JP4004285B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an imaging device including a light emitting device such as a strobe device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a light-emitting device is built in an imaging device represented by a camera using a silver salt film or a digital still camera. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a lens device (1), a light emitting device (2), and a frame member (6) on which these are mounted in a conventional imaging device. The lens device (1) includes at least an imaging lens through which light from a subject passes, and a lens barrel that surrounds and fixes the lens. The light emitting device (2) illuminates a subject in order to secure a light amount necessary for imaging, and includes at least a light emitter and light distribution means. The frame member (6) is provided in a housing (not shown) of the imaging device in order to arrange various internal devices inside the imaging device. For example, the lens device (1) is inserted and fixed to a cylindrical member (61) formed near the center of the frame member (6), and the light emitting device (2) is formed at the corner of the frame member (6). It is fixed to the pedestal part (62). Further, the lens device (1) and the light emitting device (2) may be fixed to a housing.
[0003]
As described above, when the lens device (1) and the light emitting device (2) are fixed to the frame member (6) or the casing, the mounting error of the devices (1) and (2) to the frame member (6) and the like, and the frame The shape errors of the members (6) and the like are accumulated, and the position of the light emitting device (2) is considerably shifted from the ideal position with respect to the lens device (1). However, the light distribution range of the light emitting device (2) needs to cover the entire visible range of the imaging device, that is, the visible range of the lens device (1). Furthermore, a certain amount of light needs to be given to the light distribution range. Therefore, in the conventional imaging device, the light distribution range and the light emission amount of the light emitting device (2) are at least a margin in consideration of such an error with respect to an ideal case where the light emitting device (2) is not displaced. It is set large.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The light distribution range and light emission amount of the light emitting device (2) are determined so that the light distribution range covers the visible range with a constant light amount even when the positional deviation of the light emitting device (2) with respect to the lens device (1) is maximum. There is a need to. However, since the positional deviation of the light emitting device (2) is not the maximum or close to the maximum in all manufactured imaging devices, the light emission amount of the light emitting device (2) is excessive in most imaging devices. The situation that is set to has occurred. For example, when the light-emitting device (2) is a strobe device, if the light-emitting device (2) emits a large amount of light, it is necessary to increase the capacity of the capacitor connected thereto, which increases the manufacturing cost of the imaging device. The life of the driving battery is shortened. Furthermore, the space occupied by the capacitor in the imaging device increases, which is an obstacle to downsizing the imaging device. As described above, various losses and problems are caused by the displacement of the position of the light emitting device (2) with respect to the lens device (1).
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to provide an imaging device that can reduce the positional deviation of the light emitting device with respect to the lens device, and hence the light emission amount of the light emitting device, as compared with the conventional device.
[0006]
[Means for solving the problems]
An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a lens barrel that houses one or a plurality of imaging lenses and an imaging element, and a housing that houses the lens barrel. A light-emitting device is fixed to the side surface, and the imaging lens disposed on one end side of the lens barrel and the light-emitting unit of the light-emitting device are connected to each other through an opening provided in the housing. The lens barrel to which the light emitting device is fixed is mounted in the casing so as to be exposed.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an imaging device, the step of fixing a light emitting device to an outer side surface of the lens barrel at one end side of a lens barrel that houses one or a plurality of imaging lenses and an imaging element; Mounting a circuit board for driving the imaging device disposed on the other end side of the lens barrel in the lens barrel on the outer end surface on the other end side of the lens; and an outer side surface of the lens barrel And a step of mounting a capacitor and a circuit board for driving the light emitting device, an imaging lens disposed on one end side of the lens barrel, and a light emitting unit of the light emitting device. And disposing the lens barrel so as to be exposed through an opening provided in the casing .
[0007]
[Action and effect]
In the present invention, the light emitting device is fixed to the outer side surface of the lens barrel that houses one or a plurality of imaging lenses and the imaging element, that is, the outer surface of the lens device configured using them, and is attached to one end side of the lens barrel. The lens device in a state where the light emitting device is fixed is disposed such that the arranged imaging lens and the light emitting unit of the light emitting device are exposed from the housing of the imaging device. With this configuration, the displacement of the position of the light emitting device with respect to the lens device is reduced as compared with the case where a frame member or the like is interposed between the lens device and the light emitting device. Accordingly, since the light distribution range of the light emitting device can be set to the same level as the imaging range of the lens device, the light emission amount of the light emitting device can be set lower than that of the conventional device. As a result, the product cost of the imaging apparatus is reduced, and the imaging apparatus can be downsized. For example, when the light emitting device is a strobe device, the capacity of the light emitting device driving capacitor is reduced, and the consumption of the charging battery is suppressed. Further, since the capacitance is reduced, the capacitor can be reduced in size.
[0008]
In the present invention, the image sensor is disposed on the other end side of the lens barrel in the lens barrel, and a circuit board for driving the image sensor is mounted on the outer end surface on the other end side of the lens barrel. In the state, it is preferable that the lens barrel is mounted in the housing. This can further reduce the size of the imaging device and simplify the manufacturing process.
