JP2001318290A - Positioning device for digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for accurately positioning the lens of a digital camera and a device capable of easily adjusting the lens of the digital camera, after its manufacture. SOLUTION: The lens-positioning device 30 for the digital camera is equipped with a lens part 36, a holder 32 and a nut 42. The lens part 36 is formed like a screw bolt, having a 1st inner tube part 31 passing through a shaft, and a lens is embedded in the tube part 31 so as to guide light passing through the tube part 31. Since the holder 32 has a 2nd inner tube part 41 having a screw 40 fit in the screw 38 of the lens part 36, the lens is positioned with respect to the holder 32 by moving the lens part 36 in the tube part 31. By tightening the nut 42 on the lens part 36 to the holder 32, a force for surely fixing the lens as a position where it is focused on a photosensor 39 of the digital camera is imparted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for fixing a lens of a digital camera and maintaining the lens in focus on an optical sensor of the digital camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art One of the important issues in the manufacture of digital cameras is the accuracy of the focal length between a lens and a charge-coupled device or an optical sensor such as a CMOS sensor. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a device that maintains a lens in focus on an optical sensor of a digital camera has been employed. Referring to FIG. 1, the lens positioning device 10 mainly includes a lens 14 and a holder 12.
It is composed of The holder 12 is mounted on a printed circuit board 22 to which an optical sensor 24 is soldered, and accommodates the lens 14 by the inner tube 16. The lens 14 includes the inner tube 1
6 is mounted in a screw bolt having the first pattern screw 11 to be fitted with the second pattern screw 13, so that the inner tube portion 16 reaches a specific position where the lens 14 is focused on the optical sensor 24.
It can be inserted inside. The lens 14 includes an optical sensor 24
Is fixed to the holder 12 by a few drops of the adhesive 20.

Usually, the optical sensor 24 is welded to the printed circuit board 22 by a surface mounting technique. This technique melts and cools the solder and joins the pins of the optical sensor 24 to the conductive nodes of the printed circuit board 22. During the melting of the solder, the liquefied solder causes the optical sensor 24, which is out of the predetermined welding position, to slightly float. In order to compensate for the displacement of the optical sensor 24, it is necessary to finely adjust the lens 14 along the inner tube portion 16 and then adjust the lens 14 to focus on the optical sensor 24 and then bond the lens.

One of the disadvantages of the lens positioning device 10 is that
The lens 14 may not be securely fixed to the inner tube 16 due to a gap between the first pattern screw 11 and the second pattern screw 13. As a result of the slight displacement of the lens 14 due to an accidental impact, the lens 14 is not focused on the optical sensor 24. As the adhesive 20 surrounding the lens 14 and the holder 12 cures, it exerts a non-uniform force on the lens 14, which causes the lens 14 to be displaced from an initial position at a focal distance from the optical sensor 24. Furthermore, even if the adhesive 20 applies a uniform force to the lens 14, it is not always guaranteed that the focus of the lens 14 will be maintained after the lens positioning device 10 is used in a digital camera.
Once the lens 14 has deviated from the initial position, the adhesive 2
Since 0 is permanently bonded, it is difficult to correct it.

In order to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks, the first pattern screw 11 and the second pattern screw 13 can be manufactured to be completely fitted to each other by using a high-precision mold. However, the higher the accuracy of the mold, the higher the cost. In view of cost, a high-precision mold cannot be an engineering solution that successfully overcomes the above disadvantages. Further, even though the first pattern screw 11 and the second pattern screw 13 are completely fitted, once the lens 14 is shifted from the initial position,
The focal length is difficult to correct because of the adhesive 20. Therefore, there is a great demand for the development of a new digital camera lens positioning device that overcomes the drawbacks of the conventional device.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for accurately positioning a digital camera lens.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that can easily adjust the lens of a digital camera after manufacture.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A lens positioning device for two digital cameras is disclosed according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus of the first embodiment includes a lens component, a holder, and a nut. The lens component formed in the shape of a screw bolt is positioned in the inner tube of the holder, and is fixed to the holder by a nut on the lens component. Maintain focus on the sensor. The device of the second embodiment includes a lens component, a tubular claw, and a retaining ring. The tubular claw portion is composed of a flexible blade tapered from bottom to top, and accommodates a cylindrical lens. The retaining ring is screwed around the outer surface of the tubular claw to secure the lens component in a position to focus on the optical sensor of the digital camera.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention discloses several embodiments of a lens positioning device for a digital camera. One of the embodiments shows an apparatus that uses a nut instead of the conventional adhesive, focuses the lens on the sensor chip, and reliably positions the lens. Another embodiment incorporates a tubular claw and a retaining ring,
Fig. 4 shows another apparatus for focusing and positioning a lens. Hereinafter, both embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. Referring first to FIG. 2, the lens positioning device 30 of the digital camera mainly includes a lens component 36, a nut 42, and a holder 32. The lens is embedded in the first inner tube portion 31 of the lens component 36, and guides and focuses light on an optical sensor 39 such as a charge-coupled device or a CMOS sensor. The lens component 36 is formed in a screw bolt shape having a first pattern screw 38 around the outer surface. Usually, the lens component 36 is made of plastic and has a size of several tens of square centimeters. However, it may be made of another material such as rubber or metal and changed to another size.

