JP7753633B2 - Lens protection member and imaging device - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a lens protection member and an imaging device.

Image capture devices capable of capturing a wide range of subject images, such as panoramic images with a 180° angle of view or 360° spherical panoramic images, are equipped with ultra-wide-angle lenses with a curved front surface that protrudes toward the subject. Because of this, the curved surface of the ultra-wide-angle lens protrudes outward from the body, and leaving the front surface exposed when not taking pictures or during storage can lead to scratches and dirt. Therefore, to protect the front surface of ultra-wide-angle lenses, a cap-shaped protective cover shaped to fit the lens is currently used as a separate part from the image capture device itself.

With such protective covers that are separate from the imaging device body, it is a hassle to put them back on after each shoot. To solve this problem, a known technology provides at least two protrusions that protrude further toward the subject than the curved surface of the wide-angle lens (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2013-242364 A

However, with the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the protruding portion is positioned within the angle of view of the wide-angle lens, so the protruding portion may appear in the subject image, leaving room for improvement.

According to a first aspect, an imaging device includes a plurality of lenses, a plurality of imaging elements that respectively capture subject images formed by the plurality of lenses, and a lens protection member that protects at least one of the plurality of lenses, and the lens protection member moves between a protection position that protects at least a portion of the lens and a retracted position outside the image circle within the imaging area of all the imaging elements or outside the imaging area.
According to a second aspect, an imaging device includes a lens, an imaging element that captures an image of a subject formed by the lens, an imaging device body that holds the lens and the imaging element, and a lens protection member that protects the lens, and the lens protection member moves between a protection position that protects at least a portion of the lens and a retracted position that is positioned in a portion of the imaging device body or an area outside the imaging device body that is reflected in the imaging element.
According to a third aspect, the imaging device includes a plurality of lenses, a plurality of imaging elements that capture an image of a subject formed by the plurality of lenses, and a lens protection member that protects at least one of the plurality of lenses, and the lens protection member moves between a protection position that protects at least a portion of the lens and a retracted position that corresponds to an area where the imaging areas of the plurality of imaging elements overlap.
According to a fourth aspect, the lens protection member is a lens protection member that protects at least one of a plurality of lenses of an imaging device that includes a plurality of lenses and a plurality of imaging elements that respectively capture subject images formed by the plurality of lenses, and moves between a protection position that protects at least a portion of the lens and a retracted position outside the image circle within the imaging area of all the imaging elements or outside the imaging area.
According to a fifth aspect, the lens protection member is a lens protection member that protects the lens of an imaging device that includes a lens, an imaging element that captures an image of a subject formed by the lens, and an imaging device body that holds the lens and the imaging element, and moves between a protection position that protects at least a portion of the lens and a retracted position that is positioned in a portion of the imaging device body or an area outside the imaging device body that is reflected in the imaging element.
According to a sixth aspect, the lens protection member is a lens protection member that protects at least one of a plurality of lenses of an imaging device that includes a plurality of lenses and a plurality of imaging elements that capture a subject image formed by the plurality of lenses, and moves between a protection position that protects at least a portion of the lens and a retracted position that corresponds to an area where the imaging areas of the plurality of imaging elements overlap.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an imaging apparatus showing a first embodiment. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of use of an imaging device according to a first embodiment. 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the relationship between the imaging device and the angle of view according to the first embodiment; 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining the relationship between the image circle of the imaging device, the imaging area of the imaging element, and the retreat area according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of an imaging device showing a second embodiment. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of use of an imaging device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an imaging device according to a third embodiment. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of use of an imaging device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of an imaging device showing a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of an imaging device showing a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of an imaging device according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cover portion of a lens protection member of an imaging device showing a fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of an imaging device according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of an imaging device according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an imaging device according to an eighth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an imaging device according to a ninth embodiment. FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an imaging apparatus according to a tenth embodiment. FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an eleventh embodiment. FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an imaging apparatus according to a twelfth embodiment. FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an imaging apparatus according to a thirteenth embodiment. 23A and 23B are diagrams for explaining the schematic configuration of an imaging device according to a fourteenth embodiment and the relationship between the imaging device and the angle of view.

(First embodiment)
An imaging device 100 to which a lens protection member 20 according to a first embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the imaging device 100 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, (a) and (b) are a front view and a side view, respectively, when imaging, and (c) and (d) are a front view and a side view, respectively, when not imaging. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of how the imaging device 100 according to the first embodiment is used. In FIG. 1, (a) is a front view of the imaging device 100 when placed on a desk or the like, and (b) is a side view.

As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging device 100 of the first embodiment includes an imaging device main body 10 and a lens protection member 20. The imaging device 100 of the first embodiment captures spherical still images and moving images (hereinafter referred to as "spherical panoramic images").

The imaging device body 10 includes two lens barrels 11A and 11B, two image sensors 12A and 12B, and a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped housing 13 that houses these. The imaging device body 10 also includes a power button, a shooting button, operation buttons, an LCD, a microphone, a speaker, a memory card slot, a USB terminal, a circuit board that controls the operation of the entire imaging device 100, and other components (all not shown). In this embodiment, the normal position is when the rectangular parallelepiped imaging device body 10 is placed vertically, with the direction along the long sides of the rectangular parallelepiped (vertical direction) being the length direction, and the direction perpendicular to the length direction and along the short sides (horizontal direction) being the width direction.

Each lens barrel 11A, 11B houses an imaging optical system 15A, 15B consisting of multiple lenses, including wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B. Each lens barrel 11A, 11B holds a wide-angle lens 14A, 14B at one end that protrudes from the housing 13, and an imaging element 12A, 12B at the other end inside the housing 13.

The imaging device 100 of this embodiment is equipped with two (a pair) imaging optical systems 15A, 15B including wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, imaging elements 12A, 12B, and lens barrels 11A, 11B that hold them. However, this configuration is not limited, and the imaging device 100 can also be equipped with three or more of these components. The same applies to the other embodiments described below.

Wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B have a curved front surface that protrudes toward the subject, and are held in lens barrels 11A and 11B so that they protrude from the surface of housing 13. Wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B collect light from the subject and form an image on the imaging surfaces of image sensors 12A and 12B.

At least one of the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B must have an angle of view greater than 180 degrees, and preferably an angle of view of 200 degrees or more. In the first embodiment and other embodiments described below, ultra-wide-angle lenses with an angle of view of 200 degrees are used as the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B.

Each image sensor 12A, 12B receives light focused by each wide-angle lens 14A, 14B on its imaging surface and converts it into an electrical signal to capture an image of the subject. There are no particular limitations on the type of image sensor 12A, 12B, but suitable examples include XY address type solid-state image sensors such as CMOS sensors, and progressive scan type solid-state image sensors such as CCD sensors.

The lens barrels 11A, 11B and image sensors 12A, 12B configured as described above are arranged back-to-back on one side of the longitudinal direction (upper part) of the vertically long housing 13, with the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B facing in opposite directions and with their optical axes IA, IB coaxial. Using imaging optical systems 15A, 15B each including two wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, image processing such as distortion correction and projective transformation is performed on each image (partial image) captured by the two image sensors 12A, 12B. After this image processing, a splicing position where the subjects overlap is detected using a technique such as pattern matching in the overlapping portion of the two images. The two images are then stitched together using the overlapping portion based on this splicing position to generate a single omnidirectional panoramic image. Stitching multiple images together using the overlapping portions of multiple images in this way is called a "stitching process."

The imaging device body 10 has imaging optical systems 15A and 15B, including wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B, arranged above the vertically long, rectangular parallelepiped housing 13, allowing the user to hold the area below the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B in their hands. Therefore, the housing 13 (body) of the imaging device body 10 also functions as a handle (holding portion). There are no particular limitations on the material of the housing 13, and known materials such as resin and metal can be used.

In the following description, the horizontal direction is referred to as the X direction, the left direction as the positive X direction (+X), and the right direction as the negative X direction (-X). The vertical direction is referred to as the Y direction, the upward direction as the positive Y direction (+Y), and the downward direction as the negative Y direction (-Y). The direction intersecting the X and Y directions is referred to as the Z direction, the depth direction as the positive Z direction (+Z), and the forward direction as the negative Z direction (-Z).

Furthermore, in the imaging device 100, the side on which one wide-angle lens 14A is provided is referred to as the front, and the side on which the other wide-angle lens 14B is provided is referred to as the back. Therefore, for example, in the front view of FIG. 1(a), in the width direction of the imaging device 100, the left direction is the positive X direction (+X), the right direction is the negative X direction (-X), and in the length direction, the up direction is the positive Y direction (+Y), and the down direction is the negative Y direction (-Y). In the depth direction of the imaging device 100, the direction from one wide-angle lens 14A toward the other wide-angle lens 14B (backward) is the positive Z direction (+Z), and the direction from the other wide-angle lens 14B toward one wide-angle lens 14A (forward) is the negative Z direction (-Z). Furthermore, the subject side of each wide-angle lens 14A, 14B is referred to as the front, and the opposite direction, that is, the direction from the subject toward the interior of the housing 13, is sometimes referred to as the rear.

The lens protection member 20 has a pair of cover portions 21A, 21B arranged symmetrically at the front and rear. When a subject image is not being captured, these cover portions 21A, 21B are configured to move to a protective position, as shown in Figures 1(c) and 1(d), which is closer to the subject than the curved surfaces of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B and covers and protects at least a portion of each wide-angle lens 14A, 14B. When a subject image is being captured, these cover portions 21A, 21B are configured to retract to a retracted position outside the image circle within the imaging area of all of the image sensors 12A, 12B or outside the imaging area, as shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b). The image circle refers to the circular area in which light passing through a lens forms an image on a surface including the imaging surfaces of the image sensors 12A, 12B (see Figure 4).

The configuration of the pair of cover portions 21A, 21B will be described in detail below. The pair of cover portions 21A, 21B are formed in a generally rectangular shape (roughly U-shaped) in plan view along the outer periphery of the upper end of the front or rear side of the image capture device body 10. The width (X direction) length of cover portions 21A, 21B is generally the same as the width length of the housing 13, and the length (thickness) represented by t in FIG. 1(d) is long enough to cover at least the vicinity of the vertices of the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, and is narrower than half the depth (Z direction) length of the image capture device body 10. With these dimensions, when cover portions 21A, 21B are positioned in a retracted position on the outer periphery of the upper end of the housing 13, cover portions 21A, 21B do not protrude beyond the housing 13.

The ends of the cover sections 21A and 21B are pivotally supported by shaft members 22A and 22B on both side surfaces of the housing 13. With this configuration, the pair of cover sections 21A and 21B are connected to the housing 13 of the imaging device main body 10 by the shaft members 22A and 22B, and can rotate independently around the centers of the shaft members 22A and 22B as rotation axes XA and XB.

The materials for the cover portions 21A, 21B and shaft members 22A, 22B of the lens protection member 20 are not particularly limited, and known materials such as resin, metal, or a combination of these may be used.

Furthermore, the rotation axes XA and XB of the pair of cover parts 21A and 21B are arranged to coincide with a line that intersects (is perpendicular to) the optical axes IA and IB of each wide-angle lens 14A and 14B in the width direction of the imaging device body 10. As a result, the pair of cover parts 21A and 21B can rotate around the rotation axes XA and XB, which are parallel to the width direction (X direction), along the curved surfaces of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B, at an angle of approximately 90 degrees between a protection position that protects at least a portion of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B, and a retracted position. Furthermore, each cover part 21A and 21B is biased by a biasing means such as a spring or secured with a latch to prevent it from easily shifting from the protection position or the retracted position.

