JP2007183418A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus capable of scavenging dust infiltrating into a case in which an optical system is housed or produced therein, at a position separate from the optical path of the optical system. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus 10 includes a prism optical system 4, an imaging device 51, a substrate 52, the case 3, a prism holder 6, a switching mechanism 7 and a trap T. The prism optical system has reflection surfaces 412, 422 and 423 having free curved surface shape. In the imaging device, a light receiving surface 51a is arranged perpendicularly to an emitting optical axis λo. The case holds the substrate and surrounds the prism optical system. The prism holder holds the posture of the prism optical system relative to the imaging device inside the case. A switching mechanism is arranged between the back of the reflection surface 422 and the case, and displaces the prism holder along the emitting optical axis λo. The trap T scavenges the dust between a first area A1 where the switching mechanism 7 is arranged and a second area A2 where the prism optical system 4 and the imaging device 51 are arranged. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus including a prism optical system including at least two optical surfaces having a free-form surface and having a movable unit that displaces the prism optical system with respect to an imaging element.

  If dust enters or is generated inside the optical path of the optical system of an apparatus that includes an image sensor and reads an image, the light is reflected on the dust and causes ghost and flare. The size of the dust reflected on the image sensor is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the light receiving surface to the dust. Therefore, a protective cover glass is placed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor at an appropriate distance.

  If the distance from the light receiving surface to the cover glass is large, even if small dust is attached to the cover glass, it hardly appears in the image read by the image sensor. However, as the imaging device is reduced in size and thickness, it is necessary to make the back focus of the lens as small as possible. Therefore, the distance from the light receiving surface of the image sensor to the cover glass is also reduced.

  In addition, the number of pixels of the image sensor itself has improved dramatically, and now the pixel size is on the order of several μm. Therefore, even fine dust of several μm greatly affects the image quality. For this reason, measures for collecting dust are becoming an essential requirement.

  In the image reading apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a hole for mounting the projection lens is provided in the housing. The hole is closed with an adhesive tape after the projection lens is assembled. The adhesive tape has a non-woven fabric as a base material and an adhesive layer formed on one side. The adhesive layer of the adhesive tape is exposed inside the projection system. It is also described that the same effect can be obtained when an adhesive tape is applied to the inner surface of the housing.

  The endoscope with a cover described in Patent Document 2 includes a cover lens for observation and proof at a distal end configuration portion. The tip constituent part is covered with an endoscope cover, and a lens cover is further attached to each cover lens. The lens cover has an inner surface coated with an antistatic agent. In addition, an adhesive is coated on a portion of the inner surface of the distal end of the endoscope cover where the distal end constituent portion of the endoscope does not contact. Dust that is mixed between the endoscope cover and the tip component during manufacturing and assembly is prevented from adhering to the cover lens and the lens cover.

  The image reading apparatus described in Patent Document 3 irradiates a document placed on a platen glass provided on an upper part of a casing with light from the inside of the casing and reads the transmitted light or reflected light with a solid-state imaging device. . This image reading apparatus is equipped with a mirror that deflects light from a light source and moves along a document, and solid-state imaging of light that moves in synchronization with the first carriage and arrives from the first carriage The housing has a second carriage on which a mirror for guiding to the element is mounted. An adhesive member is attached to the surface of the housing, including the first carriage and the second carriage, which is directed upwards as much as possible, and holds dust that floats and flows inside.

  The camera described in Patent Document 4 includes a retractable lens barrel. The lens barrel has a fixed barrel fixed to the camera body, and a movable barrel that moves from a storage position retracted into the camera body to a photographable position protruding from the camera body. A hole through which the flexible substrate that electrically connects the lens barrel and the camera body is passed is provided in the fixed barrel. The hole is fitted with a valve. This valve closes this hole so that dust is not sucked into the lens barrel together with the outside air when the moving cylinder moves from the storage position to the photographing position, and opens when the moving cylinder moves from the photographing position to the storage position. As a result, the air inside the lens barrel is caused to flow out.

