Rotatable optical device housing and mounting platform
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.
1. A rotatable mounting system for an optical device for mounting on a vehicle comprising:
a base gasket;
a base plate mounted on said base gasket;
a base mounted on said base plate;
a bearing rotatably mounted on said base;
a lower yoke mounted over said bearing;
a horizontal gear rotatably mounted to said lower yoke;
an upper yoke mounted over said horizontal gear;
said upper yoke comprising a first arm and a second arm;
said first arm comprising a horizontal motor;
said second arm comprising a vertical tilt motor;
an optical device housing;
said optical device housing pivotally connected to said first arm and said second arm; and
means for said vertical motor to tilt said housing vertically through an arc of about 135 degrees;
wherein said means for said vertical motor to tilt said housing comprises a vertical gear and a worm;
wherein said worm is connected to said vertical motor; and
wherein said worm interacts with said vertical gear.
2. The rotatable mounting system of claim 1 , further comprising means for said horizontal motor to turn said horizontal gear in a continuous 360 degree motion.
3. The rotatable mounting system of claim 1 , further comprising means to reverse the rotational direction of said horizontal gear.
4. The rotatable mounting system of claim 1 , further comprising a vertical motor cradle.
5. The rotatable mounting system of claim 1 , wherein:
said means for said vertical motor to tilt said housing means vertically further comprises a vertical gear clutch disk; and
wherein said vertical gear clutch disk allows the housing to be manually adjusted.
6. The rotatable mounting system of claim 1 , wherein said means for said horizontal motor to turn said horizontal gear comprises:
said horizontal motor further comprises a pinion;
said pinion contacts an idler gear;
said idle gear interacts with said horizontal gear to turn said horizontal gear;
wherein the turning of said horizontal gear causes said mounting system to rotate horizontally.
7. The rotatable mounting system of claim 1 , wherein said means for said horizontal motor to turn said horizontal gear comprises:
said horizontal motor further comprises a groove sprocket;
a belt rests on said horizontal gear; and
said sprocket interacts with said belt to turn said horizontal gear;
wherein the turning of said horizontal gear causes said mounting system to rotate horizontally.
8. The rotatable mounting system of claim 1 , wherein said bearing further comprises;
a wiper bearing; and
wherein said wiper bearing wipes the bearing surface clean as it rotates.
9. The rotatable mounting system of claim 1 , wherein said optical device housing comprises:
a rear housing;
a front housing;
a bezel; and
an optical device mounted in said optical device housing.
10. The rotatable mounting system of claim 9 , wherein said optical device comprises:
a heat sink;
a length of printed circuit board mounted to said heat sink;
at least one light-emitting diode mounted to said printed circuit board;
a lens mounted over said printed circuit board; and
said bezel connecting said lens and said heat sink to said front housing.
11. The rotatable mounting system of claim 9 , wherein said optical device comprises:
a halogen lamp gasket;
a halogen lamp; and
said bezel connecting said halogen lamp halogen lamp to said front housing.
12. The rotatable mounting system of claim 9 , wherein said optical device comprises:
a high-intensity discharge lamp;
a ballast powering said high-intensity discharge lamp; and
said bezel connecting said high-intensity discharge lamp to said front housing.
13. The rotatable mounting system of claim 9 , wherein said optical device comprises:
a night vision infrared camera;
a bracket supporting said night vision infrared camera; and
said bezel connecting said night vision infrared camera to said front housing.
14. The rotatable mounting system of claim 9 , wherein said optical device is selected from the group consisting of light-emitting diodes, high-intensity discharge lamps, halogen lights, cameras, infra red devices and heat sensitive devices.
15. The rotatable mounting system of claim 9 , wherein said optical device is interchangeably mounted in said optical device housing.
16. The rotatable mounting system of claim 1 further comprising:
a home button;
wherein a user selects a point in the horizontal rotation to which the unit will return at the touch of a button.