JP6349227B2 - Gas leak imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas leak photographing apparatus.

  Regarding gas leakage detection, Patent Document 1 discloses that an infrared light source is irradiated with infrared light by an infrared light source, infrared light from the inspection target area is captured by an infrared camera, and a fluctuation extraction unit of an image processing unit is provided. A gas leak detection device that detects gas leak by extracting dynamic fluctuations due to gas leak from a plurality of infrared images taken in time series is disclosed.

JP 2012-58093 A

  As in the technique described in Patent Document 1, a configuration in which an infrared light source is irradiated with infrared light by an infrared light source, and infrared light from the inspection target region is captured by an infrared camera, for example, at night, attic, under the floor, etc. Thus, even in an environment where natural light including infrared light hardly reaches, it is possible to confirm the presence or absence of gas leakage.

  By the way, when a gas leak is found, the operator visually checks the image taken by the infrared camera to identify the location where the gas leaks or to confirm the spread of the leaked gas distribution. Confirmation work is required. However, the gas leakage situation such as the spread of the leaked gas and the shooting conditions such as the distance from the location where the gas leaks to the infrared camera are not uniform and are different for each gas leak site. . In particular, in a site where natural light including infrared light hardly reaches, there is a possibility that the accuracy of leakage confirmation may be reduced due to the influence of gas leakage conditions and imaging conditions.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts, and obtains a gas leakage imaging apparatus capable of suppressing a decrease in the accuracy of the leakage confirmation work regardless of the gas leakage situation and imaging conditions. Is the purpose.

The gas leakage imaging apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is an imaging unit that is provided in a housing and has sensitivity to infrared light, and emits light in a wavelength region including the infrared region at a spread angle of a predetermined angle or more. The light emitting source and the light emitting source are mounted on the housing and attached, and the direction of the light emitting source is changed so that an angle formed by an optical axis of light emitted from the light emitting source and a photographing optical axis of the photographing unit is changed. see containing and a changeable angle changing portion, the light emitting source, the arranged plurality of different positions around the imaging optical axis, is attached to a different the angle changing unit to each other, said plurality of locations The individual light emission sources are arranged by the angle changing unit to which the individual light emission sources are attached so that the angles formed by the optical axis of the emitted light and the photographing optical axis are equal to each other. Interlocking to change the direction of each source And the number of the light emitting sources to emit light, the light emission intensity of the light emitting sources, and the light emission according to the change of the angle formed between the optical axis of the light emitted from the individual light emitting sources and the photographing optical axis by the interlocking unit. a light emission control section for changing at least one of the ratio of the emission period of the source, the are Nde free.

The invention of claim 1, wherein the imaging unit having sensitivity to light in the infrared region is provided in the housing, the light emitting source for emitting a predetermined angle or more divergence angles of light in the wavelength region including the infrared region, the angular degree changing section, An interlocking unit and a light emission control unit are included. As a light source that emits light in a wavelength region including the infrared region at a spread angle of a predetermined angle or more, for example, an LED or a surface emitting laser in which laser light sources are arranged in a matrix shape can be applied. In addition, as the divergence angle of a predetermined angle or more, for example, the light emitted from the light emitting source, reflected by the object to be imaged and incident on the image capturing unit is in a range having a two-dimensional expansion on the light receiving surface of the image capturing unit. A divergence angle to the extent of irradiation can be applied. The angle changing unit is provided in the housing and the light source is attached, and the direction of the light source is changed so that the angle formed by the optical axis of the light emitted from the light source and the photographing optical axis of the photographing unit changes. It is possible. The light emitting sources are arranged at a plurality of different positions around the photographing optical axis, and are attached to different angle changing units. The interlocking unit is configured by an angle changing unit to which each light source is attached so that the angles formed by the optical axis of the emitted light and the photographing optical axis are equal to each other for each light source disposed at a plurality of positions. The direction of the light source is changed. The light emission control unit determines the number of light emission sources to emit, the light emission intensity of the light emission sources, and the light emission of the light emission sources according to the change in the angle formed by the optical axis of the emitted light from each light emission source and the photographing optical axis by the interlocking unit. Change at least one of the period ratios.

  Thereby, when the gas is leaking, for example, when the spread of the distribution of the leaked gas is relatively small, or when the distance between the portion where the gas is leaking and the photographing unit is relatively close, for example, the photographing unit If the direction of the light source is changed and the angle between the optical axis of the emitted light and the photographic optical axis is changed so that the optical axis of the emitted light and the photographic optical axis intersect at a relatively close position from The light emitted from the source is irradiated at a position where the distance from the imaging unit is relatively small, and the area of the emission light irradiation region in the imaging range of the imaging unit is also relatively narrow.

  Further, when gas is leaking, for example, when the spread of the leaked gas distribution is relatively large, or when the distance between the gas leaking point and the imaging unit is relatively far, for example, from the imaging unit When the optical axis of the emitted light intersects the imaging optical axis at a relatively distant position, the optical axis of the emitted light is parallel to the imaging optical axis, or the distance from the imaging unit, the optical axis of the outgoing light and the imaging optical axis By changing the direction of the light source to change the angle between the optical axis of the emitted light and the photographic optical axis so that the distance is increased, the emitted light from the light source is relatively The area of the emission light irradiation region that is irradiated to a distant position and occupies the imaging range of the imaging unit becomes relatively wide.

