WO2007010418A1

WO2007010418A1 - Cleaning device for cameras' photo-sensors and the like

Info

Publication number: WO2007010418A1
Application number: PCT/IB2006/050116
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giorgio Amico; Claudio Micheli
Original assignee: Giorgio Amico; Claudio Micheli
Priority date: 2005-07-22
Filing date: 2006-01-12
Publication date: 2007-01-25
Also published as: ITRM20050388A1

Abstract

Cleaning device (1) for cameras' photo-sensors and the like, comprising: an elongated cleaning head (2), shaped so as to be insertable in the photo-sensor seat and having a pad member (7) at its tip; and a fan (11) which generates an aspiration air flow at the tip of the cleaning head (2) in order to remove dust particles from the sensor to be cleaned (Fig. 1).

Description

CLEANING DEVICE FOR CAMERAS' PHOTO-SENSORS AND THE LIKE

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a cleaning device for cameras' photo-sensors, their seats and the like, for example CCD and CMOS sensors commonly used in conventional and digital photo-cameras and video-cameras.

The cleaning of internal components of photographic and video-recording devices such as photo-cameras and video-cameras is a very critical operation for the good quality of the images produced by such devices. This is especially the case for photo- sensors like CCD and CMOS sensors and for their seats, which sensors by their own nature represent the most significant and critical elements of the photographic and/or video recording device.

Such cleaning is generally made by hand, and it results quite difficult due to the need for performing an accurate removal of dirt from small components typically located at remote, hidden and/or difficult-to-access portions of the device. The effect of such difficulties is that the cleaning is generally performed in an inadequate manner, and accordingly the quality of the images produced is negatively affected. Accordingly, the technical problem posed and solved by the present invention is to provide a cleaning device allowing to overcome the drawbacks mentioned so far with respect to the known art.

Such a problem is solved by a cleaning device according to claiml. Preferred features of the invention are contained in the appended dependent claims. The present invention provides several advantages. The main advantage lies in that the device of the invention provides an effective tool for an accurate cleaning of cameras' photo-sensors, their seats and the like which is apt to access remote portions of the camera system.

Other advantages, features and the operation modes of the present invention will be made apparent in the following detailed description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of a non-limiting example. Reference will be made to the figures of the annexed drawings, wherein:

^■ Figure 1 shows a lateral, partially sectional view of a first embodiment of the cleaning device according to the present invention;

^■ Figure 2 shows a lateral, partially sectional view of a second embodiment of the cleaning device according to the present invention; and ^■ Figures 3A and 3B show a front and a lateral sectional view, respectively, of a detail of a cleaning head according to a third embodiment of the invention. With initial reference to Figure 1, a portable cleaning device according to a first embodiment of the invention is globally denoted by 1. Device 1 is apt to perform cleaning of cameras' photo-sensors and the like, for example CCD and CMOS sensors commonly used in conventional and digital photo-cameras and video-cameras, as well as of their seats, the latter often referred to as "mirror chambers". Device 1 has a generally elongated shape and is made up of three main units arranged one adjacent the other along a longitudinal axis A of the device itself, namely a cleaning head 2, an aspiration unit 3 and an energizing unit 4.

The cleaning head 2 comprises an elongated hollow element 5, in particular a cylindrical tube, fixedly connected at the distal end thereof, i.e. at the end apt to contact the location, sensor or the like to be cleaned, to a tapered tip member 6 having a transversal section increasing towards the exterior of device 1. Generally speaking, tapered member 6 is therefore applied substantially at the tip of head 2. By virtue of its longitudinal extension, tube 5 allows access to remote portions of the camera device, it being insertable in narrow, deep and/or small spaces such as the photo-cameras' mirror chamber.

The transversal dimension of tube 5, and in particular in the present case its diameter, can be chosen so that, upon insertion in the camera device, lateral room remains for the user to see inside the camera device itself, and in particular inside the mirror chamber, while this is being cleaned. At the same time, for reasons that will become clearer later on, such transverse dimensions must be chosen so that an adequate air rate can flow through tube 5. Preferably, the diameter of tube 5 is comprised in a range of about 6-7 mm.

