KR20200121626A - Thermal imaging camera - Google Patents

Abstract

An objective of the present invention is to provide a thermal imaging camera to align and fix a magnification lens of a magnification lens assembly corresponding to an objective lens at high magnification (first magnification, narrow field of view) or low magnification (second magnification, optical field of view) when changing the magnification of the image assembly. The thermal imaging camera according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a case having an objective lens in front; a magnification lens assembly installed on a frame provided in the case, having a set magnification fixing unit and a magnification lens, aligning optical axes of the objective lens and magnification lens, and positioning the set magnification fixing unit at a first magnification position or a second magnification position of the magnification setting member installed in the frame; a detector assembly installed in the frame at the rear of the magnification lens assembly to detect a thermal image caused by infrared energy passing through the magnification lens assembly; and an image assembly processing and outputting the thermal image detected by the detector assembly.

Description

Thermal imaging camera {THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA}

The present invention relates to a thermal imaging camera, and more particularly, to a thermal imaging camera that can be used for military or civil use by being mounted on a forward surveillance or firearms.

In general, a thermal imaging camera detects a difference in infrared energy (temperature difference) caused by infrared energy (ie, radiant energy) emitted from the target (living or human) and the surrounding area of the target, converts it into thermal image data of the target, and outputs a signal. .

Output thermal image data to the monitor. Thermal imaging cameras are used for military purposes by monitoring the front at night or mounted on firearms such as a vulcan gun, and are also used for civilians. The thermal imaging camera includes a detector assembly and an imaging assembly at the rear of the magnification lens assembly.

The detector assembly detects a temperature difference due to infrared energy emitted from the target and passes through the magnification lens assembly, and the image assembly processes the temperature difference information of the detected infrared energy as thermal image data to implement a thermal image and output it to a monitor or the like.

The magnification lens assembly is configured to align the magnification lens with respect to the objective lens to select a low magnification of optical field of view or a high magnification of narrow field of view. At this time, the moving magnification lens is required to be aligned in the correct position corresponding to the objective lens.

The magnification lens assembly selectively converts the low magnification of the optical field of view or the high magnification of the narrow field of view, and the detector assembly detects temperature difference information of infrared energy according to the selected magnification.

At this time, when changing the magnification of the image assembly, the magnification lens assembly is accurately aligned and fixed at a position of a low magnification or high magnification, and optical performance is required to be maintained from vibration or impact.

In spite of this, if the magnifying lens assembly is out of the alignment position or the magnifying lens assembly is not always maintained in the alignment position, the verification of the optical performance becomes inaccurate.

It is an object of the present invention to align and fix a magnification lens of a magnification lens assembly corresponding to an objective lens at a high magnification (first magnification, narrow field of view) or a low magnification (second magnification, optical field of view) when changing the magnification of the image assembly. It is to provide a thermal imaging camera.

A thermal imaging camera according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a case having an objective lens in front, a frame provided in the case, and having a set magnification fixing part and a magnifying lens, and the objective lens and the magnifying lens A magnification lens assembly that aligns the optical axis to position the set magnification fixing part at a first magnification position or a second magnification position of a magnification setting member installed in the frame, and is installed in the frame from the rear of the magnification lens assembly. And a detector assembly that detects a thermal image caused by infrared energy passing through the lens assembly, and an image assembly that processes and outputs a thermal image detected by the detector assembly.

The magnifying lens assembly includes a lens arm having the magnifying lens at a tip end and having the set magnification fixing part on one side corresponding to a rotation trajectory, and an actuator for rotating the lens arm forward or backward, and setting the magnification The member sets the first magnification position and the second magnification position in the rotation range of the lens arm, and the set magnification fixing part and the magnification setting member interact to move the lens arm to the first magnification position or the second magnification position. It can be fixed by aligning it at the 2 magnification position.

The lens arm has guide grooves formed along the rotational direction on both sides, is supported by a plurality of steel balls inserted into the guide groove, and may be mounted on the shaft of the actuator.

