JP2005062315A - Camera unit and lens unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a camera unit and a lens unit suitable to a small-sized digital camera in which a plurality of lenses and a shutter unit can precisely and compactly be incorporated. <P>SOLUTION: The camera unit is equipped with a CCD 2, the plurality of lenses 3, 4, 5 which are arranged closely on an optical axis, a shutter unit 10 which is disposed between the lenses 3 and 4, and a lens frame 20 composed of one member holding the lenses 3, 4, 5. The shutter unit 10 is inserted into an opening part 25 of the lens frame 20 and held. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera unit and a lens unit, and more particularly to a small digital camera unit and a lens unit used therefor.

  In recent years, digital cameras have been rapidly reduced in size and increased in pixel count. Especially in camera units incorporated in mobile phones, there has been an unprecedented size reduction and an increase in pixel count of about 2 megapixels (2 million pixels). Has been achieved.

  With the downsizing of the camera unit, the outer diameter of the lens is also reduced, the sensitivity difference due to lens assembly errors and the like is increased, and high precision is required for the lens frame that holds the lens.

  On the other hand, there are an interlace method and a progressive method as a CCD data transfer method used as a photoelectric conversion element in a digital camera. In the interlace method, a mechanical shutter is necessary to align the exposure time. Also, in the progressive method, a shutter is necessary to prevent smear when a high pixel / high-end model is used.

  Conventionally, as a configuration for holding a plurality of lenses and shutter blades, as described in Patent Document 1, a holding member (ball frame) that holds each lens is divided into two members, and a shutter blade is provided between them. Has been proposed.

However, in this configuration, since the ball frame is divided, it is difficult to assemble the lens with high accuracy for holding the lens, and it is difficult to achieve downsizing.
JP-A-5-346526

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera unit and a lens unit that are optimal for a small digital camera in which a plurality of lenses and a shutter unit can be accurately and compactly incorporated.

  In order to achieve the above object, a lens unit according to the present invention includes a plurality of lenses disposed close to each other on an optical axis, a shutter unit positioned between the plurality of lenses, and the plurality of lenses. And a ball frame made of a single member having an opening for inserting the shutter unit.

  In the lens unit having the above configuration, a plurality of lenses are held in a lens frame made of one member and a shutter unit is installed in an opening formed in the lens frame. There is no need to assemble, the positional accuracy of each lens is increased, the mounting accuracy of the shutter unit is improved, and the lens unit can be configured compactly as a whole.

  In the lens unit according to the present invention, the lens frame may have a positioning portion for positioning the shutter unit inserted in the opening. The shutter unit can be positioned with a simple configuration. In particular, it is preferable to have a positioning portion for the insertion position of the shutter unit.

  Furthermore, a positioning portion that contacts the positioning surface of the ball frame may be provided on the outer peripheral edge of at least one of the plurality of lenses. On the contrary, the lens frame may be provided with a positioning portion that contacts the positioning surface of the outer peripheral edge of at least one of the plurality of lenses. By providing a positioning surface / positioning portion for each of the lens frame and the lens, it is possible to hold the lens with its optical axis position on the lens frame with high accuracy.

  The positioning portion is preferably composed of three protrusions from the viewpoint of stability. In this case, it is more preferable that the three protrusions are provided at an interval of approximately 120 ° with the optical axis of the lens as the center. The positioning portion may be composed of one linear protrusion and one circular small protrusion.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the opening of the ball frame is provided between the protrusions. The shutter unit can be provided without hindering the positioning of the lens.

  The camera unit according to the present invention includes a plurality of lenses arranged close to each other on an optical axis, a shutter unit positioned between the plurality of lenses, and the shutter unit while holding the plurality of lenses. A ball frame made of a single member having an opening for inserting a lens, and a photoelectric conversion unit that receives an image transmitted through the plurality of lenses and converts the image into an electric signal.

  In the camera unit having the above configuration, a plurality of lenses are held in a lens frame made of one member and a shutter unit is installed in an opening formed in the lens frame. There is no need to assemble, the positional accuracy of each lens is increased, the mounting accuracy of the shutter unit is also improved, and the camera unit can be configured compactly as a whole.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a camera unit and a lens unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 and 2 show an embodiment of a camera unit according to the present invention. This camera unit 1 is configured as a digital camera unit of a cellular phone provided with a CCD 2 as a photoelectric conversion element, and roughly includes lenses 3, 4, 5 and a shutter unit 10 positioned between the lenses 3, 4. , A ball frame 20 and a housing 30.

  Note that the function of the CCD 2 and the imaging function of the camera unit 1 using the CCD 2 are well known, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The lenses 3, 4, and 5 are arranged close to each other with their optical axes aligned with the optical axis C. The ball frame 20 is an integrally molded product made of resin. The lens 3 is positioned and held in the recess 21, and the lens 4 is positioned and held on the positioning surface 22 and the inner peripheral surface 23. The lens 5 is positioned and held on the inner peripheral surface 23 of the ball frame 20 and the outer peripheral end surface of the lens 4. The ball frame 20 is formed with an opening 25 for inserting the shutter unit 10 from the upper surface to the bottom.

  The lens frame 20 is movable with respect to the housing 30 on the optical axis C integrally with the lenses 3, 4, 5 and the shutter unit 10 for switching to a macro and adjusting the focus.

