the front opening of the hood means and stays while generating a stirring flow in the internal space of the hood means. Therefore, even if a small amount of outside air enters from the outside, there is a problem that the surface of the light-transmitting plate is clouded due to contamination.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an air purging device in an optical observation apparatus that solves the above problems, and clean air supplied to the inner periphery of the hood means is disposed on the front surface of the translucent plate. After forming the air curtain while cleaning, a first air flow path that is made to flow toward the front of the hood means as an axial bundle flow, and an inner periphery of the hood means that is made independent of the first air flow path. A second air flow path is formed that is caused to flow toward the front of the hood means as a cylindrical flow that gradually increases in diameter in the traveling direction. Therefore, the air flowing through the first air flow path and the air flowing through the second air flow path are made independent of each other, thereby preventing the generation and retention of a stirring flow due to the mixing or merging of air. In other words, it is preferable to prevent the contaminated outside air from entering the internal space of the hood means, and even if the outside air enters the internal space of the hood means, it will not stay and will promptly go outside. discharge.
[0009]
Furthermore, it is preferable that the cylindrical flow of the second air flow path is gradually expanded after being expanded in diameter at the inner peripheral portion of the hood means, thereby favorably entraining outside air in the front opening of the hood means. To prevent. Even if outside air is caught in the front opening edge of the hood means, the outside air is not allowed to enter the internal space of the hood means and is quickly discharged to the outside.
[0010]
Therefore, in order to achieve such a feature, the present invention is configured as a first means in which a housing main body that houses the optical observation device and a transparent member that is disposed to face the front surface of the lens of the optical observation device. An optical observation apparatus comprising: an optical plate; a hood unit that surrounds the periphery of the translucent plate and extending forward; and an air supply chamber that supplies air to an inner peripheral portion of the hood unit. A cylindrical sleeve means extending forward from the plate, and an expanding guide cylinder extending while gradually expanding from a small diameter portion located on the outer periphery of the sleeve means toward a large diameter portion ahead, are provided. By extending an annular laminar flow projecting edge projecting forward from the small diameter portion of the expanding guide cylinder at the tip, air supplied from the first air supply unit facing the front surface of the translucent plate is transmitted. Along the front of the board and The first air flow path that flows forward as a bundled flow constrained by the inner peripheral part of the groove means and the laminar flow edge, and the air supplied from the second air supply part that faces the outer peripheral part of the sleeve means The second air flow path is configured such that the second air flow path is configured to expand through the laminar flow edge and to flow forward as a cylindrical flow along the inner peripheral portion of the expansion guide cylinder.
[0011]
Further, when the present invention is configured as the second means, a housing main body that houses the optical observation device, a translucent plate that is disposed to face the front surface of the lens of the optical observation device, and a periphery of the translucent plate In the optical observation apparatus comprising a hood means that surrounds and extends forward, and an air supply chamber that supplies air to the inner periphery of the hood means, the hood means is a cylindrical sleeve means that extends forward from the translucent plate And an expanding guide cylinder extending gradually from the small diameter portion located on the outer periphery of the sleeve means toward the front large diameter section, and gradually reducing the diameter from the large diameter portion of the expansion guide cylinder toward the front. A diameter-reduced guide cylinder that extends while extending the annular laminar projecting edge protruding forward from the small-diameter portion of the expanded guide cylinder is provided at the front end of the translucent plate. Air supplied from the first air supply unit A first air flow path that runs along the front surface of the translucent plate and flows forward as a bundled flow constrained by the inner peripheral portion of the sleeve means and the laminar flow edge, and a first air passage that faces the outer peripheral portion of the sleeve means. The air supplied from the two air supply parts is expanded through the laminar flow edge, and the diameter is reduced along the inner peripheral part of the reduced guide cylinder after the diameter is increased along the inner peripheral part of the expanded guide cylinder. The second air flow path is configured to flow forward as a cylindrical flow, and the inner diameter D1 of the sleeve means and the inner diameter D2 of the distal end of the reduced diameter guide cylinder are configured so that D1 ≦ D2. is there.
[0012]
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the first air supply unit and the second air supply unit is constituted by an air filter material made of a sintered metal porous body.
[0013]
Then, the laminar flow edge of the sleeve means has at least the upstream flow of the second air flow path and the bundle flow of the first air flow path and the cylindrical flow of the second air flow path under the protruding length L. It functions so as not to interfere with each other at the ends.