The thermal imaging camera according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a first bracket and a second bracket mounted on the frame to face each other with the lens arms therebetween to support rotation of the lens arms, and the first bracket One bracket is provided to correspond to the rotation range of the lens arm to support steel balls located in the guide groove on one side of the lens arm, and the second bracket is provided to correspond to the rotation range of the lens arm. It is possible to support the steel balls located in the guide groove on one side.

The magnification setting member is formed in an arc state corresponding to the rotation range of the set magnification fixing part, and includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion protruding from the arc state at each of the first magnification position and the second magnification position. can do.

The set magnification fixing part may include a roller supported by a pin shaft on the opening side of the housing mounted on the lens arm so as to roll over the arc state of the magnification setting member according to the rotation of the lens arm.

The pin shaft is installed in a long hole formed on the opening side of the housing, and the set magnification fixing part is a support member built in the rear of the pin shaft to rotatably support the roller, an elastic member supporting the support member, and the housing It may further include a retainer fastened to the opposite side of the opening to support the elastic member.

The thermal imaging camera according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a first stopper part provided in the frame to prevent over-rotation of the lens arm when the lens arm is positioned at the first magnification position. .

The first stopper part is a housing provided on the side of the first magnification position in the rotation range of the lens arm, a plunger inserted in the longitudinal direction of the housing and screwed, and a position being fastened to the housing in a direction crossing the plunger. It may include a set screw for fixing the adjusted plunger.

The thermal imaging camera according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a second stopper part provided in the frame to prevent over-rotation of the lens arm when the lens arm is positioned at the second magnification position. .

The second stopper part is a housing provided at the side of the second magnification position in the rotation range of the lens arm, a plunger inserted in the longitudinal direction of the housing, an elastic member supporting the plunger, and the elastic member fastened to the housing It may include a retainer for supporting.

As described above, the thermal imaging camera of an embodiment aligns and fixes the magnification lens of the magnification lens assembly corresponding to the objective lens to the correct position of the low magnification or high magnification through the setting magnification fixing part and the magnification setting member when the magnification of the image assembly is switched. Therefore, the same optical axis alignment performance can always be realized.

In addition, in an embodiment, since the magnifying lens assembly is supported by the first and second stopper portions of the buffer structure, optical performance is maintained from vibration or impact, and optical performance can be accurately verified.

1 is a perspective view of a thermal imaging camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a side view of Figure 1;
3 is a perspective view showing an optical field of view (low magnification) as a main part of a thermal imaging camera with an external case removed from FIG. 1.
4 is a perspective view showing a narrow field of view (high magnification) as a main part of a thermal imaging camera with an external case removed from FIG. 1.
5 is a front view of a main part of the thermal imaging camera in FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5.
7 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the thermal imaging camera of FIGS. 1 and 4 in exploded view.
8 and 9 are an exploded perspective view and an assembled cross-sectional view of a set magnification fixing part including a magnification setting member in FIG. 7.
10 and 11 are an exploded perspective view and an assembled cross-sectional view of a first stopper part in FIG. 7.
12 and 13 are an exploded perspective view and an assembled cross-sectional view of a second stopper in FIG. 7.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those of ordinary skill in the art may easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention, and the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

1 is a perspective view of a thermal imaging camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an optical field of view (low magnification) as a main part of the thermal imaging camera with an external case removed from FIG. It is a perspective view showing the state.

1 to 3, a thermal imaging camera according to an exemplary embodiment includes a case 10, a frame 20, a magnification lens assembly 30, a detector assembly 40, and an image assembly 50.

The case 10 has an objective lens 11 in front. The frame 20 is installed inside the case 10 to provide a place for installing the magnifying lens assembly 30, the detector assembly 40, and the image assembly 50.

