CN117729399A - Image pickup apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides an imaging device. The imaging device (10) is provided with: an imaging element (110) that receives subject light; a lens (111) that guides subject light that has passed through a 1 st opening (125) provided in the housing (12) to the imaging element (110); a blade (13) provided between the 1 st opening (125) and the lens (111) and limiting incidence of the subject light to the imaging element (110); and an actuator (15) that moves the blade (13) in the 1 st direction intersecting the optical axis (L) of the lens (111), and that positions the blade (13) at any one of the 1 st position, in which the subject light is restricted from entering the imaging element (110), and the 2 nd position, in which the subject light is allowed to enter the imaging element (110). The blade (13) has a curved shape corresponding to the curvature of the outer shape of the lens (111) in the 2 nd direction intersecting the optical axis (L) and the 1 st direction.

Description

Image pickup apparatus

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus.

Background

In various places such as nursing facilities, hospitals, factories, and shops, monitoring cameras are provided from the viewpoint of theft prevention, disaster prevention, and the like. When a monitoring camera as an image pickup apparatus is used, privacy of an individual who is an object is required to be protected. Therefore, the monitoring camera has a light shielding portion covering the lens as needed.

Patent document 1 discloses a mechanism that moves relative to a fixing member as an imaging unit and functions as a shutter.

Patent document 1: U.S. patent application publication 2020/0249115 specification

However, there is a problem that miniaturization of the image pickup apparatus is hindered due to the shape of the shutter and the arrangement of the mechanism for driving the shutter.

Disclosure of Invention

An imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an imaging element that receives object light; an optical member that guides the subject light having passed through a 1 st opening provided in the housing to the image pickup element; a light shielding portion provided between the 1 st opening and the optical member, the light shielding portion limiting the incidence of the subject light to the image pickup element; and a driving unit that moves the light shielding unit in a 1 st direction intersecting the optical axis of the optical member, and positions the light shielding unit at any one of a 1 st position at which the subject light is restricted from entering the image pickup element and a 2 nd position at which the subject light is allowed to enter the image pickup element. The light shielding portion has a curved shape corresponding to a curve of an outer shape of the optical member in a 2 nd direction intersecting the optical axis and the 1 st direction.

An imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an imaging element that receives object light; an optical member that guides the subject light having passed through a 1 st opening provided in the housing to the image pickup element; a light shielding portion provided between the 1 st opening and the optical member, the light shielding portion limiting the incidence of the subject light to the image pickup element; a driving unit that moves the light shielding unit in a 1 st direction intersecting an optical axis of the optical member, and that positions the light shielding unit at any one of a 1 st position at which the subject light is restricted from entering the image pickup element and a 2 nd position at which the subject light is allowed to enter the image pickup element; and an auxiliary opening portion through which the subject light can pass when the light shielding portion is located at the 1 st position.

According to the present invention, the imaging device can be miniaturized.

Drawings

Fig. 1A is an external view of an imaging device in an open state according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 1B is an external view of the image pickup apparatus in the closed state.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the image pickup apparatus in an open state.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the image pickup apparatus at line A-A shown in fig. 1B.

Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the blade, the base member, and the actuator included in the imaging device, as viewed from below.

Fig. 4B is a perspective view of a shutter included in the imaging device.

Fig. 5A is an internal perspective view of the image pickup apparatus in an open state.

Fig. 5B is an internal perspective view of the image pickup apparatus in the closed state.

Fig. 6A is an external view of the imaging device in the off state of embodiment 2.

Fig. 6B is a sectional view of the image pickup apparatus at line B-B shown in fig. 6A.

Fig. 7A is an external view of the image pickup apparatus in the off state in modification 1.

Fig. 7B is an external view of the image pickup apparatus in the off state in modification 2.

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the image pickup apparatus in the closed state in modification 3.

Description of the reference numerals

10: an image pickup device; 11: a camera module; 12: a housing; 13: a blade; 14: a blade driving mechanism; 15: an actuator; 16: an illumination section; 17: an illuminometer; 20: a sound pickup unit; 110: an image pickup element; 111: a lens; 112: a substrate; 113: a lens holder; 120: a front housing; 121: a rear housing; 122: a top plate; 123a, 123b, 123c, 123d: a side wall panel; 125: a 1 st opening portion; 126: an illumination opening portion; 130: a light shielding surface; 130a, 130b: a 1 st side wall surface; 130c: a 2 nd side wall surface; 130d, 130e: an extension; 131. 132: a guide section; 131a, 132a: a guide side portion; 131b, 131c, 132b, 132c: an abutting portion; 131d: region 1; 131e: region 2; 132d: a concave portion; 133: a 2 nd opening portion; 133a: a 1 st opening area; 133b: a 2 nd opening region; 136: an elastic member; 137: a rack portion; 138: a position sensor; 138a: a contact portion; 139. 139a, 139b, 139c, 139d, 180a, 180b, 181a, 181b: an auxiliary opening portion; 140: a base member; 141: a main base portion; 142: a sub-base portion; 143: an opening portion; 146: an abutment member; 151: a motor; 152: a rotation shaft; 153: a gear; 161: an illumination light source; 170: a filter; 201: pick-up opening.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The use of the imaging device is not particularly limited, and the imaging device is suitably used as a monitoring camera or a nursing camera installed in a hospital, a nursing facility, a factory, a store, or the like. In addition, the imaging device can be switched between a photographable state and a non-photographable state. More specifically, the image pickup apparatus can be switched to an off state in which light cannot be incident on the imaging optical system and an on state in which light can be incident on the imaging optical system. When the imaging device is switched to the imaging disabled state (off state), the person to be imaged can recognize that the imaging device is switched to the imaging disabled state. The imaging device can switch between imaging in the normal imaging mode and imaging in the night vision mode according to the brightness of the surrounding external environment. In the normal photographing mode, photographing is performed by light incident on the imaging optical system when the external environment is bright. In the night vision mode, when the external environment is dark, illumination light is emitted, and an object irradiated with the illumination light is photographed.

Embodiment 1

Fig. 1A and 1B are external views of an imaging device 10 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 1A shows the imaging device 10 in an open state, and fig. 1B shows the imaging device 10 in a closed state. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging device 10 in the open state shown in fig. 1A.

Integral structure of image pickup apparatus 10

The image pickup apparatus 10 is switched from the on state (fig. 1A) to the off state (fig. 1B). The imaging device 10 is switched from the off state (fig. 1B) to the on state (fig. 1A). As shown in fig. 1A to 2, the imaging device 10 includes a camera module 11, a case (housing case) 12, a blade 13, a blade driving mechanism 14, an illumination unit 16, an illuminometer 17, a connector 25, a memory slot 26, an antenna 27, and a control unit 31.

< Shell 12 >

The housing 12 is constituted by a front case 120 and a rear case 121. The front case 120 has a rectangular or substantially rectangular top plate 122 and side wall plates 123a, 123b, 123c, 123d connected to each side from the top plate 122. The top plate 122 and the side wall plates 123a, 123b, 123c, 123d are integrally molded of synthetic resin, the side wall plate 123a is connected to one long side of the top plate 122, and the side wall plate 123b is connected to the other long side of the top plate 122. The side wall plate 123c is connected to one short side of the top plate 122, and the side wall plate 123d is connected to the other short side of the top plate 122.

