Patent attributes
This invention provides a vision system with an exchangeable illumination assembly that allows for increased versatility in the type and configuration of illumination supplied to the system without altering the underlying optics, sensor or vision processor, and their associated housing. The vision system housing includes a front plate that optionally includes a plurality of mounting bases for accepting different types of lenses. An optional connector is provided on the front plate to accept an electrical connection for a liquid lens component. The front plate includes a connector that allows removable interconnection with the illustrative illumination assembly. The illumination assembly includes a cover that is light transmissive on at lest the front face thereof. The cover encloses an illumination component that can include a plurality of lighting elements that surround an aperture through which received light rays from the imaged scene pass through to the lens. The rear face of the illumination component is spaced apart from the rear edge of the cover, which removably and sealingly engages the front plate. The assembly also includes a connector that removably engages the connector on the front plate. The arrangement of lighting elements (e.g. LEDs) is highly variable and the user can be supplied with an illumination assembly that best suits its needs without need to change the vision system processor, sensor or housing.
