Light pipe for imaging head of video inspection device

• US 8,760,507 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2009
• Issued: 06/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Inspectron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Inspectron, Inc.
• Inventors: Boehnlein, Al, Draper, Owen W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tiv, Backhean
• Application Number:
  US12/564,447
• Publication Number:
  US 20100033563A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,736 Days
• Field of Search: 348/65, 348/84
• US Class Current: 348/84
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/954 Inspecting the inner surface of hollow bodies, e.g. bores
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2461 Illumination
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2484 Arrangements in relation to a camera or imaging device processing or control of video signals generated by an endoscope H04N23/60, H04N23/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/555 for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A light dispersal unit or light pipe for a video imaging device includes a transparent body. The body includes a tubular ring having an outer diameter and a through bore defining an inner diameter. Four equidistantly spaced raised portions are homogenously joined to the tubular ring. The ring has a semi-circular shape corresponding to the outer and inner diameters of the tubular ring. The raised portions each include a slot created between opposed first and second extending portions, the slot having an end wall and opposed first and second slot walls. A rounded end face defines a free end of each of the first and second extending portions facing away from the tubular ring. The rounded end face includes at least two curved portions each having a different radius of curvature. The light pipe can be a tapered light pipe having a flange portion for mounting the tapered light pipe.

Claims

1. A light pipe assembly for a video imaging device, comprising:

a tapered light pipe comprising a homogeneous one-piece body of a transparent polymeric material being configured to transmit light through the transparent polymeric material of the homogeneous one-piece body, the body including;

a first end defining a minimum body diameter oppositely positioned with respect to a second end defining a maximum body diameter; and

a conical shaped perimeter wall extending between the first and second ends;

a flange portion homogeneously connected to the body at the second end and extending transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the light pipe, a flange diameter of the flange portion being greater than the maximum body diameter; and

a light emitting device being aligned with the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe and operable to emit light through the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe.

2. The light pipe assembly of claim 1, wherein the homogeneous one-piece body further includes a convex curved surface axially extending outward from the flange portion and oppositely directed with respect to the first end, the convex curved surface homogeneously connected to the flange portion and tangentially meeting a flange perimeter wall of the flange portion.

3. The light pipe assembly of claim 2, further including a flange mount surface of the flange portion extending radially outwardly from the second end of the homogeneous one-piece body, facing oppositely with respect to the convex curved surface, and oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis.

4. The light pipe assembly of claim 3, wherein the flange perimeter wall is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the flange mount surface.

5. The light pipe assembly of claim 2, wherein the convex curved surface comprises first and second arc portions, the first arc portion having a radius of curvature larger than a radius of curvature of the second arc portion, the second arc portion tangentially meeting the flange perimeter wall of the flange portion, the second arc portion smoothly transitioning into the first arc portion.

6. The light pipe assembly of claim 1, further including:

a body junction at the maximum diameter second end of the homogeneous one-piece body; and

a transition portion homogeneously connecting the body junction at the second end to the flange portion, the transition portion extending outward toward the flange portion.

7. The light pipe assembly of claim 1, wherein the homogeneous one-piece body, the flange portion, and a convex curved surface are homogeneously connected and created from a transparent polymeric material.

8. The light pipe assembly of claim 1, wherein the homogeneous one-piece body increases in diameter from the first end to the second end, the first end being configured to receive the light and transmit the light through the transparent polymeric material to the second end being configured to emit the light.

9. The light pipe assembly of claim 1, further comprising an imager end cap having a light pipe mounting cavity including a counterbore seating surface.

10. An imager assembly for a video imaging device, comprising:

a light pipe, the light pipe comprising a homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe of a transparent polymeric material being configured to transmit light through the transparent polymeric material of the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe, including;

a body, the body comprising a conical shaped body including a first end having a minimum body diameter and an oppositely positioned second end having a maximum body diameter;

a flange portion homogeneously connected to the body second end and extending transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe, a flange diameter of the flange portion being greater than the maximum body diameter; and

a convex curved surface axially extending from the flange portion and oppositely directed with respect to the body, the convex curved surface including first and second arc portions having the second arc portion smoothly transitioning into the first arc portion;

an imager end cap having a light pipe mounting cavity including a counterbore seating surface; and

a flange mount surface of the flange portion oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis, the flange mount surface contacting the counterbore seating surface in a seated position of the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe, contact between the flange mount surface and the counterbore seating surface defining the only portion of the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe in contact with the imager assembly.