Tapered member 6 is preferable made of a plastic, relatively elastic material such as TEFLON. Its tapered shape allows access to remote spaces of the camera device, and in particular to the corners thereof.

Preferably, member 6 is amovably pressure-coupled to tube 5 so as to be interchangeable with other types of similar members specifically suitable for different parts of the camera device or for other types of cameras.

Preferably, tapered member 6 and/or the final part of tube 5 adjacent member 6 itself have lateral openings (not shown in the figures), for example slits, apt to allow inflow and/or outflow of air.

On the outside portion of tapered member 6 and of the final part of tube 5 adjacent member 6 itself there is applied a pad member 7 apt to contact the sensors or portions of the camera device to be cleaned and to capture the dirt particles - typically dust - to be removed. Preferably, pad member 7 is of a disposable type.

Pad member 7 is kept in position by a ring-shaped fixing member 8, for example of elastic type and made of Silicon. The arrangement is such that pad member 7 is kept diametrically tensioned by ring-shaped member 8 in order to oppose the aspiration action generated by aspiration unit 3 through the aforementioned openings in tapered member 6 and/or final part of tube 5 covered by member 7 itself. In an exemplary implementation, ring-shaped member 8 can have a diameter of about 3 mm.

In the present embodiment, pad member 7 is made of a portion of a suitable tissue specific for the cleaning of photo-sensors or lens. Preferably, the material(s) pad member 7 is made of has one or all of the following features, depending also from the specific application: - it is soft and anti-scratch;

- it is very porous, also in order to allow passage of the air flow generated by aspiration unit 3;

- it has filtering properties so as to capture the dirt particles with which it comes into contact or that are carried by said air flow; - it does not loose hair or particles;

- it is resistant to alcoholic detergents which may be applied upon it in order to remove grease deposited onto the surfaces to be cleaned;

- it is resistant to traction, because of the aforementioned tensioned arrangement. Preferably, the material used is very economic and allows an optimal implementation of the disposal pad member 7.

Aspiration unit 3 comprises an aspiration chamber 9 mounted adjacent head unit 2, a fan 11 and associated conventional components (e.g. a DC motor) apt to generate an aspiration air flow though chamber 9, tube 5 and tapered member 6 and an enclosing body 10 for such fan 11 and associated components. Aspiration chamber 9 and body 10 are arranged one adjacent the other along axis A and are fixedly connected for example by gluing at a shape coupling between the two.

Fan 11 and the associated components are dimensioned so as to create a sufficient aspiration air flow or depression inside chamber 9, taking into consideration flow resistances due to the geometry of device 1. An example of possible dimensioning of fan 11 and of its associated components is reported below.

Fan 11 can have a diameter of about 44 mm.

Fan 11 and its associated components are operated through control means comprising a three-positions switch 16, represented only schematically in the drawings, the modes of operation of which will be explained later on.

Preferably, body 10 provides one or several openings 18, for example six, so as to allow the outflow for the aspirated air. To this aim, such openings 18 are arranged upstream with respect to the aspiration flow, i.e. on the other side of fan 11 with respect to aspiration chamber 9, in proximity of energizing unit 4. These openings 18 can be for example 10 mm wide and 15 mm long.

All or part of the outside face of body 10 carries handling means 19 for facilitating gripping by the user. Such means 19 can comprise an anti-slipping sheath made of elastic rubber, upon which openings corresponding to the above described openings 18 are obtained. Aspiration chamber 9 comprises a proximal portion 12, i.e. a portion nearer to body 10, having an external skirt with a tapered profile and a distal portion 13 having an external profile made up of differently inclined parts which determine a progressive decrease in diameter towards tube 5. Chamber 9 joints tube 5 with body 10. The connection of distal portion 13 of chamber 9 with tube 5 is made in a conventional way, and it includes abutting means apt to avoid that, in case of collision or pressure exerted between the tube 5 and the element to be cleaned, tube 5 itself move towards aspiration chamber 9.

