JP2005352287A - Focal position adjusting mechanism, imaging apparatus and cellular phone with camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus with which the focal position of an optical system is easily displaced to a standard photographing position and a macro photographing position by a hand operation. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus 10a is provided with a prism unit (an optical system) 20, a case 2, an imaging element 15, a supporting mechanism (a supporting arm 2d, a supporting shaft 3, a shaft guide 4 and a coil spring 5), a switching member (an operating member) 8 and an operating lever (a moving amount converting mechanism)7. The case 2 holds the prism unit 20. The supporting mechanism holds the case 2 so that at least a first displacement amount S1 is made movable along the direction of an optical axis of a luminous flux λ<SB>0</SB>being emitted from the optical system to match the focus of the optical system with a first focusing position P1 and a second focusing position P2. The switching member 8 is hand operated along the direction of the moving direction of the case 2 and moves a second displacement amount S2 that is larger than the first displacement amount S1. The operating lever 7 converts the second displacement amount S2 to the first displacement amount S1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is applied to a digital camera and a camera-equipped mobile phone including an optical system and an imaging device, and particularly relates to a focal position adjustment mechanism that switches a focal position of an optical system between a standard photographing position and a macro photographing position. The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus including the same and a camera-equipped mobile phone.

  Many imaging devices using coaxial optical systems have been filed as imaging devices used in digital cameras and camera-equipped mobile phones. The coaxial optical system is an optical system in which an optical element such as a lens is provided on a rotation target with respect to an optical axis of the optical system (an axis connecting an aperture of the imaging system and the center of the imaging screen). An imaging apparatus including a coaxial optical system is disclosed in, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 below.

  Recent digital cameras and camera-equipped mobile phones are required to be smaller, thinner and higher performance. In an imaging apparatus using a coaxial optical system for these devices, it is necessary to reduce the number of lenses in order to reduce the size of the imaging apparatus. However, if the number of lenses is reduced, it becomes difficult to reduce distortion occurring in the optical system, and the image quality deteriorates. In order to improve the image quality, it is necessary to increase the number of lenses, and as a result, there arises a problem that the image pickup apparatus becomes large.

  As one means for solving these problems, an imaging apparatus using a decentered optical system has been proposed. The decentered optical system is an optical system in which the optical axis of the light beam incident on the optical system and the optical axis of the light beam emitted from the optical system are not coaxial. For example, Patent Documents 4 to 6 below describe image pickup apparatuses to which an image pickup optical system including a prism having a free-form surface is applied.

  The aim of the techniques described in these patent documents 4 to 6 is to form an imaging optical system using a prism and adopt a free curved surface for the light incident surface, light exit surface or light reflecting surface of the prism. Thus, a compact and high-quality image can be obtained. In particular, in Patent Document 5 and Patent Document 6, two prisms are combined, and the light incident surface of the first prism closer to the object, the light incident surface of the first prism closer to the imaging surface, and the light incident of the second prism closer to the imaging surface. It describes that free-form surfaces are used for all seven surfaces in total, that is, a surface, two reflecting surfaces, and a light exit surface.

As a feature of such an optical system,
(1) The three reflecting surfaces use free-form surfaces having power (refractive power), and these reflecting surfaces can obtain a large power as compared with a refractive optical system such as a lens. Unaffected by chromatic aberration.
(2) It can have seven optical surfaces in a compact space. Accordingly, it is possible to set the optical elements by condensing them in a limited space.
(3) In order to improve optical performance, it is desirable to lengthen the optical path length of the entire optical system to some extent. By using a prism optical system having a free-form surface and bending the optical path, the overall size can be made compact while ensuring a sufficiently long optical path length as the imaging optical system.
For the above reasons, it is possible to improve image quality while being compact.

  Note that the optical system described in Patent Document 7 is configured from the subject side in the order of a reflecting mirror, an optical system using a lens, and a reflecting mirror, but is disclosed in Patent Document 5 and Patent Document 6 as compared with this method. Since the optical system that is used can reduce the lateral width, a more compact imaging device can be provided.

Patent Documents 8 and 9 show a method of switching between a normal (standard) photographing position and a macro photographing position in a coaxial optical system with a relatively simple mechanism. When the operating member provided in the radial direction from the optical axis of the coaxial optical system is rotated around the optical axis, the optical system is moved by the action of the screw or cam formed on the lens frame holding the optical system. Move along.
JP 2000-272587 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-267928 JP 2002-120122 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-326766 JP 2002-196243 A JP 2003-84200 A JP-A-7-333503 JP 2003-337279 A JP-A-10-170809

  The outer shape of the coaxial optical system such as the lens feeding device described in Patent Document 8 and the lens adjustment device described in Patent Document 9 is a rotationally symmetric shape with respect to the optical axis. On the other hand, the case of an optical system constituted by a prism having a free-form surface as described in Patent Documents 4 to 6 is difficult to be cylindrical and tends to be a substantially rectangular parallelepiped.

