Component attachment devices and related systems and methods for machine vision systems
AssigneeCognex Corporation
InventorsSaul Sanz Rodriguez, Laurens Nunnink
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In some aspects, camera systems can include a camera enclosure, a lens disposed in or along the camera enclosure along an optical axis of the camera system, and an optical accessory attached to camera enclosure, where the optical accessory is attached using a magnetic retention force that is provided by at least one magnetic element.
Claims24
A camera illumination module that positions at least one illumination element relative to a lens of a separate machine vision device, the illumination module comprising:
- an illumination board defining a first surface and a central viewing area through which the machine vision device can inspect a field of view and comprising at least one illumination element disposed along the first surface;
- at least one mounting element extending from a second surface of the illumination board to engage a surface of the separate machine vision device;
- and
- a magnetic element arranged at a distal end of one of the at least one mounting elements, the magnetic element
- generating a magnetic retention force that removably secures the illumination module to the surface of the separate machine vision device.
A machine vision system for imaging an inspection field, the machine vision system comprising:
- a camera device comprising a housing defining a camera axis;
- a lens disposed within a lens receptacle of the housing along the camera axis;
- an optical accessory separate from and removably connected to the camera device, the optical accessory comprising:
- a structural base having a first surface and defining a central viewing area for the lens;
- at least one mounting element extending from a second surface of the structural base to engage a surface of the housing;
- and
- a magnetic element arranged at a distal end of one of the at least one mounting elements, the magnetic element
- generating a magnetic retention force that temporarily secures the optical accessory to the surface of the housing in a removable and replaceable manner.
A supplemental lens device to be temporarily coupled to a surface of a separate machine vision device along a camera axis of an imaging device of the machine vision device, the supplemental lens device comprising:
- a lens module configured to be attached in a removable and replaceable manner to a lens of the imaging device, the lens module defining a lens receiving opening though which the lens of the imaging device can view an inspection area;
- and
- a magnetic element disposed in or on the lens module around the lens receiving opening, the magnetic element generating a magnetic retention force to attach the lens module to a surface of the separate machine vision device.
A camera system comprising:
- a camera enclosure;
- a lens disposed in or along a front face of the camera enclosure along an optical axis of the camera system;
- and
- an optical accessory removably attached along the front face of the camera enclosure in a separable and replaceable manner around the lens, the optical accessory being attached using a magnetic retention force that is provided by at least one magnetic element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.