JP2004258312A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera which can be made thinner with a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: The digital camera 1 is provided with lens groups 51 and 52 stored in a lens barrel 3, and a CCD 42 for receiving light guided through the lens groups 51 and 52 and obtaining the image signal of an object. As for the digital camera 1, when the lens barrel 3 is collapsed, the CCD 42 and a focusing lens 44 are rotated around near a focus motor in accordance with the rotation of the cylindrical cam of the lens barrel 3, then, the CCD 42 and the focusing lens 44 are retreated so as not to face the lens groups 51 and 52. Thus, in a state after the barrel is collapsed, the CCD 42 and the focusing lens 44 are positioned in a lateral direction of the lens groups 51 and 52, then, the digital camera 1 is made thinner. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital camera having a retractable lens barrel.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, demands for thinner digital cameras have been increasing along with higher pixel count and higher zoom, and excellent portability can be obtained with thinner digital cameras. As a method of reducing the thickness of a digital camera, a lens barrel that houses a moving lens group (for example, constituted by a first lens group and a second lens group) is collapsed when not in use (that is, when the power is off). At the same time, it has been conventionally practiced to reduce the distance between each lens of a moving lens group and a focus lens (hereinafter also referred to as a “lens unit”) and to reduce the distance between the lens unit and the CCD.
[0003]
Note that Non-Patent Document 1 introduces a method of moving a part of the lens unit (the second lens group) to the side of the CCD to reduce the thickness of the digital camera.
[0004]
[Non-patent document 1]
Pentax Optio S-Ultra Compact, [online], January 8, 2003, Pentax USA, [Search February 14, 2003], Internet <URL: http: // www. dpreview. com / news / 0301 / 03010801pentaxoptios.com. asp>
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional method, since the thickness of the digital camera is restricted by the thickness of the lens unit and the CCD itself, it is difficult to further reduce the thickness. Although it is conceivable to move a part of the lens unit to the side of the CCD as in Non-Patent Document 1, a complicated moving mechanism is required, which increases the production cost of the digital camera.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to reduce the thickness of a digital camera with a simple structure.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is a digital camera, wherein a movable lens group whose arrangement position is variable along an optical axis, a lens barrel that houses the movable lens group, and light passing through the movable lens group. And a retract mechanism for retracting the imaging device to the side of the movable lens group when the lens barrel is retracted.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the digital camera according to the first aspect, wherein the evacuated imaging device is located in the lens barrel.
[0009]
A third aspect of the present invention is the digital camera according to the second aspect, further comprising a zoom motor for moving the movable lens group in the lens barrel.
[0010]
The invention according to a fourth aspect is the digital camera according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a focus lens between the moving lens group and the imaging device, wherein the retraction mechanism is configured to control the imaging by the retraction mechanism. The focus lens is retracted to the side of the movable lens group together with the device.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 5 is the digital camera according to claim 4, wherein the retraction mechanism rotates the imaging device and the focus lens around a focus motor that drives the focus lens.
[0012]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the digital camera according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the retraction mechanism includes a first contact portion fixed to the lens barrel, and the imaging device. And a second contact portion fixed to the second contact portion, and the first contact portion contacts the second contact portion during the collapse, and the imaging device is retracted.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 7 is the digital camera according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the retraction mechanism is configured to rotate the cylindrical cam of the lens barrel and the cylindrical cam when retracted. A rotation mechanism for rotating the imaging device.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a digital camera 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 1, an image pickup device (for example, a light receiving element is two-dimensionally arranged) is formed by a plurality of lens groups in which light incident from the subject side (that is, the (-Z) direction in FIG. These are arranged CCDs, and are hereinafter referred to as “CCD”), and an image of a subject is acquired.
[0015]
A disk-shaped base member 35 whose main surface faces in the Z direction in FIG. 1 is provided in the housing 2 of the digital camera 1, and a cylindrical portion 34 protruding toward the subject is formed on the outer periphery of the base member 35. Is done. On a subject side of the base member 35, a base plate 41 supported by a CCD support unit described later is disposed. The CCD 42 is fixed to the base plate 41, and a low-pass filter 43 is mounted on the subject side of the CCD 42.
