RU2573426C2 - Method of protecting optical window of video camera cover from dirt and protective cover (versions) for implementing said method - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics, optics.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to external surveillance equipment and means for the protection of the said equipment from unfavourable external effects, and more specifically to a method of protecting the optical window of a video camera cover from dirt and a protective cover for implementing the said method. The disclosed method comprises placing on the front end of a cover a tube in the form of a pipe with an arbitrary cross-section such that the inner walls of the tube form the boundaries of the visibility zone of the video camera; through at least one opening in the lower or lateral part of the protective tube, feeding an air stream by creating a temperature difference between air inside the tube and surrounding air, or by the forced generation of excess pressure inside the tube, air is fed into the tube through an air duct mounted in the lower or lateral side of the video camera cover and linked to the surrounding medium through an air inlet. The protective cover comprises a housing, the front end of which has an optical window which opens inside the tube, which is in the form of a pipe with an arbitrary cross-section, the inner walls of which form the boundaries of the visibility zone of the video camera, wherein the lower or lateral part of the said tube is provided with at least one opening through which the rear part of the tube closest to the housing is linked to the external environment through an air duct attached to the lower or lateral wall of the housing of the cover, wherein an air intake element is placed inside the air duct to generate excess pressure inside the tube.

EFFECT: minimising the number of cycles and the cost of maintenance of external surveillance equipment and maintaining high performance thereof and quality of operation for a long period of time, as well as preventing the formation of dirt on the optical window of an external surveillance video camera, including dust, water droplets, snow, condensation and ice.

18 cl, 2 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to equipment for external observation and means for protecting it from adverse external influences, more specifically, the invention relates to a method for protecting the optical window of a camera housing from pollution and a protective housing for implementing the method. The invention can be used in any sector of the economy where video recording and video surveillance are used, in particular, in security systems and vehicle control.

State of the art

The use of video cameras for outdoor monitoring is associated with the need for their regular maintenance, since when operating outdoors the equipment is exposed to adverse environmental influences. This is especially true in the autumn-winter-spring period when installing cameras near the roadway or in industrial areas. In such conditions, contamination in the form of dust, fogging, drops of water, snow, ice, etc., can accumulate on the equipment surface, including on the optical glass of the casing.

Thanks to the use of special housings (cases, boxes) to protect video equipment and heating elements inside the housing, it was possible to partially limit the influence of adverse environmental factors on the video equipment, as well as to somewhat stabilize the temperature regime of its operation (see, for example, patent RU 52226 U1, IPC: G08B 13/196, H05K 5/00, published March 10, 2006, patent RU 40512 U1, IPC: G08B 13/196, H05K 5/00, H05K 5/02, published September 10, 2004, patent US 7440025 B2, IPC: H04N 5/225, published October 21, 2008). However, the main problems mentioned above remained unresolved. Installing a visor on the protective casing of the camcorder ensures its protection only from rainfall from above. From below and from the sides, the optical window of the casing remains completely unprotected from contamination.

It is known to use a protective hood for WizeBox thermal casings (description on the website: http://videoglaz.ru/good.php?id=9871). According to the description, the hood is made of steel and is intended to protect the glass of the thermal casing from splashes and dust, to increase the vandal proofness of the thermal casing, to prevent light from entering the lens, and to increase the contrast of the image of television cameras by reducing the influence of background illumination. The disadvantage of this equipment is that it cannot effectively prevent dust particles from settling, fogging, and ice formation on the casing glass. Particles of dust and moisture suspended in the air can easily enter the inner surface of the hood and settle both on it and on the glass of the casing, which leads to the need for additional maintenance and cleaning of the equipment. In difficult climatic conditions, this can significantly increase maintenance costs and reduce the quality of equipment operation.

The closest analogue of the claimed invention is the technical solution disclosed in patent RU 2439838 C1 (IPC: H04N 5/64, published January 10, 2012). It describes a method for preventing contamination of the glass of the front window of the casing of an external surveillance camera and a casing for implementing this method. According to the description, a pipe is installed on the outside of the glass of the casing, the first end of which is open to the environment, and the second end closes the specified glass. Using a blower installed inside the casing, a pressure in this pipe is created that exceeds the pressure outside it, using a heater, the air flow in the closed casing of the casing is heated, and the air entering the inlet of the blower is cleaned with a filter. In this method, a microprocessor unit is used to control the heater, blower machine, and video camera. The method is aimed at preventing the accumulation of dust, fogging, the accumulation of water droplets, snow and icing of the glass of the front window of the casing of the outdoor surveillance camera.