In addition, the housing 13 has storage sections 16A and 16B that are recessed in an L-shape on the upper periphery of the front and rear sides when viewed from the side, and store the cover sections 21A and 21B. The steps on the bottom and side surfaces of these storage sections 16A and 16B function as stoppers to prevent the cover sections 21A and 21B from rotating any further.

In the first embodiment, the housing 13 is recessed to provide the storage sections 16A and 16B, but this configuration is not limited to this. If the cover sections 21A and 21B are arranged outside the image circle in the imaging area or outside the imaging area, for example, the cover sections 21A and 21B can be arranged along the outer periphery of the upper end of the housing 13 without recessing the housing 13.

By configuring the cover units 21A, 21B and storage units 16A, 16B as described above, as shown in Figure 1(b), when shooting, the cover units 21A, 21B are stored in the storage units 16A, 16B in a substantially vertical position and do not protrude outward from the housing 13. On the other hand, when not shooting, as shown in Figure 1(d), the cover units 21A, 21B are positioned to protrude substantially horizontally toward the subject from the curved surfaces of the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, covering and protecting the areas near the vertices of the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B.

In addition, the cover sections 21A and 21B are sized so that a predetermined gap Δ exists between their inner surfaces and the vertices of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B, allowing them to move without coming into direct contact with the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B.

When the imaging device 100 of this embodiment is placed on a mounting section 1 such as a desk, as shown in FIGS. 2(a) and (b), the imaging device body 10 is supported by the cover sections 21A and 21B that protrude toward the subject of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B and the lower end of the housing 13. Therefore, the cover sections 21A and 21B also function as supports for the imaging device body 10. Furthermore, by making the cover sections 21A and 21B rectangular in plan view, the portions located in front of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B are made linear, and the outer surfaces of these linear portions are tapered to correspond to the orientation of the imaging device body 10 on the mounting section 1.

The effect of the lens protection member 20 configured as described above will now be explained. When a subject image is not being captured, for example, from the state shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the pair of cover portions 21A and 21B of the lens protection member 20 are held and rotated downward about the rotation axes XA and XB. As a result, as shown in Figures 1(c) and 1(d), the pair of cover portions 21A and 21B are positioned closer to the subject than the curved surfaces of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B, covering and protecting the areas near the vertices of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B.

In addition, because a predetermined gap Δ exists between the inner surfaces of the cover portions 21A, 21B and the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, they do not come into direct contact with each other. As a result, the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B are protected by the lens protection member 20, and scratches on the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B can be prevented even if the lenses are placed on a desk or knocked over. Furthermore, because the lens protection member 20 is connected to the imaging device body 10, loss of the lens protection member 20 can be prevented, and the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B can be protected by easily and immediately operating the cover portions 21A, 21B when not taking pictures.

Figure 2 shows an example of use when not taking pictures, with the imaging device 100 placed horizontally on a table or other mounting section 1, with the other wide-angle lens 14B covered and protected by the other cover section 21B. Figure 2(a) shows a front view, and (b) shows a side view. As shown in Figure 2, even when placed on the mounting section 1, the wide-angle lens 14B is protected by the cover section 21B, preventing scratches and other damage. Furthermore, by supporting the imaging device body 10 with the cover section 21B and the lower end of the housing 13, the imaging device body 10 can be placed stably on the mounting section 1. Furthermore, by providing a straight section on the cover section 21B and tapering its outer surface, the contact area between the cover section 21B and the mounting section 1 is increased, further improving stability when placed on the mounting section.

On the other hand, when taking a photograph, the pair of cover portions 21A, 21B of the lens protection member 20 are rotated upward about the rotation axes XA, XB, and as shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the pair of cover portions 21A, 21B are retracted from in front of the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B toward the storage portions 16A, 16B, and are stored in these storage portions 16A, 16B.

As a result, in the first embodiment, the entire lens protection member 20, including the pair of cover portions 21A, 21B, can be positioned outside the image circle in the imaging area of the pair of image sensors 12A, 12B or outside the imaging area. Furthermore, the entire lens protection member 20 can be positioned in an area outside the angle of view of all wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B. Then, a subject image can be captured using the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B. In this case, the lens protection member 20 does not appear in the subject image and does not affect the imaging quality of the combined subject image.

Now, with reference to Figures 3 and 4, we will explain the relationship between the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B and the angle of view, and the relationship between the image circle and imaging area and the retracted positions of the cover sections 21A, 21B. Furthermore, hereinafter, unless specifically mentioned individually, multiple identical components will be referred to simply as the lens barrel 11, image sensor 12, cover section 21, shaft member 22, and optical axis I, without distinction between the two. The same applies to other components that are arranged symmetrically in the vertical, horizontal, or front-to-back directions.

Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the imaging device 100 and the angle of view. In Figure 3, (a) is a side view of the imaging device 100, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a plan view (top view). Each view in Figure 3 shows the angle of view (200 degrees) of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B, and the common area outside the angle of view is shaded.

Figure 4 shows the relationship between the image circle IC, the imaging area of the image sensor 12, and the retracted position. (a) in Figure 4 shows the relationship between the image circle IC and the image sensor 12 when an image of a 200-degree subject space in all directions, including up, down, left, and right, is formed on the imaging surface of the image sensor 12. (b) in Figure 4 shows the relationship between the image circle IC and the image sensor 12 when an image of a subject in a 200-degree space is formed on a horizontal line passing through the center of the imaging surface of the image sensor 12. (c) in Figure 4 shows the relationship between the image circle IC and the image sensor 12 when light is received on the diagonal of the imaging surface of the image sensor 12 for a subject image in a 200-degree space. (d) in Figure 4 shows the relationship between the image circle IC and the image sensor 12 when light is received on the imaging surface of the image sensor 12 for a portion of the subject image in a 200-degree space. In each of Figure 4, areas outside the image circle IC or outside the imaging area in the imaging area of the imaging surface of the image sensor 12 are shaded.

When capturing a subject image using an imaging device 100 equipped with multiple wide-angle lenses 14 as in this embodiment, it is desirable that images of objects other than the subject, i.e., the lens protection member 20, do not appear in the subject image in order to improve the imaging quality of the subject image and simplify and speed up the stitching process. To achieve this, the lens protection member 20 (more specifically, the cover portion 21) should be configured to retract outside the angle of view of the wide-angle lenses 14 during capture.

However, even if the lens protection member 20 is retracted outside the angle of view of one wide-angle lens 14, it may still be within the angle of view of another wide-angle lens 14, causing the lens protection member 20 to appear in an image of a subject captured using that wide-angle lens 14. For this reason, it is desirable to retract the lens protection member 20 to a common area (shaded areas R1, R2 in Figure 3) that is outside the angle of view of all wide-angle lenses 14. With this configuration, the lens protection member 20 will not appear in an image of a subject captured through either wide-angle lens 14A, 14B.

However, even if the cover unit 21 is reflected in an area that is not used to generate the spherical image, even if it is within the angle of view of the wide-angle lens 14, it does not affect the imaging quality of the spherical image. The subject image is generated by the image sensor 12 receiving the light image formed by the wide-angle lens 14, that is, the image formed on part or all of the area within the image circle IC, and converting it into a signal. Depending on the range of the image formed by the wide-angle lens 14 and the specifications of the image sensor 12, the relationship between the image circle IC and the imaging area of the image sensor 12 varies as shown in (a) to (d) of Figure 4.

For this reason, if the lens protection member 20 is retracted to a region other than the region corresponding to the overlapping portion between the image circle IC and the imaging surface (the white portion in FIG. 4 ), reflection of the lens protection member 20 can be prevented, and the imaging quality of the generated omnidirectional image will not be affected. For example, in the case of (a) in FIG. 4 , the size of the image circle IC is smaller than the imaging region and fits within the imaging region, and the lens protection member 20 is retracted to a region corresponding to the shaded portion outside the image circle IC. In the case of (b) in FIG. 4 , the diameter of the image circle IC is larger than the short side of the imaging region but equal to or smaller than the long side, and part of the image circle IC protrudes from the imaging region, and the lens protection member 20 is retracted to a region outside the image circle IC in the imaging region or a region corresponding to the shaded portion outside the imaging region. In the cases of (c) and (d) in FIG. 4 , the size of the image circle IC is larger than the imaging region and the imaging region is positioned within the image circle IC, and the lens protection member 20 is retracted to a region corresponding to the shaded portion outside the imaging region.

In the first embodiment, by storing the cover portions 21A and 21B in the storage portions 16A and 16B recessed in the housing 13 during shooting, the lens protection member 20 is retracted to an area outside the image circle IC in the imaging area of all image sensors 12A and 12B or outside the imaging area of all image sensors 12A and 12B. Furthermore, as shown in each diagram in Figure 3, the lens protection member 20 is positioned in areas R1 and R2 that are outside the angle of view of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B in all directions, including the X, Y, and Z directions. This more appropriately prevents the lens protection member 20 from being reflected in the subject image.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide a lens protection member 20 that is positioned in the protection position when not capturing images, protecting the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B and appropriately preventing scratches and the like, and that is positioned in the retracted position when capturing images, preventing reflections of the lens protection member 20 in the subject image. As a result, it is possible to provide an imaging device 100 that can prevent reflections of the lens protection member 20 in the subject image and can obtain subject images with excellent imaging quality.

In the first embodiment, the cover unit 21 is provided on the imaging device body 10 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction (up and down) between a protection position and a retracted position. In the protection position, the cover unit 21 is configured to protrude toward the subject side of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B. This configuration allows the cover unit 21 to be easily moved between the protection position and the retracted position. The cover unit 21 also functions as a support, allowing it to be placed stably on a table or other mounting surface 1, appropriately preventing scratches, tipping, falling, etc. Furthermore, the cover unit 21 is configured to rotate around a rotation axis X that intersects with the optical axis I of the wide-angle lens 14 and extends in the width direction of the imaging device body 10. This allows the cover unit 21 to move approximately concentrically along the curved surface of the wide-angle lens 14, preventing contact with the wide-angle lens 14 during movement.

In this embodiment, the pair of cover parts 21A, 21B are each rotated to move between the protection position and the retracted position of each wide-angle lens 14A, 14B, but this configuration is not limited to this. In another embodiment, for example, if the pair of cover parts 21A, 21B are rotated in tandem, the pair of cover parts 21A, 21B can be more easily moved between the protection position and the retracted position, improving operability.

Second Embodiment
Next, an imaging device 101 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. The imaging device 101 according to the second embodiment has substantially the same basic configuration as the imaging device 100 according to the first embodiment, except that the positions of the pivots of the cover portions 21A and 21B are different. Therefore, in the following description, the same components as those in the imaging device 100 according to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted or simplified. The same applies to the other embodiments described below.

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the imaging device 101 according to the second embodiment. In Figure 5, (a) and (b) are a front view and a side view, respectively, when imaging, and (c) and (d) are a front view and a side view, respectively, when not imaging. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of how the imaging device 101 according to the second embodiment is used. In Figure 6, (a) is a front view of the imaging device 101 when placed on a desk or the like, and (b) is a side view.

As shown in FIG. 5, the imaging device 101 of the second embodiment includes an imaging device body 10 and a lens protection member 20.

The imaging device main body 10 includes two lens barrels 11A, 11B, two image sensors 12A, 12B, and a rectangular parallelepiped housing 13 that houses them. Lens barrels 11A, 11B house imaging optical systems 15A, 15B, including wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B. Housing 13 also has recessed storage compartments 16A, 16B that house cover sections 21A, 21B. These storage compartments 16A, 16B also function as stoppers that limit the movement of the pair of cover sections 21A, 21B.

