JP2005328337A - Imaging unit support device of electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging unit support device using a piezoelectric element in which the service life of the piezoelectric element is extended and the inclination of an imaging unit is enlarged. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging unit support device 30 has an imaging unit 31 and a unit holding member 32. The imaging unit 31 and unit holding member 32 are connected together by using an energizing spring 37. Driving members 28a, 28b, and 28c are arranged between the imaging unit 31 and unit holding member 32. The driving members 38a, 38b, and 38c are arranged nearby an optical axis. The driving members 38a, 38b, and 38c are made to abut against the imaging unit 31. The driving members 38a, 38b, and 38c are fixed to the unit holding member 32. The driving members 38a, 38b, and 38c have piezoelectric elements. The imaging unit 31 is energized by the energizing spring 37 to be pressed against the driving members 38a, 38b, and 38c. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for supporting an imaging unit provided in an electronic camera.

  When shooting a subject with a camera, a tilt shot is performed for the purpose of sharply depicting the entire view of the subject at an oblique angle or correcting the perspective that is too exaggerated. In order to perform such tilt photography, a large apparatus for tilting the film or the image sensor to the front, back, left and right is necessary, and it cannot be applied to a general camera.

  By the way, it is disclosed that the image pickup element is tilted by holding the image pickup element by a piezoelectric element or a bimorph and expanding and contracting a plurality of piezoelectric elements (see Patent Document 1). With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the size of the device that tilts the imaging unit. Here, in order to hold the image sensor in the camera body, a configuration in which a plurality of piezoelectric elements are fixed to both the camera body and the image sensor is conceivable. However, with such a configuration, it is generally difficult to extend the life of a piezoelectric element having a laminated structure, and it is difficult to apply it to a normal camera.

This is because when one piezoelectric element is expanded or contracted relative to another piezoelectric element in order to tilt the image sensor, a force is applied to tilt the fixed portion of the other piezoelectric element via the fixed image sensor. Because. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, a part of the interface of the stacked layers of the piezoelectric elements 50 fixed to the image sensor 33 is subjected to a compressing force (symbol P), and another part is subjected to a pulling force (symbol) E) is likely to cause peeling of the interface.
JP-A-8-16708

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image sensor support device that extends the life of a piezoelectric element.

  An image pickup unit support device of the present invention is provided between an image pickup unit including an image pickup element, a holding member facing the image pickup unit, an image pickup unit and a holding member, and one end is fixed to one of the image pickup unit and the holding member. A driving member having a piezoelectric element whose end abuts on the other side and can be expanded and contracted between the imaging unit and the holding member, and a direction in which the imaging unit and the holding member are connected to each other and pressed against the driving member. And an elastic member that biases the lens.

  The drive member is provided at three or more locations, and the center of gravity of the figure formed by connecting the three or more locations with a straight line is arranged so as to overlap the optical axis of the optical system that forms the subject image on the image sensor. Is preferred. Further, it is preferable that the driving member is disposed in the vicinity of the optical axis of the optical system that forms a subject image on the image sensor.

  It is preferable that the tip of the drive member that contacts the imaging unit or the holding member has a convex spherical shape, and a recess is formed at a position where the imaging unit or the holding member contacts the drive member, and the tip of the drive member is related to the recess. Are preferred. Furthermore, it is preferable that the recess is conical.

  It is preferable that a male screw is formed at one end of the driving member, a female screw is formed at the imaging unit or the holding member, and the driving member is screwed and fixed to the imaging unit or the holding member. In addition, it is preferable that the elastic member is coupled to a plate member that is sandwiched between an imaging element constituting the imaging unit and a substrate that is electrically connected to the imaging element.

  It is preferable that a recess is formed at the tip of the drive member, a protrusion is formed at a position where the image pickup unit or the holding member contacts the drive member, and the protrusion engages with the recess.

  The holding member is provided with a reference member whose tip is a convex spherical shape, and a conical recess is provided at a position overlapping the optical axis on the surface facing the holding member of the imaging unit, and the tip of the reference member is engaged with the recess. It is preferable to do.