  2 is a front view of the camera unit 1, but the housing 30 is omitted. The housing 30 functions as a housing for holding the lens frame 20 and incorporating the camera unit 1 into a mobile phone.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the shutter unit 10 includes a shutter blade 11, a guide member 12, and a driving voice coil 13. The shutter blade 11 is inserted into the slit 12a of the guide member 12 so as to be movable up and down. The voice coil 13 is for reciprocating the shutter blade 11 in the vertical direction with a small stroke. When the voice coil 13 is in an off-state body, the aperture 11a of the shutter blade 11 coincides with the aperture 12b of the guide member 12, and the apertures 11a and 12b are located on the optical axis C. When the voice coil 13 is turned on, the lower portion 11b of the shutter blade 11 is positioned on the optical axis C and shields the CCD 2.

  The camera unit configured as described above has a simple configuration in which the ball frame 20 is manufactured with a single member, and a plurality of lenses 3, 4, and 5 are held on the ball frame 20. , 5 is improved. Further, since the shutter unit 10 is located between the lenses 3 and 4 and is attached to the opening 25 of the lens frame 20, the shutter unit 10 is installed in a compact manner, and attachment accuracy is improved.

  Further, the front and rear surfaces and the left and right side surfaces of the guide member 12 of the shutter unit 10 are positioned by the opening portion of the lens frame 20, and in particular, the lower end is positioned by the step portion 24 of the lens frame 20. In positioning the shutter unit 10, the lower end position of the guide member 12 that determines the moving stroke of the shutter blade 11 is important. By positioning the lower end position with the stepped portion 24 of the ball frame 20, the positional accuracy of the shutter unit 10 (shutter blade 11) is improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, three substantially microspherical projections 4a are formed on the outer peripheral edge of the lens 4 as shown in FIG. The minute protrusions 4a abut on the positioning surface 22 of the ball frame 20, and align the optical axis of the lens 4 (and hence the optical axis of the lens 5) with the optical axis C with high accuracy. It is preferable from the viewpoint of stability that three microprojections 4a are provided at equal intervals of 120 ° around the optical axis C.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, for positioning the lens 4, one linear protrusion 4 b and one substantially hemispherical minute protrusion 4 a are formed at a position opposite to the outer peripheral edge of the lens at 180 °. These may be brought into contact with the positioning surface 22 of the ball frame 20.

  Note that the protrusions 4 a and 4 b may be formed on the positioning surface 22 of the ball frame 20, and these protrusions may be brought into contact with the outer peripheral edge of one surface of the lens 4 to position the lens 4.

  4 and 5, the opening 25 of the ball frame 20 is provided between the left and right protrusions 4a in the example shown in FIG. 4, and the protrusions 4a and 4a in the example shown in FIG. It is necessary to be provided between 4b.

  The camera unit and the lens unit according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be variously modified within the scope of the gist.

  In particular, the shape and operation mode of the shutter blades are arbitrary, and in addition to a type that slides and reciprocates, a type in which two shutter blades swing at a predetermined angle may be used.

  Alternatively, the CCD 2 can be removed from the housing 30 and configured as a lens unit.

It is sectional drawing which shows the camera unit which is one Example of this invention. It is the front view which omitted the housing of the camera unit. (A) is a perspective view showing a shutter unit incorporated in the camera unit, (B) is a perspective view showing the shutter blades. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 1st example of the positioning structure with respect to the lens frame of a lens in the said camera unit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 2nd example of the positioning structure with respect to the lens frame of a lens in the said camera unit.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Camera unit 2 ... CCD (photoelectric conversion element)
3, 4, 5 ... Lenses 4a, 4b ... Positioning projections 10 ... Shutter unit 11 ... Shutter blade 12 ... Guide member 20 ... Ball frame 22 ... Positioning surface 25 ... Opening C ... Optical axis

Claims (9)

A plurality of lenses disposed close to the optical axis;
A shutter unit positioned between the plurality of lenses;
A ball frame made of a single member that holds the plurality of lenses and has an opening for inserting the shutter unit;
A lens unit comprising:   The lens unit according to claim 1, wherein the lens frame includes a positioning portion for positioning a shutter unit inserted into the opening.   3. The lens unit according to claim 1, wherein a positioning portion that abuts on a positioning surface of the ball frame is provided on an outer peripheral edge of at least one of the plurality of lenses. .   The lens unit according to claim 1, wherein the lens frame is provided with a positioning portion that contacts a positioning surface of an outer peripheral edge of at least one of the plurality of lenses. .   The lens unit according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the positioning portion includes three protrusions.   6. The lens unit according to claim 5, wherein the three protrusions are provided at an interval of about 120 [deg.] About the optical axis of the lens.   The lens unit according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the positioning portion includes one linear protrusion and one circular small protrusion.   The lens unit according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the opening of the ball frame is provided between the protrusions. A plurality of lenses disposed close to the optical axis;
A shutter unit positioned between the plurality of lenses;
A ball frame made of a single member that holds the plurality of lenses and has an opening for inserting the shutter unit;
A photoelectric conversion unit that receives an image transmitted through the plurality of lenses and converts the image into an electrical signal;
A camera unit characterized by comprising:

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