[0016]
Further, the digital camera 1 includes a first lens group 51 and a second lens group 52 in order from the subject side, and the first lens group 51, the second lens group 52, and the CCD 42 are arranged along a predetermined optical axis J1. . A focus lens 44 is provided between the second lens group 52 and the CCD 42. The light incident on the first lens group 51 is guided to the focus lens 44 via the second lens group 52, and the light from the focus lens 44 is guided to the image pickup surface of the CCD 42 via the low-pass filter 43 to be coupled. Imaged. The CCD 42 converts the received light into an electric signal, and a signal indicating an image of the subject is recorded in a memory (not shown) provided in the housing 2.
[0017]
The digital camera 1 further includes a lens barrel 3 that houses the first lens group 51 and the second lens group 52. The lens barrel 3 includes concentric cylindrical lens frames 31, 32, and 33 that are sequentially arranged from the subject side. Have. The lens frames 31 to 33 are supported by the cylindrical portion 34 by inserting a part on the CCD 42 side (that is, in the (+ Z) direction) into the lens frames 32 and 33 and the cylindrical portion 34, respectively. Helical grooves 321, 331, 341 are provided on the inner peripheral surfaces of the lens frames 32, 33 and the cylindrical portion 34, respectively. Projections 312, 322, and 332 are formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the lens frames 31 to 33, and the projections 312, 322, and 332 engage with the grooves 321, 331, and 341, respectively. And the cylindrical portion 34 functions as a cylindrical cam.
[0018]
The lens frame 31 is provided with a closing portion 36 for closing the opening on the subject side, and the first lens group 51 is arranged and supported in the lens frame 31 by the closing portion 36. A lens support portion 37 for supporting the second lens group 52 is provided in the lens frame 32, and a shutter around the subject of the second lens group 52 for blocking light as necessary is provided around the second lens group 52. 53 is attached. Further, a concave portion 371 that opens toward the CCD 42 is provided on the opposite side of the lens support portion 37 from the optical axis J1. A projection 372 facing the inner peripheral surface of the lens frame 32 is formed outside the recess 371, and the projection 372 is engaged with the groove 321 of the lens frame 32.
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state when the digital camera 1 is viewed from the (-Z) side in the (+ Z) direction, and shows only the inside from the cylindrical portion 34 in FIG. Further, FIG. 2 shows a state on the base member 35 with the closing part 36, the lens support part 37, and the shutter 53 shown in FIG. 1 omitted, and the lens groups 51 and 52 are shown by two-dot chain lines. I have.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 2, a columnar rotating member 45 is provided on the base member 35, and is supported on the base member 35 so as to be rotatable around a central axis of the rotating member 45 parallel to the Z axis. Is done. A gear 451 is formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member 45, and a focus motor 46 is mounted on a surface on the subject side (that is, in the (-Z) direction). A focus lens 44 is connected to the focus motor 46 via a feed mechanism (not shown) having a screw, a guide rail, and the like. When the focus motor 46 rotates, the focus lens 44 moves along the optical axis J1. Move (see FIG. 1). Further, a CCD supporting portion 47 connected to the base plate 41 is fixed to the rotating member 45, and the base member 41, the CCD 42, the low-pass filter 43, the focus motor 46, and the focus lens 44 (hereinafter, referred to as the rotating member 45). , And “imaging unit”) are integrally rotated about the rotation member 45.
[0021]
On the base member 35, there is further provided a zoom motor 38 to which a zoom reduction gear 381 is connected. The zoom reduction gear 381 is a gear (not shown) formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of the lens frames 32 and 33. Engaged. When the zoom motor 38 rotates, the lens frames 32 and 33 rotate according to the relationship with the zoom reduction gear 381, respectively, and together with the lens frames 31 to 33 and the lens support 37, the lens groups 51 and 52 move in the Z direction. (See FIG. 1). A gear 333 that engages with a gear 451 of the rotating member 45 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the lens frame 33 when the lens barrel 3 described below is retracted.
