JP4347169B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus capable of releasing a shutter while narrowing an opening.

Some conventional image pickup apparatuses are provided with a shutter sector and a diaphragm sector (see, for example, Patent Document 1 shown below). In such an imaging apparatus, the diaphragm state is switched by driving a diaphragm sector. Therefore, a driving member for driving the shutter sector and a driving member for driving the diaphragm sector are separately provided.
JP 2001-188276 A

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, at least two members for driving the shutter sector and the aperture sector are required, and it is necessary to control the shutter and the aperture, respectively. There was also a problem of increased power consumption.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an imaging apparatus capable of driving a shutter sector and an aperture sector as needed with a single drive member. Objective.

  In order to achieve such an object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a substrate having an opening, a first cam hole, a first sector that can advance and retreat into the opening, and a second cam hole. And a second sector that can advance and retreat into the opening, and a drive member that engages with the first and second cam holes and drives the first and second sectors, And the second cam hole drives the first sector and the second sector when the driving member moves from the first position to the second position, and the driving member moves to the second position. When moving from the first position to the third position, the second sector is configured to move while keeping the second sector stopped. By configuring so that the operation of driving the other sector while the second sector is stopped can be realized by one driving member, for example, while maintaining the small aperture state in the aperture sector, Each sector can be driven as necessary, such as closing an opening with a sector. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the apparatus and reduce power consumption.

  The second sector may be a diaphragm blade that reduces the amount of light incident from the opening. Since the first sector can be driven in a state in which the aperture blade that is the second sector does not move, it is possible to shoot with high image quality.

  Further, the present invention is further configured such that when the drive member moves from the second position to the third position, the drive member does not contact the inner peripheral wall of the second cam hole. Is preferred. When the second sector is stopped, it is possible to minimize the loss of driving force (torque) by configuring the driving member not to contact the second cam hole, resulting in consumption. Electric power can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an imaging apparatus capable of driving a shutter sector and a diaphragm sector as needed with a single driving member.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, Embodiment 1 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing the internal configuration of the imaging apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The imaging device 1 is formed including three main unit parts. That is, the imaging apparatus 1 includes an imaging unit 10 including an imaging element, an optical unit 20 including a lens, and a sector driving unit 30 that drives a sector. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the imaging apparatus 1 has a structure in which an optical unit 20 and a sector drive unit 30 are provided in this order on an imaging unit 10. Each unit is arranged so that a part thereof overlaps in the upper and lower sides. The imaging unit 10 and the optical unit 20 are collectively referred to as an imaging optical module.

  The imaging unit 10 includes an imaging substrate 11, an imaging element 12, a lens barrel 13, and an optical filter 14. The image pickup device 12 is an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS, and is fixed at a predetermined position on the image pickup substrate 11. The lens barrel 13 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and is fixed on the imaging substrate 11 so as to surround the outer periphery of the imaging element 12. An optical filter 14 such as an IR cut filter is disposed in the lower portion 13L of the lens barrel 13. The upper portion 13U of the lens barrel 13 is engaged with a part on the optical unit 20 and sector drive unit 30 side. Further, an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) 17 for connecting the imaging apparatus 1 to an electronic device such as a camera or a mobile phone is connected to a wiring pattern (not shown) formed on the imaging substrate 11. The FPC 17 is provided with a connector 18 for connecting to a main circuit board (motherboard) on the electronic device side.

  A lens holder 21 that forms part of the optical unit 20 is screwed into the upper portion 13U of the lens barrel 13. Three lenses 22, 23 and 24 are held in the lens holder 21. Screws that are screwed to each other are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lens holder 21 and the inner peripheral surface of the upper portion 13 </ b> U of the lens barrel 13. Therefore, by rotating the lens holder 21 with respect to the lens barrel 13, the position in the optical axis direction LA is changed, so that light incident through the lenses 22, 23, and 24 is imaged on the image sensor 12. You can adjust the focus. After the focus adjustment is completed, the lens holder 21 is fixed in the lens barrel 13 using, for example, an adhesive.

  Further, a notch 25 having a stepped outer periphery is formed at the upper end of the lens holder 21 (end on the subject side). The notch 25 has an annular surface 25F perpendicular to the optical axis direction LA. As will be described later, the sector substrate 31 of the sector drive unit 30 contacts the annular surface 25F.