4 is a perspective view showing a narrow field of view (high magnification) as a main part of a thermal imaging camera with an external case removed from FIG. 1. 3 and 4, the magnification lens assembly 30 includes a magnification lens 31.

The magnification lens assembly 30 positions the magnification lens 31 at the first magnification position P1 (see FIG. 3) or the second magnification position P2 (see FIG. 4) from the rear of the objective lens 11 to achieve low magnification. The optical field of view at the position or the narrow field of view at the high magnification position, respectively.

The detector assembly 40 is installed on the frame 20 from the rear of the magnifying lens assembly 30 to detect a thermal image by infrared energy passing through the objective lens 11 and the magnifying lens assembly 30. The image assembly 50 processes and outputs the thermal image detected by the detector assembly 40.

5 is a front view of a main part of the thermal imaging camera in FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a main part of the thermal imaging camera of FIGS. 1 and 4 It is an exploded perspective view showing exploded.

5 to 7, the magnification lens assembly 30 includes a lens arm 32, an actuator 33, and a magnification setting member 34. The lens arm 32 has a magnification lens 31 at its tip, and a set magnification fixing part 35 on one side corresponding to the rotational trajectory.

By rotation of the lens arm 32, the magnification lens 31 is aligned with the objective lens 11 at the first magnification position P1 to realize a low magnification optical field of view (see Fig. 3), and the second magnification position P2 Separately from the objective lens 11, a high magnification narrow field of view is implemented only with the objective lens 11 (see FIG. 4).

At this time, the lens arm 32 and the magnification lens 31 rotate forward and backward within a range of 60 to 80 degrees (eg, 70 degrees) by the rotation of the actuator 44. That is, the first and second magnification positions P1 and P2 by the first and second protrusions 341 and 342 or the first and second stoppers 61 and 62 are within the rotatable range of the magnification lens 31 (60). ~80 degrees, or 70 degrees).

As an embodiment, the actuator 33 is mounted on the frame 20 and formed by a DC motor and driven to rotate forward and backward, so that the lens arm 32 is formed with respect to the objective lens 11 and the detector assembly 40 forming the optical axis. Rotate forward and reverse.

The set magnification fixing part 35 interacts with the magnification setting member 34 to fix the lens arm 32 in a forward/reverse rotation state, thereby fixing the magnification set by the objective lens 11 and the magnification lens 31.

The magnification lens 31 is positioned at the first magnification position P1 by the forward rotation of the lens arm 32 (see Fig. 3), and the magnification lens 31 is positioned at the second magnification position due to the reverse rotation of the lens arm 32. It is located at (P2) (see Fig. 4).

The magnification setting member 34 is mounted on the frame 20 and is within the rotation range of the lens arm 32, more specifically, the first magnification position P1 and the second magnification position within the rotation range of the set magnification fixing part 35. The magnification position (P2) is being set.

Therefore, as the lens arm 32 rotates, the set magnification fixing part 35 provided on the lens arm 32 side and the magnification setting member 34 provided on the frame 20 side interact to each other to make the lens arm 32 Is fixed to the first magnification position (P1) or the second magnification position (P2).

On the other hand, the lens arm 32 has guide grooves 321 formed along the rotation direction on both sides or one side, and is supported by a plurality of steel balls 322 inserted into the guide groove 321, and the actuator 33 It is mounted on the shaft (not shown).

When the lens arm 32 is rotated forward and backward by driving of the actuator 33, the optical axis performance can be secured when the lens arm 32 and the magnification lens 31 are minimized from flowing in the longitudinal direction of the axis.

To this end, the thermal imaging camera according to an embodiment further includes a first bracket 361 and a second bracket 362. The first bracket 361 and the second bracket 362 are mounted on the frame 20 to face each other with the lens arm 32 therebetween to support the rotation of the lens arm 32.

The first bracket 361 is provided corresponding to the rotation range of the lens arm 32 to support the steel balls 322 positioned in a guide groove (not shown) on one surface of the lens arm 32. The second bracket 362 is provided to correspond to the rotation range of the lens arm 32 and supports the steel balls 322 located in the guide groove 321 on the other side of the lens arm 32.

