JP2000171845A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To miniaturize an image pickup device by using a link for the purpose of the rotation of a reflection mirror and rotating the reflection mirror by utilizing the elongation/contraction of a link mechanism. SOLUTION: The link mechanism provided in dead space on the back surface of a mirror is used for the rotation of the mirror, and a motor 25 is used for the elongation/contraction of the link mechanism. The link A18 and the link B19 are connected by a rotary joint 24, and the link A18 is connected to a mirror connection part 29 through the rotary joint 24. The link D21 is connected to a housing 6 through the rotary joint 24 and the link C20 and the link D21 are connected through the rotary joint 24. The link C20 is connected to the connection part 29 through the rotary joint 24, and the link D21 is connected to the housing 6 through the rotary joint 24. The rotary joint 24 connecting the links A18 and B19 is provided with a screw A22 and the rotary joint 24 connecting the links C20 and D21 is provided with a screw B23. Then, the fixed part of the motor 25 for rotating the screw A22 is supported by the housing 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to image shaking correction in the fields of an image pickup device and a video camera mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle, a ship, an aircraft, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional imaging apparatus. In the figure, 1 is an infrared ray incident from the outside, 2
Denotes an infrared detecting element which is an image pickup means for acquiring an image, 3 denotes a dewar for holding the infrared detecting element 2 in a vacuum, 4 denotes an optical system for forming an image of the infrared light 1 on the infrared detecting element 2, and 5 denotes an infrared detecting element. A cooler for cooling, 6 a housing which is a base for housing the Dewar 3, 7 a support for fixing the Dewar 3 to the housing 6, 8 a mirror for rotating the visual axis,
Reference numeral 9 denotes an infrared window through which the infrared light 1 passes, 10 denotes an objective lens that narrows down the luminous flux of the infrared light 1, and 11 denotes a lens holder that holds the objective lens 10. The infrared detecting element 2 is adhered inside the dewar 3, and the infrared light 1 enters through the infrared window 9, passes through the objective lens 10, the mirror 8, and the optical system 4, forms an image on the infrared detecting element 2, and is converted into an electric signal. Then, an infrared image is obtained.

A mirror driving mechanism as shown in FIG. 8 is provided inside the housing 6, and a lens shaft 12 which is a rotation axis of the lens holder fixed to the lens holder 11 and a mirror 8 fixed to the mirror 8. It has a mirror shaft 15 that is a rotation shaft of the lens holder 11, and has a structure that can be rotated by a bearing L13 and a bearing M14, respectively. FIG. 9 shows a cross section thereof. The driving unit L1 which is a first motor is used to rotate the lens shaft 12.
6. A drive unit M17 is used for the mirror shaft 15, and the fixed side of each drive unit is attached to the housing 6. Lens axis 1
2 and the mirror axis 15 are coaxial, and the rotation angle of the visual axis with respect to the rotation angle of the mirror axis 15 is 2 as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 10B, the lens axis 12 is rotated twice as much as the mirror axis 15 so as to rotate twice.
2 and the mirror shaft 15 are separated.

[0004] When a fluctuation disturbance is applied to the image pickup apparatus constructed as described above, the mirror 8 and the objective lens 10 are arranged to cancel the angular velocity detected by an angular velocity detection sensor (not shown).
By rotating on the same axis to stabilize the visual axis,
Blur of the infrared image due to fluctuation disturbance can be suppressed, and a stationary infrared image can be obtained.

[0005]

Since the conventional image pickup apparatus is configured as described above, it is necessary to install driving units for rotating the mirror and the lens on both right and left sides of the mirror. The width became large and the image pickup device could not be miniaturized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an image pickup is realized by arranging a mirror axis driving mechanism for stabilizing the visual axis not in the side surface of the mirror but in an empty space on the back surface of the mirror. The purpose is to reduce the size of the device.

[0007]

The imaging apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention uses a link for rotating the reflecting mirror, and rotates the reflecting mirror by utilizing expansion and contraction of a link mechanism, thereby reducing the size of the imaging apparatus. It is possible to make it.

The imaging apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention uses a screw and a motor installed at the end of the screw to expand and contract the link mechanism in the first aspect of the present invention, and reduces the size of the imaging apparatus by rotating a reflecting mirror. It was made possible.

The imaging apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention uses a piezoelectric element for expanding and contracting the link mechanism according to the first aspect of the invention, and makes it possible to reduce the size of the imaging apparatus by rotating a reflecting mirror with the piezoelectric element. It is.