  Therefore, it is difficult to provide a cam, a screw, or the like applied to the coaxial optical system described in Patent Document 8 or Patent Document 9 on the outer periphery of the case of the decentered optical system described in Patent Documents 4 to 6. . That is, as described in Patent Document 8 and Patent Document 9, converting a rotational motion of a lever, knob, or the like using a cam or a screw into a minute displacement in the optical axis direction of the optical system is a decentered optical system. Is difficult.

  In addition, digital cameras and camera-equipped mobile phones have been handled and operated more frequently with one hand as the size and weight have been reduced. In such a case, the operation becomes more complicated as the performance is increased, so that improvement in operability is required. When the optical system is displaced between the standard photographing position and the macro photographing position, the amount of displacement is a slight amount that is difficult to detect by manual operation.

  However, if a displacement amount due to manual operation is converted into a minute displacement amount required for the optical system, or if a complicated mechanism is used in consideration of operability, the imaging apparatus itself becomes large. For this reason, space is taken inside the housing of the digital camera or camera-equipped mobile phone.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a focal position adjustment mechanism including a mechanism that can easily displace the focal position of an optical system using a free-form curved prism between a standard photographing position and a macro photographing position photographing position by a manual operation, and this focal position. An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device including an adjustment mechanism, and a camera-equipped mobile phone that can easily change the focal position of a built-in optical system by manual operation.

  The focal position adjustment mechanism according to the present invention includes a case, a support mechanism, an operation member, and a movement amount conversion mechanism. The case holds the optical system. The support mechanism is capable of moving at least the first displacement amount in a direction along the optical axis of the light beam emitted from the optical system so that the optical system is focused on the first focus position and the second focus position. Support. The operating member is manually operated in a direction along the moving direction of the case and moves a second displacement amount larger than the first displacement amount. The movement amount conversion mechanism converts the second displacement amount into the first displacement amount.

  In addition, in order to improve operability, the focus position adjustment mechanism is a self-locking mechanism that holds the case to alternately position the optical system at the first focus position and the second focus position every time the operation member is operated. Provide mechanism. For example, the self-locking mechanism includes a cam plate having a cam groove around the heart-shaped cam and a stopper that engages with the cam groove, and is fixed at two locations in the movement direction when the operation member is displaced in the movement direction. Is done.

  In a preferred embodiment of the focal position adjustment mechanism according to the present invention, the first focal position is for performing imaging corresponding to a case where the position of the object to be imaged is between a predetermined position and a position at almost infinity. It is a standard shooting position, and the second focus position is a macro shooting position for performing imaging corresponding to a case where the position of the object to be imaged is closer than the predetermined position.

  The support mechanism preferably includes an elastic member that urges the case in a direction along the optical axis so as to be held at the first focal position. The focal position adjusting mechanism according to the present invention is effective when applied to an optical system configured by two prisms including at least one free-form surface.

  The movement amount conversion mechanism is a link mechanism that reduces the second displacement amount to the first displacement amount using an insulator, or is formed on a part of the operation member so that the second displacement amount is changed to the first displacement amount. The flexible part is reduced to a displacement amount. In order to adjust the focus at each focal position to an appropriate position, the support mechanism includes an adjusting means for adjusting the first focal position or the second focal position.

  In order to make it possible to confirm that the focus position has been switched by the focus position adjustment mechanism, a switch that detects that the operation member is positioned at at least one of the first focus position and the second focus position is provided. Prepare. Furthermore, in order to clarify that it has been detected, it is also preferable to have a display means for displaying the result detected by the switch.

  An image pickup apparatus according to the present invention includes an optical system, a case, an image pickup element, a support mechanism, an operation member, a self-lock mechanism, and a movement amount conversion mechanism. The optical system is composed of two prisms having at least one refracting surface or reflecting surface formed in a free-form surface, and forms a bent optical axis. The case is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape that holds the optical system. The image sensor converts an object image formed by the optical system into an electric signal. The support mechanism is capable of moving the first displacement amount in a direction intersecting the light receiving surface so that the optical system is focused on the first focus position and the second focus position with respect to the light receiving surface of the image sensor. Support the case. The operation member is manually operated along the moving direction of the case with a second displacement amount larger than the first displacement amount in order to align the optical system with the first focus position or the second focus position. The self-locking mechanism holds the case in order to position the optical system at either the first focal position or the second focal position every time the operating member is operated. The movement amount conversion mechanism converts the second displacement amount into the first displacement amount.