  The drive member includes a pin and a separation preventing portion at the tip of the pin, and the pin is inserted through a hole provided in the imaging unit or the holding member, and the separation preventing portion is provided on the back side of the opposite side of the imaging unit and the holding member. It is preferable to prevent the drive member from coming off from the imaging unit or the holding member by contacting the imaging unit or the holding member. Further, it is preferable that a male screw is formed on the pin, a female screw is formed on the separation preventing portion, and the pin is screwed to the separation preventing portion and connected.

  An electronic camera of the present invention is provided with an imaging unit including an imaging device, a holding member facing the imaging unit, an imaging unit and a holding member, and one end fixed to one of the imaging unit and the holding member. A driving member having a piezoelectric element that abuts on the other side and that can expand and contract between the imaging unit and the holding member, and connects the imaging unit and the holding member and presses the driving unit against the imaging unit or the holding member that contacts the driving member. And an urging elastic member.

  According to the present invention, the lifetime of the piezoelectric element used in the image sensor support device can be extended, and the tilt adjustment function can be applied to a normal camera.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an internal arrangement view of an electronic camera showing an outline of an imaging unit support device according to a first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging unit support device taken along line II-II in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging unit support device taken along line III-III in FIG.

  The electronic camera 10 includes a photographic optical system 20, an imaging unit support device 30, and a shutter button (not shown). The imaging unit support device 30 includes an imaging unit 31 and a unit holding member 32. The unit holding member 32 is attached near the back surface 11 of the electronic camera 10. The imaging unit 31 is held by the unit holding member 32 and is located on the imaging optical system 20 side.

  The imaging unit 31 includes an imaging element 33, a base 34 that is a metal-made short plate member for heat dissipation, and a substrate 35. The base 34 is sandwiched between the image sensor 33 and the substrate 35. The image sensor 33 and the substrate 35 are electrically connected by a conductor lead 36. The imaging unit 31 is held so that the imaging element 33 faces the imaging optical system 20, and subject light that has passed through the imaging optical system 20 is guided to the imaging element 33. Note that the image sensor 33 is covered with an optical low-pass filter (not shown) or a protective glass (not shown) on the side facing the imaging optical system 20.

  The shutter button is a two-stage switch. When the shutter button is pressed halfway, the photometry switch is turned ON, and when the shutter button is fully pressed, the release switch is turned ON. The release switch is connected to the image sensor 33 via a CPU (not shown). When the release switch is turned on, a photographing operation is executed and a subject image formed on the image sensor 33 is received.

  The imaging unit 31 and the unit holding member 32 face each other and are connected by a biasing spring 37 that is an elastic member. Drive members 38 a, 38 b, and 38 c that drive the imaging unit 31 are provided between the imaging unit 31 and the unit holding member 32. The driving members 38a, 38b, and 38c are formed with a male screw 39 at one end and a convex spherical shape at the other end.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the locations where the driving members 38a, 38b, and 38c come into contact when the imaging unit 31 is viewed from the substrate 35 side. Holes 41 are formed in the substrate 35 at locations where the drive members 38a, 38b, and 38c are disposed, and the convex spherical tips of the drive members 38a, 38b, and 38c abut against the base 34. That is, the drive members 38a, 38b, and 38c abut on the surface of the imaging unit 31 that faces the unit holding member 32.

  The base 34 is formed with a conical first concave portion 42a, a second concave portion 42b, and a third concave portion 42c. The first drive member 38a, the second drive member 38b, and the third drive member 38c come into contact with the base 34 at the first recessed portion 42a, the second recessed portion 42b, and the third recessed portion 42c, respectively. .

  The drive members 38a, 38b, and 38c are provided at three locations in the vicinity of the optical axis C of the photographing optical system 20 that forms a subject image on the image sensor 33. With respect to the optical axis C, the first driving member 38a is arranged at the upper left, the second driving member 38b is arranged at the upper right, and the third driving member 38c is arranged at the lower part, and the three parts are connected by a straight line. The center of gravity of the triangle formed by

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the female screw 40 is formed in the unit holding member 32 at a position where the driving members 38 a, 38 b, and 38 c are disposed. The drive members 38a, 38b, and 38c are fixed to the unit holding member 32 by screwing and connecting the male screw 39 formed on the drive members 38a, 38b, and 38c to the female screw 40. According to the configuration of being screwed and connected, the interval between the imaging unit 31 and the unit holding member 32 can be easily finely adjusted by adjusting the amount of screwing.