Patent Document 4 describes a camera that includes a hole provided in the middle of the moving cylinder and a tube guided from the inside of the hole to the side of the CCD unit. On the opposite side of the tube across the CCD unit, an adhesive sheet with adhesive applied on both sides is attached. When the user looks at the image output from the CCD and dust is reflected, the blower blows air from the hole and blows the dust on the CCD. The dust blown off is collected in the adhesive sheet.
JP-A-7-77745 JP-A-7-178039 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-177769 JP 2005-62552 A

  However, in the case of Patent Document 1, in the case where an adhesive tape is attached so as to close the hole for incorporating the projection lens, the area exposed to the inside of the casing by the projection lens is limited, Since air is not constantly circulating, dust cannot always be collected effectively. Moreover, in the case of embodiment attached to the inner surface of a housing | casing, the adhesive tape is affixed on the outer periphery of an optical path. Therefore, in the case of fibrous dust, even if one end of the dust is caught, the other end may interfere with the optical path.

  In the case of Patent Document 2, an antistatic coating is applied to the inner surface of the lens cover, but the air between the cover lens and the lens cover is stagnant as in Patent Document 1, so that there is almost no convection. It takes time for the dust reflected in the field of view to adhere to the adhesive. Further, when attached to the adhesive provided on the outer periphery of the lens, even if dust adheres to the adhesive, it may be reflected in the field of view of the lens.

  In the case of Patent Document 3, since the adhesive member is applied to the first and second carriages that move inside the housing, it is possible to positively capture dust floating and flowing in the housing. However, since the fan which takes in external air in order to cool platen glass is provided, new dust will be taken in.

  In the case of Patent Document 4, a valve is provided so as to close a hole that communicates with the inside of the lens barrel when the lens barrel is extended. However, in order to extend the lens barrel, the outside air is sucked from somewhere instead. Become. Also, if the tube that is guided to the side of the CCD blows dust off, the outside air is blown to the CCD first when the lens barrel is extended, and it is easy to get dust on the CCD. I will have to.

  In addition, recent image pickup devices incorporating a CCD have been reduced in size, and once assembled, the lens and the periphery of the CCD are not opened. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid adsorbing dust floating inside the housing at a location that interferes with the optical path.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an imaging apparatus capable of collecting dust that has entered or generated inside the case housing the optical system at a position away from the optical path of the optical system.

  An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a prism optical system, an imaging element, a substrate, a case, a prism holder, a switching mechanism, and a trap. The prism optical system has at least two free-form reflecting surfaces. In the present specification, the free-form surface shape means a curved surface shape that is rotationally asymmetric about the optical axis of the optical system and has one symmetric surface along the optical axis. And a curved surface formed in a mirror image with respect to a virtual plane that the exit optical axis follows. The prism optical system emits a light beam incident along an incident optical axis from an object, and emits it along an outgoing optical axis arranged so as to be decentered substantially parallel to the incident optical axis, thereby forming an object image. The image sensor has a light receiving surface arranged perpendicular to the emission optical axis, and converts an object image into an electrical signal. The substrate mounts an image sensor. The case holds the substrate and surrounds the prism optical system. The prism holder holds the posture of the prism optical system with respect to the image sensor inside the case. The switching mechanism is disposed between the back portion of the reflecting surface and the case, and displaces the prism holder along the emission optical axis. The trap collects dust between the first region and the second region. A switching mechanism is arranged in the first region. In the second area, a prism optical system and an image sensor are arranged.

  In this case, the trap has a partition wall and a shield part. The partition wall has a communication hole that is opened to a size that does not interfere with the support portion of the prism holder that extends from the first region to the second region, and the interior of the case includes the first region and the second region. Divide into The shield part has a size extending along the partition wall from the support part to a position overlapping the edge of the communication hole.

  In addition, the trap is an adhesive applied to at least one of the partition and the shield part, or an adhesive sheet attached to at least one of the partition and the shield part, or the partition and the shield part. It has a gel filled between.

  It is also preferable that the switching mechanism is driven by a motor attached to the outside of the case, and the case seals the first region and the second region from the outside. It is also preferable to further provide a seal film that extends from one of the partition wall and the shield portion and that is in sliding contact with the other.