In the following description, the direction of the front case 120 of the housing 12 is sometimes referred to as upward, the direction of the rear case 121 is sometimes referred to as downward, the direction of the side wall plate 123a is sometimes referred to as forward, the direction of the side wall plate 123b is sometimes referred to as rearward, the direction of the side wall plate 123c is sometimes referred to as rightward, and the direction of the side wall plate 123d is sometimes referred to as leftward. The left-right direction is sometimes referred to as the 1 st direction, and the front-rear direction is sometimes referred to as the 2 nd direction. The 1 st direction is a direction intersecting the optical axis L of the lens 111 included in the camera module 11 described later, and the 2 nd direction is a direction intersecting the 1 st direction and the optical axis L.

The top plate 122 of the front case 120 is provided with a circular 1 st opening 125 communicating with the inside and outside of the housing 12. In other words, the 1 st opening 125 is a through hole provided in the top plate 122. Light (subject light) emitted from an object (subject) to be imaged enters the housing 12 through the 1 st opening 125, and enters the imaging optical system.

The top plate 122 of the front case 120 is provided with an illumination opening 126 at a position corresponding to a position where the illumination unit 16 described later is disposed. That is, the illumination opening 126 is also a through hole provided in the top plate 122. The illumination light emitted from the illumination unit 16 illuminates an imaging target (subject) through the illumination opening 126.

As shown in fig. 1A to 2, 2 illumination openings 126 (one is a front side and the other is a rear side) are provided on the right side of the top plate 122, 2 illumination openings 126 (one is a front side and the other is a rear side) are provided on the left side of the top plate 122, and a total of 4 illumination openings 126 are provided. However, the position of the illumination opening 126 is not limited to the illustrated position, and can be appropriately determined according to the arrangement position of the illumination portion 16. The number of the illumination openings 126 is not limited to 4, but may be 3 or less, or 5 or more, and is determined by the number of the illumination portions 16 included in the imaging device 10.

The rear case 121 is fixed to the front case 120, closing the bottom (lower) of the front case 120. The rear case 121 is fixed to the front case 120 by, for example, screw-bonding.

< connector 25 >

As shown in fig. 2, the imaging device 10 has a connector 25 to which a power cable, a communication cable, or the like can be connected. More specifically, the imaging device 10 has a female connector 25 to which a USB cable can be connected. The connector 25 faces an opening provided in a side wall plate on the right side of the rear case 121 or an opening provided in the lower surface of the rear case 121. The connector 25 is electrically connected to the substrate 240 provided with the power supply portion 24.

Memory slot 26 >

The image pickup apparatus 10 further includes a memory slot 26 to which a predetermined recording medium can be connected. More specifically, the imaging device 10 has a slot into which the SD memory card can be inserted and removed. When the cover 260 provided on the rear case 121 is opened, the SD memory card can be inserted into and removed from the memory slot 26.

< Camera Module 11 >)

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the image pickup apparatus 10 in the closed state shown in fig. 1B. The camera module 11 includes an image pickup element (image sensor) 110 such as a CMOS or a CCD, and a lens 111. The imaging element 110 is mounted on a substrate 112. The lens 111 is, for example, a convex lens, has a predetermined curvature, and has a central portion (near the position of the optical axis L) protruding toward an imaging target object (subject). The lens 111 is disposed above the image pickup element 110 and held by a lens holder 113. A substrate 112 on which the image pickup device 110 is mounted is fixed below the lens holder 113, for example, by screw-coupling.

The object light entering the 1 st opening 125 is guided by the lens 111 to the light receiving surface of the image pickup element 110 and condensed. That is, the lens 111 is an optical member (imaging optical system) that forms an image of the image pickup object on the light receiving surface of the image pickup element 110, or at least a part of the optical member. The image pickup element 110 converts the light and shade of the image formed by the lens 111 into an electric charge amount, and outputs a signal (image signal) corresponding to the converted electric charge amount.

Antenna 27 >

Referring again to fig. 2. The image pickup apparatus 10 has an antenna 27, and can be connected to other devices via a wireless LAN (Wi-Fi). For example, the image pickup device 10 can wirelessly transmit a signal (image signal) output from the image pickup element 110 to other devices such as a smart phone and a tablet terminal. The imaging device 10 may be remotely operated by another device such as a smart phone.

< illumination portion 16 >)

The illumination unit 16 emits illumination light for illuminating the imaging object at the time of imaging in a dark surrounding environment (that is, at the time of imaging in the night vision mode). The illumination section 16 has an illumination light source 161 and a cover section 162. The illumination light source 161 is, for example, an LED, and is controlled by a control unit 31 described later to emit light having a wavelength in the infrared region (infrared light ). The illumination light source 161 is not limited to emitting infrared light as illumination light, and may emit visible light other than infrared light as illumination light. The illumination light source 161 is disposed on the base member 140 of the blade driving mechanism 14 described later.

The cover 162 is formed of, for example, a resin having light transmittance, and is provided on the emission side (upper side) of the illumination light source 161. The cover 162 has a surface covering at least the upper side of the illumination light source 161. The surface of the cover 162 is fitted into the illumination opening 126. In this case, the cover 162 is attached so that the surface does not protrude outward (upward) from the outer surface of the top plate 122 of the housing 12. The illumination light emitted from the illumination light source 161 is emitted to the outside of the imaging device 10 through the surface of the cover 162.

As shown in fig. 1A to 2, the imaging device 10 includes 4 illumination units 16. One of the 4 pairs of illumination portions 16 is provided on the front side of the top plate 122 on the right side, and the other illumination portion 16 is provided on the rear side. The other pair of illumination portions 16 is provided on the front side of one illumination portion 16 on the left side of the top plate 122, and the other illumination portion 16 is provided on the rear side.

The number of illumination units 16 included in the imaging device 10 is not limited to 4. The imaging device 10 may have 3 or less illumination units 16, or may have 5 or more illumination units 16.

< illuminometer 17 >)

The illuminometer 17 is, for example, a light register or a photodiode, and receives light of the environment (external environment) surrounding the imaging device 10. The illuminometer 17 is disposed on a base member 140 of the blade driving mechanism 14, which will be described in detail later. The illuminometer 17 converts the shade of the received light into an electric charge amount, and outputs a signal (luminance signal) corresponding to the electric charge amount. That is, the illuminometer 17 functions as a detection unit that detects the brightness of the surrounding environment of the imaging device 10.

< control section 31 >)

The control unit 31 is disposed at the rear side in the housing 12 and mounted on the substrate 310. The control unit 31 is configured by, for example, a CPU, a memory, or the like, and is electrically connected to the substrate 112 on which the image pickup device 110 is mounted. The control unit 31 is, for example, a processor that reads and executes a control program recorded in advance in a recording medium such as a flash memory to control each unit of the imaging device 10. For example, the control unit 31 controls the power supply of the power supply unit 24 to the image pickup element 110 and the actuator 15.

Blade 13 and blade drive mechanism 14 >

The blade drive mechanism 14 has a base member 140 and an actuator 15. The blade driving mechanism 14 moves the blade 13 in a direction along the long side of the top plate 122 (1 st direction), opens and closes the 1 st opening 125, and controls incidence of the object light to the lens 111. More specifically, the vane 13 is moved by the vane drive mechanism 14 to a closed position (1 st position) for closing the 1 st opening portion 125 and an open position (2 nd position) for opening the 1 st opening portion 125. That is, the blade 13 is moved in the 1 st direction by the blade driving mechanism 14, and is located at any one of the 1 st position for restricting the incidence of the subject light to the image pickup element 110 and the 2 nd position for allowing the incidence of the subject light to the image pickup element 110. The blade 13 at the 1 st position functions as a light shielding portion that shields the 1 st opening 125 and restricts the incidence of the subject light to the imaging element 110.

