JP2004166073A - Miniature camera module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a configuration for changing the range of a field of view, using a simple construction for a miniature camera module. <P>SOLUTION: A miniature camera 30 and a field of view changing mechanism 50 are provided. The field of view changing mechanism 50 consists of a spherical cam 52 with on an "8"- shape groove 53, and a motor 70 which rotates the spherical cam 52. If the spherical cam 52 rotates and moves, tilting of a cam follower 60 on the lower surface of a base plate 31 is changed, the base plate 31 is inclined, and the orientation of the miniature camera 30 is changed at each base plate 31. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a small camera module, and more particularly to a small camera module mounted on an electronic device, an automobile, and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 9 shows a conventional small camera module 1. This small camera module 1 has a configuration in which a CCD solid-state imaging device 3 is mounted on a circuit board 2 and a lens unit 4 is mounted on the same circuit board 2.
[0003]
The small camera module 1 is assembled by mounting the circuit board 2 on a fixed frame 11 such as an electronic device and an automobile 10.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For this reason, the orientation of the optical axis 5 of the small camera module 1 with respect to the electronic device, the vehicle 10 and the like in a state where the small camera module 1 is incorporated in the electronic device and the vehicle 10 and the like cannot be changed.
[0005]
For this reason, when the small camera module 1 is used as a surveillance camera, the range where images can be taken is narrowed, and the surveillance function may not be sufficient.
[0006]
In addition, when performing panning, the operator needs to change the direction of the electronic device held by the operator, and the photographing operation may be complicated.
[0007]
Then, an object of the present invention is to provide a small camera module which solved the above-mentioned subject.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is a small camera having a configuration in which a solid-state imaging device is fixed on a base plate and a lens unit is fixed on the base plate.
By tilting the base plate of the miniature camera, the optical axis of the miniature camera is deflected to change the range of the field of view captured by the miniature camera.
[0009]
Since the optical axis of the small camera can be swung, the range of the field of view that the small camera can capture can be increased while the electronic device or the like to which the small camera module is attached is fixed. It is especially effective for monitoring. In addition, since the small camera changes its direction by tilting its base plate, the position of the objective lens and the solid-state image sensor is compared to a configuration in which the objective lens is moved to change the range of the field of view. The relationship does not change, so that even if the range of the field of view is changed, the quality of the obtained image does not deteriorate at all.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the small camera module according to the first aspect,
The visual field range changing mechanism,
The camera comprises a cam mechanism for supporting the center of the lower surface of the base plate of the small camera and tilting the base plate.
[0011]
The viewing range changing mechanism can be realized with a simple structure.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the small camera module according to the second aspect,
The cam mechanism,
A spherical cam with a cam groove whose position and depth change,
A cam follower projecting from the lower surface of the base plate and fitted in the cam groove of the spherical cam;
A tension coil spring that pulls the four corners of the base plate toward the spherical cam;
The motor is configured to rotate the spherical cam.
[0013]
Since the shape of the cam is spherical and the position and depth of the cam groove change, it is possible to relatively easily perform the desired tilting operation of the base plate as compared with the case where a cylindrical cam is used. Becomes possible.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the small camera module according to the third aspect,
The cam groove of the spherical cam has such a configuration that the shape when expanded is the shape of numeral 8.
[0015]
Since the shape of the cam groove is 8, the relationship between the rotation angle of the spherical cam and the direction and angle of inclination of the optical axis of the small camera is regular, and it is easy to control the small camera in a predetermined direction. .
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a small camera module 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The miniature camera module 20 includes a miniature camera 30 and a field-of-view changing mechanism 50. The field-of-view changing mechanism 50 is arranged below the miniature camera 30 and has a relationship of supporting the miniature camera 30. In the small camera module 20, the base 51 is fixed to the fixed frame 11A, and the small camera module 20 is used by being incorporated in an electronic device, a car 10A, and the like. X1-X2 and Y1-Y2 are directions orthogonal to a plane parallel to the plane of the fixed frame 11A, and Z1-Z2 is a height direction perpendicular to this plane.