The most significant drawback of the above analogue is that, in accordance with it, air flows through the entire casing and make it leaky, which is extremely undesirable for outdoor equipment. Despite the presence of an air filter in the design of the casing, dust particles and excess moisture will inevitably fall inside it, which will lead to their subsidence on the inner surface of the casing itself, on electronic equipment, circuit boards, the inner side of the casing glass and even the optical glass of the camera. This can reduce the transparency of the glass, the quality of the camera and even disable the equipment, not to mention the need for more frequent and expensive maintenance.

Disclosure of invention

The present invention relates to a method for protecting an optical window of a camera housing from pollution, as well as a protective housing for implementing the method.

The main technical result of the invention is to minimize the number of cycles and the cost of maintaining equipment for outdoor monitoring and maintaining its high performance and quality for a long period of time.

Additional technical results are:

- preventing the formation of contaminants on the optical window of the video camera for outdoor monitoring, including dust settling, water droplets, snow, fogging and icing;

- improving the temperature conditions of equipment for outdoor monitoring;

- protection from direct sunlight and improving the quality of equipment for outdoor surveillance.

These technical results are achieved due to the method of protection from pollution of the optical window of the casing of the camera by placing on the front end of the specified casing of the protective tube in the form of a pipe of arbitrary cross section so that the inner walls of the tube form the boundaries of the visibility zone of the camera, with at least one hole in the bottom or the side of the protective tube, an air flow is injected into it by creating a temperature difference between the air in the tube and the ambient air, or force tionary creation of excess pressure inside the tube, the air in the tube is fed through a duct mounted on the bottom or side of the camcorder casing and communicating with the environment through the air intake.

The passage of air flow through the tube in the direction from the housing to the open end of the tube prevents dust particles, moisture and snow from settling on the inside of the tube, and in particular on the optical window, i.e. the outer side of the glass of the optical window of the casing body. Maintaining a constant air flow prevents the contamination of the optical window and the formation of fogging and ice on the glass of the casing and the walls of the tube.

In one embodiment, a temperature difference is created between the air inside the tube and the surrounding air to provide air flow in the tube. This is achieved by the fact that a heating element is installed in the air duct of the casing of the camera, from which heated air enters the tube through the openings in the wall of the tube and then is forced out to its front end.

A video camera radiator can be used as a heating element, which also helps to remove excess heat from the internal cavity of the casing. But additional heating elements can also be used when it is necessary to create a higher air temperature inside the tube to provide the necessary air flow.

In some cases, it is preferable that the heating element is located in front of the duct of the casing. For example, when the duct is placed along the bottom of the casing.

In another embodiment, the air flow in the tube is created by forced injection of air under pressure. Excessive pressure in the tube is usually created using a fan or compressor, which is placed inside the duct of the casing. Power is supplied to the fan or compressor from inside the enclosure.

The achievement of the indicated technical result is also achieved thanks to the casing of the video camera for external observation, which includes a closed case, the front end of which has an optical window that opens inside the tube, made in the form of a pipe of arbitrary section, the inner walls of which form the boundaries of the camera’s visibility zone, while in the lower or side at least one hole is made in the part of said tube, through which the tube communicates with the external environment through an air duct fixed to the bottom or side In the wall of the casing body, a heating element is installed inside the duct to create a temperature difference between the ambient air and the air inside the tube.

In a preferred embodiment, the heating element is a radiator of a video camera. In some cases, an additional heating element may be installed in the duct.

In another aspect of the invention, the achievement of the technical result is due to the casing of the video camera for external observation, containing a closed case, the front end of which has an optical window that opens inside the tube, made in the form of a pipe of arbitrary section, the inner walls of which form the boundaries of the visibility zone of the camera, while in the lower or at the side of said tube at least one hole is made through which the rear part of the tube closest to the housing communicates with the external environment through ozduhovod mounted on the bottom or side wall of the housing body, installed inside the duct air blast member for creating an overpressure inside the tube.

