JP2003338967A - Camera and imaging element unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera capable of suppressing the adhesion of dusts removed from the surface of an optical member in the camera again to the surface of the optical member, and to provide an imaging element unit therefor. <P>SOLUTION: The camera comprises an imaging element 27 for obtaining an image signal corresponding to an illuminating light on a photoelectric conversion surface, an imaging lens 12a for introducing a subject image on the photoelectric conversion surface of the imaging element, a dustproof member 21 having a transparent part of a region having a predetermined spread from an own center in a radial direction in a circular to polygonal shape plate as a whole, and arranged oppositely at a predetermined interval on the front surface side of the imaging element, a shaking member 22 arranged at the peripheral edge of the dustproof member to impart the shaking to the member; a sealing structure constituted to seal the space at the peripheral edge sides of the imaging element and the dustproof member, so as to constitute the space at the site formed so that the imaging element and the dustproof member are opposed, and an image signal processing circuit for converting the image signal acquired by the imaging element into the signal of a recording state. Dust collection means 52 is disposed at the outer peripheral edge of the surface of the front surface side of the dustproof member or its vicinity. <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 unit having an image pickup device for obtaining an image signal corresponding to light emitted on its photoelectric conversion surface, or a camera provided with this image pickup device unit, for example, a lens. The present invention relates to improvements in cameras such as interchangeable single-lens reflex digital cameras.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a solid-state image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) in which a subject image formed based on a light flux (hereinafter referred to as a subject light flux) from a subject that has passed through a photographing optical system is arranged at a predetermined position. ; Charge Coupled Devic
e. (Hereinafter, simply referred to as an image sensor), an image is formed on a photoelectric conversion surface, etc., and an electrical image signal or the like representing a desired subject image is generated by utilizing the photoelectric conversion action of the image sensor. Signal based on the liquid crystal display device (LC
D: output to a predetermined display device such as a Liquid Crystal Display) to display an image or the like, or an image signal or the like generated by an image sensor or the like is recorded in a predetermined recording medium as image data of a predetermined form. The image data recorded in this area is read out, and the image data recorded on this recording medium is read out, and the image data is subjected to conversion processing so that it becomes an image signal optimum for display using a display device. Digital cameras such as so-called digital still cameras and digital video cameras (hereinafter referred to as digital cameras or simply cameras) configured to display images corresponding to the image signals are generally put into practical use. Has been widely spread.

Further, a general digital camera is equipped with an optical finder device for the purpose of observing a desired subject to be photographed prior to the photographing operation and setting a photographing range including the subject. It is common to have

As this optical finder device, a reflecting member or the like arranged on the optical axis of the photographing optical system is used to bend the traveling direction of the luminous flux of the subject that has passed through the photographing optical system to bend the subject image for observation at a predetermined position. On the other hand, at the time of shooting operation, by retracting the reflecting member from the optical axis of the shooting optical system, the subject light flux is guided to the light receiving surface of the image sensor, that is, the photoelectric conversion surface, and the image is captured on the photoelectric conversion surface. A so-called single-lens reflex type finder device or the like configured to form a subject image for general use is generally used.

In recent years, a single-lens reflex type finder device is provided, and the taking optical system is detachably attached to the camera body.
When a user desires, a desired photographing optical system can be arbitrarily attached and detached and exchanged so that a single camera body can selectively use plural kinds of photographing optical systems, so-called interchangeable lenses. Form digital cameras are generally being put to practical use.

In such a lens-exchangeable digital camera, when the photographing optical system is detached from the camera body, dust or the like floating in the air may enter the inside of the camera body. Also, since various mechanically operating mechanisms such as shutters and diaphragm mechanisms are installed inside the camera body, if dust or the like is generated during the operation from these various mechanisms, etc. There is also.

Further, when the photographing optical system is detached from the camera body, the light receiving surface (also referred to as a photoelectric conversion surface) of the image pickup element arranged behind the photographing optical system is exposed to the outside air inside the camera. Therefore, dust or the like may adhere to the photoelectric conversion surface of the image sensor due to factors such as the charging effect.

Therefore, in a conventional single-lens reflex type digital camera or the like, a technique for suppressing the adhesion of dust or the like on the light receiving surface of the image pickup device due to a charging action or the like is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-2000. It is proposed by the Japanese Patent Publication No. 29132.

The means disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-29132 is a surface of a cover member for covering a light receiving surface of an image pickup device provided in a camera in a single-lens reflex type digital camera in which a lens can be exchanged. A transparent electrode is provided on the electrode and a DC voltage or an AC voltage with a frequency of several kHz to 20 kHz is applied to the electrode to prevent dust and the like from adhering to the light receiving surface of the image sensor due to the charging action. It is the one.

According to the means disclosed in the publication,
By neutralizing the electric charges generated in the image sensor, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from adhering to the light receiving surface of the image sensor due to static electricity or the like.

However, this Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-291
In the means disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 32, the charge of the charged image pickup device is neutralized so that the adhesion of dust or the like is suppressed. It is considered to be not optimal as a means for removing dust or the like that is simply attached or accumulated on the conversion surface.

On the other hand, as a conventional image pickup device in a digital camera, a so-called packaged image pickup device (for example, a package CCD) is widely used. In recent years, it has been proposed to supply a bare CCD chip called a bare chip CCD to the market.

In such a bare chip CCD,
Since dust or the like is likely to adhere to the photoelectric conversion surface, a piezoelectric element should be provided between the bare chip CCD and the substrate on which it is mounted, and a predetermined voltage should be applied to this piezoelectric element. A proposal of means for vibrating the bare chip CCD itself to shake off dust and the like adhering to the photoelectric conversion surface is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-130654.

However, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-1306.
In the means disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 54, the bare chip CC
Since it is a means devised with D in mind, it is an optimum means for applying it to an image sensor such as a package CCD generally used in conventional digital cameras. I can't say that there is.

That is, a package CCD of a general form
When the means disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-130654 is applied to the above, for example, vibration is applied to the image pickup device itself or its package. There is a possibility that adverse effects such as mechanical deterioration and deviation may spread to the element and various mechanisms arranged in the vicinity thereof.

On the other hand, the present applicant previously filed Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-4.
In No. 01291, by providing a dustproof member that seals or protects the photoelectric conversion surface side of the image pickup element, it is possible to suppress adhesion of dust and the like to the photoelectric conversion surface of the image pickup element,
A means for removing dust or the like attached to the outer surface side of the dustproof member by applying vibration of a predetermined amplitude to the dustproof member by a predetermined vibrating means is proposed.

According to this means, it is possible to suppress dust and the like from adhering to the photoelectric conversion surface of the image pickup device by a small and simple mechanism, and to easily make relatively large dust and the like to adhere to the outer surface side of the dustproof member. The removable image pickup device unit can be applied to a digital camera having a lens interchangeable form.

Further, in a conventional digital camera or the like having interchangeable lenses, there has been proposed a means for removing dust and the like adhering to the surface of an optical member such as a low pass filter arranged on the front side of an image pickup device. For example, JP-A-20
No. 01-298640.