The lens protection member 20 comprises a pair of cover portions 21A, 21B arranged symmetrically at the front and rear. These cover portions 21A, 21B are configured to move between a protection position that protects at least a portion of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, and a retracted position. The retracted position is outside the image circle of the imaging area of all image sensors 12A, 12B or an area outside the imaging area. The area outside the image circle is an area outside the angle of view of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B. Furthermore, the cover portions 21A, 21B are prevented from shifting from the protection position or the retracted position by being biased by a biasing means such as a spring or fixed by a latch.

The cover sections 21A and 21B of the second embodiment are formed in a generally rectangular (roughly U-shaped) shape in plan view, similar to the first embodiment. Both ends of the pair of cover sections 21A and 21B are supported by shaft members 22A and 22B on both side surfaces of the housing 13, and are independently rotatable in the vertical direction around rotation axes XA and XB at the centers of the shaft members 22A and 22B, and are connected to the housing 13 of the imaging device main body 10 by the shaft members 22A and 22B.

In the second embodiment, the rotation axes XA and XB of the pair of cover parts 21A and 21B are located a predetermined distance (e.g., 3 mm) above the line intersecting the optical axis I of each wide-angle lens 14A and 14B in the width direction of the imaging device body 10. Therefore, the pair of cover parts 21A and 21B can rotate around the rotation axes XA and XB, which are parallel to the width direction (X direction), along the curved surfaces of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B, at an angle of 90 degrees or more between a protection position that protects the vertices of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B and a retracted position inside the storage parts 16A and 16B.

In the imaging device 101 of the second embodiment configured as described above, when a subject image is not being captured, the pair of cover portions 21A, 21B of the lens protection member 20 are held and rotated downward about the rotation axes XA, XB. As a result, as shown in Figures 5(c) and 5(d), the pair of cover portions 21A, 21B are positioned at a downward angle on the subject side of the curved surfaces of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, covering and protecting the areas near the vertices of the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B. Therefore, the lens protection member 20 protects the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B and prevents scratches, etc.

Furthermore, by arranging the pair of cover parts 21A, 21B at a downward incline, the length in the depth direction (Z direction) is shorter than in the first embodiment, and the gap Δ is also shorter. This makes it possible to reduce the bulkiness of the imaging device 101 in the depth direction. Also, in the second embodiment, as shown in each diagram in Figure 6, the device can be placed stably on the mounting part 1 of a desk or the like, preventing scratches, tipping, falling, etc.

On the other hand, when taking a photograph, the pair of cover parts 21A, 21B are rotated upward about the rotation axes XA, XB, and the pair of cover parts 21A, 21B are stored in the storage parts 16A, 16B, as shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b).

As a result, even in the second embodiment, when capturing a subject image, the pair of cover portions 21A, 21B can be retracted to an area outside the image circle or outside the imaging area of all image sensors 12A, 12B. Then, the subject image can be captured using wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B.

As described above, in the second embodiment, it is possible to provide a lens protection member 20 that is positioned in the protection position when not capturing images, protecting the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B and appropriately preventing scratches and the like, and that is positioned in the retracted position when capturing images, preventing reflections of the lens protection member 20 in the subject image. As a result, it is possible to provide an imaging device 101 that can prevent reflections of the lens protection member 20 in the subject image and can obtain subject images with excellent imaging quality.

In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the cover unit 21 can be easily moved between the protection position and the retracted position by rotating the cover unit 21 around the pivot support unit as the rotation axis X (XA, XB). Furthermore, the cover unit 21 functions as a support, allowing it to be placed stably on a table or other mounting unit 1. In the second embodiment, the cover unit 21 rotates around an imaginary line that intersects with the optical axis I of the wide-angle lens 14 and is set a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction from a line extending in the width direction of the imaging device body 10, i.e., the rotation axis X. Therefore, the cover unit 21 rotates around the outer periphery of the wide-angle lens 14 by an angle of 90 degrees or more and is positioned at an angle forward of the wide-angle lens 14, thereby reducing the bulkiness of the imaging device 101 in the depth direction.

(Third embodiment)
Next, an imaging device 102 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the imaging device 102 according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 5, (a) is a front view during imaging, and (b) and (c) are a front view and a plan view when one cover part 21A protects the wide-angle lens 14A during non-imaging. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of how the imaging device 102 according to the third embodiment is used. In FIG. 8, (a) is a front view of the imaging device 102 when placed on a desk or the like, and (b) is a side view.

As shown in FIG. 7, the imaging device 102 of the third embodiment includes an imaging device body 10 and a lens protection member 20.

The imaging device main body 10 includes two lens barrels 11A and 11B, imaging elements 12A and 12B, and a housing 13 that houses these. Lens barrels 11A and 11B house imaging optical systems 15A and 15B, including wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B.

The housing 13 of the third embodiment has a basic rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the top surface on which the lens barrels 11A and 11B are located is formed in an arc shape (dome shape) to correspond to the shape of the lens barrels 11A and 11B. This shape reduces the bulk of the imaging device main body 10 and the pair of cover parts 21A and 21B in the left-right direction (X direction), suppressing reflections in the subject image.

In addition, the housing 13 has recessed storage sections 16A and 16B that house the cover sections 21A and 21B. The inner surfaces of these storage sections 16A and 16B also function as stoppers that limit the movement of the pair of cover sections 21A and 21B.

The lens protection member 20 comprises a pair of cover portions 21A, 21B arranged symmetrically at the front and rear. These cover portions 21A, 21B are configured to move between a protection position, which protects at least a portion of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, and a retracted position. The retracted position is a position that is outside the image circle of the imaging area of all image sensors 12A, 12B or outside the imaging area. Furthermore, cover portions 21A, 21B are biased by a biasing means such as a spring or fixed by a latch, preventing them from shifting from the protection position or the retracted position.

The cover sections 21A and 21B of the third embodiment are formed in a roughly semicircular (approximately C-shaped) shape in plan view, corresponding to the arc-shaped upper surface of the housing 13. Both ends of the pair of cover sections 21A and 21B are supported by shaft members 22A and 22B on both side surfaces of the housing 13, and are independently rotatable in the vertical direction around rotation axes XA and XB at the centers of the shaft members 22A and 22B, and are connected to the housing 13 of the imaging device main body 10 by the shaft members 22A and 22B.

In the third embodiment, the rotation axes XA and XB of the pair of cover parts 21A and 21B are arranged to coincide with an imaginary line that intersects with the optical axis I of each wide-angle lens 14A and 14B in the width direction of the imaging device body 10. As a result, the pair of cover parts 21A and 21B can rotate about an angle of approximately 90 degrees around the rotation axes XA and XB, which are parallel to the width direction (X direction), along the curved surfaces of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B between a protection position that protects the vertices of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B and a retracted position inside the storage parts 16A and 16B.

In the imaging device 102 of the third embodiment configured as described above, when a subject image is not being captured, one cover portion 21A of the lens protection member 20 is held and rotated downward about the rotation axes XA and XB. As a result, as shown in Figures 7(b) and 7(c), one cover portion 21A is positioned to protrude approximately horizontally toward the subject from the curved surface of one wide-angle lens 14A, covering the vicinity of the apex of the wide-angle lens 14A. Similarly, by rotating the other cover portion 21B, the other cover portion 21B covers the vicinity of the apex of the wide-angle lens 14A. Therefore, the lens protection member 20 protects the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B and prevents scratches, etc.

Also, in the third embodiment, as shown in each diagram in Figure 8, the cover parts 21A and 21B function as supports, allowing the device to be placed stably on the mounting part 1, such as a desk, and preventing scratches, tipping, falling, etc.

On the other hand, when taking a photograph, the pair of cover parts 21A, 21B are rotated upward about the rotation axes XA, XB, and the pair of cover parts 21A, 21B are stored in the storage parts 16A, 16B, as shown in Figure 7(a).

Therefore, even in the third embodiment, when capturing a subject image, the pair of cover portions 21A, 21B can be retracted to an area outside the image circle or outside the imaging area of all image sensors 12A, 12B. Then, the subject image can be captured using wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B.

As described above, in the third embodiment, it is possible to provide a lens protection member 20 that is positioned in the protection position when not capturing images, protecting the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B and appropriately preventing scratches and the like, and that is positioned in the retracted position when capturing images, reducing reflections of the lens protection member 20 in the subject image. As a result, it is possible to provide an imaging device 102 that can reduce reflections of the lens protection member 20 in the subject image and can acquire subject images with excellent imaging quality.

Also, in the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the cover unit 21 can be easily moved between the protection position and the retracted position by rotating the pivot support unit about the rotation axis X (XA, XB), and the cover unit 21 functions as a support unit, allowing it to be placed stably on the mounting unit 1, such as a desk. Furthermore, the cover unit 21 is configured to rotate about an imaginary line that intersects with the optical axis I of the wide-angle lens 14 and extends in the width direction of the imaging device body 10, that is, about this line as the rotation axis X. As a result, the cover unit 21 moves approximately concentrically along the curved surface of the wide-angle lens 14, preventing contact with the wide-angle lens 14.

(Fourth embodiment)
An imaging device 103 according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 9 and 10. Figs. 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams of the imaging device 103 according to the fourth embodiment. In Fig. 9, (a), (b), and (c) are a front view, a side view, and a plan view (top view), respectively, during imaging. In Fig. 10, (a) and (b) are a front view and a side view, respectively, during non-imaging.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the imaging device 103 of the fourth embodiment includes an imaging device main body 10 and a lens protection member 120.

The imaging device main body 10 includes two lens barrels 11A and 11B, imaging elements 12A and 12B, and a rectangular parallelepiped housing 13 that houses these. Lens barrels 11A and 11B hold imaging optical systems 15A and 15B, including wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B.

The lens protection member 120 comprises a pair of cover portions 121A, 121B arranged symmetrically on the left and right (or front and back). These cover portions 121A, 121B are configured to move between a protection position that protects at least a portion of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, and a retracted position. The retracted position is an area outside the image circle of the imaging area of all image sensors 12A, 12B, or outside the imaging area. Furthermore, the cover portions 121A, 121B are biased by a biasing means such as a spring or fixed by a latch, preventing them from shifting from the protection position or the retracted position.

The cover sections 21A, 21B in the first to third embodiments are provided above the housing 13 and are configured to rotate up and down (vertically) around a rotation axis X that intersects with the optical axes IA, IB of the wide-angle lens 14 and extends in the width direction (X direction) of the image capture device body 10. In contrast, the cover sections 121A, 121B in the fourth embodiment are configured to rotate left and right (horizontally) around a rotation axis X that intersects with the optical axes IA, IB of the wide-angle lens 14 and extends in the length direction (Y direction) of the image capture device body 10.

The configuration of the cover sections 121A, 121B of the fourth embodiment will be described below. The pair of cover sections 121A, 121B of the fourth embodiment are composed of strip-shaped members that extend from the top to the bottom of the imaging device body 10 in the retracted position, following the outer periphery of the side of the housing 13. Due to this shape, the pair of cover sections 121A, 121B protrude in a rectangular (U-shaped) or C-shaped configuration in plan view toward the subject side of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B when in the protective position when not taking pictures. Furthermore, the thickness t (see Figure 9(b)) of the pair of cover sections 121A, 121B is narrower than the length in the depth direction of the housing 13, but can be made thicker than the cover sections 21A, 21B of the first embodiment, etc., allowing for a wider covering area for the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B.

