JP2006098531A - Image stabilization mechanism and camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To constitute a locking mechanism for an optical element supported to be driven in order to correct image blurring, using a simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: An engaging pin 27 is provided in the vicinity of the corner part of the frame 21 of a CCD holder for holding a CCD. A column to be engaged 112 is provided at a position, corresponding to the engaging pin 27 in a lens holder 101 to hold a lens 100. A receiving hole 113, in which the engaging pin 27 can be fit, is formed on the column to be engaged 112. When the power source of a digital camera is turned off, the lens holder 101 is driven to a position, where the engaging pin 27 is engaged in the receiving hole 113 by using a driving mechanism at zooming. A photointerrupter detects that the lens holder 101 has been driven to the position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image blur correction mechanism provided in an optical apparatus such as a camera or binoculars.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some optical devices such as cameras and binoculars are equipped with an image blur correction mechanism that corrects image blur caused by camera shake or the like. The image blur correction mechanism is a type that drives the correction optical system that constitutes a part of the imaging optical system along a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the imaging optical system, and in the case of a digital camera, images a solid-state image sensor. A type of driving along a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system is known. These image blur correction mechanisms are provided with a lock mechanism for fixing the correction optical system and the solid-state imaging device so as not to be displaced along a plane perpendicular to the optical axis when the image blur function is not used.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-80561

  However, in addition to the member and actuator for image blur correction, a member and actuator dedicated to the lock mechanism must be mounted. As a result, there has been a problem that the image blur correction mechanism becomes complicated, and as a result, the entire optical apparatus becomes large. In addition, there has been a problem that an increase in the number of parts causes an increase in manufacturing costs.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a lock mechanism having a simple configuration in an image blur correction mechanism of an optical apparatus.

  An image blur correction mechanism according to the present invention forms part of an imaging system of an optical device, and first and second intersecting in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical device to correct image blur of the optical device. A first optical element that is supported so as to be drivable in a direction, a second optical element that forms part of the imaging system and is supported so as to be drivable along the optical axis, and a second optical element that corresponds to the second optical element. The second optical element is fixed to the second optical element by using a lock means fixedly supported by the optical element and a driving means for driving the second optical element during photographing when the supply of power to the optical apparatus is stopped. Position regulating means for positioning in the vicinity of one optical element and regulating the drive range of the first optical element via a locking means is provided. The optical device may be a camera, for example.

  Preferably, the locking means is provided in a first engaging member provided in the first holding means for holding the first optical element, and in a second holding means for holding the second optical element, A second engagement member that can be engaged with the engagement member.

  Preferably, a position detecting means provided on the first holding means for detecting that the second holding means is positioned at a storage position where the first engaging member and the second engaging member are engaged. Is provided.

  Optionally, the first optical element may be a solid-state image sensor and the second optical element may be a zooming optical system.

  When the second holding means is positioned at the storage position, the zooming optical system is located outside the driving range during photographing.

  The first engaging member is formed on the first holding means, the axis of which is a pin parallel to the optical axis, the second engaging member is formed on the second holding means, and the pin is engaged Possible receiving holes may be used.

  The camera according to the present invention forms a part of an imaging system and is supported to be drivable in first and second directions intersecting in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis in order to correct image blur. An optical element, a second optical element that constitutes a part of the imaging system and is supported so as to be drivable along the optical axis, and a lock unit that fixedly supports the first optical element on the second optical element And when the supply of power to the optical device is stopped, the second optical element is positioned in the vicinity of the first optical element by using a driving means for driving the second optical element at the time of photographing, and the locking means And a position restricting means for restricting the drive range of the first optical element via the first optical element.

  Alternatively, the first optical element may be a solid-state imaging device, and the second optical element may be an optical lens that constitutes a photographing optical system of the imaging system. Alternatively, the first optical element may be an optical lens that constitutes a correction optical system of the imaging system.

