JP2000358176A - Optical unit, attachment method for imaging device used in the optical unit and image pickup device having the optical unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical unit which can reduce its size in the direction that is parallel to the optical axis of a photographing lens. SOLUTION: This optical unit 20 forms the light of an object condensed by a photographing lens 31 into an image and performs optoelectric conversion of the image via an imaging device 41. The unit 20 includes at least a holding member which holds the lens 31, the device 41 which is placed at the image forming position of the lens 31 and held by the holding member and a base board which holds at least the device 41 in the direction almost orthogonal to the light receiving surface of the device 41 and also at a position adjacent to the outer circumference of the lens 31.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical unit, a method for mounting an image pickup device used in the optical unit, and an image pickup apparatus having the optical unit.
The present invention relates to an optical unit that is compact in a direction parallel to the optical axis of a photographing lens, a method of attaching an image sensor used for an optical unit that can be easily attached, and an image pickup apparatus to which the optical unit is applied.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art (Prior Art 1) There is known an optical unit which forms an image of light of a subject condensed by a photographing lens and performs photoelectric conversion by an image pickup device. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an optical unit in which an element is arranged and a substrate which is electrically connected to an imaging element is provided on a side opposite to a photographing lens.

In recent years, in particular, the number of pixels has been increased, and in order to satisfy the optical performance required of a photographic lens, the number of lenses tends to increase in the direction parallel to the optical axis of the photographic lens due to an increase in the number of lenses. Accordingly, the same applicant has previously filed the following application (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 03-206777). FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a conventional optical unit. As shown in the figure, the holding member 94 holds the taking lens 31 and further holds the substrate 92 from the reference surface 92a side. Image sensor 9
1 is mounted on the substrate surface 92b side of the substrate 92 with the light receiving surface 91c facing the substrate surface. Here, 91b is an external terminal. In addition, the substrate 92 is provided with an opening 92d serving as a light path connecting the photographing lens 31 and the light receiving surface 91c. As described above, since the substrate is not disposed on the back surface of the image sensor and overlapped with the substrate 92 between the photographing lens 31 and the image sensor, the size of the optical unit in the direction parallel to the optical axis O of the photographing lens 31 is reduced. can do.

[0004] (Prior Art 2) A conventional optical unit will be described. 10 and 11 are cross-sectional views of a conventional optical unit. As shown in FIG. 10, the holding member 84 includes a first holding member 84a and a second holding member 84b. The second holding member 84b holds the taking lens 31, and the first holding member 84a slidably holds the second holding member 84b. Substrate 8
Reference numeral 2 denotes an external terminal that electrically mounts the imaging element 81.
Further, the glass block GB and the image sensor 8 are attached to the holding member 84.
1. A structure in which the substrate 82 and the like are incorporated and pressed and fixed by a pressing member 83 from the back surface of the substrate 82.

Next, FIG. 11 shows a modification of FIG. 10, in which an elastic member, for example, synthetic rubber 85 is inserted between the glass block GB and the image sensor 81, and the image sensor 81 is pressed against the substrate 82 and fixed. It has a structure.

[0006]

However, as a result of further studies, as a problem of the above (prior art 1), a holding member 94 holding the photographing lens 31 on one side and an image pickup on the other side with the substrate 92 interposed therebetween. Since the image sensor 91 cannot be directly fixed to the holding member 94 that holds the photographing lens 31 with the element 91 arranged, it is difficult to position the photographing lens 31 and the image sensor 91 with high accuracy. Also, due to the layout of the design, the position of the substrate 92 is moved from the light receiving surface 91 c formed on the exterior part 91 a of the image sensor 91 to the taking lens 3.
If you try to place it on the side opposite to 1, you cannot place it. Furthermore,
Since there is an opening 92d of the substrate 92 near the light receiving surface 91c, perforated dust or the like in the opening from around the opening 92d near the light receiving surface adheres to the light receiving surface, and the dust is simultaneously captured in the photographed image. There is a problem that it is easy.

[0007] Further, as a problem of (Prior Art 2),
In (Prior Art 1), an image sensor, a substrate, and a pressing member for holding the image sensor and the substrate overlap in a direction parallel to the optical axis direction of the photographing lens, thereby increasing the dimension of the photographing lens in a direction parallel to the optical axis direction. . Further, since a pressing member is required, there is a problem that the configuration is complicated and the cost is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an optical unit that can be made compact in a direction parallel to the optical axis of a taking lens. Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple mounting method of an image sensor used for an optical unit.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact imaging device in a direction parallel to the optical axis of a taking lens to which the optical unit is applied.