The pair of cover parts 121A, 121B are arranged with their ends overlapping each other at the top and bottom of the housing 13, and each of these overlapping ends has a pair of elongated holes 123A, 123B formed along the direction of extension. Engagement pins 122A, 122B, which serve as shaft members, are inserted into the elongated holes 123A, 123B to connect the pair of cover parts 21A, 21B to the housing 13 of the imaging device main body 10. The engagement pins 122A, 122B are located in the center of the top or bottom surface of the housing 13, in an area outside the image circle of the imaging area of the image sensors 12A, 12B or outside the imaging area. This prevents the engagement pins 122A, 122B from appearing in the subject image.

With this configuration, the pair of cover parts 121A, 121B can rotate independently around the engagement pins 122A, 122B, which extend in the length direction (Y direction) of the imaging device body 10, as the rotation axis X. Furthermore, by providing the engagement grooves 24A, 24B, the pair of cover parts 21A, 21B can move parallel to each other in directions toward and away from each other, as shown by the arrows in Figure 9(a), allowing the distance between them to be increased or decreased.

In the imaging device 103 of the fourth embodiment configured as described above, when a subject image is not being captured, the pair of cover portions 121A, 121B of the lens protection member 120 are held and moved away from each other and away from the side of the housing 13. In this state, the pair of cover portions 121A, 121B are rotated forward and backward around the rotation axis X. As a result, as shown in Figures 10(a) and 10(b), the pair of cover portions 121A, 121B are positioned closer to the subject than the curved surfaces of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, and cover and protect the areas near the vertices of the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B.

A predetermined gap Δ exists between the inner surfaces of the cover portions 121A, 121B and the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, preventing direct contact. Furthermore, the cover portions 121A, 121B only move in the approaching direction the length of the elongated holes 123A, 123B. Therefore, even if the imaging device 103 is placed sideways on a desk or the like, or if the imaging device 103 falls over, the cover portions 121A, 121B are prevented from unexpectedly moving in the approaching direction toward the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B. As a result, the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B are properly protected by the lens protection member 120, preventing scratches and other damage.

On the other hand, when taking a photograph, the pair of cover parts 121A, 121B are rotated sideways around rotation axis X and positioned to the side of the housing 13. Next, the pair of cover parts 121A, 121B are moved toward each other until the pair of cover parts 121A, 121B are positioned along the side of the housing 13, as shown in (a) to (c) of Figure 9.

Therefore, even in the fourth embodiment, when capturing a subject image, the pair of cover portions 121A, 121B can be retracted to an area outside the image circle or outside the imaging area of all image sensors 12A, 12B.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, it is possible to provide a lens protection member 120 that is positioned in the protection position when not capturing images to protect the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B and appropriately prevent scratches and the like, and that is positioned in the retracted position when capturing images to prevent reflections of the lens protection member 120 in the subject image. As a result, it is possible to provide an imaging device 103 that can prevent reflections of the lens protection member 120 in the subject image and can acquire subject images with excellent imaging quality.

In addition, in the fourth embodiment, the cover portions 121A, 121B are configured to rotate about a line that intersects the optical axis I of the wide-angle lens 14 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the imaging device body 10, between a protection position for the wide-angle lens 14 and a retracted position. This configuration allows the cover portions 121A, 121B to be easily moved between the protection position and the retracted position. Furthermore, the underside of the imaging device body 10 and the undersides of the cover portions 121A, 121B, which intersect with the underside of the imaging device body 10 and extend in the depth direction, function as supports, allowing the imaging device 103 to be placed stably on a desk or the like, and appropriately preventing scratches, tipping, falling, etc.

Fifth Embodiment
Next, an imaging device 104 according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 . FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the imaging device 104 according to the fifth embodiment. In FIG. 11 , (a) and (b) are a front view and a side view, respectively, of the main components during imaging, and (c) and (d) are a front view and a side view, respectively, of the main components during non-imaging. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the cover portion 221A of the lens protection member 220. In FIG. 12 , (a) is a perspective view of the cover portion 221A and the wide-angle lens 14 during imaging, (b) is a perspective view of only the cover portion 221A from a different direction during imaging, (c) is a perspective view of the cover portion 221A and the wide-angle lens 14A during non-imaging, (d) is a perspective view of only the cover portion 221A during non-imaging from a different direction, and (e) is a perspective view of the guard piece 225A of the cover portion 221A and the operating portion 226A.

As shown in FIG. 11, the imaging device 104 of the fifth embodiment includes an imaging device main body 10 and a lens protection member 220.

The imaging device main body 10 includes two lens barrels 11A and 11B, imaging elements 12A and 12B, and a rectangular parallelepiped housing 13 that houses these. Lens barrels 11A and 11B house imaging optical systems 15A and 15B, including wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B.

The lens protection member 220 has a pair of cover portions 221A, 221B arranged symmetrically at the front and rear. These cover portions 221A, 221B are configured to move between a protection position that protects at least a portion of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, and a retracted position. The retracted position is an area outside the image circles of the imaging areas of all image sensors 12A, 12B, or outside the imaging areas. The cover portions 221A, 221B are biased by a biasing means such as a spring or fixed by a latch, preventing them from shifting from the protection position or the retracted position.

The configuration of one cover part 221A will be described below with reference to Figure 12. The configuration of the other cover part 221B is identical to that of the one cover part 221A, so a description thereof will be omitted. As shown in each diagram in Figure 12, the cover part 221A comprises a base part 224A, three guard pieces 225A, and an operating part 226A.

The base portion 224A is formed from a cylindrical member and is fixed to the housing 13 at the outer periphery of the wide-angle lens 14A. The three guard pieces 225A are formed from arc-shaped rod-shaped members and are arranged in an arc on the top surface of the base portion 224A to surround the wide-angle lens 14A. One end (base end) of each guard piece 225A is rotatably supported by the support portion 222A of the base portion 224A, and the other end (tip end) is a free end. The guard piece 225A has a length approximately one-third the circumferential length of the base portion 224A. A gear 228A is provided at the supported base end of each guard piece 225A.

Operating unit 226A, which is made up of a ring gear, is housed within base portion 224A and is rotatable circumferentially within base portion 224A. Operating unit 226A is provided with operating lever 227A, which protrudes to the outside from opening 230A in base portion 224A. Therefore, when a user operates operating lever 227A, operating unit 226A can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise within base portion 224A by the length of opening 230A. Gear 229A of operating unit 226A meshes with gear 228A of guard piece 225A, and these gears 229A and 228A form a drive mechanism that opens and closes cover portion 221A.

With this configuration, when the operating lever 227A is operated to rotate the operating portion 226A clockwise or counterclockwise, this rotation is transmitted via gear 229A to gear 228A of the three guard pieces 225A. As a result, the three guard pieces 225A rotate in unison around the pivot support portion 222A, and the free ends (tip portions) rotate in a direction approaching the base portion 224A (open direction) and a direction away from the base portion 224A (close direction). Additionally, by providing a stopper or the like to maintain the open and closed states, accidental opening and closing of the cover portion 221A can be prevented during and after photography.

In the imaging device 104 of the fifth embodiment configured as described above, when a subject image is not being captured, for example, the operating lever 227A of one cover portion 221A of the lens protection member 220 is operated to rotate the operating portion 226A clockwise. This operation causes the three guard pieces 225A to rotate in the closing direction and rise, and as shown in Figures 11(c) and 11(d) and 12(c), the tip of each guard piece 225A protrudes further toward the subject than the curved surface of one wide-angle lens 14A. As a result, the three guard pieces 225A surround and protect one wide-angle lens 14A.

A predetermined distance Δ' exists between the outer surface of the protruding tip of each guard piece 225A and the apex of the wide-angle lens 14A. Therefore, even if the wide-angle lens 14A is placed face down on a desk or the like or collides with an obstacle, each guard piece 225A protects the wide-angle lens 14A, preventing it from directly hitting the desk or the like and preventing scratches. By performing the same operation on the other cover part 221B as on the first cover part 221A, the other cover part 221B can protect the other wide-angle lens 14B and prevent scratches.

On the other hand, when taking a photograph, for example, the operating lever 227A of one of the cover parts 221A is operated to rotate the operating part 226A counterclockwise. This operation causes the three guard pieces 225A to rotate in the opening direction, and as shown in Figures 11(a) and 11(b) and 12(a), each guard piece 225A is stored in parallel along the base part 224A.

Therefore, even in the fifth embodiment, when capturing a subject image, the pair of cover portions 221A, 221B can be retracted to an area outside the image circle or outside the imaging area of all image sensors 12A, 12B. Then, the subject image can be captured using wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B.

As described above, in the fifth embodiment, it is possible to provide a lens protection member 220 that is positioned in the protection position when not capturing images to protect the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B and appropriately prevent scratches and the like, and that is positioned in the retracted position when capturing images to prevent reflections of the lens protection member 220 in the subject image. As a result, it is possible to provide an imaging device 104 that can prevent reflections of the lens protection member 220 in the subject image and can acquire subject images with excellent imaging quality.

In addition, in the fifth embodiment, the cover portion 21 has multiple guard pieces 225 arranged to surround the periphery of the wide-angle lens 14. The base ends of the guard pieces 225 are pivotally supported by the imaging device body 10, and the tip ends are free ends. In the retracted position, the guard pieces 225 are arranged along the surface of the imaging device body 10, and in the protective position, they rotate around the pivotal support portion as a fulcrum and stand up, with the tip protruding further toward the subject than the wide-angle lens 14. With this configuration, the wide-angle lens can be appropriately protected when not in use, and can be retracted to a position where it is less likely to be reflected in the subject image when in use.

Sixth Embodiment
Next, an imaging device 105 according to a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of the imaging device 105 according to the sixth embodiment. In Fig. 13, (a) and (b) are a front view and a side view, respectively, when not capturing images, and (c) and (d) are a front view and a side view, respectively, when capturing images.

As shown in FIG. 13, the imaging device 105 of the sixth embodiment includes an imaging device main body 10 and a lens protection member 320.

The imaging device main body 10 includes two lens barrels 11A and 11B, imaging elements 12A and 12B, and a rectangular parallelepiped housing 13 that houses these. Lens barrels 11A and 11B house imaging optical systems 15A and 15B, including wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B.

The lens protection member 320 includes a pair of cover portions 321A, 321B arranged symmetrically on the left and right. These cover portions 321A, 321B are configured to move between a protection position that protects at least a portion of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, and a retracted position. In this embodiment, the retracted position is a portion of the imaging device body 10 or an area outside the imaging device body 10 that is reflected by the imaging elements 12A, 12B, and also corresponds to an area where the imaging areas of the imaging elements 12A, 12B overlap. Furthermore, the cover portions 321A, 321B are prevented from shifting from the protection position or the retracted position by being biased by a biasing means such as a spring or secured by a latch.

Now, with reference to Figure 3, we will explain "portions of the imaging device body 10 or areas outside the imaging device body 10 that are reflected in the imaging elements 12A and 12B." The housing 13 of the imaging device body 10 of this embodiment is elongated downward because it functions as a handle and is equipped with an LCD, operation buttons, etc. For this reason, as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), part of the imaging device body 10 (the unshaded area shown by solid lines in Figure 3) falls within the angle of view of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B, and the housing 13 or the user's hands holding the housing 13 may be reflected in the subject image. Even if the housing 13 is shortened to fit outside the angle of view, the user's hands holding it, a tripod, a support rod, etc. may still be reflected in the subject image.