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to change the irradiation position and irradiation range of the light emitted from the light emitting source according to the gas leakage state and the photographing conditions. Regardless of the leakage status or imaging conditions, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the accuracy of the leakage confirmation work. In addition, for example, the irradiation range can be reduced without turning off some of the light sources, compared to a mode in which the illumination range is changed by switching on / off of a plurality of types of light sources having different divergence angles of emitted light. Since it can be changed, the light emission source can be used effectively. In addition, since the light emission sources are arranged at a plurality of different positions around the photographing optical axis, it is possible to reduce unevenness in the amount of emitted light along the axis of the photographing optical axis. In addition, the direction of the individual light sources can be adjusted by the angle changing unit to which the individual light sources are attached so that the angles formed by the optical axis of the emitted light and the photographing optical axis are equal to each other. Are changed, for example, the emitted light from each light source is condensed at a position where the distance from the photographing unit is relatively small, or the optical axis of the emitted light and the photographing optical axis as the distance from the photographing unit increases. It is possible to easily realize the dispersion so as to increase the distance. Further, for example, it is possible to perform control such as increasing the amount of emitted light from the plurality of light emitting sources as the emission light irradiation range increases.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, specifically, the angle changing unit is a rotation that is rotatable about an axis in a plane orthogonal to the photographing optical axis, for example, as described in claim 2. A moving member may be included.

Further, in the invention according to claim 1 or claim 2 , the interlocking unit responds to an instruction input via an instruction unit for instructing an irradiation range of emitted light, for example, as described in claim 3. The angle formed by the optical axis of the emitted light from each light source and the photographing optical axis may be changed. In this case, by inputting an indication of the irradiation range of the emitted light through the instruction unit, the orientation of the plurality of light sources is changed according to the indicated irradiation range, and the angle of the optical axis of the emitted light is changed. In other words, it is possible to easily realize irradiation of a desired irradiation range with light emitted from a plurality of light emitting sources.

Moreover, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , for example, as described in claim 4 , further includes a display unit provided on the housing and displaying an image photographed by the photographing unit. It is preferable. Thereby, even when the light emitted from the light emitting source does not include light within the visible light range, while confirming the irradiation range of the light emitted from the light emitting source by visually recognizing the image displayed on the display unit It becomes possible to shoot.

In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , for example, as described in claim 5 , the imaging unit is sensitive to infrared light including infrared light having a wavelength of 3.3 (μm). The light source is preferably an LED that emits light in a wavelength region including infrared light having a wavelength of 3.3 (μm). For example, the light absorption spectrum of methane has the maximum light absorption at a wavelength of 3.3 (μm). In addition, hydrocarbons other than methane also show high values of light absorption at a wavelength of 3.3 (μm). Therefore, when a hydrocarbon such as methane is taken as a subject to be photographed, it is possible to photograph the leakage of the gas to be photographed with high sensitivity. Further, by applying the LED as the light emitting source, the configuration and control are simplified as compared with the case where the surface emitting laser is applied as the light emitting source.

  The present invention has an effect that it is possible to suppress a decrease in accuracy of the leakage confirmation work regardless of a gas leakage state or photographing conditions.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a gas leakage imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a perspective view of a gas leak photographing device. It is a top view of the light source part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a side view which shows schematic structure of an LED unit. It is a timing chart which shows the light emission mode of an LED unit. It is a diagram which shows the light absorption spectrum of methane. It is a flowchart of the light source part control process which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the change of the irradiation range of the emitted light from an LED unit accompanying rotation of a rotation member. It is a top view of the light source part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. (A) of the light source part which concerns on 3rd Embodiment is a top view, (B) is sectional drawing. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the gas leak imaging | photography apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment. (A) of the light source part which concerns on 4th Embodiment is a top view, (B) is sectional drawing. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the gas leak imaging | photography apparatus which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a top view of the light source part which concerns on 5th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
In FIG. 1, when hydrocarbons such as methane (hereinafter simply referred to as gas), which is an example of the gas in the present invention, may be leaking from the pipe, there is a possibility that the gas is leaking. By taking pictures, it is possible to perform leak check operations such as judging the presence or absence of gas leaks, identifying the locations where gas leaks, and checking the spread of the leaked gas distribution A gas leakage imaging device 10 is shown. Most of the components shown in FIG. 1 are accommodated in the casing 64 of the gas leakage imaging apparatus 10 shown in FIG.

  In the optical system of the gas leakage imaging device 10, an infrared transmission filter 12, a lens unit 14, and an image sensor 16 are arranged in order from the light incident side, and the lens unit 14 and the image sensor 16 are connected to a bus 60. Yes. The infrared transmission filter 12, the lens unit 14, and the image sensor 16 are an example of a photographing unit in the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the absorption spectrum of methane has a maximum absorption rate around a wavelength of 3.3 (μm). The infrared transmission filter 12 transmits light in a predetermined infrared region including a wavelength of 3.3 (μm) and blocks light other than the predetermined infrared region so that leakage of hydrocarbons such as methane is visualized.

  The lens unit 14 is a zoom lens (imaging magnification variable lens) provided with a mechanism (autofocus (AF) mechanism) capable of changing a focal position by a driving force of a driving source such as a pulse motor, and the AF mechanism of the lens unit 14. The driving of the zoom mechanism is controlled by a photographing control unit 20 (described later). The lens unit 14 may include a focal length fixed lens having only an AF mechanism instead of the zoom lens.

