Rotation device with an integral bearing

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

P-0001[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

P-0002[0002] The present invention relates to a rotation device with an integral bearing that is for use in various machinery and electronic equipments including surveillance cameras.

P-0003[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

P-0004[0004] An example of a conventional rotation device for use in surveillance cameras is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,616.

P-0005[0005]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional surveillance camera equipped with a rotation device. Pan motor base <b>101</b> is secured to, for instance, a housing that is positioned on the back of the ceiling. Slip ring <b>102</b> is positioned between the housing and pan motor base <b>101</b> to provide electrical connections between an electronic circuit board and a tilt mechanism and a camera. Pan motor <b>103</b> is mounted on pan motor base <b>101</b>, and to the output shaft thereof pulley <b>104</b> is secured. Horizontal rotation transmitting timing belt <b>105</b> bridges between pulley <b>104</b> and pulley <b>106</b> secured to the horizontal rotation shaft of slip ring <b>102</b>. When rotating, the horizontal rotation shaft of pulley produces force in the direction of rotation or of the rotating shaft; bearing <b>107</b> receives this force so as to permit smooth rotation of pulley <b>106</b>.

P-0006[0006] Tilt motor base <b>108</b> has the configuration of a reverse L shape with horizontal and vertical parts, and a horizontal part of these is secured to pulley <b>106</b>. Tilt motor <b>109</b> is fixed to a vertical part of tilt motor holder <b>108</b>, and to the output shaft thereof pulley <b>110</b> is fixed. Vertical rotation transmitting timing belt <b>111</b> bridges between pulley <b>110</b> and another pulley <b>112</b> that is fixed to tilt motor holder <b>108</b>. When rotating, the vertical rotation shaft of pulley <b>112</b> produces force in the direction of rotation or of the rotating shaft; bearing <b>113</b> receives this force so as to permit smooth rotation of pulley <b>112</b> and camera <b>114</b> that is fixed to the vertical rotation shaft thereof. This pan/tilt mechanism (rotation device) is covered with a transparent or semi-transparent dome.

P-0007[0007] Referring to the surveillance camera of the above configuration, when pan motor <b>103</b> rotates, pulley <b>106</b> rotates over pulley <b>104</b> and timing belt <b>105</b>, and at the same time, tilt motor base <b>108</b> secured to pulley <b>106</b> also rotates. As a result, camera <b>114</b> rotates in horizontal directions in pan movement. Moreover, when tilt motor <b>109</b> rotates, pulley <b>112</b> rotates over pulley <b>110</b> and timing belt <b>111</b>. As a result, camera <b>114</b> secured to pulley <b>112</b> rotates in vertical directions in tilt movement. An image taken by camera <b>114</b> is converted into a digital signal and sent to outside monitors through slip ring <b>102</b>.

P-0008[0008] Still, with the above conventional camera, with tilt motor <b>109</b> that enables camera <b>114</b> to rotate in the vertical direction and pan motor <b>103</b> that enables the whole to rotate in the horizontal direction, the pan/tilt mechanism (rotation device) that enables camera <b>114</b> to rotate horizontally and vertically is configured in an L or a reverse L shape. Moreover, this pan/tilt mechanism (rotation device) is equipped with many installation parts including motors <b>103</b> and <b>109</b> and other parts (such as motor bases <b>101</b> and <b>108</b>, slip ring <b>102</b>, pulleys <b>104</b>, <b>106</b>, <b>110</b>, and <b>112</b>, timing belts <b>105</b> and <b>111</b>, etc.), thereby complicating the configuration. Furthermore, the horizontal rotation shaft of the pan mechanism and the vertical rotation shaft of the tilt mechanism are provided with bearings <b>107</b> and <b>113</b>, respectively. Installing these bearings <b>107</b> and <b>113</b> makes the configuration of the parts where these bearings <b>107</b> and <b>113</b> are installed complex, requires parts to fix bearings <b>107</b> and <b>113</b>, and requires work such as gluing to fix bearings <b>107</b> and <b>113</b>. That is, a conventional rotation device (pan/tilt mechanism) for surveillance cameras has many parts, which results in a complex configuration, and the assembility, parts-compatibility, and the cost down thereof have a certain limit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

P-0009[0009] It is therefore one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a rotation device with an integral bearing that has a reduced number of parts and a simplified configuration and that realizes improved assembility, parts-compatibility, and reduced cost.