In this way, in images captured by the image sensors 12A and 12B, portions of the image capture device body 10, hands, etc., are generally treated as "discarded areas" (areas that may be discarded and not used in the generated subject image), and images of the image capture device body 10, etc., that appear in these discarded areas are erased using image processing, logos, etc. For this reason, by retracting the lens protection member 320 to portions of the image capture device body 10 that would otherwise appear in the discarded area of the subject image, or to portions of the area outside the image capture device body 10 where hands, etc., are placed that would otherwise appear in the discarded area of the subject image, it is possible to reduce the impact on the imaging quality of the generated subject image (here, a spherical panoramic image). Note that the "area of the image capture device body 10" refers to the area in which the image capture device body 10 is located. Furthermore, the "area outside the imaging device body 10" refers to an area on the extension of the imaging device body 10's length along the Y axis, an area on the extension of the imaging device body 10's width along the X axis, or the area around the imaging device body 10 in the up-down, left-right, diagonal, etc. (circumferential direction), and is the direction in which a hand or tripod holding the imaging device body 10 is located. In the case of the sixth embodiment, the cover parts 321A and 321B are retracted below the imaging device body 10, which is elongated in the lengthwise direction along the Y axis (outside the bottom end, in the direction in which a hand is located), on the extension of the length.

As mentioned above, when generating a 360-degree spherical panoramic image, multiple images captured by multiple image sensors 12 using multiple wide-angle lenses 14 undergo image processing such as distortion correction and projective transformation, followed by a stitching process to stitch the multiple images together. The overlapping area of the imaging regions of the multiple image sensors 12 that is used in this stitching process is sometimes referred to as the "stitching area." If a lens protection element is captured in an image captured by one of the imaging elements 12 in an overlapping area of the imaging regions of the multiple image sensors 12, that area becomes a blind spot, reducing the stitching area used for the stitching process. In such a case, the portion of the image captured by one image sensor 12 that contains the lens protection element is not used, and the image captured by the other image sensor 12 is used in that portion to create the panoramic image. The stitching process can be performed using the remaining overlapping area of the multiple image sensors 12, excluding the area in one image where the lens protection element is captured and the area in the other image that overlaps with that area. Therefore, within the range where the stitching area is ensured, the lens protection member can be retracted to a position corresponding to the area where the imaging areas of the multiple image sensors 12 overlap, making it possible to prevent the lens protection member from appearing in the generated omnidirectional panoramic image.

Note that the larger the stitching area, the higher the stitching accuracy and the higher the imaging quality of the omnidirectional panoramic image. Therefore, when the lens protection member is reflected in an area where the imaging areas of multiple image sensors 12 overlap, the lens protection member is retracted to a position where the stitching area is larger, preferably to a position where the stitching area is at its largest. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the accuracy of the stitching process.

As described above, by setting the position corresponding to the area where the imaging areas of multiple image sensors 12A, 12B overlap, i.e., the area with a field of view wider than 180 degrees and where a stitching area can be secured, as the retraction area for the lens protection member, it is possible to appropriately suppress the reduction in accuracy of the stitching process while also appropriately suppressing the reflection of the lens protection member in the omnidirectional panoramic image.

For example, if three or more wide-angle lenses 14 are arranged at equal intervals in the horizontal direction, it is preferable to retract the lens protection member 20 to a position where it is not reflected within the angle obtained by dividing 360 degrees by the number of wide-angle lenses 14 (for example, 360 degrees/3 = 120 degrees in the case of three wide-angle lenses 14) (i.e., a position corresponding to a field angle wider than 120 degrees).

The retracted position in the sixth embodiment is a position located in the area of the imaging device body 10 or in the area outside the imaging device body 10, in a portion that is reflected in the imaging elements 12A and 12B, and is also a position corresponding to the area where the imaging areas of the imaging elements 12A and 12B overlap.

The configuration of the cover sections 321A and 321B of the sixth embodiment will be described below. The pair of cover sections 321A and 321B are formed in a box shape that houses, covers, and protects the left and right halves of the imaging device body 10, respectively. The cover sections 321A and 321B have lens housing sections 331A and 331B and body housing sections 332A and 332B.

The cover sections 321A, 321B are rotatably supported at the bottom end of the housing 13 by shaft members 322A, 322B extending along the depth direction (Z direction). Therefore, the pair of cover sections 321A, 321B can rotate about an angle of approximately 180 degrees up and down, with the centers of the shaft members 322A, 322B acting as rotation axes XA, XB, between a protection position that covers and protects the imaging device body 10 and a retracted position that exposes the imaging device body 10.

The cover sections 321A and 321B rotate downward around the rotation axes XA and XB, and function as handles when placed below the imaging device body 10 as shown in (c) and (d) of Figure 13. In this state, the cover sections 321A and 321B can also function as a support base for supporting the imaging device body 10, allowing it to be placed on a desk or the like.

The lens housing sections 331A and 331B are configured to bulge so that their inner surfaces are positioned closer to the subject than the curved surfaces of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B, and a predetermined gap is provided between them and the curved surfaces of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B, respectively, and cover the vicinity of the left and right halves of each wide-angle lens 14A and 14B. The main body housing sections 332A and 332B are rectangular parallelepipeds, and cover the left and right halves of the imaging device main body 10 below the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B, respectively.

In the imaging device 105 of the sixth embodiment configured as described above, when a subject image is not being captured, the pair of cover portions 321A, 321B of the lens protection member 320 are arranged on the outer periphery of the imaging device body 10, covering the entire imaging device body 10, including the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, as shown in Figures 13(a) and 13(b).

As a result, the lens protection member 320 protects not only the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B but also the entire imaging device body 10, improving impact resistance and appropriately preventing scratches and other damage to these lenses, as well as the adhesion of dust, dirt, etc.

On the other hand, when photographing, the pair of cover parts 321A, 321B are rotated in the opening direction (X direction) around the rotation axes XA, XB. This operation positions the pair of cover parts 321A, 321B back to back below the imaging device body 10, as shown in (c) and (d) of Figure 13.

Therefore, in the sixth embodiment, when capturing an image of a subject, the pair of cover portions 321A, 321B can be retracted along the extension direction of the imaging device body 10, on the opposite side of the length from the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B. The pair of cover portions 321A, 321B can also be retracted to a position corresponding to the area where the imaging areas of the image sensors 12A, 12B overlap. Then, the subject image can be captured using the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B.

As described above, in the sixth embodiment, a lens protection member 320 can be provided that is positioned in the protection position when not capturing images to protect the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B and appropriately prevent scratches, and that is positioned in the retracted position when capturing images to prevent reflections of the lens protection member 320 in the subject image. As a result, an imaging device 105 can be provided that can prevent reflections of the lens protection member 320 in the subject image and can acquire subject images with excellent imaging quality.

In addition, in the sixth embodiment, the cover unit 321 has a box shape that can be held by the user, and is positioned around the outer periphery of the wide-angle lens 14 in the protected position, and in the retracted position, it moves to a position along the extension direction of the imaging device body 10 and is positioned below where the wide-angle lens 14 is not installed. As a result, the cover unit 321 functions as a handle and also as a support base when placed on a desk, etc., allowing the wide-angle lens 14 to be positioned further away from the user's hands and the mounting unit 1, increasing the flexibility of photography. Furthermore, by covering the entire imaging device body 10 with the box-shaped cover unit 321, the durability of the imaging device 105 can be improved.

Seventh Embodiment
An image pickup device 106 according to the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of the image pickup device 106 according to the seventh embodiment. In Fig. 14, (a) is a perspective view when not taking an image, and (b) is a perspective view when taking an image.

As shown in FIG. 14, the imaging device 106 of the seventh embodiment includes an imaging device main body 10 and a lens protection member 420.

The imaging device main body 10 includes two lens barrels 11A and 11B, imaging elements 12A and 12B, and a rectangular parallelepiped housing 13 that houses these. Lens barrels 11A and 11B hold imaging optical systems 15A and 15B, including wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B.

As shown in FIG. 14, the imaging device main body 10 is provided with an LCD (display device) 17, a shooting button 18a, operation buttons 18b, etc. on the front of the housing 13. The LCD 17 has a touch panel function and displays operation menus, subject images, etc. The shooting button 18a is a button used to start and stop shooting a subject image. The operation button 18b is a button used to issue various operations. The housing 13 also has a pair of guide grooves 19 on the front and back that guide the arm portion 434 of the lens protection member 20 (described below) in the vertical direction.

The lens protection member 420 comprises a pair of cover portions 421 arranged symmetrically in the front and rear, and a pair of link mechanisms (movement mechanisms) 433. Note that in Figure 14, only one cover portion 421A, link mechanism 433A, and guide groove 19A are visible, while the other cover portion and other components that are symmetrical to these are hidden behind the rear surface of the imaging device body 10. In the following, these components will be described as cover portion 421, link mechanism 433, and guide groove 19 without any distinction between them.

The pair of cover parts 421 are configured to move between a protection position, which protects at least a portion of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, and a retracted position. The retracted position is an area outside the image circle of the imaging area of all image sensors 12A, 12B, or outside the imaging area. Furthermore, the cover parts 421 are biased by a biasing means such as a spring or fixed by a latch, preventing them from shifting from the protection position or the retracted position.

The pair of cover portions 421 in the seventh embodiment are formed from plate-like members with curved surfaces that protrude toward the subject, corresponding to the curved surfaces of the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B. Each cover portion 421 is formed with an area large enough to cover the entire wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B. Furthermore, each cover portion 421 is formed with dimensions that, when positioned on the subject side of the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, leave a predetermined gap between the inner surface of the cover portion 421 and the vertex of the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B.

The pair of cover parts 421 are movable by a pair of link mechanisms 433 between a protective position in front of the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B and a retracted position. This retracted position is located along the surface of the housing 13, between the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B and the LCD 17. This means that the LCD 17 is not blocked by the cover parts 421 when taking pictures.

The link mechanism 433 has four arms 434 and a joint 435. The four arms 434 are inserted into the guide grooves 19 of the housing 13, with one end of each arm 434 rotatably connected to the upper and lower ends of both sides of the cover 421 by the joint 435, and the other end of each arm 434 rotatably connected and fixed to the inner wall of the housing 13, etc., by the joint 435.

With this configuration, the arm portion 434 is able to move up and down (in the Y direction) within the guide groove 19, with the joint portion 435 on the housing 13 side as a fulcrum. As a result, the cover portion 421 connected to one end of the arm portion 434 moves up and down between a position that protects the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B and a retracted position. In this embodiment, the cover portion 421 is held with the fingers and moved up and down manually, but it may also be configured so that the link mechanism 433 is operated by an appropriate drive mechanism such as an electric motor to move the cover portion 421 up and down automatically.

In the imaging device 106 of the seventh embodiment configured as described above, when a subject image is not being captured, the pair of cover portions 421 of the lens protection member 420 are held and pushed up, causing the pair of cover portions 421 to move upward by the link mechanism 433. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14(a), the pair of cover portions 421 are positioned closer to the subject than the curved surfaces of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, covering the lenses of the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B. Therefore, the lens protection member 420 protects the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B and prevents scratches, etc.

On the other hand, when shooting, holding and pushing down the pair of cover parts 421A, 421B causes the pair of cover parts 421 to move downward by the link mechanism 433. As a result, the pair of cover parts 421 are positioned in a retracted position between the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B and the LCD 17, as shown in Figure 14(b).

Therefore, even in the seventh embodiment, when capturing a subject image, the pair of cover portions 421 can be retracted to an area outside the image circle of the imaging area of all image sensors 12A, 12B or outside the imaging area. Then, the subject image can be captured using the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B.

As described above, in the seventh embodiment, a lens protection member 420 can be provided that is positioned in the protection position when not capturing images to protect the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B and appropriately prevent scratches, etc., and that is positioned in the retracted position when capturing images to prevent reflections of the lens protection member 420 in the subject image. As a result, an imaging device 106 can be provided that can prevent reflections of the lens protection member 420 in the subject image and can acquire subject images with excellent imaging quality.

