Abstract:
An imaging system uses optical modules to capture images of a subject. The optical modules are fixed on a bearing plate of the imaging system by a fastening element of the imaging system. The fastening element is removable and fixed on the support plate. Each of the optical modules has an optical surface. The fastening element has a bevel attached to all the optical surfaces of the optical modules so that all the optical surfaces are coplanar.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a bearing device for optical modules and an imaging system using the same. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Frequently used image capture systems can employ interlaced optical modules, such as plane mirrors and prisms, to redirect light rays for optimized image quality. However, such systems are subject to misalignment due to external factors such as impact and jarring, for example. Such misalignments can negatively affect image quality. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the various drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding sections throughout the figures. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an imaging system. 
         FIG. 2  shows a bearing device as disclosed, employed in an imaging system, such as, for example, that of  FIG. 1 , shown from a first perspective. 
         FIG. 3  shows the bearing device of  FIG. 2  from a second perspective. 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cross section of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the imaging system of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment of an imaging system  200  comprising a bearing device  100 , a plurality of first camera modules  211 , a plurality of second camera modules  221 , and a plurality of optical modules  10 . The plurality of first camera modules  211  and the plurality of second camera modules  221  are arranged facing a first direction, thereby constituting a camera array. 
     The plurality of optical modules  10  are located along an optical path between the subject and the plurality of first camera modules  211  or between the subject and the plurality of second camera modules  221 . Each of the plurality of optical modules  10  comprises an effective optical surface to redirect light reflected from the subject to the plurality of first camera modules  211  and the plurality of second camera modules  221 . The plurality of optical modules  10  comprise a plurality of first optical sub-modules  101  and a plurality of second optical sub-modules  104 . In the embodiment, the plurality of optical modules  10  are a plurality of right-angled prisms, each of the prisms having a hypotenuse face acting as the optical surfaces. The plurality of optical surfaces of the plurality of first optical sub-modules  101  are on a first plane. The plurality of second optical sub-modules  104  are on a second plane. The plurality of first optical sub-modules  101  and the plurality of second optical sub-modules  104  are interlaced, with the first plane perpendicular to the second plane, such that a center of the optical surfaces of the plurality of first optical sub-modules  101  is collinear with a center of the optical surfaces of the plurality of second optical sub-modules  104 . In the embodiment, the plurality of first optical sub-modules  101  and the plurality of second optical sub-modules  104  are glass or other materials equally applicable. 
       FIG. 2  shows a bearing device  100  as disclosed, employed in an imaging system, such as, for example, that of  FIG. 1 , shown from a first perspective. The bearing device  100  comprises a support plate  11 , a support surface  110 , and a fastening element  12 . An optical hole  112  defined on the support surface  110  passes through to a lower surface of the support plate  11 . The support surface  110  supports the plurality of first optical sub-modules  101  and the plurality of second optical sub-modules  104 . Each of the plurality of first optical sub-modules  101  and second optical sub-modules  104  is attached to the support surface  110  with one of a plurality of right-angled surfaces such that an angle between each of the plurality of optical surfaces of the plurality of first optical sub-modules  101  and second optical sub-modules  104 , and the support surface  110  is 45°. The plurality of first optical sub-modules  101  and second optical sub-modules  104  span the optical hole  112 . The light reflected from the subject passes through the optical hole  112  into the plurality of optical modules  10 , and, completely reflected thereby, out the right-angled surfaces of the plurality of first optical sub-modules  101  and second optical sub-modules  104 , reaching the plurality of first camera modules  211  and second camera modules  221 . 
     The fastening element  12  fixes the plurality of first optical sub-modules  101  and second optical sub-modules  104  on the support plate  11 . The fastening element  12  comprises a first fastening piece  122 , a second fastening element  123 , a third fastening element  124 , a fourth fastening element  125 , a plurality of anchoring blocks  16 , a plurality of elastic pads  17 , and a plurality of positioning pieces  18 . 
     The first fastening piece  122  and second fastening element  123  are fixed opposite to each other on the support surface  110 , at different sides of the optical hole  12 . The first fastening piece  122  and second fastening element  123  cooperatively fix the plurality of first optical sub-modules  101  and second optical sub-modules  104  on the support plate  11  such that the optical surfaces of the plurality of first optical sub-modules  101  are on the first plane, and the optical surfaces of the plurality of second optical sub-modules  104  are on the second plane. In the embodiment, the first fastening piece  122  and second fastening element  123  can be fixed to the support plate  11  by fasteners or adhesive. 
