JP2006186936A - Image pick-up device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent dislocation of an imaging element by secular change, by elaborating a wiring structure of a flexible printed wiring board, to which the imaging element is connected, so that a load of the flexible printed wiring board does not affect on the image pick-up means greatly in an image pick-up device, in which a 3-CCD type optical block having three image pick-up means is integrated. <P>SOLUTION: An optical block 62 includes a color separation prism for decomposing incident light cast from an image pick-up lens into three primary colors; three image pick-up means 64, 65, 66 fixed to the color separation prism and equipped with each imaging element for receiving component light of each color; and flexible printed circuit boards 70, 71, 72 for connecting three image pick-up means 64, 65, 66 with an image processing circuit board 68. In this structure, the flexible printed circuit boards 70, 71, 72 are so wired that these boards are drawn out sideways with respect to the optical axis of the incident light. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus, and particularly relates to a wiring structure in an optical block of an image pickup system incorporated in the image pickup apparatus.

As an image pickup system built in an image pickup apparatus such as a video camera, a so-called three-plate type optical block including three image pickup elements corresponding to three primary colors is known as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 below.
Patent No. 3030945

  As shown in FIG. 9, the three-plate optical block includes a color separation prism 63 that separates incident light incident from the imaging lens into three primary color components of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). The image forming apparatus includes three imaging units (a first imaging unit 64, a second imaging unit 65, and a third imaging unit 66) that are fixed to the color separation prism 63 and receive component light of each color. Is.

  Each of the image pickup means 64, 65, and 66 includes image pickup devices 64a, 65a, and 66a and drive circuit boards 64b, 65b, and 66b fixedly connected to the image pickup devices 64a, 65a, and 66a. 64 a, 65 a, 66 a are fixed to the spectral plane of the color separation prism 63. Here, the imaging elements 64a, 65a, and 66a are bonded and fixed to the color separation prism 63 with an adhesive while being accurately positioned with respect to the optical axis of the incident light.

  In each of the image pickup means 64, 65, 66, the component light of each color received by the image pickup devices 64a, 65a, 66a is converted into an electric signal, and this signal is converted into a drive circuit board 64b, of each image pickup means 64, 65, 66. Image processing is performed by inputting to the image processing circuit from 65b and 66b.

  A conventional example of the wiring structure in this optical block is shown in FIG. Here, the driving circuit board 65b of the second imaging means 65 and the driving circuit board 66b of the third imaging means 66 are first imaged by the first flexible printed wiring board 80 and the second flexible printed wiring board 81, respectively. The driving circuit board 64b of the first imaging means 64 is connected to the image processing circuit board 85 by the third flexible printed wiring board 82.

  In this wiring structure, the first flexible printed wiring board 80 is connected to the drive circuit boards 65b and 64b of the second imaging means 65 and the first imaging means 64 with the shortest length for space saving. Similarly, the second flexible wiring board 81 connects the third imaging means 66 and the drive circuit boards 66b and 64b of the first imaging means 64 with the shortest length. On the other hand, the third flexible printed wiring board 82 is pulled out from the drive circuit board 66b of the third imaging means 66, and the connection board 83 attached to the tip thereof is connected to the image processing circuit board 85 via the connector 84. It has become so.

  In such a conventional optical block wiring structure, each imaging means is connected by a flexible printed wiring board having the shortest length, so that the flexible printed wiring board has a large repulsive force in the bent state. A load due to the repulsive force of the flexible printed wiring board is applied to each imaging means as a large force. In addition, the fixed position of the image sensor with respect to the color separation prism may shift due to secular change due to the load applied by the flexible printed wiring board over a long period of time, and in this case, a good captured image cannot be obtained. there were.

  The present invention has been made in view of such points, and in an imaging apparatus incorporating a three-plate optical block, the above-mentioned problems are solved by devising the wiring structure of the flexible printed wiring board in the optical block. For the purpose.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention
A color separation prism that separates incident light incident from the imaging lens into three primary color components, three imaging means that are fixed to the color separation prism and that receive the component light of each color, and the three imaging devices And a flexible printed wiring board for connecting the means to the image processing circuit board, wherein the flexible printed wiring board has a structure wired so as to be drawn sideways with respect to the optical axis of the incident light.