[0017]
The small camera 30 has a configuration in which a CCD solid-state imaging device 32 is mounted on a base plate 31 and a lens unit 33 is mounted on the base plate 31. Reference numeral 35 denotes an optical axis of the small camera 30. The lens unit 33 has a configuration in which a liquid crystal shutter 37, an objective film lens 38, and an objective lens 39 are incorporated in the cylindrical portion 36 in order from the Z1 side. The liquid crystal shutter 37 is a shutter using a liquid crystal plate. Although not shown, the objective film lens 38 and the objective lens 39 are configured to move relatively in the Z1-Z2 direction, and the lens unit 33 also has a telephoto function.
[0018]
The view changing mechanism 50 is configured to change the view range by tilting the base plate 31 of the small camera 30 to swing the optical axis 35 of the small camera 30 in the X1-X2 and Y1-Y2 directions. The visual field changing mechanism 50 includes a base 51, a spherical cam 52, a micro motor 70, four tension coil springs 71 to 74, a CPU 80, a memory 81, a servo IC 82, and a setting switch 83. Have.
[0019]
The spherical cam 52 has a predetermined cam groove, is fixed to the shaft 70a of the motor 70, and is turned around the X1-X2 axis. The spherical cam 52 supports the center of the square base plate 31. The tension coil springs 71 to 74 are stretched between the corners of the square base plate 31 and the base 51, and the base plate 31 has a cam follower at the center on the lower surface thereof fitted in the cam groove, and The center is supported by the spherical cam 52 and is horizontally supported by the balanced spring force of the tension coil springs 71 to 74.
[0020]
A cam groove 53 is formed in the spherical cam 52 so as to extend in the Y1-Y2 direction. 2A to 2G are projection views of the spherical cam 52, and FIGS. 3A to 3E are cross-sectional views of the spherical cam 52 of FIG. 2A. When the cam groove 53 is deployed, as shown in FIG. 4A, the cam groove 53 returns to the original position (1) through the position (2), the position (3) and the position (8) as shown in FIG. The groove is an endless groove having the shape of "" and the depth of the groove is gradually changing. The cam groove 53 has an S-shaped cam groove portion 54 having a wide width W1 extending from position (3) → position (2) → position (1) → position (8) → position (7), and position (3) → The position (4) → position (5) → position (6) → position (7) has a shape in which an inverted S-shaped cam groove portion 56 having a narrow width W2 is combined.
[0021]
As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4E, when viewed in the depth direction, the cam groove 53 is inclined at angles αX1 and αX2 in the X1 direction or the X2 direction according to its position. The inclination angles of the angles αX1 and αX2 change depending on the position.
FIG. 5B shows a bottom surface 55 of the S-shaped cam groove portion 54, and FIG. 5C shows a bottom surface 57 of the inverted S-shaped cam groove portion 56. Reference numeral 58 denotes the surface of the spherical cam 52. The cam grooves 54 and 56 change so that the intersections (1) and (5) are the shallowest dmin and the end positions (3) and (7) are the deepest dmax. , The bottom surfaces 55 and 57 are inclined at angles βY1 and βY2 with respect to the surface 58 of the spherical cam 52. The inclination angles of the angles βY1 and βY2 change depending on the position.
[0022]
The S-shaped cam groove 54 and the inverted S-shaped cam groove 56 intersect as shown in FIG.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the cam follower 60 at the center of the lower surface of the base plate 31 has a length A corresponding to the width W1 of the S-shaped cam groove portion 54 corresponding to the cam groove 53. , And a length B corresponding to the width W2 of the inverted S-shaped cam groove portion 56 has a rectangular prism shape in cross section. The lower end surface 61 is a flat surface. The cam follower 60 is fitted in the cam groove 53, the posture is forcibly determined by the side wall surfaces 53 a and 53 b on both sides thereof, and the lower end surface 61 is in contact with the bottom surfaces 55 and 57.