The camera disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-298640 is provided with a wiper member as means for removing dust and the like adhering to the surface of the optical member arranged on the front side of the image pickup device. ing.

The wiper member moves while rubbing the surface of an optical member such as a low-pass filter to wipe and wipe the surface of the optical member, thereby removing dust and the like adhering to the surface of the optical member. Is. And the dust swept away by the wiper,
It is configured so as to enter the groove portion of the camera body formed near the optical member.

[0021]

However, the above-mentioned Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
According to the means disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 001-298640, the dust and the like swept away by the wiper is adapted to enter the groove formed in the vicinity of the optical member. Etc. may again drift into the internal space of the camera body and adhere to the internal components of the camera body, such as the mirror section, shutter section, distance measuring lens section, etc., or to the optical members etc. again. There is also.

In such a case, it is conceivable that dust or the like adhering to each component may be reflected in the acquired image or cause a malfunction in the operation of the digital camera.

In particular, in a single-lens reflex type digital camera or the like in which the taking lens is replaceable, it is necessary to prevent dust from entering the inside of the camera body in order to obtain a good photographing result (acquired image). It is a necessary measure to obtain it.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide means for removing dust and the like adhering to the surface of an optical member or the like provided inside a camera. A camera equipped with the optical member, which prevents dust or the like swept from the surface of the optical member or the like from adhering to the surface of the optical member or the like again or other internal constituent members, and is always good. An object of the present invention is to provide a camera and an image pickup element unit that can maintain a shooting operation and always obtain a good shooting result.

[0025]

In order to achieve the above object, a camera according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an image pickup device for obtaining an image signal corresponding to the light irradiated on its photoelectric conversion surface, and the image pickup device. The taking lens that makes the subject image incident on the photoelectric conversion surface of, and the overall shape is a circular or polygonal plate, and at least a region having a predetermined spread in the radial direction from the center of itself forms a transparent part, and this transparent part is A dust-proof member, which is disposed to face the front side of the image pickup device with a predetermined gap therebetween, a vibrating member which is provided at a peripheral portion of the dust-proof member and applies vibration to the dust-proof member, and the image pickup device And the dustproof member are formed so as to face each other, and the space is sealed on the peripheral side of the image pickup device and the dustproof member to form a substantially sealed space. Sealing structure part and the image pickup device An image signal processing circuit for converting an image signal obtained from the image pickup device into a signal of a form suitable for recording corresponding to the image formed on the photoelectric conversion surface, and the dustproof member. The dust collecting means is arranged at or near the outer peripheral edge of the surface of the photographing lens side.

According to a second invention, in the camera according to the first invention, the dust collecting means is an adhesive member.

A third invention is characterized in that, in the camera according to the second invention, the adhesive member is an adhesive tape.

According to a fourth invention, in the camera according to the first invention, the dust collecting means is an electric collector including a needle electrode for ionizing dust and a dust collecting electrode for adsorbing and collecting the ionized dust. It is characterized by being a dust means.

A fifth invention is characterized in that, in the camera according to the first invention, a photographing lens mounting portion for mounting a photographing lens is provided.

An image pickup device unit according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is arranged so as to face the image pickup device which obtains an image signal corresponding to the light radiated on its photoelectric conversion surface, on the front side of the image pickup device with a predetermined gap. An optical member provided, a cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the optical member, and a portion where the image pickup device and the optical member are opposed to each other to form a substantially sealed space. A sealing structure portion configured to seal the space portion on the peripheral side of the image pickup element and the optical member, and the surface of the optical member opposite to the facing surface of the image pickup element. The dust collecting means is arranged at or near the outer peripheral edge of the surface.

A seventh invention is characterized in that, in the image pickup device unit according to the sixth invention, the dust collecting means is an adhesive member.

An eighth invention is characterized in that, in the image pickup device unit according to the seventh invention, the adhesive member is an adhesive tape.

In a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup device unit according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the dust collecting means includes an electric electrode including a needle electrode for ionizing dust and a dust electrode for attracting and collecting the ionized dust. It is a dust collecting means.

A tenth aspect of the invention is an image pickup device unit according to the sixth aspect, wherein the cleaning means is a vibrating member which is arranged at a peripheral portion of the optical member and which applies vibration to the optical member. It is characterized by

An eleventh invention is characterized in that, in the image pickup device unit according to the tenth invention, the vibrating member is an electromechanical conversion device.

A twelfth invention is characterized in that, in the image pickup device unit according to the sixth invention, the cleaning means is a wiper member which activates a surface of the optical member.

[0037]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. First, a schematic configuration of the camera of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are views showing a schematic structure of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the internal structure of the camera by cutting a part thereof. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view, and FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram schematically showing mainly an electrical configuration of the camera.

The camera 1 of the present embodiment comprises a camera body 11 and a lens barrel 12 which are separately constructed, and both (11, 12) are detachably constructed. is there.

The lens barrel 12 is constructed so as to internally hold a photographing optical system 12a including a plurality of photographing lenses and a driving mechanism thereof. The photographing optical system 12a transmits, for example, a light flux from the subject to form an image of the subject formed by the subject light flux at a predetermined position (on a photoelectric conversion surface of the image sensor 27 described later), for example. It is composed of a plurality of optical lenses and the like. The lens barrel 12 is arranged so as to project toward the front surface of the camera body 11.

As the lens barrel 12, the same one as is generally used in a conventional camera or the like is applied. Therefore, the description of the detailed configuration is omitted.

The camera body 11 is a connecting member which is configured to have various components inside and which is provided so that the lens barrel 12 holding the photographing optical system 12a can be detachably attached. This is a so-called single-lens reflex type camera having a photographing lens mounting portion 11a on its front surface.

That is, an exposure opening having a predetermined diameter that can guide the subject light flux to the inside of the camera body 11 is formed in the substantially central portion on the front surface side of the camera body 11. The photographing lens mounting portion 11 is provided on the periphery of the opening.
a is formed.

On the outer side of the camera body 11, the above-mentioned taking lens mounting portion 11a is provided on the front side thereof, and the camera body 11 is provided at a predetermined position such as an upper surface or a rear surface.
Various operation members for operating the camera, such as a release button 17 for generating an instruction signal for starting the photographing operation, and the like are provided. Since these operation members are parts that are not directly related to the present invention, the illustration and description of the operation members other than the release button 17 are omitted in order to avoid complication of the drawing.

As shown in FIG. 1, inside the camera body 11, a desired subject image formed by various constituent members, for example, the photographing optical system 12a, is picked up by the image pickup device 27 (FIG. 2).
The finder device 13 which is provided to be formed at a predetermined position different from that on the photoelectric conversion surface of FIG. 2) and constitutes a so-called observation optical system, and the irradiation time of the subject light flux to the photoelectric conversion surface of the image sensor 27 is controlled. A shutter unit 14 including a shutter mechanism, an image pickup device 27 that obtains an image signal corresponding to a subject image formed based on a subject light flux that has passed through the photographing optical system 12a including the shutter unit 14, and the image pickup device 27 An image pickup device unit which is an assembly including a dustproof filter 21 (details of which will be described later), which is a dustproof member that is disposed at a predetermined position on the front surface side of the photoelectric conversion surface and prevents adhesion of dust and the like to the photoelectric conversion surface. (Hereinafter, abbreviated as an image pickup unit. See FIG. 2) 15.
The main circuit board 16 and the like on which various electric members constituting an electric circuit such as an image signal processing circuit 16a (see FIG. 2) for performing various signal processing on the image signal acquired by the image pickup device 27 are mounted. The plurality of circuit boards (only the main circuit board 16 is shown in FIG. 1) and the like are arranged at predetermined positions.