     The first fastening piece  122  comprises a first bevel on a surface proximal to the second fastening element  123 , and a plurality of first receiving grooves  131 . The first bevel is parallel with the second plane so that the optical surfaces of the plurality of second optical sub-modules  104  can be attached thereto. The plurality of first receiving grooves  131  receive the plurality of first optical sub-modules  101  when the first bevel attaches to the optical surfaces of the plurality of second optical sub-modules  104 . The second fastening piece  123  comprises a second bevel on a surface proximal to the first fastening element  122 , and a plurality of second receiving grooves  133 . The second bevel is parallel with the first plane so that the optical surfaces of the plurality of first optical sub-modules  101  can be attached thereto. The plurality of second receiving grooves  133  receive the plurality of second optical sub-modules  104  when the second bevel attaches the optical surfaces of the plurality of first optical sub-modules  101 . The plurality of positioning pieces  18  penetrate a plurality of alignment holes  1210  located on a plurality of slots on the first bevel and the corresponding plurality of second receiving grooves  133 , and a plurality of slots on the second bevel and the corresponding plurality of first receiving grooves  131 . In the embodiment, the alignment holes  1210  are threaded and the positioning pieces  18  are threaded fasteners. 
       FIG. 3  shows the bearing device of  FIG. 2  from a second perspective. The first fastening piece  122  further comprises a first fall-back groove  135  in communication with the plurality of first receiving grooves  131  to receive the bottom of the plurality of second optical sub-modules  104  proximal to the support plate  11 , effectively increasing contact between the plurality of optical surfaces of the plurality of second optical sub-modules  104  and the first bevel. The second fastening piece  123  further comprises a second fall-back groove  137  in communication with the plurality of second receiving grooves  133  to receive the bottom of the plurality of first optical sub-modules  101  proximal to the support plate  11 , effectively increasing contact between the plurality of optical surfaces of the plurality of first optical sub-modules  101  and the second bevel. In the embodiment, a first fall-back groove  135  and a second fall-back groove  137  are optional. 
     The anchoring blocks  16  and elastic pads  17  are located between each first receiving groove  131  and corresponding first optical sub-module  101 , and between each second receiving groove  133  and second optical sub-module  104 . Each positioning piece  18  is received in a corresponding alignment hole  1210  and contacts a corresponding anchoring block  16  and elastic pad  17 , so as to fix the optical modules  10  between the first fastening piece  122  and the second fastening piece  123 . The plurality of anchoring blocks  16  balance force from the plurality of positioning pieces  18 . The plurality of elastic pads  17  buffer pressure from the plurality of anchoring blocks  16 . The plurality of elastic pads  17  are softer than the plurality of optical modules  10 , protecting the plurality of optical modules  10  from damage. It is understood that the plurality of anchoring blocks  16  and elastic pads  17  are optional. 
     The third fastening piece  124  and the fourth fastening piece  125  are fixed opposite to each other on the support surface  110 , located at different sides of the optical hole  12 . The third fastening piece  124  is located at one end of the first fastening piece  122  and second fastening piece  123 , and the fourth fastening piece  125  at another end of the first fastening piece  122  and second fastening piece  123 . The third fastening piece  124  and fourth fastening piece  125  fix the plurality of first optical sub-modules  101  and second optical sub-modules  104 , in cooperation with the first fastening piece  122  and the second fastening piece  123 . The third fastening piece  124  and the fourth fastening piece  125  are optional. The first fastening piece  122 , the second fastening piece  123 , the third fastening piece  124 , and the fourth fastening piece  125  can further be integrally formed. 
     Assembly of the fastening element  12  and the plurality of optical modules  10 , is as follows. The first fastening piece  122  is fixed on the support surface  110 , and each of the plurality of anchoring blocks  16  and elastic pads  17  is respectively received in the corresponding plurality of first receiving grooves  131 . Each of the interlaced plurality of first optical sub-modules  101  and second optical sub-modules  104  is mounted on the support surface  110 , spanning the optical hole  112 , received in the corresponding plurality of first receiving grooves  131 . The first bevel is attached to the optical surfaces of the plurality of second optical sub-modules  104 , and the second fastening piece  123  is fixed on the support surface  110 . Each of the plurality of anchoring blocks  16  and elastic pads  17  is respectively received in the corresponding plurality of second receiving grooves  133 , followed by each of the plurality of first optical sub-modules  101  and second optical sub-modules  104 . The second bevel is attached to the optical surfaces of the plurality of first optical sub-modules  101 . The plurality of positioning pieces pass through the corresponding plurality of alignment holes  1210  and contact the corresponding plurality of anchoring blocks  16 . The third fastening piece  124  and the fourth fastening piece  125  are fastened on the support surface  110 . 
     Reflected light L passes through the optical hole  112  into the interlaced plurality of first optical sub-modules  101  and second optical sub-modules  104 , is fully reflected by the optical surfaces thereof, and passes into the plurality of first camera modules  211  and second camera modules  221 . 
     It is understood that the plurality of optical modules  10  in the first embodiment of the present disclosure are not limited to right-angled prisms.  FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an imaging system  200   a , differing from the first embodiment only in that the plurality of second optical sub-modules  104   a  comprise plane mirrors fixed on a bevel of a first fastening piece  122   a  of the bearing device  100   a  by adhesive, the plurality of first optical sub-modules  101   a  comprise plane mirrors fixed on a bevel of a second fastening piece  123   a  of the bearing device  100   a  by adhesive, and the bearing device  100   a  comprises no anchoring blocks  16 , elastic pads  17 , or positioning pieces  18 . 
     The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one. 
     It is to be further understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structures and functions of various embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present invention to the full extent, indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.