Rotatable optical device housing and mounting platform

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.

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.