  As the imaging device 16, a CCD or MOS type imaging device having sensitivity in a predetermined infrared region is used. The image sensor 16 is disposed at the focal position of the lens unit 14, and the light reflected by the subject and incident on the lens unit 14 is imaged on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 16. At the time of shooting with the image pickup device 16, a timing signal is input from the shooting control unit 20 to the image pickup device 16. The image pickup device 16 is driven at a timing synchronized with the input timing signal, and the moving image is moved at a predetermined cycle (for example, 60 frames / second). An image signal (a signal indicating the amount of received light in each of a large number of photoelectric conversion cells arranged in a matrix on the light receiving surface) is repeatedly output.

  An A / D converter 18 is connected to the signal output terminal of the image sensor 16, and the A / D converter 18 is connected to the bus 60. The moving image signal output from the image sensor 16 is amplified by the A / D conversion unit 18 and converted into digital moving image data, which is sent to the bus 60.

  The bus 60 includes a shooting control unit 20 that controls shooting by the image sensor 16, an image processing unit 22 that performs image processing on moving image data, and a compression / decompression processing unit 24 that compresses and decompresses (decompresses) image data. A display unit 26 such as an LCD provided in the housing 64 is connected to a display control unit 28 that controls display of a moving image on the display unit 26, and a storage unit 30 such as a built-in flash memory is connected to a moving image for the storage unit 30. A recording / reading control unit 32 that controls recording and reading of image data and the like, a power source unit 36 to which a battery 34 is connected and power supplied from the battery 34 to each component, and a light source unit control process to be described later A memory 38 storing various programs and data including a light source control program, a CPU 40, an operation unit 42 including various operation buttons, and the like, and irradiating the subject with infrared light Light source unit 52 are respectively connected to. The display unit 26 is an example of the display unit in the present invention.

  The operation unit 42 includes a shooting start / end instruction unit 44 including a button for instructing start / end of shooting, a shooting magnification change instruction unit 46 including a button for instructing a change in shooting magnification, and an LED 90 of the light source unit 52. An LED turning-on / off instruction unit 48 including a button for instructing turning on / off (described later), and an LED angle including a button for instructing a change in the angle of the LED 90 (more specifically, the angle of a rotating member 70 described later) A change instruction unit 50 is included. Although not shown, the operation unit 42 also includes a power on / off instruction unit including a button for instructing on / off of the power of the gas leakage imaging apparatus 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the light source unit 52 has a flat donut shape and surrounds the periphery of the imaging optical axis of the lens unit 14 (in FIG. 8, the imaging optical axis is indicated by a symbol “P”). A base plate 68 attached to the housing 64 is provided. On the upper surface of the base plate 68, a plurality of rotating members 70 each having a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape are arranged at intervals along the axis of the photographing optical axis.

  As shown in FIG. 3, each rotating member 70 has a rotation shaft disposed at an end portion on the side close to the photographing optical axis along a direction parallel to the surface of the base plate 68 and perpendicular to the photographing optical axis. 72 are attached to each. Each rotating shaft 72 attached to each rotating member 70 is rotatably supported by the base plate 68 by a pair of brackets 74 attached to the surface of the base plate 68. The rotating member 70 is a rotating shaft. 72 is rotatable about the center.

  In addition, the individual rotating shafts 72 attached to the individual rotating members 70 are connected to the end portions of the rotating shafts 72 attached to the adjacent rotating members 70 via the connecting portions 76. Has been. The connection part 76 is comprised by the universal joint, for example. As a result, when any one of the rotating members 70 is rotated about the rotation axis, the rotational force is transmitted to the remaining rotation members 70 via the rotation shaft 72 and the connecting portion 76, and all rotations are performed. The moving member 70 is rotated so as to have the same inclination with respect to the photographing optical axis.

  In addition, a rotating shaft 72 attached to one specific rotating member 70 is provided with a gear box 78 incorporating a gear mechanism at an intermediate portion, and one gear incorporated in the gear box 78 is , Meshed with a gear attached to the rotation shaft of the angle changing motor 58. The gear box 78 converts the rotational force of the rotation shaft of the angle changing motor 58 into a force for rotating the rotation shaft 72 and transmits the force to the rotation shaft 72. Thus, when the angle changing motor 58 is driven, all the rotating members 70 are rotated by the driving force of the angle changing motor 58 so as to have the same inclination with respect to the photographing optical axis.

