JP2005189415A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stably move an imaging lens in an optical axis direction. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging device 21 is assembled in a housing 11, and is constituted of the imaging lens 40, a lens barrel 41, an imaging device 42, an infrared ray cut filter 43 and a filter holding member 44. The lens barrel 41 is constituted of a lens holding frame 53 holding the lens 40, a cam barrel for macro adjusting 54, a fixed barrel 55 and a coil spring 56. The coil spring 56 is laid on the locking part 59 of the frame 53 and the locking projection 70 of the fixed barrel 55. A slit-like locking groove 71 including a side surface which forms a part of the external shape of the fixed barrel 55 is formed on the projection 70, and one end 56b of the coil spring 56 is laid in the groove 71. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that obtains an image signal by forming an image on an imaging element.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital cameras that are rapidly spreading include an imaging lens, a lens barrel that holds the imaging lens, and an image sensor such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor that photoelectrically converts an image formed by the imaging lens. In recent years, not only a single digital camera but also mobile phones, PDAs (portable information terminals), and various electronic devices such as personal computers, It is common to assemble as an imaging device (imaging unit) in which the imaging lens, the lens barrel, and the imaging element as described above are integrated into a unit. Such an imaging device is fixed to a housing such as a mobile phone, and is incorporated so that an imaging lens is exposed from an exposure hole provided in the housing.

  In many cases, such an imaging apparatus is provided with a moving mechanism that slides a holding frame that holds an imaging lens in the optical axis direction for close-up imaging or focus adjustment. Such a moving mechanism generally includes a cam member that moves the lens holding frame in the optical axis direction and a biasing member that returns the lens holding frame moved by the cam member to an initial position. Then, as the urging member for returning to the initial position, a plate spring that is arranged on the front surface of the lens holding frame and urges the lens holding frame toward the initial position side is generally used. And the holding member for hold | maintaining this to a fixed cylinder was integrated.

  In Patent Document 1, a coil spring is used as an urging member for urging the lens holding frame, and this coil spring is formed on the latch piece formed on the lens holding frame and the base of the lens barrel. It is hung between the hanging pieces.

JP 2003-195139 A

  However, in the image pickup apparatus as described above, a plate spring that biases the lens holding frame and a holding member that holds this are provided, and the force received from the plate spring and the cam member when the lens holding frame moves. However, it was difficult to move the lens holding frame with a stable operation. That is, when the lens holding frame is urged by a leaf spring, if the stroke that can be urged by the leaf spring is short and the stroke that the lens holding frame moves becomes longer, the urging force of the leaf spring will not reach and the lens The movement of the holding frame becomes unstable.

  In addition, since an imaging device to be incorporated in an electronic device must have a compact configuration as much as possible, when a coil spring as described in Patent Document 1 is used, an end portion of the coil spring may be a nail or a groove. It is very difficult to hang it.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances. The imaging lens, the lens barrel, and the imaging element are integrated into a unit, and the movement of the imaging lens in the optical axis direction operates stably, and a coil spring is incorporated. An object is to provide an imaging device capable of facilitating the process with a simple structure at low cost.

  The present invention includes an imaging lens, a lens holding frame that holds the imaging lens, a fixed cylinder that slidably holds the lens holding frame, and is attached to the fixed cylinder and moves between a normal position and a protruding position. A cam member that moves the lens holding frame at the normal imaging position to the protruding imaging position by moving the lens holding frame at the normal imaging position to the protruding imaging position when moving from the normal position to the protruding position; In the imaging apparatus including a coil spring that returns the lens holding frame to the normal imaging position when moved to a position, a slit-shaped locking groove including a side surface that forms a part of the outer shape of the fixed cylinder is formed. A stop projection is formed integrally with the fixed cylinder, and the coil spring is hung between the lock groove and a lock portion formed integrally with the lens holding frame. The fixed cylinder is integrally formed with a positioning projection piece having a substantially rectangular column shape that projects in parallel with the imaging optical axis, and the biasing member is attached in parallel with the projection piece. preferable.

