Patent Description:
Known in the art is a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for unmanned use in underwater exploration. Commonly, a ROV is connected to a surface device via an optical cable. An image signal generated by a camera mounted to the ROV is converted to an optical signal by a correspondent photoelectric conversion device, and the optical signal is sent to the surface device (for example, refer to Patent Document <NUM>).

<CIT> discloses an other ROV comprising an adapter connected to a surface device via an optical cable.

An optical cable is attached to a main body of a ROV by an optical cable connector provided at one end of the cable. Conventionally, prior to transportation of the ROV the optical cable is detached from the main body of the ROV. However, detachment of the optical connector can give rise to a problem in that an end face of the optical cable may become contaminated with dirt, resulting in optical communication errors or complete disablement of optical communication.

The present invention has been made in view of the aforementioned circumstances, and has as its object the prevention of problems caused by detachment of an optical cable from an electronic device such as a ROV.

To solve the problem described above, an adapter according to the present invention is used to connect an optical cable to remotely operated vehicle (ROV) used underwater, and the adapter comprises: a photoelectric conversion device; and a first attachment structure for detachably attaching the adapter to the ROV in cooperation with a second attachment structure of the ROV, wherein:the photoelectric conversion device comprises a waterproof structure, a first connector used to connect the optical cable to the photoelectric conversion device, and a second connector used to connect the photoelectric conversion device to the ROV via a communication cable; and the second connector is a second communication connector configured to be detachably attached to a first communication connector positioned at one end of a communication cable extending from the ROV; and the first communication connector and the second communication connector are respectively male and female connectors, and a contact area of end surface of pins of the first communication connector and the second communication connector is larger than a contact area of the first connector and the optical cable,wherein the first attachment structure is configured to attach to the second attachment structure in at least one of the following methods without use of tools:a method in which a lock hook is used;a method in which a latch lock is used;a method in which a fastener is used; and a method in which a magnet is used.

A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) used underwater according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises such an adapter.

A method according to the present invention for transporting a remotely operated vehicle ROV used underwater, comprises: using an adapter that includes a first attachment structure for detachably attaching the adapter to the ROV in cooperation with a second attachment structure of the ROV, a photoelectric conversion device that comprises a waterproof structure, a first connector to which an optical cable is connected, and a second connector used to connect the photoelectric conversion device to the ROV via a communication cable;detaching the ROV from the second connector and detaching the first attachment structure from the second attachment structure to separate the ROV from the optical cable; andtransporting the ROV,wherein the second connector is a second communication connector configured to be detachably attached to a first communication connector positioned at one end of a communication cable extending from the ROV,wherein the first communication connector and the second communication connector are respectively male and female connectors, and a contact area of end surface of pins of the first communication connector and the second communication connector is larger than a contact area of the first connector and the optical cable,and wherein the first attachment structure is configured to attach to the second attachment structure in at least one of the following methods without use of tools:a method in which a lock hook is used;a method in which a latch lock is used;a method in which a fastener is used; and a method in which a magnet is used.

The present invention has been made to prevent problems from arising as a result of detachment of an optical cable from an electronic device such as a ROV.

<FIG> is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of adapter <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an example of a configuration of adapter <NUM> for connecting ROV <NUM> to information-processing device <NUM> provided on ship <NUM> via optical cable <NUM> so that ROV <NUM> can communicate with information-processing device <NUM>. As shown in the figure, adapter <NUM> is connected to information-processing device <NUM> provided on ship <NUM> via optical cable <NUM>, and to ROV <NUM> via communication cable <NUM>.

Herein, ROV <NUM> refers to a cabled and remotely operated unmanned vehicle; in other words, to an unmanned submersible, underwater robot, or underwater drone. ROV <NUM> is an example of an electronic device to which adapter <NUM> is detachably attached, and that is used under water. Specifically, ROV <NUM> includes a main body frame, an underwater camera for capturing an image underwater, an underwater light for providing light underwater, a propulsion device for propelling ROV <NUM>, and a control device for controlling operation of ROV <NUM> (these features are not shown in the Figs. ROV <NUM> also includes attachment structure <NUM>, which is provided at the main body frame, and which is used to detachably attach adapter <NUM> to ROV <NUM>. Attachment structure <NUM> will be described later. In addition to the foregoing components, ROV <NUM> may include a GPS receiver, an electronic compass, a depth sensor, a sonar, a manipulator, and also a battery in a case that ROV <NUM> is not supplied with power from ship <NUM> via a power cable.

