Enclosure device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016291444-A1
Application number	US-201615183630-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 15, 2016
Priority date	Aug 3, 2009
Publication date	Oct 6, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

In one embodiment of an enclosure device, a camera casing and light source casing are secured to a plate frame, and the enclosure device is configured to be mounted to an arm, such as a robotic welding arm. A shutter mounting arm may also be secured to the plate frame. A flap may be pivotally mounted to the distal end of the shutter mounting arm, such that the flap may be actuated between a first and second position by an actuator cooperatively engaged with the flap. The first position may be defined as to protect a camera lens positioned in the camera casing and a light source lens positioned in the light source casing. The second position may be defined as to not obscure a line-of-sight from either the light source and/or the camera to the work piece on the arm. A light source casing may be sandwiched between two side plates that are generally configured as mirror images of one another. The light source casing housing a light source may be configured as a laser designed to measure distances,

First claim

1 . An enclosure device configured to be attached to an arm, said enclosure device comprising:
a) a shutter mounting arm operatively engaged with a plate frame at a first end of the shutter mounting arm; b) a camera casing positioned in a first casing aperture of the plate frame; c) a light source casing positioned in a second casing aperture of the plate frame; d) a flap pivotally engaged with a second end of the shutter mounting arm; and, e) a retractable actuator configured to actuate the flap between a first and a second position via the retractable actuator wherein the first and second positions of said flap are substantially perpendicular to one another.

2 . The enclosure device according to claim 1 wherein the enclosure device further comprises a translator, wherein the translator is pivotally secured to the shutter mounting arm, and wherein the translator communicates mechanical forces from the retractable actuator to the flap.

3 . The enclosure device according to claim 1 wherein the light source positioned in the second casing aperture of the plate frame allows for measurement of distances.

4 . The enclosure device according to claim 1 wherein the light source is a laser.

5 . An enclosure device configured to be attached to an arm, said enclosure device comprising:
a) a plate frame having first and second casing apertures; b) a shutter mounting arm operatively engaged with said plate frame at a first end of said shutter mounting arm; c) a camera casing positioned in said first casing aperture of said plate frame; d) a light source casing positioned in said second casing aperture of said plate frame; e) a flap pivotally engaged with a second end of said shutter mounting arm; and, f) an actuator configured to actuate said flap between a first and a second position, wherein said first and second positions are substantially perpendicular to one another.

6 . The enclosure device according to claim 5 wherein said first position is defined so that in said first position said flap abuts said camera casing and said light source casing, and wherein said second position is defined so that in said second position said flap does not abut said camera casing or said light source casing.

7 . The enclosure device according to claim 6 wherein said camera casing and said light source casing are further defined as being parallel with respect to one another.

8 . The enclosure device according to claim 7 wherein said enclosure device further comprises a translator, wherein said translator is pivotally secured to said shutter mounting arm, and wherein said translator communicates mechanical forces from said actuator to said flap.

9 . The enclosure device according to claim 8 wherein said enclosure device further comprises at least one cross member extending from at least one side plate.

10 . The enclosure device according to claim 9 wherein said enclosure device further comprises at least one light source casing positioned between a pair of said side plates.

11 . The enclosure device according to claim 10 wherein said side plates are generally configured as mirror images of one another.

12 . The enclosure device according to claim 1 wherein a light source is positioned in said light source casing to measure distances.

13 . The enclosure device according to claim 1 wherein a light source is a laser.

14 . The enclosure device according to claim 2 wherein said camera casing and said light source casing are further defined as being parallel with respect to one another.

15 . An enclosure device comprising:
a) a plate frame having an actuator aperture and first and second casing apertures; b) a rear block operatively engaged with said plate frame, wherein said rear block is configured to couple said enclosure device to an arm; c) an actuator mount affixed to said rear block; d) a shutter mounting arm operatively engaged with said plate frame at a first end of said shutter mounting arm, wherein said shutter mounting arm extends from said plate frame in a direction opposite said rear bock; e) a camera casing positioned in said first casing aperture of said plate frame, wherein said camera casing includes a camera lens at a first end of said camera casing and a sealing cap at a second end thereof; f) a light source casing positioned in said second casing aperture of said plate frame, wherein said light source casing includes a light source lens at a first end of said light source casing and a sealing cap at a second end thereof; g) a translator pivotally engaged with said shutter mounting arm adjacent the distal end of said shutter mounting arm, wherein said translator includes a flap connector and an actuator connector; h) a flap substantially planar in orientation, wherein said flap is engaged with said translator at said flap connector; and i) an actuator configured to actuate said flap between a first and a second position, wherein said first and second positions are substantially perpendicular to one another.

16 . The enclosure device according to claim 15 wherein said flap is further defined as including a flap slot, wherein said flap connector passes through said flap slot, and wherein a plurality of connector blocks are engaged with said flap on either side of said flap slot.

17 . The enclosure device according to claim 16 wherein said actuator is further defined as passing through said actuator aperture in said frame plate.

18 . The enclosure device according to claim 15 wherein said sealing cap on said camera casing is further defined as including a sealing cap aperture, and wherein said sealing cap on said light source casing is further defined as including a sealing cap aperture.

19 . The enclosure device according to claim 15 wherein said camera casing and said light source casing are further defined as being parallel with respect to one another.

20 . The enclosure device according to claim 16 wherein said camera casing further comprises a first flange and wherein said light source casing further comprises a second flange, wherein said camera casing is secured to said plate frame about said first flange, and wherein said light source casing is secured to said plate frame about said second flange.

Assignees

• Vizient Mfg Solutions Inc
• Lincoln Global Inc

Inventors

• Goddard Brad J
• Hann Mark A

Classifications

• G03B17/561

  Support related camera accessories · CPC title

• G03B17/02

  Bodies · CPC title

• G03B11/043 Primary

  Protective lens closures or lens caps built into cameras · CPC title

• G03B9/08

  Shutters · CPC title

• G01S7/4813

  Housing arrangements · CPC title