The guide groove 321 may be formed on at least one side of the lens arm 32 or the first and second brackets 361 and 262 to support the steel balls 322. The steel balls 322 and the guide groove 321 allow the lens arm 32 to move stably between the first and second brackets 361 and 262 to the first and second magnification positions P1 and P2. do.

The magnification setting member 34 is formed in an arc shape corresponding to the rotation range of the set magnification fixing part 35 and includes a first protrusion 341 and a second protrusion 342. The first protrusion 341 and the second protrusion 342 have inclined surfaces symmetrical in the rotation direction. The angle of the two inclined surfaces protruding from the plane of the magnification setting member 34 is set to 140 to 160 degrees (e.g., 150 degrees), so that the torque value for fixing the set magnification fixing part 35 provided in the lens arm 32 is set. To have.

At this time, the torque value to be fixed is 13 ~ 15kgf.cm (eg, at least 14.0kgf.cm), and the required motion vibration that the magnification setting member 34 can stably fix the setting magnification fixing part 35 is 17 ~19G (eg, at least 18G).

That is, when the torque value is 13 to 15kgf.cm (eg, at least 14.0kgf.cm), the magnification setting member 34 is set until the motion vibration is applied by 17 to 19G (eg, at least 18G). ) Can be fixed.

The first protrusion 341 and the second protrusion 342 are formed protruding from the arc-like plane at each of the first magnification position P1 and the second magnification position P2, and rotated to set the magnification. (35) restrains the return rotation in the opposite direction set. Therefore, the magnification lens 31 and the objective lens 11 can always be aligned with the same optical axis.

8 and 9 are an exploded perspective view and an assembled cross-sectional view of a set magnification fixing part including a magnification setting member in FIG. 7. 6 to 9, the set magnification fixing part 35 includes a roller 351 that rolls over the arc state of the magnification setting member 34 according to the forward and reverse rotation of the lens arm 32.

The roller 351 is supported by a pin shaft 353 on the opening side of the housing 352 mounted on the lens arm 32 to smooth the rotation of the lens arm 32. In accordance with the forward and reverse rotation of the lens arm 32, the roller 351 is moved onto the magnification setting member 34 and is positioned at the first magnification position P1 or the second magnification position P2.

And the pin shaft 353 is installed in the long hole 354 formed on the opening side of the housing 352. Therefore, since the pin shaft 353 moves forward and backward along the long hole 354 of the housing 352, the roller 351 can effectively ride over the first and second protrusions 341 and 342 of the magnification setting member 34.

The set magnification fixing part 35 includes a support member 355, an elastic member 356, and a retainer 357. The support member 355 is built in the rear of the pin shaft 353 to rotatably support the roller 351.

The elastic member 356 elastically supports the support member 355. The retainer 357 is fastened to the opposite side of the opening of the housing 352 to support the housing 352 by embedding an elastic member 356.

The roller 351 of the set magnification fixing part 35 is located above the first protrusion 341 when selecting the first magnification position P1, and when selecting the second magnification position P2, the second It is located on the lower side beyond the protrusion 342.

And the elastic member 356 supports the support member 355, the roller 351 supported by the pin shaft 353 installed in the long hole 354 by being supported by the support member 355 is elastically first and second. You can cross the two protrusions (341, 342).

That is, the set magnification fixing part 35 is the elastic member 356, the support member 355, the long hole 354, the pin shaft 353 and the height difference in the axial direction of the actuator 33 by the magnification setting member 34. It is absorbed by the roller 351.

Therefore, when the lens arm 32 is rotated forward and backward by driving of the actuator 33, the lens arm 32 and the magnification lens 31 are prevented from flowing in the axial direction, so that the optical axis performance can be secured.