In other words, the blade driving mechanism 14 switches the 1 st opening 125 of the imaging apparatus 10 from the open state (fig. 1A) to the closed state (fig. 1B). The blade driving mechanism 14 switches the 1 st opening 125 of the imaging device 10 from the closed state (fig. 1B) to the open state (fig. 1A). Thus, the lens 111 is covered in the closed state (fig. 1B), and the lens 111 is exposed in the open state (fig. 1A).

< base member 140 >)

The base member 140 is molded from, for example, synthetic resin, and is integrally molded from a main base portion 141 and a sub base portion 142. The main base portion 141 is located on the top plate 122 side (upper side) of the housing 12 with respect to the lens 111. The sub base portion 142 is formed with a screw hole for screw-coupling with the rear case 121 in a part thereof, and is erected downward from the main base portion 141. The sub base portion 142 is screwed to fix the base member 140 to the rear case 121, thereby fixing the base member to the rear case 121. By the base member 140 having the above-described shape, the imaging element 110 can be disposed on the lower side (rear case 121 side) with respect to the main base portion 141.

The main base portion 141 has a curved shape protruding outermost (upper side) in the front-rear direction (the 2 nd direction) at a central position C, which is a position on a line passing through the central portion (i.e., a position where the optical axis L of the lens 111 passes) and along the 1 st direction, according to the curvature of the lens 111 described above. Specifically, the main base portion 141 has a shape that is curved parallel or substantially parallel to the curved shape of the outer shape of the lens 111 in the 2 nd direction (see fig. 3).

The main base portion 141 has a circular opening 143 communicating with the upper and lower sides of the base member 140 around a position where the optical axis L of the lens 111 passes. In other words, the opening 143 is a through hole provided in the main base portion 141. Light (subject light) emitted from an object (subject) to be imaged and passing through the 1 st opening 125 provided in the housing 12 is incident on the lens 111 through the opening 143. The outer diameter of the opening 143 is larger than the outer diameter of the lens 111 and smaller than the outer diameter of the 1 st opening 125 formed in the front case 120.

At least the blade 13, the actuator 15, the illumination unit 16, and the illuminometer 17 are mounted on the main base portion 141. The blade 13, the illumination unit 16, and the illuminometer 17 are mounted on the upper side of the main base portion 141. In other words, the base member 140 functions as a support portion for supporting the blade 13 from below (i.e., on the side where the imaging element 110 is disposed) by the main base portion 141.

The illumination unit 16 is mounted on both right and left sides of the main base unit 141. The illuminometer 17 is disposed on the right side with respect to the opening 143 in the center position C of the main base portion 141. The sound pickup unit 20 including a microphone for collecting surrounding sound of the imaging device 10 is disposed near the illuminometer 17 on the side (left side) of the opening 143 with respect to the illuminometer 17. A plurality of sound collection openings (sound collection openings) 201 (see fig. 1A, 1B, and 2) are formed in the top plate 122 of the front case 120 at positions facing the arrangement positions of the sound collection portions 20. Sound around the imaging device 10 reaches the sound pickup section 20 through at least one sound pickup opening 201. The illuminometer 17 receives light of the surrounding environment passing through the sound pickup opening 201. In other words, the illuminometer 17 is disposed below the at least one sound pickup opening 201. A white filter 170 (see fig. 2), for example, is disposed between the illuminometer 17 and the front case 120 at the upper part of the illuminometer 17. The filter 170 transmits light of the environment surrounding the image pickup device 10 to reach the illuminometer 17, and suppresses entry of dust or the like from the pickup opening 201 into the image pickup device 10.

A contact member 146 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is provided at the left end of the upper surface of the main base portion 141. An upper surface of the contact member 146 contacts a lower surface of the blade 13 described later.

Actuator 15 >, actuator

Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the blade 13, the base member 140, and the actuator 15 when the blade 13 is in the closed position, as viewed from below. The actuator 15 is mounted on the rear case 121 side (lower side) with respect to the main base portion 141. In other words, the actuator 15 is mounted on the inner side of the base member 140. The actuator 15 may be arranged on the side where the imaging element 110 is arranged with respect to the blade 13.

The actuator 15 functions as a driving unit for moving the blade 13 in the 1 st direction, and details thereof will be described later. The actuator 15 has a motor 151, a rotation shaft 152, and a gear 153. The motor 151 includes, for example, a coil, a yoke, a magnet, and the like, and the motor 151 is rotated by electric power (current) supplied from the power supply unit 24 under the control of the control unit 31. The rotation direction of the motor 151 is reversed according to the direction of the current supplied to the coil. For example, when a current in a certain direction flows through the coil, the motor 151 rotates clockwise, and when a current in the opposite direction flows through the coil, the motor 151 rotates counterclockwise.

The rotation shaft 152 extends in the 2 nd direction and engages with the gear 153. The rotation shaft 152 is rotationally driven by rotation of the motor 151. The gear 153 engaged with the rotation shaft 152 rotates according to the rotation drive of the rotation shaft 152. As described above, the rotation direction of the motor 151 is reversed according to the direction of the supplied current. Accordingly, the rotation shaft 152 and the gear 153 are also reversed in rotation direction according to the direction of the current supplied to the motor 151. The gear 153 engages with a rack portion 137 formed in the blade 13 described later.

< blade 13 >)

The blade 13 will be described with reference to a perspective view of the inner side (lower side) of the blade 13 shown in fig. 4B. The blade 13 is molded, for example, from a synthetic resin or a metal material. The vane 13 is supported on the main base portion 141 of the base member 140 so as to be capable of straight movement (slidable). Since the main base portion 141 is located above the lens 111, it can be said that the blade 13 is disposed between the 1 st opening 125 formed in the housing 12 and the lens 111 of the camera module 11. The blade 13 has a light shielding surface 130 and guide portions 131 and 132 formed on the front and rear sides of the light shielding surface 130.

< light-shielding face 130 >)

The light shielding surface 130 is a thin plate having the 1 st direction as a longitudinal direction, and is disposed on an upper portion of the base member 140 to overlap the base member 140. More specifically, the light shielding surface 130 overlaps the main base portion 141, and partially covers the main base portion 141. As described above, the main base portion 141 has a curved shape that protrudes outermost from the central position C in the front-rear direction (the 2 nd direction). Therefore, the light shielding surface 130 disposed on the upper portion of the main base portion 141 also has a curved shape that protrudes furthest outward in the center position C parallel or substantially parallel to the main base portion 141 in the 2 nd direction. In other words, the light shielding surface 130 is molded parallel or substantially parallel to the curved shape of the outer shape of the lens 111 in the 2 nd direction (see fig. 3). The shape of the light shielding surface 130 in the 2 nd direction is not limited to a case of being parallel or substantially parallel to the curved shape of the outer shape of the lens 111, and may be a case where a curve that can avoid collision with the lens 111 when the blade 13 moves as described later is provided. That is, the shape of the light shielding surface 130 in the 2 nd direction may be formed by bending the outer shape of the lens 111.

The light shielding surface 130 has a 2 nd opening 133 which communicates with the light shielding surface 130 in the vertical direction. In other words, the 2 nd opening 133 is a through hole provided in the light shielding surface 130. When the blade 13 is at the 2 nd position, the 2 nd opening 133 allows the subject light passing through the 1 st opening 125 formed in the top plate 122 to pass through. The 2 nd opening 133 is formed of the 1 st opening region 133a and the 2 nd opening region 133 b. The 1 st opening region 133a is a region sandwiched by 2 1 st side wall surfaces 130a and 130b extending leftward from the right end of the light shielding surface 130 in the 1 st direction so as to face each other. The length (width) of the 1 st opening area 133a in the 2 nd direction (front-rear direction), that is, the distance between the 1 st side wall surfaces 130a, 130b is larger than the length (width) of the illuminometer 17 and the sound pickup portion 20 in the 2 nd direction.

