JP6213157B2 - Water drop removal device and camera device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a water droplet removing device that removes water droplets attached to an imaging window provided in a housing that houses a camera, and a camera device that includes water droplet removing means.

  Conventionally, as this type of technology, for example, one described in Patent Document 1 shown below is known. Patent Document 1 describes a technique of a monitoring camera device that captures an image of a subject through a flat imaging window provided in a box-shaped housing that houses the monitoring camera. The image pickup window is provided with a wiper for cleaning the surface of the image pickup window.

  As a monitoring camera device, a dome-type monitoring camera device that captures an image of a subject via a substantially hemispherical dome cover is conventionally known. Since the dome cover of the imaging window is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape, it has been difficult to clean the surface of the imaging window with the wiper that cleans the flat surface as described above.

  Therefore, in the dome-type surveillance camera device, a hydrophilic or water-repellent coating is applied to the surface of the dome cover to suppress the adverse effect of water droplets such as raindrops on the captured image, thereby clarifying the captured image.

JP-A-6-303471

  In the above conventional dome-type surveillance camera device, if the subject is enlarged and imaged with water droplets attached to the dome cover with a hydrophilic coating, it becomes difficult to focus on the subject and the captured image is unclear. There was a risk of becoming. On the other hand, when a subject is imaged at a wide angle with water droplets attached to the dome cover on which the water-repellent coating is applied, the captured image may become unclear when the water droplets are focused.

  Further, when a hydrophilic or water-repellent coating is applied, if the water droplets attached to the dome cover dries, dirt tends to remain on the surface of the dome cover. For this reason, there exists a possibility that a captured image may become unclear.

  The objective of this invention is providing the camera apparatus provided with the water drop removal apparatus and water drop removal means which can aim at the sharpening of the picked-up image which a camera image | photographs and acquires a to-be-photographed object via an imaging window.

The present invention provides the following apparatus for the above purpose.
(A) An ejection nozzle (21) for ejecting a shock wave to the imaging window (15) of the camera (12), an arrangement portion (23) for arranging the ejection nozzle around the imaging window, and an ejection nozzle from the ejection nozzle A water droplet removing apparatus comprising: a shock wave generating unit (114) that generates a shock wave; and an ejection control unit (176) that controls ejection of the shock wave ejected from the ejection nozzle.
(B) An imaging window (15), a camera (12) that images a subject through the imaging window, an ejection nozzle (21) that ejects a shock wave to the imaging window, and a shock wave ejected from the ejection nozzle are generated. A shock wave generation unit (114) and an ejection control unit (176) that controls ejection of the shock wave ejected from the ejection nozzle, the ejection nozzle facing a portion where water droplets attached to the imaging window stay The camera device is arranged at a position where shock waves are ejected.

  According to the water droplet removal apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to remove or finely atomize water droplets adhering to the imaging window, and to sharpen the captured image acquired by the camera imaging the subject through the imaging window. Can be planned.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the surveillance camera apparatus which attached the water drop removal apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a water droplet removal apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the monitoring camera apparatus which has not attached the water droplet removal apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a jet nozzle and a dome cover. It is a partial top view which shows the positional relationship of the orthogonal | vertical direction of a jet nozzle and a dome cover. It is a top view which shows the positional relationship of the horizontal direction of an ejection nozzle and a dome cover. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the ejection nozzle attached to the gouache bracket. It is a perspective view which shows the internal appearance of a storage part. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the fixed nozzle jet nozzle in a fixed nozzle. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the principal part of a water droplet removal apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the selection part seen from the slide nozzle side. It is a perspective view which shows the cross section of the selection part seen from the fixed nozzle side. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the selection part seen from the slide nozzle side. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment structure of a shock wave generation part. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment structure of a shock wave generation part. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment structure of a switching power supply unit. It is a figure which shows the structure which controls a camera and a water droplet removal apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of 1 arrangement | positioning of the ejection nozzle. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the surveillance camera apparatus which attached the water drop removal apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of 1 arrangement | positioning of the ejection nozzle. It is a figure which shows the example of 1 arrangement | positioning of the ejection nozzle. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the principal part of a water droplet removal apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a monitoring camera apparatus provided with a water droplet removing apparatus according to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, a monitoring camera device 11 includes a camera 12 that captures an image of a subject to be monitored. The camera 12 is suspended and supported by a later-described support driving unit 171 (shown in FIG. 17) provided in a bell-shaped casing unit 13 and is rotatably accommodated in the casing unit 13. . A sunshade cover 14 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the casing 13.

  A transparent or semi-transparent substantially hemispherical dome cover 15 is provided at the lower part of the housing part 13. The camera 12 captures an image of a subject through a dome cover 15 serving as an imaging window and acquires an image of the subject.

  An arm 16 that supports the housing part 13 is provided on the upper part of the housing part 13, and a pedestal part 17 integrated with the arm 16 is fixed to the wall 18 by a fixing tool such as a screw. As a result, the casing 13 is attached to the wall 18.

  The water droplet removing device is attached to the monitoring camera device 11 and removes or finely granulates water droplets adhering to the dome cover 15 to improve the image quality of the image acquired by the camera 12. A shock wave is a vibration wave of air and propagates through the air at a speed close to the speed of sound.