Aspiration chamber 9 is of course to be dimensioned by taking into consideration the weight of the energizing unit 4 located at the proximal end of device 1, so as to counter-balance the weight of such unit, and the volume of air available in proximity of fan 11, so as to lower as much as possible cavitational effects, taking also into account the speed of fan 11 itself. Preferably, aspiration chamber 9 is made of Aluminum. Onto the distal portion 13 of aspiration chamber 9 there are mounted lighting means 14 for lightening the location to be cleaned. In the present embodiment, such means 14 comprises two LEDs, they also denoted by 14, arranged at opposite sides of chamber 9 itself. Preferably, LEDs 14 generate white light. Preferably, LEDs 14 are powered by energizing unit 4.

The turning on and off of LEDs 14 is commanded by the aforementioned control means, which are located at the energizing unit 4 and which in the present embodiment comprises, as already said above, a three-position switch 16. In a first position of the switch 16, device 1 is turned off. In a second position, LEDs 14 are lighten. In a third position, fan 11 is powered on. During non-operation of device 1, its cleaning head 2 and the distal portion 13 of aspiration chamber 9 carrying LEDs 14 are protected from the external environment by means of a cap 17 removably connected, for example by a threaded coupling, to distal portion 13. Preferably, cap 17 is made of Aluminum or hard plastics. The energizing unit 4 is connected to the aspiration unit 3 in a conventional way, for example by screws. This unit 4 has a seat for batteries, preferably of the re-chargeable type, for powering aspiration unit 3 and LEDs 14. Such powering is made by conventional means that will not be described in detail. The energizing unit 4 comprises an external cover 190 preferably made of plastics and having a substantially cylindrical shape. As said above, unit 4 hosts the control means, and switch 16 is located at a recess 20 of unit 4 itself. This arrangement of switch 16 in a recess prevents its accidental displacement.

Variant embodiments may provide for an alternative easily detachable connection between the energizing unit and the remaining part of the cleaning device, such as for example a fixing joint.

Device 1 also provides, near said switch 16, means 21 for connection to the electric network.

For ease of handling the device 1, preferably the case of energizing unit 4 has the same diameter of that of the fan-enclosing body 10, including the anti-slip cover 19 of the latter. The operation modes of device 1 will now be described. In particular, reference will be made to the cleaning of a photo-camera.

First of all, as already mentioned above device 1 is suitable for cleaning both photosensors, for example of the CMOS/CCD type, and their seats, in particular mirror chambers. Device 1 can as well be used for cleaning the objective lenses and then- seats, such as the inner parts of objective bodies during their mounting and disassembly.

When such a cleaning is to be effected, the user has simply to move the three position switch 16 to the third position mentioned above. Preliminary, if the electric network is used instead of the batteries, the corresponding connection will be made. Moreover, in order to verify how many dirt particles are present and which type of impurities are to be removed (particles, condensate and/or grease), LEDs 14 can be lightened prior to operating the aspiration unit 3 by moving switch 16 to its second position.

Upon turning the device 1 on by moving switch 16 to its third position, the aspiration air flow generated by fan 11 allows aspiration, at pad member 7, of the impurity particles deposited on the location to be cleaned and possibly kept there by electrostatic fields. To this aim, the pad member 7 is put in contact with the parts to be cleaned. As pad member 7 is arranged laterally with respect to tube 5, the location which is cleaned by such member is of course that arranged laterally with respect to tube 5. Nevertheless, an aspiration action is carried out also at the longitudinal opened end 61 of head unit 2, which action allows removal of dirt also at the frontal end of device 1. Preferably, if photo-sensors are to be cleaned, a pad member 7 made of a special disposable paper material is used, apt to allow the passage therethrough of an adequate air rate and having a filtering action of the dirt particles, which are hold by the pad member itself. In case the mirror chamber is to be cleaned before the sensors are (in order not to transfer the dirt particles of the seat onto the sensors), for example in reflex digital photo-cameras, prior to the cleaning of the sensors device 1 can be used also without the pad member 7 attached to tube 5. In this case, cleaning is carried out by the aspiration action generated at lateral openings of tube 5 and at the frontal end opening 61. In a preferred embodiment, a small toothing can be provided near said lateral openings, which toothing is apt to be wiped onto the mirror chamber walls for effecting the cleaning action. Once such seat cleaning has been effected, pad member 7 can be applied to tube 5 and member 6 and the sensors cleaning already described can be effected. Of course, variant applications can provide that pad member 7 is used also for cleaning sensors' seats.

