Camera to observe the switched position of a switch contact

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11575808-B2
Application number	US-202117210744-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 24, 2021
Priority date	Apr 2, 2020
Publication date	Feb 7, 2023
Grant date	Feb 7, 2023

Abstract

A camera is usable to observe a switched position of a switch contact of a switchgear apparatus. In an embodiment, the camera includes a light source to illuminate the switch contact, an image sensor, and a lens to focus light beams emanating from the switch contact onto the image sensor. In an embodiment, the camera additionally includes an elastic light protection cap to seal off a beam path, from the lens to the image sensor, from the light source in a lightproof manner.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A camera to observe a switched position of a switch contact of a switchgear apparatus, the camera comprising:
a light source to illuminate the switch contact;
an image sensor;
a lens to focus light beams emanating from the switch contact onto the image sensor;
an elastic light protection cap, to seal off a beam path, from the lens to the image sensor, from the light source in a lightproof manner; and
a camera housing, enclosing the light source and the image sensor, wherein the lens is received in a through opening of the camera housing, wherein the light protection cap is embodied in a tubular fashion and bears by a first end of the light protection cap against an inner wall of the camera housing and by a second end of the light protection cap against a surface of a printed circuit board (PCB), the light source and the image sensor being arranged on the PCB, wherein the light protection cap is embodied in a form of a tube having a double-C shape in section along a longitudinal axis of the tube.

2. The camera of claim 1 , wherein the light protection cap includes an elastic and lightproof material having a hardness of 30 to 50 Shore A.

3. The camera of claim 2 , wherein the light protection cap includes EPDM or silicone.

4. The camera of claim 2 , wherein the light protection cap is embodied in a form of a tube having a double-C shape in section along a longitudinal axis of the tube.

5. The camera of claim 2 , wherein the light source is an SMD LED.

6. The camera of claim 2 , wherein the image sensor is an SMT component.

7. The camera of claim 1 , wherein the light protection cap includes EPDM or silicone.

8. The camera of claim 7 , wherein the light source is an SMD LED.

9. The camera of claim 7 , wherein the image sensor is an SMT component.

10. The camera of claim 1 , wherein the light source is an SMD LED.

11. The camera of claim 10 , wherein the image sensor is an SMT component.

12. The camera of claim 1 , wherein the image sensor is an SMT component.

13. A camera to observe a switched position of a switch contact of a switchgear apparatus, the camera comprising:
a light source to illuminate the switch contact;
an image sensor;
a lens to focus light beams emanating from the switch contact onto the image sensor; and
an elastic light protection cap, to seal off a beam path, from the lens to the image sensor, from the light source in a lightproof manner, wherein the elastic light protection cap is embodied in a form of a tube having a double-C shape in section along a longitudinal axis of the tube.

Assignees

• Siemens Ag

Inventors

• Hild Thomas
• Kern Stefan

Classifications

• H04N23/74

  by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means · CPC title

• G01M11/081

  by using a contact-less detection method, i.e. with a camera · CPC title

• H04N23/75

  by influencing optical camera components · CPC title

• H04N23/52 Primary

  Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements · CPC title

• G03B2215/0503

  Built-in units · CPC title