[0009]

The above object can be achieved by any of the following.

(1) In an optical unit for forming an image of light of a subject condensed by a photographing lens and performing photoelectric conversion by an image pickup device, at least a holding member for holding the photographing lens, and an image forming position of the photographing lens. An imaging element provided and held by the holding member, and a substrate that mounts at least the imaging element at a position substantially orthogonal to a light receiving surface of the imaging element and adjacent to an outer periphery of the imaging lens. An optical unit, characterized in that:

(2) In a method of mounting an image pickup device used in an optical unit that forms an image of light of a subject condensed by a photographing lens and performs photoelectric conversion, the image pickup device is electrically connected to the outside in a direction substantially parallel to a light receiving surface of the image pickup device. External terminal to connect to
Further, at least a substrate on which the image sensor is mounted is provided in a direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface of the image sensor, and the image sensor is electrically connected to the substrate. Method.

(3) In an optical unit which forms an image of light of a subject condensed by a photographing lens and performs photoelectric conversion by an image pickup device, at least a holding member for holding the photographing lens, and an image forming position of the photographing lens. The image pickup device provided and held by the holding member, and at least a substrate on which the image pickup device is mounted, wherein the substrate is provided by the holding member on the same substrate surface as the substrate surface on which the image pickup device is mounted. An optical unit, wherein the optical unit is held and has an opening for incorporating at least a part of an exterior of the imaging device.

(4) In an optical unit which forms an image of light of a subject condensed by a photographing lens and performs photoelectric conversion by an image pickup device, at least a holding member for holding the photographing lens, and an image forming position of the photographing lens. The image pickup device provided and held by the holding member, and at least a substrate on which the image pickup device is mounted, wherein the substrate has the holding member on a substrate surface opposite to a substrate surface on which the image pickup device is mounted. And an opening for incorporating at least a part from the light receiving surface of the imaging element to a back surface opposite to the light receiving direction.

(5) In an optical unit which forms an image of light of a subject condensed by a photographing lens and performs photoelectric conversion by an image pickup device, at least a holding member for holding the photographing lens, and an image forming position of the photographing lens. An optical element, comprising: the imaging element provided and held by the holding member; and a substrate on which at least the imaging element is mounted, wherein the substrate is elastically deformed to fix the imaging element to the holding member. unit.

(6) (1), (3), (4) or (5)
An image pickup apparatus having an optical unit, wherein an optical unit for forming an image of light of a subject condensed by a photographing lens and photoelectrically converting the image by an image pickup element is incorporated, and capturing an image of the subject.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An optical unit according to the present invention, a method for mounting an image pickup device used in the optical unit, and an image pickup apparatus having the optical unit will be described with reference to the drawings.

A digital camera will be described as an image pickup apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a video camera may be used. First, a schematic configuration of an imaging device to which the optical unit of the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 1 is a configuration perspective view of a digital camera, and FIG. 2 is an electric block diagram of the digital camera.

As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 10 has a configuration in which, when the width is set in a direction parallel to the optical axis O of the taking lens 31, the imaging is performed by holding the width direction during imaging. The digital camera 10 has a camera body (not shown) covered with a front cover 12 and a rear cover 13, and a photographic lens 3 on the front.
1, a finder 14 is arranged at the upper part, a flash window 15 is arranged at the upper right part, a release button 16 is further provided at the upper surface, and a memory card 17 insertion slot is provided at the left side. Further, an image sensor 41 is arranged on an image forming surface of the photographing lens 31. The optical unit 20 includes a mechanism that forms an image of the subject light condensed by the photographing lens 31 and performs a photoelectric conversion by the imaging element 41.

Next, an electric block diagram of the digital camera will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The digital camera collects light from a subject by a photographing lens 31 and converts image information into an electric signal in an image pickup device 41 such as a CCD. , CDS (correlated double sampling) to remove reset noise
The gain is controlled to a level suitable for A / D conversion by C (auto gain control), and the analog signal is converted to a digital signal by A / D. A TG (timing generator) supplies a drive signal to the CCD, AGC, and A / D. The substrate 71 includes a CCD, CDS
AGC 71a, A / D 71b, TG 71c, etc. are mounted. Further, a signal is sent to the memory 72d via the bus line and is temporarily stored. The signals once stored in the memory 72d are subjected to color separation processing, γ processing, process processing such as KNEE, and the like in a camera process block 72e including a digital processing circuit. The data is output to an external memory card 73 via an image compression / decompression circuit 72f and recorded. As a flow to the view display, the image signal recorded again in the memory 72d after the process processing is D / A
The signal is again converted into an analog signal by 72a,
The signal is converted into a composite signal by the encoder 72b and displayed on the view display 72c. The substrate 72 has 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d, 72e, 72f,
72i and the like are mounted. The above series of processing is performed by the CPU
It is executed under the control of 72i.