The finder device 13 includes a photographing optical system 12
A reflecting mirror 13b configured to bend the optical axis of the subject light beam that has passed through a to be guided to the observation optical system side, and a pentaprism that receives the light beam emitted from the reflecting mirror 13b and forms an erect normal image 13a and this penta prism 1
It is composed of an eyepiece lens 13c and the like for forming an image of an optimum form for magnifying and observing the image formed by 3a.

The reflecting mirror 13b is constructed to be movable between a position retracted from the optical axis of the photographing optical system 12a and a predetermined position on the optical axis. In the normal state, the photographing optical system 1 is used.
It is arranged on the optical axis of 2a with a predetermined angle with respect to the optical axis, for example, an angle of 45 degrees. This allows
When the camera 1 is in the normal state, the optical axis of the subject light flux that has passed through the photographic optical system 12a is bent by the reflecting mirror 13b, and is directed toward the pentaprism 13a arranged above the reflecting mirror 13b. It is supposed to be reflected.

On the other hand, while the camera 1 is executing the photographing operation and during the actual exposure operation, the reflecting mirror 13b
Is moved to a predetermined position retracted from the optical axis of the photographing optical system 12a. As a result, the subject light flux is guided to the image pickup element 27 side and irradiates the photoelectric conversion surface thereof.

As the shutter section 14, for example, a focal plane type shutter mechanism, a drive circuit for controlling the operation of the shutter mechanism, and the like that are generally used in conventional cameras are applied. .
Therefore, the description of the detailed configuration is omitted.

Further, as described above, a plurality of circuit boards are arranged inside the camera 1 to form various electric circuits. As shown in FIG. 2, the electrical configuration of the camera 1 is suitable for recording based on, for example, a CPU 41 that is a control circuit that controls the entire camera 1 and an image signal acquired by the image sensor 27. Image signal processing circuit 16a for performing various signal processings such as signal processing for converting into a signal of a form, and image signals and image data processed by the image signal processing circuit 16a and various information associated therewith, etc. A work memory 16b for recording the image data, a recording medium 43 for recording the image data for recording in a predetermined form generated by the image signal processing circuit 16a in a predetermined area, and the recording medium 43 and the electric power of the camera 1. A recording medium interface 42 configured to electrically connect to a circuit, and a liquid crystal display device (LC) for displaying an image.
D) and the like, and the display unit 46 and the camera 1 are electrically connected to each other, and the image signal processing circuit 16a
A display circuit 47 for receiving the processed image signal and generating an image signal for display most suitable for display using the display unit 46; and a battery 45 including a secondary battery such as a dry battery,
By receiving electric power from an external power source (AC) supplied by the battery 45 or a predetermined connection cable or the like (not shown),
A power supply circuit 44 for controlling the camera 1 to operate properly and distributing power to each electric circuit, and the imaging unit 15.
Which is an electric circuit for driving the dust-proof filter 21 included in the dust-proof filter drive unit 4 including an oscillator and the like.
It consists of 8 mag.

Next, details of the image pickup unit 15 in the camera 1 of this embodiment will be described below. Figure 3
4 and 5 are views showing a part of the image pickup unit in the camera 1 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an essential part showing the image pickup unit in an exploded manner. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the image pickup unit in an assembled state. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the section plane of FIG.

The image pickup unit 15 of the camera 1 of the present embodiment is a unit composed of a plurality of members including the shutter portion 14 as described above, but in FIGS. For the sake of illustration, the shutter portion 14 is omitted.

Further, in order to show the positional relationship of the respective constituent members, in FIGS. 3 to 5, the image pickup device 27 is provided near the image pickup unit 15, the image pickup device 27 is mounted, and the image signal processing circuit 16a and the work are mounted. The main circuit board 16 on which the electric circuit of the imaging system including the memory 16b and the like is mounted is also illustrated.

The details of the main circuit board 16 itself are the same as those generally used in conventional cameras and the like, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The image pickup unit 15 in the camera 1 of the present embodiment is composed of a CCD or the like, and an image pickup device 27 for obtaining an image signal corresponding to the light that has passed through the image pickup optical system 12a and radiated on the photoelectric conversion surface of the image pickup device 27. An image pickup element fixing plate 28 made of a thin plate member for fixing and supporting the image pickup element 27, and a photoelectric conversion surface side of the image pickup element 27 are provided, and the image pickup optical system 12a.
Optical low-pass filter (hereinafter referred to as optical LPF), which is an optical element formed to remove high-frequency components from a subject light flux that is transmitted through and emitted.
25, a low-pass filter receiving member 26 that is disposed in the peripheral portion between the optical LPF 25 and the image sensor 27, and is formed of an elastic member having a substantially frame shape, and the image sensor 27.
The optical LPF 25 (optical element) in close contact with and supporting a peripheral portion or a peripheral portion thereof, and a predetermined portion of the dust-proof filter receiving member 23 described later.
The image sensor housing case member 24 (second member described later;) arranged so as to be in close contact with (first member described later).
Hereinafter, referred to as a CCD case 24) and a dustproof filter receiving member 23 (first member) which is disposed on the front surface side of the CCD case 24 and closely adheres and supports the dustproof filter 21 (dustproof member) to its peripheral portion or its vicinity. ) Is supported by the dust-proof filter receiving member 23 and faces the photoelectric conversion surface of the image sensor 27 at a predetermined position on the front side of the optical LPF 25 with a predetermined distance from the optical LPF 25. A dust-proof filter 21 which is an optical member and a dust-proof member to be installed, and a member for providing a predetermined vibration to the dust-proof filter 21 which is arranged on the peripheral surface of the dust-proof filter 21 on the side of the image pickup device 27. A piezoelectric element 22 which is a vibrating member and is composed of, for example, an electromechanical transducer, and a dustproof filter 21 are attached to a dustproof filter receiving member 23. It is constituted by the pressing member 20 or the like made of an elastic body for fixing and holding manner is joined.

The image pickup device 27 receives the subject light flux transmitted through the photographing optical system 12a on its photoelectric conversion surface and performs photoelectric conversion processing to generate an image signal corresponding to the subject image formed on the photoelectric conversion surface. To get,
For example, charge coupled device (CCD; Charge Coupled Devi)
ce) etc. have been applied.

The image pickup device 27 includes an image pickup device fixing plate 28.
It is mounted at a predetermined position on the main circuit board 16 via. As described above, the image signal processing circuit 16a and the work memory 16b are mounted on the main circuit board 16, and the output signal from the image sensor 27, that is, the image signal obtained by the photoelectric conversion process is the image signal. Processing circuit 16a
It is supposed to be transmitted to etc.