  In the imaging device of the present invention, the locking projection formed with the slit-shaped locking groove including the side surface forming a part of the outer shape of the fixed cylinder is formed integrally with the fixed cylinder, and the locking groove of the fixed cylinder Since the coil spring is hung between the lens holding frame and the locking portion formed integrally with the lens holding frame, the movement of the imaging lens held in the lens holding frame in the optical axis direction can operate stably. It becomes. Further, it is not necessary to provide a separate holding member for holding the spring, and the cost can be reduced.

  Further, the fixed cylinder is integrally formed with a positioning projection piece having a substantially rectangular column shape that protrudes in parallel with the imaging optical axis, and the coil spring is attached in parallel with the protrusion piece. Can be easily performed, and the cost of the entire apparatus can be reduced by shortening the working time.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the lens apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are external perspective views of the front side and the back side of a camera-equipped mobile phone to which the present invention is applied. The main body 2 of the camera-equipped mobile phone 1 includes an upper housing 11 and a lower housing 12 and a hinge portion 13 that rotatably connects the housings 11 and 12.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the upper housing 11 is provided with an imaging device 21 in which the present invention is implemented, and the camera-equipped mobile phone 1 acquires a subject image from the imaging device 21. The hinge portion 13 is provided with a click mechanism (not shown) so that the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 are locked at a predetermined angle when the camera-equipped mobile phone 1 is used. The main body 2 can be unfolded and folded by rotating the main housing 2 via the hinge 13 so that the upper housing can be folded when the camera-equipped mobile phone 1 is not used. 11 and the lower housing 12 are folded so as to be parallel to each other.

  Both the casings 11 and 12 are formed in a substantially rectangular thin plate shape. The imaging device 21 is exposed from the back surface 11a of the upper casing 11, and the LCD panel 26 and the reception speaker 27 are displayed on the front surface 11b. Is provided with an antenna 28, a macro switch 29 is disposed on one side surface 11 d, and an operation unit 31 and a transmission microphone 32 are disposed on the front surface 12 a of the lower housing 12. Further, a lower surface 12b of the lower housing 12 is provided with a socket 34 for connecting a cable with an external device such as a personal computer, and a memory card slot 36 into which a memory card is loaded.

  The antenna 28 receives a radio signal from another mobile phone or an Internet server when using a telephone call, an e-mail service, or an Internet connection service, and transmits a radio signal transmitted from the camera-equipped mobile phone 1 to the outside. . The receiving speaker 27 outputs the voice or ringtone of the communication partner. On the LCD panel 26, various information such as a menu screen and a telephone number of the called party, a through image obtained by the image sensor 22 and an image recorded on the memory card are displayed. The transmitting microphone 32 converts the voice of the speaker into an electric voice signal and transmits it to the other party via the antenna 28.

  The operation unit 31 includes a selection key 31a, a shutter button 31b, a dial key 31c, and the like. The selection key 31a is used for selecting / setting various menus. The camera-equipped mobile phone 1 can select an imaging mode from various modes to capture an image of the subject, and the selection of these modes is performed by operating the selection key 31a. The selection key 31a is also used for an imaging operation of a subject by the imaging device 21. The shutter button 31b is used for a release operation when the imaging device 21 performs imaging. Furthermore, the dial key 31c is operated when inputting a telephone number or an e-mail text.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the imaging device 21 includes an imaging lens 40, a lens barrel 41, an imaging element 42, an infrared light cut filter 43, and a filter holding member 44. And in the unit state in which these are integrated, as shown in FIG. As the image sensor 42, a CCD or a CMOS is used. The imaging element 42 includes a light receiving element 46, a semiconductor substrate 47 on which the light receiving element 46 is mounted, a glass cover 48 that covers the surface of the light receiving element 46, and the like.