(First Embodiment) Next, an optical unit according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the optical unit, and FIG. 4 is a front view of the optical unit.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the optical unit comprises a holding member 21, a photographing lens 31, an image pickup device 41, a substrate 51,
And lens driving means. The holding member 21 is composed of 21a and 21b, the holding member 21b holds the taking lens 31, and the holding member 21a is
1b, holding the substrate 51, etc., is larger on the subject side of the taking lens 31 and smaller on the imaging position side. The substrate 51 is arranged in the reduced space.

Light from the subject passes through the taking lens 31 and the glass block GB to form an image on the light receiving surface 41c of the image sensor 41. The image pickup element 41 photoelectrically converts the image information, and the light receiving surface 41c is a surface on which the image information is formed.
A terminal b is connected to the outside and is arranged on one side of the outer peripheral side surface. In addition, 41a is an exterior part of the image sensor 41. The board 51 is a board on which electric components 56 and the like are mounted,
It is electrically connected to the external terminal 41b. This substrate 5
Reference numeral 1 denotes a direction perpendicular to the light receiving surface 41c of the image sensor 41.

Next, in the lens driving means, when the motor 65 rotates, the rotatable screw 66 rotates on the support member 67 and the nut 68 moves. The movement of the nut 68 moves the photographing lens 31 to adjust the focus.

The angle between the center of the motor 65 and the normal N (FIG. 4) passing through the optical axis O of the substrate 51 about the optical axis O of the taking lens 31 is about 135 degrees. The angle θ is desirably 90 degrees or more. By increasing the distance between the substrate 51 and the motor 65, it is possible to reduce the influence of electrical noise generated by the motor 65 on the substrate 51. In addition, a display unit for displaying a captured image is disposed on the opposite side of the imaging lens with respect to the imaging device, or the display unit is disposed on the back side when the imaging device incorporating the optical unit is viewed from the front, and the substrate and the view display are arranged. By arranging the units in a direction orthogonal to each other and increasing the distance, it is possible to prevent electric noise generated from the view display unit from affecting the substrate. For example, an LCD with a substrate 51 and a backlight as a view display unit
By increasing the distance, it is possible to prevent electrical noise from the periphery of the LCD from affecting the substrate 51.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a description will be given of a method of mounting an image pickup device according to an embodiment. After the description of the image sensor mounting mechanism, a method of mounting the image sensor based on the mechanism will be described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mounting mechanism of the image sensor.

As shown in FIG. 5, the image pickup device 42 is a device for photoelectrically converting image information, and the image pickup device 42 includes an exterior part 42a, a light receiving surface 42c, an external terminal 42b, and the like. The light receiving surface 42c is a surface on which light from the photographing lens 31 forms an image, the external terminal 42b is a terminal electrically connected to the outside, and is substantially parallel to the light receiving surface 42c.
It is arranged in two rows on one side (upper side in FIG. 5) of the outer peripheral side surface of the exterior part 42a. Note that the external terminals 42b are, as viewed from the front of the digital camera,
It may be arranged on any of the upper and lower sides. The substrate 52
Is an external terminal 4 provided in a direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface 42c.
2b, electrical components (not shown) are mounted.

Here, a method of mounting the image pickup device will be described. The substrate 5 is perpendicular to the light receiving surface 42c of the image pickup device 42.
2 is set, and then the external terminal 42b is inserted into a hole provided in the substrate 52 (not shown). Further, the soldered portion of the substrate 52 and the external terminal 42b are soldered and electrically connected. After that, the image sensor 42 is fixed to a holding member that holds the photographing lens 31.

As described above, since the substrate 52 is provided on the outer periphery of the image pickup device 42 while avoiding the direction parallel to the optical axis O of the photographing lens 31, the dimensions of the optical unit in the direction parallel to the optical axis O of the photographing lens 31 Can be reduced.

(Third Embodiment) Next, another optical unit of the embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the optical unit. As shown, the holding member 22 includes a first holding member 22a and a second holding member 22b, and the second holding member 22b holds the taking lens 31. Further, the first holding member 22a is
b is slidably held, and further, a glass block G
B, holding the image sensor 43; The imaging element 43 is a light receiving surface 4
An image is formed at 3c. The substrate 53 is provided with an opening 53d, and the opening 53d is a hole for preventing interference with the exterior 43a of the image sensor 43. Further, the substrate 53 has a substrate surface 5
An external terminal 43b of the image sensor 43 is electrically connected to 3a.