The signal processing performed in the image signal processing circuit 16a is, for example, the photographing lens mounting portion 11a.
The image signal obtained from the image pickup device 27 is recorded as a signal corresponding to the image formed on the photoelectric conversion surface of the image pickup device 27 by the photographing optical system 12a held inside the lens barrel 12 mounted on the It is various kinds of signal processing such as processing for converting into a signal of a form conforming to. Such signal processing is similar to the processing normally performed in a general digital camera or the like configured to handle an electronic image signal. Therefore, detailed description of various signal processes executed in the camera 1 will be omitted.

An optical LPF 25 is arranged on the front side of the image pickup device 27 with a low-pass filter receiving member 26 interposed therebetween. Then, a CCD case 24 is arranged so as to cover it.

That is, the CCD case 24 is provided with a rectangular opening 24c in the substantially central portion thereof, and the optical LPF 25 and the image pickup device 27 are arranged in the opening 24c from the rear side thereof. Has become. This opening 2
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a step portion 24a having a substantially L-shaped cross section is formed on the inner peripheral edge portion on the rear side of 4c.

As described above, the low-pass filter receiving member 26 made of an elastic member or the like is disposed between the optical LPF 25 and the image pickup device 27. The low-pass filter receiving member 26 is arranged at a position in the peripheral portion on the front surface side of the image sensor 27 at a position avoiding the effective range of the photoelectric conversion surface thereof, and comes into contact with the vicinity of the peripheral portion on the rear surface side of the optical LPF 25. There is. The airtightness between the optical LPF 25 and the image pickup device 27 is maintained. As a result, the optical LPF 25 receives an elastic force in the optical axis direction from the low-pass filter receiving member 26.

Therefore, by arranging the peripheral portion on the front surface side of the optical LPF 25 so as to make contact with the step portion 24a of the CCD case 24 in a substantially airtight manner, the optical LPF 25 is arranged.
The optical LPF 2 against the elastic force of the low-pass filter receiving member 26 that tends to displace the optical axis in the optical axis direction.
The position of 5 in the optical axis direction is regulated.

In other words, the opening 24 of the CCD case 24
The position of the optical LPF 25 inserted in the inside of c from the back side is regulated in the optical axis direction by the step portion 24a. As a result, the optical LPF 25 does not come out from the inside of the CCD case 24 toward the front side.

In this way, after the optical LPF 25 is inserted from the back side into the opening 24c of the CCD case 24, the image pickup device 27 is arranged on the back side of the optical LPF 25. In this case, the optical LP
A low-pass filter receiving member 26 is sandwiched between the F25 and the image sensor 27 at the peripheral edge.

The image pickup device 27 is mounted on the main circuit board 16 with the image pickup device fixing plate 28 interposed therebetween as described above. The image pickup element fixing plate 28 is the CCD case 2
It is fixed to the screw hole 24e from the rear surface side of No. 4 by a screw 28b via a spacer 28a. Further, the main circuit board 16 is provided on the image pickup element fixing plate 28 with the spacer 16c.
It is fixed by a screw 16d through.

On the front side of the CCD case 24, a dustproof filter receiving member 23 is provided with a screw hole 24b of the CCD case 24.
Is fixed by a screw 23b. In this case, a peripheral groove 24d is formed in a substantially annular shape at a predetermined position on the front surface side on the peripheral side of the CCD case 24, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. On the other hand, an annular projection 23d (not shown in FIG. 3) corresponding to the circumferential groove 24d of the CCD case 24 is provided at a predetermined position on the back side of the dust-proof filter receiving member 23. It is formed in a substantially annular shape around the circumference. Therefore, when the annular protrusion 23d and the circumferential groove 24d are fitted to each other, CC
The D case 24 and the dustproof filter receiving member 23 are adapted to be fitted to each other in a substantially airtight manner in an annular region, that is, a region where the circumferential groove 24d and the annular convex portion 23d are formed.

The dust-proof filter 21 has a circular or polygonal plate shape as a whole, and at least a region having a predetermined spread in the radial direction from its center forms a transparent portion.
This transparent portion is arranged to face the front side of the optical LPF 25 with a predetermined gap.

Further, a predetermined vibration for giving vibration to the dustproof filter 21 is applied to the peripheral portion of one surface of the dustproof filter 21 (in this embodiment, the rear surface side, that is, the surface of the image pickup device 27 side). The piezoelectric element 22 formed of an electromechanical conversion element or the like, which is a member for use, is provided so as to be integrated with the dust-proof filter 21 by means such as sticking with an adhesive. The piezoelectric element 22 is provided with a dust filter 21 by applying a predetermined driving voltage from the outside.
Is configured to generate a predetermined vibration.

The piezoelectric element 22 as a vibrating member
Also serves as a cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the dustproof filter 21 by more positively removing the dust and the like adhering to the surface of the dustproof filter 21.

The dustproof filter 21 is fixedly held by a pressing member 20 made of an elastic body such as a leaf spring so as to be airtightly joined to the dustproof filter receiving member 23.

The other surface of the dustproof filter 21 is the surface opposite to the side to which the above-mentioned piezoelectric element 22 is adhered (in the present embodiment, the front surface side, that is, the side of the image pickup element 27). On the side, that is, on the outer peripheral portion of the surface on which the photographic lens is disposed) or in the vicinity thereof, a dust collecting means, for example, an adhesive member 52 made of an adhesive tape or the like, is attached to the dust filter 21.
In order to be integrated with the piezoelectric element 22, it is arranged by the same means as the arrangement of the piezoelectric element 22, for example, by sticking with an adhesive or the like.

In this case, the dustproof filter 21
And the piezoelectric element 22 provided on one surface (back surface side) thereof
The positional relationship between the dust-proof filter 21 and the adhesive member 52 provided on the other surface (front side) of the dust-proof filter 21 is as shown in the enlarged perspective view of the main part of FIG.

That is, FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part including a cut surface obtained by cutting a part of the image pickup unit 15 in the camera 1 of the present embodiment, and showing the piezoelectric element 22 and the adhesive member 52 for the dustproof filter 21. The respective arrangements of and are shown.

As described above, the adhesive member 52 arranged at a predetermined position of the dustproof filter 21 is provided on the front side of the dustproof filter 21 when the dustproof filter 21 vibrates due to the action of the piezoelectric element 22 (described later). It is a member provided for catching dust and the like, which are shaken off from the surface of, by the self-adhesive force and collecting the dust.

As the adhesive member 52, for example, an adhesive tape in the form of a rubber-based, acrylic-based or silicone-based adhesive applied to a predetermined support is used.

A circular or polygonal opening 23f is provided in the vicinity of the substantially central portion of the dustproof filter receiving member 23. The opening 23f is set to be large enough to allow the subject light flux that has passed through the photographing optical system 12a to pass through and illuminate the photoelectric conversion surface of the image pickup device 27 disposed behind the light flux. .

A wall portion 23e projecting to the front surface side is formed in a substantially annular shape at the peripheral portion of the opening 23f, and the tip end side of the wall portion 23e receives the wall portion 23e so as to project further toward the front surface side. The part 23c is formed.

