Detachable coupling for a remote inspection device

• US 7,431,619 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2007
• Issued: 10/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Inspectron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Perceptron Incorporated (Atlas Copco AB)
• Inventors: Boehnlein, Al, Newman, Tye, Eckhoff, Paul J., Watt, Brandon, Miller, Jeffrey John
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilman; Alexander
• Application Number:
  US11/895,516
• Publication Number:
  US 20080026647A1
• Time in Patent Office: 410 Days
• Field of Search: 439/587, 439/589, 439/271, 439/278, 439/277, 439/882, 439578-585
• US Class Current: 439/882
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2476 Non-optical details, e.g. housings, mountings, supports
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5205 Sealing means between cable and housing, e.g. grommet H01R13/5221 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/523 for use under water

Abstract

A remote inspection device is provided for inspecting visually obscured locations. The device is generally comprised of a imager housing and a display housing disposed on opposite ends of a modular, flexible cable. An imaging device and one or more light sources are embedded in the end of the cylindrical imager housing. A display housing is coupled to the other end of the flexible cable and configured to be grasped by a user of the device. A display device supported by the display housing receives a video signal from the imaging device and converts the video signal to a video image. The flexible cable can be removably attached to other components with a detachable coupling. The detachable coupling is adapted to facilitate movement of the coupling through confined spaces and inhibit relative axial rotation. Components of the coupling can have tapered mating surfaces to inhibit longitudinal movement within the coupling.

Claims

1. A detachable coupling for selectively attaching first and second cables of a remote inspection device comprising:

a first casing having a first longitudinal axis and a passage extending between opposing ends of said first casing along said first longitudinal axis, said passage having a first portion adjacent to one end of said first casing defining a first ferrule socket and a second portion adjacent to the opposite end of said first casing defining a first connector socket;

a first ferrule component comprised of an electrical insulating material and encasing an end of the first cable, wherein said first ferrule component is inserted into said first ferrule socket, thereby creating a fluid seal between said first casing and the first cable and electrically isolating said first casing from the first cable;

a first electrical connector electrically connected to wires of the first cable, wherein said first electrical connector is inserted into said first connector socket;

a second casing having a second longitudinal axis and a second passage extending between opposing ends of said second casing along said second longitudinal axis, said second passage having a first portion adjacent to one end of said second casing defining a second ferrule socket and a second portion adjacent to the opposite end of said second casing defining a second connector socket;

a second ferrule component comprised of an electrical insulating material and encasing an end of the second cable, wherein said second ferrule component is inserted into said second ferrule socket, thereby creating a fluid seal between said second casing and the second cable and electrically isolating said second casing from the second cable; and

a second electrical connector electrically connected to wires of the second cable, wherein said second electrical connector is inserted into said second connector socket,

wherein said first casing further includes a first tapered mating surface oblique to said first longitudinal axis and said second casing further includes a second tapered mating surface complementary to said first tapered mating surface, said first tapered mating surface engaging said second tapered mating surface when said first casing is coupled to said second casing to thereby inhibit relative movement between said first longitudinal axis and said second longitudinal axis.

2. The detachable coupling of claim 1 further comprising a tab having said first tapered mating surface, said tab protruding from the end of said first casing which houses said first electrical connector in a direction substantially parallel to said first longitudinal axis, and a recess complementary to said tab having said second tapered mating surface, said recess being formed in an exterior surface of said second casing.

3. The detachable coupling of claim 2 wherein said tab is further defined as a hexahedron having a top surface and a bottom surface in the shape of a trapezoid with a shortest side of the trapezoid being distal from said first casing.

4. The detachable coupling of the claim 3 wherein two side surfaces formed between the non-parallel edges of said top surface and said bottom surface are tapered.

5. The detachable coupling of claim 1 wherein said second casing further includes an exterior tapered surface defining said second tapered mating surface adjacent to said second electrical connector and said first casing further includes a complementary interior surface defining said first tapered mating surface adjacent to said first electrical connector to mate with said exterior tapered surface.

6. The detachable coupling of claim 5 wherein said first and second tapered mating surfaces are further defined as complementary conical surfaces.

7. The detachable coupling of claim 1 wherein said first connector socket provides an annular cavity between a protruding portion of said first electrical connector and an interior surface of said first casing, wherein at least a portion of said interior surface defines said first tapered mating surface, said first tapered mating surface being tapered inward towards a center of said first casing.

8. The detachable coupling of claim 7 further comprising an annular friction ring disposed within said annular cavity of said first casing, wherein an inner portion of said annular friction ring defines said first tapered mating surface.

9. The detachable coupling of claim 1 further comprising a sleeve overlapping said first and second casings, wherein said sleeve is selectively engagable with at least one of said first and second casings to thereby couple said first and second casings.