Adapter <NUM>, which is detachably attached to ROV <NUM>, includes: waterproof container <NUM>; photoelectric conversion device <NUM>, which is stored in waterproof container <NUM>; optical connector <NUM>, which enables communication between the inside and the outside of waterproof container <NUM>; optical cable <NUM>, which is used to connect optical connector <NUM> to photoelectric conversion device <NUM>; communication connector <NUM>, which enables communication between the inside and the outside of waterproof container <NUM>; communication cable <NUM>, which is used for connecting communication connector <NUM> to photoelectric conversion device <NUM>; and attachment structure <NUM>, which is provided either on the outer wall of waterproof container <NUM> or on a flange extending from the outer wall. Further, adapter <NUM> may be housed within the main body frame of ROV <NUM>, or may be attached to the outside of the main body frame.

Waterproof container <NUM> may refer either to a pressure-resistant or pressure-equalizing container. Herein, the pressure-equalizing container is a container filled with a liquid or gel such as insulating oil. It is of note that in a modification, waterproof container <NUM> may be formed by covering the entire outer side of photoelectric conversion device <NUM> with a resin; namely, the outer side of device <NUM> may be resin-sealed.

Photoelectric conversion device <NUM> converts an optical signal sent from information-processing device <NUM> provided on ship <NUM> via optical cable <NUM> into an electrical signal, and sends the thus-converted electrical signal to ROV <NUM> via communication cable <NUM>; and vice versa, photoelectric conversion device <NUM> converts an electrical signal sent from ROV <NUM> via communication cable <NUM> into an optical signal, and sends the optical signal to information-processing device <NUM> provided on ship <NUM> via optical cable <NUM>. The signal sent from information-processing device <NUM> to ROV <NUM> refers to, for example, a control signal used to control the underwater camera, the underwater light, or the propulsion device of ROV <NUM>. On the other hand, the signal sent from ROV <NUM> to information-processing device <NUM> refers to, for example, an image signal generated by the underwater camera of ROV <NUM>.

Optical connector <NUM> is a member to which one end of optical cable <NUM>, which extends from information-processing device <NUM> provided on ship <NUM>, is connected. Specifically, optical connector <NUM> attached to one end of optical cable <NUM> is connected to optical connector <NUM>. When optical connector <NUM> is connected to optical connector <NUM>, an end face of an optical fiber integrated in optical cable <NUM> is brought into contact with an end face of an optical fiber integrated in optical cable <NUM>. The diameter of the contact surface is, for example, <NUM>.

When optical connector <NUM> and optical connector <NUM> are connected to each other, any of an axial deviation, an angular deviation, or a gap may occur between the optical fibers, thereby resulting in a loss of optical connection. To obviate such a problem, optical connector <NUM> and optical connector <NUM> are connected to each other either by sleeve fitting or pin fitting. Herein, sleeve fitting refers to type of connection by which end faces of optical fibers are brought into contact with each other such that each of a cylindrical ferrule that covers each of optical fibers is inserted into a split sleeve having a C-shaped cross-section, with the ferrules facing each other. In contrast, herein, pin fitting refers to a type of connection by which end faces of optical fibers are brought into contact with each other such that fitting pins are inserted into pairs of holes formed in each of rectangular ferrules that covers each of optical fibers.

Communication connector <NUM> is a member to which one end of communication cable <NUM> that extends from ROV <NUM> is connected. Specifically, communication connector <NUM>, which is attached to one end of communication cable <NUM>, is connected to communication connector <NUM>. Communication connector <NUM> is configured such that it can be detachably attached to communication connector <NUM>. When communication connector <NUM> is connected to communication connector <NUM>, a conductor included in communication cable <NUM> is electrically connected to a conductor included in communication cable <NUM>. Communication connector <NUM> and communication connector <NUM> are, for example, male and female connectors. In this configuration, an end face of a pin of the male connector is, for example, <NUM> in diameter; and the diameter of an end face of a pin of communication connector <NUM> or <NUM> is larger in diameter than that of the contact surface of the optical fibers of optical connectors <NUM> and <NUM>. Accordingly, a contract area of the end surface of the pin is larger than the contact surface of the optical fibers.