On the other hand, in the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge portion on the front surface side of the dust-proof filter receiving member 23, a plurality of (three in this embodiment) projecting portions 23a are formed at predetermined positions so as to project toward the front surface side. Has been done. The projecting portion 23a is a portion formed to fix the pressing member 20 that holds the dustproof filter 21 in a fixed manner. The pressing member 20 is provided with a screw 20a or the like with respect to the tip of the projecting portion 23a. It is fixed by the fastening means.

The pressing member 20 is a member formed of an elastic body such as a leaf spring as described above. The base end of the pressing member 20 is fixed to the projecting portion 23a and the free end thereof is the outer peripheral edge of the dustproof filter 21. By abutting against the portion, the dust filter 21 is pressed toward the dust filter receiving member 23, that is, in the optical axis direction.

In this case, a predetermined portion of the piezoelectric element 22 arranged on the outer peripheral edge portion on the rear surface side of the dustproof filter 21 comes into contact with the receiving portion 23c, so that the dustproof filter 2 is provided.
The positions of 1 and the piezoelectric element 22 in the optical axis direction are regulated. Therefore, the dustproof filter 21 is thereby fixedly held so as to be airtightly joined to the dustproof filter receiving member 23 via the piezoelectric element 22.

In other words, the dust-proof filter receiving member 23
Is configured to be airtightly joined to the dustproof filter 21 via the piezoelectric element 22 by the urging force of the pressing member 20.

By the way, as described above, in the dust-proof filter receiving member 23 and the CCD case 24, the circumferential groove 24d and the annular convex portion 23d (see FIGS. 3 to 5) are fitted in a substantially airtight manner. At the same time, the dust-proof filter receiving member 23 and the dust-proof filter 21 are connected to each other by the pressing member 20.
The urging force of the piezoelectric element 22 is used to hermetically bond the piezoelectric element 22. The optical LPF 25 arranged in the CCD case 24 is arranged so as to be substantially airtight between the peripheral portion on the front surface side of the optical LPF 25 and the step portion 24 a of the CCD case 24. Further, the image pickup device 27 is arranged on the back side of the optical LPF 25 via the low-pass filter receiving member 26, so that the airtightness is maintained even between the optical LPF 25 and the image pickup device 27. ing.

Therefore, as a result, in the space between the optical LPF 25 and the dustproof filter 21 facing each other, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a predetermined space 51a is formed. Further, the peripheral side of the optical LPF 25, that is, the CCD case 24, the dustproof filter receiving member 23, and the dustproof filter 2
The space 51b is formed by 1 and 1. The space 51b is a sealed space formed so as to project to the outside of the optical LPF 25. In addition, the space 51b is set to be a space wider than the space 51a. Then, the void portion 51a and the space portion 5
The space consisting of 1b is the CCD case 24 as described above.
The dust-proof filter receiving member 23, the dust-proof filter 21, and the optical LPF 25 form a sealed space 51 that is hermetically sealed.

As described above, in the image pickup unit 15 of the camera 1 of the present embodiment, the sealing structure portion forming the substantially sealed sealing space 51 including the void portion 51a is formed in the peripheral edge of the optical LPF 25 and the dustproof filter 21. Is configured. Then, the sealing structure is provided at a position outside the peripheral edge of the optical LPF 25 or its vicinity.

Further, in the present embodiment, the dust-proof filter receiving member 23, which is the first member for closely supporting the dust-proof filter 21 at its peripheral portion or in the vicinity thereof, is supported.
The optical LPF 25 is closely adhered to and supported by the peripheral edge portion or its peripheral portion, and is disposed so as to come into close contact with the dust-proof filter receiving member 23 (first member) at its own predetermined portion. The CCD structure 24, which is a member, constitutes a sealing structure.

In the camera 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the dustproof filter 21 is disposed at a predetermined position on the front surface side of the image pickup device 27 so as to face each other, and the photoelectric conversion surface of the image pickup device 27 and the dustproof filter 21 are arranged. Since the sealing space 51 formed at the peripheral edge of the image sensor is sealed, dust and the like are prevented from adhering to the photoelectric conversion surface of the image sensor 27.

In this case, the dust or the like adhering to the exposed front surface of the dust-proof filter 21 is applied to the piezoelectric element 22 which is arranged integrally with the peripheral edge of the dust-proof filter 21. Is applied to give a predetermined vibration to the dust-proof filter 21, so that the dust-proof filter 21 can be removed.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing only the dustproof filter 21 and the piezoelectric element 22 provided integrally with the dustproof filter 21 in the image pickup unit 15 of the camera 1.
7 and 8 show the dust-proof filter 21 and the piezoelectric element 2 when a drive voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 22 of FIG.
7 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

Here, for example, when a negative (minus ;-) voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 22, the dustproof filter 21
7 is deformed as shown by a solid line in FIGS. 7 and 8, while a positive (plus; +) voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 22, the dustproof filter 21 is deformed as shown by a dotted line in FIG. It will be.

In this case, reference numeral 21 in FIGS.
Since the amplitude becomes substantially zero at the position of the vibration node as indicated by a, the receiving portion 23c of the dust-proof filter receiving member 23 is set to abut on the portion corresponding to this node 21a. As a result, the dust-proof filter 21 can be efficiently supported without disturbing vibration.

In this state, the CPU 41 controls the dust-proof filter drive section 48 (see FIG. 2) at a predetermined time to apply a periodic voltage to the piezoelectric element 22. This causes the dust filter 21 to vibrate,
Dust and the like adhering to the surface of the dustproof filter 21 is removed.

The resonance frequency at this time is determined by the shape, plate thickness, material and the like of the dustproof filter 21. Although the above-described examples shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 show the case where the first-order vibration is generated, the invention is not limited to this, and the higher-order vibration may be generated.

In another example shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, FIGS.
FIG. 9 shows a case where secondary vibration is generated in a dustproof filter having exactly the same configuration as the example shown in FIG.

In this case, FIG. 9 is a front view showing only the dustproof filter 21 and the piezoelectric element 22 provided integrally with the dustproof filter 21 in the image pickup unit 15 of the camera 1 as in FIG. Also, FIG. 10 and FIG.
10 shows the state change of the dustproof filter 21 and the piezoelectric element 22 when applied to the piezoelectric element 22 of FIG.
9 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 9, and FIG.
It is sectional drawing which follows the line.

Here, for example, when a negative (minus ;-) voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 22, the dustproof filter 21
Is deformed as shown by the solid line in FIGS. 10 and 11, while the dustproof filter 21 is deformed as shown by the dotted line in the same figure when a positive (plus; +) voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 22. It will be.

In this case, two pairs of nodes are present in this vibration as indicated by reference numerals 21a and 21b shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, but the dust-proof filter receiving member 23 is provided at a portion corresponding to the node 21a. By setting the receiving portion 23c so as to be in contact with the dustproof filter 21, the dustproof filter 21 can be efficiently supported without inhibiting vibration, as in the example shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 described above.

Then, in this state, the CPU 41 controls the dust-proof filter drive unit 48 (see FIG. 2) at a predetermined time to apply a periodic voltage to the piezoelectric element 22. As a result, the dustproof filter 21 vibrates, so that dust and the like attached to the surface of the dustproof filter 21 are removed.

