CAMERA SYSTEM

Abstract

A camera system (1, 1) which includes a housing (2); and an optoelectronic sensor unit (3), arranged in the housing (2), which has at least one detector device (4) and at least one optical unit (5), connected upstream of the at least one detector device (4). The optoelectronic sensor unit (3) is elastically mounted in relation to the housing (2). At least one elastic mounting device (6.1-6.7) is formed from multiple ring segments (6.10-6.70) arranged spaced apart from one another.

Claims

1-18. (canceled)

19. A camera system (1, 1) comprising: a housing (2); and an optoelectronic sensor unit (3), arranged in the housing (2), having at least one detector device (4) and at least one optical unit (5) connected upstream of the at least one detector device (4), wherein the optoelectronic sensor unit (3) is elastically mounted in relation to the housing (2), and at least one elastic mounting device (6.1-6.7) is formed from multiple ring segments (6.10-6.70) arranged spaced apart from one another.

20. The camera system (1, 1) as claimed in claim 19, wherein the optoelectronic sensor unit (3) is connected, via at least two elastic mounting devices (6, 7), to the housing (2).

21. The camera system (1, 1) as claimed in claim 19, wherein at least one first elastic mounting device (6) connects the optoelectronic sensor unit (3) to the housing (2), in a region of the at least one optical unit (5), and/or at least one second elastic mounting device (7) connects the optoelectronic sensor unit (3) to the housing (2) in a region of the at least one detector device (4).

22. The camera system (1, 1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein the elastic mounting devices (6, 7) are designed to have an internal geometry such that the elastic mounting devices (6, 7) have an essentially equal rigidity and/or damping in three spatial directions.

23. The camera system (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein the elastic mounting devices (6, 7) are embodied as ring-shaped.

24. The camera system (1) as claimed in claim 23, wherein the ring-shaped elastic mounting devices (6, 7) each comprise at least the following: a metallic inner ring (6a, 7a) which is arranged on the optoelectronic sensor unit (3); a metallic outer ring (6b, 7b) which is arranged on the housing (2); and a ring-shaped elastomer element (6c, 7c), formed from rubber, which via the metallic inner ring (6a, 7a) is connected to the metallic outer ring (6b, 7b).

25. The camera system (1) as claimed in claim 24, wherein the ring-shaped elastomer element (6c, 7c) is fastened by vulcanization on the metallic inner ring (6a, 7a) and/or on the metallic outer ring (6b, 7b).

26. The camera system (1, 1) as claimed in claim 19, wherein the optoelectronic sensor unit (3) forms a resonator.

27. The camera system (1, 1) as claimed in claim 21, wherein a center of gravity (9) of the optoelectronic sensor unit (3) lies on an optical axis (10) of the optical unit (5) at least approximately in a center between the at least one first elastic mounting device (6) and the at least one second elastic mounting device (7).

28. The camera system (1, 1) as claimed in claim 19, wherein at least one elastic mounting device (6, 6.1, 7) is provided, via which the optoelectronic sensor unit (3) is connected to the housing (2) or to a ring-shaped holding device (11), which is, in turn, connected to the housing (2).

29. The camera system (1) as claimed in claim 19, wherein the ring segments (6.30, 6.50) of the at least one elastic mounting device (6.3, 6.5) are arranged in multiple groups of two or three ring segments (6.30, 6.50).

30. The camera system (1) as claimed in claim 19, wherein the ring segments (6.10-6.70) each comprise at least the following: a metallic inner ring segment (6.10a) which is arranged on the optoelectronic sensor unit (3); a metallic outer ring segment (6.10b) which is arranged on the housing (2) or on the ring-shaped holding device (11) connected to the housing (2); and an elastomer ring segment (6.10c), formed from rubber, via which the metallic inner ring segment (6.10a) is connected to the metallic outer ring segment (6.10b).

31. The camera system (1) as claimed in claim 24, wherein a pre-tension of the ring-shaped elastomer element or the elastomer ring segment (6.10c) is variably settable.

32. The camera system (1) as claimed in claim 31, wherein the pre-tension is variably settable by a changeable compression of the ring-shaped elastomer element or the elastomer ring segment (6.10c) in a longitudinal direction (L) with respect to its cross section.

33. The camera system (1) as claimed in claim 28, wherein the at least one elastic mounting device (6.1) is arranged between the ring-shaped holding device (11) and a first threaded ring (13) for fixation.

34. The camera system (1) as claimed in claim 33, wherein a second threaded ring (14) is displaceably arranged between the ring-shaped holding device (11) and the first threaded ring (13), by which the metallic outer ring or the metallic outer ring segment (6.10b) is displaceable along an inner contour (11a) of the ring-shaped holding device (11) such that pressure exerted on the ring-shaped elastomer element or the elastomer ring segment (6.10c) is changeable in a longitudinal direction (L) with respect to its cross section.