  According to the present invention, when the driving of the first optical element is restricted by the locking means, the second optical element is moved to the first optical element by using the driving means for driving the second optical element during photographing. Position in the vicinity. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a special drive mechanism for using the lock means, and the image blur correction mechanism is prevented from becoming complicated and large. In addition, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed, so that an increase in cost is prevented.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an image blur correcting unit to which an embodiment according to the present invention is applied together with a part of a lens unit. The image blur correction unit 1 is mounted on a digital camera and is of a type that drives a CCD that acquires a subject image. In FIG. 1, the X direction is the horizontal direction (horizontal direction) in the normal holding posture of the digital camera, and the Y direction is the vertical direction (vertical direction) in the same holding posture, which are orthogonal to each other. The image blur correction unit 1 includes a CCD 10, a CCD fixing plate 11, a CCD holder 20, an intermediate stage 30, and a unit base plate 40. The lens unit 2 includes a lens 100 and a lens holder 101. The CCD holder 20, the intermediate stage 30, and the unit base plate 40 are arranged in this order along the optical axis OP from the CCD 10 toward the lens 100.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the CCD 10, the CCD fixing plate 11, the CCD holder 20, and the intermediate stage 30 in an enlarged manner. The CCD 10 is fixed to a substantially rectangular CCD fixing plate 11. On the light receiving surface side of the CCD 10, a low-pass filter 13 fitted in the presser rubber 12 for preventing moire is disposed. A pair of set screws 14 are provided on the first side portion 11 </ b> R of the CCD fixing plate 11. The pair of set screws 14 are arranged along the vertical direction Y.

  A rectangular opening 20P is formed in the approximate center of the substantially rectangular CCD holder 20, and a rectangular frame 21 is disposed so as to surround the opening 20P. The frame 21 has a predetermined thickness. A screw hole 22 into which the pair of set screws 14 of the CCD fixing plate 11 are fitted is formed in the first side portion 20R of the CCD holder 20. The upper side portion 20U of the CCD holder 20 is provided with a pair of support portions 24 in which holes for supporting the lateral guide shafts 23 are formed. The lower side portion 20B of the CCD holder 20 is provided with a pair of support portions 26 in which holes for supporting the lateral guide shaft 25 are formed.

  FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the intermediate stage 30 and the unit base plate 40 in an enlarged manner. A pair of support portions 31 each having a hole for supporting the lateral guide shaft 23 (see FIG. 2) are provided on the upper side portion 30U of the intermediate stage 30 which is a substantially rectangular frame member. A dimension h <b> 2 between the pair of support parts 31 is shorter than a dimension h <b> 1 (see FIG. 2) between the pair of support parts 24 of the CCD holder 20. A support portion 33 that supports the lateral guide shaft 25 (see FIG. 2) is provided in the approximate center of the lower side portion 30B of the intermediate stage 30. An attachment portion 32 for attaching the coil substrate 51 is formed on the first side portion 30 </ b> R of the intermediate stage 30. On the upper surface 30U and the lower surface 30B of the intermediate stage 30, a hole 36 through which the vertical guide shaft 41 is inserted is formed in the vicinity of the first side portion 30R, and the vertical guide shaft 42 is formed in the vicinity of the second side portion 30L. A hole 35 through which is inserted is formed.

  The unit base plate 40 is fixed in a lens barrel of the digital camera by a predetermined mounting mechanism. A rectangular opening 40 </ b> P is formed in the approximate center of the unit base plate 40. In the vicinity of the first side portion 40R of the unit base plate 40, a vertical drive unit accommodation chamber 50 is provided. A lateral drive unit accommodation chamber 60 is provided in the vicinity of the second side portion 40L that faces the first side portion 40R and extends in parallel with the first side portion 40R. A vertical drive unit 50U for moving the CCD 10 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) along the vertical direction Y and a horizontal drive unit 60U for moving along the horizontal direction X are provided in the storage chambers 50 and 60, respectively. It is done.