  Moreover, the LED unit 54 is attached to each rotation member 70. Although only one LED unit 54 is shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, two LED units 54 are attached to each rotating member 70 as shown in FIG. However, the number of LED units 54 attached to one rotating member 70 is not limited to two. In addition, the rotation member 70, the rotating shaft 72, and the bracket 74 are examples of the angle change part in this invention, and the rotation member 70 is an example of the rotation member in this invention. In the first embodiment, the connecting portion 76, the gear box 78, the angle changing motor 58, and the CPU 40 are examples of the interlocking portion in the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each LED unit 54 includes a package base 84, a Peltier element 86 disposed on the package base 84, a plurality of LEDs 90 disposed above the Peltier element 86, and a predetermined number of LEDs 90. And a lens 92 arranged at a distance. The LED 90 emits light in a predetermined infrared region including a wavelength of 3.3 (μm). The lens 92 refracts the light emitted from the LED 90 and adjusts the divergence angle of the light emitted from the LED unit 54 to a predetermined angle. In this embodiment, four LEDs 90 are provided in one LED unit 54, but the number of LEDs 90 provided in one LED unit 54 is not limited to four. Said LED unit 54 or LED90 is an example of the light emission source in this invention, More specifically, LED of Claim 7.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the light source unit 52 includes an LED driving unit 56. In FIG. 1, only one LED driving unit 56 is shown, but actually, one LED driving unit 56 is provided for each of the two LED units 54 attached to the same rotating member 70. ing. Although not shown, the LED driving unit 56 includes an LED light emission control unit that controls light emission of individual LEDs of the two LED units 54, a Peltier element control unit that controls energization to the Peltier element 86, and LED light emission. And a power supply circuit for supplying power to the control unit and the Peltier element control unit.

  The LED light emission control unit of the LED drive unit 56 controls the magnitude of the drive current of the individual LEDs 90 of the two LED units 54, the on / off duty ratio of the individual LEDs 90, and the on / off frequency of the individual LEDs 90. The on / off frequency of each LED 90 can be set to about 400 (Hz), for example. Moreover, the LED light emission control part of the LED drive part 56 is attached to the same rotation member 70, as shown to FIG. 5 (A), by switching the on / off timing of each LED for every LED unit 54. As shown in FIG. In addition, all the LEDs 90 of the two LED units 54 can be turned on in the same period (flashing mode), or each LED 90 can be turned on alternately for each LED unit 54 as shown in FIG. Continuous mode) is possible.

  The Peltier element control unit of the LED driving unit 56 energizes the Peltier element 86 so that the temperature of each LED 90 is maintained at a substantially constant temperature because the drive current-light emission intensity characteristic of the LED 90 varies greatly with temperature. To control.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. The gas leakage imaging device 10 according to the present embodiment is used when checking that a gas is not leaking, for example, when periodically checking a piping network that transports gas, or by providing a gas separately provided in the piping network. It is used when a gas leak is detected by the leak detection device and the gas leak status is confirmed or a gas leak location is specified. In this case, the operator takes a picture of the pipe and its surroundings as a moving image using the gas leakage imaging device 10 and visually checks the moving image displayed on the display unit 26 to check whether gas has leaked. This is repeated while moving along the direction of the pipe.

  Here, if the site where the gas leakage imaging device 10 is photographing is an environment where natural light including infrared light hardly reaches, even if the leaked gas exists within the imaging range, Since no absorption of infrared light by gas occurs, there is no difference in density between the region corresponding to the leaked gas and other regions in the captured moving image, and the captured moving image displayed on the display unit 26 is displayed. It is difficult to confirm whether or not the gas is leaked by visual inspection. For this reason, in the above case, the operator gives an instruction to turn on the LEDs 90 of the LED units 54 of the light source unit 52 via the LED on / off instruction unit 48 of the operation unit 42.

  When the lighting of the LED 90 of the LED unit 54 is instructed as described above, the light source unit control program stored in the memory 38 is executed by the CPU 40, whereby the light source unit control process shown in FIG. .

  In the present embodiment, each rotating member 70 is stopped at a position (initial position) where the surface is parallel to the surface of the base plate 68 with the LED 90 of each LED unit 54 turned off. In the present embodiment, while the LED 90 is turned on, control is performed to change the average light emission intensity for each LED unit 54 in accordance with the position of the rotating member 70, and the rotating member 70 has a plurality of positions different from each other. The target average emission intensity of the LED unit 54 at that time is stored in the memory 38 in advance.

  For this reason, when the execution of the light source control process is started, in step 200, the CPU 40 causes the LED 90 of each LED unit 54 of the light source 52 to be lit by the LED driving unit 56, and the average emission intensity for each LED unit 54. LED driving at least one of the number of LEDs 90 that emit light, the light emission intensity of the LED 90, and the duty ratio of the light emission period of the LED 90 so that the target average light emission intensity corresponding to the current position (initial position) of the rotating member 70 is obtained. Control is performed by the unit 56.

  In the next step 202, the CPU 40 determines whether or not an instruction to change the angle of the LED 90 (the rotation member 70) is given via the LED angle change instruction unit 50 of the operation unit 42. If the determination in step 202 is negative, the process proceeds to step 204, and the CPU 40 determines whether or not the LED 90 is instructed to be turned off via the LED turn-on / off instruction unit 48 of the operation unit 42. If the determination in step 204 is also negative, the process returns to step 202, and steps 202 and 204 are repeated until either determination is positive.

  For example, the operator has leaked gas from the pipe, and the distance to the shooting target has been reduced, such as approaching the pipe to identify the location of the gas leak. When it is determined that the irradiation range of the light emitted from the individual LED units 54 of the light source unit 52 is too wide, the light emitted from the individual LED units 54 is transmitted via the LED angle change instruction unit 50 of the operation unit 42. An instruction is given to change the angle of each LED unit 54 (rotating member 70) so that the light is collected.