P-0010[0010] According one aspect of the invention, there is provided a rotation device with an integral bearing comprising: a non rotating body, integrally formed with an inner ring or an outer ring of the bearing; and, a rotating body, rotatably mounted to the non rotating body and integrally formed with the inner ring or the outer ring of the bearing, wherein a portion of at least one of the non-rotating body and the rotating body integrally incorporates a mechanism.

P-0011[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a surveillance camera device comprising: a non horizontal rotating body, integrally formed with an inner ring or an outer ring of a first bearing; a horizontal rotating body, rotatably mounted to the non horizontal rotating body and integrally formed with the inner ring or the outer ring of the first bearing; a non vertical rotating body, swingably mounted to the horizontal rotating body and integrally formed with an inner ring or an outer ring of a second bearing; a vertical rotating body, rotatably mounted to the non vertical rotating body and integrally formed with the inner ring and outer ring of the second bearing; and a camera, secured to the vertical rotating body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

P-0012[0012] The above and other objects and features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein examples are illustrated by way of example, in which:

P-0013[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional surveillance camera;

P-0014[0014]FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a surveillance camera comprising a rotation device with an integral bearing according to an embodiment of the present invention;

P-0015[0015]FIG. 3A is a feature diagram that describes the movement of main chassis of rotation device with an integral bearing according to the embodiment of the invention; and

P-0016[0016]FIG. 3B is a continuation of FIG. 3B.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

P-0017[0017] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings now.

P-0018[0018]FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a surveillance camera comprising a rotation device with an integral bearing according to an embodiment of the invention. This surveillance camera <b>1</b> comprises camera <b>3</b> that performs the recording, and rotation device <b>2</b> that enables the camera to rotate so as to change the camera's recording direction. Moreover, rotation device <b>2</b> consists chiefly of horizontal rotation mechanism <b>4</b> and vertical rotation mechanism <b>5</b>.

P-0019[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, power source <b>6</b> is of a plastic cylinder and secured to ceiling C. Fixer <b>7</b> that supports rotation device <b>2</b> is of a plastic cylinder and detachably mounted to power source <b>6</b>. Dome cover <b>8</b> is of transparent plastic and secured to fixer <b>7</b>. These constitute the outer ward of surveillance camera <b>1</b>. Power circuit board <b>9</b> positioned inside power source <b>6</b>, has a power circuit that is connected to a power source, both not illustrated, and a coaxial cable, not illustrated, for outputting image signals and inputting control signals from the monitors. Fixer <b>7</b> and base plate <b>10</b> of rotation device <b>2</b> are connected, and base plate <b>10</b> supports horizontal rotation mechanism <b>4</b>. Vertical rotation mechanism <b>5</b> is rotatably connected to horizontal rotation mechanism <b>4</b> via bearing <b>11</b>, and camera <b>3</b> is mounted to vertical rotation mechanism <b>5</b>.

P-0020[0020] First, the components of horizontal rotation mechanism <b>4</b> will be described.