  The vertical drive unit 50 </ b> U is a linear actuator including a coil substrate 51, a permanent magnet 52, a yoke 53, and a yoke 54. The coil substrate 51 is a multilayer printed circuit board, and a vertical flat coil 55 is formed on which a conducting wire is wound along the plane of the coil substrate 51. The lateral drive unit 60U is a linear actuator including a coil substrate 61, a permanent magnet 62, a yoke 63, and a yoke 64. The coil substrate 61 and the yoke 64 are shown in FIG. The coil substrate 61 has the same configuration as that of the coil substrate 51, and a flat coil (not shown) is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the lens unit 2, the lens 100 constituting the photographing optical system is supported by the lens holder 101. The lens holder 101 is supported by two lens guide shafts 110 and 111. The lens guide shaft 110 is fitted into a receiving hole 43 formed near the upper edge of the unit parent plate 40, and the lens guide shaft 111 is fitted into a receiving hole 44 formed near the lower edge of the unit parent plate 40. The lens holder 101 is guided to the lens guide shafts 110 and 111 by a predetermined lens holder driving mechanism (not shown) in zooming processing at the time of photographing, lens storage when the power is turned off, and feeding processing when the power is turned on. However, it is driven along the optical axis OP.

  The CCD unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The CCD 10 and the low-pass filter 13 fixed to the CCD fixing plate 11 pass through the opening 20P of the CCD holder 20 and are nested in the frame 21. In this state, the pair of set screws 14 are inserted through the first side portions 11 </ b> R of the CCD fixing plate 11 and screwed into the screw holes 22 of the CCD holder 20. The CCD unit 3 is constituted by the CCD 10, the low-pass filter 13, the CCD fixing plate 11, and the CCD holder 20.

  In the CCD holder 20 and the intermediate stage 30, the pair of support portions 31 of the intermediate stage 30 are positioned between the pair of support portions 24 of the CCD holder 20, and the intermediate stage 30 is positioned between the pair of support portions 26 of the CCD holder 20. The support part 33 is positioned, and the frame 21 of the CCD holder 20 is positioned in the opening part 30P of the intermediate stage 30 and combined in such a manner that it is supported by the opening part 30P. The lateral guide shaft 23 is disposed so as to pass through the holes of the pair of support portions 24 and the holes of the pair of support portions 31. The lateral guide shaft 23 can slide along the longitudinal direction with respect to the holes of the pair of support portions 31, and the lateral guide shaft 23 is fixedly fitted into the holes of the pair of support portions 24. . Therefore, the CCD unit 3 is supported by the lateral guide shaft 23 so as to be movable in the lateral direction X.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a permanent magnet 52 and a yoke 53 are disposed in the longitudinal drive unit accommodation chamber 50. The permanent magnet 52 and the yoke 53 have a rectangular thin plate shape. The yoke 53 faces the inner peripheral surface of the storage chamber 50, and the permanent magnets 52 are positioned inside the storage chamber 50, and are arranged so that the longitudinal direction thereof is parallel to the optical axis OP.

  A permanent magnet 62 and a yoke 63 are disposed in the lateral drive unit accommodation chamber 60. Like the permanent magnet 52 and the yoke 53, the permanent magnet 62 and the yoke 63 have a rectangular thin plate shape. The yoke 63 faces the inner peripheral surface of the storage chamber 60, and the permanent magnets 62 are positioned inside the storage chamber 60, and are arranged so that their longitudinal directions are orthogonal to the optical axis OP. In other words, the planes of the permanent magnet 62 and the yoke 63 are perpendicular to the optical axis OP.

  The relative relationship among the CCD unit 3, the intermediate stage 30, and the unit base plate 40 will be described with reference to FIG. The CCD unit 3, the intermediate stage 30, and the unit base plate 40 are arranged such that the frame 21 of the CCD holder 20 is located in the opening 30 </ b> P of the intermediate stage 30 and in the opening 40 </ b> P of the unit base plate 40. The 30 attachment portions 32 are combined so as to be positioned on the upper surface 50C of the vertical drive unit accommodation chamber 50.