  The camera-equipped mobile phone according to the present invention displays an entrance window of the imaging device, a release button, a switching button for switching the optical system of the imaging device between a standard shooting position and a close-up shooting position, and an image obtained by the imaging device. It is assumed that the LCD monitor is provided facing the outside of the housing. A release button, a switching button, and an LCD monitor are provided facing the same side of the housing, and an incident window is provided on the opposite side. In this camera-equipped mobile phone, the optical system is set to the standard shooting position without operating the switching button, and the optical system is set to the close-up shooting position by pushing the switching button into the housing. Further, in order to improve the operability of the photographing operation by the camera-equipped mobile phone, the release button and the switching button are arranged close to each other.

  In the present invention, a free curved surface means a curved surface that is rotationally asymmetric with respect to the optical axis and has one mirror image surface, and a free curved surface prism means a prism that has a free curved surface as an optical surface.

  According to the focal position adjusting mechanism of the present invention, a slight displacement amount of the optical system is converted to a level that can be sensed by a manual operation in a direction along the direction in which the optical system is displaced. Therefore, when the focal position of the optical system is switched, it can be realized that the optical system has been switched. Further, since the optical system is manually operated in a direction along the direction in which the optical system is displaced, it is easy to sensuously recognize what the focal position of the optical system is.

  According to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, in order to switch the focal position of the optical system, the case holding the optical system is moved in a direction intersecting the light receiving surface of the imaging element. This switching operation is performed by a manual operation in a direction along the moving direction of the optical system with a second displacement amount larger than the first displacement amount for switching the focal point of the optical system. As the imaging apparatus is downsized, the amount of displacement of the optical system for switching the focal position of the optical system is also reduced. On the other hand, the operation of switching the focal position of the optical system can be realized manually.

  According to the camera-equipped mobile phone of the present invention, the switching button for switching the focal position of the optical system of the imaging device and the LCD monitor are provided on the same side of the housing on the same side as the release button, and the imaging device is provided on the opposite side of these. An entrance window is provided. Therefore, the image obtained by the imaging device is displayed as if the light beam incident from the incident window is projected on the LCD. In addition, since the switching button for switching the focal length of the optical system is on the same side as the release button, the imaging operation can be performed by switching the focal position of the optical system without changing the camera-equipped mobile phone. Therefore, this camera-equipped mobile phone is excellent in operability in the imaging operation.

  A camera-equipped mobile phone 100 including a focal position adjusting mechanism 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the camera-equipped mobile phone 100 includes a housing 101 and an imaging device 10 a built in the housing 101. The housing 101 is formed by a hinge 102 so that it can be folded into a first housing 101a and a second housing 101b in the middle.

  The first housing 101a and the second housing 101b may be integrally formed. Further, the method of connecting the first housing 101a and the second housing 101b is not limited to the folding hinge, but a reversing hinge, a hinge that rotates in a direction along the display screen, or the first housing and the second housing. It may be a slide.

  The imaging device 10a is disposed in a portion near the hinge 102 of the first housing 101a. The imaging window 103 for taking the light beam λi from the subject into the imaging device 10a is provided at a position where the first housing 101a and the second housing 101b are folded and visible from the outside of the first housing 101a, and the hinge 102 is rotated. It opens in the direction that intersects the axis 102a.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the camera-equipped mobile phone 100 has, as the main configuration of the imaging function, an imaging device drive processing circuit 41, a compression / decompression circuit 42, a recording unit 43, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) in addition to the imaging device 10a. A monitor 44, a release button 45, a switching button 8, a detection switch 46, and a sequence controller 47 are provided.

  The image pickup device drive processing circuit 41 has a function of obtaining image data by taking in an image signal obtained by the image pickup device 15 provided in the image pickup apparatus 10a through an internal interface circuit and performing predetermined electrical processing. ing. The compression / decompression circuit 42 compresses and records the image data obtained by the image sensor drive processing circuit 41 on a recording medium applied as a recording unit.

  The LCD monitor 44 is a display means and is provided on the opposite side to the imaging window 103. The LCD monitor 44 is connected to the compression / decompression circuit 42, and the image data input from the image sensor drive processing circuit 41 to the compression / decompression circuit 42 or read from the recording unit 43 to the compression / decompression circuit 42 and decompressed. Display image data. The release button 45 is one of the operation units, and is disposed on the outer surface of the first housing 101 a opposite to the imaging window 103, that is, on the same side as the LCD monitor 44.