10 and 11 are an exploded perspective view and an assembled cross-sectional view of a first stopper part in FIG. 7. 6, 7, 10 and 11, the thermal imaging camera according to an exemplary embodiment further includes a first stopper part 61.

The first stopper part 61 is provided on the frame 20 to prevent over-rotation of the lens arm 32 when the lens arm 32 is positioned at the first magnification position P1 of the magnification setting member 34. do. That is, since the first stopper part 61 positions the set magnification fixing part 35 of the lens arm 32 between the first protrusion 341, the first magnification position P1 of the lens arm 32 is set and Fix it.

As an example, the first stopper part 61 includes a housing 611, a plunger 612, and a fixing screw 613. The housing 611 is installed on the frame 20 at the first magnification position P1 side of the rotation range of the lens arm 32.

The plunger 612 is inserted in the longitudinal direction of the housing 611 and is screwed into the housing 611 to face the rotating lens arm 32 and set a range for supporting the lens arm 32. The fixing screw 613 is fastened to the housing 611 in a direction crossing the insertion of the plunger 612 to fix the position-adjusted plunger 612.

In addition, since the plunger 612 is embedded in the housing 611 through the elastic member 614 further, it further absorbs the clearance screwed with the housing 611. Accordingly, the first stopper part 61 thoroughly prevents the lens arm 32 from flowing in the forward and reverse rotation direction at the first magnification position P1. In addition, the lens arm 32 at the first magnification position P1 is prevented from returning to the reverse direction of the first magnification position P1 set by the first protrusion 341.

12 and 13 are an exploded perspective view and an assembled cross-sectional view of a second stopper in FIG. 7. 6, 7, 12 and 13, the thermal imaging camera according to an exemplary embodiment further includes a second stopper unit 62.

The second stopper part 62 is provided on the frame 20 to prevent over-rotation of the lens arm 32 when the lens arm 32 is positioned at the second magnification position P2 of the magnification setting member 34. do. That is, since the second stopper part 62 positions the set magnification fixing part 35 of the lens arm 32 between the second protrusion 342, the second magnification position P2 of the lens arm 32 is set and Fix it.

As an example, the second stopper part 62 includes a housing 621, a plunger 622, an elastic member 623, and a retainer 624. The housing 621 is installed on the frame 20 at the second magnification position P2 side of the rotation range of the lens arm 32.

The plunger 622 is inserted in the longitudinal direction of the housing 621 to set a range for supporting the lens arm 32 toward the lens arm 32 that rotates by being caught in an opening of the housing 621. The elastic member 623 elastically supports the plunger 622. The retainer 624 is fastened to the housing 621 to support the elastic member 623.

In addition, since the plunger 622 is embedded in the housing 621 through the elastic member 623, the second stopper part 62 is configured so that the lens arm 32 flows in the forward and reverse rotation direction at the second magnification position P2. To prevent it thoroughly. In addition, at the second magnification position P2, the lens arm 32 is prevented from returning to the reverse direction of the second magnification position P2 set by the second protrusion 342.

As described above, in the thermal imaging camera of one embodiment, when the magnification of the image assembly 50 is switched, the magnification lens 31 corresponding to the objective lens 11 is moved to the first magnification position (P1, low magnification optical field of view) or the second magnification position. Align it to the correct position of (P2, high magnification narrow clock) and fix it. Therefore, the same optical axis alignment performance can always be implemented.

In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, since the lens arm 32 of the magnifying lens assembly 30 is supported by the first and second stopper portions 61 and 62 having a buffer structure, optical performance can be maintained from vibration or impact. Therefore, the verification of optical performance can be accurately performed.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is possible to implement various modifications within the scope of the claims, the description of the invention, and the accompanying drawings. It is natural to fall within the range.