  In this state, the vertical guide shaft 42 is provided in the vicinity of the second side portion 40L of the unit base plate 40 and the holes 45 provided in the upper side portion 40U and the lower side portion 40B, respectively, and in the vicinity of the second side portion 30L of the intermediate stage 30. In FIG. 2, the holes 35 are provided in the upper side 30U and the lower side 30B so as to be inserted therethrough. The vertical guide shaft 42 is slidable in the axial direction with respect to the hole 35 of the intermediate stage 30 and is fixedly fitted into the hole 45 of the unit base plate 40. Similarly, the vertical guide shaft 41 is fixedly fitted into a hole 46 (not shown) in the upper side portion 40U and a hole (not shown) in the lower side portion 40B in the vicinity of the first side portion 40R of the unit base plate 40, and the intermediate stage 30 The hole 36 of the upper side part 30U and the hole (not shown) of the lower side part 30B in the vicinity of the first side part 30R are slidably inserted.

  In a state where the intermediate stage 30 is combined with the unit base plate 40 as described above, the coil substrate 51 is fixed to the mounting portion 32. The coil substrate 51 is attached so that the portion where the vertical flat coil 55 is formed faces the permanent magnet 52. A yoke 54 is attached so as to cover the opening of the storage chamber 50. That is, the yoke 54 is disposed so as to face the back surface of the surface of the coil substrate 51 that faces the permanent magnet 52.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the coil substrate 61 is fixed to the CCD holder 20 together with the CCD fixing plate 11 by a set screw 67. Accordingly, the coil substrate 61 is positioned to face the permanent magnet 62 in a state where the intermediate stage 30 is combined with the unit base plate 40. The yoke 64 (see FIG. 1) is attached so as to cover the opening of the accommodation chamber 60. As a result, the yoke 64 is positioned so as to face the coil substrate 61.

  Further, the CCD fixing plate 11 is fixed to the CCD holder 20 by a set screw 67. That is, the coil substrate 61 is attached and the CCD unit 3 is assembled by a single member (set screw 67). Further, as described above, the pair of set screws 14 are inserted through the first side portion 11 </ b> R of the CCD fixing plate 11 and screwed into the screw holes 22 of the CCD holder 20. That is, the CCD fixing plate 11 is fixed to the CCD holder 20 by a pair of set screws 14 and set screws 67.

  FIG. 5 is a front view showing the assembled image blur correction unit 1 from the lens unit 2 side, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a cross section taken along line VI-VI in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the vertical drive unit 50U and the horizontal drive unit 60U are opposed to each other across the optical axis OP. The coil substrate 51 of the vertical drive unit 50U is parallel to the optical axis OP, and the coil substrate of the horizontal drive unit 60U is perpendicular to the optical axis OP. As described above, the CCD fixing plate 11, the CCD holder 20, and the coil substrate 61 are fixed by the set screw 67. Furthermore, the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal drive unit 50U is orthogonal to the plane of each of the above-described components of the lateral drive unit 60U, and the longitudinal direction of the lateral drive unit 60U is the above-described components of the longitudinal drive unit 50U. Orthogonal to the plane of the element.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the vertical drive unit 50 </ b> U, the yoke 53 and the permanent magnet 52 arranged so as to face the inner peripheral surface of the storage chamber 50 are fixed by magnetic force. While the pair of yokes 53, 54 attract each other via the permanent magnet 52, the yoke 53 engages with the pair of wall projections 58 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the storage chamber 50 at both longitudinal ends 53 </ b> A, As for the yoke 54, the protrusions 54A formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction engage with the notches 50B (see FIG. 3) of the storage chamber 50. Accordingly, the pair of yokes 53 and 54 are fixed to the storage chamber 50. The coil substrate 51 is positioned so as to be movable in the gap between the yoke 54 and the permanent magnet 52.