  When the above instruction is input, the determination at step 202 is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 206. In step 206, the CPU 40 condenses the light emitted from the individual LED units 54 in accordance with the angle change instruction input via the LED angle change instruction unit 50 in the rotation direction of the rotation shaft of the angle change motor 58. And the rotation amount of the rotation shaft in the same direction is determined, and the rotation of the angle change motor 58 is driven so that the rotation shaft of the angle change motor 58 rotates in the determined rotation direction by the determined rotation amount. By controlling, the angle of each rotation member 70 is changed. With the change in the angle of the rotating member 70, the angle formed by the optical axis L (see FIG. 8) of the light emitted from each LED unit 54 and the photographing optical axis P changes.

  In the next step 208, the CPU 40 sets the average light emission intensity for each LED unit 54 to the target average light emission intensity corresponding to the position of the rotating member 70 after the angle change (in this case, the average light emission intensity of the LED unit 54). The LED driving unit 56 controls at least one of the number of LEDs 90 to emit light, the light emission intensity of the LED 90, and the duty ratio of the light emission period of the LED 90 so that the light emission intensity decreases.

  By the processing in steps 206 and 208 described above, as shown in FIG. 8A as an example, the emitted light from each LED unit 54 is condensed at a relatively short distance from the gas leakage imaging device 10. As described above, the angle (position) of the rotating member 70 is changed. Further, in this case, the position of the rotating member 70 after the angle change is a position where the light emitted from the individual LED units 54 is condensed at a relatively short distance. The light emission intensity is reduced, and the light emission of the LED 90 is controlled so that the average light emission intensity of the LED unit 54 is lower than before the angle of the rotating member 70 is changed.

  As a result, the light emitted from the individual LED units 54 is intensively applied to a subject to be photographed (for example, a gas leak point in a pipe) at a relatively short distance, and the light emitted from the individual LED units 54 is subject to the photographing. Is efficiently irradiated. Further, since the average light emission intensity of the individual LED units 54 is lower than before the angle of the rotating member 70 is changed, the amount of infrared light irradiated onto the imaging target existing at a relatively short distance becomes excessive. Thus, it is possible to suppress degradation of image quality such as a captured moving image being crushed in white.

  In addition, the operator has leaked gas from the pipe, for example, moved away from the pipe to confirm the spread of the leaked gas distribution, etc. When it is determined that the irradiation range of the light emitted from the LED unit 54 of the light source unit 52 is excessively gathered in one place with respect to the imaging range, the LED unit 54 is passed through the LED angle change instruction unit 50 of the operation unit 42. The change of the angle of each LED unit 54 (rotating member 70) is instructed so that the light emitted from the LED unit 54 is diffused.

  When the instruction is input, the determination in step 202 is affirmed again and the process proceeds to step 206. In step 206, the CPU 40 determines the angle according to the angle change instruction input via the LED angle change instruction unit 50. The rotation direction of the rotation shaft of the change motor 58 is determined to be the direction in which the light emitted from the LED unit 54 is diffused, and the rotation amount of the rotation shaft in the same direction is determined, and the rotation shaft of the angle change motor 58 is determined. The angle of each rotating member 70 is changed by controlling the driving of the angle changing motor 58 so as to rotate in the rotation direction by the determined rotation amount. With the change in the angle of the rotating member 70, the angle formed by the optical axis L (see FIG. 8) of the light emitted from each LED unit 54 and the photographing optical axis P changes.

  In Step 208, the CPU 40 sets the average light emission intensity for each LED unit 54 to the target average light emission intensity corresponding to the position of the rotating member 70 after the angle change (in this case, for each LED unit 54). The LED driving unit 56 controls at least one of the number of LEDs 90 to emit light, the light emission intensity of the LED 90, and the duty ratio of the light emission period of the LED 90 so that the average light emission intensity increases. Thus, the CPU 40 and the LED drive unit 56 (the LED light emission control unit) are an example of the light emission control unit in the present invention.

  By the processing in steps 206 and 208 described above, as shown in FIG. 8B as an example, the angle of the rotating member 70 is such that the light emitted from each LED unit 54 is diffused (the irradiation range is expanded). (Position) is changed. Further, in this case, since the position of the rotating member 70 after the angle change is a position where the light emitted from the individual LED units 54 is diffused, the target average light emission intensity for each LED unit 54 is increased, and the LED unit. The light emission of the LED 90 is controlled such that the average light emission intensity for every 54 increases from before the angle change of the rotating member 70.

  Thereby, the emission light from each LED unit 54 is irradiated to the entire imaging target (for example, the spread of the distribution of leaked gas) distributed in a relatively wide range, and the deviation of the emission light from each LED unit 54 with respect to the imaging target is caused. Get smaller. Further, since the average light emission intensity for each LED unit 54 is increased as compared with that before the angle of the rotating member 70 is changed, the amount of infrared light irradiated onto the imaging target is relatively short and the distance is relatively large. Thus, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of image quality such that the distribution of the leaked gas cannot be confirmed on the captured moving image.