[0014]
It is preferable that the end surface of the laminar flow edge part forms a tapered surface that is inclined so as to gradually move forward from the outer peripheral edge to the inner peripheral edge.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the optical observation device includes a housing main body 2 that houses the optical observation device 1, a light transmission plate 4 that is a transparent plate arranged to face the front surface of the lens 3 of the optical observation device 1, and A hood means 5 that surrounds the periphery of the translucent plate 4 and extends forward, and an air supply chamber 6 that supplies air to the inner peripheral portion of the hood means 5 are provided. In the case of the illustrated example, the optical observation device 1 is constituted by a CCD camera, and the translucent plate 4 is made of infrared filter glass, but is not limited to such a configuration.
[0017]
The housing body 2 has a heat insulating structure including inner and outer cylinders 8a and 8b each having a fixing ring 7 at the front end, and the optical observation device 1 is detachably attached to a mount member 9 provided inside. A holding ring 11 is fitted on the inner circumference of the fixing ring 7 via a sealing means 10, and the translucent plate 4 is held on the inner circumference of the sleeve portion 12 of the holding ring 11 via a seal ring 13 such as an O-ring. ing.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 2, the holding ring 11 has an annular wall 15 that forms an annular chamber 14 with the front surface of the peripheral portion of the light-transmitting plate 4, and forwards from the inner peripheral edge of the annular wall 15. The cylindrical part 16 which protrudes is provided, The inner peripheral part of the annular chamber 14 is closed by the 1st air filter material 17 interposed between the cylindrical part 16 and the translucent board 4, and this 1st air filter material 17 A first air supply portion 17a for air, which will be described later, is configured by the inner peripheral surface. A through hole 22 is formed in the annular wall 15. In the case of the illustrated example, a pressing ring 19 is screwed to the sleeve portion 12 of the holding ring 11 by a screw means 20 via a seat ring 18, whereby the first air filter material 17 and the translucent plate 4 are assembled. Thus, the holding ring 11 is configured to be detachably screwed to the inner peripheral portion of the fixing ring 7 via the screw means 21.
[0019]
A cylindrical sleeve means 23 is disposed near the center of the inner space of the hood means 5, and the sleeve means 23 is airtightly fixed to the tip of the cylindrical portion 16 of the holding ring 11, and the annular wall 15 is provided with a flange 25 that forms a compartment 24 between the front surface of the sleeve 15, a second air filter material 26 is disposed on the front surface of the flange 25, and an annular laminar flow edge at the tip of the sleeve means 23. The part 27 is extended. A ventilation space 28 is formed on the outer periphery of the flange 25.
[0020]
The hood means 5 is constituted by an outer cover member 30 that is detachably attached and fixed to a fixing ring 7 provided in the housing body 2 via a packing 29, and an expansion guide cylinder 31 is disposed in the internal space. An air supply chamber 6 is formed between the mantle member 30 and the expansion guide cylinder 31. Although not shown in the drawing, an air supply pipe is connected to a port 32 provided on the outer cover member 30, and clean air is sent into the air supply chamber 6 from an air supply source such as a compressor or a blower.
[0021]
The expansion guide tube 31 is formed in a trumpet shape that gradually expands from the small diameter portion 31 a located on the outer periphery of the sleeve means 23 toward the front large diameter portion 31 b, and the small diameter portion 31 a is formed on the sleeve means 23. It is in close contact with the surface of the second air filter material 26 at a position slightly separated from the outer peripheral surface in the outer diameter direction. Therefore, the inner peripheral edge portion of the second air filter material 26 is exposed between the small diameter portion 31a of the expansion guide cylinder 31 and the sleeve means 23, and the air second air supply portion 26a described later is exposed by this exposed portion. Configure.
[0022]
Further, a reduced diameter guide tube 33 is disposed in the hood means 5, and the reduced diameter guide tube 33 is connected to the large diameter portion 31 b of the expanded guide tube 31 and gradually decreases in diameter toward the front. It is formed in a reverse trumpet shape that extends. In the case of the illustrated embodiment, the expansion guide cylinder 31 and the flange portions 34 and 35 of the reduced diameter guide cylinder 33 are overlapped and fixed to the outer cover member 30 by means of fixing means 36 such as bolts. .