The imaging apparatus according to the fourth aspect uses a ball screw for expanding and contracting the link mechanism according to the first aspect,
By rotating the reflecting mirror with a ball screw, the size of the imaging device can be reduced.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 In the present invention, the above-described conventional imaging apparatus is used until the infrared ray 1 enters through the infrared window 9, passes through the objective lens 10 held by the lens holder 11, the mirror 8, and forms an image on the infrared detection element 2 through the optical system 4. They are the same. However, in the imaging apparatus according to the present invention, instead of providing the mirror shaft 15, the bearing M14, and the driving unit M17 which constitute the conventional mirror driving mechanism, a link mechanism provided in an empty space on the back surface of the mirror 8 for rotation of the mirror 8 You are using FIGS. 1 and 2 show a mirror driving mechanism of the imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a link mechanism. The link is the first
The link A18, which is a third link, and the link B19, which is a third link, are connected by a rotary joint 24, the link A18 is connected to the mirror connecting portion 29 via the rotary joint 24, and the link D21 is connected to the housing 6 and the rotary joint 2
4, link C20, which is connected via
And the link D21 which is the fourth link is a rotary joint 2
4, the link C20 is connected to the mirror connection unit 29 via the rotary joint 24, and the link D21 is connected to the housing 6 via the rotary joint 24.
A linear guide 34 whose end is fixed to the housing 6 is connected to the link C20, and the rotary joint 24 connecting the link A18 and the link B19 is connected to a screw A which is a first linear motion screw.
22, a screw B23, which is a second direct-acting screw having an adjustment knob, is installed on a rotary joint 24 connecting the link C20 and the link D21, and a bearing A26 is provided at an end of the screw A22, and an end of the screw B23 is provided. Has a bearing B27,
A fixed portion of the motor 25 for rotating the screw A22 is supported by the housing 6. The screw A22 is connected to the motor 25.
Are coupled by a coupling or the like that transmits only the rotational force to the rotor. Link A18 and link B19 are upside down, and link C20 and link D21 are link A
As shown in FIG. 2, the link has a flat plate shape, and the rotary joint has a hinge shape, so that the link is high except in the rotation direction. It is rigid and prevents rotation of the mirror in directions other than the rotation direction, and the linear guide 34 prevents parallel movement of the mirror connection portion 29 connected to the link C20 with respect to the housing. Note that each rotary joint rotates around an axis parallel to the lens axis 12.

FIG. 3 shows the principle of operation. The horizontally incident infrared light 1 is reflected by the mirror 8 and forms an image on the infrared detecting element. As shown in FIG. 3A, when a disturbance is applied to the imaging device and the imaging device tilts by θ, the infrared ray 8 incident on the mirror 8 moves θ from the position before the tilting of the imaging device. The reflected light is inclined by 2θ, and the image forming position on the infrared detecting element moves. Therefore Figure 3
As shown in (b), the inclination amount of the imaging device is detected by an angle sensor of the imaging device (not shown), and the detected inclination amount θ
On the other hand, the motor 25 rotates the motor 25 to change the attachment angles of the links A18 and B19 and rotates the mirror 8 by [theta] / 2, so that the reflected light of the mirror 8 forms an image on the infrared detecting element. There is no need to move the position. At this time, a stable infrared image can be obtained by controlling the motor driving device to rotate or reverse the rotation angle of the mirror 8 in the direction to cancel the fluctuation disturbance based on the angle detected by the angle sensor (not shown). It becomes possible.

In the image pickup apparatus, it is necessary to form an image of the infrared ray 1 at the center of the infrared detecting element 2.
The imaging position deviates from the center of the infrared detecting element 2 due to a mounting error of the optical system 4, the dewar 3, and the mirror 8, which must be finely adjusted and adjusted. In the present invention, the optical axis can be adjusted only by adjusting the mirror 8, and the mirror 8 is rotated as shown in FIG. 4B by turning the screw B23 without turning the screw A22.
By rotating the screw A22 and the screw B23 simultaneously, FIG.
The optical axis can be easily adjusted after the mirror 8 is moved in parallel as shown in FIG.

The infrared rays 1 entering through the infrared window 9 pass through the mirror 8 on the objective lens side. Therefore, even if there is sufficient space, if components are arranged there, the infrared rays 1 will be blocked. However, the opposite side of the objective lens of the mirror 8 does not hinder the passage of the infrared light 1 and the mirror 8 is inclined 45 degrees when the visual axis is horizontal, so that the rear upper side of the mirror 8 has spatially parts. It is not mounted, and a link mechanism, which is a mirror drive mechanism, is arranged in that part.

The image pickup apparatus constructed as described above uses a screw and a motor connected to a link mechanism as a link driving means, and rotates the reflecting mirror so that the mirror driving mechanism can be arranged behind the mirror. Thus, the size of the imaging device can be reduced.