  The switch button 8 is the same as the LCD monitor 44 and the release button 45 on the outer surface of the first housing 101a opposite to the imaging window 103, particularly in the vicinity of the release button 45. Specifically, the user simultaneously presses with the thumb. Arranged within the possible range. The switching button 8 is a part of the focal position adjustment mechanism 1 provided in the imaging apparatus 10a, and is operated when the focal length of the imaging apparatus 10a is switched between the standard imaging position P1 and the macro imaging position P2.

  The detection switch 46 is disposed in the vicinity of the imaging device 10a, and detects that the focal length of the imaging device 10a has been switched to at least one of the standard imaging position P1 and the macro imaging position P2. The switch button 8 and the detection switch 46 will be described in detail together with the imaging device 10a. The sequence controller 47 is connected to the release button 45 and the detection switch 46, and outputs a predetermined operation signal based on these signals to the image sensor drive processing circuit 41.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the imaging device 10 a includes a first prism 11, a second prism 12, an imaging element 15, a substrate 16, and the focal position adjustment mechanism 1. The focal position adjustment mechanism 1 includes a case 2, a support shaft 3, a shaft guide 4, a coil spring 5, a base plate 6, an operation lever 7, a switching button 8, and adjustment screws 9a and 9b.

  The first prism 11 includes a first incident surface 11a, a first reflecting surface 11b, and a first exit surface 11c. The second prism 12 includes a second incident surface 12a, two second reflecting surfaces 12b and 12c, and a second exit surface 12d. Each of the first prism 11 and the second prism 12 is a form of an optical element, and at least one of the optical surfaces has one symmetric surface (mirror image surface) and is a rotationally asymmetric free-form surface. Is a free-form surface prism. As shown in FIG. 3, the first prism 11 and the second prism 12 are combined with a diaphragm plate 13 serving also as a prism support member in between, and constitute a prism unit 20 serving as a decentered optical system.

  The image sensor 15 is mounted on the substrate 16, and the light receiving surface 15 a is disposed on the imaging surface M. The imaging element 15 is a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) in which a large number of semiconductor elements such as phototransistors that convert light into an electrical signal are arranged on the light receiving surface 15a. The substrate 16 is incorporated in the base plate 6 from the side opposite to the prism unit 20. An end 6 a of the base plate 6 on the first prism 11 side is fixed to the inside of the first housing 101 a on the side opposite to the imaging window 103.

  The case 2 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped box shape that is long in the direction in which the first prism 11 and the second prism 12 are arranged. In the case 2, as shown in FIG. 3, the prism unit 20 is fixed inside by the diaphragm plate 13 and covers the prism unit 20 except for the image plane M side. On the wall of the case 2 on the side opposite to the imaging plane M side, an incident window 2a for allowing the light beam λi from the subject to pass is provided, and a transparent cover plate 2b is fitted.

  On the edge of the case 2 on the first prism 11 side, an anti-shake protrusion 2c is formed, and on the edge of the case 2 on the second prism 12 side, a support arm 2d is formed. The steady rest convex portion 2 c is fitted with a slide guide 6 b provided on the base plate 6. The anti-rest projection 2c and the slide guide 6b are slidable in a direction parallel to the optical axis of the light beam λo emitted from the second prism 12, and the movement is restricted in a direction intersecting the optical axis. ing.

  The support arm 2 d extends in the direction away from the prism unit 20 along the base plate 6 from the edge of the case 2 on the second prism 12 side near the base plate 6. A rib 2e is passed between the support arm 2d and the case 2 for reinforcement. The support shaft 3 is disposed in parallel with the optical axis of the light beam λo emitted from the second prism 12, and is passed through a shaft hole 2f provided in the support arm 2d. The support shaft 3 extending to the base plate 6 side is provided with a flange 3a that engages with the shaft hole 2f of the support arm 2d as a locking means. The fit between the shaft hole 2f and the support shaft 3 may be fixed without backlash by an interference fit, or may be fixed with an adhesive according to the optical axis.

  The shaft guide 4 supports both ends of the support shaft 3 so as to be movable in a direction parallel to the optical axis of the light beam λo emitted from the second prism 12 with the support arm 2d interposed therebetween. One of the shaft guides 4 is overlapped and fixed on the base plate 6, and a support hole 4a through which the support shaft 3 passes is provided. The other of the shaft guides 4 is arranged in parallel with the base plate 6 and is provided with a support recess 4b into which an end of the support shaft 3 is fitted. The coil spring 5 is extrapolated to the support shaft 3 in the section between the other side of the shaft guide 4 and the support arm 2d. As a result, the first prism 11 and the second prism 12 are urged in the direction approaching the image sensor 15 together with the case 2.