[0023]
(First air flow path)
According to the above configuration, the clean air sent into the air supply chamber 6 is supplied to the partition chamber 24 via the ventilation space 28 and then supplied to the annular chamber 14 via the through hole 22, and the first air The air is supplied in the centripetal direction along the front surface of the translucent plate 4 from the first air supply portion 17a through the filter material 17. At this time, as shown in the figure, the volume C1 of the air supply chamber 6, the volume C2 of the partition chamber 24, and the volume C3 of the annular chamber 14 are formed so as to satisfy C1>C2> C3. Configured to enhance. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the first air filter material 17 is composed of a sintered metal porous body, and cuts or polishes both side edges of the sintered metal porous body formed into a ring shape. Thus, the non-porous surfaces 17b and 17b with the chamfered surfaces on both sides are formed so that the air entering from the outer peripheral surface can flow out only from the inner peripheral surface.
[0024]
Therefore, the air that advances from the first air supply unit 17a in the centripetal direction forms a film that is continuously coupled in the circumferential direction to form an air curtain, and cleans and protects the front surface of the light transmitting plate 4. To do. Therefore, when the air flows forward after passing through the front surface of the translucent plate 4, a cylinder formed by the entirety of the cylindrical portion 16 of the retaining ring 11 and the sleeve means 23 including the laminar flow edge portion 27. A bundled flow constrained on the inner peripheral surface is formed, and a first air flow path is configured to flow forward as a bundled flow in the axial direction. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the end surface of the laminar flow edge 27 forms a tapered surface 27a that is inclined from the outer peripheral edge to the inner peripheral edge and gradually toward the front. As described above, even if the stirring flow X1 is generated from the front outer peripheral direction of the laminar flow edge portion 27, the stirring flow X1 is guided in the centripetal direction by the tapered surface 27a, and the bundled flow of the first air flow path So that it does not stay in front of the laminar flow edge 27.
[0025]
(Second air flow path)
Further, clean air in the air supply chamber 6 is supplied from the second air supply part 26 a toward the outer peripheral part of the sleeve means 23 via the second air filter material 26. As shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, the second air filter material 26 is composed of a sintered metal porous body, and the inner and outer peripheral edges of the sintered metal porous body molded into an annular disk shape are cut or By polishing, the non-porous surfaces 26b and 26b with clogged inner and outer peripheral surfaces are formed so that the air entering from the side surface can be advanced only from the side surface. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the second air filter member 26 attached to the outer peripheral portion of the sleeve means 23 preferably receives air from a wide side faced to the air supply chamber 6, but the opposite side face. Is closed by the flange 25, so that the air flows out only from the second air supply part 26a.
[0026]
Therefore, the air flowing out from the second air supply portion 26a flows out toward the narrow annular space between the outer peripheral portion of the sleeve means 23 and the inner peripheral portion of the small diameter portion 31a of the expanding guide cylinder 31, and in the circumferential direction. A continuous annular film-like annular flow is formed, but the inner peripheral side is constrained by the laminar flow edge 27, so that the inside of the expanding guide cylinder 31 is expanded while expanding the annular ring. A second air flow path that forms a cylindrical flow that flows forward along the peripheral portion and a cylindrical flow that flows forward while reducing the diameter along the inner peripheral portion of the reduced diameter guide tube 33 Configure.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 2, the laminar flow edge 27 includes a first air flow path composed of a bundle of air flows along the inner periphery of the sleeve means 23 and an air tube along the inner periphery of the expansion guide tube 31. It is preferable that the second air flow path composed of the flow has a protruding length L that does not interfere with each other at least at the upstream end of the second air flow path. Without being influenced by the first air flow path, the above-described cylindrical flow is formed while being suitably laid along the expanding guide cylinder 31.
[0028]
By the way, the cylindrical flow of air constituting the second air flow path is expanded by the expansion guide cylinder 31 and then reduced in diameter by the reduced diameter guide cylinder 33, so that the opening edge of the reduced diameter guide cylinder 33 In the vicinity, air is discharged outside from the open end while being compressed. For this reason, in the opening edge part, it forms so that the cylinder thickness of the cylindrical flow which consists of air may become thick, and this raises the external air approach prevention effect from the outside.