10. The detachable coupling of claim 9, wherein said sleeve is threadingly engagable with said at least one of the first and second casings.

11. The detachable coupling of claim 9, wherein said sleeve has a sloped end surface oriented between an outer surface thereof and an outer surface of one of said first and second casings.

12. The detachable coupling of claim 9 further comprising a first sealing element disposed between said sleeve and said first casing and a second sealing element disposed between said sleeve and said second casing.

13. A detachable coupling for selectively attaching first and second cables of a remote inspection device comprising:

a first casing having a first longitudinal axis and a passage extending between opposing ends of said first casing along said first longitudinal axis, said passage having a first portion adjacent to one end of said first casing defining a first ferrule socket and a second portion adjacent to the opposite end of said first casing defining a first connector socket;

a first ferrule component comprised of an electrical insulating material and encasing an end of the first cable, wherein said first ferrule component is inserted into said first ferrule socket, thereby creating a fluid seal between said first casing and the first cable and electrically isolating said first casing from the first cable;

a first electrical connector electrically connected to wires of the first cable, wherein said first electrical connector is inserted into said first connector socket;

a second casing having a second longitudinal axis and a second passage extending between opposing ends of said second casing along said second longitudinal axis, said second passage having a first portion adjacent to one end of said second casing defining a second ferrule socket and a second portion adjacent to the opposite end of said second casing defining a second connector socket;

a second ferrule component comprised of an electrical insulating material and encasing an end of the second cable, wherein said second ferrule component is inserted into said second ferrule socket, thereby creating a fluid seal between said second casing and the second cable and electrically isolating said second casing from the second cable; and

a second electrical connector electrically connected to wires of the second cable, wherein said second electrical connector is inserted into said second connector socket,

wherein said first casing and said second casing are selectively engagable and said first casing and said second casing have a wedge means for inhibiting relative movement between said first longitudinal axis and said second longitudinal axis in at least one direction when engaged.

14. The detachable coupling of claim 13 wherein said wedge means comprises:

a tab having a first tapered mating surface, said tab protruding from the end of said first casing which houses said first electrical connector in a direction substantially parallel to said first longitudinal axis of said first casing; and

a recess having a second tapered mating surface, said recess being formed in a complementary exterior surface of said second casing,

wherein at least a portion of said first tapered mating surface is selectively engagable with at least a portion of said second tapered mating surface.

15. The detachable coupling of claim 14 wherein said tab is further defined as a hexahedron having a top surface and a bottom surface in the shape of a trapezoid with a shortest side of the trapezoid being distal from said first casing.

16. The detachable coupling of claim 14 wherein at least a portion of said second tapered mating surface is configured to engage at least a portion of a pair of side surfaces formed between the non-parallel edges of said top surface and said bottom surface.

17. The detachable coupling of claim 16 wherein at least a portion of said recess is configured to engage at least a portion of said bottom surface.

18. The detachable coupling of the claim 15 wherein a pair of side surfaces formed between the non-parallel edges of said top surface and said bottom surface are oblique to said bottom surface.

19. The detachable coupling of claim 13 wherein said wedge means comprises:

an exterior conical surface, said exterior conical surface being defined by an exterior surface of said second casing, said exterior conical surface extending along said second longitudinal axis adjacent to said second electrical connector; and

an interior conical surface, said interior conical surface being defined by a complementary interior surface of said first casing, said interior conical surface extending along said first longitudinal axis adjacent to said first electrical connector,

wherein at least a portion of said exterior conical surface is selectively engagable with at least a portion of said interior conical surface.

20. The detachable coupling of claim 13 wherein said wedge means comprises:

An annular cavity defined by said first connector socket between a protruding portion of said first electrical connector and an interior surface of said first casing;

a first tapered mating surface being defined by at least a portion of said interior surface, said first tapered mating surface extending along said first longitudinal axis and being tapered inward towards a center of said first casing;

a second tapered mating surface being defined by an exterior surface of said second casing, said second tapered mating surface extending along said second longitudinal axis and being tapered inward towards a distal end of said second casing,

wherein at least a portion of said second tapered mating surface is selectively engagable with at least a portion of said first tapered mating surface.

21. The detachable coupling of claim 20 wherein said first and second mating surfaces are further defined as complementary conical surfaces.

22. The detachable coupling of claim 21 wherein said first and second mating surfaces are parallel.

23. The detachable coupling of claim 20 further comprising an annular friction ring disposed within said annular cavity of said first casing, wherein an inner portion of said annular friction ring defines said first tapered mating surface.

24. The detachable coupling of claim 13 further comprising a sleeve overlapping said first and second casings, wherein said sleeve is selectively engagable with at least one of said first and second casings to thereby couple said first and second casings.

25. The detachable coupling of claim 24 wherein said sleeve is threadingly engagable with said at least one of the first and second casings.