11. The imager assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

an imager body connected to the imager end cap; and

a circuit board contacted by the imager end cap in the seated position of the tapered light pipe.

12. The imager assembly of claim 11, further comprising a light emitting diode connected to the circuit board and axially oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis of the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe, the light emitting diode being spaced from the first end of the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe creating a gap spacing when the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe is in the seated position.

13. The imager assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a cavity wall of the light pipe mounting cavity oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis of the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe when the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe is positioned in the seated position; and

a flange perimeter wall of the flange portion oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis of the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe;

wherein the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe in the seated position has the flange perimeter wall spaced from the cavity wall by a clearance gap such that the flange perimeter wall does not directly contact the cavity wall.

14. The imager assembly of claim 13, further comprising an adhesive applied within the clearance gap, the adhesive contacting only the flange perimeter wall and the cavity wall to adhesively retain the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe in the light pipe mounting cavity and to create an environmental seal between the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe and an internal cavity of the imager end cap.

15. The imager assembly of claim 10, wherein the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe further includes:

a conical shaped perimeter wall extending between the first and second ends; and

a body junction defined at the maximum diameter second end of the body.

16. The imager assembly of claim 10, wherein the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe further includes a transition portion homogeneously connecting the body junction at the second end to the flange portion, the transition portion extending outward toward the flange portion.

17. The imager assembly of claim 10, wherein the flange mount surface and the counterbore seating surface contact the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe limiting the paths for light transmitted through the transparent polymeric material of the homogeneous one-piece light pipe.

18. An imager assembly for a video imaging device, comprising:

a light pipe, the light pipe comprising a homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe of a transparent polymeric material being configured to transmit light through the transparent polymeric material of the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe such that light is transmissible in a direct path defined through the light pipe, including;

a body including a first end having a minimum body diameter and an oppositely positioned second end having a maximum body diameter, and a conical shaped perimeter wall extending between the first and second ends; and

a flange portion homogeneously connected to the body second end and extending transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe, a flange diameter of the flange portion being greater than the maximum body diameter;

an imager end cap having a light pipe mounting cavity including a counterbore seating surface having the flange portion contacting the counterbore seating surface;

a circuit board having a light emitting diode connected to the circuit board emitting light through the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe; and

an imager body, the imager end cap connected to the imager body aligning the light emitting diode with the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe.

19. The imager assembly of claim 18, wherein the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe further includes a convex curved surface axially extending from the flange portion and oppositely directed with respect to the body.

20. The imager assembly of claim 18, further including a planar flange mount surface of the flange portion oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis, wherein the flange portion contacts the counterbore seating surface at the flange mount surface in a seated position of the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe, contact between the flange mount surface and the counterbore seating surface defining the only portion of the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe in direct contact with the imager assembly.

21. An imaging device, comprising:

an imager body;

an imager end cap having a light pipe mounting cavity including a counterbore seating surface and a cavity wall oriented transverse to the counterbore seating surface, the imager end cap connected to the imager body;

a light pipe, the light pipe comprising a homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe of a transparent polymeric material being configured to transmit light through the transparent polymeric material of the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe such that light is transmissible in a direct path defined through the light pipe, the light pipe including;

a body including a first end having a minimum body diameter and an oppositely positioned second end having a maximum body diameter, and a conical shaped perimeter wall extending between the first and second ends;

a flange portion homogeneously connected to the body second end having a planar flange mount surface extending transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe, a flange diameter of the flange portion being greater than the maximum body diameter, the flange mount surface contacting the counterbore seating surface defining a seated position of the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe, contact between the flange mount surface and the counterbore seating surface defining the only portion of the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe in direct contact with the imager assembly; and

a flange perimeter wall of the flange portion being spaced from the cavity wall in the seated position, defining a clearance gap; and

an adhesive applied only within the clearance gap to fix the flange perimeter wall to the cavity wall.

22. The imaging device of claim 21, further comprising:

a circuit board retained between the imager end cap and the imager body; and

a light emitting diode connected to the circuit board emitting light through the homogeneous one-piece tapered light pipe.

23. The imaging device of claim 22, further comprising:

a flexible tube connected to the imager body; and

a display housing connected to the flexible tube opposite to the imager body, the display housing having a video image view screen adapted to display an image illuminated by the light emitted by the light emitting diode digitally transmitted from the circuit board through a wiring harness.