The present invention also provides an imaging apparatus having the above-described configuration.
The flexible printed wiring board connects the first and second flexible printed wiring boards that connect one of the three imaging means and the other two imaging means, and the one imaging means and the image processing circuit board. And a third flexible printed wiring board.

Furthermore, the present invention provides an imaging apparatus having the above configuration.
The first and second flexible printed wiring boards and the third flexible printed wiring board are arranged on opposite sides.

Furthermore, the present invention provides an imaging apparatus having the above configuration.
A slit is formed in the length direction of the flexible printed wiring board.

Furthermore, the present invention provides an imaging apparatus having the above configuration.
The image sensor is constituted by a C-MOS image sensor.

  In the image pickup apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, the flexible printed wiring board has a space-saving and long length due to the structure in which the flexible printed wiring board is wired so as to be pulled out to the side with respect to the optical axis of the incident light. Since the wiring is performed, the repulsive force in the bent state is suppressed to be low depending on the length. As a result, the load due to the repulsive force of the flexible printed wiring board is not greatly applied to each image pickup means, so that the fixed position of the image pickup element with respect to the color separation prism does not shift due to secular change, and a good shot image is always obtained. Obtainable.

  Furthermore, in the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the first and second flexible printed wiring boards and the third flexible printed wiring board are arranged on opposite sides, so that the load balance of each flexible printed wiring board is balanced on both sides. Since it is maintained well, it is possible to prevent the displacement of the fixed position of the image sensor with respect to the color separation prism more reliably.

  Furthermore, in the imaging device of the present invention, the repulsive force of the flexible printed wiring board can be further reduced by forming slits in the flexible printed wiring board.

  Furthermore, in the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, by using a C-MOS image sensor as the image pickup element, the power consumption can be kept low, and the battery drive time can be further extended.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this example, a VTR integrated video camera will be described as an example of an imaging apparatus that is an electronic device.
First, an outline of the imaging apparatus of this example will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the image pickup apparatus of the present example is held by hand, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image pickup apparatus viewed from the front side, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the image pickup apparatus viewed from the back side, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the panel monitor is used, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cassette housing portion of the image pickup apparatus is opened, and FIG. 7 is an image pickup apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the state which inserts a memory card in.

The image pickup apparatus of this example is a video camera device having a function of recording and reproducing a captured moving image on a tape cassette, and further having a function of recording and reproducing a still image on a memory card.
The image pickup apparatus 1 has an image pickup unit 3 that protrudes above the front surface 2a of the camera body 2 and holds the camera body 2 vertically with one hand (right hand) as shown in FIG. Photographing is performed with the front imaging lens 4 facing the front subject. An image incident on the imaging unit 3 from the imaging lens 4 is converted into an image signal by an imaging element built in the camera body 2 and recorded in a tape cassette or a memory card.

  In this imaging unit 3, the imaging lens 4 is normally covered with a lens shutter 5 as shown in FIG. 2, and when the imaging mode is entered, the lens shutter 5 is opened and the imaging lens 4 is exposed. Yes. Further, a flash light emitting unit 6 is provided on the front surface of the imaging unit 3 above the imaging lens 4, and flash light is directed from the flash light emitting unit 6 toward the front subject at night shooting in the still image shooting mode. Is emitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a viewfinder unit 7 is provided on the opposite side of the imaging unit 3 and on the upper part of the back surface 2 d of the camera body 2. The viewfinder unit 7 is for viewing a photographed image or a reproduced image through a small liquid crystal display screen built in the camera body 2 from a window unit 8 on the back side. The eye cup 9 is provided. As shown in FIG. 6, a focus adjustment knob 10 is provided below the eye cup 9. By sliding the focus adjustment knob 10, the focus when viewing the built-in display screen from the window portion 8 can be adjusted. It can be adjusted.

  Furthermore, in the imaging apparatus 1 of the present example, as shown in FIG. 5, a panel monitor 12 having a large liquid crystal display screen 13 is provided as means for viewing an image outside the camera body 2. The panel monitor 12 is attached to the left side surface 2b of the camera body 2 through the connecting member 14 so as to be openable and closable so as to rotate about two axes orthogonal to the X axis and the Y axis. When in use, the camera is closed so as to be folded vertically along the left side surface 2b of the camera body 2 with the display screen 13 inside as shown in FIG. When the panel monitor 12 is used, as shown in FIG. 4, the panel monitor 12 is rotated 90 degrees so that the panel monitor 12 is pulled up to a horizontal position with the X axis as a pivot, and then the Y axis is further pivoted. As shown in FIG. 5, the display screen 13 is turned to the user side as shown in FIG.