Attachment structure <NUM> is a structure for detachably attaching adapter <NUM> to ROV <NUM>. Attachment structure <NUM> makes it possible for adapter <NUM> to be detachably attached to ROV <NUM>, in cooperation with attachment structure <NUM> of ROV <NUM>. Attachment methods include those requiring use of a tool and those not requiring use of a tool. The methods in which a tool is used include screw fitting. Where screw fitting is used, each of attachment structure <NUM> and attachment structure <NUM> corresponds to a through-hole for screw fitting. Alternatively, one of the structures corresponds to a through-hole for screw fitting, and the other corresponds to a screw hole. On the other hand, methods in which a tool is not used include: a method in which a lock hook is used; a method in which a latch lock is used; a method in which a fastener is used; a method in which a magnet is used; and a fitting method. In a case where a lock hook is used, each of attachment structure <NUM> and attachment structure <NUM> refers to a through-hole with which the lock hook is engaged. In a case where a latch lock is used, one of attachment structure <NUM> and attachment structure <NUM> corresponds to a latch bolt of the latch lock, and the other corresponds to a latch receiver into which the latch bolt is inserted. In a case where a fastener is used, one of attachment structure <NUM> and attachment structure <NUM> corresponds to an engaging portion of the fastener, and the other corresponds to an engaged portion. In a case that a magnet is used, one of attachment structure <NUM> and attachment structure <NUM> corresponds to a magnet, and the other corresponds to a magnetic member. In a case where the fitting method is employed, one of attachment structure <NUM> and attachment structure <NUM> corresponds to a convex part, and the other corresponds to a concave part.

It is of note that two or more of the foregoing attachment methods may be used in combination.

In contrast to the conventional ROV, ROV <NUM> to which adapter <NUM> is attached may be separated from optical cable <NUM> prior to transportation, by detaching communication connector <NUM> from communication connector <NUM> and detaching adapter <NUM> from ROV <NUM>. This separation method makes detachment of optical connector <NUM> from optical connector <NUM> unnecessary when detaching optical cable <NUM> from ROV <NUM>. By eliminating the necessity to detach optical connector <NUM> from optical connector <NUM>, the problem of the prior art is overcome in that since connector <NUM> is not detached from optical connector <NUM>, an end face of optical cable <NUM> is prevented from becoming contaminated with dirt, and hence communication errors or complete disablement of communication is obviated.

The embodiment described above may be modified as described below. It is of note that one or more of the following modifications may be combined.

ROV <NUM> is an example of an electronic device to which adapter <NUM> is detachably attached, and that is used under water. Adapter <NUM> may be detachably attached to an electronic device for use underwater, other than ROV <NUM>. For example, adapter <NUM> may be detachably attached to an unmanned vehicle that is towed under water. Alternatively, adapter <NUM> may be detachably attached to a communication device such as a relay device, a measuring device such as an underwater camera or a water quality meter, or an underwater civil engineering machine such as an underwater bulldozer.

Since optical connectors <NUM> and <NUM> need not be separated from each other prior to transportation of ROV <NUM>, photoelectric conversion device <NUM> and optical cable <NUM> may be made integral. Methods for integrally connecting photoelectric conversion device <NUM> and optical cable <NUM> include methods in which one of optical connectors <NUM> and <NUM> is fixed to the other by use of a fixing member, and methods in which one end of optical cable <NUM> is connected directly to photoelectric conversion device <NUM>, without optical connector <NUM> or <NUM>. The former methods include bonding with an adhesive and screw fixing. When bonding with an adhesive is employed, it becomes difficult to separate optical connectors <NUM> and <NUM>, and forced separation thereof may cause them to be irreparably damaged. In a case where screw fixing is employed, a tool is required to separate optical connectors <NUM> and <NUM>. On the other hand, the latter methods include a method in which a cable penetrator is provided at a wall of waterproof container <NUM>, through which optical cable <NUM> passes, and a method in which a through-hole is formed in a wall of waterproof container <NUM>, through which optical cable <NUM> passes, and a gap between the through-hole and optical cable <NUM> is filled with a resin. The cable penetrator herein refers to an instrument that enables communication between the inside and the outside of waterproof container <NUM>, and allows optical cable <NUM> to pass therethrough, while keeping waterproof container <NUM> sealed. This cable penetrator has an advantage in that it is substantially cheaper to use than optical connectors <NUM> and <NUM>.

It is of note that two or more of the foregoing methods may be used in combination.