35. The camera system (1) as claimed in claim 34, wherein the second threaded ring (14) comprises an external thread and an internal thread, which have different rotational directions.

36. The camera system (1) as claimed in claim 19, wherein the ring segments (6.10-6.70) or the groups of ring segments (6.30, 6.50) are arranged at uniform intervals along an internal diameter of the ring-shaped holding device (11).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Advantageous designs and refinements of the invention result from the dependent claims. One exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in principle hereinafter on the basis of the drawing

[0043] In the figures:

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a simplified sectional illustration of a camera system according to the invention;

[0045] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a first ring-shaped elastic mounting device;

[0046] FIG. 3 shows a simplified sectional view of the first ring-shaped elastic mounting device from FIG. 2;

[0047] FIG. 4 shows a perspective illustration of a second ring-shaped elastic mounting device;

[0048] FIG. 5 shows a simplified sectional view of the second ring-shaped elastic mounting device from FIG. 4;

[0049] FIG. 6 shows a perspective exploded view in section of a further embodiment of the camera system according to the invention;

[0050] FIG. 7 shows a simplified first sectional view of a part of the embodiment according to FIG. 6;

[0051] FIG. 8 shows a simplified second sectional view of a part of the embodiment according to FIGS. 6; and

[0052] FIGS. 9-14 show simplified perspective illustrations of further embodiments of elastic mounting devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0053] Functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference signs in the figures.

[0054] FIG. 1 shows a camera system 1 according to the invention comprising a housing 2 and an optoelectronic sensor unit 3 arranged in the housing 2 having at least one detector device 4 and at least one optical unit 5 connected upstream of the at least one detector device 4, wherein the optoelectronic sensor unit 3 is elastically suspended or mounted in relation to the housing 2. The housing 2 furthermore has a window 2a and an interface 2b, for example, for installation on a vehicle or aircraft.

[0055] The optoelectronic sensor unit 3 is connected via at least two elastic mounting devices 6, 7 to the housing 2. In the present exemplary embodiment, the two elastic mounting devices 6, 7 are embodied as ring-shaped or circumferential. In further exemplary embodiments (not shown), however, still other approaches are conceivable.

[0056] As is apparent from FIG. 1, at least one first elastic mounting device 6 connects the optoelectronic sensor unit 3 to the housing 2 in the region of the at least one optical unit 5. At least one second elastic mounting device 7 connects the optoelectronic sensor unit 3 to the housing 2 in the region of the at least one detector device 4. As is furthermore apparent from FIG. 1, an image plane 8, which is indicated in simplified form, of the at least one optical unit 5 is at least approximately in the region of the center of gravity 9 of the optoelectronic sensor unit 3 (indicated greatly simplified).

[0057] The optoelectronic sensor unit 3 thus forms a resonator.

[0058] The center of gravity 9 of the optoelectronic sensor unit 3 lies on an optical axis 10 (indicated by dashed line) of the optical unit 5 at least approximately in the center between the at least one first elastic mounting device 6 and the at least one second elastic mounting device 7. The distance between the center of gravity 9 and the first elastic mounting device 6 along the optical axis 10 thus essentially corresponds to the distance between the center of gravity 9 and the second elastic mounting device 7 along the optical axis 10.

[0059] The ring-shaped elastic mounting devices 6, 7 each have the following: [0060] a metallic inner ring 6a, 7a, which is arranged on the optoelectronic sensor unit 3; [0061] a metallic outer ring 6b, 7b, which is arranged on the housing 2; and [0062] a ring-shaped elastomer element 6c, 7c, formed from rubber in particular, and via which the metallic inner ring 6a, 7a is connected to the metallic outer ring 6b, 7b.

[0063] The ring-shaped elastomer element 6c, 7c is vulcanized or fastened by means of vulcanization on the metallic inner ring 6a, 7a and/or on the metallic outer ring 6b, 7b.

[0064] In FIGS. 2 and 3, the first elastic mounting device 6 having the metallic inner ring 6a, the metallic outer ring 6b, and the elastomer element 6c is shown in perspective and in a simplified sectional view. FIGS. 4 and 5 show an essentially identically embodied second elastic mounting device 7 having the metallic inner ring 7a, the metallic outer ring 7b, and the ring-shaped elastomer element 7c, also in a perspective illustration and in a simplified sectional illustration.

[0065] FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of a camera system 1 according to the invention comprising a housing 2 indicated by dashed lines and an optoelectronic sensor unit 3 (indicated by dashed lines) arranged in the housing 2, having at least one detector device and at least one optical unit (not shown in FIG. 6) connected upstream of the at least one detector device, wherein the optoelectronic sensor unit 3 is elastically suspended or mounted in relation to the housing 2.