  In this imaging apparatus 1, the panel monitor 12 is urged so as to be always kept in a folded state by a toggle mechanism incorporated in the mounting portion, and when the panel monitor 12 is opened horizontally, It is designed to be held stably at an angle.

  A grip belt 16 for holding the camera body 2 in a stable state is provided below the right side face 2c opposite to the left side face 2b of the camera body 2 where the panel monitor 12 is provided. The blip belt 16 includes a strap belt 19 attached between a fixing portion 17 on the rear surface 2d of the camera body 2 and an attachment portion 18 on the front surface 2a side, and an upper pad 20 attached to the strap belt 19. As shown in FIG. 1, by holding the camera body 2 with the right hand between the grip belt 16 and the camera body 2, the back side of the hand is held by the grip belt 16 and the camera body 2 is stabilized. It can be held in the state.

  In the imaging apparatus 1 of the present example, the operation unit is provided at a position where the camera body 2 can be operated with the fingertip of the hand while holding the camera body 2 with the right hand as described above. As shown in FIG. 3, an operation unit 22 provided on the rear surface 2d of the camera body 2 includes a slide switch 23 for power on / off and operation mode switching, a slide switch 24 for unlocking the opening / closing lid, a recording button 25, A screen display switching button 26, a backlight correction button 27, a flash emission mode switching button 28, and a simple shooting mode setting button 29 are provided. These switches 23, 24 and buttons 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 are shown in FIG. Thus, the camera body 2 can be operated with the fingertip of the thumb while being held by hand.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 31 provided in front of the upper part of the right side surface 2c of the camera body 2 includes a slide switch 32 for zoom operation during shooting and a shutter button 33 for shooting still images. The switch 32 and the button 33 can be operated with the fingertip of the index finger while the camera body 2 is held by hand as shown in FIG.

  Further, in the imaging apparatus 1 of the present example, the operation unit 35 provided in the front part of the left side surface 2b of the camera body 2 has a switching button 36 and an adjustment dial 37 for performing manual adjustment at the time of shooting. The panel monitor 12 is provided with a recording button 39, a zoom operation button 40 during shooting, and a screen display size change button 41 below the display screen 13. The switching button 36 and the adjustment dial 37 of the operation unit 35 and the buttons 39, 40, and 41 of the panel monitor 12 are operated by the fingertip of the left hand opposite to the right hand holding the camera body 2.

  Furthermore, a microphone unit 43 and an accessory mounting unit 45 are provided on the upper surface 2 e of the camera body 2. A number of sound holes are formed in the microphone unit 43, and sound is recorded by the microphones built in the camera body 2 through the sound holes. The accessory mounting portion 45 is covered with a cover 46, and when the cover 46 is removed, shoes for mounting various accessories are exposed. Further, the bottom surface 2f of the camera body 2 is provided with a connector 48 for electrically connecting the imaging device to the attached cradle device and a screw hole 49 for attaching to the tripod.

  In the imaging apparatus 1 of this example, as shown in FIG. 6, the housing from the right side surface 2 c to the back surface 2 d of the camera body 2 is an opening / closing lid 50, and this opening / closing is performed when the slide switch 24 of the operation unit 22 is operated. The lid 50 is unlocked and can be freely opened and closed. When the opening / closing lid 50 is opened, the cassette storage unit 51 inside the camera body 2 is opened as shown in FIG. 6, and a tape cassette as a recording medium is mounted on the cassette mounting device 52 provided in the cassette storage unit 51. . The cassette mounting device 52 includes a cassette holder 53. When the opening / closing lid 50 is opened, the cassette mounting device 52 is pushed out of the cassette housing 51 to open the cassette holder 53, and after the tape cassette is inserted into the cassette holder 53 in this state. When the cassette holder 53 is pushed and closed, the cassette mounting device 52 is pulled into the cassette housing 51 and operates so that the tape cassette is loaded at a predetermined mounting position. Then, by closing the opening / closing lid 50 in a state where the loading of the tape cassette is completed as described above, the recording / reproducing with respect to the tape cassette becomes possible.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the memory card 55 for recording a still image is inserted into a card slot 56 provided below the viewfinder portion 7 on the back surface 2d of the camera body 2, and this card. Recording / reproduction with respect to the memory card 55 is performed in a state where the memory card 55 is loaded in the slot 56.