Photoelectric conversion device <NUM> may send, receive, or exchange a signal with ROV <NUM> in a non-contact manner. In other words, photoelectric conversion device <NUM> may be wirelessly connected to ROV <NUM>. Photoelectric conversion device <NUM> and ROV <NUM> may exchange a signal by use of an existing near field communication technology such as a Near Field Communication (NFC).

To detachably attach adapter <NUM> to ROV <NUM>, attachment structure <NUM> of adapter <NUM> may be omitted. In such a case, methods for detachably attaching adapter <NUM> to ROV <NUM> include methods involving use of a tool, and methods not involving use of a tool. Methods in which a tool is used include one in which a clamp is employed to hold waterproof container <NUM> of adapter <NUM>. In a case that a clamp is used, attachment structure <NUM> of ROV <NUM> corresponds to the clamp. On the other hand, methods in which a tool is not used include one in which waterproof container <NUM> of adapter <NUM> is fixed to the main body frame of ROV <NUM> by use of a band with a hook-and-loop fastener, and one in which waterproof container <NUM> of adapter <NUM> is fitted into a hole formed at the main body frame of ROV <NUM>. In a case that the former method is used, attachment structure <NUM> of ROV <NUM> corresponds to the band, and in a case where the latter method is used, attachment structure <NUM> of ROV <NUM> corresponds to the hole.

Waterproof container <NUM> may contain a battery that supplies power to ROV <NUM>. The battery may supply power to ROV <NUM> either by wire or wirelessly. In a case that the battery supplies power to ROV <NUM> by wire, a power cable extending from the battery may be connected to ROV <NUM> via a power connector that enables communication between the inside and the outside of waterproof container <NUM>, or via a cable penetrator. In a case where the battery supplies power to ROV <NUM> wirelessly, a known non-contact power supply method may be used.

Communication connector <NUM> may be made integral with waterproof container <NUM>. In other words, a part of waterproof container <NUM> may be formed as a waterproof connector. Alternatively, communication connector <NUM> may have a structure that is formed to be directly connected to ROV <NUM>, without use of either communication connector <NUM> or communication cable <NUM>. Alternatively, one of communication connector <NUM> and communication connector <NUM> may be a spring connector (or a spring pin connector).

In the above embodiment, communication connector <NUM> is attached to adapter <NUM>, and by connecting communication connector <NUM> to communication connector <NUM>, communication between photoelectric conversion device <NUM> and ROV <NUM> is enabled. However, the communication connector need not necessarily be attached to adapter <NUM>. For example, the communication connector may be attached to a housing of ROV <NUM>. By connecting, to the communication connector, another communication connector that is attached to one end of communication cable <NUM> extending from photoelectric conversion device <NUM>, communication between photoelectric conversion device <NUM> and ROV <NUM> is enabled. In such a case, the communication connector attached to one end of communication cable <NUM> extending from photoelectric conversion device <NUM> is an example of a "second connector" according to the present invention.

Claim 1:
An adapter (<NUM>) used to connect an optical cable (<NUM>) to a remotely operated vehicle, ROV, (<NUM>) used underwater, the adapter (<NUM>) comprising:
a photoelectric conversion device (<NUM>); and
a first attachment structure (<NUM>) for detachably attaching the adapter (<NUM>) to the ROV (<NUM>) in cooperation with a second attachment structure (<NUM>) of the ROV (<NUM>), wherein:
the photoelectric conversion device (<NUM>) comprises a waterproof structure, a first connector (<NUM>) used to connect the optical cable (<NUM>) to the photoelectric conversion device (<NUM>), and a second connector (<NUM>) used to connect the photoelectric conversion device (<NUM>) to the ROV (<NUM>) via a communication cable; and
the second connector (<NUM>) is a second communication connector (<NUM>) configured to be detachably attached to a first communication connector (<NUM>) positioned at one end of a communication cable extending from the ROV (<NUM>); and
the first communication connector (<NUM>) and the second communication connector (<NUM>) are respectively male and female connectors, and a contact area of end surface of pins of the first communication connector (<NUM>) and the second communication connector (<NUM>) is larger than a contact area of the first connector (<NUM>) and the optical cable (<NUM>),
wherein the first attachment structure (<NUM>) is configured to attach to the second attachment structure (<NUM>) in at least one of the following methods without use of tools:
a method in which a lock hook is used;
a method in which a latch lock is used;
a method in which a fastener is used; and
a method in which a magnet is used.