JP2005352132A - Camera unit - Google Patents

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Publication number
JP2005352132A
JP2005352132A JP2004172461A JP2004172461A JP2005352132A JP 2005352132 A JP2005352132 A JP 2005352132A JP 2004172461 A JP2004172461 A JP 2004172461A JP 2004172461 A JP2004172461 A JP 2004172461A JP 2005352132 A JP2005352132 A JP 2005352132A
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Prior art keywords
lens barrel
lens
camera unit
expansion
movable
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JP2004172461A
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Inventor
Masamichi Hayashi
政道 林
Tatsumaro Yamashita
龍麿 山下
Hitoshi Yoshiyuki
仁志 吉行
Eiki Matsuo
栄樹 松尾
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Alps Alpine Co Ltd
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Alps Electric Co Ltd
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Priority to JP2004172461A priority Critical patent/JP2005352132A/en
Priority to KR1020050049327A priority patent/KR100697872B1/en
Priority to CNB2005100778413A priority patent/CN100365460C/en
Publication of JP2005352132A publication Critical patent/JP2005352132A/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B7/00—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements
    • G02B7/20—Light-tight connections for movable optical elements
    • G02B7/22—Extensible connections, e.g. bellows
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B5/00—Optical elements other than lenses
    • G02B5/003—Light absorbing elements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B7/00—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements
    • G02B7/02—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for lenses
    • G02B7/04—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for lenses with mechanism for focusing or varying magnification
    • G02B7/09—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for lenses with mechanism for focusing or varying magnification adapted for automatic focusing or varying magnification
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B9/00—Optical objectives characterised both by the number of the components and their arrangements according to their sign, i.e. + or -
    • G02B9/12—Optical objectives characterised both by the number of the components and their arrangements according to their sign, i.e. + or - having three components only
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B30/00—Camera modules comprising integrated lens units and imaging units, specially adapted for being embedded in other devices, e.g. mobile phones or vehicles

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera unit which has a simple mechanism and which is light and compact. <P>SOLUTION: In the camera unit 1 which is equipped with a lens 3 housed in a lens barrel 2 and an imaging element 4 receiving light passing through the lens 3, the lens barrel 2 is constituted of a fixed lens barrel 10 the position of which is fixed to the imaging device 4 and a movable lens barrel 15 which is provided so that end faces face each other with respect to the fixed lens barrel 10 and which houses the lens 3. Respective end faces of the fixed lens barrel 10 and the movable lens barrel 15 facing each other are connected with each other via a stretching driving element 6 and thereby the lens 3 housed in the movable lens barrel 15 can be freely moved in an optical axis direction with respect to the imaging device 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

本発明はレンズと撮像素子が一体化されたカメラユニットに関し、特にレンズと撮像素子の相対位置を変化させてオートフォーカスを行うカメラユニットに関する。   The present invention relates to a camera unit in which a lens and an image sensor are integrated, and more particularly, to a camera unit that performs autofocus by changing the relative position of a lens and an image sensor.

従来から、カメラにおいてオートフォーカスを行うために、レンズを撮像素子に対して光軸方向に移動自在としたものが知られている。このようなカメラユニットとしては、モータの回転動作によりスクリューバー等を介してレンズを平行移動させるものがある。特許文献１に従来のカメラユニットについて示す。
特開平５−８０２４２号公報 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to perform autofocus in a camera, a lens that is movable in an optical axis direction with respect to an image sensor is known. As such a camera unit, there is a camera unit that translates a lens through a screw bar or the like by a rotating operation of a motor. Patent Document 1 shows a conventional camera unit.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-80242

しかし、従来のカメラユニットでは、レンズを駆動するためにモータを用いており、このためモータの回転運動を直線運動に変換する機構が必要である。したがって、機構が複雑で重量が大きくなると共に、コンパクト化に限界があった。また、モータで駆動する代わりに圧電素子を用いてレンズを移動することも考えられるが、オートフォーカスの動作のためにはある程度の移動距離が求められるのに対し、圧電素子を用いた場合には移動量を大きくすることが困難である。   However, in the conventional camera unit, a motor is used to drive the lens, and thus a mechanism for converting the rotational motion of the motor into a linear motion is necessary. Therefore, the mechanism is complicated and the weight is increased, and the downsizing is limited. Although it is conceivable to move the lens using a piezoelectric element instead of driving with a motor, a certain amount of movement distance is required for the autofocus operation, whereas when using a piezoelectric element, It is difficult to increase the amount of movement.

本発明は上記課題を鑑みてなされたものであり、簡単な機構であって軽量かつコンパクトなカメラユニットを提供することを目的とする。   The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a lightweight and compact camera unit with a simple mechanism.