  The operation lever 7 has a base end portion 7 a pivotally supported by a lever support portion 6 c with a support pin 17, and an operated side end portion 7 b that protrudes through the first housing 101 a on the side opposite to the imaging window 103. A switch button 8 that is manually operated in a direction along the optical axis of the light beam λo emitted from the second prism 12 is provided at the operated side end 7b. The lever support portion 6c is fixed on the base plate 6 in the vicinity of the end portion of the support shaft 3 that penetrates the base plate 6 and extends on the opposite side to the prism unit 20 and the like.

  The operation lever 7 is connected to the support shaft 3 and the connection pin 18 at a position close to the base end portion 7a, and from the connection pin 18 to the operated side end portion 7b rather than the distance from the base end portion 7a to the connection pin 18. The distance is long enough. That is, the operation lever 7 and the support shaft 3 are connected by the connecting pin 18 and the long hole 3b at a position near the lever support portion 6c. Therefore, when the switching button 8 is manually operated in a direction along the direction in which the case 2 moves, the displacement amount of the support shaft 3, that is, the displacement amount of the case 2 that supports the optical system (first displacement amount) according to the lever principle. S1 is reduced with respect to the displacement amount (second displacement amount) S2 of the switching button 8. In other words, the link mechanism including the operation lever 7, the lever support portion 6c, and the support shaft 3 is a movement amount conversion mechanism that reduces and converts the second displacement amount S2 to the first displacement amount S1. The operation lever 7 is preferably made of an elastic member. By having elasticity, it is possible to prevent the operation lever 7 from being bent as a whole even if the switching button 8 is pushed too much and the case 2 to be displaced more than necessary.

  The case 2 is pushed toward the image sensor 15 by the urging force of the coil spring 5 with the switching button 8 not being operated. As a result, the focal position of the optical system is positioned at the standard photographing position P1, which is the first focal position. In the operation state in which the switching button 8 is pushed toward the first housing 101a, the case 2 is pushed toward the side away from the image sensor 15 in the direction along the optical axis of the light beam λo emitted from the second prism 12. . As a result, the focal position of the optical system is positioned at the macro photographing position P2, which is the second focal position. The standard shooting position P1 is a focal position at which shooting can be performed corresponding to a case where the position of an object to be imaged is between a position set in advance with respect to the optical system and a position near infinity. The macro shooting position P2 is a focal position at which shooting can be performed when the position of the object to be imaged is closer to the optical system than a predetermined position.

  The adjustment screws 9a and 9b are provided with an adjustment screw 9a for standard focus position adjustment and an adjustment screw 9b for macro focus position adjustment. The adjustment screw 9a for adjusting the standard focal position is attached so as to penetrate the base plate 6 in the direction along the support shaft 3, and the end abuts against the support arm 2d. By turning the adjusting screw 9a, the focal point of the optical system on the side close to the image sensor 15 can be adjusted to the standard photographing position P1. The adjustment screw 9b for adjusting the macro focus position passes through the shaft guide 4 on the side away from the base plate 6 coaxially with the support shaft 3, and the end abuts against the end surface of the support shaft 3. By turning the adjustment screw 9b, the focal point of the optical system on the side away from the image sensor 15 can be adjusted to the macro photographing position P2.

  Further, a detection switch 46 is disposed between the operation lever 7 and the base plate 6. The detection switch 46 is off when the switching button 8 is not operated, and is turned on when the switching button 8 is operated. Accordingly, the detection switch 46 in this case detects that the focal point of the optical system is positioned at the macro photographing position P2. The detection switch 46 may be provided between the operation lever 7 and the first housing 101a so that the switch button 8 is turned on when the switch button 8 is not operated. By providing the detection switch 21 in this way, it can be seen that the focal position of the optical system is switched reliably.

  The detection switch 46 only needs to detect that the case 2 has been moved and positioned so that the focal point of the optical system becomes the standard photographing position P1 and the macro photographing position P2, so that the detection switch 46 is located at the position shown in FIG. Without limitation, between the case 2 and the base plate 6, between the case 2 and the first housing 101a, between the support arm 2d and the base plate 6, between the support arm 2d and the shaft guide 4, adjustment screws 9a and 9b, It may be installed in

  A signal obtained by the detection switch 46 is input to the sequence controller 47, thereby displaying a mark or a message on the LCD monitor 44, turning on a separate indicator lamp provided on the LCD monitor 44 side, or changing a display color. Or visually informing. Moreover, you may alert | report that the switch button 8 was operated. In addition, although the detection switch 46 has detected only one side, you may provide so that both may be detected.

