JPS6336327Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a lens device, and more particularly, to a lens device that can keep the lens surface clean by introducing, for example, compressed air into the lens surface.

Generally, in industrial robots, for example, sealant is sprayed from a nozzle fixed to the robot's tip unit and applied along the joints of steel plates, but in order to move the nozzle correctly along the joints, A sensor unit consisting of a light source and a camera is further fixed to the tip unit. The operation of the sensor unit is to apply the principle of the so-called light cutting method and use a camera to image the shape of the light emitted from the light source and hit the joint.If the image is normal, the tip unit is moved as it is. In the event of an abnormality, the nozzle and sensor unit are integrally slightly rotated until the image becomes normal, so that the nozzle can properly correspond to the joint.

However, according to the above conventional example, there is a drawback that dust particles may adhere to the light source and the front lens of the camera due to long-term use, leading to erroneous imaging. When applying sealant to steel plate joints, the sealant drips and adheres to the light source and front lens of the camera, making imaging impossible. In this case, periodic lens cleaning and lens replacement are no effective measures. There is also the disadvantage that the heat generated by the light source increases the temperature of the camera circuit in the vicinity of the light source, which is undesirable.

The present invention provides a lens device in which, for example, compressed air is introduced into at least the front side of the front lens of a light source or camera to blow away dust and dripping sealant to prevent it from adhering to the front lens, thereby eliminating the above-mentioned drawbacks. The lens device main body has an annular step provided in a through hole passing through the lens device body, and the end portion thereof is screwed into the through hole of the lens device main body. a holding ring that contacts the lens and clamps the lens between the stepped part; and a chamber defined by the outer periphery of the end of the holding ring, the inner wall of the stepped part of the through hole, and the peripheral edge of the lens. ,
It comprises a gas supply means for supplying gas at a predetermined pressure to the chamber, and a communication hole passing through the presser ring to supply the gas in the chamber to the open end of the presser ring.

Next, before explaining embodiments of the present invention, a prerequisite example thereof will be explained.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are a schematic diagram of an industrial robot having a sensor unit to which each embodiment of the lens device of the present invention is applied, and a main part of a light source box to which the prerequisite example of the lens device is applied. FIG. In FIG. 1, a nozzle 2 and a sensor unit 3 are attached to a tip unit 1 of an industrial robot, and the sensor unit 3 consists of a light source box 4, a camera box 5, and a camera circuit 6. As the unit 1 travels in the direction of arrow A, the sealant 7 ejected from the nozzle 2 is successively supplied to the joint 8 of the steel plate (not shown). The light from the light source 9 of this light source box 4 is transmitted through the lens 1
0, the light passes through the slit plate 11 and the front lens 12 in order, becomes a slit-shaped light, and is irradiated onto the seam 8. The front lens 12 is supported within the cylindrical portion 4a of the light source box 4 by a method described later. The camera box 5 allows the slit-shaped light to be imaged by the image sensor 14 through the front lens 13, and is processed by the circuit 6.
Note that the front lens 12 is supported within the cylindrical portion 5a by a method described later. As mentioned above, when the captured image is abnormal, at least the nozzle 2, light source box 4, and camera box 5 are rotated slightly around the axis P until the image becomes normal, and the tip of the nozzle 2 is accurately adjusted. correspond to seam 8.

In FIG. 1, since the seam 8 is located above the unit 1, the sealant 7 drips and enters the upper end openings of the light source box 4 and the camera box 5, causing the front lens 12,
There is a risk of it adhering to 13 and staining it.