上記課題を解決するため本発明に係るカメラユニットは、鏡筒に納められたレンズと、該レンズを通過した光を受光する撮像素子とを備えたカメラユニットにおいて、
上記鏡筒は上記撮像素子に対する位置を固定された固定鏡筒と、該固定鏡筒に対し端面が互いに対向するように設けられ上記レンズを納めた可動鏡筒とからなり、互いに対向する上記固定鏡筒と可動鏡筒の各端面は伸縮駆動素子を介して連結されることで、上記可動鏡筒に納められたレンズを上記撮像素子に対して光軸方向に移動自在としたことを特徴として構成されている。 In order to solve the above problems, a camera unit according to the present invention comprises a lens housed in a lens barrel and an image sensor that receives light that has passed through the lens.
The lens barrel includes a fixed lens barrel whose position with respect to the imaging element is fixed, and a movable lens barrel which is provided so that end surfaces thereof face each other and house the lens, and which is opposed to each other. Each end surface of the lens barrel and the movable lens barrel is connected via an expansion / contraction drive element, so that the lens housed in the movable lens barrel is movable in the optical axis direction with respect to the image sensor. It is configured.

また、本発明に係るカメラユニットは、鏡筒に納められたレンズと、該レンズを通過した光を受光する撮像素子とを備えたカメラユニットにおいて、
上記撮像素子は基板上に固定され、上記鏡筒は端面が上記基板と互いに対向するように設けられ、互いに対向する上記鏡筒の端面と上記基板の表面は伸縮駆動素子を介して連結されることで、上記鏡筒に納められたレンズを上記撮像素子に対して光軸方向に移動自在としたことを特徴として構成されている。 In addition, a camera unit according to the present invention is a camera unit including a lens housed in a lens barrel and an image sensor that receives light that has passed through the lens.
The imaging element is fixed on a substrate, the lens barrel is provided with an end surface facing the substrate, and the end surface of the lens barrel facing the substrate and the surface of the substrate are connected via a telescopic drive element. Thus, the lens housed in the lens barrel is configured to be movable in the optical axis direction with respect to the imaging element.

さらに、本発明に係るカメラユニットは、上記固定鏡筒は内周面に段部を有し、上記可動鏡筒は上記固定鏡筒の段部の周面にスライド自在に当接するガイド部を有してなることを特徴として構成されている。   Further, in the camera unit according to the present invention, the fixed barrel has a step portion on an inner peripheral surface, and the movable barrel has a guide portion that slidably contacts the peripheral surface of the step portion of the fixed barrel. It is configured as a feature.

さらにまた、本発明に係るカメラユニットは、上記伸縮駆動素子は伸縮自在な誘電体からなる面状の伸縮材を伸縮自在な２つの面状の電極で挟んで構成し、該電極間に電圧を印加すると上記伸縮材及び電極が面方向に膨張し厚さ方向に収縮することを特徴として構成されている。   Furthermore, in the camera unit according to the present invention, the expansion / contraction drive element is configured by sandwiching a planar stretchable material made of a stretchable dielectric between two stretchable planar electrodes, and applying a voltage between the electrodes. When applied, the stretchable material and the electrode expand in the surface direction and contract in the thickness direction.

そして、本発明に係るカメラユニットは、上記伸縮駆動素子は上記各電極及び伸縮材を上記鏡筒の端面と略平行な向きで配置したことを特徴として構成されている。   The camera unit according to the present invention is characterized in that the expansion / contraction drive element has the electrodes and the expansion / contraction material arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the end surface of the lens barrel.

また、本発明に係るカメラユニットは、上記伸縮駆動素子は上記各電極及び伸縮材を上記鏡筒の端面と略直交する向きで配置したことを特徴として構成されている。   In the camera unit according to the present invention, the expansion / contraction drive element is configured such that the electrodes and the expansion / contraction material are arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the end surface of the lens barrel.

本発明に係るカメラユニットによれば、撮像素子に対する位置を固定された固定鏡筒と、固定鏡筒に対し端面が互いに対向するように設けられるレンズを納めた可動鏡筒とからなり、互いに対向する固定鏡筒と可動鏡筒の各端面は伸縮駆動素子を介して連結されることで、レンズを撮像素子に対して光軸方向に移動自在としたことにより、伸縮駆動素子のみでレンズを撮像素子に対して移動させることができるので、簡易な機構によりオートフォーカスの動作を実現することができ、軽量化及びコンパクト化を図ることができる。   According to the camera unit of the present invention, the fixed lens barrel whose position relative to the imaging element is fixed, and the movable lens barrel containing the lens provided so that the end surfaces thereof face each other with respect to the fixed lens barrel are opposed to each other. Each end face of the fixed and movable lens barrels is connected via an expansion / contraction drive element, so that the lens can be moved in the optical axis direction with respect to the image sensor, so that the lens can be imaged only by the expansion / contraction drive element. Since the element can be moved with respect to the element, an autofocus operation can be realized by a simple mechanism, and a reduction in weight and size can be achieved.