  A sector drive unit 30 is disposed above the optical unit 20. The sector drive unit 30 includes a configuration generally referred to as a sector drive device or a shutter device. In the imaging apparatus 1, the sector drive unit 30 is disposed on the subject side with respect to the optical unit 20. More specifically, a part of the sector substrate 31 included in the sector drive unit 30 is fixed on the lens holder 21 of the optical unit 20. A sector pressing plate 32 is disposed so as to face the sector substrate 31. In the space SP between the sector substrate 31 and the sector pressing plate 32, two sectors of a shutter sector 33 and an aperture sector 34 are disposed.

  The sector substrate 31 includes a cylindrical portion 37 that is in contact with the lens holder 21 and covers the upper portion 13U of the lens barrel 13, and a motor storage portion 39 in which a step motor 36 as an actuator is installed. Contains. A shutter opening 38 is formed in the upper part of the cylindrical portion 37. The shutter opening 38 is formed so as to be fitted into the notch 25 described above formed in the upper portion of the lens holder 21. That is, the peripheral portion 38 </ b> C of the shutter opening 38 is fixed in a state of being in contact with the annular surface 25 </ b> F of the notch portion 25. The portion of the sector substrate 31 where the shutter opening 38 is formed has a flat plate shape perpendicular to the optical axis direction LA. Therefore, the sector substrate 31 is fixed perpendicularly to the optical axis direction LA when the annular surface 25F of the notch 25 and the peripheral portion 38C of the shutter opening 38 come into contact with each other.

  If the cutout portion 25 on the lens holder 21 side is formed in a step portion having a right-angled cross section, and the shutter opening 38 is formed so as to be just fitted into the cutout portion 25, the sector substrate with respect to the lens holder 21 is formed. 31 can be fitted with higher positional accuracy.

  The lens holder 21 is fixed in the lens barrel 13 as described above. The lens holder 21 is fitted with a shutter opening 38 of the sector substrate 31. Therefore, in the imaging device 1, the relative positions of the lenses 22 to 24 in the optical unit 20 and the sector drive unit 30 do not change. Therefore, the imaging device 1 is an imaging device in which the angle of view of the lenses 22 to 24 and the amount of incident light are not changed. In the imaging apparatus 1, since the lens holder 21 is fitted in the shutter opening 38 of the sector substrate 31, the shutter opening 38 does not substantially function as a photographing opening. In the imaging device 1, the opening 32HL formed in the sector presser plate 32 corresponds to the shooting opening pointed out earlier.

  Further, a positioning structure is formed between the cylindrical portion 37 of the sector substrate 31 and the upper portion 13U of the lens barrel 13.

  Further, a printed circuit board 40 for connecting the electrode of the step motor 36 to the imaging substrate 11 is joined to the side portion of the sector substrate 31. This printed board is a hard printed board formed of a base material such as polyimide resin, epoxy resin, or glass epoxy resin. The printed circuit board 40 is electrically connected to the imaging board 11 by solder 41 and is fixed to the imaging board 11 at a substantially right angle. Therefore, the sector drive unit 30 is electrically connected to the imaging board 11 and is reliably supported by the imaging board 11 via the hard printed board 40. Further, as described above, the sector drive unit 30 is fixed to the imaging substrate 11 on the cylindrical portion 37 side via the lens barrel 13. Since the sector drive unit 30 is stably supported by the imaging substrate 11 in this way, the imaging apparatus 1 has a structure that is excellent in impact resistance and can reduce internal load generation. Therefore, the imaging apparatus 1 does not cause a problem that the sector of the sector drive unit 30 collides with the peripheral portion and is damaged.

  Moreover, since the printed circuit board 40 is connected to the imaging board 11 as described above, the imaging apparatus 1 can control the step motor 36 from the imaging board 11 side. By adopting such a structure, it is possible to arrange electronic components for a motor, which should originally be arranged on the sector drive unit 30 side, on the imaging substrate 11 side. As described above, when there is a space on the image pickup substrate 11 side, the image pickup apparatus 1 can be downsized as a whole by utilizing the space. Such a device for miniaturization is not limited to the imaging apparatus 1. For example, a sector drive IC (control circuit element) for driving and controlling a sector has a relatively large external shape, and therefore, when mounted on the motherboard side of the electronic device, the size increases. In the imaging apparatus 1, the sector driving IC 15 is arranged on the imaging substrate 11 by utilizing space. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the electronic apparatus that employs the imaging device 1.

  The imaging apparatus 1 is devised so as not to increase the size even if the sector driving IC 15 is arranged on the imaging substrate 11 side. This point will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the right side portion where the lens barrel 13 and the lens holder 21 are stacked is relatively high. On the other hand, there is a space on the imaging substrate 11 facing the motor storage unit 39. A sector driving IC 15 is arranged in this space. Therefore, the imaging apparatus 1 is not increased in size by moving the components used for the sector drive unit 30 to the imaging substrate 11 side, and can be reduced in size as a whole by effectively utilizing the space.