[0022]
In the digital camera 1, a CCD 42, a shutter 53, a zoom motor 38, and a focus motor 46 are connected to a control unit (not shown), and each component of the digital camera 1 is controlled according to an operation by an operator. For example, when a zoom operation is performed by the operator, the zoom motor 38 is controlled, the lens groups 51 and 52 move along the optical axis J1, and the magnification of the digital camera 1 is changed. The focus motor 46 is controlled according to the disposition of the lens groups 51 and 52 after the movement, and the focus lens 44 moves. As a result, the light passing through the lens groups 51 and 52 is appropriately guided on the imaging surface of the CCD 42 via the focus lens 44, and an image of the scaled subject is obtained.
[0023]
In the digital camera 1, when the imaging is completed, the lens barrel 3 is collapsed by the operation of the operator. Specifically, the rotational drive of the focus motor 46 and the zoom motor 38 is controlled, respectively, and the focus lens 44 shown in FIG. 1 moves to the CCD 42 side, and the lens frames 31 to 33 and the lens support portion 37 move to the base member 35 side. Gradually approaching. At this time, depending on the shapes of the grooves of the cylindrical cam of the lens barrel 3 (that is, the grooves 321, 331, and 341 of the lens barrels 32 and 33 and the cylindrical portion 34), the closing portion 36 comes close to the lens support portion 37 before the closing portion. The lens 36 and the lens supporting portion 37 move to the base member 35 side substantially integrally.
[0024]
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining how the imaging unit rotates. In the digital camera 1, when the lens frame 33 approaches a predetermined distance with respect to the base member 35, the gear 333 of the lens frame 33 and the gear 451 of the rotating member 45 come into contact with and engage with each other. The rotating member 45 rotates according to the moving operation. As a result, the imaging unit rotates about the rotation member 45, and the CCD 42 and the focus lens 44 are gradually separated from the optical axis J1 and, as shown in FIG. 3, are retracted from a position facing the lens groups 51 and 52. State. Then, the gear 333 and the gear 451 separate from each other, and the rotation of the rotation member 45 stops. When the lens frames 31 to 33 and the lens support portion 37 are further moved into the cylindrical portion 34 (see FIG. 1), the rotation of the zoom motor 38 is stopped, the rotation of the lens frames 32 and 33 is stopped, and the collapsing operation ends. I do.
[0025]
FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the digital camera 1 after collapse. As shown in FIG. 4, the CCD 42 and the focus lens 44 after being collapsed are arranged at positions facing the concave portion 371 of the lens support portion 37 and housed in the concave portion 371. Further, the lens groups 51 and 52 come close to the vicinity of the base member 35. Thus, in the digital camera 1, the lens barrel 3 is stored in the housing 2 with the CCD 42 and the focus lens 44 positioned on the sides of the lens groups 51 and 52.
[0026]
As described above, in the digital camera 1 of FIG. 1, when the lens barrel 3 is retracted, the CCD 42 and the focus lens 44 are moved to the side of the lens groups 51 and 52 by the rotation mechanism constituted by the lens frame 33 and the rotation member 45. Be evacuated. In general, in a digital camera, members such as the focus lens 44 and the low-pass filter 43 are provided near the subject side of the imaging device. Therefore, a relatively large space for accommodating these members is required near the imaging device when retracted. It is said. However, in the digital camera 1 of FIG. 1, when the lens barrel 3 is retracted, the CCD 42, the low-pass filter 43, and the focus lens 44 are retracted to the side of the lens groups 51 and 52, and are arranged in series with the lens groups 51 and 52. Therefore, the thickness of the digital camera 1 can be easily reduced.
[0027]
Further, the CCD 42 and the focus lens 44 rotate around the focus motor 46 by the rotation of the cylindrical cam of the lens barrel 3, and the position after the rotation (that is, after the retracting) is also within the lens barrel 3. At the same time, since the zoom motor 38 for moving the lens groups 51 and 52 is also arranged in the lens barrel 3, a simple structure can be achieved while effectively utilizing the space in the lens barrel 3 of the digital camera 1, and the digital camera 1 has a low structure. It is possible to reduce the thickness of the digital camera 1 at a manufacturing cost.