The holder 32 is tapered from below to above and is mounted on a printed circuit board 37. However
Here, the holder 39 is merely used here to implement the preferred configuration.
Only. Other configurations such as uniform tubes, irregularly shaped cylinders are also available.
In some cases it can be used as a holder. The second inner tube portion 41 aligned with the axis of the lens component 36 is
2 accommodates the lens component 36. The second of the second inner tube portion 41
The pattern screw 40 is fitted with the first pattern screw 38.
Accordingly, the lens component 36 can be screwed to the second inner tube portion 41 at a position where the lens embedded in the lens component 36 is focused on the optical sensor 39. Further, a nut 42 screwed to the lens component 36 is tightened on the upper surface of the holder 32 to apply a force, and the lens component 36 is securely fixed at the position. Therefore, the focal length between the lens and the optical sensor 39 can be accurately determined without a gap between the first pattern screw 38 and the second pattern screw 40.

FIG. 3 shows an apparatus 30 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. The nut 42 has a third pattern screw 46 that fits with the first pattern screw 38 on the inner side.
Can be used to fix The nut 42 is preferably formed in a polygonal or circular plate having a concavo-convex pattern around the outer wall to facilitate moving the nut 42 along the screw bolt 36 with a screw tool or freehand. Accordingly, the nut 42 is fixed to the upper surface of the holder 32 which is tapered from bottom to top while securely fixing the lens component 36 at the position where the lens component 36 is focused on the optical sensor.
In this preferred embodiment, the holder 32 has a base 35 extending from the bottom surface of the holder 32 by several fasteners.
It is mounted on the printed circuit board through the holes 50a, 50b, 50c. Further, the holder 32 includes a frame 34 protruding from a vertical side surface of the base 35, and accommodates a finder of the digital camera.

Since the nut 42 applies an even force to the lens component 36, the lens embedded in the first inner tube 33 is created by using a few drops of adhesive between the lens component 36 and the holder 32. Defocus can be avoided. Even if the lens component 36 deviates from the initial position after manufacturing, it can be easily corrected by adjusting the nut 42 with a screw tool or freehand. Therefore, in the present invention, the first pattern screw 38 and the second pattern screw 40 do not need to be completely fitted to each other. In other words, while maintaining the lens in focus on the optical sensor as before,
The cost of the mold for manufacturing the lens component 36 and the holder 32 can be reduced.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. Referring to FIG. 4, the lens positioning device 60 of the digital camera includes a tubular claw 67, a lens component 64, and a retaining ring 66. The tubular claw 67 is formed of a flexible blade tapered from bottom to top. The lens component 64 is formed in a cylindrical shape that fits into the inner radius of the tubular claw 67. Similarly, the lens is embedded in the first inner tube 63 of the lens component 64, and guides and focuses light on the optical sensor 74 through the first inner tube 63. Since the lens component 64 is loosely fitted to the inner radius of the tubular claw 67, the lens component 64 moves along the inner radius and focuses the lens on the optical sensor 74.

The retaining ring 66 has a first pattern screw (not shown in the figure) on the inside, and is fitted with a second pattern screw 71 around the outer surface of the tubular claw 67 as shown in FIG. . The lens embedded in the lens component 64 is the optical sensor 74
When in focus, the lens component 64 can be fixed to the tubular claw 67 by screwing the stop ring 66 onto the tubular claw 67. Since the tubular claw 67 is tapered from bottom to top, the inward distortion of the flexible blade 68 can be controlled by the depth at which the retaining ring 66 is screwed onto the tubular claw 67. However, the tubular claws 67
Here merely implements a preferred configuration. Uniform
Some other configurations, such as tubes, irregularly shaped cylinders, etc.
Can be used as the tubular claw 67. Stop ring 6
6 can be formed into a polygonal or circular plate with a pattern around the outside, which makes it easier to move the retaining ring along the tubular pawl 67 with a screw tool or freehand. Furthermore, several holes 6
The base 62 having 9 is extendable from the bottom surface of the tubular claw 67. Accordingly, by inserting the fastener through the hole 69, the tubular claw 68 can be mounted on the printed circuit board. Further, since the device 60 of this embodiment does not use an adhesive to fix the lens component 64, it also has the above-mentioned advantages of the first embodiment.

