Rotatable optical device housing and mounting platform

• US 20170080874A1
• Filed: 12/05/2016
• Published: 03/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Golight Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Golight Incorporated
• Inventors: Gebhard, Albert W., Hosick, Colton D.
• Application Number:
  US15/368,863
• Publication Number:
  US 20170080874A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/245 Searchlights, e.g. adjustable from within the vehicle adjustable headlights B60Q1/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0052 using screws, bolts, rivets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/06 flashing, e.g. with rotating reflector or light source signalling lighting devices mounted on vehicles B60Q1/26
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/10 characterised by specific fastening means or way of fastening F21V17/02 - F21V17/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/14 Adjustable mountings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/15 specially adapted for power operation, e.g. by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/26 Pivoted arms
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/67 characterised by the arrangement of fans
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/74 with fins or blades
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/04 of lens shape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20

Abstract

A rotatable optical device housing and mounting platform is disclosed. The optical device housing includes a bezel, front housing and rear housing. The optical device housing can include a number of lighting devices, including light-emitting diodes (LEDs), high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps, halogen lights, incandescent lights, or imaging devices, such as cameras, while utilizing the same bezel, front housing and rear housing. The depicted device can include a vertical tilt, which is adjustable either manually or electronically. A slip ring system provides continuous 360° rotation ability, with controllable and adjustable speed settings. Alternatively, a stop can be used instead of the slip ring, wherein the stop serves as a point of reversal of the unit'"'"'s rotation. The unit contains an optional home position, allowing a user to select a point in the horizontal rotation to which the unit will return at the touch of a button.

Claims

1. An optical device assembly for mounting to a surface of a vehicle, the optical device assembly having an optical device housing, the optical device housing comprising:

a front housing;

a rear housing;

a bezel; and

an optical device, the optical device selectable from a group of optical devices comprising light-emitting diodes, halogen lamps, high-intensity discharge lamps, cameras, infrared devices, and heat sensitive devices;

wherein each member of the group of optical devices is configured to compatibly mount in and dismount from the optical device housing; and

wherein the front housing, the rear housing, and the bezel are configured to remain constant when the optical device interchangeably mounted in the optical housing device is exchanged for another member of the group of optical devices.

2. The optical device housing of claim 1, further comprising at least one bearing.

3. The optical device housing of claim 2, wherein the front housing, the rear housing, the bezel, and the at least one bearing are configured to remain constant when the optical device interchangeably mounted in the optical housing device is exchanged for another member of the group of optical devices.

4. The optical device housing of claim 1, further comprising a fan.

5. The optical device housing of claim 1, wherein the optical device comprises:

a heat sink;

a printed circuit board mounted to the heat sink;

at least one light-emitting diode mounted to the printed circuit board; and

a lens mounted over the printed circuit board;

wherein the bezel secures the lens and the heat sink to the front housing.

6. The optical device housing of claim 1, wherein the optical device comprises:

a halogen lamp; and

a halogen lamp gasket;

wherein the bezel secures the halogen lamp and the halogen lamp gasket to the front housing.

7. The optical device housing of claim 1, wherein the optical device comprises:

a high-intensity discharge lamp; and

a ballast powering the high-intensity discharge lamp;

wherein the bezel secures the high-intensity discharge lamp to the front housing.

8. The optical device housing of claim 1, wherein the optical device comprises:

a camera; and

a bracket supporting the camera;

wherein the bezel secures the camera to the front housing.

9. The optical device housing of claim 8, wherein the camera is a night vision infrared camera.

10. A rotatable mount for mounting the optical device housing of claim 1, the rotatable mount comprising:

a base portion configured to attach to a vehicle surface;

an upper portion having a first arm and a second arm;

a reversible vertical drive in the first arm; and

a reversible horizontal drive in the second arm, the reversible horizontal drive configured to horizontally rotate the upper portion through an arc of approximately 360 degrees with respect to the base portion;

wherein the optical device housing is pivotally connected to the first and second arms of the rotatable mount; and

wherein the reversible vertical drive is configured to vertically tilt the optical device housing through an arc of approximately 135 degrees with respect to the rotatable mount.

11. An optical device assembly for mounting on a vehicle comprising:

a rotatable mount comprising

a base portion configured to attach to a vehicle surface;

an upper portion having a first arm and a second arm;

a reversible vertical drive in the first arm; and

a reversible horizontal drive in the second arm;

wherein the reversible horizontal drive is configured to horizontally rotate the upper portion through an arc of approximately 360 degrees with respect to the base portion via a horizontal gear; and

an optical device housing comprising

a first housing;

a second housing;

a bezel; and

an optical device selectable from a group of optical devices, each member of the group of optical devices able to interchangeably mount in and dismount from the optical device housing;

wherein the optical device housing is pivotally connected to the first and second arms of the rotatable mount; and

wherein the reversible vertical drive is configured to vertically rotate the optical device housing through an arc of approximately 135 degrees with respect to the first and second arms.

12. The optical device assembly of claim 11, wherein the group of optical devices comprises light-emitting diodes, halogen lamps, high-intensity discharge lamps, cameras, infrared devices and heat sensitive devices.

13. The optical device assembly of claim 11, wherein the first housing, the second housing, and the bezel are configured to remain constant when the optical device interchangeably mounted in the optical housing device is exchanged for another member of the group of optical devices.

14. The optical device assembly of claim 11, wherein the reversible vertical drive comprises:

a vertical motor;

a vertical gear; and

a worm;

wherein the vertical motor is connected to the worm and the worm interacts with the vertical gear.

15. The optical device assembly of claim 11, wherein the reversible horizontal drive comprises:

a horizontal motor having a pinion; and

an idler gear in contact with the pinion, the idler gear configured to turn the horizontal gear;

wherein turning of the horizontal gear causes the upper portion to rotate horizontally.

16. The optical device assembly of claim 11, wherein the reversible horizontal drive comprises:

a horizontal motor with a groove sprocket; and

a belt on the horizontal gear;

wherein the groove sprocket interacts with the belt to turn the horizontal gear causing the upper portion to rotate horizontally.

17. The optical device assembly of claim 11, further comprising a vertical gear clutch disk to allow the optical device housing to be manually adjusted.

18. The optical device assembly of claim 11, further comprising a wiper bearing mounted between the base portion and the upper portion.