  Further, an operator who has identified the gas leak location, confirmed the spread of the leaked gas distribution, and has taken necessary measures, the light source unit 52 via the LED turn-on / off instruction unit 48 of the operation unit 42. The LED 90 of each LED unit 54 is instructed to be turned off. When this instruction is input, the determination in step 204 is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 210. In step 210, the CPU 40 causes the LED driving unit 56 to turn off the LEDs 90 of the LED units 54 of the light source unit 52. Then, in the next step 212, the CPU 40 controls the driving of the angle changing motor 58 so as to rotate the rotating member 70 to the initial position, and ends the light source control process.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 9 shows a configuration of the light source unit 100 according to the second embodiment. In the light source unit 100 illustrated in FIG. 9, the rotation shafts 72 attached to the individual rotation members 70 are connected to the adjacent rotation members 70 as compared with the light source unit 52 (FIG. 3) described in the first embodiment. The difference is that the rotating shafts 72 that are not connected to the attached rotating shafts 72 and are attached to the individual rotating members 70 are connected to the rotating shafts of the different angle changing motors 58.

  In the second embodiment, when the CPU 40 is instructed to change the angle of each LED unit 54 (the rotation member 70) via the LED angle change instruction unit 50 of the operation unit 42, the CPU 40 rotates the angle change motor 58. After determining the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the shaft, the rotation shafts of the plurality of angle changing motors 58 connected to the rotation shafts 72 of the individual rotation members 70 are determined in the same rotation direction. The driving of the individual angle changing motors 58 is controlled so as to rotate by an amount. As a result, the individual rotation members 70 are rotated by the same rotation amount in the same rotation direction by the driving forces of the different angle changing motors 58, and the optical axes L of the light emitted from the individual LED units 54 and The direction of each LED unit 54 is changed so that the angles formed with the photographing optical axis P are equal to each other.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the plurality of angle changing motors 58 and the CPUs 40 respectively provided corresponding to the plurality of rotating members 70 are examples of the interlocking unit in the present invention. As described above, the interlocking unit in the present invention is not limited to being realized by a mechanism that equalizes the angle formed by the optical axis L of the light emitted from each LED unit 54 and the photographing optical axis P. This can also be realized by applying the same drive control to a plurality of angle changing motors 58 connected to the rotating shaft 72 of each rotating member 70.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the light source unit 104 according to the third embodiment. The light source unit 104 shown in FIG. 10 is different from the first embodiment in that the rotation shafts 72 attached to the individual rotation members 70 are not connected to the rotation shafts 72 attached to the adjacent rotation members 70. This is different from the light source unit 52 (FIG. 3) described. Although illustration is omitted, the rotating shaft 72 attached to each rotating member 70 is provided with the back surface of the rotating member 70 (the LED unit 54 (the LED unit 54 is not shown in FIG. 10)). A biasing member such as a spring that biases the rotation member 70 in a direction in which the surface (surface opposite to the surface) is closer to the surface of the base plate 68 (the surface on which the rotation member 70 is provided). Is attached.

  Further, a ring-shaped member 106 is disposed on the back surface of the base plate 68 so as to be coaxial with the photographing optical axis P and spaced from the back surface of the base plate 68 (see FIG. 10B). The ring-shaped member 106 has a diameter corresponding to the back surface of each rotating member 70, and a ring-shaped member 106 is positioned on the surface facing the back surface of the base plate 68 at a position corresponding to each rotating member 70. Each inclined member 108 having an inclined surface inclined along the circumferential direction of the member 106 is attached.

  The base plate 68 is formed with holes at positions corresponding to the individual rotating members 70, and columnar pressing members 110 pass through the individual holes. One end of the pressing member 110 is in contact with the inclined surface of the inclined member 108, and the other end is in contact with the vicinity of the end opposite to the side on which the rotating shaft 72 is attached on the back surface of the rotating member 70. Yes. A gear 106A is formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the ring-shaped member 106, and a pinion gear 112 attached to the rotation shaft of the angle changing motor 58 is engaged with the gear 106A. In the third embodiment, the ring-shaped member 106, the inclined member 108, the pressing member 110, the angle changing motor 58, the pinion gear 112, and the CPU 40 are examples of the interlocking unit in the present invention.

  In the third embodiment, when an instruction to change the angle of the rotating member 70 (LED unit 54) in the direction in which the light emitted from each LED unit 54 is collected is given, the CPU 40 indicates that the ring-shaped member 106 is The rotation shaft of the angle changing motor 58 is rotated so as to rotate clockwise in 10 (A). As a result, as shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 10B, the contact position between the one end portion of the pressing member 110 and the inclined surface of the inclined member 108 moves in the direction of climbing the inclined surface, and the pressing member 110 is moved to the base plate 68 side. When the pressing member 110 presses the back surface of the rotating member 70, the rotating member 70 rotates in a direction away from the base plate 68 against the urging force of the urging member. Thereby, the angle of the rotation member 70 (LED90) is changed so that the emitted light from each LED unit 54 is condensed.

  Further, when an instruction is given to change the angle of the rotating member 70 (LED unit 54) in the direction in which the light emitted from each LED unit 54 diffuses, the CPU 40 indicates that the ring-shaped member 106 is counterclockwise in FIG. The rotation shaft of the angle changing motor 58 is rotated so as to rotate around. As a result, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 10B, the contact position between the one end portion of the pressing member 110 and the inclined surface of the inclined member 108 moves in a direction downward from the inclined surface, and the pressing member 110 is moved to the ring-shaped member 106. By moving to the side, the rotation member 70 is rotated in a direction approaching the surface of the base plate 68 by the urging force of the urging member. Thereby, the angle of the rotation member 70 (LED unit 54) is changed so that the emitted light from each LED unit 54 diffuses.