  In FIG. 2, the water droplet removing apparatus includes three ejection nozzles 21 (21a, 21b, 21c) and three shock wave transmission tubes 22 (22a, 22b, 22c). In addition, the ejection nozzle 21 and the shock wave transmission tube 22 are not limited to the above number.

  The ejection nozzle 21 ejects a shock wave to the surface of the dome cover 15. The ejection nozzle 21 ejects a shock wave from a jet outlet at one end, and a shock wave transmission tube 22 is fitted into the other end and joined to the shock wave transmission tube 22. That is, the ejection nozzle 21a is joined to the shock wave transmission tube 22a, the ejection nozzle 21b is joined to the shock wave transmission tube 22b, and the ejection nozzle 21c is joined to the shock wave transmission tube 22c. In addition, the separation preventing effect can be enhanced by tightening the joint portion between the ejection nozzle 21 and the shock wave transmission tube 22 with a band or the like.

  The ejection nozzle 21 is attached to a gouache bracket 23 that constitutes an arrangement portion for arranging the ejection nozzle 21 around the dome cover 15. The gouache bracket 23 is provided with a plurality of locking pawls 24 whose front ends are bent outward. The gouache bracket 23 is provided with a plurality of locking claws 25 whose tip portions are bent inward. These locking claws 24 and 25 are used when the gouache bracket 23 is attached to the sunshade cover 14.

  The other end of the shock wave transmission tube 22 is housed in the housing portion 26 and joined to a selection portion 81 (shown in FIG. 8) described later. The storage unit 26 is made of waterproof die casting, for example, aluminum, and a pair of left and right suspension brackets 27 serving as support members are attached to the storage unit 26.

  The water droplet removing device is detachably attached to the monitoring camera device 11 and can be retrofitted as necessary. A method for retrofitting the water drop removing device to the monitoring camera device 11 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the monitoring camera device 11 in a state where the water drop removing device is not attached to the monitoring camera device 11. With respect to the monitoring camera apparatus 11 shown in FIG. 3, the cover 19 provided on the upper portion of the housing portion 13 is removed, and the sunshade cover 14 is lifted and moved to the arm 16 side above the housing portion 13.

  In such a state, the gouache bracket 23 to which the ejection nozzle 21 shown in FIG. Thereafter, the sunshade cover 14 is returned downward, and the locking pawl 24 of the gouache bracket 23 is hooked into a groove (not shown) of the locked portion formed inside the sunshade cover 14. Further, the locking claw 25 of the gouache bracket 23 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the bottom portion of the housing portion 13. Thereby, the gouache bracket 23 is attached to the bottom of the sunshade cover 14.

  The sunshade cover 14 to which the gouache bracket 23 is attached is fixed to the housing portion 13 with a fixing tool such as a screw. Thereby, the ejection nozzle 21 of the gouache bracket 23 attached to the sunshade cover 14 is arrange | positioned around the dome cover 15, as shown in FIG.

  The storage part 26 is fixed to the wall 18 together with the pedestal part 17 with a pair of left and right suspension brackets 27 using screws or the like. Further, the storage portion 26 can be reinforced by fixing the lower portion of the storage portion 26 to the wall 18 with a fixing tool such as a screw.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the external appearance around the dome cover 15 and the ejection nozzle 21. The ejection port at the tip of the ejection nozzle 21 attached to the gouache bracket 23 is directed to the dome cover 15, and the shock wave ejected from the ejection port is applied to the surface of the dome cover 15. Water drops such as raindrops adhering to the surface of the dome cover 15 are blown off by the energy of the shock wave and removed. Alternatively, the water droplets are pulverized by the energy of shock waves to be finely divided.

  For example, when the ejection nozzle 21b shown in FIG. 4 is represented, water droplets are blown radially outwards substantially concentrically around the intersection 42 between the center line 41 of the shock wave ejection direction and the dome cover 15, or The surface of the dome cover 15 is moved. Alternatively, some of the water droplets are finely granulated without being blown off and remain on the surface of the dome cover 15.

  By controlling the ejection of shock waves from the three ejection nozzles 21a, 21b, and 21c as described later, water droplets are removed from the dome cover 15 in the imaging range of the camera 12 or are atomized. As a result, the camera 12 can obtain a clearer and better image of the subject than before the water droplets are removed or atomized.

  The direction of the ejection port of the ejection nozzle 21 is set, for example, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, an alternate long and short dash line L <b> 15 h represents a position in the dome cover 15 that is exactly a hemisphere. That is, the end surface of the hemisphere is located at the position of the alternate long and short dash line L15h. As shown in FIG. 5, the direction of the jet outlet is set so as to be in the direction of a tangent L51 with respect to a position of approximately 45 ° from the center O of the end face of the hemisphere.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the position of the ejection port of the ejection nozzle 21 is arranged outside the range of the field angle θ51 with respect to the field angle θ51 that is the imaging range in the tilt direction of the camera 12. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the position of the jet nozzle of the jet nozzle 21 is such that the distance L52 from the uppermost end L15 of the imaging range is as short as possible with respect to the field angle θ51 that is the imaging range in the tilt direction of the camera 12. Are arranged as follows.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the appearance of the dome cover 15 as viewed from the bottom. As shown in FIG. 6, the ejection nozzle 21 is attached to the gouache bracket 23 and disposed on the outer periphery of the dome cover 15.