  In the imaging apparatus 1 of this example, the driving battery is built in the camera body 2. The battery storage portion is provided in the opening / closing lid 50, and a cover 58 for closing the battery storage portion is provided in the lower portion of the opening / closing lid 50, and the battery can be replaced by removing the cover 58. Yes.

  Next, the configuration of the imaging system provided in the imaging apparatus of this example configured as described above will be described in detail. FIG. 8 shows a configuration of an imaging system built in the camera body 2, and the imaging system 60 is provided behind the lens barrel portion 61 and a lens barrel portion 61 provided behind the imaging lens 4. And an optical block 62. The lens barrel portion 61 includes a diaphragm mechanism, a zoom mechanism, and the like, and incident light (image) incident from the imaging lens 4 reaches the rear optical block 62 through the lens barrel portion 61. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the optical block 62 is fixed to the color separation prism 63 for separating incident light into three primary color components of red (R), green (G), and blue (B), and the color separation prism 63. The three-plate type configuration includes three imaging units (first imaging unit 64, second imaging unit 65, and third imaging unit 66) that receive the component light of each color.

  Each of the image pickup means 64, 65, and 66 includes image pickup devices 64a, 65a, and 66a and drive circuit boards 64b, 65b, and 66b fixedly connected to the image pickup devices 64a, 65a, and 66a. 64 a, 65 a, 66 a are fixed to the spectral plane of the color separation prism 63. Here, the imaging elements 64a, 65a, and 66a are bonded and fixed to the color separation prism 63 with an adhesive while being accurately positioned with respect to the optical axis of the incident light.

  In each imaging means 64, 65, 66, the component light of each color received by the imaging elements 64a, 65a, 66a is converted into an electrical signal, and this signal is mounted with an image processing circuit from the drive circuit boards 64b, 65b, 66b. The processed image is input to the main board 68. Here, C-MOS (Complementary-Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensors are used as the imaging devices 64a, 65a, and 66a. This C-MOS image sensor is characterized by low power consumption. By adopting this, the image pickup apparatus of this example can further extend the battery driving time.

  A flexible printed wiring board is used for the electrical wiring in the optical block 62, and wiring for outputting the output signals from the three image pickup devices 64a, 65a, 66a together by one image pickup means to the image processing circuit of the main board 68. It is as a structure. That is, in this example, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the driving circuit board 64b of the first imaging means 64 and the driving circuit board 65b of the second imaging means 65 are respectively connected to the first flexible printed wiring board 70 and the second flexible printed wiring board 70. The flexible printed wiring board 71 is connected to the driving circuit board 66b of the third image pickup means 66, and the driving circuit board 66b of the third imaging means 66 is connected to the main board 68 by the third flexible printed wiring board 72. I am doing so. With such connection wiring, the output signals of the three image pickup means 64, 65, 66 are collected from the drive circuit board 66 b of the third image pickup means 66 and the image of the main board 68 via the third flexible printed wiring board 72. It is configured to be input to the processing circuit.

  In this optical block, each of the flexible printed wiring boards 70, 71, 72 is wired so as to be drawn laterally with respect to the optical axis of the incident light incident on the color separation prism 63, and the first and second are arranged. The flexible printed wiring boards 70 and 71 and the third flexible printed wiring board 72 are arranged on opposite sides.