The glass block G is pressed by the pressing member 62.
B, the image sensor 43 is pressed and fixed to the holding member 22. The holding member 22 is fixed to the reference surface 53a of the substrate 53 with the screw 18.

As described above, the opening 53d is provided in the substrate 53, and the exterior portion 43a of the image sensor 43 is provided in the opening 53d.
Alternatively, since the pressing member 62 is provided, the size of the optical unit in a direction parallel to the optical axis O can be reduced.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, another optical unit of the embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the optical unit. The fourth embodiment is a modification of the third embodiment. The different parts will be mainly described. As shown, the holding member 22 is the same as in FIG. Substrate 5
4 is provided with an opening 54d.
Reference numeral denotes a hole for preventing interference with a part of the exterior part 44a of the image sensor 44 opposite to the imaging lens 31 from the light receiving surface 44c. The image sensor 44 is connected to the substrate 5 by the external terminal 44b.
4 is electrically connected to the substrate surface 54b side of the
2, the glass block GB and the image sensor 44 are pressed and fixed to the holding member 22.

As described above, the opening 54d is provided in the substrate 54, and the exterior portion 44a of the image pickup element 44 is provided in the opening 54d.
Alternatively, since the pressing member 62 is disposed, the size of the optical unit in a direction parallel to the optical axis O can be reduced.

(Fifth Embodiment) Next, another optical unit of the embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the optical unit. As shown, the holding member 22 includes a first holding member 22a and a second holding member 22b, and the second holding member 22b holds the taking lens 31. Further, the first holding member 22a is
b is slidably held, and holds the glass block GB, the image sensor 45, the substrate 55, and the like. The imaging element 45 receives light on a light receiving surface 45c, and 45a indicates an exterior part. An image sensor is electrically connected to a substrate surface 55a of the substrate 55 by an external terminal 45b.

The glass block GB and the image pickup device 45 are pressed from the substrate surface 55a side of the substrate 55 and fixed to the holding member 22. In addition, the substrate 55 is slightly elastically deformed, and the glass block GB and the image sensor 45 are fixed to the holding member 22 while being pressed. Further, the holding member 22 is connected to the substrate 55.
Are fixed with screws 18 from the substrate surface 55a.

As described above, the glass block GB and the holding member for holding the image pickup element 45 can be omitted, and the optical unit is inexpensive and has a simple structure.

In the embodiment, the taking lens is described as a lens whose focus can be adjusted. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be, for example, a fixed focus lens, a zoom lens, or the like.

[0038]

According to the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained. According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the substrate is provided in a direction substantially perpendicular to the light receiving surface of the image sensor and on a part of the outer periphery of the photographing lens, the direction parallel to the optical axis of the photographing lens. The size of the optical unit can be reduced.

According to the optical unit of the present invention, the angle between the perpendicular of the substrate passing through the optical axis and the approximate center of the drive source of the lens drive means is set at 90 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the taking lens. As described above, since the drive source is separated from the substrate, it is possible to prevent the electrical noise generated from the drive source from affecting the substrate.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the display unit for displaying the captured image is disposed on the opposite side of the image pickup device from the photographing lens, or the image pickup device incorporating the optical unit is viewed from the front. Since the display unit is arranged on the back side and the substrate and the view display unit are arranged in a direction perpendicular to each other and separated from each other, the influence on the substrate due to electric noise generated from the view display unit can be prevented.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an external terminal electrically connected to the outside in a direction substantially parallel to the light receiving surface of the image sensor, and provided in a parallel direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface. Since the substrate is provided and electrically connected, the size of the optical unit in a direction parallel to the optical axis of the taking lens can be reduced.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the external terminal is provided on one side of the outer peripheral edge of the light receiving surface, the mounting of the image pickup device on the substrate is simplified.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the external terminals are arranged in at least two rows on one side of the outer peripheral edge of the light receiving surface, the number of connections between the substrate and the image sensor is increased. I was able to.