  The ejection nozzle 21 b is disposed, for example, in the front direction with respect to the center O of the dome cover 15. The ejection nozzle 21a is disposed, for example, in an angle range of θ61 with respect to the front direction in which the ejection nozzle 21b is disposed. The angle range θ61 is a range of + 45 ° to + 90 ° when the front direction is 0 °. The ejection nozzle 21c is disposed, for example, in an angle range of θ62 with respect to the front direction in which the ejection nozzle 21b is disposed. The angle range θ62 is in a range of −45 ° (+ 315 °) to −90 ° (+ 270 °) when the front direction is 0 °.

  The position where the ejection nozzle 21 is disposed is not limited to the above, and is appropriately set according to the imaging range of the camera 12. In the gouache bracket 23, mounting holes 61 into which the ejection nozzle 21 is inserted and attached are provided at an interval of about 15 ° with respect to the center O of the dome cover 15. The ejection nozzles 21a, 21b, and 21c can be appropriately changed in position by changing the mounting hole 61.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the ejection nozzle 21 is attached to the gouache bracket 23, and the direction of the ejection port is adjusted. In FIG. 7, the ejection nozzle 21 is fixed to the gouache bracket 23 with a screw 72 via a support bracket 71. The support bracket 71 is provided with adjusting screws 73 at four corners. In the state where the screws 72 are loosened, the mounting angle of the support bracket 71 with respect to the gouache bracket 23 is changed by adjusting the tightening degree of each adjustment screw 73. Thereby, the direction of the ejection nozzle 21 with respect to the dome cover 15 can be finely adjusted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the other end of the shock wave transmission tube 22 with one end joined to the ejection nozzle 21 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 26 and transmits the shock wave to any one of the ejection nozzles 21a, 21b, 21c. The shock wave transmission tube 22 is joined to a selection unit 81 that selects the shock wave transmission tube 22. The storage unit 26 stores a circuit board 82 on which electronic circuit components such as an ejection control unit described later are mounted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the selection unit 81 includes a fixed nozzle 91, and the fixed nozzle 91 is provided with three fixed nozzle ejection ports 92 (92 a, 92 b, 92 c). The fixed nozzle outlet 92 is provided extending in the direction in which the shock wave is transmitted. The shock wave transmission tube 22 is fitted into one end of the fixed nozzle outlet 92 and joined so as to be in the same direction as the shock wave transmission direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. That is, the shock wave transmission tube 22a is joined to the fixed nozzle jet port 92a, the shock wave transmission tube 22b is joined to the fixed nozzle jet port 92b, and the shock wave transmission tube 22c is joined to the fixed nozzle jet port 92c.

  Since the shock wave transmission tube 22 is joined to the fixed nozzle outlet 92 so as to be in the same direction as the shock wave transmission direction, the shock wave attenuation due to the bending of the transmission path at the joint can be suppressed. In addition, the separation preventing effect can be enhanced by tightening the joint portion between the shock wave transmission tube 22 and the fixed nozzle outlet 92 with a band or the like.

  As illustrated in FIG. 11, the selection unit 81 includes a slide nozzle 111. The slide nozzle 111 is fitted into a groove-shaped guide portion 112 provided in the fixed nozzle 91 and is provided so as to be movable along the guide portion 112 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. One end of a shock wave transmission tube 113 is fitted and joined to the slide nozzle 111, and the other end of the shock wave transmission tube 113 is fitted and joined to a shock wave outlet 115 of the shock wave generator 114. As a result, the slide nozzle 111 and the shock wave generator 114 are joined via the shock wave transmission tube 113.

  The shock wave transmission tube 113 is made of a flexible member such as silicon rubber, and bends as the slide nozzle 111 moves.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the shock wave ejection port 121 and the fixed nozzle ejection port 92 of the slide nozzle 111 are configured to have substantially the same diameter. The slide nozzle 111 is moved so that the central axes of both the shock wave outlet 121 and the fixed nozzle outlet 92 of the slide nozzle 111 substantially coincide.

  As illustrated in FIG. 13, the selection unit 81 includes a slide nozzle drive motor 131. The slide nozzle drive motor 131 is a stepping motor, and is driven and controlled under the control of an ejection control unit 176 described later. The slide nozzle 111 is connected to the eccentric output shaft 133 of the slide nozzle drive motor 131 via a cam groove 132 provided in the slide nozzle 111.

  The eccentric output shaft 133 of the slide nozzle drive motor 131 reciprocates along the cam groove 132 by the rotation of the eccentric output shaft 133. As a result, the slide nozzle 111 reciprocates in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. By this reciprocation, the selector 81 aligns so that the central axes of both the shock wave outlet 121 of the slide nozzle 111 and the fixed nozzle outlet 92 are substantially coincident.

  When the shock wave outlet 121 of the slide nozzle 111 and the fixed nozzle outlet 92a are aligned, the shock wave transmission pipe 22a joined to the fixed nozzle outlet 92a is selected. Thereby, a shock wave is transmitted to the ejection nozzle 21a via the shock wave transmission tube 22a, and is ejected from the ejection nozzle 21a.