26. A remote inspection device comprising:

an imager housing including an imaging device;

a display housing including a display device and a portable power source;

a first cable having a first end coupled to said display housing and a second end coupled to said imager housing, said first cable having a plurality of wires and an outer jacket, said wires operably connecting said portable power source and said imaging device, said wires further operably connecting said imaging device and said display device; and

a detachable coupling connecting said first cable and said display housing, said detachable coupling including a first assembly fixed to said first end said first cable and a second assembly coupled to said display housing, said first assembly including;

a first casing having a first longitudinal axis and a passage extending between opposing ends of said first casing along said first longitudinal axis, said passage having a first portion adjacent to one end of said first casing defining a first ferrule socket and a second portion adjacent to the opposite end of said first casing defining a first connector socket;

a first ferrule component comprised of an electrical insulating material and encasing an end of the first cable, wherein said first ferrule component is inserted into said first ferrule socket, thereby creating a fluid seal between said first casing and the first cable and electrically isolating said first casing from the first cable; and

a first electrical connector electrically connected to wires of the first cable, wherein said first electrical connector is inserted into said first connector socket;

wherein said first casing further includes a first tapered mating surface oblique to said first longitudinal axis and said second assembly further includes a second tapered mating surface complementary to said first tapered mating surface, said first tapered mating surface engaging said second tapered mating surface when said first assembly is coupled to said second assembly to thereby inhibit relative movement between said first longitudinal axis and said second longitudinal axis.

27. The remote inspection device of claim 26 wherein said display housing includes a second cable extending therefrom, said second cable having an end opposite said display housing, said second cable having a plurality of wires and an outer jacket, and

said second assembly of said detachable coupling is fixed to said end of said second cable, said second assembly including:

a second casing having a second longitudinal axis and a second passage extending between opposing ends of said second casing along said second longitudinal axis, said second passage having a first portion adjacent to one end of said second casing defining a second ferrule socket and a second portion adjacent to the opposite end of said second casing defining a second connector socket;

a second ferrule component comprised of an electrical insulating material and encasing an end of the second cable, wherein said second ferrule component is inserted into said second ferrule socket, thereby creating a fluid seal between said second casing and the second cable and electrically isolating said second casing from the second cable;

a second electrical connector electrically connected to wires of the second cable, wherein said second electrical connector is inserted into said second connector socket; and

a sleeve overlapping said first and second casings, said sleeve being configured to selectively couple said first casing and said second casing;

wherein said second tapered mating surface is formed in the end of said second casing adjacent said second connector socket.

28. The remote inspection device of claim 27 wherein said first casing further includes a tab having said first tapered mating surface and said second casing further includes a recess complementary to said tab having said second mating surface, said tab protruding from the end of said first casing adjacent said electrical connector in a direction substantially parallel to said first longitudinal axis of said first casing, said recess being formed in an exterior surface of said second casing.

29. The remote inspection device of claim 28 wherein said tab is further defined as a hexahedron having a top surface and a bottom surface in the shape of a trapezoid with a shortest side of the trapezoid being distal from said first casing.

30. The remote inspection device of claim 29 wherein two side surfaces of said tab formed between the non-parallel edges of said top surface and bottom surface are tapered.

31. The remote inspection device of claim 27 wherein said second tapered mating surface is further defined as a conical surface on the exterior of said second casing and said first tapered mating surface is further defined as a complementary conical surface formed in an interior surface of said first casing, said second tapered mating surface extending along said second longitudinal axis with the narrow diameter of said second tapered mating surface being distal from said second casing, said first tapered mating surface configured to receive said second tapered mating surface.

32. The remote inspection device of claim 27 wherein said first connector socket provides an annular cavity between a protruding portion of said first electrical connector and an interior surface of said first casing, and said first tapered mating surface is further defined as a conical surface extending along a portion of said interior surface of said first casing, said first tapered mating surface extending along said first longitudinal axis and being tapered inward towards a center of said first casing.

33. The remote inspection device of claim 32 wherein said second tapered mating surface is further defined as a conical surface on the exterior of said second casing, said second tapered mating surface extending along said second longitudinal axis with the narrow diameter of said second tapered mating surface being distal from said second casing.

34. The remote inspection device of claim 32 further comprising an annular friction ring disposed within said annular cavity of said first casing, wherein an inner portion of said annular friction ring defines said first tapered mating surface.

35. The remote inspection device of claim 27 wherein said sleeve is coupled to one of said first and second casings and threadingly engagable with the other of said first and second casings.

36. The remote inspection device of claim 27 wherein said sleeve has a sloped end surface oriented between an outer surface thereof and an outer surface of one of said first and second casings.

37. The remote inspection device of claim 27 wherein said detachable coupling further includes a first sealing element disposed between said sleeve and said first casing and a second sealing element disposed between said sleeve and said second casing.