According to the optical unit mounting method of the present invention, an opening for accommodating a part of the image sensor is provided in the substrate, and the holding member and the image sensor are fixed on the same substrate surface. The dimension of the taking lens in the direction parallel to the optical axis can be reduced, and the connection of electrical components and the like provided on the substrate surface is facilitated.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the image pickup device is mounted on the surface of the substrate on which the holding member is held, opposite to the substrate surface, and a part of the exterior of the image pickup device is stored on the substrate. The provision of the opening allows the size of the optical unit in the direction parallel to the optical axis of the photographing lens to be reduced, and further facilitates mounting.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the image pickup device is fixed to the holding member by the substrate, the pressing member can be omitted, and the optical unit has a simple structure.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the optical unit is provided, the size of the imaging device in the direction parallel to the optical axis of the taking lens can be reduced.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, when the width direction is the direction parallel to the optical axis of the photographing lens, the image is taken while holding the width direction at the time of imaging. At times, it has become easier to hold the imaging device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration perspective view of a digital camera.

FIG. 2 is an electric block diagram of the digital camera.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the optical unit.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the optical unit.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an image pickup device mounting mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of another optical unit.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of another optical unit.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of another optical unit.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a conventional optical unit.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of another conventional optical unit.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of another conventional optical unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 imaging device (digital camera) 20 optical unit 21, 22 holding member 31 imaging lens 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 imaging element 41b, 42b, 43b, 44b, 45b external terminal 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 substrate 53d, 54d Opening 62 Holding member

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An optical unit for forming an image of light of a subject condensed by a photographing lens and performing photoelectric conversion by an image pickup device, wherein at least a holding member for holding the photographing lens and an image forming position of the photographing lens are provided. An imaging element held by the holding member, and a substrate that mounts at least the imaging element at a position substantially orthogonal to a light receiving surface of the imaging element and adjacent to an outer periphery of the imaging lens. An optical unit characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding member holds a lens driving unit that drives the photographing lens, and a vertical line passing through an optical axis of the photographing lens on the substrate with respect to an optical axis of the photographing lens and the lens driving unit. The angle between the drive source and the center is 90
The optical unit according to claim 1, wherein the optical unit has a temperature of not less than degrees. 3. A display unit for displaying a captured image on the opposite side of the imaging lens with respect to the image pickup device, or the display unit is disposed on a back side of an image pickup device incorporating an optical unit when viewed from the front. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein
An optical unit according to item 1. 4. A method for mounting an image pickup device used in an optical unit that forms an image of light of a subject condensed by a photographing lens and performs photoelectric conversion, wherein the image pickup device is electrically connected to the outside in a direction substantially parallel to a light receiving surface of the image pickup device. An optical terminal, wherein an external terminal for connection is provided, and at least a substrate on which the image sensor is mounted is provided in a direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface of the image sensor, and the image sensor is electrically connected to the substrate. How to attach the image sensor used for the unit. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the external terminal is formed on one side of an outer peripheral edge of the light receiving surface. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the external terminals formed on one side of an outer peripheral edge of the light receiving surface are arranged in at least two rows. . 7. An optical unit for forming an image of light of a subject condensed by a photographing lens and performing photoelectric conversion by an image pickup device, wherein at least a holding member for holding the photographing lens and an image forming position of the photographing lens are provided. And an imaging element held by the holding member, and a substrate on which at least the imaging element is mounted, wherein the substrate is held by the holding member on the same substrate surface as the substrate surface on which the imaging element is mounted. An optical unit, wherein an opening for incorporating at least a part of the exterior of the image sensor is formed. 8. An optical unit for forming an image of light of a subject condensed by a photographing lens and performing photoelectric conversion by an image pickup device, wherein at least a holding member for holding the photographing lens and an image forming position of the photographing lens are provided. And the image sensor held by the holding member, and at least a substrate on which the image sensor is mounted, wherein the substrate is provided by the holding member on a substrate surface opposite to the substrate surface on which the image sensor is mounted. An optical unit, wherein an opening is formed for holding at least a part of the light receiving surface of the image sensor from a light receiving surface to a back surface opposite to a light receiving direction. 9. An optical unit that forms an image of light of a subject condensed by a photographing lens and performs photoelectric conversion by an image pickup device, wherein at least a holding member that holds the photographing lens and an image forming position of the photographing lens are provided. An optical unit, comprising: the imaging element held by the holding member; and a substrate on which at least the imaging element is mounted, wherein the substrate is elastically deformed to fix the imaging element to the holding member. . 10. An optical unit for forming an image of light of a subject condensed by the photographing lens according to claim 1, 2, and photoelectrically converting the image by an image pickup device is incorporated. An imaging device having an optical unit for capturing an image. 11. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, when a direction parallel to an optical axis of the photographing lens is defined as a width direction, the image capturing apparatus captures an image while holding the width direction during imaging. An imaging device having the optical unit according to any one of the preceding claims.