When the first-order vibration is generated as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the amplitude of the dustproof filter 21 causes the sealed space 51 to change in volume by the amount indicated by the symbol C. Become. On the other hand, when the secondary vibration is generated as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the volume change of the sealing space 51 caused by the amplitude of the dustproof filter 21 changes from the area indicated by the symbol D1 to the area indicated by the symbol D2. It is the amount obtained by subtracting x2 (D1- (D2x2)).

The smaller the volume change with respect to the sealed space 51, the smaller the change in the internal pressure inside the sealed space 51. Therefore, the smaller the volume change of the sealed space 51, the more efficient the vibration can be obtained. . Therefore, from the viewpoint of electromechanical conversion efficiency, it is considered desirable to set the generated vibration to have a higher order.

As described above, in the image pickup unit 15 of the camera 1 of the present embodiment, a periodic voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 22 to vibrate the dustproof filter 21, whereby the dustproof filter 21 is vibrated. It is configured to be able to shake off dust and the like adhering to the front surface.

In this case, it is considered that most of the dust and the like shaken off from the surface of the dust-proof filter 21 normally falls to the bottom side inside the camera 1 due to gravity and the like. Further, other dust or the like adheres to any surface of the internal constituent members of the camera 1,
There is a possibility that the dust may adhere to the surface of the dust-proof filter 21 again.

In consideration of this, in the present embodiment, as described above, by providing the adhesive member 52 on the outer peripheral edge portion of the front surface side of the dustproof filter 21 or in the vicinity thereof, the surface of the dustproof filter 21 is prevented. The dust and the like that have been shaken off are captured and collected by the adhesive force so that the dust and the like are prevented from adhering again to the surface of the dust-proof filter 21 or other internal components.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, by forming the sealing structure in the vicinity of the image sensor 27, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from adhering to the photoelectric conversion surface of the image sensor 27. it can.

Since the dustproof filter 21 among the members constituting the sealing structure is configured to be vibrated by the action of the piezoelectric element 22, the front side of the dustproof filter 21 is changed by the new operation. Dust and the like adhering to the surface can be shaken off.

Further, the dust and the like shaken off from the surface of the dustproof filter 21 by the action of the piezoelectric element 22 is collected by the adhesive member 52 provided on the outer peripheral edge of the surface of the dustproof filter 21 or in the vicinity thereof. Since this is done, it is possible to prevent these dusts and the like from adhering again to the surface of the dustproof filter 21, the surface of the internal components of the camera 1, and the like.

By the way, in the image pickup unit 15 of the camera 1 of the above-mentioned first embodiment, the dustproof filter 21 is used.
By applying a periodic voltage to the piezoelectric element 22 provided integrally with the dust-proof filter 21, the dust-proof filter 21 is vibrated, and the vibrations shake off the dust and the like adhering to the surface of the dust-proof filter 21.

The means for removing dust and the like by vibrating the dust-proof filter 21 in this manner can exert a great effect on the dust and the like having a relatively large size. In some cases, the vibration action alone may not be able to reliably remove the smaller size dust and the like adhering to the surface.

Therefore, in the camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention described below, dust and the like adhering to the surface of the dustproof filter 21 is more positively removed to clean the surface of the dustproof filter 21. It is provided with a cleaning means.

FIG. 13, FIG. 14, FIG. 15, and FIG. 16 are views showing a part of the image pickup unit in the camera of the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a part of imaging unit. Further, FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing the dustproof filter receiving member and the dustproof filter among the constituent members of the imaging unit. Then, FIG. 15 is a front view showing a part of the image pickup unit, and FIG.
It is sectional drawing which follows the line.

13 to 15, only the main part of the image pickup unit is shown and the shutter part (14) is not shown, as in the first embodiment.

The structure of this embodiment is basically the same as that of the above-mentioned first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, only parts different from the above-described first embodiment will be described in detail, and the same configurations will be denoted by the same reference numerals used in the first embodiment and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The illustration of the configuration of the entire camera is substantially the same as that of the above-described first embodiment, and therefore is omitted, and FIGS. 1 and 2 used for the description will be referred to.

In the image pickup unit 15 of the camera 1 of the first embodiment described above, the dustproof filter 21 and the dustproof filter receiving member 23 interpose the piezoelectric element 22 by utilizing the biasing force of the pressing member 20 which is an elastic body. It is configured to be joined airtightly.

On the other hand, in the image pickup unit 15C in the camera of this embodiment, the adhesive 31 (see FIGS. 14 and 16) is used instead of the biasing force of the pressing member 20 (elastic body) in the first embodiment. The dust-proof filter 21 and the dust-proof filter receiving member 23C are airtightly joined to each other via the piezoelectric element 22 by utilizing the adhesive force of (1). Therefore, correspondingly, the dustproof filter receiving member 23C has a different form from the dustproof filter receiving member 23C in the above-described first embodiment.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, the dust-proof filter receiving member 23C is formed with a circular or polygonal opening 23Cf near its substantially central portion. The opening 23Cf is set to be large enough to allow the subject light flux that has passed through the photographing optical system (12a) to pass through and illuminate the photoelectric conversion surface of the image pickup device 27 arranged behind. ing.

Further, a wall portion 23Ce projecting to the front surface side is formed in a substantially annular shape at the peripheral portion of the opening 23Cf, and the front end side of the wall portion 23Ce is further projected toward the front surface side. The receiving portion 23Cc is formed in the.
The above points are substantially the same as those of the above-described first embodiment.

On the other hand, the dust-proof filter receiving member 23C.
In the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge portion on the front surface side, a plurality of (three places in the present embodiment) projecting portions 23Ca are formed at predetermined positions so as to project toward the front surface side. This protrusion 23Ca
Serves as a position regulating member for performing positioning when the dust-proof filter 21 is adhesively arranged on the dust-proof filter receiving member 23C.

Further, the dust-proof filter receiving member 23C is provided at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral edge portion so as to project toward the outer edge,
A support base portion 23Ch is formed so as to provide a support shaft 23Cg for supporting the wiper member 53, which is a cleaning means described later, so as to be swingable in a predetermined direction.

The support shaft 23Cg corresponds to the support base portion 23Ch.
Is a shaft-shaped member that is planted integrally with the dust-proof filter receiving member 23C so as to project from the front to the front. The wiper member 53 is attached to the tip of the support shaft 23Cg as shown in FIGS.
It is arranged so as to be swingable in the arrow X direction shown in FIG.

Then, the dust-proof filter receiving member 23.
For C, the dust-proof filter 21 is attached to the front side of the C with the adhesive 31 via the piezoelectric element 22.

In this case, the adhesive 31 is applied in the annular region over the entire area of the wall portion 23Ce of the dust-proof filter receiving member 23C except the receiving portion 23Cc on the front end side. In this state, the dustproof filter 21 is attached from the front side of the dustproof filter receiving member 23C. At this time, if the outer peripheral edge of the dustproof filter 21 is moved along the projection 23Ca in the optical axis direction, the dustproof filter 21 is arranged at a predetermined position of the dustproof filter receiving member 23C. Become. Then, the receiving portion 23Cc is brought into contact with a predetermined position (a portion serving as a node during vibration) of the dustproof filter 21 (actually, the piezoelectric element 22).