10: case 11: objective lens
20: frame 30: magnification lens assembly
31: magnification lens 32: lens arm
33: actuator 34: magnification setting member
35: set magnification fixing portion 40: detector assembly
50: video assembly 61: first stopper
62: second stopper part 321: guide groove
322: Ganggu 341: 1st protrusion
342: second protrusion 351: roller
352: housing 353: pin shaft
354: long hole 355: support member
356: elastic member 357: retainer
361: first bracket 362: second bracket
611: housing 612: plunger
613: fixing screw 614: elastic member
621: housing 622: plunger
623: elastic member 624: retainer
P1: 1st magnification position P2: 2nd magnification position

Claims (11)

A case having an objective lens in front;
The first of a magnification setting member installed on a frame provided in the case, having a set magnification fixing part and a magnifying lens, aligning optical axes of the objective lens and magnifying lens, and installing the set magnification fixing part in the frame A magnification lens assembly positioned at a magnification position or a second magnification position;
A detector assembly installed in the frame at the rear of the magnifying lens assembly to detect a thermal image caused by infrared energy passing through the magnifying lens assembly; And
An image assembly that processes and outputs the thermal image detected by the detector assembly
Thermal imaging camera comprising a. The method of claim 1,
The magnification lens assembly
A lens arm having the magnification lens at a tip end and having the set magnification fixing portion on one side corresponding to a rotation trajectory, and
It includes an actuator that rotates the lens arm forward or reverse,
The magnification setting member
Setting the first magnification position and the second magnification position in the rotation range of the lens arm,
The set magnification fixing part and the magnification setting member
Interacting to align and fix the lens arm to the first magnification position or the second magnification position
Thermal imaging camera. The method of claim 2,
The lens arm is
It has guide grooves formed along the direction of rotation on both sides,
It is supported by a plurality of steel balls inserted into the guide groove,
Mounted on the shaft of the actuator
Thermal imaging camera. The method of claim 3,
Further comprising a first bracket and a second bracket mounted on the frame facing each other with the lens arms therebetween to support rotation of the lens arms,
The first bracket is
It is provided corresponding to the rotation range of the lens arm to support steel balls located in the guide groove on one side of the lens arm,
The second bracket is
It is provided in correspondence with the rotation range of the lens arm to support steel balls located in the guide groove on the other side of the lens arm.
Thermal imaging camera. The method of claim 2,
The magnification setting member
It is formed in an arc state corresponding to the rotation range of the set magnification fixing part,
Having a first protrusion and a second protrusion protruding from the plane of the arc state at each of the first and second magnification positions
Thermal imaging camera. The method of claim 5,
The setting magnification fixing part
And a roller supported by a pin shaft at the opening side of the housing mounted on the lens arm so as to roll over the arc state of the magnification setting member according to the rotation of the lens arm.
Thermal imaging camera. The method of claim 6,
The pin shaft is
It is installed in a long hole formed on the opening side of the housing,
The setting magnification fixing part
A support member built in the rear of the pin shaft to rotatably support the roller,
An elastic member supporting the support member, and
Retainer fastened to the opposite side of the opening of the housing to support the elastic member
Thermal imaging camera further comprising a. The method of claim 1,
When the lens arm is positioned at the first magnification position, a first stopper part provided in the frame to prevent over-rotation of the lens arm
Thermal imaging camera further comprising a. The method of claim 8,
The first stopper part
A housing provided on the side of the first magnification position of the rotation range of the lens arm,
A plunger inserted in the longitudinal direction of the housing and screwed, and
A fixing screw fastened to the housing in a direction crossing the plunger to fix the plunger positioned
Thermal imaging camera comprising a. The method of claim 8,
A second stopper part provided in the frame to prevent over-rotation of the lens arm when the lens arm is positioned at the second magnification position
Thermal imaging camera further comprising a. The method of claim 10,
The second stopper part
A housing provided on the side of the second magnification position of the rotation range of the lens arm,
A plunger inserted in the longitudinal direction of the housing,
An elastic member supporting the plunger, and
A retainer fastened to the housing to support the elastic member
Thermal imaging camera comprising a.

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