  When the shock wave outlet 121 of the slide nozzle 111 and the fixed nozzle outlet 92b are aligned, the shock wave transmission pipe 22b joined to the fixed nozzle outlet 92b is selected. Thereby, a shock wave is transmitted to the ejection nozzle 21b via the shock wave transmission tube 22b, and is ejected from the ejection nozzle 21b. When the shock wave ejection port 121 and the fixed nozzle ejection port 92b of the slide nozzle 111 are aligned, the shock wave transmission tube 113 and the fixed nozzle ejection port 92b are arranged on a substantially straight line. Thereby, the attenuation of the shock wave due to the bending of the transmission line can be minimized.

  When the shock wave outlet 121 of the slide nozzle 111 and the fixed nozzle outlet 92c are aligned, the shock wave transmission pipe 22c joined to the fixed nozzle outlet 92c is selected. Thereby, a shock wave is transmitted to the ejection nozzle 21c via the shock wave transmission tube 22c, and is ejected from the ejection nozzle 21c.

  In this way, the selection unit 81 alternatively selects the ejection ports 21a, 21b, and 21c that eject shock waves.

  Returning to FIG. 11, although not shown, the shock wave generator 114 includes a piston and a cylinder with a rack gear, a spring, an intermittent gear, a transmission gear group, an electric motor, and the like. The shock wave generator 114 rapidly compresses the air in the cylinder by instantaneously sliding the piston in the cylinder by the release force of the compression spring. The compressed air instantaneously expands from the cylinder port toward the shock wave outlet 115 to generate a shock wave, and is ejected from the shock wave outlet 115. After the shock wave, the expanded air is ejected from the shock wave outlet 115.

  The shock wave generation unit 114 generates one shock wave by sliding the piston once. The shock wave generator 114 can generate shock waves about 10 times per second by sliding the cylinder repeatedly with an electric motor and intermittent gear. The shock wave generation unit 114 generates a shock wave under the control of an ejection control unit 176 (shown in FIG. 17) described later.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the shock wave generation unit 114 is stored in the storage unit 26 shown in FIG. The shock wave generator 114 is fixed to the main bracket 141 with a fixing tool such as a screw. One end of the main bracket 141 is attached to the mounting bracket 142 via the resin damper 144, and the other end is attached to the mounting bracket 143 via the resin damper 144. The mounting brackets 142 and 143 are fixed to the storage portion 26 with a fixing tool such as a screw. The shock wave generator 114 vibrates in the direction of movement of the piston indicated by the arrow in FIG.

  The resin damper 144 is disposed at both ends of the main bracket 141 as shown in FIG. 15 with the operation direction of the piston indicated by the arrow in FIG. 14 as the main deformation direction. At least one resin damper 144 is disposed at each of both ends of the main bracket 141. In FIG. 15, as an example, five resin dampers 144 are arranged on one end side of the main bracket 141 and three on the other end side. The resin damper 144 absorbs and attenuates the vibration generated in the shock wave generating unit 114. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the vibration generated in the shock wave generation unit 114 from being transmitted to the storage unit 26.

  The shock wave generation unit 114 generates an operation sound when the piston operates, and generates a burst sound when the shock wave is generated. In order to reduce such a sound pressure, a sound absorbing material such as glass wool or a urethane foam material is provided in the storage portion 26 as necessary. Further, for example, silicon rubber is interposed in the joint portion between the lid of the storage portion 26 and the box for enhancing the sealing performance for waterproofing and soundproofing.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the switching power supply unit 161 is housed in the housing portion 26 below the circuit board 82 shown in FIG. The switching power supply unit 161 receives an AC voltage from the outside, and supplies a DC voltage to the slide nozzle drive motor 131, the electric motor of the shock wave generator 114, and the electronic circuit mounted on the circuit board 82. The switching power supply unit 161 is fixed to the mounting brackets 142 and 143 by a fixing tool such as a screw. Similarly, the circuit board 82 shown in FIG. 8 is also fixed to the mounting brackets 142 and 143 by a fixing tool such as a screw.

  Since the switching power supply unit 161 generates heat during operation, the switching power supply unit 161 is disposed so that the heat sink side provided in the switching power supply unit 161 faces the inner wall surface of the storage unit 26. A heat transfer sheet (not shown) is disposed between the heat sink of the switching power supply unit 161 and the inner wall surface of the storage unit 26. Thereby, the heat generated in the switching power supply unit 161 is efficiently transmitted to the storage unit 26, and the heat dissipation effect can be enhanced.

Since the shock wave generation unit 114 stored in the storage unit 26 is configured to generate a shock wave as described above, it can be reduced in size and weight. Accordingly, the storage unit 26 can be configured so that the total weight of the storage unit itself and the storage member is approximately 3.5 kg or less and the volume is approximately 0.0035 m ³ or less. Thereby, when attaching a water drop removal apparatus to the monitoring camera apparatus 11, the installer can hold the storage section 26 with one hand. As a result, it is possible to improve workability when retrofitting the water drop removing device to the monitoring camera device 11 installed at a high place such as outdoors.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for controlling the camera 12, the selection unit 81, and the shock wave generation unit 114.

  The camera 12 is supported by being suspended by a support driving unit 171 inside the housing 13 shown in FIG. The camera 12 is housed inside the housing 13 so as to be rotatable by the support driving unit 171 under the control of the camera control unit 172.

