JP2003298033A - Imaging element - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To alleviate influence of adhesion of foreign matters to an imaged image, and to realize reduction in the size of an imaging element. <P>SOLUTION: An elastic member 6 is provided between a protective member 4 and an imaging chip 3. The member 4 is energized by the member 6 in a direction (direction X) of separating the member 4 from the chip 3. When the element 2 is used for the member 6, the member 6 is energized in the direction X, and an interval is provided between the chip 3 and the member 4 (A). When the element 2 is not used, the member 6 is contracted against energization (B). Then, the chip 3 and the member 4 is held at a distance L1, in which the chip 3 will not mutually interfere with the member 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup device that obtains a subject image by photoelectrically capturing subject light.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, main bodies of digital cameras and video cameras, which have been rapidly popularized, incorporate an image pickup device such as a CCD image sensor for converting an object light into a photoelectric signal to record an image.

A conventional image pickup device comprises an image pickup chip in which a plurality of light receiving devices are arranged in a matrix on a light receiving surface, and is made of a transparent glass plate or a plastic plate having a light transmitting property.
It is configured to be fixed inside a package formed by a protection member that protects the light receiving surface of the image pickup chip and a base member that holds the image pickup chip from the side facing the light receiving surface. This image sensor is manufactured in a clean environment such as a clean room so that foreign substances such as dust and dirt get inside the package and adhere to the surface of the image sensor chip, which does not reduce the accuracy of reading captured images. To be done.

In the image pickup device as described above, the protective member is often provided close to the image pickup chip, and since the light receiving surface of the image pickup chip is the image forming surface of the image, the protective member is located near the image forming surface. Dust and dust adhering to the surface of the member may be read as part of the image at the time of shooting.

[0005]

The influence on the photographed image as described above is alleviated as the distance between the protective member and the image pickup chip is increased. Therefore, in order to prevent the captured image from being affected even if dust or dirt adheres to the protective member, it is sufficient that the protective member and the imaging chip are spaced to some extent. However, if the space between the protective member and the imaging chip is simply opened, the thickness of the imaging element is increased by the space, which is not preferable from the viewpoint of product miniaturization.

The present invention provides an image pickup device that prevents foreign matter from adhering to the image pickup chip, reduces the influence of the foreign matter attached to the surface of the protective member on the photographed image, and realizes downsizing of the product. With the goal.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image pickup chip having a plurality of light receiving elements arranged on a light receiving surface, and a base member for holding the image pickup chip.
In an image sensor including a transparent protective member that covers the light receiving surface, an elastic member is provided between the protective member and the imaging chip, and the elastic member urges the protective member in a direction away from the imaging chip. And

It should be noted that the above-mentioned image pickup chip is projected to the surface side,
It is preferable to provide a stopper that prevents contact with the imaging chip when the protective member is pressed against the bias of the elastic member.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of an image pickup device embodying the present invention. The image pickup element 2 includes an image pickup chip 3 in which a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged on a light receiving surface 3a, a protective member 4 for protecting the light receiving surface 3a of the image pickup chip 3, and the image pickup chip 3 from the side facing the light receiving surface 3a. A base member 5 to hold,
And an elastic member 6. The protection member 4 is made of a transparent glass plate or a plastic plate that is transparent to light.
A flexible circuit board (not shown) is attached to the back surface of the base member 5, the image pickup chip 3 is connected to the flexible circuit board, and a light reception signal from the image pickup chip 3 is output. The protection member 4 may be a part of the taking lens of the camera or a low pass filter.

The elastic member 6 has a substantially bellows shape and urges the protection member 4 in a direction (X direction) away from the image pickup chip 3. Both ends of the elastic member 6 are fixed to a portion of the light-receiving surface 3a where the light-receiving element is not formed and a surface of the protection member 4 facing this portion with a silicone adhesive or the like. These protective member 4, base member 5 and elastic member 6
The image pickup chip 3 is hermetically sealed by the above to prevent foreign matter such as dust and dirt from entering the image pickup chip 3. The image pickup device 2 is manufactured in a clean environment such as a clean room so that foreign matters such as dust and dirt are not mixed therein.

As shown in (A), when the image pickup device 2 is used, the elastic member 6 is in a state of biasing the protective member 4 in the X direction, whereby the image pickup chip 3 and the protective member 4 are made. Can be separated from. On the other hand, when the image sensor 2 is not used, the elastic member 6 is in a contracted state against the bias as shown in (B). At this time, this state is maintained at a distance L1 at which the image pickup chip 3 and the protection member 4 do not interfere with each other. Therefore, the thickness of the image sensor 2 can be reduced when not in use.

The image pickup chip 3 is sealed in a space surrounded by the protective member 4, the base member 5 and the elastic member 6. Therefore, there is no possibility that foreign matter such as dust or dirt will be mixed into this space, and no foreign matter will adhere to the surface of the imaging chip 3.

When the image pickup device 2 is used, the elastic member 6 is in a state of urging the protective member 4 in the X direction, and the image pickup chip 3 and the protective member 4 are spaced apart from each other to form an image plane. It comes away from the light receiving surface 3a. Therefore, even if dust or dirt adheres to the protective member 4, it is possible to reduce the influence on the captured image. Further, when the image pickup device 2 is not used, the elastic member 6 is in a contracted state against the bias. Therefore, the size of the image sensor can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the elastic member having a substantially bellows shape is used, but the elastic member is not limited to this as long as it biases the protective member 4, and may be, for example, a rubber-like or sponge-like one, or a compression spring or the like. A coil or the like may be used.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a stopper 11 is provided at a portion of the light receiving surface 3a where the light receiving element is not formed, and the protective member 4 is provided when the elastic member 6 contracts against the bias.
This state may be maintained at a distance L2 so that the above does not contact the image pickup chip 3.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the present invention is applied to a camera having a collapsible lens barrel 21 in the main body 20, when the photographing lens 22 is used (C) and stored (D). If the elastic member 6 is expanded / contracted in conjunction with the movement of the lens barrel 21, the camera when retracted can be made compact.

[0017]

As described above, according to the image pickup device of the present invention, the elastic member is provided between the protective member and the image pickup chip, and the elastic member urges the protective member in the direction away from the image pickup chip. Further, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the image pickup chip, reduce the influence of foreign matter adhering to the surface of the protective member on the photographed image, and realize downsizing of the product.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image sensor embodying the present invention,
(A) shows a state in which the protective member 4 is biased in the X direction by the elastic member, and (B) shows a state in which the elastic member is contracted.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

3A and 3B are views showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a camera having a retractable lens barrel, in which FIG. 3C shows a photographing lens in use and FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 image sensor 3 Imaging chip 4 Protective member 5 Base member 6 Elastic member 10 Image sensor 11 stopper 21 lens barrel 22 Shooting lens

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takeshi Misawa             3-13-45 Izumi, Asaka City, Saitama Prefecture Fuji Photo Group             Within Ilum Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 4M118 AA05 AA10 AB01 BA10 FA06                       GC03 GC20 GD03 GD07 HA03                       HA27 HA40                 5C024 BX01 CY48 EX23

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup chip in which a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged on a light receiving surface, and a base member for holding the image pickup chip,
In an image sensor including a transparent protective member that covers the light receiving surface, an elastic member is provided between the protective member and the imaging chip, and the elastic member urges the protective member in a direction away from the imaging chip. Image sensor. 2. When the protective member is projected toward the front surface side of the imaging chip and is pressed against the bias of the elastic member,
The image pickup device according to claim 1, further comprising a stopper that blocks contact with the image pickup chip.