  When a current is passed through the longitudinal flat coil 55 of the coil substrate 51, the coil substrate 51 is displaced along the longitudinal direction Y by electromagnetic force. In other words, the permanent magnet 52 is magnetized so that an electromagnetic propulsion force is generated in the longitudinal direction Y when a current is passed through the longitudinal flat coil 55 in the longitudinal drive unit 50U configured as described above. The coil substrate 51 is fixed to the mounting portion 32 of the intermediate stage 30 as described above, and the frame 21 of the CCD holder 20 of the CCD unit 3 is supported by the opening 30P of the intermediate stage 30. Therefore, the CCD 10 is driven upward or downward along the vertical direction Y via the intermediate stage 30 and the CCD holder 20 by appropriately controlling the direction of the current flowing through the vertical flat coil 55.

  In the lateral drive unit 60U, the yoke 63 and the permanent magnet 62 arranged so as to face the inner peripheral surface of the storage chamber 60 are fixed by magnetic force. The pair of yokes 63 and 64 engage with the storage chamber 60 in the same manner as the vertical drive unit 50U while attracting each other via the permanent magnet 62. That is, the pair of yokes 63 and 64 are fixed to the storage chamber 60, and the coil substrate 61 is positioned so as to be movable in the gap between the permanent magnet 62 and the yoke 64.

  When a current is passed through the horizontal flat coil 65 (see FIG. 4) of the coil substrate 61, the coil substrate 61 is displaced along the horizontal direction X by electromagnetic force. In other words, the permanent magnet 62 is magnetized so that an electromagnetic propulsion force is generated in the lateral direction X when a current is passed through the lateral flat coil 65 in the lateral drive unit 60U configured as described above. The coil substrate 61 is fixed to the CCD holder 20 together with the CCD fixing plate 11 by a set screw 67. Therefore, the CCD unit 3 is driven along the horizontal direction X in the left direction or the right direction through the CCD fixing plate 11 by appropriately controlling the direction of the current flowing in the horizontal flat coil 65. That is, the CCD 10 is driven in the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the length v1 in the vertical direction Y of the opening 40P of the unit base plate 40 is longer than the length v2 in the vertical direction Y of the intermediate stage 30. Accordingly, a predetermined gap is formed between the intermediate stage 30 and the inner peripheral surface of the opening 40P in a state where the image blur correction unit 1 is assembled and the intermediate stage 30 is positioned in the opening 40P. The drive range in the vertical direction Y of the CCD 10 by the vertical drive unit 50U is determined by this gap.

  A dimension h1 between the support portions 24 that fixedly support the lateral guide shaft 23 is longer than a dimension h2 between the support portions 31 that slidably support the guide shaft 23, and a predetermined gap is formed. The support portion 33 that slidably supports the lateral guide shaft 25 is located between a pair of support portions 26 that fixedly support the guide shaft 25, and a predetermined amount is provided between the support portion 26 and the support portion 33. An interval is formed. In addition, the length h3 in the lateral direction X of the opening 30P of the intermediate stage 30 is longer than the length h4 in the lateral direction X of the frame 21, and a predetermined distance along the lateral direction X is provided between the opening 30P and the frame 21. A gap is formed. The driving range in the horizontal direction X of the CCD 10 by the horizontal driving unit 60U is determined by these gaps.

  The coil substrate 61 is provided with a lateral detection Hall element 66 (see FIG. 1), and the coil substrate 51 is provided with a longitudinal detection Hall element 56 (see FIG. 6). The position of the CCD 10 in the horizontal direction Y and the vertical direction X is detected by monitoring the resistance values of the Hall elements 56 and 66 that change according to the change of the magnetic field. In the present embodiment, the amount of shake is calculated based on the amount of shake of the digital camera detected by a gyro sensor (not shown) provided in the digital camera and the position of the CCD 10 calculated via the Hall elements 56 and 66. The movement target position of the CCD 10 is calculated so as to cancel out the above. Then, the amount and direction of the current flowing through the vertical flat coil 55 and the horizontal flat coil 65 are calculated so that the movement target position of the CCD 10 is driven.