  In the present embodiment, the support mechanism is constituted by the support arm 2d, the support shaft 3, the shaft guide 4, the coil spring 5, the adjustment screws 9a and 9b, the anti-rest projection 2c, the slide guide 6b, and the base plate 6, and the focal position. The adjustment mechanism 1 includes a case 2, a support mechanism, an operation lever 7, a switching button 8, and a lever support portion 6c. In this case, the switching button 8 corresponds to the operation member, and the lever formed by the operation lever 7 and the lever support portion 6c corresponds to the movement amount conversion mechanism. The optical system is a decentered optical system configured by a free-form surface prism.

  When the camera-equipped mobile phone 100 including the imaging device 10a including the focal position adjusting mechanism 1 configured as described above has a very small displacement amount S1 of the focal position of the optical system from the standard photographing position P1 to the macro photographing position P2. However, it can be realized as the displacement amount S2 of the switching button 8. Further, since the operation direction of the switching button 8 is the same as the direction along the optical axis of the light beam λo emitted from the optical system, and the direction in which the optical system moves is the same, the switching operation is performed. Therefore, it is easy to perceive sensibly which state the focal position of the optical system is in.

  The imaging device 10b according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4 by taking as an example a case where the imaging device 10b is built in the camera-equipped mobile phone 100 as in the first embodiment. Since the appearance of the camera-equipped mobile phone 100 and the block configuration of main parts are the same as those in FIGS. 1 and 2, the description corresponding to the part of the first embodiment is referred to, and this embodiment is described. The description in is omitted. Also in FIG. 4, the same reference numerals are given to configurations having the same functions as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the imaging apparatus 10b of the present embodiment, the switching button 8 as the operation member and the support shaft 3 which is one part of the support mechanism are arranged on the same axis, and are continuously connected by the flexible portion 7c. Is formed. Therefore, it does not have a link mechanism like the imaging device 10a of the first embodiment. The flexible portion 7c has a shape folded along the base plate 6 and the first housing 101a.

  In the imaging apparatus 10a configured as described above, when the switching button 8 is pressed toward the first housing 101a, the support shaft 3 switches the focal position of the optical system between the standard imaging position P1 and the macro imaging position P2. The remaining displacement amount of the second displacement amount S2 due to the movement of the first displacement amount S1 and the depression of the switching button 8 is absorbed as the deflection of the flexible portion 7c. The spring constant of the flexible portion 7 c is set larger than the spring constant of the coil spring 5. Further, the shape of the flexible portion 7c is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 4, but may be a wedge shape or may be formed in a coil shape.

  As described above, the displacement amount (second displacement amount) S2 of the switching button 8 as the operation member is displaced by the flexible portion 7c so that the focal position of the optical system is changed between the standard photographing position P1 and the macro photographing position P2. It is converted into a quantity (first displacement quantity) S1. That is, the flexible part 7c functions as a movement amount conversion mechanism. In addition to the effects obtained by the imaging device 10a described in the first embodiment, the imaging device 10b has a small number of parts and a simple structure.

  An imaging device 10c according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 by taking as an example a case where the imaging device 10c is built in a camera-equipped mobile phone 100 as in the first embodiment. Since the appearance of the camera-equipped mobile phone 100 and the block configuration of main parts are the same as those in FIGS. 1 and 2, the description corresponding to the part of the first embodiment is referred to, and this embodiment is described. The description in is omitted. In FIG. 5, the same reference numerals are given to configurations having the same functions as those in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the imaging device 10 c of this embodiment includes a self-locking mechanism 30 on the extension of the moving direction of the switching button 8. The self-locking mechanism 30 protrudes from the first housing 101a in a direction along the optical axis of the light beam λo emitted from the optical system every time the switching button 8 is operated and is pushed into the first housing 101a. Each switching button 8 is held.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the self-lock mechanism 30 includes a link shaft 31, a lock mechanism spring 32, a cam housing 33, a cam plate 34, and a stopper 35. The link shaft 31 is connected to the operated side end 7 b of the operation lever 7 by a long hole 7 d and a pin 19. In the present embodiment, the long hole 7d is provided in the operation lever 7, but a long hole may be provided on the link shaft 31 side. The switching button 8 is provided at the end exposed from the first housing 101a, and the spring accommodating portion 31b is provided at the other end.

  The lock mechanism spring 32 is disposed along the axis of the link shaft 31 in the spring accommodating portion 31b, and biases the link shaft 31 in a direction in which the link shaft 31 is pushed out from the first housing 101a. The cam housing 33 is provided outside the spring accommodating portion 31b. The cam plate 34 is attached to the cam housing 33. The cam plate 34 includes a heart-shaped cam 36 projecting from the center, and a cam groove 37 provided around the heart-shaped cam 36.