  The imaging device 21 is fixed to an inner wall surface 11e that is located at a position facing the exposure hole 49 formed in the housing 11, and a fitting boss that protrudes toward the imaging element 21 around the exposure hole 49. 50 is formed. The fitting boss 50 is formed with a fitting recess 50a (see FIG. 4) cut out in a columnar shape. Further, the exposure hole 49 is formed with a narrowed portion 49a having a small inner diameter, and a protective cover 51 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the lens barrel 41 includes a lens holding frame 53 that holds the imaging lens 40, a macro switching cam ring 54, a fixed cylinder 55, and a coil spring 56. The lens holding frame 53 includes a cylindrical frame portion 57 that holds the imaging lens 40, a flange portion 58 formed so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the frame portion 57, and a plurality of end portions of the flange portion 58. It consists of a locking portion 59 provided at a location. A locking groove 60 on which the one end portion 56a of the coil spring 56 is hooked is formed on the subject side surface of the locking portion 59. The locking groove 60 is formed in a slit shape orthogonal to the imaging optical axis L of the imaging lens 40. The locking portions 59 are provided at two locations around the flange portion 58, and are provided at positions 180.degree. Rotationally symmetrical with respect to the imaging optical axis L. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more lens holding frames 53 may be provided so that the lens holding frame 53 can be stably locked. The frame portion 57 includes a front cylindrical portion 57 a closer to the subject than the flange portion 58 and a rear cylindrical portion 57 b closer to the image plane than the flange portion 58. In FIG. 4, the imaging lens 40 includes three groups of lenses including the first group 40 a, the second group 40 b, and the third group 40 c, but is not limited thereto.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the macro switching cam ring 54 is formed integrally with an annular portion 61 and a knob portion 62 that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the annular portion 61. The annular portion 61 is formed with a notch 61b cut out along the axial direction from an end surface 61a facing the fixed cylinder 55, and a cam surface 63 is formed at a part of the notch 61b. Yes. The notches 61b and the cam surface 63 are formed at three locations in the figure, and are arranged at rotationally symmetric positions about the imaging optical axis L at intervals of 120 degrees. The number of the notches 61b and the cam surface 63 is not limited to this as long as the macro switching cam ring 53 can move stably.

  The fixed cylinder 55 includes a cylindrical portion 66, a base portion 67 formed integrally with the lower surface of the cylindrical portion 66, and a positioning protruding piece 68 protruding from the base portion 67. The cylindrical portion 66 is formed in a cylindrical shape centered on the imaging optical axis L, the macro switching cam ring 54 is rotatable on the outer peripheral surface 66a, and the lens holding frame 53 is rotatable on the inner peripheral surface 66b. Fits slidable in the direction. Further, the filter holding member 44 and the image sensor 42 are fixed to the back side of the base portion 67.

  As shown in the bottom view of FIG. 5, the outer shape of the base portion 67 is formed with rectangular cutout portions 69 that are concave from the surroundings on the side surfaces 67a and 67b that face each other among the four substantially rectangular surfaces. The locking projection 70 is integrally formed so as to protrude outward from a side surface 69 a located on the back side of the notch 69. Further, projecting pieces 68 are arranged at the four corners of the base portion 67, respectively. The protruding piece 68 is formed to extend toward the subject side in parallel with the imaging optical axis L. Furthermore, the protruding piece 68 has a columnar shape with a rectangular cross section, that is, its outer peripheral surface is a surface parallel to the imaging optical axis L.

  A locking groove 71 on which the other end portion 56 b of the coil spring 56 is hooked is formed on the image surface side of the locking projection 70. As shown in FIG. 6, the locking groove 71 includes first and second side surfaces 71a and 71b that are parallel to each other, and an upper surface 71c that is orthogonal to the side surfaces 71a and 71b, and is a slit that is orthogonal to the imaging optical axis L. This is a U-shaped groove cut out over the entire width of the locking projection 70.

  The first side surface 71 a that forms the locking groove 71 forms a part of the outer shape of the base portion 67. That is, it continues so that it may become the same plane as the one side surface 69a of the notch part 69 which forms the external shape of the base part 67. FIG. Thus, since the locking groove 71 includes a side surface that forms a part of the outer shape of the base 67, that is, the fixed cylinder 55, the dimension that the locking projection 70 protrudes from the outer shape is suppressed, and the outer dimension of the fixed cylinder 55 is reduced. The image pickup apparatus 21 can be made compact as a whole.