また、本発明に係るカメラユニットによれば、鏡筒は端面が基板と互いに対向するように設けられ、互いに対向する鏡筒の端面と基板の表面は伸縮駆動素子を介して連結されることで、レンズを撮像素子に対して光軸方向に移動自在としたことにより、鏡筒を分割することなくより簡易な機構でオートフォーカスの動作を実現することができ、また伸縮駆動素子自体に遮光性を持たせることにより、鏡筒とは別体で遮光構造を設ける必要がなくなり、コンパクトなカメラユニットとすることができる。   Further, according to the camera unit of the present invention, the lens barrel is provided so that the end surfaces thereof are opposed to the substrate, and the end surfaces of the lens barrel and the surface of the substrate that are opposed to each other are connected via the expansion / contraction drive element. By making the lens movable in the optical axis direction with respect to the image sensor, autofocusing can be realized with a simpler mechanism without dividing the lens barrel, and the telescopic drive element itself is light-shielding. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a light shielding structure separately from the lens barrel, and a compact camera unit can be obtained.

さらに、本発明に係るカメラユニットによれば、固定鏡筒は内周面に段部を有し、可動鏡筒は固定鏡筒の段部の周面にスライド自在に当接するガイド部を有してなることにより、鏡筒の動作を光軸方向に安定して行うことができる。   Furthermore, according to the camera unit of the present invention, the fixed barrel has a step portion on the inner peripheral surface, and the movable barrel has a guide portion that slidably contacts the peripheral surface of the step portion of the fixed barrel. Thus, the operation of the lens barrel can be stably performed in the optical axis direction.

さらにまた、本発明に係るカメラユニットによれば、伸縮駆動素子は面方向に伸縮自在な２つの平面状の電極間に伸縮自在な誘電体からなる伸縮材を設けて構成したことにより、伸縮による移動距離が大きく取れるので、大きなストロークを得ることができる。   Furthermore, according to the camera unit of the present invention, the expansion / contraction drive element is configured by providing an expansion / contraction material made of an elastic material between two planar electrodes that can expand and contract in the plane direction. Since the moving distance can be increased, a large stroke can be obtained.

そして、本発明に係るカメラユニットによれば、伸縮駆動素子は各電極及び伸縮材を上記鏡筒の端面と略平行な向きで配置したことにより、伸縮駆動素子に電圧を印加することでレンズを納めた鏡筒を撮像素子側に移動させることができる。   According to the camera unit of the present invention, the expansion / contraction driving element has the electrodes and the expansion / contraction material arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the end surface of the lens barrel, so that a voltage is applied to the expansion / contraction driving element. The stored lens barrel can be moved to the image sensor side.

また、本発明に係るカメラユニットによれば、伸縮駆動素子は各電極及び伸縮材を鏡筒の端面と略直交する向きで配置したことにより、伸縮駆動素子に電圧を印加することでレンズを納めた鏡筒を撮像素子から離れる方向に移動させることができる。   Further, according to the camera unit of the present invention, the expansion / contraction drive element has each electrode and the expansion / contraction material arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the end surface of the lens barrel, so that the lens is accommodated by applying a voltage to the expansion / contraction drive element. The lens barrel can be moved away from the image sensor.

本発明の実施形態について、図面に沿って詳細に説明する。図１は、本実施形態におけるカメラユニット１の縦断面図である。この図に示すように、本実施形態におけるカメラユニット１は、鏡筒２に納められたレンズ群３と、レンズ群３を通過した光を受光する撮像素子４とを一体的に構成してなり、レンズ群３を撮像素子４に対して光軸方向に移動自在としたものである。   Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a camera unit 1 in the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the camera unit 1 according to the present embodiment is configured integrally with a lens group 3 housed in a lens barrel 2 and an image sensor 4 that receives light that has passed through the lens group 3. The lens group 3 is movable in the optical axis direction with respect to the image sensor 4.

撮像素子４は、ＣＣＤやＣＭＯＳ等の光電変換素子であり、平面上の基板５上に配置されている。鏡筒２は、基板５上に撮像素子４を囲繞するように設けられるものであって、円柱状に形成され、内部にレンズ群３を納めてなるものである。本実施形態におけるレンズ群３は、凸レンズ３ａと凹レンズ３ｂとから構成されている。ただし、鏡筒２に納められるのは単レンズでもよく、またレンズ群３のレンズは３つ以上から構成されていてもよい。   The imaging element 4 is a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD or CMOS, and is disposed on a substrate 5 on a plane. The lens barrel 2 is provided on the substrate 5 so as to surround the image pickup device 4 and is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the lens group 3 is accommodated therein. The lens group 3 in this embodiment includes a convex lens 3a and a concave lens 3b. However, the lens barrel 2 may be a single lens, and the lens group 3 may be composed of three or more lenses.