  The front ends of the drive members 38a, 38b, and 38c are engaged with the recessed portions 42a, 42b, and 42c, respectively. By engaging the leading ends of the drive members 38a, 38b, and 38c with the recessed portions 42a, 42b, and 42c, it is possible to prevent the image sensor 33 from being displaced from the imaging position of the subject image. Further, by making the concave portions 42a, 42b, 42c conical, the misalignment prevention can be further enhanced. Further, the same effect can be obtained even in a configuration in which the recessed portion is provided only at one place where the driving members 38a, 38b, and 38c are disposed.

  The biasing springs 37 are attached to the four corners of the base 34, and by pulling the imaging unit 31 and the unit holding member 32, the base 34 in the imaging unit 31 that contacts the driving members 38a, 38b, and 38c is moved to the driving members 38a, 38b, and 38b. The urging force is applied in the direction of pressing by 38c. The drive members 38 a, 38 b, and 38 c have piezoelectric elements and can be expanded and contracted between the imaging unit 31 and the unit holding member 32.

  In the configuration as described above, the inclination of the imaging unit 31 can be adjusted by extending or contracting each of the driving members 38a, 38b, and 38c. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, all the drive members 38a, 38b, and 38c can be expanded and contracted by the same amount to adjust the distance between the imaging unit 31 and the unit holding member 32. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the front / rear / left / right inclination of the imaging unit 31 can be adjusted by controlling the amount of expansion / contraction of each drive member 38 a, 38 b, 38 c. For example, when the imaging unit 31 is tilted downward, the first and second drive members 38a and 38b may be extended and the third drive member 38c may be contracted.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the drive member 38 and the base 34 of the imaging unit 31 are not fixed and are in sliding contact. That is, the slidable contact portion T ′ when the base 34 is perpendicular to the drive member 38 is concentric with the axis of the drive member 38, but when the base 34 is tilted, the slidable contact portion T is relative to the axis. Lean. Therefore, the compressive force generated on one side of the interface of the piezoelectric element 50 and the tensile force generated on the other side (see FIG. 12) generated when the driving member 38 is fixed are not generated in this embodiment. Only the compression force generated by the spring is generated. That is, since no force is applied to peel off the interface between the layers, the piezoelectric element 50 is hardly peeled off. Further, since no peeling force is applied, the energy for driving the imaging unit 31 can be reduced accordingly.

  In the present embodiment, the recess 42 may be formed into a spherical shape. When the recessed portion 42 is conical, the contact portion between the recessed portion 42 and the drive member 38 is a circle, whereas when the recessed portion 42 is spherical, the contact portion between the recessed portion 42 and the drive member 38 is a point. It becomes. Therefore, when the image pickup unit 31 is tilted, the portion that comes into contact is slippery and the drive of the image pickup unit 31 is easy. The recessed portion 42 may be a curved surface.

  In addition, you may shape | mold the 1st recessed part 42a and the 2nd recessed part 42b in spherical shape. In this case, misalignment is prevented by the engagement of the third recessed portion 42c and the third drive member 38c, and the contacting portions of the first drive member 38a and the second drive member 38b are configured to be slippery. It is possible. Further, the third drive member 38c is engaged only with the third recessed portion 42c, and the convex spherical tip ends of the first drive member 38a and the second drive member 38b are directly connected without providing the recessed portion. The structure which contacts the base 34 may be sufficient.

  It is preferable that the drive members 38a, 38b, and 38c disposed at the three positions be close to each other and near the optical axis C. According to such a structure, the inclination with respect to the same expansion-contraction amount of the drive members 38a, 38b, and 38c becomes large compared with the structure where the drive members 38a, 38b, and 38c are moved away. That is, the tilt adjustment range is increased. The drive members 38a, 38b, and 38c may be provided at four or more locations.