[0029]
On the other hand, as shown by the chain line in FIG. 2, the cylindrical flow of the air reduced in diameter by the reduced diameter guide cylinder 33 is caused by the vortexed stirring flow X2 due to resistance caused by wind from the outside or the like. It can happen. In this regard, the inner diameter D1 of the sleeve means 23 and the inner diameter D2 of the distal end of the reduced diameter guide cylinder 33 are configured to satisfy D1 ≦ D2 (preferably D1 = D2 or D1≈D2) (see FIG. 1). Therefore, the stirring flow X2 is pushed forward by the bundled air (indicated by symbol Y in FIG. 2) constituting the first air flow path and discharged before the direction is changed so as to reverse the flow direction. Therefore, it does not enter or stay inside the hood means 5.
[0030]
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment relating to the configuration of the second air supply part 26a for forming the second air flow path. In the second embodiment, the second air filter material 26 is arranged so as to form a gap with the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve means 23, and the second air supply part 26a is configured by the gap. Therefore, the flange 25 of the sleeve means 23 forms a concave groove 37 facing the second air filter material 26, and the concave groove 37 is communicated with the second air supply part 26a. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0031]
According to the second embodiment, since the region in front of the opening (second air supply portion 26a) of the groove 37 in the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve means 23 functions as the laminar flow edge 27, the sleeve means Even if the axial length dimension of the whole 23 is the same, the protruding length L of the laminar flow edge 27 is longer than in the case of the first embodiment, and is subject to interference of the first air flow path. There is an advantage that it is advantageous in constructing the second air flow path for forming a cylindrical flow without.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the air supplied from the first air supply unit 17 a is restrained by the cylindrical sleeve means 23 after the air curtain is formed while cleaning the front surface of the translucent plate 4. A first air flow path is formed which is caused to flow toward the front of the hood means 5 as a bundled flow in the axial direction. The air supplied from the second air supply part 26a is made independent of the first air flow path by the laminar flow edge 27 of the sleeve means 23 at least at the upstream end, and is advanced in the traveling direction by the expansion guide cylinder 31. A cylindrical flow that gradually increases in diameter toward the front is preferably formed to constitute a second air flow path that flows toward the front of the hood means 5. That is, the laminar flow edge 27 of the sleeve means 23, as described in claim 4, at least a bundled flow of the first air flow path and a cylindrical flow of the second air flow path. Since the projecting length L does not interfere with each other at the upstream end, the air flowing through the first air flow path and the air flowing through the second air flow path are Thus, the independence of each other is maintained, and the generation and retention of a stirring flow due to air mixing or merging is prevented as much as possible. Therefore, the inside of the hood means 5 is reliably prevented from entering and staying contaminated outside air, and as a result, the surface of the translucent plate 4 is cleaned even after continuous operation of the optical observation device for a long time. Can be maintained.
[0033]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above effect, the cylindrical flow of the second air flow path is gradually expanded by the expansion guide cylinder 31 and then by the reduced diameter guide cylinder 33. Since the diameter is gradually reduced and the cylinder thickness of the cylindrical flow is increased, the outside air is suitably prevented from being caught at the opening edge of the reduced diameter guide cylinder 33. At this time, the inner diameter D1 of the sleeve means 23 and the inner diameter D2 of the tip opening of the reduced diameter guide cylinder 33 are configured to satisfy D1 ≦ D2 (preferably D1 = D2 or D1≈D2). Even if outside air is caught at the opening edge of the distal end of the reduced diameter guide tube 33, the outside air does not enter the inside, and is more suitable for the bundled flow of the first air flow path and the cylindrical flow of the second air flow path. The effect is that it can be released forward.
[0034]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the air supplied from the first air supply unit 17 a is along the front surface of the light-transmitting plate 4 by the first air filter material 17 made of a sintered metal porous body. In addition, since the film-like air curtain is connected continuously in the circumferential direction, it is excellent in the cleaning effect and the protective effect of the translucent plate 4. Similarly, the air supplied from the second air supply part 26a is discharged as an annular film continuously connected in the circumferential direction by the second air filter material 26 made of a sintered metal porous body. The cylindrical flow along 31 can be formed suitably. Moreover, there is an advantage that air can be reliably cleaned by the sintered metal porous body.