The 2 nd opening region 133b is formed in a circular shape or a substantially circular shape centered on a position through which the optical axis L of the lens 111 passes when the image pickup device 10 is in the open state, that is, when the blade 13 is in the open position. Specifically, the region surrounded by the 2 nd side wall surface 130c having an arc shape connected to the left end of the 1 st side wall surfaces 130a and 130 b. The outer diameter of the 2 nd opening region 133b is the same as or substantially the same as the outer diameter of the 1 st opening 125 formed in the top plate 122 of the front case 120.

By the 2 nd opening 133 having the above-described shape, the light shielding surface 130 has the extending portions 130d, 130e extending toward the right side in the 1 st direction along the shape of the 2 nd opening region 133b on one side (front side) and the other side (rear side) with respect to the 2 nd opening 133.

< guide portion 131, 132 >)

As shown in fig. 4B, the guide portion 131 is composed of a guide side portion 131a and abutment portions 131B, 131 c. The guide side portion 131a stands from the rear side of the lower surface of the light shielding surface 130 toward the lower side (rear case 121 side). The guide side portion 131a extends along the 1 st direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the light shielding surface 130. The abutment portions 131b, 131c are formed on the right and left sides of the lower end portion of the guide side portion 131 a. The abutting portions 131b and 131c are flange portions extending from the guide side portion 131a toward the front side, and have a planar upper portion.

By cutting the center portion of the guide side portion 131a, a 1 st region 131d on the right side and a 2 nd region 131e on the left side are formed on the lower end side of the guide side portion 131 a. That is, the lower end portion of the 1 st region 131d and the lower end portion of the 2 nd region 131e protrude downward from the central portion of the guide side portion 131 a.

The guide portion 132 is constituted by a guide side portion 132a and abutment portions 132b, 132 c. The guide side portion 132a stands from the front side of the lower surface of the light shielding surface 130 toward the lower side (rear case 121 side). The guide side portion 132a extends along the 1 st direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the light shielding surface 130. The abutment portions 132b, 132c are formed on the right and left sides of the lower end portion of the guide side portion 132 a. The abutment portions 132b and 132c are flange portions extending rearward from the guide side portion 132a, respectively, and have a planar upper portion.

The inner surface of the guide side portion 131a faces the rear side surface of the main base portion 141, and the inner surface of the guide side portion 132a faces the front side surface of the main base portion 141. That is, the main base portion 141 is sandwiched by the guide side portion 131a and the guide side portion 132a in the 2 nd direction. This can restrain the blade 13 from moving in the 2 nd direction relative to the base member 140. That is, the moving direction of the blade 13 is limited to the 1 st direction.

Spaces are created in the up-down direction between the contact portions 131b, 131c, 132b, 132c and the light shielding surface 130. In this space, front and rear end portions of the main base portion 141 of the base member 140 are disposed. That is, the upper surfaces of the contact portions 131b, 131c, 132b, 132c contact the lower surface of the main base portion 141. In other words, the main base portion 141 is sandwiched between the upper surfaces of the contact portions 131b, 131c, 132b, 132c and the lower surface of the light shielding surface 130. Thereby, the movement of the vane 13 in the up-down direction with respect to the base member 140 is restricted. In addition, when assembling, the front and rear end portions of the main base portion 141 are inserted into the space from the left end portion of the main base portion 141, and the vane 13 slides in the 1 st direction, thereby providing the above arrangement.

Further, a recess 132d is formed in a part of the left side of the guide side portion 132 a. An elastic member 136 is disposed in the recess 132d (see fig. 2 and 4A). The elastic member 136 is, for example, a leaf spring. The elastic member 136 is in contact with the guide side portion 132a on one side (side wall plate 123a side) and the main base portion 141 is in contact with a side surface facing the side wall plate 123a on the other side (side wall plate 123b side). The guide side portion 132a is biased toward the side wall plate 123a by the elastic member 136. Therefore, even when a force in the 2 nd direction acts on the blade 13, the movement of the blade 13 in the 2 nd direction relative to the base member 140 can be suppressed by the elastic force of the elastic member 136, and the occurrence of looseness in the 2 nd direction can be suppressed.

The lower surface of the light shielding surface 130 is in contact with the upper surface of the contact member 146 provided in the main base portion 141. As described above, the abutment member 146 is provided at the left end of the upper surface of the main base portion 141. The light shielding surface 130 of the vane 13 in the open position is supported from below by the abutment member 146. Therefore, the occurrence of looseness such as the right side of the blade 13 moving up and down on the main base portion 141 can be suppressed.

< movement of blade 13 >)

A rack portion 137 is provided on the lower surface of the rear side of the light shielding surface 130, that is, near the upper end portion of the guide side portion 131 a. That is, the rack portion 137 is provided on the blade 13 on the side where the imaging element 110 is disposed. The rack 137 is a member in which a plurality of teeth are aligned in the left-right direction (1 st direction), and engages with the gear 153 of the actuator 15. The rack 137 is a conversion member that converts the rotational force into a linear movement force along the 1 st direction when the gear 153 is driven in accordance with the rotation of the motor 151 controlled by the control unit 31 as described above. As a result, the vane 13 is guided by the guide side portions 131a and 132a extending in the 1 st direction to move in the 1 st direction while applying a moving force in the 1 st direction. That is, the vane 13 is movable (slidable) in the 1 st direction between the base member 140 (main base portion 141) and the front case 120 (top plate 122). In other words, the vane 13 can move in the 1 st direction, but cannot move in other directions, and cannot rotate.

Fig. 5A is an internal perspective view of the image pickup apparatus 10 in the open state, showing a state in which the front case 120 is removed from the state shown in fig. 1A. Fig. 5B is an internal perspective view of the image pickup apparatus 10 in the closed state, showing a state in which the front case 120 is removed from the state shown in fig. 1B.

As shown in fig. 5A, the vane 13 can be moved to the left to a position to open the 1 st opening 125. That is, the vane 13 can be moved to a position where the center of the 2 nd opening region 133b included in the 2 nd opening 133 of the vane 13 coincides or substantially coincides with the center of the 1 st opening 125 of the top plate 122. As a result, as shown in fig. 1A, the lens 111 is exposed. As described above, the outer diameter of the opening 143 formed in the main base portion 141 of the base member 140 is larger than the outer diameter of the lens 111, and smaller than the outer diameter of the 1 st opening 125 formed in the front case 120. Therefore, when the vane 13 moves to the open position, a part of the main base portion 141 is also exposed (see fig. 1A). The imaging device 10 is isolated from the outside by the part of the main base portion 141 thus exposed and the 2 nd side wall surface 130c of the 2 nd opening region 133b in the light shielding surface 130 between the main base portion 141 and the top plate 122. As a result, the entry of refuse or the like into the interior of the housing 12 from the 1 st opening 125 is suppressed.

As shown in fig. 5A, when blade 13 is in the open position, a part of sound pickup unit 20 is located in 1 st opening area 133a of 2 nd opening 133, and the rest of sound pickup unit 20 and illuminometer 17 are located on the right side of light shielding surface 130 of blade 13. That is, the illuminometer 17 and the sound pickup unit 20 are not closed by the light shielding surface 130.

As shown in fig. 5B, the vane 13 can be moved rightward to a position to completely close the 1 st opening 125. That is, the vane 13 can move until the left end of the 2 nd opening area 133b included in the 2 nd opening 133 of the vane 13 is positioned to the right of the right end of the 1 st opening 125. At this time, the illuminometer 17 and the sound pickup unit 20 are located in the 2 nd opening area 133b of the 2 nd opening 133.