  In the present embodiment, the urging spring 37 is attached to the base 34. However, the same effect can be obtained by attaching the urging spring 37 to another member constituting the imaging unit 31. A member to which the urging spring 37 is attached is determined in consideration of strength and size. In this embodiment, the urging springs 37 are attached to the four corners of the base 34. However, the urging springs 37 may be arranged at three or more locations that do not line up on one straight line.

  Further, a configuration may be adopted in which a recessed portion is formed at the tip of the drive members 38a, 38b, and 38c that are in contact with the imaging unit 31, and a protrusion is formed on the imaging unit 31, and the protrusion is engaged with the recessed portion. The recessed portion formed at the tip of the drive members 38a, 38b, 38c may be spherical or conical. Further, the tip of the protrusion formed on the imaging unit 31 may be formed into a convex spherical shape.

  In the present embodiment, the drive members 38a, 38b, and 38c are fixed to the unit holding member 32 and are brought into contact with the imaging unit 31, but are fixed to the imaging unit 31 and are brought into contact with the unit holding member 32. The same effect can be obtained with the configuration.

  9 and 10 show an imaging unit support device 30 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the reference pin 43 is fixed to the unit holding member 32, and the reference pin 43 and the base 34 come into contact with each other. One end of the reference pin 43 fixed to the unit holding member 32 is formed with a male screw 45, and the other end in contact with the imaging unit 31 is formed into a convex spherical shape.

  The reference pin 43 contacts the base 34 at a position overlapping the center C of the optical axis of the photographing optical system 20. A conical recessed portion 44 is provided at a location where the base 34 contacts the reference pin 43, and the tip of the reference pin 43 engages with the recessed portion 44. The recessed portions 42a, 42b, 42c that engage with the driving members 38a, 38b, 38c are formed into a spherical shape. The reference pin 43 is fixed to the unit holding member 32 by screwing the male screw 45 and the female screw 46 formed on the unit holding member 32. Therefore, the height of the reference pin 43 can be easily adjusted. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the image sensor 33 from being displaced from the imaging position of the subject image by the reference pin 43. Therefore, since the positional deviation can be prevented by the reference pin 43, the concave portions 42a, 42b, 42c that engage with the driving members 38a, 38b, 38c are formed in a spherical shape, and the abutting portions of the driving members 38a, 38b, 38c are formed. Can be slippery. The same effect can be obtained even when the base 34 and the drive members 38a, 38b, and 38c are in contact with each other without forming the recessed portion.

  FIG. 11 shows an imaging unit support device 30 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the drive members 38 a, 38 b, 38 c are fixed to the imaging unit 31. The drive members 38a, 38b, 38c are provided with pins 47, 47, 47 on the unit holding member 32 side, and separation preventing portions 48, 48, 48 at the tips thereof. A male screw is formed on the pin 47, and a female screw is formed on the detachment preventing portion 48. The pin 47 and the detachment preventing portion 48 are connected by screwing.

  Holes 49, 49, 49 are provided in the unit holding member 32 at positions opposite to the drive members 38 a, 38 b, 38 c, and the pins 47 are inserted through the holes 49 and connected to the separation preventing part 48. The diameter of the hole 49 is larger than the diameter of the pin 47 and smaller than the diameter of the detachment preventing portion 48, whereby the detachment of the pin 47 from the unit holding portion 32 is prevented. The urging springs 37 are attached to the four corners of the base 34, and push the imaging unit 31 and the unit holding member 32 back, thereby driving the driving member on the back B on the back side of the unit holding member 32 opposite to the imaging unit 31. It abuts against the separation preventing portions 48, 48, 48 constituting the members 38a, 38b, 38c.