In the seventh embodiment, the cover portion 421 is made of a plate-like member. It is equipped with a link mechanism 433 (movement mechanism) that moves the cover portion 421 between a protection position and a retracted position along the surface of the imaging device body 10. This configuration allows the cover portion 421 to be moved easily with little force. In addition, when in the retracted position, the cover portion 421 is positioned in an area other than the display portion (LCD 17) and operation portion (shooting button 18a, operation button 18b) provided on the imaging device body 10, so it does not interfere with the visibility of the LCD 17 or the operation of the shooting button 18a, operation button 18b, etc.

Eighth Embodiment
An imaging device 107 according to the eighth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram of the imaging device 107 according to the eighth embodiment. In Fig. 15, (a) and (b) are a front view and a side view, respectively, when not capturing images, and (c) and (d) are a front view and a side view, respectively, when capturing images.

As shown in FIG. 15, the imaging device 107 of the eighth embodiment includes an imaging device main body 10 and a lens protection member 520.

The imaging device main body 10 includes two lens barrels 11A and 11B, imaging elements 12A and 12B, and a rectangular parallelepiped housing 13 that houses these. Lens barrels 11A and 11B hold imaging optical systems 15A and 15B, including wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B.

As shown in FIG. 15, the imaging device body 10 also includes an LCD 17 on the front surface of the housing 13. The imaging device body 10 also includes a heat sink 40 made up of multiple plate-shaped members that protrude outward from the front and rear surfaces of the housing 13.

The lens protection member 520 includes a rectangular cylindrical cover portion 521 that opens at the top and bottom. In this embodiment, the cover portion 521 is configured to move between a protection position that protects at least a portion of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, and a retracted position. The retracted position in this embodiment is a position where the cover portion 521 is positioned in a portion of the imaging device body 10 or an area outside the imaging device body 10 that is reflected by the imaging elements 12A, 12B, and also corresponds to an area where the imaging areas of the imaging elements 12A, 12B overlap. The cover portion 521 is prevented from shifting from the protection position to the retracted position by being biased by a biasing means such as a spring or secured by a latch.

The rectangular cylindrical cover portion 521 is positioned around the outer periphery of the housing 13 and is connected to the housing 13 with a stopper (latch, etc.) to prevent it from accidentally detaching from the housing 13. The cover portion 521 is also positioned along the housing 13 so that it can move up and down between a protection position, where it covers and protects the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B, and a retracted position, and displacement from the protection position and the retracted position can be prevented by a bias, latch, etc.

The rectangular cylindrical cover portion 521 can be easily moved by manually holding it and moving it up and down, but this configuration is not limiting. For example, if a guide rail is provided on the side of the housing 13 and a shaft on the inner surface of the cover portion 521 is engaged with this guide rail, the cover portion 521 can be moved up and down more smoothly and stably.

The cover portion 521 is formed to a length that allows it to cover the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B and the LCD 17 when in the protected position. The front and back surfaces of the cover portion 521 are configured to protrude further toward the subject than the curved surfaces of the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, preventing direct contact between the inner surface of the cover portion 521 and the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, and providing a ventilation gap 41 between the cover portion 521 and the imaging device body 10 when in the retracted position, allowing outside air to circulate.

In addition, the cover portion 521 is positioned in a retracted position below the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B and LCD 17 and on the outer periphery of the image capture device body 10. In this retracted position, the cover portion 521 covers the heat sink 40 protruding from the housing 13. Therefore, by holding the cover portion 521, the user can hold the image capture device 107 without directly touching the heat sink 40. Therefore, the cover portion 521 (i.e., the lens protection member 520) in this embodiment functions as a handle (holding portion).

Furthermore, a heat sink 40 is disposed in the flow gap 41 between the cover portion 521 and the imaging device main body 10, allowing outside air to flow around the periphery of the heat sink 40, further improving the heat dissipation effect of the heat sink 40. Therefore, the cover portion 521 (lens protection member 520) of this embodiment also functions as a heat dissipation member. Furthermore, because the cover portion 521 protrudes outward in the depth direction beyond the housing 13, placing the cover portion 521 in a retracted position allows the imaging device 107 to be placed more stably on a desk or the like. Therefore, the cover portion 521 (lens protection member 520) of this embodiment also functions as a support stand.

In the imaging device 103 of the eighth embodiment configured as described above, when a subject image is not being captured, the cover portion 521 of the lens protection member 520 is held and moved upward, and as shown in Figures 15(a) and 15(b), each cylindrical cover portion 521 completely covers the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B. Therefore, the cover portion 521 protects the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B and prevents scratches, etc.

On the other hand, when taking a photograph, the cover part 521 is held and moved downward, and placed in a retracted position on the outer periphery of the heat sink 40, as shown in (c) and (d) of Figure 15.

Therefore, in the eighth embodiment, when capturing a subject image, the cover portion 521 can be retracted to the surface of the imaging device body 10, excluding the area in front of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B. The cover portion 521 can also be retracted to a position corresponding to the area where the imaging areas of the image sensors 12A and 12B overlap. Then, the subject image can be captured using the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B.

As described above, in the eighth embodiment, a lens protection member 520 can be provided that is positioned in the protection position when not capturing images to protect the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B and appropriately prevent scratches, and that is positioned in the retracted position when capturing images to prevent reflections of the lens protection member 520 in the subject image. As a result, an imaging device 107 can be provided that can prevent reflections of the lens protection member 520 in the subject image and can acquire subject images with excellent imaging quality.

In the eighth embodiment, the cover portion 521 has a cylindrical shape that can be held by the user, and is arranged around the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B in the protection position, and is arranged on the surface of the imaging device body 10 excluding the area in front of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B in the retracted position. As a result, the cover portion 521 functions as a handle, allowing for stable holding, and also functions as a support base when placing the device on a desk or the like, allowing for stable placement. Furthermore, a circulation gap 41 is provided between the cover portion 521 and the imaging device body 10, allowing for the circulation of outside air, thereby enabling efficient dissipation of heat from circuit boards and the like built into the housing 13.

In the eighth embodiment, the imaging device body 10 is provided with a heat sink 40 that protrudes outward to improve heat dissipation, but this configuration is not limited to this, and the heat sink 40 may also be configured not to protrude outward from the housing 13. In this configuration, the depth direction length of the imaging device body 10 and the cover portion 521 can be made shorter, and reflection of the imaging device body 10 and the cover portion 521 in the subject image can be further reduced.

Ninth Embodiment
An imaging device 108 according to the ninth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram of the imaging device 108 according to the ninth embodiment. In Fig. 16, (a) is a perspective view of the main parts during imaging, and (b) is a perspective view of the main parts during non-imaging.

As shown in FIG. 16, the imaging device 108 of the ninth embodiment includes an imaging device main body 10 and a lens protection member 620.

The imaging device main body 10 includes two lens barrels 11A and 11B, imaging elements 12A and 12B, and a rectangular parallelepiped housing 13 that houses these. Lens barrels 11A and 11B hold imaging optical systems 15A and 15B, including wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B.

The lens protection member 620 has a pair of cover portions 621A arranged symmetrically at the front and rear. Note that only one cover portion 621A is visible in Figure 16; the other symmetrical cover portion is hidden behind the rear surface of the imaging device body 10 and is therefore not shown. In the following description, they will be referred to as cover portion 621, etc., without any distinction between them.

The pair of cover parts 621 are configured to move between a protection position that protects at least a portion of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, and a retracted position. The retracted position is an area that is outside the image circle or outside the imaging area of all of the image sensors 12A, 12B.

The pair of cover parts 621 in the ninth embodiment have multiple cylindrical covers 636 that move at different distances along the optical axis between a protective position and a retracted position. Each cover part 621 has a different diameter, and is configured in a nested or telescopic structure in which a smaller diameter cylindrical cover 636 is inserted sequentially inside a larger diameter cylindrical cover 636. The largest diameter cylindrical cover 636 has the smallest amount of movement, and the smallest diameter cylindrical cover 636 has the largest amount of movement. The multiple cylindrical covers 636 are arranged to be slidable relative to each other along the optical axis of the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B. With this configuration, the length of the cover part 621 from the tip to the base end is flexible.

The pair of cover sections 621 can be automatically retracted and retracted using a known drive mechanism such as a motor and gears, but they can also be configured to be retracted and retracted manually without a drive mechanism. Furthermore, the cover sections 621 can be biased by a biasing means such as a spring or secured with a latch to prevent shifting from the protective position and retracted position or unexpected extension and contraction.

In the imaging device 106 of the ninth embodiment configured as described above, when a subject image is not being captured, the drive mechanism or the like is driven to slide each cylindrical cover 636 of the pair of cover units 621 toward the subject, extending the cover units 621 and positioning them in a wall-like manner around the outer peripheries of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, as shown in Figure 16(b). As a result, the tip of the cylindrical cover 636, which has the smallest diameter and the greatest amount of movement, protrudes further toward the subject than the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B. Therefore, the cover units 621 protect the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B and prevent scratches, etc.

On the other hand, when photographing, the multiple cylindrical covers 636 of the pair of cover units 621 are slid toward the housing 13 by driving the drive mechanism or the like, and the other cylindrical covers 636 are stacked and stored inside the outermost cylindrical cover 636, as shown in Figure 16 (a), thereby contracting the cover units 621 and placing them in the retracted position.

Therefore, even in the ninth embodiment, when capturing a subject image, the pair of cover portions 621 can be retracted to an area outside the image circle or outside the imaging area of all image sensors 12A and 12B. Then, the subject image can be captured using wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B.

As described above, in the ninth embodiment, a lens protection member 620 can be provided that is positioned in the protection position when not capturing images to protect the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B and appropriately prevent scratches, etc., and that is positioned in the retracted position when capturing images to prevent reflections of the lens protection member 620 in the subject image. As a result, an imaging device 108 can be provided that can prevent reflections of the lens protection member 620 in the subject image and can acquire subject images with excellent imaging quality.

In addition, in the ninth embodiment, the cover unit 621 includes multiple cylindrical covers 636 that are arranged around the outer periphery of the wide-angle lens 14 and move along the optical axis between a protection position and a retracted position by different amounts of movement. In the retracted position, the cylindrical covers 636 are housed within the imaging device body 10. In the protection position, the tip of at least the cylindrical cover 636 with the greatest amount of movement among the multiple cylindrical covers 636 protrudes further toward the subject than the wide-angle lens 14. With this configuration, by housing the cylindrical covers 636 in the imaging device body 10 in the retracted position during shooting, reflections in the subject image can be suppressed. Furthermore, when not shooting, the cylindrical covers 636 are placed in the protection position, and the tip of the cylindrical cover 636 with the greatest amount of movement protrudes further toward the subject than the wide-angle lens 14, thereby appropriately protecting the wide-angle lens 14.

In the ninth embodiment, the cylindrical cover 636 with the largest diameter is fixed to the housing 13, and the cylindrical covers 636 with smaller diameters housed inside it slide in sequence, with the cylindrical cover 636 with the smallest diameter moving the greatest distance and its tip protruding toward the subject, a so-called telescopic structure, but this configuration is not limited to this. In another embodiment, the cylindrical cover 636 with the smallest diameter is fixed to the housing 13, and the cylindrical covers 636 with larger diameters arranged on the outer periphery slide in sequence, with the cylindrical cover 636 with the largest diameter moving the greatest distance and protruding toward the subject. Furthermore, the number of cylindrical covers 634 is not limited to multiple, and there may be only one.

Tenth Embodiment
An imaging device 109 according to the tenth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram of the imaging device 109 according to the tenth embodiment. In Fig. 17, (a) is a perspective view when not capturing an image, and (b) is a perspective view when capturing an image.