  The support driving unit 171 includes a pan motor 173 and a tilt motor 174. The support drive unit 171 is controlled to rotate in the horizontal direction by drive control of the pan motor 173. The support drive unit 171 is controlled to rotate in the vertical direction by drive control of the tilt motor 174.

  The camera 12 includes a zoom motor 175 that performs a zoom operation to change the magnification of the imaging lens. The pan motor 173 and the tilt motor 174 are direct drive motors, and the zoom motor 175 is a stepping motor.

  The rotation of these motors is controlled by the pulse count value of the pulse signal, and the rotation amount is proportional to the pulse count value. Thereby, the movement position of the non-moving body whose movement is controlled by the rotation of the direct drive motor or the stepping motor can be detected based on the pulse count value. Accordingly, the support drive unit 171 that is driven and moved by the direct drive motor and the slide nozzle 111 that is driven and moved by the stepping motor described above change the moving position based on the pulse count value of the pulse signal that drives and controls each motor. It becomes possible to recognize and control.

  When the pan motor 173 of the support drive unit 171 is driven and controlled, the camera 12 controls the pan rotation operation of rotating in the pan direction which is the horizontal direction. In the camera 12, the tilt motor 174 of the support driving unit 171 is driven and controlled, whereby the tilt rotation operation of rotating in the tilt direction which is the vertical direction is controlled.

  The camera 12 represents an imaging control direction by PTZ and is also called a PTZ camera. P in PTZ is an abbreviation for pan and panoramic view and represents horizontal rotation, and T is an abbreviation for tilt and represents vertical swing. Z is an abbreviation for zoom, and indicates that the subject is enlarged (zoomed in) or reduced (zoomed out).

  The camera 12 is rotated by the support driving unit 171 under the control of the camera control unit 172 to determine the imaging direction. Under the control of the camera control unit 172, the camera 12 sequentially captures a plurality of preset imaging directions while changing the imaging direction at a preset period.

  The camera control unit 172 functions as a control center that controls the overall operation of the monitoring camera device 11. The camera control unit 172 includes a storage unit that stores a control program that controls the entire surveillance camera device 11, and controls the overall operation of the surveillance camera device 11 based on the control program stored in the storage unit. The camera control unit 172 is configured by, for example, a microcomputer provided with resources such as a CPU, a storage device, and an input / output device.

  The camera control unit 172 gives a drive control pulse signal having a pulse count value to the pan motor 173, and controls the rotation operation of the pan motor 173 based on the drive control pulse signal. That is, the pan motor 173 is driven and controlled based on the pulse count value, and the support driving unit 171 is controlled to rotate in the pan direction by the pan motor 173 that is driven and controlled based on the pulse count value. Accordingly, the camera control unit 172 detects the imaging direction in the pan direction of the camera 12 based on the pulse count value of the drive control pulse signal given to the pan motor 173. The camera control unit 172 gives the detected imaging direction in the pan direction of the camera 12 to the ejection control unit 176.

  The ejection control unit 176 functions as a control center that controls the operations of the selection unit 81 and the shock wave generation unit 114. The ejection control unit 176 has a storage unit that stores a control program for controlling the operation of the selection unit 81 and the shock wave generation unit 114, and based on the control program stored in the storage unit, the selection unit 81 and the shock wave generation unit 114 Control the behavior. The ejection control unit 176 is configured by, for example, a microcomputer provided with resources such as a CPU, a storage device, and an input / output device.

  The ejection control unit 176 gives a drive control pulse signal having a pulse count value to the slide nozzle drive motor 131, and drives and controls the slide nozzle drive motor 131 based on the drive control pulse signal. That is, the slide nozzle 111 is controlled to reciprocate by the slide nozzle drive motor 131 that is driven and controlled based on the pulse count value.

  Thus, the ejection control unit 176 detects the position of the slide nozzle 111 that is controlled to move by the slide nozzle drive motor 131 based on the pulse count value of the drive control pulse signal. As a result, the ejection control unit 176 controls the alignment between the shock wave ejection port 121 of the slide nozzle 111 and the fixed nozzle ejection ports 92a, 92b, and 92c of the fixed nozzle 91, as described above. Control the selection operation.

  After the selection operation by the selection unit 81 is performed, the ejection control unit 176 generates a shock wave a predetermined number of times set in advance by the shock wave generation unit 114. The generated shock wave is transmitted to the ejection nozzle 21 through the slide nozzle 111, the fixed nozzle outlet 92 of the fixed nozzle 91 connected to the slide nozzle 111, and the shock wave transmission pipe 22, and the surface of the dome cover 15 from the ejection nozzle 21. Is erupted.

  The ejection control unit 176 ejects shock waves to the three ejection nozzles 21a, 21b, and 21c based on the imaging direction in the pan direction of the camera 12 given from the camera control unit 172, for example, three ejection patterns 1 to 3. 3 is selected and executed. Note that the ejection pattern is not limited to these three patterns, and can be variously set by a supervisor who uses the surveillance camera device 11.

  In describing the three ejection patterns 1 to 3, it is assumed that the ejection nozzles 21a, 21b, and 21c are arranged as shown in FIG. 18, for example. FIG. 18 is a view showing an arrangement example of the ejection nozzles 21a, 21b, and 21c with respect to the dome cover 15.