[0066] The optoelectronic sensor unit 3 is connected via an elastic mounting device 6.1 to a preferably ring-shaped holding device 11, which is in turn connected to the housing 2. In the present exemplary embodiment, the elastic mounting device 6.1 is formed from multiple ring segments 6.10 arranged spaced apart from one another. Pins 12, which engage in oblong holes (not shown in greater detail) of the ring segments 6.10, are provided for rotational securing or fixation. Of course, the optoelectronic sensor unit 3 could additionally be connected via at least one further elastic mounting device to the housing 2 or to a preferably ring-shaped holding device, which is in turn connected to the housing 2.

[0067] The ring segments 6.10 each comprise at least the following: [0068] a metallic inner ring segment 6.10a, which is arranged on the optoelectronic sensor unit 3; [0069] a metallic outer ring segment 6.10b, which is arranged on the housing 2 or on the ring-shaped holding device 11 connected to the housing 2; and [0070] an elastomer ring segment 6.10c, formed from rubber in particular, via which the metallic inner ring segment 6.10a is connected to the metallic outer ring segment 6.10b.

[0071] As is apparent from FIGS. 7 and 8, a pre-tension of the elastomer ring segment 6.10c of the elastic mounting device 6.1 can be variably settable. It is also possible to provide it with the required changes in the ring-shaped elastomer elements 6c, 7c according to FIGS. 1-5 (not shown).

[0072] The pre-tension is variably settable by means of a changeable compression of the ring-shaped elastomer element 6c, 7c or the elastomer ring segment 6.10c in the longitudinal direction L with respect to its cross section.

[0073] As is apparent from FIGS. 6 to 8, the at least one elastic mounting device 6.1 is arranged between the ring-shaped holding device 11 and a first threaded ring 13 for fixing or locking, in particular after setting the pre-tension.

[0074] A second threaded ring 14 is displaceably arranged between the ring-shaped holding device 11 and the first threaded ring 13, by means of which the metallic outer ring 6b, 7b (not shown) or the metallic outer ring segment 6.10b is displaceable along an inner contour 11a of the ring-shaped holding device 11 such that the pressure exerted on the ring-shaped elastomer element 6c, 7c or the elastomer ring segment 6.10c is changeable in the longitudinal direction L with respect to its cross section. Arrows 15a, 15b indicate an insertion of the second threaded ring 14, for example, by 0.5 mm. The setting can take place in such a way that the change of the rigidity is at least approximately equal both in the axial direction (indicated by an arrow A) and also in the radial direction (indicated by an arrow R).

[0075] The second threaded ring 14 can comprise an external thread and an internal thread, which have different rotational directions. For example, the external thread can be embodied as a right-hand thread and the internal thread as a left-hand thread or vice versa.

[0076] FIGS. 9-14 show further embodiments of elastic mounting devices 6.2-6.7, the ring segments 6.20-6.70 of which can have the same structure as the ring segments 6.10 from FIGS. 6, 7, and 8.

[0077] The embodiment of an elastic mounting device 6.2 shown in FIG. 9 has twelve ring segments 6.20, which are arranged at uniform intervals along an internal diameter or an internal circumferential line of the ring-shaped holding device 11

[0078] The embodiment of an elastic mounting device 6.3 shown in FIG. 10 has eight ring segments 6.30, which are arranged in groups of two ring segments 6.30 each at uniform intervals along the internal diameter or the internal circumferential line of the ring-shaped holding device 11.

[0079] The embodiment of an elastic mounting device 6.4 shown in FIG. 11 has four ring segments 6.40, which are arranged at uniform intervals along the internal diameter or the internal circumferential line of the ring-shaped holding device 11.

[0080] The embodiment of an elastic mounting device 6.5 shown in FIG. 12 has nine ring segments 6.50, which are arranged in groups of three ring segments 6.50 each at uniform intervals along the internal diameter or the internal circumferential line of the ring-shaped holding device 11.

[0081] The embodiment of an elastic mounting device 6.6 shown in FIG. 13 has six ring segments 6.60, which are arranged at uniform intervals along the internal diameter or the internal circumferential line of the ring-shaped holding device 11.

[0082] The embodiment of an elastic mounting device 6.7 shown in FIG. 14 has three ring segments 6.70, which are arranged at uniform intervals along the internal diameter or the internal circumferential line of the ring-shaped holding device 11.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0083] 1, 1 camera system
2 housing
2a window
2b interface
3 optoelectronic sensor unit
4 detector device
5 optical unit
6 first elastic mounting device
7 second elastic mounting device
6a, 7a inner ring
6b, 7b outer ring
6c, 7c elastomer element
6.1-6.7 elastic mounting device
6.10-6.70 ring segments
6.10a inner ring segment
6.10b outer ring segment
6.10c elastomer ring segment
8 image plane
9 center of gravity
10 optical axis
11 holding device
11a inner contour of the holding device
12 pin
13 first threaded ring
14 second threaded ring
15a, 15b arrows
L longitudinal direction
A, R arrows