Further, as described above, by forming the 1 st opening region 133a of the 2 nd opening 133, when the blade 13 moves between the open position and the closed position, the 1 st opening region 133a passes through the arrangement position of the illuminometer 17 and the sound pickup portion 20. That is, the illuminometer 17 and the sound pickup unit 20 are not closed by the light shielding surface 130. Therefore, whether blade 13 is in the open position, in the closed position, or during movement between the open position and the closed position, it is possible to avoid illuminometer 17 and pickup 20 from being closed by blade 13. As a result, the function of detecting the brightness of the surrounding environment by the illuminometer 17 and the function of collecting the surrounding sound by the sound pickup unit 20 are maintained regardless of the position of the blade 13.

The imaging device 10 includes the position sensor 138 that functions as a detection unit for detecting the position of the blade 13 that is movable in the 1 st direction as described above. As shown in fig. 3, the position sensor 138 is disposed on the rear side of the inside of the housing 12 and on the inner side of the blade 13 (i.e., on the side where the imaging element 110 is disposed). The position sensor 138 has a rod-shaped contact portion 138a extending in the up-down direction. The contact portion 138a contacts the guide portion 131 according to the movement of the vane 13, and is tilted to the right or left. Specifically, when the vane 13 moves from the closed position (right side) to the open position (left side), the contact portion 138a contacts the left side surface of the 1 st region 131d of the guide side portion 131a, and tilts to the left side. At this time, the contact portion 138a is in contact with the 1 st switch inside, and the position sensor 138 outputs a signal indicating that the blade 13 is in the open position to the control portion 31.

When the vane 13 moves from the open position (left side) to the closed position (right side), the contact portion 138a contacts the right side surface of the 2 nd region 131e of the guide side portion 131a, and is tilted to the right side. At this time, the contact portion 138a is in contact with the 2 nd switch inside, and the position sensor 138 outputs a signal indicating that the blade 13 is in the closed position to the control portion 31.

When the signal output from the 1 st switch is input, the control unit 31 detects that the blade 13 is positioned at the open position. When the signal output from the 2 nd switch is input, the control unit 31 detects that the blade 13 is in the closed position.

According to embodiment 1 described above, at least one of the following effects can be obtained.

(1) The light shielding surface 130 of the blade 13 has a curved shape corresponding to the curvature of the outer shape of the lens 111 in the front-rear direction (the 2 nd direction). This suppresses the occurrence of an excessive space between the lens 111 and the blade 13, thereby realizing downsizing of the imaging device 10.

(2) The actuator 15 is disposed on the side where the imaging element 110 is disposed with respect to the blade 13. That is, the actuator 15 can be disposed inside the space partitioned by the blade 13, which can contribute to downsizing of the imaging device 10 as compared with a case where the actuator 15 is disposed outside the blade 13.

(3) The rack 137 is disposed on the side of the blade 13 where the imaging element 110 is disposed, and engages with the actuator 15 to convert the rotational driving force generated by the actuator 15 into a moving force in the left-right direction (1 st direction). As a result, the member for moving the blade 13 in the 1 st direction can be disposed inside the space partitioned by the blade 13, and the imaging device 10 can be miniaturized as compared with the case where the rack 137 is disposed outside the blade 13.

(4) The position sensor 138 is disposed on the side of the blade 13 where the imaging element 110 is disposed. Accordingly, the sensor for detecting the position of the blade 13 can be disposed inside the space partitioned by the blade 13, and the imaging device 10 can be miniaturized in the front-rear direction (the 2 nd direction) as compared with the case where the rack portion 137 is disposed outside the blade 13.

(5) The elastic member 136 is disposed between the blade 13 and the base member 140. Thus, even when a force in the front-rear direction (2 nd direction) acts on the blade 13, the elastic force of the elastic member 136 can suppress the movement of the blade 13 in the 2 nd direction relative to the base member 140, thereby suppressing the occurrence of looseness in the 2 nd direction.

(6) The 2 nd opening 133 is formed in the light shielding surface 130 of the blade 13, and the 2 nd opening 133 allows the subject light passing through the 1 st opening 125 of the top plate 122 when the blade 13 is positioned at the 2 nd position to pass through. The 2 nd opening 133 has a 1 st opening region 133a and a 2 nd opening region 133b. The 1 st opening region 133a is a region sandwiched by 2 1 st side wall surfaces 130a and 130b extending from the end portion of one side (right side) of the light shielding surface 130 in the 1 st direction (left-right direction) toward the other side (left side) of the 1 st direction (left-right direction). The 2 nd opening region 133b is a region surrounded by the arcuate 2 nd side wall surface 130c connected to the other (left) side end portion of the 2 1 st side wall surfaces 130a, 130b in the 1 st direction (left-right direction). Since the 2 nd opening 133 has the above-described shape, the illuminometer 17 and the sound pickup portion 20 can be prevented from being closed by the blade 13 regardless of whether the blade 13 is located at the open position, the closed position, or the movement between the open position and the closed position. As a result, the function of detecting the brightness of the surrounding environment by the illuminometer 17 and the function of collecting the surrounding sound by the sound pickup unit 20 are maintained regardless of the position of the blade 13.

< embodiment 2 >

The imaging device of embodiment 2 will be described below. In the following description, the same components as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the differences will be mainly described. The points not specifically described are the same as those in embodiment 1. The imaging device of embodiment 2 is different from the imaging device 10 of embodiment 1 in that the imaging element can receive object light even when the blade is in the closed position.

Fig. 6A is an external view of image pickup device 10 according to embodiment 2, and fig. 6B is a cross-sectional view of image pickup device 10 taken along line B-B in fig. 6A. Fig. 6A and 6B show the image pickup apparatus 10 in the closed state. In the imaging device 10 according to embodiment 2, the angle of view in the front-rear direction is 180 ° or more. That is, the field of view of the lens 111 in the front-rear direction is in a range larger than 180 °.

An auxiliary opening 139 as a through hole communicating with the inside and outside of the light shielding surface 130 is formed in a part of the light shielding surface 130 of the blade 13. The auxiliary opening 139 is formed in an arc shape on the light shielding surface 130. The auxiliary opening 139 is formed on the rear side of the light shielding surface 130 with respect to the center position C. Specifically, the auxiliary opening 139 is formed at the following positions: when the vane 13 is in the closed position (1 st position), it overlaps with the vicinity of the rear end of the 1 st opening 125, which is a part of the top plate 122 formed in the front case 120, in the up-down direction along the optical axis L. That is, even when the imaging device 10 is in the closed state, the vicinity of the end portion on the rear side of the 1 st opening 125 is not blocked by the blade 13. Therefore, a part of the light flux of the object light passing through the vicinity of the end portion on the rear side of the 1 st opening 125 passes through the auxiliary opening 139. That is, the auxiliary opening 139 can pass the object light when the blade 13 is positioned at the 1 st position.

The auxiliary opening 139 overlaps with a main base portion 141 of a base member 140 of the blade driving mechanism 14 in the vertical direction. Therefore, as shown in fig. 6B, the subject light traveling in the range of the region R1 on the rear side is blocked by the main base portion 141 even though the 1 st opening 125 and the auxiliary opening 139 pass through. Therefore, the light flux of the object light in the region R1, that is, the light flux of the object light traveling along the optical axis L and the light flux of the object light traveling in the direction making a small angle with the optical axis L do not pass through the lens 111, but do not reach the image pickup element 110.