  That is, the first flexible printed wiring board 70 is pulled out from the right end surface of the drive circuit board 66b of the third image pickup means 66 to the right side of the color separation prism, and the right side of the drive circuit board 64b of the first image pickup means 64. The second flexible printed wiring board 71 is connected to the end face, and is pulled out from the right end face of the drive circuit board 66b of the third image pickup means 66 to the right side of the color separation prism to drive the drive circuit of the second image pickup means 65. It is connected to the right end surface of the substrate 65b. On the other hand, the third flexible printed wiring board 72 is pulled out from the left end face of the drive circuit board 66b of the third image pickup means 66 to the left side of the color separation prism, and the connection board 73 attached to the tip of the third flexible printed wiring board 72 attaches the connector 74. It is connected to the main board 68 via

  In such a wiring structure, since each flexible printed wiring board 70, 71, 72 is wired with a space-saving and space-saving length, the repulsive force in the bent state is suppressed to a low value by the length. Further, in this configuration, the third flexible printed wiring board 72 connected to the main board 68 has a larger number of wires than the first and second flexible printed wiring boards 70 and 71, and thus is formed to have a larger width. However, here, the slit 72a is formed in the central portion in the length direction so that the repulsive force is kept low.

  In the optical block 62 of this example, the load due to the repulsive force of the flexible printed wiring board is caused by the structure in which the repulsive force of each flexible printed wiring board 70, 71, 72 is kept low in this way. 66 is not greatly added, the fixed positions of the image pickup devices 64a, 65a, 66a with respect to the color separation prism 63 are not shifted due to secular change, and a good shot image can always be obtained.

  Furthermore, in the optical block 62 of this example, the first and second flexible printed wiring boards 70 and 71 and the third flexible printed wiring board 72 are arranged on the sides facing each other, so that the load caused by the flexible printed wiring board is reduced. Since the balance is well maintained on both sides, it is possible to prevent the displacement of the fixed positions of the image sensors 64a, 65a, 66a with respect to the color separation prism 63 more reliably.

  In the above embodiment, the wiring structure is shown in which the output signals of the respective imaging means 64, 65, 66 are collectively input to the image processing circuit by the third imaging means 66, but the present invention is not limited to this. A wiring structure in which the output signals of the respective imaging means 64, 65, 66 are collectively input to the image processing circuit by the first imaging means 64 or the second imaging means 65 may be adopted.

  Further, in the configuration of each other part, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the example, and it goes without saying that various embodiments can be adopted.

It is a perspective view which shows the state which hold | gripped the imaging device of the Example by hand. It is the perspective view which looked at the imaging device from the front side. It is the perspective view which looked at the imaging device from the back side. It is a perspective view which shows the state which opened the panel monitor of the imaging device. It is a perspective view which shows the use condition of the panel monitor of an imaging device. It is a perspective view which shows the state which opened the cassette storage part of the imaging device. It is a perspective view which shows the state which inserts a memory card in an imaging device. It is the perspective view which looked at the imaging system incorporated in an imaging device from the back side. It is a side view which shows the structure of the optical block of an imaging system. It is a perspective view which shows the wiring structure in an optical block. It is an expanded view which shows the wiring structure in an optical block. It is a perspective view which shows the prior art example of the wiring structure in an optical block.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Imaging device, 60 ... Imaging system, 62 ... Optical block, 63 ... Color separation prism, 64 ... First imaging means, 64a ... Imaging element, 65 ... Second imaging means, 65a ... Imaging element, 66 ... First 3 imaging means, 66a ... imaging device, 70 ... first flexible printed wiring board, 71 ... second flexible printed wiring board, 72 ... third flexible printed wiring board, 72a ... slit.

Claims (5)

A color separation prism that separates incident light incident from the imaging lens into three primary color components, three imaging means that are fixed to the color separation prism and that receive the component light of each color, and the three imaging devices A flexible printed wiring board for connecting the means to the image processing circuit board,
An imaging apparatus, wherein the flexible printed wiring board is wired so as to be drawn sideways with respect to an optical axis of incident light. The imaging device according to claim 1,
The flexible printed wiring board includes first and second flexible printed wiring boards that connect one of the three imaging means and the other two imaging means, the one imaging means, and the image processing circuit. An imaging apparatus comprising: a third flexible printed wiring board for connecting a substrate. The imaging device according to claim 2,
An imaging apparatus, wherein the first and second flexible printed wiring boards and the third flexible printed wiring board are arranged on opposite sides. The imaging device according to claim 1,
An imaging device, wherein a slit is formed in the length direction of the flexible printed wiring board. The imaging device according to claim 1,
The imaging device is constituted by a C-MOS image sensor.

Images