  As described above, the frame 21 passes through the opening 30P of the intermediate stage 30, and the vertical guide shafts 41 and 42 pass through the holes 35 and 36 provided near the side edge of the opening 30P. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the longitudinal guide shafts 41 and 42 are positioned in the vicinity of the side portion of the frame 21 in a state where the image blur correction unit 1 is assembled. When viewed from the direction of the optical axis OP (the direction shown in FIG. 5), it is arranged at a position overlapping the side portions 11R and 11L (see FIG. 6) of the CCD fixing plate 11. Further, the longitudinal guide shafts 41 and 42 and the frame 21 have a relative relationship in which the diameters of the longitudinal guide shafts 41 and 42 are smaller than the thickness t1 (see FIG. 2) along the optical axis OP of the frame 21.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing the assembled image blur correcting unit 1 together with the lens unit 2. In the frame 21 of the CCD holder 20, an engagement pin 27 is provided in the vicinity of a corner where the second side portion 21L and the lower side portion 21B intersect. The engaging pin 27 is formed so that its axis is parallel to the optical axis OP. In the lens holder 101 of the lens unit 2, an engaged column 112 is provided at a position corresponding to the engagement pin 27 on the surface facing the image blur correction unit 1. The engaged column 112 is provided such that its axis is parallel to the optical axis OP. A receiving hole 113 into which the engaging pin 27 can be fitted is formed in the engaged column 112. A sensor mounting portion 45 is provided on the lower side portion 40B of the unit base plate 40. A photo interrupter described later is attached to the sensor attachment portion 45.

  In this specification, the position of the lens holder 101 when the engagement pin 27 is fitted in the receiving hole 113 is referred to as a “storage position”. When the lens holder 101 is in the storage position, the lens 100 is positioned outside the range in which the lens 100 can be driven in zooming processing during shooting. The lens holder 101 is moved to the storage position by a driving mechanism for driving the lens holder 101 along the optical axis OP in zooming processing during photographing.

  When the power of the digital camera on which the image blur correction unit 1 is mounted is turned off, the driveable portion (CCD unit 3, intermediate stage 30) of the image blur correction unit 1 is moved so that the center thereof coincides with the optical axis OP, and the CCD 10 is moved. Position it at the “reference position”. The reference position of the CCD 10 is a position where the optical axis OP of the digital camera passes through the center position of the imaging area (effective pixel area). The lens holder 101 is moved to the storage position where the engagement pin 27 is fitted in the receiving hole 113. The movement of the lens holder 101 to the storage position is detected by the photo interrupter of the sensor mounting portion 45. As a result of positioning the lens holder 101 at the storage position when the power is turned off, the CCD holder 20 of the image blur correction unit 1 is fixed to the lens holder 101 even when power is not supplied.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a digital camera to which this embodiment is applied. The system controller 200 is, for example, a microcomputer that controls the entire digital camera. The vertical angular velocity sensor 201 and the horizontal angular velocity sensor 202 are, for example, gyro sensors. The vertical angular velocity sensor 201 detects the angular velocity of the displacement of the digital camera in the vertical direction, and the horizontal angular velocity sensor 202 detects the angular velocity of the displacement of the digital camera in the horizontal direction. Outputs from the angular velocity sensors 201 and 202 are subjected to integration processing by an angular velocity signal processing circuit 203, and displacement amounts of the digital camera in the vertical direction Y and the horizontal direction X are calculated and input from ports AD1 and AD2, respectively.

  The output signal of the longitudinal detection Hall element 56 disposed on the coil substrate 51 and the output signal of the lateral detection Hall element 66 disposed on the coil substrate 61 are input to the Hall element signal processing circuits 204 and 205, respectively. Is done. The Hall element signal processing circuit 204 calculates position information of the CCD 10 in the vertical direction, and the Hall element signal processing circuit 205 calculates position information of the CCD 10 in the horizontal direction. Position information of the CCD 10 in the vertical direction Y and the horizontal direction X is input from the ports AD3 and AD4.