In order to improve any cleaning action, the pad member 7 can be wiped upon the location to be treated.

If grease is to be removed or if anyhow the conditions of the location to be cleaned so require, pad member 7 can be impregnated with an appropriate detergent agent. This can then be removed by changing the pad member with a new or dedicated one.

Preferably, the pad member is handled by tweezers instead that by bare hands, so as to avoid the latter dirty the member itself. Device 1 can also be part of a kit comprising different types of tapered members and/or of pad members, both possibly disposable, and one or more detergent or tweezers. Also more than one cleaning head can be provided in the kit, possibly disposable. It will be better appreciated at this point that the elongated shape of the cleaning device and in particular of its cleaning head allows an optimal access to the inner parts of the camera device to be cleaned, and that these features and/or the provision of the aforementioned pad member allow also contact with the sensors and their seats. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the aspiration means provided, particularly in combination with the pad member apt to capture and hold the dirt particles, allows an optimal removal of such particles from the camera device and its inner components. Other embodiments of the invention are possible, two of which are shown in Figures 2 and 3A-3B. These will be described only with respect to their differences with the embodiment just described. With reference to the embodiment of Figure 2, the lighting means, here denoted by 140, are arranged in proximity of the distal end of tube 5. The pad member, here denoted by 70, is applied directly onto tube 5, and in particular so as to cover the frontal opening thereof, and not onto the lateral walls of such tube and/or onto a separate tapered member. Pad member 70 can be hold in position by an o-ring (schematically shown in the drawing) or by an equivalent fixing element.

Figures 3A and 3B relates to an alternative embodiment wherein a possibly disposable distal tip member 60 to be removably applied at the tip of tube 5 is provided. Such member 60 has a bended development with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cleaning device, which bending is apt to ease cleaning of lateral walls of sensors' seat, in particular mirror chamber. Connection with tube 5 is implemented by a shape coupling involving a proximal portion 62 of member 60.

Preferably, member 60 is made of silicone or of a similar material, so as to allow an optimal contact with the parts to be cleaned without damaging them. In particular, the choice of this type of material avoids damages to the antireflection coating which is generally present upon the walls of the mirror chambers.

Of course, alternative embodiments can provide that such bending is provided directly onto a tube of the cleaning head instead that onto a separate member. Moreover, generally speaking the invention relates also to embodiments wherein a possibly removable tip member is applied or applicable at the cleaning head tip, which tip member might be only a pad member apt to hold dirt particles, only a tapered, bended or otherwise shaped element like members 6 and 60 mentioned above apt to allow access to remote portions of the location to be cleaned, or a combination of the pad member with an additional shaped element, as in the embodiment of Figure 1.

Furthermore, it will be understood that the term "tip member" do not indicate that such elements need be applied exactly to the tip of the cleaning head, but just in correspondence of the tip or in proximity thereof. It is of course understood that other embodiments of the invention are possible. In particular, the connection between the tapered member and the tube of the cleaning head may also be of the bayonet type.

Moreover, air flow generation means alternative to the aspiration unit described above can be provided. It is also possible that such means provide a pressurized, outwardly- directed air flow directed towards the location to be cleaned, in association with or in alternative to the aspiration air flow described above. In this case, the pressurized air flow is apt to detach the dirt particles from the locations to be cleaned.

The present invention has hereto been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It is understood that there could be other embodiments referable to the same inventive concept, all felling within the protective scope of the claims set forth hereinafter.

Claims

1. Cleaning device (1) for cameras' photo-sensors, their seats and the like, comprising: an elongated cleaning head (2), shaped so as to be insertable in a photosensor seat; and air flow generating means (3), connected to said cleaning head (2) so that an air flow apt to remove dirt particles from the element to be cleaned is obtained at said cleaning head (2).