As shown in FIG. 17, the imaging device 109 of the tenth embodiment includes an imaging device main body 10 and a lens protection member 720.

The imaging device main body 10 includes two lens barrels 11A and 11B, imaging elements 12A and 12B, and a rectangular parallelepiped housing 13 that houses these. Lens barrels 11A and 11B hold imaging optical systems 15A and 15B, including wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B.

The lens protection member 720 has a pair of cover portions 721A, 721B arranged symmetrically at the front and rear. The pair of cover portions 721A, 721B are configured to move between a protection position that protects at least a portion of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, and a retracted position. The retracted position is an area outside the image circle or outside the imaging area of all of the image sensors 12A, 12B.

The pair of cover portions 721A, 721B in the tenth embodiment are made up of three divided pieces 737A, 737B. Each divided piece 737A, 737B is connected to the housing 13 of the imaging device body 10 by a hinge portion 738A, 738B. Each divided piece 737A, 737B can be moved left and right or up and down via the hinge portion 738A, 738B, allowing it to approach and separate from each other. In this case, "adjacent" means that the divided pieces 737A, 737B are in contact with each other or arranged adjacent to each other with a predetermined gap between them.

Each of the segments 737A, 737B is biased in the separation direction by the hinge portions 738A, 738B, and is positioned in a retracted position behind the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, where it remains in this position (open state). The lens protection member 720 also includes a known locking mechanism (e.g., a mating protrusion and recess) for connecting the segments 737A, 737B and maintaining their close proximity (closed state). The biasing force of this locking mechanism, the hinge portions 738A, 738B, or biasing force from a spring or other biasing means, or fixation by a latch, prevents each of the segments 737A, 737B from shifting from the protection position or retracted position. The segments 737A, 737B cover and protect the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, either together or individually.

The retracted area does not have to be strictly an area outside the image circle or imaging area of all of the imaging elements 12A and 12B. For example, due to design constraints or the biasing force of the hinge portion 738A, part of the cover portion 721A and 721B (such as the divided pieces 737A and 737B) may be retracted to a retracted position where the imaging device main body 10 is reflected in the imaging elements 12A and 12B, or to a retracted position corresponding to the area where the imaging areas of the imaging elements 12A and 12B overlap.

In the imaging device 109 of the tenth embodiment configured as described above, when a subject image is not being captured, the segments 737A and 737B are moved manually or by a known drive mechanism against the biasing force of the hinge portions 738A and 738B to a protective position in front of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B, and the locking mechanism is then activated. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17(a), the segments 737A and 737B are brought close to each other and connected to each other, protruding toward the subject beyond the curved surfaces of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B, forming a single cover portion 721A and 721B that covers the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B. The locking mechanism maintains the close proximity of the segments 737A and 737B, preventing accidental separation. Therefore, the lens protection member 420 protects the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B and prevents scratches and other damage.

On the other hand, when shooting, when the locking mechanism is released, the biasing force of the hinge portions 738A and 738B moves the divided pieces 737A and 737B in the opening direction, and they are positioned in a retracted position behind the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B, as shown in Figure 17(b).

Therefore, even in the tenth embodiment, when capturing a subject image, the pair of cover portions 721A, 721B can be retracted to an area outside the image circle of the imaging area of all image sensors 12A, 12B or outside the imaging area. Alternatively, the pair of cover portions 721A, 721B can be retracted to a position where the imaging device body 10, etc., is located in an area reflected in the image sensors 12A, 12B, or to a position corresponding to an area where the imaging areas of the image sensors 12A, 12B overlap. Then, the subject image can be captured using the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B.

As described above, in the tenth embodiment, a lens protection member 720 can be provided that is positioned in the protection position when not capturing images to protect the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B and appropriately prevent scratches, and that is positioned in the retracted position when capturing images to prevent reflections of the lens protection member 720 in the subject image. As a result, an imaging device 109 can be provided that can prevent reflections of the lens protection member 720 in the subject image and can acquire subject images with excellent imaging quality.

In addition, in the tenth embodiment, the cover portion 721 is made up of multiple segments 737, which are connected to the imaging device body 10 by hinge portions 738. In the protection position, the multiple segments 737 are positioned on the subject side of the curved surface of the wide-angle lens 14 via the hinge portions 738, so that they come close to each other to cover the wide-angle lens 14, and move in a direction that separates them via the hinge portions 738, so that they move to the retracted position. With this configuration, when not taking pictures, the large-area cover portion 721 with the segments 737 coming close to each other more adequately protects the wide-angle lens 14, and when taking pictures, the segments separate into smaller segments 737 and retract, more appropriately suppressing reflections in the subject image.

Eleventh Embodiment
An imaging device 110 according to an eleventh embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram of the imaging device 110 according to the eleventh embodiment. In Fig. 18, (a) is a perspective view when not capturing images, (b) is a perspective view when capturing images and one cover portion 821A is in the middle of opening, and (c) is a perspective view when capturing images and one cover portion 821A is open.

As shown in FIG. 18, the imaging device 110 of the eleventh embodiment includes an imaging device main body 10 and a lens protection member 820.

The imaging device main body 10 includes two lens barrels 11A and 11B, imaging elements 12A and 12B, and a rectangular parallelepiped housing 13 that houses these. Lens barrels 11A and 11B hold imaging optical systems 15A and 15B, including wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B.

The lens protection member 820 has a pair of cover portions 821A arranged symmetrically at the front and rear. Note that only one cover portion 821A is visible in Figure 18; the other symmetrical cover portion is hidden behind the rear surface of the imaging device body 10 and is therefore not shown. In the following description, both will be referred to as cover portion 821 without any distinction between them.

The pair of cover parts 821 are configured to move between a protection position that protects at least a portion of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, and a retracted position. The retracted position is an area that is outside the image circle of the imaging area of all of the image sensors 12A, 12B, or outside the imaging area. Also, in this embodiment, the pair of cover parts 821 may be configured to retract to a position where the imaging device main body 10, etc. is located in a portion that is reflected in the image sensors 12A, 12B, or to a position corresponding to an area where the imaging areas of the image sensors 12A, 12B overlap.

The lens protection member 820 of the 11th embodiment has the same basic configuration as the lens protection member 720 of the 11th embodiment, except that the pair of cover portions 821 are composed of more divided pieces 837 with smaller areas than the pair of cover portions 721 of the 11th embodiment.

The pair of cover sections 821 are made up of nine segments 837 and are connected to the housing 13 of the imaging device main body 10 by hinge sections 838. The segments 837A, 837B are biased in the direction of separation by hinge sections 838A, 838B, and are connected in close proximity to each other, and are equipped with a locking mechanism to maintain this close proximity. Each segment 837A, 837B is prevented from shifting from its protective position and retracted position by the biasing force of this locking mechanism or hinge section 838, or by biasing with a biasing means such as a spring or fixed with a latch.

In the imaging device 110 of the eleventh embodiment configured as described above, when a subject image is not being captured, each of the segments 837 is moved manually or by a known drive mechanism against the biasing force of the hinge portions 838A and 838B to a protective position in front of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B, and the locking mechanism is then activated. As a result, as shown in FIG. 18(a), the segments 837 approach each other and protrude further toward the subject than the curved surfaces of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B, forming a single cover portion 821 that covers the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B. The locking mechanism maintains the proximity of the segments 837A and 837B, preventing accidental separation. Therefore, the lens protection member 820 protects the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B and prevents scratches and other damage.

On the other hand, when shooting, when the locking mechanism is released, the biasing force of the hinge portion 838 causes each of the segments 837 to move in the opening direction as shown in Figure 18 (b) to (c), and they are positioned in a retracted position behind each of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B.

Therefore, even in the 11th embodiment, when capturing a subject image, the pair of cover portions 821 can be retracted to an area outside the image circle of the imaging area of all of the image sensors 12A and 12B or outside the imaging area. Alternatively, the pair of cover portions 821 can be retracted to a position where the imaging device main body 10, etc., is located in an area reflected in the image sensors 12A and 12B, or to a position corresponding to an area where the imaging areas of the image sensors 12A and 12B overlap. Then, the subject image can be captured using the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B.

As described above, in the 11th embodiment, it is possible to provide a lens protection member 820 that is positioned in the protection position when not capturing images to protect the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B and appropriately prevent scratches and the like, and that is positioned in the retracted position when capturing images to prevent reflections of the lens protection member 820 in the subject image. As a result, it is possible to provide an imaging device 110 that can prevent reflections of the lens protection member 820 in the subject image and can acquire subject images with excellent imaging quality.

Furthermore, in the 11th embodiment, the number of segments 837 is greater than in the 10th embodiment, but the area of each segment 837 can be made smaller, so reflection of each segment 837 in the subject image can be more appropriately suppressed.

Twelfth Embodiment
Next, an imaging device 111 according to a twelfth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 19. Fig. 19 is a schematic diagram of an imaging device 110 according to the twelfth embodiment. In Fig. 19, (a) and (b) are a plan view and a front view during imaging, (c) is a front view with the cover 921 pulled upward, (d) and (e) are a front view and a plan view during non-imaging, and (f) is a front view when the imaging device 111 is placed on a desk or the like.

As shown in FIG. 19, the imaging device 111 of the twelfth embodiment includes an imaging device main body 10 and a lens protection member 920.

The imaging device main body 10 includes two lens barrels 11A and 11B, imaging elements 12A and 12B, and a rectangular parallelepiped housing 13 that houses these. Lens barrels 11A and 11B hold imaging optical systems 15A and 15B, including wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B.

The lens protection member 920 includes a rod-shaped (or thin plate-shaped) cover portion 921 provided on the top surface of the imaging device body 10, and an axis member 922 that rotatably supports the cover portion 921. The cover portion 921 is rotatable around the center of the axis member 922, which serves as the rotation axis XC. The cover portion 921 is housed in a storage portion 16 recessed in the top surface of the housing 13.

The cover portion 921 is configured to move between a protection position, which protects at least a portion of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, and a retracted position. The retracted position is an area outside the image circle of the imaging area of all image sensors 12A, 12B or outside the imaging area. Furthermore, the cover portion 921 may be biased by a biasing means such as a spring or fixed by a latch to prevent it from shifting from the protection position or the retracted position.

In the imaging device 111 of the twelfth embodiment configured as described above, when capturing a subject image, the cover portion 921 of the lens protection member 920 is stored in the storage portion 16 of the housing 13, as shown in Figures 19(a) and 19(b).

As a result, even in the 12th embodiment, when capturing a subject image, the cover portion 921 can be retracted to an area outside the image circle of the imaging area of all image sensors 12A and 12B or outside the imaging area. Then, the subject image can be captured using the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B.

On the other hand, when not capturing a subject image, as shown in Figure 19 (c), the cover portion 921 is pulled upward and protrudes from the storage portion 16. Next, the cover portion 921 is rotated around the rotation axis XC toward the front of one wide-angle lens 14A (or the front of the other wide-angle lens 14B). This causes the tip of the cover portion 921 to protrude toward the subject beyond the curved surface of one wide-angle lens 14A, as shown in Figure 19 (d) and (e).

In this state, as shown in FIG. 19(f), when the imaging device 111 is placed on a mounting portion 1 such as a desk, the cover portion 921 functions as a support portion, and the cover portion 921 and the housing 13 stably support the imaging device 111. As a result, the lens protection member 920 and housing 13 of the 12th embodiment can prevent the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B from coming into direct contact with the mounting portion 1, etc., and can be placed stably on the mounting portion 1, etc., of a desk, preventing the imaging device 111 from tipping over or falling. Therefore, in the 12th embodiment, the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B can be easily protected by the rod-shaped cover portion 921 and housing 13, which have a simple configuration.