  The system controller 200 calculates the drive target position of the CCD 10 in the vertical direction Y and the horizontal direction X so that the displacement amount of the digital camera is offset. Furthermore, based on the drive target position of the CCD 10 and the position information of the CCD 10 described above, the direction and amount of the current supplied to the vertical flat coil 55 of the coil substrate 51 and the horizontal flat coil 65 of the coil substrate 61 are calculated. Control signals based on the calculation results are output from the ports DA1 and DA2 to the vertical driver circuit 206 and the horizontal driver circuit 207, and current is supplied to the vertical flat coils 55 and 65 via the respective circuits.

  In a zooming process at the time of photographing and a termination process at the time of power-off described later, when a control signal instructing driving of the lens holder 101 is output from the port P01 of the system controller 200 to the lens holder driving circuit 208, the lens holder driving circuit A driving signal is output from 208 to the lens holder driving mechanism 209. As a result, the lens holder 101 is driven along the optical axis OP while being guided by the guide shafts 110 and 111.

  The photo interrupter 210 is attached to the sensor attachment portion 45 (see FIG. 7). The output signal of the photo interrupter 210 is input to the port P02. As described above, when the lens holder 101 is driven to the position where the engagement pin 27 is fitted in the receiving hole 113, the output signal of the photo interrupter 201 changes. By monitoring the change in the input voltage to the port P02, it is detected that the lens holder 101 has been driven to the storage position.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the digital camera is powered off. In step S100, it is checked whether the power button has been pressed during operation of the digital camera and the power has been turned off. If it is confirmed that the power-off operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S102. In step S102, a process of moving the CCD 10 to the reference position is executed.

  Next, in step S104, a control signal instructing to start driving the lens holder 101 is output from the port P01, and driving of the lens holder 101 is started. The lens holder 101 is driven in a direction approaching the image blur correction unit 1 along the optical axis OP. In step S106, it is checked whether the lens holder 101 is positioned at the storage position by monitoring the input voltage to the port P02. As described above, the photo interrupter 210 is arranged such that the output voltage changes when the lens holder 101 is positioned at the storage position. Therefore, when a change in the input voltage of the port P02 is detected, it is determined that the lens holder 101 is positioned at the storage position and the image blur correction unit 1 is fixed to the lens holder 101.

  When the change in the input voltage at the port P02 is not detected and it is determined that the lens holder 101 is not yet positioned at the storage position (NO in step S106), the driving of the lens holder 101 is continued. When a change in the input voltage at the port P02 is detected and it is confirmed that the lens holder 101 is positioned at the storage position (YES in step S106), the process proceeds to step S108. In step S108, a control signal instructing to stop driving the lens holder 101 is output from the port P01, and driving of the lens holder 101 is stopped. In step S110, the supply of power to the digital camera is stopped.

  The position of the CCD 10 of the image blur correction unit 1 is controlled by controlling the current flowing through the vertical flat coil 55 and the horizontal flat coil 65. In other words, in the state where power is not supplied, positioning in the vertical direction Y and the horizontal direction X cannot be performed. On the other hand, the movement of the lens holder 101 in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis OP is restricted by the guide shafts 110 and 111 that guide the movement along the optical axis OP. According to this embodiment, when the power of the digital camera is turned off, the entire image blur correction unit 1 is fixed to the lens holder 101 of the lens unit 2 and the CCD 10 is at the reference position even when no current is supplied. Fixed. Therefore, even when vibration is applied to the digital camera with the power turned off, the movable portion (CCD unit 3 and intermediate stage 30) of the image blur correction unit 1 is located between the engagement pin 27 and the receiving hole 113. Only a small gap moves. As a result, it is possible to reduce the impact applied to the constituent members around the movable part, and the durability of each member is improved.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the image blur correction unit 1 is locked by positioning the lens 100 at the storage position using a zooming drive mechanism at the time of shooting. Therefore, it is not necessary to mount a drive mechanism dedicated to the lock process, and the image blur correction unit 1 can be prevented from becoming complicated and the digital camera from being enlarged.