[0035]
Furthermore, according to the present invention as set forth in claim 5, even when the stirring flow X1 is generated in the inner space of the hood means 5 from the front outer peripheral direction of the laminar flow edge 27, the laminar flow edge Since the stirring flow X1 is guided in the centripetal direction by the taper surface 27a formed on the tip surface of the portion 27, and merged with the bundled flow of the first air flow path, it is quickly discharged forward, so the laminar flow edge There is an effect that no air stays in front of 27.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the main part of the first embodiment together with the operation.
FIGS. 3A and 3B show an air filter that constitutes an air supply unit, in which FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a first air filter material, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the first air filter material, and FIG. The perspective view of a 2nd air filter material, (D) is BB sectional drawing of a 2nd air filter material.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the main part of the second embodiment of the present invention together with the action.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical observation device 2 Housing main body 3 Lens 4 Translucent plate 5 Hood means 6 Air supply chamber 14 Annular chamber 16 Cylindrical part 17 First air filter material 17a First air supply part 23 Sleeve means 24 Compartment chamber 25 Flange 26 Second air Filter material 26a Second air supply part 27 Laminar flow edge part 27a Tapered surface 30 Outer member 31 Expanded guide cylinder 31a Small diameter part 31b Large diameter part 33 Reduced diameter guide cylinder 37 Concave groove

Claims (4)

A housing main body for housing the optical observation device, a translucent plate arranged to face the front surface of the lens of the optical observation device, a hood means surrounding the translucent plate and extending forward, and an inner circumference of the hood means In the optical observation apparatus provided with an air supply chamber for supplying air to the section, the hood means (5) includes a cylindrical sleeve means (23) extending forward from the translucent plate (4), and the sleeve means. An expansion guide tube (31) extending while gradually expanding from the small diameter portion (31a) located on the outer periphery toward the front large diameter portion (31b) is disposed, and is expanded at the tip of the sleeve means (23). By extending an annular laminar flow projecting edge portion (27) protruding forward from the small diameter portion (31a) of the guide tube (31), a first air supply portion facing the front surface of the translucent plate (4) ( 17a) the air supplied along the front surface of the translucent plate (4) and restrained by the inner peripheral portion of the sleeve means (23) and the laminar flow edge (27). A laminar flow edge (27) for supplying air supplied from a second air supply section (26a) facing the outer peripheral portion of the first air flow path and the sleeve means (23). And an air purge device in the optical observation device, wherein the second air flow path is configured to flow forward as a cylindrical flow along the inner peripheral portion of the expansion guide cylinder (31). A housing main body for housing the optical observation device, a translucent plate disposed facing the front surface of the lens of the optical observation device, a hood means surrounding the translucent plate and extending forward, and an inner circumference of the hood means In the optical observation apparatus provided with an air supply chamber for supplying air to the section, the hood means (5) includes a cylindrical sleeve means (23) extending forward from the translucent plate (4), and the sleeve means. An expanding guide tube (31) extending gradually from the small diameter portion (31a) located on the outer periphery toward the front large diameter portion (31b), and gradually from the large diameter portion of the expansion guide tube toward the front An annular laminar projection that has a reduced diameter guide tube (33) that extends while reducing the diameter and projects forward from the small diameter portion (31a) of the expanded guide tube (31) at the tip of the sleeve means (23). By extending the edge portion (27), air supplied from the first air supply portion (17a) facing the front surface of the translucent plate (4) can be supplied to the translucent plate (4). A first air flow path that flows along the surface and flows forward as a bundled flow constrained by the inner peripheral portion of the sleeve means (23) and the laminar flow edge (27), and the sleeve means (23). The air supplied from the second air supply part (26a) facing the outer peripheral part is expanded through the laminar flow edge part (27), and the diameter is increased along the inner peripheral part of the expansion guide cylinder (31). The second air flow path is configured to flow forward as a cylindrical flow that is reduced in diameter along the inner peripheral portion of the reduced diameter guide cylinder (33), and the inner diameter D1 of the sleeve means and the distal end of the reduced diameter guide cylinder. An air purge device in an optical observation device, wherein the inner diameter D2 of the optical observation device is configured so that D1 ≦ D2. The first air supply section (17a) and the second air supply section (26a) are each composed of an air filter material (17) (26) made of a sintered metal porous body. 3. An air purge apparatus in the optical observation apparatus according to 2. The end face of the laminar projecting edge (27), in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by comprising forming a tapered surface which is inclined gradually toward the front reaches the inner periphery from the outer peripheral edge of (27a) The air purge apparatus in the optical observation apparatus as described.

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