Accordingly, the dust-proof filter receiving member 23C is thus provided with an adhesive 3 at the annular region near the peripheral edge of the dust-proof filter 21, that is, at the tip of the wall 23Ce.
1 is configured to be airtightly joined to the dustproof filter 21.

Like the first embodiment, the dustproof filter 21 is provided with an adhesive member 52 as dust collecting means at or near the front surface outer peripheral edge portion on the front surface side, and on the rear surface side. A piezoelectric element 22, which is a vibrating member and an electromechanical conversion element, is arranged at the peripheral edge.

In addition to this, the present embodiment is provided with the wiper member 53 as a cleaning means for removing the dust and the like adhering to the surface of the dustproof filter 21 and cleaning the surface of the dustproof filter 21 as described above. It is composed of.

The wiper member 53 is arranged so as to be swingable in a predetermined direction with respect to the tip of the support shaft 23Cg planted in the support base portion 23Ch of the dustproof filter receiving member 23C as described above. There is. This wiper member 53
The swing arm portion 53a (see FIG. 16) of the dust-proof filter 2 is
The wiper member 53 is arranged so as to come into contact with the front surface 21a of the No. 1 and swings in the direction of arrow X shown in FIGS. It is designed to slide.

Along with this, the adhesive member 52 disposed at or near the outer peripheral edge of the front surface of the dustproof filter 21 is disposed so as to avoid the sliding area of the wiper member 53. Specifically, in FIG. 15, reference numerals L1, L2,
The adhesive member 52 is provided only in the area indicated by L3.
Thereby, the adhesive member 52 is devised so as not to hinder the sliding of the wiper member 53.

The wiper member 53 is used for the drive motor 5
The drive motor 54 is controlled by a wiper drive control unit 55 placed under the control of the CPU 41. Other configurations are similar to those of the above-described first embodiment.

In the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, the CP is set at a predetermined time, as in the first embodiment described above.
U41 controls the dust-proof filter driving unit 48 (see FIG. 2) to apply a periodic voltage to the piezoelectric element 22 to vibrate the dust-proof filter 21.
The dust and the like adhering to the front surface of the dustproof filter 21 will be removed.

The dust and the like removed from the surface of the dust-proof filter 21 in this manner is the adhesive member 52 provided on the front surface outer peripheral edge portion of the dust-proof filter 21 or in the vicinity thereof.
Will be caught and collected by the.

In addition to this, the CPU 41 controls the wiper drive controller 55 (see FIG. 16) at a predetermined time to drive the drive motor 54, thereby causing the wiper member 53 to move.
The predetermined area on the front surface of the dustproof filter 21 is slid. As a result, even the relatively small dust or the like adhering to the surface of the dust-proof filter 21 is removed, so that the surface of the filter 21 becomes even cleaner.

The dust and the like removed from the surface of the dustproof filter 21 by the action of the wiper member 53 is
The dust is captured and collected by the adhesive member 52 provided at or near the outer peripheral portion of the front surface of the dust-proof filter 21.

As described above, most of the dust and the like removed from the front surface of the dustproof filter 21 due to the vibration action of the dustproof filter 21 by the piezoelectric element 22 and the sliding action of the wiper member 53 adheres to the adhesive member 52. Therefore, the front surface of the dustproof filter 21 is kept clean.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition to this, in the present embodiment, by further providing the wiper member 53 which is a cleaning means, most of the dust and the like adhering to the front surface of the dustproof filter 21 can be removed.

In this way, most of the dust and the like removed from the front surface of the dust-proof filter 21 is caught and collected by the adhesive member 52, so that the dust and the like drift in the internal space of the camera body 11. It is also possible to prevent the dust from adhering to the surface of the dust-proof filter 21 or other internal components again.

Next, the image pickup unit in the camera of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 17
18 and 19 are views showing a part of the image pickup unit in the camera of the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a part of the image pickup unit in an assembled state. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the imaging unit. Further, FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part including a cut surface obtained by cutting a part of the image pickup unit, and is a diagram showing respective arrangements of the piezoelectric element and the dust collecting electrode with respect to the dustproof filter.

17 to 18, only the main part of the image pickup unit is shown and the shutter part (14) is not shown, as in the first embodiment.

The structure of this embodiment is basically the same as that of the above-mentioned first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, only parts different from the above-described first embodiment will be described in detail, and the same configurations will be denoted by the same reference numerals used in the first embodiment and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The illustration of the configuration of the entire camera is substantially the same as that of the above-described first embodiment, and therefore is omitted, and FIGS. 1 and 2 used for the description will be referred to.

As the dust collecting means in the image pickup unit 15 of this embodiment, in addition to the adhesive member 52 in the first and second embodiments described above, a needle electrode 57 for charging (ionizing) dust and the like. And a so-called two-stage charging type electrostatic precipitator including a dust collecting electrode 56 that adsorbs and collects charged (ionized) dust and the like, and a drive unit 58 that applies a predetermined voltage to these electrodes 56 and 57. Prepared and configured.

A plurality of needle-shaped electrodes 57 are fixedly installed at predetermined positions of the dustproof filter receiving member 23, and each electrode portion 57a is disposed at the outer peripheral edge portion of the front surface of the dustproof filter 21 or in the vicinity thereof. It is arranged so as to face the electrode 56. A predetermined voltage is applied to the needle electrode 57 by the drive unit 5.
When the voltage is applied using No. 8, corona discharge is generated, and dust and the like in the vicinity are charged (plus (+) charge is given).

As described above, the dust collecting electrode 58 is arranged at the outer peripheral edge portion of the front surface of the dust filter 21 or in the vicinity thereof by a sticking means such as an adhesive (FIG. 19).
reference). Then, the electrode (+) to which a predetermined voltage is applied
And a ground electrode (-) that is installed, and is constituted by a negatively charged plate-shaped member.

Therefore, the dust and the like charged by the action of the needle-shaped electrode 57 has a negative charge.
When it enters into the electric field of 8, it is adsorbed to the dust collecting electrode 58 by the Coulomb force (electrical force amount).

As described above, in the image pickup unit 15 of this embodiment, the piezoelectric element 22 which is a vibrating member for vibrating the dust-proof filter 21 shakes off the dust and the like adhering to the surface of the dust-proof filter 21 and shakes it off. The dust and the like thus generated are charged by the action of the needle electrode 57. Then, the charged dust or the like is adsorbed and collected by the dust collecting electrode 58. Other configurations are substantially the same as those of the above-described first embodiment.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to obtain substantially the same effect as that of the above-mentioned first embodiment. In addition to this, since the electric dust collecting means is provided, the vibration and the like of the dust-proof filter 21 due to the vibration-requiring member (piezoelectric element 22) reliably sucks and supplements the dust and the like shaken off from the front surface. Since they can be collected, the front surface of the dustproof filter 21 can always be kept clean.