P-0021[0021] Rotator holder <b>12</b> is secured to base plate <b>10</b>. Slip ring <b>13</b> is provided inside rotator holder <b>12</b>, and cylinder <b>12</b><i>a </i>of rotator holder <b>12</b> that encircles slip ring <b>13</b> serves as a bearing inner ring. Pan chassis <b>15</b> integrated into bearing outer ring <b>15</b><i>a </i>is circumscribed to cylinder <b>12</b><i>a </i>via rolling ball <b>14</b>, and comprises horizontal rotation pan motor <b>16</b> and gear train <b>17</b>. Gear train <b>17</b> comprises: gear <b>17</b><i>a</i>, fixed to the motor shaft of horizontal rotation pan motor <b>16</b>; intermediate gear <b>17</b><i>b</i>, fixed to an intermediate shaft that is at right angles with the motor shaft, and output gear <b>17</b><i>c </i>that is at right angles to the motor shaft and integrated with pan chassis <b>15</b>. Moreover, servo circuit board <b>18</b> is secured to rotator holder <b>12</b>.

P-0022[0022] Next, the components of vertical rotation mechanism <b>5</b> will be described.

P-0023[0023] Tilt chassis <b>20</b> that is integrated with bearing inner ring <b>20</b><i>a </i>is secured to pan chassis <b>15</b> by means of detachable screw <b>19</b>. Tilt chassis <b>20</b> comprises vertical rotation tilt motor <b>21</b> and gear train <b>24</b>. Gear train <b>24</b> consists chiefly of gear <b>24</b><i>a </i>secured to a motor shaft of vertical rotation tilt motor <b>21</b>, and intermediate gear <b>24</b><i>b </i>secured to an intermediate shaft that is at right angles with the motor shaft. Bearing outer ring <b>20</b><i>b </i>integrated with tilt chassis <b>20</b> is attached to tilt shaft <b>22</b> that serves as a bearing inner ring via rolling ball <b>23</b>. Tilt shaft <b>22</b> is integrated with output gear <b>24</b><i>c </i>that configures gear train <b>24</b>.

P-0024[0024] The components of camera <b>3</b> will be explained next.

P-0025[0025] Tilt shaft <b>22</b> is secured to lens drive circuit board <b>25</b>. Lens drive circuit board <b>25</b> supports recorder <b>26</b> that has CCD (Charge Coupled Diode) and lens section <b>27</b> consisting of a plurality of lenses, and has digital circuit board <b>28</b> and CCD drive circuit board <b>29</b> secured thereto.

P-0026[0026] Moreover, fixed to support member <b>15</b><i>b </i>at an end of pan chassis <b>15</b> is inner dome <b>30</b> that is smaller than dome cover <b>8</b> and is made of semi-transparent or non-transparent plastic. Inner dome <b>30</b> has elongated opening <b>30</b><i>a </i>for the movement of lens section <b>27</b>. Power source circuit board <b>9</b> and servo circuit board <b>18</b> are electrically connected via slip ring <b>13</b>, while servo circuit <b>18</b>, CCD drive circuit board <b>29</b>, digital circuit board <b>28</b>, and lens drive circuit board <b>25</b> are connected by a flex cable.

P-0027[0027] The operation of a surveillance camera that comprises a rotation device with an integral bearing, having the above configurations, will be described next.

P-0028[0028] This surveillance camera <b>1</b> operates following the programs set in advance by a memory or CPU provided on digital circuit board <b>28</b>.As horizontal rotation pan motor <b>16</b> rotates, pan chassis <b>15</b>, over gear train <b>17</b>, rotates around cylinder <b>12</b><i>a</i>, and camera <b>3</b>, over vertical rotation mechanism <b>5</b> that is secured to pan chassis <b>15</b>, rotates horizontally by 360 degrees. Then, vertical rotation tilt motor <b>21</b> rotates, and, via gear train <b>24</b>, tilt shaft <b>22</b> rotates, and camera <b>3</b> rotates by approximately 90 degrees in the vertical plane from the full horizontal position to the full downward position.

P-0029[0029] In order for camera <b>3</b> to rotate by 180 degrees in the vertical plane, a driving scheme may be employed whereby camera <b>3</b> rotates vertically by 180 degrees from the full horizontal position to the full downward position, and thereafter rotates horizontally by 180 degrees and once gain rotates vertically from the full downward position to the full horizontal position. Another driving method may be employed whereby, as vertical rotation tilt motor <b>21</b> rotates, camera <b>3</b> rotates in the vertical plane by 180 degrees continuously, from a full horizontal position to the counter horizontal position past the full downward position.