Typically, a fan or compressor is used as the air pumping element. Thanks to their work, excess pressure is created inside the tube, which ensures continuous movement of air from the duct to the tube, and from the tube through its open end to the outside. This prevents the penetration of dust particles, moisture and other pollution factors into the tube, and in particular, their subsidence and accumulation on the surface of the glass forming the optical window of the protective casing.

To more effectively solve the above problem, a heating element can be placed inside the duct. It can be a radiator of a video camera or other heat source. In the first case, the implementation of the invention also provides the removal of excess heat from the inside of the closed case, which helps to create the optimal temperature regime for the camera.

In a preferred embodiment, the casing duct is secured along the casing body and has an air inlet at the rear.

To clean the air entering the duct from the outside from dust and other mechanical impurities, the duct is equipped with an air filter. It is preferably placed in the rear of the duct for easier replacement and maintenance of the casing.

In a preferred embodiment, the duct is secured to the lower part of the casing and connected to the inner cavity of the tube through an opening made in the lower part of the tube adjacent to the casing.

To control the temperature inside the duct and the tube, a temperature sensor can be additionally installed in the duct.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an embodiment of one embodiment of the invention in the form of a protective casing equipped with a convection system for supplying air into the tube.

In FIG. 2 shows a diagram of an embodiment of another embodiment of the invention in the form of a protective casing equipped with a forced air supply system into the tube.

The implementation of the invention

The invention relates to the field of equipment for external observation and means for protecting it from adverse external influences.

The implementation of the claimed method and the protective casing of the present invention achieve the main and additional technical results. Due to the design of the protective casing, the optical window of the camera casing and the inner surface of the tube remain free from contamination for a long period of time, which minimizes the number of maintenance cycles and its cost while maintaining high operational characteristics of the equipment.

The protective casing of the invention comprises a closed housing 1, inside of which there is a video camera 2 (see Fig. 1). At the front end of the housing 1 there is a glass 7 forming an optical window of the video camera. At the front end of the housing 1, a tube 3 is fixed, made in the form of a pipe of arbitrary section. The tube is stationary or through a hinge connected with its rear end to the wall of the front end of the housing 1 so that the inner walls of the tube 3 form the boundaries of the visibility zone for the video camera 2 installed inside the housing 1.

The tube 3 may be made of any suitable material, for example, iron or plastic. The surface of the tube 3 can be treated with a special heat-insulating coating. The cross section of the tube tube 3 can be selected depending on the modification of the camera body and the operating conditions of the equipment. The most common is the use of tubes with a circular cross-section of the pipe.

For casings, on the front end of the housing 1 of which there are two or more optical windows 7, tubes 3 are used, consisting of several tubes, each of which can form the boundaries of the visibility zone for each individual camera 2.

For ease of maintenance, the tube 3 can be mounted on the front end of the housing using a hinge. In addition, the tube 3 in some cases is made composite, with the possibility of changing its length due to the displacement of the inner part of the tube relative to the outside. Those. for the purposes of the present invention, it is possible to use a telescopic tube with a variable length. It should be noted that the use of the above tube 3 at the front end of the housing body makes it unnecessary to install a protective visor on the housing 1.

The housing 1 is equipped with an air duct 4, which extends along the housing 1 and ends with an air inlet in its rear part. The atmospheric air entering through the duct 4 enters the tube 3 through an opening made in its wall. Such a hole is preferably located in the lower rear, closest to the housing 1 of the tube 3.

In one embodiment, a heating element 5 is provided inside the duct 4. This may be a radiator of the video camera, which transfers the heat generated during the operation of the video equipment into the duct 4, thereby creating a temperature difference between the outdoor air and the air inside the duct. The location of the heating element 5 inside the duct 4 is selected so that the warmer air rises, falling through an opening in the bottom or side of the tube 3 inside it. Preferred is the location of the heating element 5 in front of the duct 4, closer to the hole in the tube 3. When heated in the duct 4, atmospheric air enters the tube 3 and displaces part of the air from it, creating a continuous air flow. Depending on the external temperature and the amount of heat emitted by the heating element 5, the air flow rate may vary.

In conditions where the radiator of the video camera is not enough to heat the air inside the duct 4 to the desired temperature, an additional heating element can be installed there. In such cases, the casing may be additionally equipped with a temperature sensor, the readings from which affect the applied voltage to the additional heating element.