As described above, in the twelfth embodiment, a lens protection member 920 can be provided that is positioned in the protection position when not capturing images to protect the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B and appropriately prevent scratches, and that is positioned in the retracted position when capturing images to reduce reflections in the subject image, all while having a simple configuration. As a result, an imaging device 111 can be provided that can reduce reflections of the lens protection member 920 in the subject image and can acquire subject images with excellent imaging quality.

Thirteenth Embodiment
An imaging device 112 according to a thirteenth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 20. Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram of an imaging device 110 according to the thirteenth embodiment. In Fig. 20, (a), (b), and (c) are a plan view, a front view, and a side view during imaging, (d) and (e) are a plan view and a front view with the cover portion 1021 pulled out to the side, (f) and (g) are a front view and a side view during non-imaging, and (h) is a front view of the imaging device 112 placed on a desk or the like.

As shown in FIG. 20, the imaging device 112 of the twelfth embodiment includes an imaging device main body 10 and a lens protection member 1020.

The imaging device main body 10 includes two lens barrels 11A and 11B, imaging elements 12A and 12B, and a rectangular parallelepiped housing 13 that houses these. Lens barrels 11A and 11B hold imaging optical systems 15A and 15B, including wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B.

The lens protection member 1020 includes a rod-shaped (or thin plate-shaped) cover portion 1021 provided on one side of the imaging device body 10, and an axis member 1022 that rotatably supports the cover portion 1021. The cover portion 1021 is rotatable around the center of the axis member 1022, which serves as the rotation axis XC. The cover portion 1021 is housed in a storage portion 16 recessed in the top surface of the housing 13.

The cover portion 1021 is configured to move between a protection position, which protects at least a portion of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, and a retracted position. The retracted position is an area outside the image circle of the imaging area of all of the image sensors 12A, 12B, or outside the imaging area. Furthermore, the cover portion 1021 may be biased by a biasing means such as a spring, or fixed by a latch, to prevent it from shifting from the protection position or the retracted position.

In the imaging device 112 of the twelfth embodiment configured as described above, when capturing a subject image, the cover portion 1021 of the lens protection member 1020 is stored in the storage portion 16 of the housing 13, as shown in Figures 20(a) to 20(c).

As a result, even in the 13th embodiment, when capturing a subject image, the cover portion 1021 can be retracted to an area outside the image circle of the imaging area of all image sensors 12A and 12B or outside the imaging area. Then, the subject image can be captured using the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B.

On the other hand, when not capturing a subject image, the cover portion 1021 is pulled out to the side and protrudes from the storage portion 16, as shown in (d) and (e) of Figure 20. Next, the cover portion 1021 is rotated around the rotation axis XC toward the front of one wide-angle lens 14A (or the front of the other wide-angle lens 14B). This causes the tip of the cover portion 1021 to protrude further toward the subject than the curved surface of one wide-angle lens 14A, as shown in (f) and (g) of Figure 20.

In this state, as shown in Figure 20 (h), when the imaging device 112 is placed on the mounting section 1, such as a desk, the cover section 1021 functions as a support section, and the cover section 1021 and the housing 13 stably support the imaging device 112. As a result, the lens protection member 1020 and housing 13 of the 13th embodiment can prevent the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B from coming into direct contact with the mounting section 1, etc., and can be placed stably on the mounting section 1, such as a desk, preventing the imaging device 111 from tipping over or falling. Therefore, even in the 13th embodiment, the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B can be easily protected by the simply rod-shaped cover section 1021 and housing 13.

As described above, in the thirteenth embodiment, a lens protection member 1020 can be provided that is positioned in the protection position when not taking pictures to protect the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B and appropriately prevent scratches, and that is positioned in the retracted position when taking pictures to reduce reflections in the subject image, while still having a simple configuration. As a result, an imaging device 111 can be provided that reduces reflections of the lens protection member 1020 in the subject image and can acquire subject images with excellent imaging quality.

(Fourteenth embodiment)
An image pickup device 113 according to a fourteenth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 21 . FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the image pickup device 113 according to the fourteenth embodiment and the relationship between the image pickup device 113 and the angle of view. (a) in FIG. 21 is a side view of the image pickup device 113, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a plan view (top view). Each view in FIG. 21 shows the angles of view of the wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B, and shades regions R1 and R2 outside the angles of view. In (a) in FIG. 21 , the common regions outside the angles of view of both wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B are regions R1 and R2. In (b) in FIG. 21 , the common region outside the angles of view of both wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B is the overlapping region of regions R1 and R2. In (c) in FIG. 21 , the common region outside the angles of view of both wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B is the region surrounded by a virtual line (dash-dotted line).

As shown in FIG. 21, the imaging device 113 of the fourteenth embodiment includes an imaging device main body 10' and a lens protection member 20'.

The imaging device main body 10' includes two lens barrels 11A and 11B, imaging elements 12A and 12B, and a rectangular parallelepiped housing 13' that houses these. The lens barrels 11A and 11B hold imaging optical systems 15A and 15B, including wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B.

The image capture devices 100-110 of the first to thirteenth embodiments are arranged in the housing 13 so that their optical axes IA and IB are coaxial. In contrast, in the twelfth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21(c), the lens barrels 11A and 11B are arranged at offset positions in the width direction (X direction) of the image capture device body 10, and the optical axes IA and IB are offset. This arrangement makes it possible to shorten the baseline length of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B compared to the first to thirteenth embodiments. Therefore, the parallax between the subject images captured using the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A and 14B is reduced, allowing for more accurate and efficient stitching processing and improving the imaging quality of the generated omnidirectional panoramic image.

In addition, in the fourteenth embodiment, the length of the imaging device body 10 in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) is shortened to improve the effect of suppressing reflections in the subject image.

In the fourteenth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, cover sections 21A', 21B', which are generally U-shaped in side view, are pivotally supported on the housing 13' so that they can rotate between a protective position that protects at least a portion of the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, and a retracted position above the imaging device main body 10'. Furthermore, cover sections 21A', 21B' are biased by a biasing means such as a spring or fixed by a latch, preventing them from shifting from the protective position or the retracted position.

In the imaging device 113 of the 14th embodiment configured as described above, when a subject image is not being captured, the pair of cover portions 21A', 21B' of the lens protection member 20' are rotated downward. The pair of cover portions 21A', 21B' are then positioned closer to the subject than the curved surfaces of the pair of wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, covering and protecting the areas near the vertices of the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B.

On the other hand, when photographing, the pair of cover parts 21A', 21B' are rotated downward and placed in a retracted position above the housing 13. Therefore, in the 14th embodiment, when photographing a subject image, the pair of cover parts 21A', 21B' can be retracted to an area outside the image circle or outside the imaging area of all image sensors 12A, 12B.

As described above, the 14th embodiment also provides a lens protection member 20' that protects the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B when not capturing images, appropriately prevents scratches, etc., and suppresses reflections in the subject image when capturing images. As a result, an imaging device 103 is provided that is capable of capturing subject images with excellent imaging quality. Furthermore, the 12th embodiment is provided with two wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, which are arranged plane-symmetrically so that the optical axes IA, IB of the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B are offset from each other in the width direction or length direction. This configuration shortens the baseline length of the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B, reducing the parallax between the two subject images and enabling the generation of high-quality images.

The lens protection members 20-1020 shown in the second to thirteenth embodiments can also be applied to the imaging device 113 of the fourteenth embodiment. Even with this configuration, the lens protection members protect the wide-angle lenses 14A, 14B when not capturing images, appropriately preventing scratches and the like. When capturing images, the lens protection members can be retracted to a position outside the image circles of the imaging areas of all imaging elements 12A, 12B, or outside the imaging areas, or within the imaging device body 10, or in a portion of the area outside the imaging device body 10 that is reflected in the imaging elements 12A, 12B. Alternatively, the lens protection members can be retracted to a position corresponding to the area where the imaging areas of the imaging elements 12A, 12B overlap. As a result, an imaging device 113 can be provided that is capable of capturing subject images with excellent imaging quality.

The above describes the embodiment in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes that do not deviate from the gist of the disclosure are included in this disclosure.

For example, the sixth and eighth embodiments described above are configured to have multiple wide-angle lenses 14. However, the sixth and eighth embodiments are not limited to this configuration, and can also be configured to have only one wide-angle lens 14. Even in this case, by having the cover portion 321, 521 as described above, the cover portion 321, 521 can be retracted to a retracted position where it is positioned in a portion of the imaging device body 10 or an area outside the imaging device body 10 that is reflected by the imaging elements 12A, 12B, making it possible to acquire a subject image with excellent imaging quality.

In addition, in the fifth, seventh, and ninth embodiments, the retracted positions are outside the image circles or outside the imaging areas of all of the image sensors 12A and 12B, but they do not have to be strictly in these positions. For example, due to design or engineering constraints, part of the guard piece 225 of the cover portion 221 in the fifth embodiment, part of the cover portion 421 made of a plate-like member in the seventh embodiment, and part of the cylindrical cover 636 of the cover portion 621 in the ninth embodiment may be retracted to a retracted area located in a portion of the area of the image sensor body 10 or an area outside the image sensor body 10 that is reflected in the image sensors 12A and 12B, or to a retracted area corresponding to an area where the imaging areas of the image sensors 12A and 12B overlap. Even in this case, the impact on the imaging quality of the subject image can be suppressed.

10, 10': Image pickup device main body 12, 12A, 12B: Image pickup element 14, 14A, 14B: Wide-angle lens (lens)
20, 20', 120 to 820: lens protection member: lens protection member 21, 21A, 21A', 21B, 21B', 121A, 121B, 221A, 221B, 321, 321A, 321B, 421, 421A, 421B, 521, 621, 621A, 721, 721A, 721B, 821, 821A, 921, 1021: cover portion 41: circulation interval 100 to 113: imaging device 222A: pivot support portion 225, 225A: guard piece 636: cylindrical cover 737, 737A, 737B, 837, 837A, 837B: divided pieces 738, 738A, 738B, 838, 838A, 838B : Hinge parts I, IA, IB : Optical axis

Claims (5)

A first lens;
a second lens different from the first lens;
a first image sensor that captures an object image formed by the first lens;
a second image sensor that captures an object image formed by the second lens;
a first lens protection member that protects the first lens;
a second lens protection member that protects the second lens;
a housing that accommodates the first imaging element and the second imaging element therein, the housing having a length in a second direction intersecting the first direction longer than a length in a first direction in which the first lens, the first imaging element, the second imaging element, and the second lens are arranged;
Equipped with
the first lens and the second lens have lens surfaces that protrude beyond the housing in the first direction;
the first lens protection member and the second lens protection member are provided on the housing so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis between a protection position that protects at least a part of the first lens and the second lens and a retracted position that is outside an image circle within an imaging area of the first imaging element and the second imaging element or outside the imaging area, and do not protrude outward from the housing at the retracted position ,
The second direction is a direction perpendicular to the first direction and the direction of the rotation axis.
Imaging device. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a length direction and a width direction that are perpendicular to each other , and the first lens protection member and the second lens protection member rotate about a line that is perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens and extends in the width direction. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a length direction and a width direction that are perpendicular to each other , and the first lens protection member and the second lens protection member rotate about a line that is perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens and is set at a position a predetermined distance in the length direction from a line extending in the width direction. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the first lens and the second lens are arranged in the housing so that the optical axes of the first lens and the second lens are arranged coaxially with each other. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first lens and the second lens are arranged in the housing so that the optical axes of the first lens and the second lens are positioned at positions offset from each other.