The image pickup unit in the camera according to each of the above-described embodiments has a shutter unit (1) as shown in FIG.
Although the unit is configured by a plurality of members including 4), the configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and the imaging unit may be configured in a form in which the shutter portion (14) is omitted, for example. In this case, the shutter unit (14) adopts a so-called lens shutter system in which the shutter unit (14) is arranged inside the lens barrel (12), for example, whereby a camera having exactly the same function can be configured.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the present invention is applied to a camera of a type in which the image pickup optical system is detachably attached to the main body of the camera, that is, a so-called lens interchangeable single-lens reflex camera. Although an example is shown and described in detail, the form of the camera is not limited to this, and the idea of the present invention does not require the form.

[0145]

As described above, according to the present invention, a camera is provided with means for removing dust and the like adhering to the surface of an optical member or the like provided inside the camera. It is possible to prevent dust and the like swept from the surface from adhering again to the surface of the optical member or the like and other internal constituent members, and always maintain a good shooting operation. It is possible to provide a camera and an image pickup device unit capable of obtaining a good shooting result.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an internal configuration of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention by cutting a part of the camera.

FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram schematically showing mainly an electrical configuration of the camera of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a part of an imaging unit of the camera of FIG. 1 taken out, and an exploded perspective view of essential parts showing the imaging unit in a disassembled state.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the camera of FIG. 1 with the imaging unit assembled.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section plane of FIG.

6 is a front view showing only a dustproof filter and a piezoelectric element provided integrally with the dustproof filter in the image pickup unit of the camera shown in FIG. 1;

7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 6, showing changes in the states of the dustproof filter and the piezoelectric element when applied to the piezoelectric element of FIG.

8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 6, showing changes in the states of the dustproof filter and the piezoelectric element when applied to the piezoelectric element of FIG.

9 is a front view showing only a dustproof filter and a piezoelectric element provided integrally with the dustproof filter in the image pickup unit of the camera of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 10 shows another example of state changes of the dustproof filter and the piezoelectric element when applied to the piezoelectric element of FIG.
Sectional drawing which follows the AA line of FIG.

FIG. 11 shows another example of state changes of the dustproof filter and the piezoelectric element when applied to the piezoelectric element of FIG.
Sectional drawing which follows the BB line of FIG.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part including a cut surface of a part of the image pickup unit in the camera of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a part of the image pickup unit in the camera of the second embodiment of the present invention, showing a perspective view of a main part of the image pickup unit in an assembled state.

14 is an exploded perspective view showing a dust-proof filter receiving member and a dust-proof filter among the constituent members of the imaging unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a front view showing a part of the imaging unit shown in FIG.

16 is a sectional view taken along line MM in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a part of the image pickup unit in the camera of the third embodiment of the present invention, which is a perspective view showing a part of the image pickup unit in an assembled state.

18 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the image pickup unit in FIG.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part including a cut surface obtained by cutting a part of the imaging unit in FIG. 17.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Camera 11 ... Camera body 11a ... Shooting lens mounting section 12a ... Shooting optical system (shooting lens) 14 ... Shutter section 15 / 15C ... Imaging element unit 16 ... Main circuit board 16a ... Image Signal processing circuit 16b ... Work memory 17 ... Release button (operating member) 20 ... Pressing member 20 ... Pressing member 21 ... Dust-proof filter (dust-proof member) 22 ... Piezoelectric element (vibrating member) 23.23C ...... Dustproof filter receiving member 23Cg …… Support shaft (wiper member) 23Ch …… Supporting base (wiper member) 24 …… CCD case (image pickup device storage case member) 25 …… Optical low pass filter (optical LPF; Optical element) 26 ... Low-pass filter receiving member 27 ... Imaging element (CCD) 28 ... Imaging element fixing plate 31 ... Adhesive 48 ... Prevention Filter drive part 51 ... Sealed space 51a ... Void part 51b ... Space part 52 ... Adhesive member (dust collecting means) 53 ... Wiper member (cleaning means) 54 ... Drive motor (wiper member) 55 ... ... wiper drive control unit 56 ... dust collecting electrode (electric dust collecting unit) 57 ... needle electrode (electric dust collecting unit) 57a ... electrode unit (needle electrode) 58 ... drive unit (electric dust collecting unit) )

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G03B 17/14 G03B 17/14 // H04N 101: 00 H04N 101: 00 F term (reference) 2H044 AD03 2H083 AA05 2H100 EE06 2H101 EE08 5C022 AA13 AB39 AC42 AC54 AC66 AC78

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup device for obtaining an image signal corresponding to the light radiated on its own photoelectric conversion surface, a photographing lens for making a subject image incident on the photoelectric conversion surface of the image pickup device, and a circular or multi-lens structure as a whole. A dustproof member having a prismatic plate shape and at least a region having a predetermined spread in the radial direction from the center of itself forms a transparent portion, and the transparent portion is opposed to and disposed on the front side of the image pickup device at a predetermined distance. And a vibration-exciting member which is disposed on the peripheral portion of the dustproof member for giving vibrations to the dustproof member, and a portion where both the image pickup device and the dustproof member are formed to face each other and are substantially sealed. An image formed on the photoelectric conversion surface of the image pickup device, and a sealing structure configured to seal the space on the peripheral side of the image pickup device and the dustproof member to form a space. From the image sensor corresponding to An image signal processing circuit for converting the obtained image signal into a signal of a form suitable for recording, and a dust collecting means is arranged at or near the outer peripheral edge of the surface of the dustproof member on the side of the taking lens. A camera that is characterized by what it has done. 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the dust collecting means is an adhesive member. 3. The camera according to claim 2, wherein the adhesive member is an adhesive tape. 4. The dust collecting means is an electric dust collecting means including a needle electrode for ionizing dust and a dust collecting electrode for adsorbing and collecting the ionized dust. The listed camera. 5. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising a photographic lens mounting portion for mounting a photographic lens. 6. An image pickup device that obtains an image signal corresponding to the light irradiated on its own photoelectric conversion surface, an optical member that is arranged opposite to the front face side of the image pickup device with a predetermined gap, Cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the optical member, and a portion of the imaging element and the optical member facing each other to form a substantially sealed space, the imaging element and the optical member A sealing structure configured to seal the space on the peripheral edge side, and the surface outer peripheral edge portion of the surface of the optical member opposite to the surface facing the imaging element or the vicinity thereof. An image pickup device unit, characterized in that dust collecting means is arranged in the. 7. The image pickup device unit according to claim 6, wherein the dust collecting means is an adhesive member. 8. The image pickup device unit according to claim 7, wherein the adhesive member is an adhesive tape. 9. The electric dust collecting means according to claim 6, wherein the dust collecting means is a needle-like electrode for ionizing dust and a dust electrode for adsorbing and collecting the ionized dust. Image sensor unit. 10. The image pickup device unit according to claim 6, wherein the cleaning means is a vibrating member which is arranged at a peripheral portion of the optical member and which vibrates the optical member. 11. The image pickup device unit according to claim 10, wherein the vibrating member is an electromechanical conversion device. 12. The image pickup device unit according to claim 6, wherein the cleaning unit is a wiper member that activates a surface of the optical member.