[0028]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the digital camera 1 and corresponds to FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 of the digital camera 1 described above. In the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 5, an auxiliary member 452 having a fan-shaped cross section is provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member 45 as compared with the digital camera 1 shown in FIGS. An auxiliary pin 361 projecting toward the CCD 42 is formed (see FIG. 1), and the gear 333 of the lens frame 33 and the gear 451 of the rotating member 45 are omitted. Other configurations are the same and are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0029]
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the shape of the auxiliary member 452. As shown in FIG. 6, the auxiliary member 452 has an inclined surface 452a on the surface on the subject side (that is, the surface facing the (-Z) direction in FIG. 6), and the auxiliary pin 361 faces the inclined surface 452a. Placed in the position.
[0030]
In the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 5, the tip of the auxiliary pin 361 contacts the inclined surface 452a of the auxiliary member 452 when the lens barrel 3 is retracted. Specifically, similarly to the digital camera 1 of FIG. 1, each groove is formed such that the closing portion 36 and the lens supporting portion 37 approach the base member 35 substantially integrally after the closing portion 36 approaches the lens supporting portion 37. 321, 331, 341 are formed, and when the closing portion 36 approaches the base member 35 to a predetermined distance, the tip of the auxiliary pin 361 comes into contact with the inclined surface 452 a.
[0031]
When the closing portion 36 comes closer to the base member 35, the auxiliary pin 361 generates a rotational force with respect to the auxiliary member 452, and the imaging unit rotates together with the rotating member 45. At this time, lubricating grease or the like is applied to the inclined surface 452a, and the rotating member 45 rotates smoothly. Then, when the lens barrels 31 to 33 and the lens support portion 37 are housed in the cylindrical portion 34 and stop moving, the rotation of the rotating member 45 stops, and the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. The CCD 42 and the focus lens 44 are retracted from the position facing the lens groups 51 and 52.
[0032]
As described above, in the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 5, the retracting mechanism including the auxiliary pin 361 fixed to the lens barrel 3 and the auxiliary member 452 fixed to the CCD 42 causes the lens barrel 3 to be collapsed. At this time, the CCD 42 and the focus lens 44 rotate around the focus motor 46. As a result, the CCD 42 and the focus lens 44 can be easily retracted to the sides of the lens groups 51 and 52, and the thickness of the digital camera 1 can be reduced.
[0033]
FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a digital camera 1a according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a view of the base member 35 in FIG. 7 viewed from the (-Z) side in the (+ Z) direction. FIG.
[0034]
In the digital camera 1a, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a rotating shaft 49 extending in the X-axis direction is supported by the housing 2 on the side opposite to the subject side of the base member 35 (that is, in the (+ Z) direction). Provided. The base plate 41 is supported by a CCD support 47a, and a focus motor 46, a focus lens 44, and a feed mechanism of the focus lens 44 are further fixed to the CCD support 47a via a support plate (not shown). The CCD support portion 47a is rotatably supported by the rotation shaft 49 about the rotation shaft 49, and a plate-shaped auxiliary member 453 protruding in the (-X) direction is provided at an end of the CCD support portion 47a. .
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 7, a flexible printed circuit (hereinafter, referred to as “FPC”) 421 having a sheet shape is connected to the CCD 42, whereby the CCD 42 is connected to another part of the digital camera 1 a. Electrically connected to the configuration. An auxiliary pin 361 protruding toward the CCD 42 is provided in the closing portion 36. Other configurations of the digital camera 1a are the same as those of the digital camera 1 according to the first embodiment, and are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0036]
In the digital camera 1a, when the lens barrel 3 is collapsed, the auxiliary pin 361 comes into contact with the auxiliary member 453 by the movement of the closing portion 36, as in the digital camera 1 shown in FIGS. It rotates around 49. Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the imaging unit rotates around the rotation shaft 49, and the CCD 42 and the focus lens 44 are turned to the (-Y) direction. Then, the lens barrel 3 is stored in the cylindrical portion 34, and the CCD 42 and the focus lens 44 are stored in the concave portion 371 of the lens support 37. At this time, the FPC 421 connected to the CCD 42 flexes appropriately, so that the imaging unit can rotate smoothly.
