US 2017/0257577 A1 · Design for Compact Camera

Abstract

Infrared cameras can include an infrared sensor and an infrared lens assembly defining an optical axis. A camera can include an inner gear engaging the infrared lens assembly and a focus ring that engages the inner gear. The inner gear can engage the focus ring and the infrared lens assembly such that rotation of the focus ring about its central axis can cause the rotation of the infrared lens assembly about its optical axis, which may be offset from the central axis of the focus ring. The camera can include a sensor can threadably engaging the infrared lens assembly and fixed relative to the infrared sensor such that rotation of the infrared lens assembly causes the infrared lens assembly to move relative to the infrared sensor. The sensor can can support other components such as a visible light lens assembly or a laser within a perimeter of the focus ring.

Claims25

Dependent claims

An adjustable-focus thermal imaging camera comprising an infrared sensor configured to receive infrared radiation from a target scene and generate infrared image data of the target scene;

an infrared lens assembly comprising at least one lens defining an optical axis, the infrared lens assembly being configured to focus infrared radiation onto the infrared sensor;
an inner gear engaging and substantially surrounding a portion of the infrared lens assembly;
a focus ring substantially surrounding the inner gear and the infrared lens assembly and having an inner surface that engages an outer surface of the inner gear;
wherein
when the focus ring is rotated, the engagement between the inner surface of the focus ring and the outer surface of the inner gear causes the infrared lens assembly to rotate about its optical axis.

2 more elements

An assembly method for a thermal imaging camera comprising:

threadably engaging an infrared lens assembly into a sensor can, the infrared lens assembly including at least one infrared lens;
inserting the infrared lens assembly and sensor can into a housing from a back side of the housing;
attaching an inner gear to the infrared lens assembly via the front side of the housing, the front side of the housing being opposite the back side of the housing, the attaching being such that the inner gear and the infrared lens assembly are rotationally fixed relative to one another;
and
positioning a focus ring on the front side of the housing such that an inner surface of the focus ring engages an outer surface of the inner gear, the engagement between the inner surface of the focus ring and the outer surface of the inner gear being such that rotation of the focus ring causes rotation of the inner gear.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Design for Compact Camera

Life of this patent

Design for Compact Camera

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25