  In FIG. 18, the front direction facing the wall 18 is 0 ° and the direction of the wall 18 is 180 ° with respect to the center O of the circular opening surface forming the bottom surface of the substantially hemispherical body of the dome cover 15. In such an orientation, the ejection nozzle 21a is disposed at a position of 270 ° with respect to the dome cover 15, the ejection nozzle 21b is disposed at a position of 0 °, and the ejection nozzle 21c is disposed at a position of 90 °. ing.

  In FIG. 18, the ejection nozzle 21 a ejects a shock wave in a range of 225 ° to 315 ° around the 270 ° of the arrangement position. The ejection nozzle 21b shall eject a shock wave in a range of 315 ° to 45 ° centering on 0 ° of the arrangement position. The ejection nozzle 21c ejects a shock wave in a range of 45 ° to 180 ° centering on 90 ° of the arrangement position.

  In such an arrangement of the ejection nozzles 21a, 21b, and 21c, the ejection pattern 1 ejects a shock wave while changing the ejection nozzles 21a, 21b, and 21c at a predetermined cycle set in advance. For example, a shock wave is repeatedly ejected from the ejection nozzle 21 in the order of the ejection nozzle 21a, the ejection nozzle 21b, the ejection nozzle 21c, and the ejection nozzle 21a.

  Thus, a shock wave is ejected to the dome cover 15 in the imaging range of the camera 12 except for the range of 135 ° to 225 ° of the dome cover 15 located on the wall 18 side, regardless of the imaging direction in the pan direction of the camera 12. can do.

  The ejection pattern 2 ejects a shock wave from the ejection nozzle 21 corresponding to the imaging direction in the pan direction currently captured by the camera 12 based on the imaging direction in the pan direction of the camera 12 given from the camera control unit 172.

  When the imaging direction in the pan direction of the camera 12 is in the range of 225 ° to 315 ° in FIG. 18, a shock wave is ejected from the ejection nozzle 21a. That is, the shock wave outlet 121 of the slide nozzle 111 and the fixed nozzle outlet 92a of the fixed nozzle 91 are aligned by the selection unit 81, and the shock wave is transmitted to the ejection nozzle 21a via the shock wave transmission pipe 22a. Erupted.

  When the imaging direction in the pan direction of the camera 12 is in the range of 315 ° to 45 ° in FIG. 18, a shock wave is ejected from the ejection nozzle 21b. That is, the shock wave outlet 121 of the slide nozzle 111 and the fixed nozzle outlet 92b of the fixed nozzle 91 are aligned by the selection unit 81, and the shock wave is transmitted to the ejection nozzle 21b via the shock wave transmission pipe 22b. Erupted.

  When the imaging direction in the pan direction of the camera 12 is in the range of 45 ° to 135 ° in FIG. 18, a shock wave is ejected from the ejection nozzle 21c. That is, the shock wave outlet 121 of the slide nozzle 111 and the fixed nozzle outlet 92c of the fixed nozzle 91 are aligned by the selection unit 81, and the shock wave is transmitted to the ejection nozzle 21c via the shock wave transmission pipe 22c. Erupted.

  As described above, in the ejection pattern 2, the camera 12 can currently capture an image and eject a shock wave to the dome cover 15 in the imaging direction.

  The ejection pattern 3 ejects a shock wave to the dome cover 15 in the imaging direction before the camera 12 captures an image. A plurality of imaging directions in the pan direction captured by the camera 12 are preset in the camera control unit 172. The camera 12 sequentially captures images while periodically changing the preset plurality of image capturing directions.

  For example, the camera 12 is pre-set with an imaging direction 1, an imaging direction 2, and an imaging direction 3, and images are taken while being periodically repeated in this order. Here, the imaging direction 1 is, for example, a direction of 60 ° in FIG. 18, the imaging direction 2 is, for example, a direction of 340 °, and the imaging direction 3 is, for example, 250 °.

  In such a case, in the ejection pattern 3, since the imaging direction 1 is an ejection range in which the ejection nozzle 21c ejects a shock wave, before the camera 12 performs pan rotation in the imaging direction 1 and performs imaging, the ejection nozzle 21c in advance. Shock waves erupt from. Subsequently, since the imaging direction 2 is an ejection range in which the ejection nozzle 21b ejects a shock wave, the shock wave is ejected in advance from the ejection nozzle 21b before the camera 12 pans and rotates in the imaging direction 2. Subsequently, since the imaging direction 3 is an ejection range in which the ejection nozzle 21a ejects a shock wave, the shock wave is ejected in advance from the ejection nozzle 21a before the camera 12 performs pan rotation in the imaging direction 3 and performs imaging.

  Thus, in the ejection pattern 3, before the camera 12 images, a shock wave is ejected to the dome cover 15 of the imaging direction which the camera 12 images, and a water droplet is removed or atomized. As a result, the camera 12 can take an image through the dome cover 15 from which water droplets have been removed or atomized in advance.

  Returning to FIG. 17, the camera control unit 172 is connected to the monitoring device 177.