Since the auxiliary opening 139 and the main base 141 overlap in the vertical direction, the lens 111 is not visible through the auxiliary opening 139 when the user views the image pickup apparatus 10 from the optical axis direction. In addition, the light shielding surface 130 of the blade 13 and the main base portion 141 serving as a support portion may have a similar color in a range overlapping the auxiliary opening 139 in the up-down direction along the optical axis L. Thus, the user does not easily visually confirm that the auxiliary opening 139 is formed in the light shielding surface 130.

On the other hand, the subject light traveling in the range of the region R2 on the rear side is not blocked by the main base portion 141 after passing through the 1 st opening 125 and the auxiliary opening 139. The region R2 may be set to a range of, for example, 20 ° to 30 ° from the field angle end with respect to 180 ° which is the field angle of the imaging apparatus 10. Therefore, the light flux of the object light in the region R2, that is, the light flux of the object light traveling in the direction having a large angle with the optical axis L passes through the lens 111 and reaches the image pickup element 110. In other words, the auxiliary opening 139 is formed in a shape along the outer edge of the range through which the object light traveling in the region R2 can pass. Thus, even when the imaging device 10 is in the off state, a part of the field of view of the lens 111 can be imaged by the imaging element 110.

The control unit 31 detects a change in the environment in which the image pickup device 10 is installed, using a signal (image signal) output from the image pickup element 110 when the image pickup device 10 is in the off state. For example, when the control unit 31 generates an image using the input image signal, it is possible to detect an increase in the number of persons in the room in which the imaging device 10 is installed, the presence of a moving object in the imaging range, or the like as a change in the environment. In addition, when the control unit 31 detects a change in the amount of light (brightness) using the input image signal, it is possible to detect, as a change in the environment, lighting or the like of the illumination of the room in which the imaging device 10 is provided.

When a change in the environment is detected while the image pickup device 10 is in the closed state, the control unit 31 moves the blade 13 to the left side to turn the image pickup device 10 into the open state. Specifically, the control unit 31 controls the direction of the current supplied to the coil of the actuator 15, and rotates the motor 151. The driving force generated by the rotation of the motor 151 is transmitted to the light shielding surface 130 via the gear 153, and the light shielding surface 130 moves leftward in the right-left direction. As a result, the center of the 1 st opening 125 of the top plate 122 coincides or substantially coincides with the center of the 2 nd opening region 133b included in the 2 nd opening 133 of the light shielding surface 130. That is, the imaging apparatus 10 is in the open state shown in fig. 1A.

The auxiliary opening 139 is not limited to the rear side of the light shielding surface 130, that is, the rear side of the 1 st opening 125 of the top plate 122. The auxiliary opening 139 may be formed on the front side, the left side, or the right side with respect to the 1 st opening 125. That is, the auxiliary opening 139 may be formed on either side of the 1 st opening 125 in the front-rear-left-right direction according to the environment in which the imaging device 10 is installed, the installation posture, and the like.

According to embodiment 2 described above, in addition to the operation effects obtained by embodiment 1, the following operation effects can be obtained.

(7) When the vane 13 as the light shielding portion is located at the closed position as the 1 st position, the object light can pass through the auxiliary opening 139. The auxiliary opening 139 is formed in a part of the light shielding surface 130 of the blade 13 as a light shielding portion. Thus, when the image pickup device 10 is shifted from the off state to the on state according to a change in the external environment of the image pickup device 10, the change in the environment can be detected from the image signal generated by the image pickup element 110 in the off state. As a result, a sensor for detecting a change in the external environment of the imaging device 10, an external device for externally indicating movement of the blade 13, and the like are not required. Therefore, the structure and operation control of the image pickup apparatus 10 are facilitated, and the manufacturing cost of the image pickup apparatus 10 can be reduced.

(8) When the vane 13 is in the closed position, which is the 1 st position, the auxiliary opening 139 overlaps with a partial region of the 1 st opening 125 in the up-down direction along the optical axis L. Thus, even when the imaging device 10 is in the off state, a part of the photographable range can be imaged. Therefore, a device for detecting a change in the external environment of the imaging device 10 is not required, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

(9) The lens 111 as an optical member has a field of view of 180 ° or more in the front-rear direction, and the auxiliary opening 139 is formed at a position where the object light traveling in a region R2 passes, the region R2 being a range of a predetermined angle from the end of the field of view of the lens 111. Thus, when the imaging device 10 is viewed from the outside, the auxiliary opening 139 can be formed at a position that is not easily visible to the user.

(10) The color of the range overlapping the auxiliary opening 139 in the up-down direction along the optical axis L in the main base portion 141 as the supporting portion is homologous to the color of the blade 13 as the light shielding portion. As a result, the auxiliary opening 139 is less likely to be visually checked from the outside of the image pickup device 10, and therefore, even in the closed state, the user does not recognize that the image pickup device 10 can take a picture in a part, and the user can be prevented from getting a sense of discomfort.

In embodiment 2, the case where 1 auxiliary opening 139 is formed in the light shielding surface 130 has been described, but a plurality of 2 or more auxiliary openings 139 may be formed. In other words, the blade 13 as the light shielding portion may have at least one auxiliary opening 139.

< modification 1 >

Fig. 7A is an external view of an imaging device 10 according to modification 1. In the imaging device 10 of modification 1, 2 auxiliary openings 139 are formed in the light shielding surface 130. Fig. 7A shows the image pickup device 10 in the closed state as in fig. 6A.

As shown in fig. 7A, the auxiliary opening 139a is formed on the rear side with respect to the center position C (see fig. 6B) as in embodiment 2 described above. That is, the auxiliary opening 139a is formed at a position overlapping with the vicinity of the rear end of the 1 st opening 125 of the top plate 122 in the vertical direction. The auxiliary opening 139b is formed on the front side with respect to the center position C. That is, the auxiliary opening 139b is formed at a position overlapping the front end of the 1 st opening 125 of the top plate 122 in the vertical direction. Therefore, even when the imaging device 10 is in the closed state, the vicinity of the front end and the vicinity of the rear end of the 1 st opening 125 are not blocked by the blade 13. That is, a light flux of a part of the object light passing through the front-side end portion and the rear-side end portion of the 1 st opening 125 passes through the auxiliary opening 139.

The auxiliary opening 139a and the auxiliary opening 139b have a point-symmetrical shape with respect to the center position C. That is, the auxiliary opening 139b has the same shape as in the case where the auxiliary opening 139a is rotated 180 ° around the center position C as the base point. Therefore, the auxiliary opening portions 139a, 139b overlap the main base portion 141 in the up-down direction. Thus, the light flux of the object light traveling along the optical axis L and the light flux of the object light traveling in the direction making a small angle with the optical axis L pass through the auxiliary opening 139 and are blocked by the main base 141 on the front side and the rear side of the image pickup apparatus 10 in the closed state. That is, when the image pickup apparatus 10 is in the off state, the light flux of the object light traveling in the region R1 shown in fig. 6B does not pass through the lens 111 and does not reach the image pickup element 110.

On the other hand, the light flux of the subject light having a large angle with the optical axis L is not blocked by the main base portion 141 on the front side and the rear side of the image pickup apparatus 10 in the closed state. That is, when the image pickup device 10 is in the off state, the light flux of the object light traveling in the region R2 shown in fig. 6B is received by the image pickup element 110 via the lens 111. As a result, in modification 1, the same operational effects as those obtained in embodiment 2 can be obtained.

< modification 2 >

Fig. 7B is an external view of the imaging device 10 according to modification 2. In the imaging device 10 according to modification 2, 4 auxiliary openings 139 are formed in the light shielding surface 130. Fig. 7B shows the image pickup apparatus 10 in the closed state as in fig. 6A. As shown in fig. 7B, auxiliary openings 139c and 139d are formed in the light shielding surface 130 in addition to the auxiliary openings 139a and 139B similar to those in fig. 7A. In the imaging device 10 according to modification 2, the angle of view in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction is 180 ° or more. That is, the field of view of the lens 111 in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction is in a range larger than 180 °.