  The locking groove 71 is formed at a position that is parallel to the locking groove 60 of the lens holding frame 53 and is aligned along the imaging optical axis L. As a result, when one end portion 56 a of the coil spring 56 is hooked on the locking groove 60 of the lens holding frame 53 and hooked on the locking groove 71 of the other end portion 56 b base portion 67, the coil spring 56 extends along the imaging optical axis L. It will be attached.

  An opening 74 is formed in the lower surface 67 c of the base portion 67, and the image sensor 42 is fixed at a position facing the opening 74. Further, the base portion 67 is integrally formed with a cam pin 75 that matches the position and number of the cam surface 63 of the macro switching cam ring 54 described above.

  When the macro switching cam ring 54 is fitted into the cylindrical portion 66, the cam surface 63 is in sliding contact with the cam pin 70, and the subject-side end surface 61 c of the annular portion 61 is the flange of the lens holding frame 53. It abuts on the part 58. The cam surface 63 of the macro switching cam ring 54 is gradually inclined from the image plane side to the subject side so that the lens holding frame 53 moves between the normal imaging position and the macro imaging position. In the initial position, the end surface 61 a of the annular portion 61 is in an initial position where it abuts against the base portion 67, and the end surface 61 a of the annular portion 61 extends from the base portion 67 according to the inclination of the cam surface 63 from this initial position. Move to the protruding position to leave. In the macro switching cam ring 54, the ring portion 61 rotates as the knob 62 moves in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis L in conjunction with the slide operation of the macro switch 29. When the annular portion 61 rotates, the macro switching cam ring 54 moves straight along the optical axis L between the initial position and the protruding position according to the cam surface 63 and the lead of the cam pin 75.

  As described above, the coil spring 56 is hooked between the lens holding frame 53 and the fixed cylinder 55, so that the lens holding frame 53 receives a constant bias with respect to the fixed cylinder 55, and the optical axis direction. Are held in a slidable state with a predetermined stroke. As described above, the macro switching cam ring 54 is in contact with the flange portion 58 of the lens holding frame 53. When the macro switching cam ring 54 moves straight along the optical axis L from the initial position to the protruding position, The lens holding frame 53 also moves together to switch from the normal imaging position to the macro imaging position. When the macro switching cam ring 54 returns from the protruding position to the initial position, the lens holding frame 53 is also moved to the image plane side by the bias of the coil spring 56 and returns to the normal imaging position.

  The infrared light cut filter 43 is formed by coating a transparent glass substrate with a multilayer film that transmits visible light and blocks infrared light. The filter holding member 44 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and pressing portions 44 a and 44 b that protrude toward the infrared light cut filter 43 are integrally formed. The pressing portions 44 a and 44 b hold the infrared light cut filter 43 by pressing the infrared light cut filter 43 toward the fixed cylinder 55 by its elastic force. The filter holding member 43 that holds the infrared light cut filter 43 is fitted into the opening 69 of the fixed cylinder 55 and is sandwiched and fixed between the fixed cylinder 55 and the image sensor 42. In fixing the fixing cylinder 55 and the image sensor 42, the fixing cylinder 55 and the image pickup element 42 are fixed by applying an adhesive. In addition, as a kind of adhesive agent, an ultraviolet curing type thing is used, for example.

  The imaging device 21 configured as described above and unitized includes the housing 11 such that the lens holding frame 53 is positioned at a position facing the exposure hole 49 of the upper housing 11 as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Built in the inside.