[0024]
The cam follower 60 fitted in the cam groove 53 is forcibly inclined by the angles αX1 and αX2 in the X1 direction or the X2 direction by the side wall surfaces 53a and 53b on both sides of the cam groove 53, and the lower end surface 61 has the bottom surface 57, By following 58, the angles βY1 and βY2 are inclined in the Y1 direction or the Y2 direction. The tilting operation in the X1 direction or the X2 direction is performed by contracting one of the tension coil springs 71 and 73 or the tension coil springs 72 and 74 and extending the other. The inclination in the Y1 direction or the Y2 direction is performed by contracting one of the tension coil springs 71 and 72 or the tension coil springs 73 and 74 and extending the other.
[0025]
That is, the shift amount ΔX of the cam groove 53 in the X1 and X2 directions from the Y1-Y2 line passing through the position (1) in FIG. 4A causes the cam follower 60 to incline in the X1 and X2 directions. The change in the depth causes the cam follower 60 to incline in the Y1 and Y2 directions.
[0026]
Here, it is assumed that the spherical cam 52 is stopped in a state where the position (1) is located at the vertex. The cam follower 60 is in the state shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, and the optical axis 35 of the small camera 30 faces the Z1 direction as shown in FIG. 8A.
[0027]
When the motor 70 is driven to rotate the spherical cam 52 in the direction of the arrow C1 or C2, the cam follower 60 is guided by the cam groove 53, and is gradually inclined in the X1-X2 direction and gradually in the Y1-Y2 direction. It is inclined to.
[0028]
When the spherical cam 52 is rotated 90 degrees in the direction of the arrow C1, the S-shaped cam groove portion 54 guides the cam follower 60, and the portion of the cam groove 53 at the position (2) guides the cam follower 60. 6C and 6D, the optical axis 35 of the small camera 30 is inclined in the X2 direction and the Y1 direction as shown in FIG. 8B.
[0029]
When the spherical cam 52 is further rotated by 90 degrees, the position (3) of the cam groove 53 guides the cam follower 60, and the cam follower 60 recovers the inclination as shown in FIGS. 6 (E) and (F). Then, the optical axis 35 of the small camera 30 is oriented in the Z1 direction as shown in FIG.
[0030]
At this time, the motor 70 is reversed. When the motor 70 is rotated in the reverse direction and rotated in the direction of the arrow C <b> 2, the inverted S-shaped cam groove 56 guides the cam follower 60 instead of the S-shaped cam groove 54. When rotated by 90 degrees, the portion of the cam groove 53 at position (4) guides the cam follower 60, and the cam follower 60 is tilted as shown in FIGS. The shaft 35 is inclined in the X2 direction and the Y1 direction as shown in FIG.
[0031]
When the spherical cam 52 is further rotated by 90 degrees, the position (5) of the cam groove 53 guides the cam follower 60, and the cam follower 60 recovers the inclination as shown in FIGS. 7 (A) and 7 (B). Then, the optical axis 35 of the small camera 30 is oriented in the Z1 direction as shown in FIG. Also, the cam follower 60 crosses the S-shaped cam groove 54 as shown in FIG.
[0032]
When the motor 70 is further rotated by 90 degrees, the portion of the cam groove 53 at position (6) guides the cam follower 60, and the cam follower 60 is inclined as shown in FIGS. The optical axis 35 of the camera 30 is inclined in the X2 direction and the Y2 direction as shown in FIG.
[0033]
When the motor 70 is further rotated by 90 degrees, the position (7) of the cam groove 53 guides the cam follower 60, and the inclination of the cam follower 60 is restored as shown in FIGS. 7 (E) and 7 (F). The optical axis 35 of the small camera 30 is oriented in the Z1 direction as shown in FIG.
[0034]
At this time, the motor 70 is reversed. When the motor 70 is rotated in the reverse direction and rotated in the direction of the arrow C <b> 1, the S-shaped cam groove 54 instead of the inverted S-shaped cam groove 56 guides the cam follower 60. When rotated by 90 degrees, the portion of the cam groove 53 at the position (8) guides the cam follower 60, and the cam follower 60 is tilted as shown in FIGS. The shaft 35 is inclined in the X1 direction and the Y2 direction as shown in FIG.
[0035]
When the motor 70 is further rotated by 90 degrees, the first portion (1) of the cam groove 53 guides the cam follower 60, and the cam follower 60 is inclined as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Thus, the optical axis 35 of the small camera 30 is oriented in the Z1 direction as shown in FIG.