また、鏡筒２は２つの部材から構成されている。一方の部材である固定鏡筒１０は、基板５に対して固定されている。もう一方の部材である可動鏡筒１５は、この固定鏡筒１０に対し、端面が互いに対向するように設けられる。すなわち、固定鏡筒１０の上端面１３と、可動鏡筒１５の下端面１８とは、互いに対向している。   The lens barrel 2 is composed of two members. The fixed barrel 10 as one member is fixed to the substrate 5. The movable lens barrel 15, which is the other member, is provided so that the end surfaces thereof face each other with respect to the fixed lens barrel 10. That is, the upper end surface 13 of the fixed barrel 10 and the lower end surface 18 of the movable barrel 15 are opposed to each other.

固定鏡筒１０は、基板５上に固定されているから、同じく基板５上に固定された撮像素子４に対して相対位置が固定されている。一方、可動鏡筒１５は下端面１８が伸縮駆動素子６を介して固定鏡筒１０の上端面１３に対して全周に渡って連結されている。伸縮駆動素子６は、電圧の印加に応じて上下方向に収縮し、平面方向に伸張するものである。したがって、可動鏡筒１５は基板５上に固定された撮像素子４に対して、上下方向すなわち光軸方向に移動自在とされている。   Since the fixed lens barrel 10 is fixed on the substrate 5, the relative position is fixed with respect to the image pickup device 4 that is also fixed on the substrate 5. On the other hand, the lower end surface 18 of the movable lens barrel 15 is connected to the upper end surface 13 of the fixed lens barrel 10 through the telescopic drive element 6 over the entire circumference. The expansion / contraction drive element 6 contracts in the vertical direction in response to application of a voltage and expands in the plane direction. Therefore, the movable lens barrel 15 is movable in the vertical direction, that is, in the optical axis direction with respect to the imaging element 4 fixed on the substrate 5.

ここで、固定鏡筒１０の内周面１１には、全周に渡って段部１２が形成されている。一方、可動鏡筒１５の内周面１６には、固定鏡筒１０の段部１２の周面にスライド自在に当接するガイド部１７が全周に渡って形成されている。可動鏡筒１５の光軸方向の動作に伴って、固定鏡筒１０の段部１２によってガイド部１７がスライド自在とされることにより、可動鏡筒１５を安定して動作させることができる。   Here, a step portion 12 is formed on the inner peripheral surface 11 of the fixed barrel 10 over the entire circumference. On the other hand, on the inner peripheral surface 16 of the movable lens barrel 15, a guide portion 17 that is slidably brought into contact with the peripheral surface of the step portion 12 of the fixed lens barrel 10 is formed over the entire circumference. With the movement of the movable barrel 15 in the optical axis direction, the guide portion 17 is made slidable by the step portion 12 of the fixed barrel 10, so that the movable barrel 15 can be stably operated.

次に、鏡筒２の動作について説明する。図２には、伸縮駆動素子６に電圧を印加した場合におけるカメラユニット１の縦断面図を示す。この図に示すように、伸縮駆動素子６に電圧を印加すると、上下方向に収縮して可動鏡筒１５を固定鏡筒１０側に移動させる。移動量は、伸縮駆動素子６に印加する電圧値によって制御することができる。レンズ群３は可動鏡筒１５内に納められているから、伸縮駆動素子６の動作によってレンズ群３と撮像素子４との相対位置を変化させ、それによってオートフォーカス動作を行う。   Next, the operation of the lens barrel 2 will be described. FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the camera unit 1 when a voltage is applied to the expansion / contraction drive element 6. As shown in this figure, when a voltage is applied to the telescopic drive element 6, it contracts in the vertical direction and moves the movable barrel 15 to the fixed barrel 10 side. The amount of movement can be controlled by the voltage value applied to the expansion / contraction drive element 6. Since the lens group 3 is housed in the movable lens barrel 15, the relative position between the lens group 3 and the imaging element 4 is changed by the operation of the expansion / contraction drive element 6, thereby performing an autofocus operation.

鏡筒２を動作させるための伸縮駆動素子６についてより詳細に説明する。図３には、伸縮駆動素子６の分解斜視図を示す。この図に示すように、伸縮駆動素子６は、円環状の上部電極２０と下部電極２１が、同じく円環状の伸縮材２２を挟持してなるものである。上部電極２０には、円周方向適所に外部と電気的に接続するための端子２０ａが形成されており、下部電極２１には、上部電極２０の端子２０ａとは円周方向において異なる適所に外部と電気的に接続するための端子２１ａが形成されている。   The telescopic drive element 6 for operating the lens barrel 2 will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the telescopic drive element 6. As shown in this figure, the expansion / contraction drive element 6 is formed by an annular upper electrode 20 and a lower electrode 21 sandwiching an annular expansion / contraction material 22. The upper electrode 20 is formed with terminals 20a for electrical connection to the outside at appropriate positions in the circumferential direction, and the lower electrode 21 is externally positioned at different positions in the circumferential direction from the terminals 20a of the upper electrode 20. 21a is formed for electrical connection with the terminal 21a.