[0009]
In the present invention, it is preferable that the lens barrel is mounted in the casing in a state where the light emitting device driving capacitor and the circuit board are mounted on the outer side surface of the lens barrel. This can further reduce the size of the imaging device and simplify the manufacturing process.
[0010]
In addition, by applying the present invention to an imaging device that is movably provided with respect to a second housing that the imaging apparatus includes, the casing including the lens apparatus can be made small so that the casing can be easily moved. Furthermore, while the shape of the imaging device can be changed so as to be suitable for storage, carrying, imaging, etc., even when the relative position of the housing deviates from a desired position during imaging, it is caused by the displacement of the housing. There is no deviation between the light distribution range of the light emitting device and the visible range of the lens device.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a digital still camera (hereinafter referred to as “camera”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is used about the same component as a conventional apparatus. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lens device (1) and a light emitting device (2) according to the present invention. 2 is a sectional view of the lens device (1) broken along the plane including the line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a light emitting device (2) broken along the plane including the line BB in FIG. FIG.
[0012]
The lens device (1) includes a lens barrel (11) having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and an imaging lens (12a) (12b) is provided along the longitudinal direction inside the lens barrel (11). Are arranged. The side portions of the lenses (12a) and (12b) are supported by a support member formed on the inner surface of the lens barrel (11). A certain lens (12a) is disposed on the front end side of the lens device (1), and a support member that supports the lens (12a) forms a front end surface portion (18) of the lens barrel (11). A wall portion (19) is formed on the rear end side of the lens barrel (11), and an image sensor (17) is fixed to the inner surface of the wall portion (19). The imaging device (17), the light collected by these lenses (12a) (12b) is irradiated, and outputs an electrical image signal in which the light is converted, CCD imaging in this embodiment The element is adopted.
[0013]
A convex portion (13) is formed near the tip of the upper side surface of the lens barrel (11), and a screw hole for positioning and fixing the light emitting device (2) is formed on the upper surface of the convex portion (13). (14) and a positioning hole (15) are formed. Further, on the other side surface of the lens barrel (11), a screw hole (16) into which a screw for fixing the lens device (1) to the frame member or the housing of the imaging device is screwed is formed.
[0014]
The light emitting device (2) of the present embodiment is a strobe device. The light emitting device (2) has a light emitting part (21) and a frame part (25) to which the light emitting part (21) is attached. The light emitting unit (21) includes a light emitting tube (22) that emits light, a reflecting mirror (23) that reflects light from the light emitting tube (22), and a reflecting mirror (23 And a lens (24) through which the light reflected by the lens passes. A light emitting part (21) is mounted on the front surface of the frame part (25), and a lead wire (26) connected to the arc tube (22) passes through a hole formed in the frame part (25), and the frame part ( It extends to the back side of 25). A plate-like coupling member (27) placed on the convex portion (13) of the lens barrel (11) protrudes from the back surface of the frame portion (25).
[0015]
The coupling member (27) is formed with a screw hole (28) into which the fixing screw (3) is inserted. With the coupling member (27) placed on the convex portion (13), the fixing screw (3) is inserted into the screw hole (28) and screwed into the screw hole (14) of the convex portion (13). By doing so, the light emitting device (2) is fixed to the lens device (1). A positioning projection (29) protrudes from the lower surface of the coupling member (27), and the projection (29) is inserted into the positioning hole (15) formed in the convex portion (13) of the lens barrel (11). By fitting, the light emitting device (2) is positioned with respect to the lens device (1).
[0016]
FIG. 4A is a side view of a state in which the light emitting device 2 is fixed to the lens device 1. In order to expose the light emitting unit (21) of the light emitting device (2) to the outside of the housing of the imaging device, the light emitting device (2) is disposed on the front end side of the lens device (1).
[0017]
FIG. 4B is a side view of an embodiment in which parts related to driving of the lens device 1 or the light emitting device 2 are mounted using the lens barrel 11. First, a circuit board (41) for driving the image sensor (17) is mounted on the outer surface of the wall (19) of the lens device (1). The circuit board (41) is electrically connected to the image sensor (17) via a terminal embedded in the wall (19). Further, on the upper side surface of the lens barrel (11) to which the light emitting device (2) is fixed, a capacitor (42) for storing electric power required for causing the light emitting device (2) to emit light, and a light emitting device driving device A circuit board (43) is mounted. In addition, a flexible printed circuit board (44) connected to the circuit board (43) is mounted along the side surface of the lens barrel (11).
[0018]
In the embodiment, the light emitting device (2) is fixed to the upper side surface of the lens barrel (11), but may be fixed to the other side surface. In the embodiment, the lens barrel (11) has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. However, for example, the shape of the lens barrel (11) is not limited in the practice of the present invention. Fixing the light emitting device (2) to the lens device (1) does not require the use of screws (3) and screw holes (14) and (28) as in the embodiment, but adopts fitting means and adhesive means. Also good. In addition, the lens device (1) and the light emitting device (2) are provided only with positioning means, and the light emitting device (2) is replaced with the lens device (1) by using a pressing member attached to the housing or frame member of the imaging device. The light emitting device (2) may be fixed to the lens device (1) by pressing to the lens device (1).