  The operation of the above configuration will be described below. When taking an image using the camera-equipped mobile phone 1, first, the main body 2 is changed from the folded state to the expanded state, and the selection key 31a is operated to switch from the plurality of use modes to the imaging mode. When the imaging mode is selected, the image sensor 42 is activated, and the image data is displayed on the LCD panel 26 as a through image. Next, the user performs framing while viewing the image displayed on the LCD panel 26. When it is desired to change the distance to the subject or the size of the subject obtained as an image, the macro switch 29 is operated to switch to the macro imaging mode. As a result, in conjunction with the operation of the macro switch 29, the macro switching cam ring 54 moves straight from the initial position to the protruding position along the imaging optical axis L, and the lens holding frame 53 switches from the normal imaging position to the macro imaging position. Change. Then, framing is performed again, focus adjustment and exposure adjustment are performed by a focus adjustment mechanism and an exposure adjustment mechanism (not shown), and then a shutter button 31b is pressed to perform a release operation. Then, an image of the subject is acquired from the image sensor 42, and this image data is recorded on the memory card. When the imaging is finished, the macro switch 29 is operated to return to the normal imaging mode. As a result, the macro switching cam ring 54 returns from the projecting position along the imaging optical axis L to the initial position in conjunction with the operation of the macro switch 29, and the lens holding frame 53 is also urged by the coil spring 56 to To the normal imaging position.

  As described above, when the imaging is performed in the macro imaging mode, the lens holding frame 53 moves along the imaging optical axis L with a predetermined stroke, but receives a stable urging force from the coil spring 56. Therefore, the lens holding frame can be moved with a stable operation, and the switching operation by the macro switch 29 can be performed smoothly.

  Furthermore, when the coil spring 56 is assembled, if the protruding piece 68 is used as a guide, the coil spring 56 can be easily assembled. That is, as described above, the protruding piece 68 protrudes in parallel with the imaging optical axis L, and its outer peripheral surface is a surface parallel to the imaging optical axis L. Thus, the coil spring 56 can be easily hooked into the locking groove 71 of the fixed cylinder 55 and the locking groove 60 of the lens holding frame 53 in the vicinity of one surface of the protruding piece 68. In this way, if the projecting piece 68 is incorporated as a guide, the coil spring 56 can be incorporated very easily, and the working time can be shortened and the process can be simplified. Therefore, the cost of the imaging device 21 can be reduced. be able to.

  In the above embodiment, the camera-equipped mobile phone is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be applied to a mobile phone, a PDA, a personal computer, or the like.

  In the above embodiment, an imaging apparatus provided with a lens holding frame moving mechanism is used as an example to switch between normal imaging and macro imaging. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and focus adjustment is performed. Therefore, the present invention can also be applied to an imaging apparatus provided with a lens holding frame moving mechanism.

It is a front side perspective view which shows the mobile phone with a camera to which this invention is applied. It is a back side perspective view of a mobile phone with a camera. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the imaging device periphery of a mobile telephone with a camera. It is principal part sectional drawing of the mobile phone with a camera. It is the rear view which looked at the fixed cylinder from the image surface side. It is principal part sectional drawing of the locking groove along the XX line of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cellular phone with a camera 2 Body part 11,12 Case 13 Hinge part 21 Imaging device 40 Imaging lens 41 Lens barrel 53 Lens holding frame 55 Fixed cylinder 56 Coil spring 70 Locking protrusion 71 Locking groove

Claims (2)

An imaging lens, a lens holding frame that holds the imaging lens, a fixed cylinder that slidably holds the lens holding frame, and a fixed cylinder that is attached to the fixed cylinder and moves between a normal position and a protruding position. A cam member that moves the lens holding frame in the normal imaging position to the protruding imaging position by moving the lens holding frame in the normal imaging position to the protruding imaging position when moving from the position to the protruding position, and the cam member has moved from the protruding position to the normal position. In an imaging device comprising a coil spring that sometimes returns the lens holding frame to a normal imaging position,
A locking projection formed with a slit-shaped locking groove including a side surface forming a part of the outer shape of the fixed cylinder is formed integrally with the fixed cylinder, and is integrated with the locking groove and the lens holding frame. An image pickup apparatus, wherein the coil spring is hung between a locking portion formed on the base plate.   The fixed cylinder is integrally formed with a positioning protrusion in a substantially rectangular column shape that protrudes in parallel with the imaging optical axis, and the coil spring is attached in parallel with the protrusion. Item 2. The imaging device according to Item 1.

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