上部電極２０及び下部電極２１は、導電性の炭素粒子を含んだ高分子材料によって形成されている。また、伸縮材２２は、シリコーン樹脂やアクリル系樹脂など電気応答性を持つプラスチックである誘電エラストマーによって形成されている。上部電極２０と下部電極２１の間に電圧を印加すると、上部電極２０と下部電極２１の間に引力が生じ、この力によって伸縮材２２は押し潰されて厚さ方向に収縮し面方向に膨張する。上部電極２０と下部電極２１もそれに伴って厚さ方向に収縮し面方向に膨張する。   The upper electrode 20 and the lower electrode 21 are made of a polymer material containing conductive carbon particles. The stretchable material 22 is made of a dielectric elastomer that is an electrically responsive plastic such as silicone resin or acrylic resin. When a voltage is applied between the upper electrode 20 and the lower electrode 21, an attractive force is generated between the upper electrode 20 and the lower electrode 21, and the elastic material 22 is crushed by this force and contracts in the thickness direction and expands in the surface direction. To do. Accordingly, the upper electrode 20 and the lower electrode 21 also contract in the thickness direction and expand in the surface direction.

伸縮駆動素子６は、このような動作によって直線的な駆動を行うアクチュエータとして用いることができる。本実施形態では、面状に形成された上部電極２０と下部電極２１及び伸縮材２２を、固定鏡筒１０の上端面１３及び可動鏡筒１５の下端面１８と略平行となるように配置している。上部電極２０と下部電極２１の間に電圧を印加すると、伸縮駆動素子６は厚さ方向に収縮するので、上述したように可動鏡筒１５を固定鏡筒１０側に移動させることができる。   The telescopic drive element 6 can be used as an actuator that performs linear driving by such an operation. In the present embodiment, the upper electrode 20, the lower electrode 21, and the elastic member 22 formed in a planar shape are arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the upper end surface 13 of the fixed barrel 10 and the lower end surface 18 of the movable barrel 15. ing. When a voltage is applied between the upper electrode 20 and the lower electrode 21, the expansion / contraction drive element 6 contracts in the thickness direction, so that the movable barrel 15 can be moved to the fixed barrel 10 side as described above.

また、図１に示すように伸縮駆動素子６はその外径が鏡筒２の外径よりも小さく形成され、内周面が可動鏡筒１５のガイド部１７に当接するように形成されている。このように伸縮駆動素子６は内周方向には動作が規制されており、一方で外周方向には自由に伸張できるようにされているので、図１の状態から電圧を印加されると、厚さ方向に収縮すると共に、外周方向に膨張して図２の状態となる。   As shown in FIG. 1, the telescopic drive element 6 is formed so that the outer diameter thereof is smaller than the outer diameter of the lens barrel 2, and the inner peripheral surface is in contact with the guide portion 17 of the movable lens barrel 15. . Thus, the operation of the expansion / contraction drive element 6 is restricted in the inner circumferential direction, and on the other hand, it can be freely expanded in the outer circumferential direction. Therefore, when a voltage is applied from the state of FIG. While contracting in the vertical direction, it expands in the outer peripheral direction to the state shown in FIG.

次に、本発明の第２の実施形態について説明する。図４には本実施形態におけるカメラユニット１の縦断面図を示す。この図に示すように、本実施形態のカメラユニット１は、基本的な構成については第１の実施形態のカメラユニット１と同様である。すなわちこのカメラユニット１は、鏡筒２に納められたレンズ群３と、レンズ群３を通過した光を受光する撮像素子４とを一体的に構成してなり、レンズ群３を撮像素子４に対して光軸方向に移動自在としている。   Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the camera unit 1 in the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the camera unit 1 of the present embodiment is the same as the camera unit 1 of the first embodiment in terms of the basic configuration. That is, the camera unit 1 is configured integrally with a lens group 3 housed in a lens barrel 2 and an image sensor 4 that receives light that has passed through the lens group 3. On the other hand, it is movable in the optical axis direction.

鏡筒２も第１の実施形態と同様に撮像素子４に対して相対位置が固定された固定鏡筒１０と、固定鏡筒１０と互いに端面が対向するように設けられた可動鏡筒１５とから構成されている。第１の実施形態と異なるのは、固定鏡筒１０と可動鏡筒１５を連結する伸縮駆動素子６の配置である。以下それについて説明する。   Similarly to the first embodiment, the lens barrel 2 also has a fixed lens barrel 10 whose relative position is fixed with respect to the image sensor 4, and a movable lens barrel 15 provided so that the end surfaces of the lens barrel 2 face each other. It is composed of The difference from the first embodiment is the arrangement of the telescopic drive element 6 that connects the fixed barrel 10 and the movable barrel 15. This will be described below.

