Auto-focus mechanism for vision system camera
US8731389B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 22, 2011 |
| Grant date | May 20, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 22, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N23/55
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
This invention provides an electro-mechanical auto-focus function for a smaller-diameter lens type that nests, and is removably mounted, within the mounting space and thread arrangement of a larger-diameter lens base of a vision camera assembly housing. In an illustrative embodiment, the camera assembly includes a threaded base having a first diameter, which illustratively defines a C-mount base. A motor-driven gear-reduction drive assembly is mounted internally, and includes teeth that engage corresponding teeth on the outer diameter of a cylindrical focus gear, which has an internal lead screw. The focus gear is freely rotatable, and removably captured, within the threaded C-mount base in a nested, coaxial relationship. The internal lead screw of the focus gear threadingly engages the external threads of a coaxial lens holder. This converts the drive gear rotation into linear/axial lens holder motion. The lens holder includes anti-rotation stops, which allow its linear/axial movement but restrain any rotational motion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.