  The monitoring device 177 is connected to the camera control unit 172 through, for example, a LAN, and transmits and receives signals to and from the camera control unit 172 using a protocol such as TCP / IP. The monitoring device 177 receives the image data of the captured image acquired by the camera 12 and controls the display of the captured image acquired by the camera 12 on the display. The monitoring device 177 stores the image data acquired by the camera 12 in a storage device as necessary.

  When the camera 12 captures an image of a subject based on a command from the monitoring device 177, the monitoring device 177 adjusts and controls imaging requirements such as an aperture and an imaging direction when the camera 12 captures an image. This is given to the camera control unit 172.

  The monitoring device 177 instructs on / off of the water droplet removal device manually or automatically. For example, based on the captured image acquired by the camera 12, the monitoring device 177 can automatically command on / off of the water droplet removal device as follows, for example.

  The monitoring device 177 activates the water drop removing device when it is detected that the captured image is unclear due to the water droplets adhering to the dome cover 15 by a predetermined image processing method that is prepared in advance and detects the sharpness of the image. Let Thereafter, when it is detected that the captured image has become clear, the monitoring device 177 stops the water droplet removal device.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, water droplets adhering to the dome cover 15 are removed or made fine by shock waves, so that the captured image acquired by the camera 12 capturing an image of the subject via the dome cover 15 is obtained. Sharpening can be achieved.

  Since the water droplets are removed or atomized by the shock wave, the water droplets can be removed or atomized without contact with the dome cover 15. Thereby, compared with the case where a water droplet is removed with the wiper which contacts an imaging window directly, the effect as shown below can be acquired.

  When the wiper is used, the wiper may be reflected in the captured image and may block a part of the field of view. For this reason, there exists a possibility that it may become difficult to see a captured image. Further, when the imaging window is formed of a resin such as acrylic, there is a risk of damaging the surface of the imaging window by the wiper.

  Further, when the wiper is made of rubber, maintenance management such as periodic replacement is required due to deterioration due to ultraviolet rays, wear powder due to wear, and dust accumulation.

  On the other hand, since shock waves are used in this embodiment, it is avoided that the wiper is reflected in the captured image and a part of the captured image is blocked, and that the imaging window is not damaged by the wiper. . In addition, maintenance management that periodically replaces the wiper is not required, and maintenance work can be reduced.

  In addition, in this embodiment, it is possible to solve the problem that dirt remains in the imaging window after water droplets attached to the imaging window dries, compared to a case where a hydrophilic or water-repellent coating is applied to the imaging window. it can. Since the effect of the hydrophilic or water-repellent coating applied to the imaging window decreases with time, regular maintenance management is required.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, such maintenance management becomes unnecessary, and the labor of maintenance management can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the shock wave generation unit 114 compresses the air by sliding the piston instantaneously, and instantaneously expands the piston by the release force of the spring and the cylinder that instantaneously expands the compressed air from the cylinder port. And a compression spring to be slid.
With this configuration, the shock wave generation unit 114 can generate a shock wave without using a configuration that maintains a high pressure state such as a compressor or a cylinder. As a result, the shock wave generator 114 can be reduced in size and weight, and as a result, the water droplet removal apparatus can be reduced in size and weight.

  In this embodiment, the ejection of shock waves is controlled by the three ejection patterns 1 to 3. The ejection pattern 1 ejects a shock wave while changing the ejection nozzles 21a, 21b, and 21c at a predetermined cycle. Thereby, a shock wave can be ejected to the dome cover 15 in the imaging range of the camera 12 regardless of the imaging direction in the pan direction of the camera 12.

  The ejection pattern 2 ejects a shock wave from the ejection nozzle 21 corresponding to the imaging direction in the pan direction currently captured by the camera 12. As a result, the camera 12 can capture an image and eject a shock wave to the dome cover 15 in the imaging direction.

  The ejection pattern 3 ejects a shock wave to the dome cover 15 in the preset imaging direction before the camera 12 captures an image. As a result, the camera 12 can take an image through the dome cover 15 from which water droplets have been removed or atomized in advance.

  In the above embodiment, the imaging window is described as a substantially hemispherical dome cover. However, the imaging window is not limited to a substantially hemispherical dome cover, and the imaging window may be planar, for example. Well, the present invention does not limit the shape of the imaging window.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the monitoring camera device 11 including the water droplet removing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The surveillance camera device 11 has the same configuration as that described in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the water droplet removing device and the attaching means are different from those in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the same symbols are used for the same configurations as in the first embodiment, and the description may be omitted.

  The water droplet removal device is attached near the surveillance camera 11 and removes water droplets staying near the top of the hemispherical shape of the dome cover 15 with a shock wave.

  The water droplet removing device includes a jet nozzle 21d. The water droplet removing device is installed on, for example, a wall in the vicinity of the monitoring camera device 11 so that the ejection nozzle 21d is positioned to eject a shock wave toward the vicinity of the hemispherical apex of the dome cover 15. 20 and 21 show the positional relationship between the ejection nozzle 21d and the dome cover 15. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 20, it is desirable that the tip of the ejection nozzle 21d be directed to the hemispherical apex of the dome cover 15, and the installation angle be in the range of 3 ° to 15 ° with respect to the horizontal direction of the surveillance camera. Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the position of the ejection nozzle 21d on the horizontal plane is preferably in the range of 180 ° ± 15 ° when the front direction of the dome camera is 0 °. By installing in the said range, the water droplet which stayed in the hemispherical vertex vicinity of the dome cover 15 can be blown off effectively.