  In the stopper 35, the base 35 a is inserted into a recess 4 c formed outside the shaft guide 4, and rotates around an axis disposed in a direction along the base plate 6. The distal end portion 35 b of the stopper 35 is engaged with the cam groove 37. The cam groove 37 is provided with a plurality of ridges 37b across the cam groove 37 in the bottom portion 37a. Each of the ridges 37b is formed in a wedge shape in cross section, and has a shape that rides over the tip 35b of the stopper 35 in one direction.

  Each time the switching button 8 is operated, the distal end portion 35b of the stopper 35 moves by half a circumference along the cam groove 37 in the counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the base portion 35a is orthogonal to the cam plate 34. Swing around the axis. The self-locking mechanism 30 is in a state where the switching button 8 is not operated in the state shown in FIG. 6, that is, in a state where the optical system is set to the first focal position (standard photographing position) P1, and FIG. In this state, the switching button 8 is operated, that is, the optical system is set to the second focal position (macro photographing position) P2.

  In the imaging apparatus 10c configured as described above, the focus position of the optical system is positioned at the first focus position P1 or the second focus position P2 each time the switching button 8 is operated once. Even when the user releases the switching button 8, the position is maintained by the self-lock mechanism 30. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the previous embodiment, the operability is further improved.

  In the present embodiment, the heart cam mechanism having the heart-shaped cam 36 and the cam groove 37 has been described as an example of the self-locking mechanism. However, the self-locking mechanism is operated when the switching button is operated along the moving direction of the optical system. Any mechanism that stops at two locations in the moving direction may be used. Therefore, it is not limited to the heart cam mechanism, and may be configured by a cam mechanism or a link mechanism having another shape. For example, it is also possible to apply a rotary cam mechanism in which the cam plate or the cam member rotates about an axis along the moving direction of the operating member or an axis orthogonal to the moving direction every time the operating member is operated. It is one form that can be implemented.

  The appearance of the camera-equipped mobile phone 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. Since the block configuration of the main parts of the camera-equipped mobile phone 100 is the same as that in FIG. 2, the description of the first embodiment is referred to for the explanation. In addition, the camera-equipped mobile phone 100 includes an imaging device 10d in the first housing 101a near the hinge 102. Any of the imaging devices 10a, 10b, and 10c shown in the first to third embodiments is applied to the imaging device 10d. Therefore, the description corresponding to the part of the first embodiment is referred to, and the description in the present embodiment is omitted.

  The camera-equipped mobile phone 100 is provided with the switching button 8 and the release button 45 on the same side of the first housing 101a on which the LCD monitor 44 is provided, that is, on the user side, with the LCD monitor 44 facing the user. It has been. In particular, the switching button 8 is provided adjacent to the release button 45. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the image pickup window 103 for taking the light flux from the subject into the image pickup apparatus 10d is provided on the opposite side of the LCD monitor 44. As shown in FIG. It can be pointed towards the subject while holding it.

  The camera-equipped mobile phone 100 can be operated with the thumb at the same time with the switching button 8 and the release button 45 in a state of being held as shown in FIG. That is, when it is desired to set the focal position at the macro shooting position P2, when the image pickup apparatuses 10a and 10b of the first and second embodiments are provided, the release button 45 may be operated while pressing the switching button 8. In the case where the imaging apparatus 10c according to the third embodiment is provided, the release button 45 can be operated after the switching button 8 is operated.

  In either case, the focus position of the optical system of the image pickup apparatus 10d can be easily switched between the standard shooting position P1 and the macro shooting position P2 without changing the camera-equipped mobile phone 100, and quick response corresponding to the situation. Is possible. In order to make it easier to understand that the focal position of the optical system of the camera-equipped mobile phone 100 is switched between the standard photographing position P1 and the macro photographing position P2, the camera-equipped cellular phone 100 is shown in FIG. In addition, a mark F or a message is displayed on the LCD monitor 44, or a visual indicator is provided by turning on an indicator lamp provided on the LCD monitor 44 side or changing the display color. Moreover, you may alert | report that the switch button 8 was operated.

  The focus position adjustment mechanism according to the present invention can be used as a focus position switching mechanism of an electronic device having a photographing function such as a digital camera, in addition to being applied to an image pickup apparatus including an image pickup device and built in a camera-equipped mobile phone. It is.