The auxiliary opening 139C is formed on the right side with respect to the center position C (see fig. 6B), i.e., the 1 st opening 125. The auxiliary opening 139C has the same shape as in the case where the auxiliary opening 139a is rotated 90 ° in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing with the center position C as the base point. The auxiliary opening 139d is formed on the left side with respect to the center position C, i.e., the 1 st opening 125. The auxiliary opening 139d has the same shape as in the case where the auxiliary opening 139a is rotated 90 ° in the clockwise direction in the drawing with the central position C as the base point. In other words, auxiliary openings 139a, 139b, 139c, 139d having the same shape are formed near the respective ends of the 1 st opening 125 on the front, rear, left, and right sides.

That is, even when the imaging device 10 is in the closed state, the vicinity of the front, rear, left, and right ends of the 1 st opening 125 is not blocked by the blade 13. Therefore, a part of the light flux of the object light passing through the front, rear, left, and right side end portions of the 1 st opening 125 passes through the auxiliary opening 139.

In addition, the auxiliary openings 139a, 139b, 139c, 139d overlap the main base 141 in the vertical direction. Thus, the beam of the object light traveling along the optical axis L and the beam of the object light traveling in the direction making a small angle with the optical axis L on the front, rear, left, and right sides of the image pickup apparatus 10 in the closed state are blocked by the main base portion 141 after passing through the auxiliary opening 139. That is, when the image pickup apparatus 10 is in the off state, the light flux of the object light traveling in the region R1 shown in fig. 6B does not pass through the lens 111 and does not reach the image pickup element 110.

In contrast, the light flux of the object light having a large angle with the optical axis L is not blocked by the main base portion 141 on the front, rear, left, and right sides of the image pickup apparatus 10 in the closed state. That is, when the image pickup device 10 is in the off state, the light flux of the object light traveling in the region R2 shown in fig. 6B is received by the image pickup element 110 via the lens 111. As a result, in modification 2, the same operational effects as those obtained in embodiment 2 can be obtained.

< modification 3 >

In embodiment 2, modification 1 and modification 2, the case where the auxiliary opening 139 is formed in the light shielding surface 130 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to the case where the auxiliary opening is formed in the light shielding surface 130. For example, an auxiliary opening may be formed in the top plate 122 of the front case 120.

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging device 10 according to modification 3. In the imaging device 10 according to modification 3, the angle of view in the front-rear direction is 180 ° or more. That is, the field of view of the lens 111 in the front-rear direction is in a range larger than 180 °.

The top plate 122 of the front case 120 has an auxiliary opening 180a formed on the front side and an auxiliary opening 180b formed on the rear side with respect to the 1 st opening 125. That is, the auxiliary openings 180a and 180b are formed at positions different from the 1 st opening 125 of the top plate 122. In addition, in the case of collectively referring to the auxiliary openings 180a and 180b, the auxiliary opening 180 is referred to as "auxiliary opening 180". The auxiliary opening 180 has an elliptical shape in the top plate 122 and communicates with the inside and outside of the top plate 122. That is, the auxiliary opening 180 is a through hole provided in the top plate 122.

Auxiliary openings 181a and 181b (hereinafter, referred to as auxiliary openings 181) are formed in the light shielding surface 130 of the blade 13. The auxiliary opening 181 is formed in an elliptical shape on the light shielding surface 130, similarly to the auxiliary opening 180 formed in the top plate 122. The auxiliary opening 181 is a through hole communicating with the inside and outside of the light shielding surface 130. The auxiliary opening 181 is formed at a position that does not overlap the 1 st opening 125 in the up-down direction when the vane 13 is in the closed position (1 st position), that is, at a position different from the 1 st opening 125.

Specifically, the auxiliary opening 181 is formed at a position overlapping the auxiliary opening 180 formed in the top plate 122 in the up-down direction when the 1 st opening 125 is shielded from light by the light shielding surface 130 (that is, when the imaging device 10 is in the closed state). That is, the auxiliary opening 181a is formed in a position overlapping the auxiliary opening 180a formed in the top plate 122 in the vertical direction in the vicinity of the front end of the light shielding surface 130. The auxiliary opening 181b is formed in a position overlapping the auxiliary opening 180b formed in the top plate 122 in the up-down direction near the end portion on the rear side of the light shielding surface 130. Therefore, even if the image pickup apparatus 10 is in the closed state, a part of the light flux of the object light traveling forward and backward with respect to the 1 st opening 125 passes through the auxiliary openings 180, 181.

In addition, the auxiliary opening 180 overlaps the main base 141 in the vertical direction. Thus, the beam of the object light traveling along the optical axis L and the beam of the object light traveling in the direction having a small angle with the optical axis L on the front, rear, left, and right sides of the image pickup apparatus 10 in the closed state are blocked by the main base portion 141 even though they pass through the auxiliary opening portion 181. That is, when the image pickup apparatus 10 is in the off state, the light flux of the object light traveling in the region R1 shown in fig. 6B does not pass through the lens 111 and does not reach the image pickup element 110.

In contrast, the light flux of the subject light having a large angle with the optical axis L is not blocked by the main base portion 141 after passing through the auxiliary opening 181 on the front side and the rear side of the image pickup apparatus 10 in the closed state. That is, when the image pickup device 10 is in the off state, the light flux of the object light traveling in the region R2 shown in fig. 6B is received by the image pickup element 110 via the lens 111.

The auxiliary openings 180 and 181 are not limited to being formed on the front side and the rear side with respect to the 1 st opening 125. The auxiliary openings 180 and 181 may be formed on either the front side or the rear side with respect to the 1 st opening 125. The auxiliary openings 180 and 181 may be formed on at least one of the left and right sides with respect to the 1 st opening 125. In other words, the front case 120 as the outer case may have at least one auxiliary opening 180.

According to modification 3, an auxiliary opening 180 is formed in a part of the top plate 122 of the front case 120 as the housing. Specifically, the auxiliary opening 180 is formed in the top plate 122 of the housing 12 at a position different from the 1 st opening 125. Thus, the same operational effects as those obtained by embodiment 2 can be obtained.

In the modification 3 described above, the top plate 122 of the housing 12 and the light shielding surface 130 of the blade 13 are curved in parallel or substantially parallel to the curved shape of the outer shape of the lens 111 in the front-rear direction, but may not have a curved shape. In this case, the auxiliary opening 180 may not be formed in the top plate 122 of the housing 12, and may be formed in at least one of the side wall plates 123a, 123b, 123c, 123 d.

While various embodiments and modifications have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these. Other aspects considered within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention are also included in the scope of the present invention.

The shape of the auxiliary opening 139 in embodiment 2, modification 1, and modification 2 is not limited to an arc shape, and may be various shapes such as a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon. The shape of the auxiliary openings 180 and 181 according to modification 3 is not limited to an ellipse, and may be various shapes such as a circle and a polygon.

The auxiliary opening 139 according to embodiment 2, modification 1, and modification 2 may be formed of one or more small-diameter openings having a pinhole shape. The auxiliary opening 139 in this case is not limited to the region R2, and may be formed at any position on the light shielding surface 130 of the vane 13 overlapping the 1 st opening 125 in the vertical direction in the closed position. The auxiliary opening 139 may be formed in a ring shape along the inner periphery of the 1 st opening 125. In this case, a coupling portion for coupling the inner light shielding surface 130 and the outer light shielding surface 130 of the annular auxiliary opening 139 may be provided on the light shielding surface 130.

