# US 2021/0243340 A1 · Camera Enclosures and End Effectors

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2021/0243340 A1
- Document ID: US20210243340A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/234,572
- Filed: 2021-04-19
- Published: 2021-08-05
- Earliest claimed: 2018-08-29
- Assignees: Components Express, Inc.
- Applicants: Components Express, Inc.
- Inventors: John Berst; Art Didyk; Nick DeFrancesco
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210243340A1

## CPC

- H04N 23/51: Housings
- B23P 19/04: for assembling or disassembling parts
- G03B 15/03: Combinations of cameras with lighting apparatus; Flash units
- G03B 17/08: Waterproof bodies or housings
- H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
- H04N 23/56: provided with illuminating means
- G03B 2215/056: Connection with camera, e.g. adapter
- Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q)
- G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

Various embodiments of enclosures for machine-vision cameras are disclosed. The enclosures are designed to fit\hug the camera to be as small as physically possible, and also integrate other features such as better cabling, IP-67 compliance, and end-effectors. Further, the embodiments herein have also integrated a way to mount extra lights as part of the design. The embodiments herein accommodate the specific need of the particular application. The embodiments herein can accommodate numerous shapes and sizes of cameras, including square, cylindrical, or cubical cameras, and encompass either rectangular or round enclosures.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of manufacturing an end effector for use in a machine vision environment, comprising:
configuring a camera enclosure to have a front bezel attached to an enclosure body;
configuring the camera enclosure to be suitable for machine-vision cameras; and
configuring an end effector to be suitable for attaching to the front bezel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
manufacturing the end effector separately from the camera enclosure and being detachable from the camera enclosure.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
locating the machine-vision camera to be in communication with a collaborative robot having at least one robot arm.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, further comprising:
forming the end-effector in a planar configuration.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, further comprising:
forming the end-effector in a cubical-frame configuration minus a top and bottom, thereby providing four planes of attachment surfaces.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, further comprising:
the cubical end-effector providing a pass-through space by which various devices can be operated and attached.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, further comprising:
concatenating a plurality of end effectors where one of the end effectors provides the pass-through space.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, further comprising:
forming the end-effector in a cubical configuration, thereby providing 5 planes of attachment surfaces.

### Claim 9 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, further comprising:
forming the end-effector in a fixed, right-angle configuration.

### Claim 10 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, further comprising:
forming the end-effector in an adjustable, hinged configuration.

### Claim 11 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, further comprising:
forming the end effector to have grid patterns in its attachment surfaces; and
configuring the grid patterns to be connectable to other devices via domino-mating.

### Claim 12 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, further comprising:
an end effector and camera enclosure for adding machine vision to the end of the robot arm, where the machine vision moves around with an end of the robot arm.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising:
prior to positioning, weighing and selecting a specific end effector according to whether the robot arm can handle the additional weight and materials.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
locating the end effector permanently and non-removably within a specially-modified camera enclosure; and
configuring the camera enclosure for accommodating the end-effector.

### Claim 15 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, further comprising:
attaching an end effector to the robot arm; and
attaching a plurality of robotic accessory devices onto the end effector.

### Claim 16 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, further comprising:
configuring the planar end-effector to be suitable attaching lighting, thereby forming a light box.