In another embodiment, a continuous stream of air in the tube 3 is maintained by forcing air from the environment through the duct 4. Structurally, this option differs from the previous version with convection air exchange only in that an air blower 8 is additionally installed inside the duct 4 (see Fig. 2 ) It can be a fan or compressor. At the same time, regardless of the external temperature, it is possible to maintain a constant air flow inside the tube 3 from its rear end connected to the body to the front open end opening to the external environment. The location of the discharge element 8 inside the duct 4 is not fundamental, it can be located in any part of the duct 4.

This embodiment also provides for the possibility of using a heating element 5 in the form of a radiator of a video camera or an additional heating element. In this case, the tasks will be achieved more efficiently due to the possibility of independent regulation of the air flow and its temperature.

To purify atmospheric air from mechanical impurities and excess moisture, an air filter 6 is installed in the rear part of the duct 4 of the casing. It can be located both on the outside and on the inside of the duct. It is advisable that the design and location of the air filter 6 provided for its quick replacement.

To facilitate maintenance of the duct 4 and the elements installed inside it, the duct 4 itself can be mounted on the housing of the casing using a swivel.

Claims (18)

1. The method of protection against contamination of the optical window of the casing of the camera by placing on the front end of the specified casing of the protective tube in the form of a pipe of arbitrary section so that the inner walls of the tube form the boundaries of the visibility zone of the camera, characterized in that through at least one hole in the lower part a protective tube, an air flow is injected into it by creating a temperature difference between the air inside the tube and the surrounding air, or by force creating excessive pressure inside the tube, etc. and this air is supplied into the tube through the duct mounted on the lower side of the casing of the camera and communicating with the environment through the air intake, and the air flow passes through the tube in the direction from the housing to the open end of the tube. 2. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that the difference in air temperature inside the protective tube and the surrounding air is created by passing a stream of air through the duct in which the heating element is installed. 3. The method according to p. 2, characterized in that the radiator of the camera is used as a heating element. 4. The method according to p. 2, characterized in that the heating element is installed in front of the casing of the camera. 5. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that the air stream is forced into the tube by a fan or compressor installed in the duct duct of the casing of the camera. 6. The protective casing of the video camera for external observation, comprising a closed housing, the front end of which has an optical window that opens inside the tube, made in the form of a pipe of arbitrary section, the inner walls of which form the boundaries of the visibility zone of the camera, characterized in that the lower part of the specified tube at least one hole through which the tube communicates with the external environment through an air duct fixed to the lower wall of the housing with the possibility of air flow through the tube in the case from the housing to the open end of the tube, while inside the duct there is a heating element for creating a temperature difference between the ambient air and the air inside the tube. 7. The casing according to claim 6, characterized in that the heating element is a radiator of a video camera. 8. The casing according to claim 6, characterized in that the duct extends along the casing body and has an air inlet at the rear. 9. The casing according to claim 6, characterized in that an air filter is installed in the rear of the duct. 10. The casing according to claim 6, characterized in that the duct is fixed in the lower part of the casing and is connected to the inner cavity of the tube through openings made in the lower part of the tube adjacent to the casing. 11. The casing according to claim 6, characterized in that a temperature sensor is additionally installed inside the duct. 12. The protective casing of the video camera for external observation, comprising a closed case, the front end of which has an optical window that opens inside the tube, made in the form of a pipe of arbitrary section, the inner walls of which form the boundaries of the visibility zone of the camera, characterized in that the lower part of the specified tube at least one hole through which the rear part of the tube closest to the housing communicates with the external environment through an air duct fixed to the lower wall of the housing passing along the housing and and eyuschy air inlet at the rear, wherein within the blast air duct is mounted element to create overpressure inside the tube. 13. The casing according to claim 12, characterized in that a fan or compressor is used as the air-pumping element. 14. The casing according to claim 12, characterized in that a heating element is additionally installed inside the duct. 15. The casing according to claim 14, characterized in that the heating element is a radiator of a video camera. 16. The casing according to claim 12, characterized in that an air filter is installed in the rear of the duct. 17. The casing according to claim 12, characterized in that the duct is fixed in the lower part of the casing and is connected to the inner cavity of the tube through openings made in the lower part of the tube adjacent to the casing. 18. The casing according to claim 12, characterized in that a temperature sensor is additionally installed inside the duct.

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