  Further, as described above, the FPC 17 is connected to the imaging board 11 for connection to an electronic device, and the FPC 17 is provided with a connector 18 for connecting to a circuit board (motherboard or the like) on the electronic device side. Yes. Therefore, the imaging unit 10 and the sector drive unit 30 can be controlled simply by connecting the connector 18 to a motherboard or the like of the electronic device. Therefore, compared with the case where the sector drive unit 30 and the imaging optical module are individually controlled as in the prior art, the electrical configuration of the imaging device 1 can be simplified.

  In addition, the printed circuit board 40 electrically connected to the electrodes of the step motor 36 is connected to the terminal pins 45. The terminal pin 45 is inserted into a contact hole 11HL provided in the image pickup substrate 11 and is fixed to the image pickup substrate 11 with solder 41.

  Next, driving examples of the shutter sector 33 and the aperture sector 34 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration when the opening 32HL is in a fully opened state which is the first position.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the shutter sector 33 and the aperture sector 34 are provided with cam holes 332 and 342 which are first cam holes and second cam holes, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, the cam hole 332 has a V shape, whereas the cam hole 342 has a square shape. That is, the cam holes 332 and 342 are bent near the center. However, the bent portion has no corners and is in a smooth state.

  A drive pin 362 is engaged with the cam holes 332 and 342. The shutter sector 33 is provided with a hole 333 for weight reduction. The aperture sector 34 is provided with an aperture (diaphragm hole 343) having a diameter smaller than that of the aperture 32HL. The throttle hole 343 is configured to make the opening 32HL have a small diameter.

  The shutter sector 33 is supported on the sector substrate 31 by a fixing pin 331 for attaching the shutter sector 33 in a swingable manner. Similarly, the diaphragm sector 34 is supported on the sector substrate 31 by a fixing pin 341 for attaching the diaphragm sector 34 in a swingable manner.

  The drive pin 362 is provided at one end of a drive arm 361 fixed to the rotation shaft of the step motor 36. Therefore, by driving the step motor 36, the shutter sector 33 and the aperture sector 34 can be swung via the drive arm 361 and the drive pin 362. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the driving member is composed of a step motor 36, a driving arm 361, and a driving pin 362. FIG. 3 shows a state when the drive arm 361 is rotated about 65 ° counterclockwise.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the drive pin 362 is rotated from the end of one side (right side in the drawing) by turning the drive arm 361 about 65 ° from the bent part of the cam holes 332 and 342. Slide on the side (right side in the drawing) and reach the bent portion. In this operation, that is, the operation from FIG. 2 to FIG. 3, the shutter sector 33 is driven clockwise and the aperture sector 34 is driven counterclockwise. Thereby, the opening 32HL shifts from the fully open state to the fully closed state. More specifically, in the fully opened state, the opening 32HL is fully opened by two sectors, the shutter sector 33 and the aperture sector 34. When the opening 32HL is fully opened with two sectors, a faster operation is possible than when the opening 32HL is fully opened with one sector.

  Further, when the drive arm 361 is further rotated counterclockwise by about 15 °, the second position shown in FIG. 4 is obtained. As shown in FIG. 4, the drive pin 362 passes through the bent portion and reaches the other side (the left side in the drawing) of the cam holes 332 and 342. At this time, the aperture hole 343 provided in the aperture sector 34 reaches the center of the opening 32HL. The shutter sector 33 swings in the opposite direction (counterclockwise). Since the shutter sector 33 starts to retract from the opening 32HL while the aperture hole 343 reaches the center of the opening 32HL, it is possible to shorten the time for setting the aperture.

  Further, when the driving arm 361 is rotated counterclockwise by about 50 °, the state shown in FIG. 5 which is the third position is obtained. As shown in FIG. 5, the drive pin 362 slides on the other side (the left side in the drawing) of the cam holes 332 and 342 and reaches the other end thereof. In this operation, that is, the operation from FIG. 4 to FIG. 5, the shutter sector 33 is swung clockwise, but the aperture sector 34 is not swung. That is, in the state of FIGS. 4 to 5, the other side of the cam hole 342 (the left side in the drawing) moves along the circle centering on the rotation axis of the step motor 36, that is, the drive pin 362 moves. It is comprised so that it may be provided in the area | region along the range to do. Therefore, even when the drive arm 361 is swung, the diaphragm sector 34 is not driven. In this way, the drive arm 361 can swing the shutter sector 33 while keeping the stop sector 34 stopped. In other words, the drive arm 361 can open and close the opening 32HL by the shutter sector 33 while keeping the opening 32HL in the small aperture state by the aperture hole 343.