2. The cleaning device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning head (2) has lateral openings apt to allow the outflow or inflow of said air flow.

3. The cleaning device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said cleaning head (2) has a front opening apt to allow the outflow or inflow of said air flow.

4. The cleaning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said cleaning head (2) comprises a tube (5).

5. The cleaning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said cleaning head (2) is interchangeable.

6. The cleaning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said cleaning head (2) comprises a tip member (6; 60; 7; 70) applicable or applied at or in proximity of its tip.

7. The cleaning device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said tip member

(6; 60; 7; 70) is removable.

8. The cleaning device (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said tip member (6; 60;

7; 70) is disposable.

9. The cleaning device (1) according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein said tip member comprises a shaped tip member (6; 60) apt to allow access to remote portions of the location to be cleaned.

10. The cleaning device (1) according to any of claims 6 to 9, wherein said tip member comprises a shaped tip member (6; 60) apt to allow access to corners of the location to be cleaned.

11. The cleaning device (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said shaped tip member (6) has a tapered profile.

12. The cleaning device (1) according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein said shaped tip member (60) comprises a bended profile.

13. The cleaning device (1) according to any of claims 6 to 12, wherein said tip member comprises a cleaning tip member (7; 70) apt to hold dirt particles.

14. The cleaning device (1) according to the preceding claim when dependent from any of claims 9 to 12, wherein said cleaning tip member (7; 70) is applied or applicable upon said shaped tip member (6; 60).

15. The cleaning device (1) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein said cleaning tip member (7; 70) is made or apt to be made fixed with the remainder of said cleaning head (2) by a ring-shaped fixing member (8).

16. The cleaning device (1) according to any of claims 13 to 15, wherein said cleaning tip member comprises a cleaning pad member (7; 70).

17. The cleaning device (1) according to any of claims 6 to 16, wherein said tip member (6; 60; 7; 70) is shaped so as to be applied or apt to be applied at a frontal portion of said cleaning head (2).

18. The cleaning device (1) according to any of claims 6 to 17, wherein said tip member (6; 60; 7; 70) is shaped so as to be applied or apt to be applied at a lateral portion of said cleaning head (2).

19. The cleaning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said air flow generating means (11) are apt to generate an aspiration air flow at said cleaning head (2).

20. The cleaning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said air flow generating means (3) are apt to generate an outwardly-directed air flow at said cleaning head (2).

21. The cleaning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said air flow generating means (3) comprises a fan (11).

22. The cleaning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said air flow generating means comprises an air chamber (9) arranged adjacent said cleaning head (2).

23. The cleaning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said air flow generating means (3) comprises an outside cover (10).

24. The cleaning device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said outside cover (10) has openings for intake/outflow of air (18).

25. The cleaning device (1) according to claim 23 or 24, wherein said outside cover (10) is made of aluminum.

26. The cleaning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said cleaning head (2) and said air flow generating means (3) are arranged substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis (A) of the device (1) itself.

27. The cleaning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising handling means (19) apt to ease gripping of the device (1) itself by a user.

28. The cleaning device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said handling means (19) are arranged at an outside portion of said air flow generating means (3).

29. The cleaning device (1) according to claim 27 or 28, wherein said handling means (19) are of the anti-slipping type.

30. The cleaning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising lighting means (14) arranged at or in proximity of said cleaning head (2) so as to lighten the elements to be cleaned.

31. The cleaning device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said lighting means comprises at least one LED (14).

32. The cleaning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a portable energizing unit (4).

33. The cleaning device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said energizing unit (4) is arranged adjacent said air flow generating means (3).

34. The cleaning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, having an elongated shape.

35. The cleaning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a removable cover (17) for said cleaning head (2).

36. The cleaning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, which is portable.

37. A cleaning kit comprising a cleaning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims.

38. The cleaning kit according to the preceding claim when dependent from any of claims 6 to 18, comprising a plurality of interchangeable tip members (6; 60; 7; 70).