図４に示すように伸縮駆動素子６は、それを構成する面状の上部電極２０と下部電極２１及び伸縮材２２とが、固定鏡筒１０の上端面１３及び可動鏡筒１５の下端面１８に対して略垂直に配置されている。ここでは、外周側に上部電極２０を、内周側に下部電極２１をそれぞれ配置しており、下部電極２１の内周面は可動鏡筒１５のガイド部１７に当接し、固定されている。そして、伸縮駆動素子６に電圧が印加されていない状態において、可動鏡筒１５は撮像素子４側に位置している。   As shown in FIG. 4, the expansion / contraction drive element 6 includes a planar upper electrode 20, a lower electrode 21, and an expansion / contraction material 22 constituting the upper end surface 13 of the fixed barrel 10 and the lower end surface 18 of the movable barrel 15. It is arranged substantially perpendicular to. Here, the upper electrode 20 is disposed on the outer peripheral side, and the lower electrode 21 is disposed on the inner peripheral side, and the inner peripheral surface of the lower electrode 21 is in contact with and fixed to the guide portion 17 of the movable lens barrel 15. In a state where no voltage is applied to the expansion / contraction driving element 6, the movable lens barrel 15 is located on the imaging element 4 side.

この状態で、伸縮駆動素子６に電圧を印加すると、上部電極２０が下部電極２１側に移動し、伸縮材２２と共に面方向に膨張し厚さ方向に収縮する。図５には伸縮駆動素子６に電圧を印加した場合を示している。この図に示すように、電圧を印加した場合には伸縮駆動素子６は面方向すなわち上下方向に伸張し、可動鏡筒１５を上方に移動させる。可動鏡筒１５にはレンズ群３が納められているので、これによってレンズ群３の撮像素子４に対する相対位置を光軸方向に移動させることができる。移動量は伸縮駆動素子６に印加する電圧値によって制御することができる。   When a voltage is applied to the expansion / contraction drive element 6 in this state, the upper electrode 20 moves to the lower electrode 21 side, expands in the plane direction together with the expansion / contraction material 22, and contracts in the thickness direction. FIG. 5 shows a case where a voltage is applied to the expansion / contraction drive element 6. As shown in this figure, when a voltage is applied, the expansion / contraction drive element 6 expands in the surface direction, that is, the vertical direction, and moves the movable lens barrel 15 upward. Since the lens group 3 is housed in the movable lens barrel 15, the relative position of the lens group 3 with respect to the image sensor 4 can be moved in the optical axis direction. The amount of movement can be controlled by the voltage value applied to the telescopic drive element 6.

次に本発明の第３の実施形態について説明する。図６には本実施形態におけるカメラユニット１の縦断面図を示す。この図に示すように、本実施形態のカメラユニット１は、基本的な構成については第１の実施形態のカメラユニット１と同様である。鏡筒２の構成も第１の実施形態と同様に撮像素子４に対して相対位置が固定された固定鏡筒１０と、固定鏡筒１０と互いに端面が対向するように設けられた可動鏡筒１５とから構成されている。   Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the camera unit 1 in the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the camera unit 1 of the present embodiment is the same as the camera unit 1 of the first embodiment in terms of the basic configuration. Similarly to the first embodiment, the configuration of the lens barrel 2 is a fixed lens barrel 10 whose relative position is fixed with respect to the image pickup device 4, and a movable lens barrel provided so that the end surfaces of the lens barrel 2 face each other. 15.

ここで、本実施形態では可動鏡筒１５の移動量を大きくするために、伸縮駆動素子６を２段重ねて設けている。すなわち、互いに対向する固定鏡筒１０の上端面１３と可動鏡筒１５の下端面１８との間に同じ伸縮駆動素子６を２つ設けてある。これら２つの伸縮駆動素子６には、独立して電圧を印加することができるようにされている。   Here, in this embodiment, in order to increase the moving amount of the movable lens barrel 15, the extension drive elements 6 are provided in two layers. That is, the same two expansion / contraction drive elements 6 are provided between the upper end surface 13 of the fixed barrel 10 and the lower end surface 18 of the movable barrel 15 facing each other. A voltage can be applied to these two expansion / contraction drive elements 6 independently.

図７には２つの伸縮駆動素子６のいずれにも電圧を印加した状態を示している。この図に示すように、本実施形態によれば第１の実施形態に比べて可動鏡筒１５を光軸方向に最大２倍移動させることができる。伸縮駆動素子６は、所望の移動量に合わせて２段に限らずさらに多段構成とすることもできる。   FIG. 7 shows a state in which a voltage is applied to both of the two expansion / contraction drive elements 6. As shown in this figure, according to this embodiment, the movable lens barrel 15 can be moved up to twice as much in the optical axis direction as compared with the first embodiment. The telescopic drive element 6 is not limited to two stages according to a desired movement amount, and can be configured in a multistage structure.