  As described above, the cam holes 332 and 342 according to the present embodiment have the shutter sector 33 and the aperture sector 34 when the driving member moves from the first position (fully opened state) to the second position shown in FIG. When the drive member moves from the second position to the third position shown in FIG. 5, the shutter sector 33 is moved while the stop sector 34 is kept stopped. ing. Thus, according to the present embodiment, the opening 32HL can be changed from the fully open state to the fully closed state to the small aperture state by rotating only the drive arm 361 counterclockwise. Conversely, by rotating only the drive arm 361 clockwise, the opening 32HL can be changed from the small aperture state to the fully closed state to the fully open state.

  Therefore, when shooting without aperture, the drive arm 361 goes to the state of FIG. 3 through the state of FIG. On the other hand, when shooting with a small aperture, the drive arm 361 goes to the state of FIG. 4 through the state of FIG. As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to perform shooting by switching between the presence and absence of the aperture with a simple operation of driving one drive pin 362. Further, since there is only one pin or arm to drive, power consumption can be reduced. Further, by combining the aperture sector 34 as a shutter sector, the configuration can be simplified and the result apparatus can be downsized.

  In the above-described configuration, it is desirable that the drive pin 362 does not come into contact with the inner wall of the cam hole 342 of the diaphragm sector 34 when driving from FIG. 4 to FIG. 5 (and vice versa). As described above, in the state shown in FIGS. 4 to 5, the other side of the cam hole 342 (the left side in the drawing) is along a circle centered on the rotation axis of the step motor 36. This can be realized by arranging the position. In this way, when only the shutter sector 33 is driven in the state of the small aperture opening, the drive pin 362 is configured not to contact the inner wall of the cam hole 342 of the aperture sector 34, so that the power of the step motor 36 is increased. Loss can be prevented, and quicker and smoother operation and reduction of power consumption can be realized.

  In addition, the said Example 1 is only an example for implementing this invention, This invention is not limited to these, It is in the scope of the present invention to modify these Examples variously, and It is obvious from the above description that various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, the small-diameter aperture hole 343 is provided in the aperture sector 34. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an ND filter may be provided at a position where the aperture 32HL can be covered without using a small-diameter hole. Further, the sector is not limited to the swing type but may be a parallel movement type.

It is the side view shown so that the internal structure of the imaging device 1 by Example 1 of this invention could be confirmed. It is a figure which shows a structure when the opening 32HL of FIG. 1 exists in a fully open state. It is a figure which shows a structure when the opening 32HL of FIG. 1 exists in a fully closed state. It is a figure which shows the structure at the time of the state where the opening 32HL of FIG. It is a figure which shows a structure when the opening 32HL of FIG. 1 exists in the state of a small aperture stop.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging device 10 Imaging unit 11 Imaging board 11HL Contact hole 12 Imaging element 13 Lens tube 13L Lower part of lens tube 13 13U Upper part of lens tube 13 14 Optical filter 15 IC for sector drive
17 FPC
18 Connector 20 Optical Unit 21 Lens Holder 22, 23, 24 Lens 25 Notch 25F Annular Surface 30 Sector Drive Unit 31 Sector Substrate 32 Sector Presser Plate 32HL Opening 33 Shutter Sector 34 Sector for Strain 36 Step Motor 37 Cylindrical Part 38 Shutter Opening 38C Peripheral portion of shutter opening 39 Motor housing portion 40 Printed circuit board 41 Solder 45 Terminal pin 331, 341 Fixed pin 332, 342 Cam hole 333 hole 343 Aperture hole 361 Drive arm 362 Drive pin LA Optical axis SP space

Claims (3)

A substrate provided with an opening;
A first sector having a first cam hole and capable of advancing and retracting to the opening;
A second sector having a second cam hole and capable of advancing and retracting to the opening;
A single drive member engaging the first and second cam holes and driving the first and second sectors;
The first and second cam holes drive the first sector and the second sector when the driving member moves from the first position to the second position, and the driving member moves the first sector to the second position. When moving from the position 2 to the third position, having a shape for moving the first sector while keeping the second sector stopped ,
When the driving member is in the first position, the opening is shifted to a fully open state, the opening is fully closed at the second position, and the opening is shifted to a small aperture state at the third position. An imaging device. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second sector is a diaphragm blade that reduces the amount of light incident from the opening. 3. The drive member according to claim 1 , wherein when the drive member moves from the second position to the third position, the drive member does not contact an inner peripheral wall of the second cam hole. Imaging device.

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