P-0030[0030] Upon every horizontal and vertical rotation, the auto focus function and zoom function that lens drive circuit board <b>25</b> is equipped with enables focusing and zooming. An image taken by lens section <b>27</b> is converted into an electrical signal in imaging part <b>26</b> that is controlled by CCD drive circuit board <b>29</b>. The electrical signal is converted to a digital signal through digital circuit board <b>28</b>. The digital signal is sent from servo circuit board <b>18</b> to power source circuit board <b>9</b> through slip ring <b>13</b>. The image's digital and control signals are then multiplexed, and sent to an outside monitor through an unillustrated coaxial cable. In the outside monitoring chamber, a person conducts observation by viewing a monitor, and the person is able to perform operation for setting the horizontal and vertical angles of interest and, furthermore able to select the zoom settings of lens section <b>27</b>.

P-0031[0031] FIG.<b>3</b>A and FIG.3B are feature diagrams that describe the movement of pan chassis <b>15</b> and tilt chassis <b>20</b>, which are the main chassis used in surveillance camera <b>1</b>. FIG. 3A shows a case where screw <b>19</b> that secures pan chassis <b>15</b> and tilt chassis <b>20</b> at right angles is removed, while FIG. 3B is a diagram wherein pan chassis <b>15</b> and tilt chassis <b>20</b> are kept horizontally. In these diagrams, both pan chassis <b>15</b> and tilt chassis <b>20</b> are configured such that they can be integrated with bearing <b>11</b>.

P-0032[0032] As shown in FIG. 3A, bearing outer ring <b>15</b><i>c </i>that is integrated with pan chassis <b>15</b> and bearing inner ring <b>20</b><i>a </i>that is integrated with tilt chassis <b>20</b> are connected by rolling ball <b>31</b>. When the surveillance camera is operating, tilt chassis <b>20</b> is secured to pan chassis <b>15</b> at right angles by screw <b>19</b>.

P-0033[0033] Here, as described above, parts including horizontal rotation pan motor <b>16</b> are installed to pan chassis <b>15</b>, and parts including vertical rotation tilt motor <b>21</b> are installed to tilt chassis <b>20</b>. When these required parts are installed, as shown in FIG. 3B, screw <b>19</b> can be removed, and with bearing <b>11</b> being a supporting point, tilt chassis <b>20</b> can be rotated to an angle of interest in relation to pan chassis <b>15</b>. In actuality, pan chassis <b>15</b> and tilt chassis <b>20</b> are kept in a horizontal state, so that the parts are installed from the same direction. Moreover, since the both chassis are in a horizontal state, the installation of the parts can be executed from both directions at ease.

P-0034[0034] Thus, according to the rotation device with an integral bearing according to the present embodiment, inner and outer rings of a bearing are integrated with parts installation platform such as chassis, so that the parts installation platform acquires the functions of a bearing, thereby reducing the number of parts, simplifying the configuration, improving the assembility and parts-compatibility, and reducing the cost.

P-0035[0035] Moreover, in order to implement both horizontal rotation and vertical rotation in one rotation device, the chassis that serves as the installation platforms for parts for horizontal rotation and vertical rotation may be configured such that each chassis is capable of swinging in relation to the other, so as to improve assembility upon installation of parts and parts compatibility.

P-0036[0036] Further still, although the above embodiment is a rotation device with an integral bearing for use in surveillance cameras, the use of the present invention is not limited to the above usage and suit for use in various machinery and electronic equipments.

P-0037[0037] As described above, the present invention realizes reduced number of parts, simplified configuration, improved assembility and parts-compatibility, and reduced cost.

P-0038[0038] The present invention is not limited to the above described embodiment, and various modifications can be made thereto within the scope the present invention.

P-0039[0039] The present invention is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-107912 filed on Apr. 10, 2002, the entire content of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.