次に、本発明の第４の実施形態について説明する。図８には本実施形態におけるカメラユニット１の縦断面図を示す。この図に示すように、本実施形態のカメラユニット１は、レンズ群３を納めた鏡筒２を撮像素子４に対して光軸方向に移動させる点では第１の実施形態と同様である。しかし、本実施形態で鏡筒２は単一の部材から構成されており、伸縮駆動素子６は鏡筒２の下端面２ａと撮像素子４が配置された基板５との間を連結している。   Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the camera unit 1 in the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the camera unit 1 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment in that the lens barrel 2 containing the lens group 3 is moved in the optical axis direction with respect to the image sensor 4. However, in this embodiment, the lens barrel 2 is composed of a single member, and the telescopic drive element 6 connects the lower end surface 2a of the lens barrel 2 and the substrate 5 on which the image sensor 4 is disposed. .

伸縮駆動素子６に電圧を印加した状態について図９に示す。この図に示すように伸縮駆動素子６は面方向に膨張し厚さ方向に収縮するので、鏡筒２は基板５側に移動する。すなわち、鏡筒２に納められたレンズ群３は撮像素子４側に移動する。この際に安定した動作を行うために、基板５に固定されたガイド棒３０に対して鏡筒２の外周面にスライド部３１を設けてスライド自在とし、ガイド棒３０によって鏡筒２が基板５に対して垂直すなわち光軸方向に動作するようにしている。   FIG. 9 shows a state in which a voltage is applied to the expansion / contraction drive element 6. As shown in this figure, the telescopic drive element 6 expands in the plane direction and contracts in the thickness direction, so that the lens barrel 2 moves to the substrate 5 side. That is, the lens group 3 housed in the lens barrel 2 moves to the image sensor 4 side. At this time, in order to perform a stable operation, a slide portion 31 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel 2 with respect to the guide rod 30 fixed to the substrate 5 so as to be slidable. It is made to operate in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, that is, in the optical axis direction.

本実施形態のように鏡筒２の下端面２ａと基板５の間に伸縮駆動素子６を設けることにより、鏡筒２を一部材で構成することができ、機構を簡単にすることができる。また、伸縮駆動素子６は自体に遮光性を持たせることにより、鏡筒２の周囲に遮光構造を設ける必要がなくなり、この点からも全体の構成を簡易にすることができて、カメラユニット１の軽量化及びコンパクト化を図ることができる。なお、伸縮駆動素子６を遮光性とするためには、伸縮駆動素子６の電極２０、２１に含まれる導電性の炭素粒子の添加量を適宜調整するか、これら電極２０、２１に例えば色素を成分とした光吸収剤を添加すればよく、また、伸縮材２２を形成する誘電エラストマーに同様な光吸収剤を添加すればよい。   By providing the expansion / contraction drive element 6 between the lower end surface 2a of the lens barrel 2 and the substrate 5 as in the present embodiment, the lens barrel 2 can be configured as a single member, and the mechanism can be simplified. Further, since the telescopic drive element 6 itself has a light-shielding property, it is not necessary to provide a light-shielding structure around the lens barrel 2, and also from this point, the entire configuration can be simplified, and the camera unit 1. Can be reduced in weight and size. In order to make the expansion / contraction driving element 6 light-shielding, the amount of conductive carbon particles contained in the electrodes 20 and 21 of the expansion / contraction driving element 6 is appropriately adjusted, or a dye is added to these electrodes 20 and 21, for example. What is necessary is just to add the light absorber as a component, and what is necessary is just to add the same light absorber to the dielectric elastomer which forms the expansion-contraction material 22. FIG.

以上、本発明の実施形態について説明したが、本発明の適用はこれら実施形態には限られず、その技術的思想の範囲内において様々に適用されうるものである。   As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, application of this invention is not restricted to these embodiment, It can apply variously within the range of the technical idea.

本実施形態におけるカメラユニットの縦断面図である。It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the camera unit in this embodiment. 鏡筒の動作時における図１のカメラユニットの縦断面図である。It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the camera unit of FIG. 1 during operation of the lens barrel. 伸縮駆動素子の分解斜視図である。It is a disassembled perspective view of an expansion-contraction drive element. 第２の実施形態におけるカメラユニットの縦断面図である。It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the camera unit in 2nd Embodiment. 鏡筒の動作時における図４のカメラユニットの縦断面図である。FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the camera unit of FIG. 4 during operation of the lens barrel. 第３の実施形態におけるカメラユニットの縦断面図である。It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the camera unit in 3rd Embodiment. 鏡筒の動作時における図６のカメラユニットの縦断面図である。It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the camera unit of FIG. 6 at the time of operation | movement of a lens-barrel. 第４の実施形態におけるカメラユニットの縦断面図である。It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the camera unit in 4th Embodiment. 鏡筒の動作時における図８のカメラユニットの縦断面図である。It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the camera unit of FIG. 8 at the time of operation | movement of a lens-barrel.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１ カメラユニット
２ 鏡筒
３ レンズ群
４ 撮像素子
５ 基板
６ 伸縮駆動素子
１０ 固定鏡筒
１５ 可動鏡筒
２０ 上部電極
２１ 下部電極
２２ 伸縮材 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera unit 2 Lens barrel 3 Lens group 4 Image pick-up element 5 Board | substrate 6 Telescopic drive element 10 Fixed lens barrel 15 Movable lens barrel 20 Upper electrode 21 Lower electrode 22 Telescopic material