  In this embodiment, the image blur correction mechanism that drives the CCD 10 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to an image blur correction mechanism that drives an optical lens of a correction optical system that is provided so as to constitute a part of the photographing optical system.

  In this embodiment, a linear actuator using electromagnetic propulsive force has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an actuator provided with a stepping motor may be used. When a stepping motor is used, for example, a PSD (Position Sensitive Device) is used to detect the position of the CCD 10.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the image blurring correction unit with which the embodiment which concerns on this invention is applied with a lens unit. It is a disassembled perspective view which expands and shows the vicinity of a CCD unit and an intermediate stage. It is a disassembled perspective view which expands and shows the vicinity of an intermediate | middle stage and a unit parent plate. It is a figure which shows the relative positional relationship of the coil board | substrate of a CCD unit and a horizontal direction drive unit. It is a front view of an image blur correction unit. It is a figure which expands and shows the cross section along line VI-VI of FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the assembled image blur correction unit together with a lens unit. It is a block diagram of a digital camera. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence at the time of power-off of a digital camera.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image blur correction unit 2 Lens unit 3 CCD unit 10 CCD
11 CCD fixed plate 13 Low pass filter 20 CCD holder 21 Frame 23, 25 Horizontal guide shaft 30 Intermediate stage 40 Unit parent plate 41, 42 Vertical guide shaft 100 Lens 101 Lens holder 110, 111 Lens guide shaft

Claims (10)

A part of the imaging system of the optical device is configured, and is supported so as to be drivable in first and second directions intersecting in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical device in order to correct image blur of the optical device. A first optical element;
A second optical element that forms part of the imaging system and is drivably supported along the optical axis;
Locking means for fixedly supporting the first optical element on the second optical element;
When the supply of power to the optical device is stopped, the second optical element is positioned in the vicinity of the first optical element by using a driving unit for driving the second optical element during photographing. An image blur correction mechanism comprising: a position restricting means for restricting a driving range of the first optical element via the lock means. The locking means is
A first engaging member provided in a first holding means for holding the first optical element;
The second engagement member provided on the second holding means for holding the second optical element and capable of engaging with the first engagement member is provided. Image blur correction mechanism.   Position detection for detecting that the second holding means is positioned at a storage position that is provided in the first holding means and engages the first engaging member and the second engaging member. The image blur correcting mechanism according to claim 2, further comprising means.   4. The image blur correction mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first optical element is a solid-state imaging device, and the second optical element is a photographing optical system. 5.   5. The image blur correction mechanism according to claim 4, wherein when the second holding unit is positioned at the storage position, the imaging optical system is positioned outside a driving range during imaging. The first engagement member is formed on the first holding means, and its axis is a pin parallel to the optical axis,
The image blur correction mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the second engagement member is a receiving hole formed in the second holding unit and engageable with the pin.   The image blur correction mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the optical device is a camera. A first optical element that forms part of an imaging system and is drivably supported in first and second directions intersecting in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis to correct image blur;
A second optical element that forms part of the imaging system and is drivably supported along the optical axis;
Locking means for fixedly supporting the first optical element on the second optical element;
When the supply of power to the optical device is stopped, the second optical element is positioned in the vicinity of the first optical element by using a driving unit for driving the second optical element during photographing. And a position restricting means for restricting a drive range of the first optical element via the lock means.   The camera according to claim 8, wherein the first optical element is a solid-state image sensor, and the second optical element is an optical lens constituting a photographing optical system of the image pickup system.   9. The camera according to claim 8, wherein the first optical element is an optical lens constituting a correction optical system of the imaging system.

Images