  In this way, changing the angle of the LED unit 54 by rotating the rotating member 70 applies a force for rotating the rotating member 70 to the rotating shaft 72 attached to the rotating member 70. The present invention is not limited to this, and can also be realized by adjusting the pressing force applied to the back surface of the rotating member 70 as described above.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the gas leakage imaging apparatus 120 according to the fourth embodiment is different from the gas leakage imaging apparatus 10 described in the first embodiment in that a pump or the like is used instead of the angle change motor 58. The difference is that a light source unit 114 provided with an air pressure generation unit 113 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the light source unit 114 according to the fourth embodiment has holes 116 (see FIG. 12B) at positions corresponding to the individual rotating members 70 in the base plate 68. It is installed. Although not shown, the rotation shafts 72 attached to the individual rotation members 70 rotate in the direction in which the back surface of the rotation member 70 approaches the surface of the base plate 68 as in the third embodiment. A biasing member such as a spring for biasing the member 70 is attached.

  On the back surface of the base plate 68, a hollow ring-shaped ventilation pipe 118 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the back surface of the base plate 68 (see FIG. 12B). The ventilation pipe 118 has a diameter corresponding to each of the back surfaces of the individual rotating members 70, and is connected to the air pressure generation unit 113 through a connection port 118A and a pipe (not shown). A tip portion is inserted into the hole 116 at a position corresponding to each rotating member 70 in an intermediate portion of the ventilation pipe 118, and the amount of protrusion toward the rotating member 70 changes according to the air pressure in the ventilation pipe 118. Air cylinders 122 each having a protruding member 121 are provided. In the fourth embodiment, the air pipe 118, the air cylinder 122 provided with the protruding member 121, the air pressure generation unit 113, and the CPU 40 are examples of the interlocking unit in the present invention.

  In the fourth embodiment, when the angle change of the rotating member 70 (LED unit 54) in the direction in which the light emitted from each LED unit 54 is collected is directed, the CPU 40 determines the air pressure in the vent pipe 118. The operation of the air pressure generator 113 is controlled so that the air pressure increases. Thereby, as shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 12B, in each air cylinder 122, the protruding amount of the protruding member 121 toward the rotating member 70 increases, and the distal end portion of the protruding member 121 becomes the rotating member. By pressing the back surface of 70, the rotating member 70 rotates in a direction away from the base plate 68 against the urging force of the urging member. Thereby, the angle of the rotation member 70 (LED unit 54) is changed so that the emitted light from each LED unit 54 is condensed.

  Further, when an instruction to change the angle of the rotating member 70 (LED unit 54) in the direction in which the light emitted from each LED unit 54 is diffused, the CPU 40 generates air pressure so that the air pressure in the vent pipe 118 decreases. The operation of the unit 113 is controlled. Thereby, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 12B, in each air cylinder 122, the protruding amount of the protruding member 121 toward the rotating member 70 is reduced, and the rotating member 70 is biased by the biasing member. Thus, it rotates in a direction approaching the surface of the base plate 68. Thereby, the angle of the rotation member 70 (LED unit 54) is changed so that the emitted light from each LED unit 54 diffuses.

  As described above, the rotation of the rotation member 70 to change the angle of the LED unit 54 is not limited to using the driving force of the angle change motor 58, and as described above, the air pressure generation unit 113. This can also be realized by controlling the operation and increasing or decreasing the air pressure in the vent pipe 118.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the gas leakage imaging apparatus 130 according to the fifth embodiment is different from the gas leakage imaging apparatus 10 described in the first embodiment in place of the angle change motor 58 and is a rotary encoder 132. Is different in that it includes an operation unit 136 in which the LED angle change instruction unit 50 is omitted instead of the operation unit 42.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the light source unit 134 according to the fifth embodiment is manually replaced with an intermediate portion of the rotation shaft 72 attached to one specific rotation member 70 instead of the gear box 78. A rotation knob 138 for rotating the rotation shaft 72 is attached. Thus, when a rotational force is input to the rotary shaft 72 via the rotary knob 138, the input rotational force is transmitted to the rotary shafts 72 of all the rotary members 70, so that all the rotary members 70 are rotated. Are rotated so as to have the same inclination with respect to the photographing optical axis. In the fifth embodiment, the rotary knob 138 and the connecting portion 76 are examples of the interlocking portion in the present invention.

  Further, a gear box 140 having a built-in gear mechanism is provided at an intermediate portion of the rotary shaft 72 different from the rotary shaft 72 to which the rotary knob 138 is attached, and the rotary encoder 132 is connected to the gear box 140. Has been. The rotary encoder 132 detects the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the rotation shaft 72 attached to the rotation member 70.

  In the fifth embodiment, when the CPU 40 is instructed to turn on the LED 90 of each LED unit 54 of the light source unit 134 via the LED turn-on / off instruction unit 48 of the operation unit 42, the CPU 40 of each LED unit 54 of the light source unit 134. When the LED 90 is turned on by the LED drive unit 56 and the LED 90 of each LED unit 54 of the light source unit 134 is instructed to be turned off via the LED turn-on / off instruction unit 48 of the operation unit 42, each LED unit 54 of the light source unit 52 The LED 90 is turned off by the LED driving unit 56.