Embodiment 2 In the imaging device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a link mechanism is used as in the first embodiment as a mirror driving mechanism for rotating mirror 8, and a piezoelectric element is used for adjusting the angle of the first link in the link mechanism. I have.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a mirror driving mechanism of the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The mirror 8 is fixed to the housing 6 by a link mechanism, and a piezoelectric element 31 is connected to a link A18 as a first link via a rotary joint 24, and an end of the piezoelectric element 31 is rotated. It is supported by the housing 6 via the joint 30.

Due to the change in the length of the piezoelectric element portion 31, the mounting angle of the link A18 and the link B19 changes, and the mirror 8 can be rotated. By controlling the image to be inverted, a stable infrared image can be obtained.

In the image pickup apparatus according to the present invention, the mirror driving mechanism can be disposed behind the mirror by rotating the reflecting mirror by the link mechanism in which the piezoelectric element is disposed, so that the size of the image pickup apparatus can be reduced.

Although the amount of expansion and contraction of a single piezoelectric element is very small, the overall amount of expansion and contraction is increased by stacking a plurality of piezoelectric elements, and the amount of expansion and contraction necessary for turning the mirror 8 is secured. To do it.

Embodiment 3 In the imaging device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, a link mechanism is used as in the first embodiment as a mirror driving mechanism for rotating mirror 8, and a ball screw is used to adjust the angle of the first link in the link mechanism. I have.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a mirror driving mechanism of an image pickup apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The mirror 8 is fixed to the housing 6 by a link mechanism. A ball screw portion 32 is connected to a link A18 as a first link, and a driving portion 33 is installed at an end of the ball screw portion 32. The fixing portion of the driving section 33 is fixed to the housing 6.

Due to the change in the length of the ball screw portion 32, the mounting angle between the link A18 and the link B19 changes, and the mirror 8
Can be rotated, and a stable infrared image can be obtained by controlling the length of the ball screw portion 32 so as to rotate forward or reverse in a direction to cancel the fluctuation disturbance.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus comprising:
By rotating the reflecting mirror with the link mechanism having the ball screw portion, the mirror driving mechanism can be arranged at the rear of the mirror, and the size of the imaging device can be reduced.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the mirror driving mechanism can be installed behind the mirror, the size and cost of the imaging device can be reduced, and the optical axis of the mirror can be easily adjusted. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a mirror driving mechanism of an imaging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a mirror driving mechanism of the imaging device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a principle diagram of a mirror driving mechanism of the imaging device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating optical axis adjustment of a mirror driving mechanism of the imaging device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a mirror driving mechanism of the imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a mirror driving mechanism of an imaging device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a conventional imaging device.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a mirror and an objective lens of a conventional imaging device.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a mirror and an objective lens of a conventional imaging device.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating movement of an optical path of a conventional imaging device.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 infrared ray, 2 infrared ray detecting element, 3 dewar, 4 optical system, 5 cooler, 6 housing, 7 support, 8 mirror,
9 infrared window, 10 objective lens, 11 lens holder,
12 lens shaft, 13 bearing L, 14 bearing M, 15
Mirror shaft, 16 drive unit L, 17 drive unit M, 18 link A, 19 link B, 20 link C, 21 link D, 22 screw A, 23 screw B, 24 rotary joint, 25 motor, 26 bearing A, 27 bearing B, 2
9 mirror connection part, 30 rotation joint, 31 piezoelectric element part, 32 ball screw part, 33 drive part, 34 linear guide.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An objective lens rotatably supported with respect to a base, a mirror having a reflecting surface for reflecting light condensed by the objective lens, and reflected light of the mirror held by the base. Imaging means for acquiring an image from a mirror, a link mechanism provided on the mirror opposite to the reflection surface and rotatably supporting the mirror with respect to the base, and the mirror being positioned at a predetermined position with the objective lens. And a motor for driving the link mechanism. 2. An objective lens, a lens holder that holds the objective lens and is rotatably supported with respect to a base, and a first driving unit that rotates the lens holder.
A motor, a mirror having a reflection surface that reflects light collected by the objective lens, an imaging unit that is held by the base, and acquires an image from light reflected by the mirror, and an imaging unit that reflects the reflection surface of the mirror. Two link mechanisms for supporting opposite sides at different positions, a screw for expanding and contracting the link mechanism rotatably supported with respect to the lens holder, and one end of the screw, wherein the mirror is provided with the objective lens A second motor for rotating a screw so as to have a rotation angle substantially equal to 1/2 of the rotation angle of the objective lens, and a rotation center axis of the objective lens and a rotation center axis of the mirror are substantially coincident with each other. Imaging device. 3. The means for expanding and contracting the link,
The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the imaging device is a piezoelectric element. 4. The means for expanding and contracting the link,
3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, comprising a ball screw and a motor driving the ball screw to rotate.