[0037]
As described above, in the digital camera 1a according to the second embodiment, the rotation shaft 49 for rotating the CCD 42 and the focus lens 44 is provided, and the auxiliary pin 361 fixed to the lens barrel 3 at the time of collapsing is used. By contacting the auxiliary member 453 fixed to the focus lens 44, the CCD 42 and the focus lens 44 rotate around the rotation shaft 49. As a result, in the digital camera 1a, the CCD 42 and the focus lens 44 are retracted beside the lens groups 51 and 52, and the digital camera 1a can be easily made thinner with a simple structure.
[0038]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible.
[0039]
In the first embodiment, the CCD 42 and the focus lens 44 do not necessarily need to rotate around the focus motor 46 when retracted, but the digital camera 1 can rotate around the focus motor 46 by focusing. This is preferable because the structure can be simplified.
[0040]
Further, in the above embodiment, the auxiliary pin 361 is provided on the closing portion 36, but the auxiliary pin 361 may be provided on the lens support portion 37, for example.
[0041]
The lens barrel does not necessarily need to be configured by three lens frames, and the configuration of the lens group is not limited to the above embodiment. That is, the lens barrel and the lens group may be appropriately changed as needed.
[0042]
The zoom motor 38, the retracted CCD 42, and the focus lens 44 may be located outside the lens barrel 3. However, positioning them inside the lens barrel 3 is preferable because a digital camera can be easily designed.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, the digital camera can be easily reduced in thickness.
[0044]
Further, according to the second, third and fifth to seventh aspects, the structure of the digital camera can be simplified.
[0045]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a digital camera having a focus lens can be reduced in thickness.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a digital camera according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an upper side of a base member.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining how the imaging unit rotates.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the digital camera after the lens barrel is collapsed.
FIG. 5 is a view showing another example on the base member.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining the shape of an auxiliary member.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a digital camera according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a view showing the upper part of the base member.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the digital camera after the lens barrel is collapsed.
FIG. 10 is a view showing the base member after the lens barrel is collapsed.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 1a Digital camera 3 Lens barrel 31, 32, 33 Lens frame 38 Zoom motor 42 CCD
44 Focus lens 45 Rotating member 46 Focus motor 49 Rotating shaft 51, 52 Lens group 312, 322, 332, 372 Projecting portion 321, 331, 341 Groove 333, 451 Gear 361 Auxiliary pin 452, 453 Auxiliary member J1 Optical axis

Claims (7)

A digital camera,
A movable lens group whose arrangement position is variable along the optical axis;
A lens barrel that houses the moving lens group,
An imaging device that receives light passing through the moving lens group and generates an image signal of a subject;
A retracting mechanism that retracts the imaging device to the side of the movable lens group when the lens barrel is collapsed,
A digital camera comprising: The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein
A digital camera, wherein the image pickup device after being evacuated is located in the lens barrel. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein
A digital camera further comprising a zoom motor for moving the moving lens group in the lens barrel. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein:
Further comprising a focus lens between the moving lens group and the imaging device,
A digital camera, wherein the retraction mechanism retreats the focus lens to a side of the movable lens group together with the imaging device. The digital camera according to claim 4, wherein
A digital camera, wherein the retracting mechanism rotates the imaging device and the focus lens around a focus motor that drives the focus lens. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein:
The evacuation mechanism is
A first contact portion fixed to the lens barrel,
A second contact portion fixed to the imaging device;
Has,
A digital camera, wherein the first contact portion contacts the second contact portion during retracting, and the imaging device retracts. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein:
The evacuation mechanism is
A cylindrical cam of the barrel,
A rotating mechanism for rotating the imaging device by rotating the cylindrical cam during collapsing,
A digital camera comprising:

Images