  On the back B side, the periphery of the hole 49 is formed in a concave spherical shape, and the side of the separation preventing portion 48 that contacts the unit holding member 32 is formed in a convex spherical shape. Other components are the same as those in the first embodiment. According to this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

It is the internal arrangement figure which looked at the electronic camera which showed the outline of the imaging unit support device which is the 1st embodiment of the present invention from the upper part. It is sectional drawing which follows the II-II line | wire in FIG. 1 of an imaging unit support apparatus. It is sectional drawing which follows the III-III line | wire in FIG. 2 of an imaging unit support apparatus. It is the figure seen from the board | substrate side of the imaging unit. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement which an imaging unit support apparatus widens the space | interval of an imaging unit and a unit holding member. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement which inclines an imaging unit below. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement which inclines an imaging unit to the left. It is a figure explaining the force which a drive member receives from an imaging unit. It is a cross-sectional view of the imaging unit support apparatus which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure seen from the board | substrate side of the imaging unit which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure seen from the plane cross section side of the imaging unit support apparatus which is the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the force concerning a piezoelectric element when a piezoelectric element is fixed to an imaging unit and a unit holding member.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 Image pick-up unit support apparatus 31 Image pick-up unit 32 Unit holding member 33 Image pick-up element 34 Base 37 Biasing spring 38 Drive member 42 Recessed part 43 Reference pin 47 Pin 48 Detachment prevention part

Claims (13)

An imaging unit including an imaging element;
A holding member facing the imaging unit;
Provided between the imaging unit and the holding member, one end is fixed at one of the imaging unit or the holding member, the other end abuts at the other, and is extendable between the imaging unit and the holding member A drive member having a piezoelectric element;
An imaging unit support device comprising: the imaging unit that connects the holding member, and an elastic member that urges the imaging unit in contact with the driving member or a direction in which the holding member is pressed against the driving member.   The drive member is provided at three or more locations, and the center of gravity of the figure formed by connecting the three or more locations with a straight line is arranged so as to overlap the optical axis of the optical system that forms the subject image on the image sensor. The imaging unit support device according to claim 1.   The imaging unit support device according to claim 1, wherein the driving member is disposed in the vicinity of an optical axis of an optical system that forms a subject image on the imaging element.   The imaging unit support device according to claim 1, wherein a tip of the driving member that contacts the imaging unit or the holding member has a convex spherical shape.   The imaging unit support device according to claim 1, wherein a recessed portion is formed at a position where the imaging unit or the holding member contacts the driving member, and a distal end of the driving member is engaged with the recessed portion.   The imaging unit support device according to claim 5, wherein the recessed portion has a conical shape.   The male screw is formed on one end of the driving member, the female screw is formed on the imaging unit or the holding member, and the driving member is screwed and fixed to the imaging unit or the holding member. Imaging unit support device.   The imaging unit support device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is coupled to a plate member that is sandwiched between the imaging element and a substrate that is electrically connected to the imaging element, which constitutes the imaging unit.   The imaging according to claim 1, wherein a concave portion is formed at a tip of the driving member, a projection is formed at a position where the imaging unit or the holding member is in contact with the driving member, and the projection is engaged with the concave portion. Unit support device.   The holding member is provided with a reference member having a convex spherical tip, and has a conical recess at a position overlapping the optical axis on the surface of the imaging unit facing the holding member, and the tip of the reference member The imaging unit support device according to claim 2, wherein the imaging unit is engaged with the recessed portion.   The drive member includes a pin and a detachment preventing portion at the tip of the pin, and the pin passes through a hole provided in the imaging unit or the holding member, so that the back side of the opposing surface of the imaging unit and the holding member 2. The imaging unit support device according to claim 1, wherein the detachment preventing portion is in contact with the imaging unit or the holding member on a rear surface of the camera to prevent the drive member from being detached from the imaging unit or the holding member.   The imaging unit support device according to claim 11, wherein a male screw is formed on the pin, a female screw is formed on the detachment preventing portion, and the pin is screwed to and connected to the detachment preventing portion. An imaging unit including an imaging element;
A holding member facing the imaging unit;
Provided between the imaging unit and the holding member, one end is fixed at one of the imaging unit or the holding member, the other end abuts at the other, and is extendable between the imaging unit and the holding member A drive member having a piezoelectric element;
An electronic camera comprising: an elastic member that connects the imaging unit and the holding member and biases the contact portion in a direction in which the driving member is pressed against the driving member.

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