  In addition, when the LED 90 of each LED unit 54 of the light source unit 52 is lit, and the operator wants to collect the light emitted from the LED unit 54, the operator condenses the light emitted from the LED unit 54. A rotational force for rotating the rotation member 70 in the direction to be input is input to the rotation shaft 72 via the rotation knob 138. Thereby, the rotational force input to the rotary shaft 72 via the rotary knob 138 is transmitted to all the rotary members 70 via the rotary shafts 72 and the connecting portions 76 of the individual rotary members 70, and the LED unit 54. The angle of the rotating member 70 (LED unit 54) is changed so that the emitted light from the light is condensed.

  Further, when it is desired to diffuse the light emitted from each LED unit 54 in a state where the LED 90 of the light source unit 52 is lit, the worker rotates the member in a direction in which the light emitted from the LED unit 54 is diffused. A rotational force that rotates 70 is input to the rotary shaft 72 via the rotary knob 138. Thereby, the rotational force input to the rotary shaft 72 via the rotary knob 138 is transmitted to all the rotary members 70 via the rotary shafts 72 and the connecting portions 76 of the individual rotary members 70, and each LED unit. The angle of the rotating member 70 (LED unit 54) is changed so that the light emitted from 54 is diffused.

  When the rotation shaft 72 is rotated by the operator via the rotary knob 138, the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the rotation shaft 72 are detected by the rotary encoder 132 and input to the CPU 40. When the rotation shaft 72 is rotated, the CPU 40 changes the average light emission intensity of the LED unit 54 of the rotation member 70 (LED unit 54) based on the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the rotation shaft 72 detected by the rotary encoder 132. The LED driving unit 56 controls at least one of the number of LEDs 90 to emit light, the light emission intensity of the LEDs 90, and the duty ratio of the light emission period of the LEDs 90 so that the target average light emission intensity corresponding to the later angle is obtained. Accordingly, when the angle of the rotation member 70 (LED unit 54) is manually changed according to the distance from the imaging target, the extent of distribution of the imaging target, and the like, the rotation member 70 (LED unit 54) The average light emission intensity for each LED unit 54 is automatically changed according to the change in angle.

  In the above, the LED 90 is controlled by controlling at least one of the number of LEDs 90 to emit light, the light emission intensity of the LEDs 90, and the duty ratio of the light emission period of the LEDs 90 according to the change in the angle of the rotating member 70 (LED unit 54). The mode of changing the average light emission intensity for each unit 54 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the average light emission for each LED unit 54 regardless of the angle change of the rotating member 70 (LED unit 54). A mode in which the strength is not changed is also included in the scope of the right of the present invention.

  In the above description, the LED 90 has been described as an example of a light source that emits light in a wavelength region including the infrared region at a spread angle of a predetermined angle or more. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and It is also possible to apply a surface emitting laser, a lamp light source, or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 120, 130 ... Gas leak imaging | photography apparatus, 12 ... Infrared transmission filter, 16 ... Image pick-up element, 42,136 ... Operation part, 48 ... LED lighting-off instruction | indication part, 50 ... LED angle change instruction | indication part, 52,100 , 104, 114, 134 ... light source part, 54 ... LED unit, 56 ... LED drive part, 58 ... angle changing motor, 70 ... rotating member, 72 ... rotating shaft, 76 ... connecting part, 90 ... LED, 106 ... ring 108: Inclined member, 110: Pressing member, 113: Air pressure generating part, 118 ... Vent pipe, 121 ... Projecting member, 122 ... Air cylinder, 132 ... Rotary encoder

Claims (5)

An imaging unit that is provided in the housing and has sensitivity to infrared light;
A light source that emits light in a wavelength region including the infrared region at a spread angle of a predetermined angle or more;
The light emitting source is attached to the housing and the direction of the light emitting source can be changed so that the angle formed by the optical axis of light emitted from the light emitting source and the photographing optical axis of the photographing unit changes. An angle changer;
Only including,
The light emitting sources are arranged at a plurality of different positions around the photographing optical axis, and are attached to the different angle changing units,
For the individual light emitting sources arranged at the plurality of positions, the angle changing unit to which the individual light emitting sources are attached so that the angles formed by the optical axis of the emitted light and the photographing optical axis are equal to each other. An interlocking unit for changing the direction of each of the individual light sources;
The number of the light emitting sources to emit light, the light emission intensity of the light emitting sources, and the light emitting sources of the light emitting sources according to the change in the angle between the optical axis of the light emitted from the individual light emitting sources and the photographing optical axis by the interlocking unit. A light emission control unit that changes at least one of the ratios of the light emission periods;
Leakage imaging apparatus including gas a.   The gas leakage imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the angle changing unit includes a rotating member that is rotatable about an in-plane axis orthogonal to the imaging optical axis. The interlocking unit has an angle formed between the optical axis of the emitted light from the individual light emitting sources and the photographing optical axis in accordance with an instruction input via the instruction unit for instructing the irradiation range of the emitted light. The gas leakage imaging device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein each of the above is changed. The gas leakage imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising a display unit that is provided in the housing and displays an image captured by the imaging unit. The imaging unit is sensitive to infrared light including infrared light having a wavelength of 3.3 (μm),
The light emitting source may leak imaging device of a gas according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is an LED that emits light in a wavelength range including infrared light having a wavelength of 3.3 (μm).