As is well known, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrative of the present invention rather than limiting the present invention. This extends to various modifications and similar arrangements that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which should be given the broadest interpretation to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements. It is.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a conventional lens positioning device for a digital camera.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a lens positioning device for a digital camera according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a lens positioning device of a digital camera according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

30, 60 ... Lens positioning device for digital camera, 31, 63 ... First inner tube part, 32 ... Holder, 34 ...
・ Frame, 36, 64 ・ ・ ・ Lens component, 37 ・ ・ ・ Printed circuit board, 38 ・ ・ ・ First pattern screw, 39, 74 ・ ・ ・
Optical sensor, 40 ... second pattern screw, 42 ... nut,
66: retaining ring, 67, 68: tubular claw portion.

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A lens positioning device for a digital camera, wherein the device is a screw bolt-shaped lens component having a first inner tube passing through an axis of the lens component, wherein the lens is the first lens. A lens component formed in a screw bolt shape having a first inner tube portion that is embedded in the inner tube portion and guides light passing through the first inner tube portion and passes through the axis of the lens component; By moving in the second inner tube,
At a position where the lens focuses on the optical sensor below the holder,
A holder having a second inner tube portion having a second pattern screw so as to house the lens component, and screwed to the holder on the lens component, and the lens component is positioned at the position with respect to the holder. A nut for providing a secure locking force, thereby maintaining the lens in focus on the optical sensor of the digital camera. 2. The lens positioning device for a digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the lens component has a first pattern screw that fits with the second pattern screw of the second inner tube portion. 3. The lens positioning device for a digital camera according to claim 1, wherein said holder is tapered from bottom to top. 4. The lens positioning device according to claim 1, further comprising a base extending from a bottom surface of the holder and connected to a printed circuit board on which the optical sensor is mounted. 5. The lens positioning device for a digital camera according to claim 4, further comprising a frame projecting from a vertical side surface of said base portion and housing a finder of said digital camera. 6. A lens positioning device for a digital camera according to claim 4, wherein said base includes a plurality of holes through which fasteners can pass, whereby said base is mounted on said printed circuit board together with said holder. 7. The lens positioning device for a digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the nut is formed in a polygonal plate shape so as to be easily moved along with the lens component with a screw tool or freehand. 8. The digital device according to claim 1, wherein the nut is formed in a circular plate shape having a concavo-convex pattern around an outer wall so that the nut can be easily moved along the lens component with a screw tool or freehand. Camera lens positioning device. 9. A lens positioning device for a digital camera, wherein the device is a cylindrical lens component having a first inner tube portion passing through an axis of the lens component, wherein a lens is provided in the first internal lens. A cylindrical lens component having a first inner tube portion that is embedded in the tube portion and guides light passing through the first inner tube portion and passes through the axis of the lens component; A tubular claw having a first pattern screw surrounding an outer surface of the flexible blade so as to accommodate the lens component by the flexible blade; A second pattern screw to be screwed on,
A stop ring that secures the lens component to the tubular claw by tightening the flexible blade, thereby maintaining the lens in focus on the optical sensor of the digital camera. Lens positioning device. 10. The lens positioning device for a digital camera according to claim 9, wherein said first pattern screw is fitted with said second pattern screw. 11. The digital camera lens positioning device according to claim 9, wherein the tubular claw portion includes a base on a bottom surface so as to be connected to a printed circuit board on which the optical sensor is mounted. 12. A lens positioning device for a digital camera according to claim 11, wherein said base includes a plurality of holes through which fasteners can pass, whereby said base is mounted on said printed circuit board together with said tubular claw. . 13. The lens positioning of a digital camera according to claim 9, wherein the stop ring is formed in a polygonal plate shape so that it can be easily moved along the tubular claw with a screw tool or free hand. apparatus. 14. The stop ring is formed in a circular plate shape having a concavo-convex pattern around an outer wall so as to be easily moved with a screw tool or freehand along the tubular claw portion. Digital camera lens positioning device.