1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a camera-equipped mobile phone according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram of the mobile phone with a camera shown in FIG. Sectional drawing of the imaging device shown in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the imaging device of 2nd Embodiment which concerns on this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the imaging device of 3rd Embodiment concerning this invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a self-locking mechanism of the imaging apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a self-locking mechanism of the imaging apparatus shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the mobile telephone with a camera of 4th Embodiment which concerns on this invention. The perspective view of the mobile phone with a camera shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Focus position adjustment mechanism, 2 ... Case, 2a ... Incident window, 2c ... Stabilization convex part (support mechanism), 2d ... Support arm (support mechanism), 3 ... Support shaft (support mechanism), 4 ... Shaft guide ( Support mechanism), 5 ... Coil spring (support mechanism), 6 ... Base plate (support mechanism), 7 ... Operation lever (movement amount conversion mechanism), 7c ... Flexible part, 8 ... Switching button (operation member), 9a, 9b ... adjusting screws (adjusting means), 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d ... imaging device, 11 ... first prism, 12 ... second prism, 15 ... imaging element, 20 ... prism unit (optical system), 30 ... self-locking mechanism 34 ... Cam plate (cam plate), 35 ... Stopper, 36 ... Heart-shaped cam, 37 ... Cam groove, 44 ... LCD monitor, 45 ... Release button, 46 ... Detection switch, 100 ... Phone with camera, 1 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a ... 1st housing (housing | casing), 101b ... 2nd housing (housing | housing), 103 ... Imaging window, (lambda) i, (lambda) o ... Light beam, F ... Mark (display means), M ... Imaging surface, P1 ... 1st Focus position (standard shooting position), P2 ... second focus position (macro imaging position), S1 ... first displacement amount, S2 ... second displacement amount.

Claims (15)

A case for holding the optical system;
The case is supported so that the first displacement amount can be moved in a direction along the optical axis of the light beam emitted from the optical system so that the optical system is focused on the first focal position and the second focal position. A support mechanism;
An operation member that is manually operated in a direction along the moving direction of the case and moves a second displacement amount larger than the first displacement amount;
A movement amount conversion mechanism for converting the second displacement amount into the first displacement amount;
A focus position adjusting mechanism characterized by comprising:   2. A self-locking mechanism that holds the case so as to alternately position the optical system at the first focal position and the second focal position each time the operating member is operated. The focal position adjustment mechanism described in 1.   The focal position adjusting mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the self-locking mechanism includes a cam plate having a cam groove around a heart-shaped cam and a stopper engaged with the cam groove. The first focal position is a standard imaging position for performing imaging in response to a case where the position of an object to be imaged is between a predetermined position and a position near infinity,
2. The focal position adjustment according to claim 1, wherein the second focal position is a macro imaging position for performing imaging in response to a case where an object to be imaged is closer to the predetermined position. mechanism.   The focal position adjustment mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the support mechanism includes an elastic member that urges the case in a direction along the optical axis so as to be held at the first focal position.   The focal position adjustment mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the optical system includes two prisms including at least one free-form surface.   The focal position adjustment mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the movement amount conversion mechanism is a link mechanism that reduces the second displacement amount to the first displacement amount using a lever.   2. The focal position according to claim 1, wherein the movement amount conversion mechanism is a flexible portion that is formed on a part of an operation member and reduces the second displacement amount to the first displacement amount. Adjustment mechanism.   The focus position adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the support mechanism includes an adjusting unit for adjusting the first focus position or the second focus position.   2. The focus position adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the operation member includes a switch that detects that the operation member is positioned at at least one of the first focus position and the second focus position.   The focus position adjusting mechanism according to claim 10, further comprising display means for displaying a result detected by the switch. An optical system formed of two prisms having at least one refracting surface or reflecting surface formed in a free-form surface and forming a bent optical axis;
A rectangular parallelepiped case holding the optical system;
An image sensor that converts an image of a subject formed by the optical system into an electrical signal;
The case capable of moving at least a first displacement amount in a direction intersecting the light receiving surface so that the focus of the optical system is aligned with the first focus position and the second focus position with respect to the light receiving surface of the image sensor. A support mechanism for supporting
An operation member that is manually operated along the moving direction of the case with a second displacement amount larger than the first displacement amount in order to align the optical system with the first focus position or the second focus position. When,
A self-locking mechanism that holds the case to position the optical system at either the first focal position or the second focal position each time the operating member is operated;
An imaging apparatus comprising: a movement amount conversion mechanism that converts the second displacement amount into the first displacement amount. An incident window of the image pickup device, a release button, a switching button for switching the optical system of the image pickup device between a standard shooting position and a close-up shooting position, and an LCD monitor for displaying an image obtained by the image pickup device, In camera-equipped mobile phones that face the outside,
The release button, the switching button and the LCD monitor are provided facing the same side of the housing,
A camera-equipped mobile phone characterized in that the entrance window is provided on the opposite side.   The optical system is set to the standard photographing position without operating the switching button, and the optical system is set to the close-up photographing position by pushing the switching button into the housing. 13. A mobile phone with a camera according to 13.   14. The camera-equipped mobile phone according to claim 13, wherein the release button and the switching button are arranged close to each other.

Images