[0019]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a camera using the lens device (1) and the light emitting device (2). FIG. 5A shows the usage state of the camera. The camera according to the present invention includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped first casing (51) and a substantially rectangular parallelepiped second casing (52) to which the first casing (51) is rotatably attached. . When the camera is in use, the side surface (51a) of the first housing (51) where the imaging lens (12a) is located faces the subject, and a part of the first housing (51) Projecting toward the subject side from the subject side surface (52a) of the housing (52).
[0020]
FIG. 5B shows a state in which the first housing 51 is accommodated. That is, by rotating the first casing (51) 90 degrees with respect to the second casing (52) from the usage state, the first casing (51) and the second casing (52) are integrated into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The camera obtains a compact shape that is convenient to carry.
[0021]
A lens device (1) to which the light emitting device (2) is fixed is disposed inside the first housing (51). The lens device (1) includes a frame fixed to the first casing (51) using a fixing screw (not shown) and a screw hole (16) (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 4 (a)). It is fixed to a member (not shown). An opening into which the light emitting device (2) is inserted is formed on the side surface (51a) of the first housing (51), and the light emitting part (21) of the light emitting device (2) is attached to the first housing (51). It protrudes to the outside. Furthermore, the imaging lens (12a) located at the tip of the lens device (1) is exposed from the opening formed in the side surface (51a). Further, a finder device (not shown) is arranged inside the first housing (51), and an objective window (53) for the finder device is arranged on the side surface (51a) with the side surface (51a). A viewing window (54) is provided on the opposite side surface. Inside the second housing (52), a circuit for processing an image signal from the lens device (1), an image display device such as an LCD, and a recording medium (not shown) for image data are arranged. .
[0022]
In the camera of this embodiment, since the lens device (1) to which the light emitting device (2) is fixed is used, the first housing (51) can be made small so that it can be easily rotated. Since the light emitting device (2) is directly fixed to the outer surface of the lens barrel (11) of the lens device (1), the first housing (51) and the second housing (52) in the camera use state are used. Due to the displacement, the displacement of the light emitting device (2) with respect to the lens device (1) does not occur. Therefore, in the camera of the present embodiment, the image quality of the captured image is not deteriorated due to the shift between the imaging range of the lens device (1) and the light distribution range of the light emitting device (2) due to the rotating structure. Further, it is not necessary to increase the light emission amount of the light emitting device (2) in order to cope with the positional shift of the light emitting device (2) due to the rotating structure.
[0023]
Note that the movable structure of the imaging apparatus that can obtain the benefits of the present invention is not limited to the rotating structure as in this embodiment. For example, the first housing (51) may be configured to be able to move out and with respect to the second housing (52). An imaging apparatus to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the digital still camera as in the above embodiment. The imaging device may be a video camera or an infrared camera, and the light emitting device (2) may be a video light or an infrared light.
[0024]
The above description of the embodiments is for explaining the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the claims or reducing the scope thereof. In addition, the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lens device and a light emitting device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lens device broken along a plane including line AA in FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view of the light emitting device broken along a plane including a line BB in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state where the light emitting device is fixed to the lens device. FIG. 5B is a side view of an embodiment in which image pickup device parts and the like are mounted on the lens barrel of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a digital still camera according to the present invention. FIG. 6A shows the camera in use, and FIG. 6B shows the state in which the first housing is housed. FIG. 6 schematically shows a lens device, a light emitting device, and a frame member in a conventional imaging device. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
(1) Lens device
(11) Lens tube
(12a) (12b) Imaging lens
(19) Wall
(2) Light emitting device
(51) (52) Enclosure

Claims (5)

A lens barrel that houses one or a plurality of imaging lenses and an imaging element, and a housing that houses the lens barrel;
At one end of the lens barrel, a light emitting device is fixed to the outer side surface of the lens barrel,
The light emitting device is fixed so that the imaging lens disposed on one end side of the lens barrel and the light emitting unit of the light emitting device are exposed through an opening provided in the housing according to each. An imaging apparatus in which the lens barrel is mounted in the housing. The image sensor is disposed in the lens barrel on the other end side of the lens barrel, and a circuit board for driving the image sensor is mounted on the outer end surface on the other end side of the lens barrel. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lens barrel is attached in the casing in a state where the lens is in a closed state. The imaging according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lens barrel is mounted in the casing in a state in which a capacitor and a circuit board for driving the light emitting device are mounted on an outer side surface of the lens barrel. apparatus. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second housing, wherein the housing is provided movably with respect to the second housing. Fixing a light emitting device to an outer side surface of the lens barrel at one end side of a lens barrel containing one or a plurality of imaging lenses and an imaging element;
Attaching a circuit board for driving the imaging element disposed on the other end side of the lens barrel in the lens barrel on the outer end surface on the other end side of the lens barrel;
Mounting a capacitor and a circuit board for driving the light emitting device on the outer side surface of the lens barrel;
The lens barrel is exposed so that the imaging lens disposed on one end side of the lens barrel and the light emitting unit of the light emitting device are exposed through an opening provided in the housing of the imaging device according to each. A method of manufacturing the imaging device including the step of arranging.

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