[0036]
Accordingly, the motor 70 is driven to rotate the spherical cam 52 in the direction of the arrow C1 or C2 within an angle range of about 180 degrees, respectively, so that the base plate 31 is appropriately tilted. As shown by the dashed line, the camera is swung in any direction and directed in any direction, and the range of the field of view captured by the small camera 30 is changed.
[0037]
The data indicating the relationship between the rotational position of the spherical cam 52 and the direction in which the small camera 30 faces is stored in the memory 81 in FIG. Accordingly, the motor 70 is driven by the servo IC 82 to rotate the spherical cam 52, and the small camera 30 turns in the commanded direction.
[0038]
Here, the cam groove 53 has a shape of “8” when expanded, and is symmetric with respect to the line Y1-Y2 passing through the position (1) in FIG. Because of the symmetry, the relationship between the rotation angle of the spherical cam 52 and the direction and angle of inclination of the optical axis 35 of the small camera 32 becomes regular, and it is easy to control the small camera in a predetermined direction.
[0039]
Since the direction of the small camera 30 can be changed by appropriately tilting the base plate 31, the objective lens 39 and the CCD solid-state image sensor 32 are compared with a configuration in which the objective lens is moved to change the range of the visual field. Does not change, so that even if the range of the field of view is changed, the quality of the obtained image does not deteriorate at all.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a small-sized camera having a configuration in which a solid-state imaging device is fixed on a base plate and a lens unit is fixed on the base plate, and a small-sized camera is formed by tilting the base plate of the small-sized camera. Since the optical axis of the camera is shifted to change the range of the field of view captured by the small camera, a small-sized camera module is attached by swinging the optical axis of the small camera. It is possible to widen the range of the field of view captured by the small camera while the electronic device and the like are fixed, and this is particularly effective when used for monitoring. In addition, since the small camera changes its direction by tilting its base plate, the position of the objective lens and the solid-state image sensor is compared to a configuration in which the objective lens is moved to change the range of the field of view. The relationship does not change, so that even if the range of the field of view is changed, the quality of the obtained image can be prevented from degrading at all.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a small camera module according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a spherical cam.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a cross section of each part in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the shape and structure of a cam groove of a spherical cam.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a portion where the cam grooves of the spherical cam intersect together with a cam follower.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a change in inclination of a cam follower when a spherical cam is rotated.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a change in inclination of a cam follower when a spherical cam is rotated.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a change in the inclination of the optical axis of the small camera when the spherical cam is rotated.
FIG. 9 is a view showing a conventional small camera module.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 20 small camera module 30 small camera 31 base plate 32 CCD solid-state imaging device 33 lens unit 35 optical axis 36 cylinder 37 liquid crystal shutter 38 objective film lens 39 objective lens 50 field-of-view changing mechanism 51 base 52 spherical cam 53 cam grooves 53a, 53b Side wall surface 54 S-shaped cam groove portions 55 and 57 Bottom surface 56 Reverse S-shaped cam groove portion 60 Cam follower 70 Motors 71 to 74 Tension coil spring

Claims (4)

A small camera having a configuration in which a solid-state imaging device is fixed on a base plate and a lens unit is fixed on the base plate;
A small camera module, characterized by comprising a view range changing mechanism for changing the range of the field of view captured by the small camera by tilting the optical axis of the small camera by tilting the base plate of the small camera. The small camera module according to claim 1,
The visual field range changing mechanism,
A small camera module comprising a cam mechanism for supporting a central portion of a lower surface of a base plate of the small camera and tilting the base plate. The small camera module according to claim 2,
The cam mechanism,
A spherical cam with a cam groove whose position and depth change,
A cam follower projecting from the lower surface of the base plate and fitted in the cam groove of the spherical cam;
A tension coil spring that pulls the four corners of the base plate toward the spherical cam;
A small camera module comprising a motor for rotating the spherical cam. The small camera module according to claim 3,
A small camera module, wherein the cam groove of the spherical cam is configured to have the shape of numeral 8 when unfolded.

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