The present technology may have the following configuration.

(1) The imaging device includes: an imaging element that receives object light; an optical member that guides the subject light having passed through a 1 st opening provided in the housing to the image pickup element; a light shielding portion provided between the 1 st opening and the optical member, the light shielding portion limiting the incidence of the subject light to the image pickup element; and a driving unit that moves the light shielding unit in a 1 st direction intersecting the optical axis of the optical member, and positions the light shielding unit at any one of a 1 st position at which the subject light is restricted from entering the image pickup element and a 2 nd position at which the subject light is allowed to enter the image pickup element. The light shielding portion has a curved shape corresponding to a curve of an outer shape of the optical member in a 2 nd direction intersecting the optical axis and the 1 st direction.

(2) The image pickup apparatus according to (1), wherein the driving unit is disposed on a side where the image pickup device is disposed with respect to the light shielding unit.

(3) The image pickup apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the image pickup apparatus includes a conversion member disposed on a side of the light shielding portion where the image pickup device is disposed, the conversion member being engaged with the driving portion to convert a driving force generated by the driving portion into a moving force in the 1 st direction.

(4) The imaging device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the imaging device includes a detection unit disposed on a side where the imaging element is disposed with respect to the light shielding unit, the detection unit detecting a position of the light shielding unit that is moved in the 1 st direction by the driving unit.

(5) The image pickup apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the image pickup apparatus has: a support portion that supports the light shielding portion from a side where the image pickup element is disposed; and an elastic member disposed between the light shielding portion and the support portion.

(6) The image pickup apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the light shielding portion has a 2 nd opening portion through which the object light having passed through the 1 st opening portion at the 2 nd position passes. The 2 nd opening portion has: a 1 st opening region interposed between 2 1 st side wall surfaces extending from an end portion of the light shielding portion on one side in the 1 st direction toward the other side in the 1 st direction so as to face each other; and a 2 nd opening region surrounded by a circular-arc-shaped 2 nd side wall surface connected to the other end portion of the 2 1 st side wall surfaces in the 1 st direction.

(7) The image pickup apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the image pickup apparatus has an auxiliary opening portion through which the subject light can pass when the light shielding portion is located at the 1 st position.

(8) An image pickup apparatus includes: an imaging element that receives object light; an optical member that guides the subject light having passed through a 1 st opening provided in the housing to the image pickup element; a light shielding portion provided between the 1 st opening and the optical member, the light shielding portion limiting the incidence of the subject light to the image pickup element; a driving unit that moves the light shielding unit in a 1 st direction intersecting an optical axis of the optical member, and that positions the light shielding unit at any one of a 1 st position at which the subject light is restricted from entering the image pickup element and a 2 nd position at which the subject light is allowed to enter the image pickup element; and an auxiliary opening portion through which the subject light can pass when the light shielding portion is located at the 1 st position.

(9) The image pickup apparatus according to (8), wherein at least one of the auxiliary openings is provided in a part of the light shielding portion.

(10) The image pickup apparatus according to (8) or (9), wherein the auxiliary opening overlaps with a part of the area of the 1 st opening in a direction along the optical axis when the light shielding portion is located at the 1 st position.

(11) The image pickup apparatus according to (8), wherein at least one of the auxiliary openings is provided in the housing.

(12) The image pickup apparatus according to any one of (8) to (11), wherein the optical member has a field of view of 180 ° or more, and the auxiliary opening is provided at a position through which the object light traveling in a range of a predetermined angle from an end of the field of view of the optical member passes.

(13) The image pickup apparatus according to any one of (8) to (10) and (12), wherein the image pickup apparatus has a support portion that supports the light shielding portion, and a color of a range of the support portion overlapping the auxiliary opening portion in a direction along the optical axis is a homologous color to a color of the light shielding portion.

(14) The image pickup apparatus according to any one of (8) to (13), wherein the light shielding portion has a curved shape corresponding to a curve of an outer shape of the optical member in a 2 nd direction intersecting the optical axis and the 1 st direction.

Claims (14)

1. An image pickup apparatus, comprising:

an imaging element that receives object light;

an optical member that guides the subject light having passed through a 1 st opening provided in the housing to the image pickup element;

A light shielding portion provided between the 1 st opening and the optical member, the light shielding portion limiting the incidence of the subject light to the image pickup element; and

a driving unit that moves the light shielding unit in a 1 st direction intersecting an optical axis of the optical member, and that positions the light shielding unit at any one of a 1 st position at which the subject light is restricted from entering the imaging element and a 2 nd position at which the subject light is allowed to enter the imaging element,

the light shielding portion has a curved shape corresponding to a curve of an outer shape of the optical member in a 2 nd direction intersecting the optical axis and the 1 st direction.

2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein,

the driving unit is disposed on the side where the imaging element is disposed with respect to the light shielding unit.

3. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein,

the image pickup apparatus includes a conversion member disposed on a side of the light shielding portion where the image pickup element is disposed, the conversion member being engaged with the driving portion to convert a driving force generated by the driving portion into a moving force in the 1 st direction.

4. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein,

The imaging device includes a detection unit disposed on a side where the imaging element is disposed with respect to the light shielding unit, the detection unit detecting a position of the light shielding unit that is moved in the 1 st direction by the driving unit.

5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein,

the image pickup device comprises:

a support portion that supports the light shielding portion from a side where the image pickup element is disposed; and

and an elastic member disposed between the light shielding portion and the support portion.

6. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein,

the light shielding portion has a 2 nd opening portion through which the subject light having passed through the 1 st opening portion at the 2 nd position passes,

the 2 nd opening portion has:

a 1 st opening region interposed between 2 1 st side wall surfaces extending from an end portion of the light shielding portion on one side in the 1 st direction toward the other side in the 1 st direction so as to face each other; and

and a 2 nd opening region surrounded by a circular-arc-shaped 2 nd side wall surface connected to the other end of the 2 1 st side wall surfaces in the 1 st direction.

7. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein,

the image pickup apparatus has an auxiliary opening through which the subject light can pass when the light shielding portion is located at the 1 st position.

8. An image pickup apparatus, comprising:

an imaging element that receives object light;

an optical member that guides the subject light having passed through a 1 st opening provided in the housing to the image pickup element;

a light shielding portion provided between the 1 st opening and the optical member, the light shielding portion limiting the incidence of the subject light to the image pickup element;

a driving unit that moves the light shielding unit in a 1 st direction intersecting an optical axis of the optical member, and that positions the light shielding unit at any one of a 1 st position at which the subject light is restricted from entering the image pickup element and a 2 nd position at which the subject light is allowed to enter the image pickup element; and

and an auxiliary opening portion through which the subject light can pass when the light shielding portion is located at the 1 st position.

9. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 8, wherein,

at least one auxiliary opening is provided in a part of the light shielding portion.

10. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 9, wherein,

when the light shielding portion is located at the 1 st position, the auxiliary opening portion overlaps with a partial region of the 1 st opening portion in a direction along the optical axis.

11. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 8, wherein,

at least one auxiliary opening is provided in the housing.

12. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 11, wherein,

the optical component has a field of view of 180 deg. or more,

the auxiliary opening is provided at a position through which the object light traveling in a predetermined angle range from the end of the visual field of the optical member passes.

13. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 8, wherein,

the image pickup device has a support portion for supporting the light shielding portion,

the color of the support portion in a range overlapping the auxiliary opening portion in a direction along the optical axis is a homologous color to the color of the light shielding portion.

14. The image pickup apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein,

the light shielding portion has a curved shape corresponding to a curve of an outer shape of the optical member in a 2 nd direction intersecting the optical axis and the 1 st direction.