However, in this prerequisite example, the configuration shown in FIG. 2 is adopted to prevent the above-mentioned contamination. In the figure, light source box 4
An annular stepped portion 4 is provided at the inner peripheral end of the through hole of the cylindrical portion 4a.
b and a female thread 4c are provided, and a hose 15 from an air compression source (not shown) is connected to a radial communication hole 4d provided midway through the female thread 4c of the cylindrical portion 4a. Reference numeral 21 denotes a lens holding ring, which has a male thread 21a on its outer periphery. Therefore, after the front lens 12 is fitted into the cylindrical portion 4a and brought into contact with the stepped portion 4b,
The retaining ring 21 is screwed into the lens 12 by screwing both screws 21a and 4c into contact with the lens 12 to be fixed and held.

Therefore, during use of the unit 1, compressed air is supplied from the hose 15 through the communication hole 4d to the front side of the lens 12 of the cylindrical part 4a and is blown out from the opening, thereby causing the air to float in the air. The dust is blown away and the sealant 7 dripping from the joint 8 is also blown away to prevent it from adhering to the lens 12.

The above is the explanation of the prerequisite example, and each embodiment will be explained below.

FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of the light source box, and a second embodiment of the light source box.
Components that are the same as those in the drawings are given the same reference numerals and their explanations will be omitted. In FIG. 3, the female thread 4e of the cylindrical portion 4a has a relatively small axial length. The holding ring 22 has a stepped cylindrical shape, has an outer peripheral male thread 22a, and a small diameter portion 2.
2b and a hole 22c, and has a small diameter portion 22 as shown in FIG.
Radial communication holes 22d are provided at equal positions in the circumferential direction of b.
has. The outer periphery of the end of this presser ring and the stepped portion 4
An air chamber 23 is defined by the inner wall of b and the peripheral edge of the lens 12, and compressed air from the hose 15 is supplied to the air chamber 23. The retainer ring 22 is secured to the cylindrical portion 4a by screwing both screws 22a and 4e together.
The left end of the ring 22 lightly contacts the lens 12. The reason for this light contact is that compressed air will further apply pressing force to the lens 12, as will be described later. However, since it is only necessary to lightly contact the lens 12 during assembly, there is a risk that an excessive pressing force will be applied to the lens 12. Therefore, damage to the lens 12 can be prevented. (On the other hand, in the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the lens 12
is held only by the pressing force of the presser ring 21, so the presser ring 21 must be pushed relatively forcefully, and there is a risk that the pressing force becomes excessive and scratches the lens). To adjust the degree to which the lens 12 lightly contacts the lens 12,
In addition to adjusting the screwing depth of the ring 22, the hole 22c
This can also be done by appropriately varying the diameter of the .

Therefore, the compressed air from the hose 15 flows through the communication hole 4.
d, air chamber 23, hole 22c via communication hole 22d
The liquid is guided by the liquid and ejected outward from the opening, producing the same effect as in the above-mentioned example. In this case, the air chamber 23
The compressed air causes the lens 12 to move in the direction indicated by arrow B in FIG.
It is pressed in the direction and pressed against the stepped portion 4b, and is held stably without wobbling.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the light source box, and a third embodiment of the light source box.
Components that are the same as those in the drawings are given the same reference numerals and their explanations will be omitted. In FIG. 5, instead of the radial communication hole 22d of the retainer ring 22, the lens retainer ring 22' has four holes equally spaced in the circumferential direction and penetrating obliquely toward the front end surface in the axial direction, as shown in FIG. It has a communication hole 22e, and is similarly screwed into the cylindrical portion 4a until it lightly contacts the lens 12.

Therefore, the compressed air from the hose 15 is directly injected toward the center of the front surface of the opening through the communication hole 4d, the air chamber 23, and the communication hole 22e, producing the same effect as in the above embodiment. Stabilize.

Incidentally, although the prerequisite examples and each embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 are applied to the lens 12 of the light source box 4, they can be applied to the lens 13 of the camera box 5 in exactly the same manner.

FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the light source box, and a fifth embodiment of the light source box.
Components that are the same as those in the drawings are given the same reference numerals and their explanations will be omitted. In the figure, the light source box 24 consists of a light source box part 24a and a relatively thick cylindrical part 24b.
0 and 12, a slit plate 11, and a presser ring 22' are housed therein. Hose 15 is attached to the light source box part 24a.
The light source box part 24a is connected to the air chamber 23 through the light 24a _-1 and the axial communication hole 24b _-1 of the cylindrical part 24b.

Therefore, the compressed air from the hose 15 is introduced into the light source box part 24a and is introduced into the air chamber 23 through the holes 24a _-1 and 24b _-1 in sequence, and then communicated in the same manner as in the case of FIG. It is injected to the front surface of the opening through the hole 22e. However, the compressed air is supplied to the light source box section 24a.
When passing through the inside, it crosses the light source 9 and forcibly cools the light source 9 to suppress its heat generation, so that this heat does not reach the camera circuit 6 (shown in FIG. Can prevent temperature rise. Note that the cooling compressed air may further directly cross the circuit 6 for cooling. Also light source 9
Since the compressed air itself that has passed through becomes warm air, this warm air may also be blown onto the lens 12 to prevent the lens 12 from fogging up, especially in winter.

In each of the above embodiments, compressed air is supplied to the lens 1.
Although it is ejected to the front side of lens 2 and 13,
2, 13 The dust may be ejected to the rear surface side to prevent dust from adhering to the rear surface of the lens.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, compressed air is supplied to the cylindrical portion 4a,
Although the compressed air supply pipe is supplied to the inner peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical parts 4a and 24b through the communication holes 4d and 24b _-1 formed in the cylindrical parts 4a and 24b, the compressed air supply pipe is not limited to this.
It may be arranged on the end face of 4b so as to be inclined forward.

Further, in each of the embodiments described above, compressed air is blown near the lens to blow away dust, etc., but conversely, air containing dust and the like near the lens may be sucked by a vacuum pump.

As mentioned above, according to the lens device of the present invention, for example, compressed air is ejected to the front side (or back side) of the lens to blow away dust particles, dripping sealant, etc., and keep the front surface of the lens clean at all times, making it possible to maintain optical performance. Good performance can be maintained, and therefore periodic inspection and replacement of the lens is not required, reducing the number of work steps. moreover,
Because the lens can be pressed with gas pressure to prevent dust from adhering to the lens surface,
The lens can be firmly held even if the pressing force of the presser ring that clamps the peripheral edge of the lens is reduced, that is, the lens can be assembled without damaging the lens due to the pressing force of the presser ring during assembly. It has characteristics.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1 and 2 are a schematic diagram of an industrial robot having a sensor unit to which each embodiment of the lens device of the present invention is applied, and a main part of a light source box to which the prerequisite example of the lens device is applied. 3 and 4 are a longitudinal sectional partial view and a horizontal sectional view taken along the line - in FIG. 6 and 6 are respectively a vertical cross-sectional partial view of the main part of the light source box to which the second embodiment of the above-mentioned lens device is applied, and a cross-sectional view taken along the line - in FIG. 5, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a light source box to which the third embodiment is applied. 1... Unit, 2... Nozzle, 3... Sensor unit, 4, 24... Light source box, 4d, 22d,
22e, 24b _-1 ...Communication hole, 5...Camera box,
6...Camera circuit, 7...Sealant, 9...Light source, 12, 13...Front lens, 14...Imaging element, 15...Hose, 21, 22, 22'...Lens holding ring.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A lens device main body having an annular stepped portion provided in a through hole penetrating the inside thereof, and a lens device that is screwed into the through hole of the lens device main body and whose end portion is brought into contact with the lens and between the lens device main body and the stepped portion. a presser ring that clamps the lens; a chamber defined by the outer periphery of the end of the presser ring, the stepped inner wall of the through hole, and the peripheral edge of the lens; and a gas supply that supplies gas at a predetermined pressure to the chamber. and a communication hole passing through the retainer ring for supplying gas in the chamber to the open end of the retainer ring.