  A shock wave is ejected about 10 times per second from the ejection nozzle, and water droplets are blown off and removed by operating this for several seconds. FIG. 22 shows the configuration of the shock wave generator. The configuration of the shock wave generator is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, only one ejection nozzle 21d is required, so that the selection unit 81 is unnecessary, and one transmission tube is provided from the shock wave generation unit 114. A configuration in which the ejection nozzle 21d is directly connected through the passage 113 is sufficient.

  The operation of the water droplet removal device is configured to be remotely operated from the monitoring device 177 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The removal device can also be activated. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which detects automatically that the water droplet stayed in the vertex vicinity of the dome cover, and the picked-up image became unclear, by image processing software, and operates a water drop removal apparatus.

  Raindrops adhere to the surface of the dome cover 15 and form water droplets. The adhering water droplets become larger by being combined with the raindrops that have scattered and the surrounding water droplets, and eventually flow downward due to their own weight, that is, toward the top of the dome cover 15. The water droplets that have reached the vicinity of the top of the dome cover 15 are detached from the dome cover 15 and fall, but some of the water drops stay in the vicinity of the top of the dome cover 15 in a water droplet state. When time elapses in that state, dust, dirt, salt, etc. contained in the water droplets are deposited and become dirt and deposits, and the transparency near the apex of the dome cover 15 is impaired. As a result, the captured image near the top of the dome cover becomes unclear. According to the present embodiment, water droplets adhering to the vicinity of the apex of the hemispherical shape of the dome cover 15 are removed or atomized by a shock wave. Sharpening can be achieved.

  Since the water droplets are removed or atomized by the shock wave, the water droplets can be removed or atomized without contact with the dome cover 15. Thereby, compared with the case where a water droplet is removed with the wiper which contacts an imaging window directly, the effect as shown below can be acquired.

  When the wiper is used, the wiper may be reflected in the captured image and may block a part of the field of view. For this reason, there exists a possibility that it may become difficult to see a captured image. Further, when the imaging window is formed of a resin such as acrylic, there is a risk of damaging the surface of the imaging window by the wiper. Further, when the wiper is made of rubber, maintenance management such as periodic replacement is required due to deterioration due to ultraviolet rays, wear powder due to wear, and dust accumulation.

  On the other hand, since shock waves are used in this embodiment, it is avoided that the wiper is reflected in the captured image and a part of the captured image is blocked, and that the imaging window is not damaged by the wiper. . In addition, maintenance management that periodically replaces the wiper is not required, and maintenance work can be reduced.

  In addition, in this embodiment, it is possible to solve the problem that dirt remains in the imaging window after water droplets attached to the imaging window dries, compared to a case where a hydrophilic or water-repellent coating is applied to the imaging window. it can. Since the effect of the hydrophilic or water-repellent coating applied to the imaging window decreases with time, regular maintenance management is required. On the other hand, in this embodiment, such maintenance management becomes unnecessary, and the labor of maintenance management can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the shock wave generation unit 114 compresses the air by sliding the piston instantaneously, and instantaneously expands the piston by the release force of the spring and the cylinder that instantaneously expands the compressed air from the cylinder port. And a compression spring to be slid.
With this configuration, the shock wave generation unit 114 can generate a shock wave without using a configuration that maintains a high pressure state such as a compressor or a cylinder. As a result, the shock wave generator 114 can be reduced in size and weight, and as a result, the water droplet removal apparatus can be reduced in size and weight.

  In the above embodiment, the imaging window is described as a substantially hemispherical dome cover. However, the imaging window is not limited to a substantially hemispherical dome cover, and the imaging window may be planar, for example. Well, the present invention does not limit the shape of the imaging window.

  Needless to say, the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be combined. In this case, the ejection nozzle 21 connected to one of the plurality of shock wave transmission pipes 22 connected to the selection unit 81 is arranged as described in the second embodiment, and the ejection nozzle 21 connected to the remaining shock wave transmission pipes 22 is used in the first embodiment. The arrangement described in the above may be used. (Not shown)

  By combining the first embodiment and the second embodiment, both effects described in the first and second embodiments can be obtained.

11 ... Surveillance camera device 12 ... Camera 15 ... Dome cover (imaging window)
21 (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) ... ejection nozzle 22 (22a, 22b, 22c) ... shock wave transmission tube 23 ... gouache bracket (arrangement part)
81 ... Selection unit 114 ... Shock wave generation unit 176 ... Ejection control unit

Claims (2)

An imaging window;
A camera for imaging a subject through the imaging window;
An ejection nozzle for ejecting a shock wave to the imaging window;
A shock wave generating section for generating a shock wave ejected from the ejection nozzle;
An ejection control unit for controlling ejection of shock waves ejected from the ejection nozzle,
The said ejection nozzle is arrange | positioned in the position where a shock wave is ejected toward the part where the water droplet adhering to the said imaging window stays. The camera apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The camera according to claim 1 , wherein the imaging window has a hemispherical shape with the vicinity of the apex facing downward, and the ejection nozzle is disposed at a position where a shock wave is ejected near the apex of the hemispherical shape of the imaging window. apparatus.