Claims (6)

鏡筒に納められたレンズと、該レンズを通過した光を受光する撮像素子とを備えたカメラユニットにおいて、
上記鏡筒は上記撮像素子に対する位置を固定された固定鏡筒と、該固定鏡筒に対し端面が互いに対向するように設けられ上記レンズを納めた可動鏡筒とからなり、互いに対向する上記固定鏡筒と可動鏡筒の各端面は伸縮駆動素子を介して連結されることで、上記可動鏡筒に納められたレンズを上記撮像素子に対して光軸方向に移動自在としたことを特徴とするカメラユニット。 In a camera unit comprising a lens housed in a lens barrel and an image sensor that receives light that has passed through the lens,
The lens barrel includes a fixed lens barrel whose position with respect to the imaging element is fixed, and a movable lens barrel which is provided so that end surfaces thereof face each other and house the lens, and which is opposed to each other. Each end face of the lens barrel and the movable lens barrel is connected via an expansion / contraction drive element, so that the lens housed in the movable lens barrel is movable in the optical axis direction with respect to the image sensor. Camera unit. 鏡筒に納められたレンズと、該レンズを通過した光を受光する撮像素子とを備えたカメラユニットにおいて、
上記撮像素子は基板上に固定され、上記鏡筒は端面が上記基板と互いに対向するように設けられ、互いに対向する上記鏡筒の端面と上記基板の表面は伸縮駆動素子を介して連結されることで、上記鏡筒に納められたレンズを上記撮像素子に対して光軸方向に移動自在としたことを特徴とするカメラユニット。 In a camera unit comprising a lens housed in a lens barrel and an image sensor that receives light that has passed through the lens,
The imaging element is fixed on a substrate, the lens barrel is provided with an end surface facing the substrate, and the end surface of the lens barrel facing the substrate and the surface of the substrate are connected via a telescopic drive element. Thus, the camera unit is characterized in that the lens housed in the lens barrel is movable in the optical axis direction with respect to the imaging element. 上記固定鏡筒は内周面に段部を有し、上記可動鏡筒は上記固定鏡筒の段部の周面にスライド自在に当接するガイド部を有してなることを特徴とする請求項１記載のカメラユニット。   The fixed lens barrel includes a step portion on an inner peripheral surface, and the movable lens barrel includes a guide portion that slidably contacts a peripheral surface of the step portion of the fixed lens barrel. 1. The camera unit according to 1. 上記伸縮駆動素子は伸縮自在な誘電体からなる面状の伸縮材を伸縮自在な２つの面状の電極で挟んで構成し、該電極間に電圧を印加すると上記伸縮材及び電極が面方向に膨張し厚さ方向に収縮することを特徴とする請求項１〜３のいずれか１項に記載のカメラユニット。   The expansion / contraction drive element is configured by sandwiching a planar stretchable material made of a stretchable dielectric between two stretchable electrode electrodes, and when the voltage is applied between the electrodes, the stretchable material and the electrodes are arranged in the plane direction. The camera unit according to claim 1, wherein the camera unit expands and contracts in a thickness direction. 上記伸縮駆動素子は上記各電極及び伸縮材を上記鏡筒の端面と略平行な向きで配置したことを特徴とする請求項４記載のカメラユニット。   5. The camera unit according to claim 4, wherein the expansion / contraction drive element has the electrodes and the expansion / contraction material arranged in a direction substantially parallel to an end surface of the lens barrel. 上記伸縮駆動素子は上記各電極及び伸縮材を上記鏡筒の端面と略直交する向きで配置したことを特徴とする請求項４記載のカメラユニット。   5. The camera unit according to claim 4, wherein the expansion / contraction drive element has the electrodes and the expansion / contraction material arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to an end surface of the lens barrel.
JP2004172461A 2004-06-10 2004-06-10 Camera unit Withdrawn JP2005352132A (en)

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EP2037303A3 (en) * 2007-09-14 2009-10-28 Konica Minolta Opto, Inc. Optical unit and image pickup apparatus
JP2012042979A (en) * 2011-11-14 2012-03-01 Konica Minolta Opto Inc Imaging device
JP5447387B2 (en) * 2008-10-01 2014-03-19 コニカミノルタ株式会社 Imaging unit and imaging apparatus
WO2019102957A1 (en) * 2017-11-24 2019-05-31 株式会社ブイ・テクノロジー Attachment structure for optical device, and exposure device

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CN1707302A (en) 2005-12-14

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