  An imaging apparatus according to another aspect of the invention includes a prism optical system, an imaging element, a substrate, a case, a shaft, a prism holder, a lever member, a slot, a shield part, and a trap. The prism optical system, the image sensor, the substrate, and the case have the same configuration as described above. The shaft is disposed perpendicular to the light receiving surface between the back portion of the reflecting surface and the case. The prism holder has a support portion that holds the posture of the prism optical system with respect to the image sensor inside the case and is fitted on the shaft. The lever member has a cam portion and an arm portion. The cam portion is slidably brought into contact with a positioning surface formed on the support portion and is externally fitted to the shaft to displace the prism holder along the shaft. The arm portion extends from the shaft to the outside of the case in the centrifugal direction. The slot is opened to the case in the rotation range of the arm portion. The shield part is provided on the arm part, and covers the slot within the rotation range of the arm part. The trap collects dust passing between the case and the shield.

  In this case, the trap has an adhesive applied to at least one of the case and the shield part, an adhesive sheet attached to at least one of the case and the shield part, or a gel filled between the case and the shield part. It is also preferable. Further, the case has a cylindrical wall covering the cam portion, and the shield portion is disposed along the outer surface of the cylindrical wall, and has a flexibility of being attached to the cylindrical wall and covering the shield portion from the outside of the case. It is also preferable to further include a lip sheet.

  Further, the lever member selectively positions the prism holder at one of the first position and the second position. The first position is a position close to the light receiving surface of the image sensor, and the second position is a position farther from the light receiving surface of the image sensor than the first position.

  An example of the above-described substrate has a window portion that allows a light beam emitted from the prism optical system to pass through, and an image sensor is mounted on the window portion from the side opposite to the prism optical system, and is formed on the surface along the outer periphery of the window portion. Place a dust collector with stickiness.

  In this case, it is also preferable that the dust collector is a tape-shaped adhesive whose surface is coated with an adhesive or a gel-shaped adhesive that is raised in a bowl shape. The dust collector is composed of a rib that rises from the substrate toward the prism optical system, and a fin that extends from the prism holder toward the substrate and loosely engages with the rib. It is also preferable to overlap each other within the moving range.

  In the imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the prism holder that supports the prism optical system in the case is displaced together with the prism optical system by a switching mechanism disposed between the back portion of the reflecting surface of the prism optical system and the case. In the case, dust is collected by a trap provided between a first region where the switching mechanism is disposed and a second region where the prism optical system is disposed.

  In addition, an imaging device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a prism holder supporting portion on a shaft that is disposed perpendicularly to the light receiving surface of the imaging element between the back portion of the reflecting surface of the prism optical system and the case. It is fitted. The prism holder is displaced in the direction along the shaft by the lever member. Dust is collected by a trap provided between the shield and the case provided on the arm of the lever member extending to the outside of the case.

  In other words, the imaging device is provided with a trap on the back of the reflecting surface at a position away from the optical path of the prism optical system, and this trap captures dust floating inside the case. There is no interference. Further, since the prism holder is displaced by the switching mechanism or the lever member, the air in the case is positively agitated, and the probability that dust is collected in the trap increases.

  A digital camera 100 incorporating the imaging device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. A digital camera 100 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of an imaging device, and a release button 21, a strobe 22, and an incident window 23 are provided facing the outside of the camera housing 2. A cover glass 24 is attached to the entrance window 23. The imaging device 10 is incorporated inside the entrance window 23 of the camera housing 2.

  A block diagram of the overall schematic configuration including the inside of the digital camera 100 is shown in FIG. In addition to the above, the digital camera 100 includes a system controller 25, a power button 26, a display unit 27, a recording unit 28, a strobe driving circuit 29, and the like as shown in FIG. The system controller 25 is connected to each of the power button 26, the release button 21, the imaging device 10, the display unit 27, the recording unit 28, and the strobe driving circuit 29. The system controller 25 is an example of a control unit related to an imaging operation and a processing unit for captured image information. The system controller 25 may be a CPU provided integrally as in the present embodiment, and is subdivided for each function. May be.

  The power button 26 and the release button 21 are one of operation buttons. In addition to these buttons, other buttons used for shooting such as display switching buttons, imaging mode switching buttons, zoom control buttons, flash operation buttons, and other editing buttons for editing captured images Is provided. The release button 21 can be operated in two stages.

  The display unit 27 is a thin display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display. The display unit 27 is used as a finder at the time of shooting, and is used for checking a captured image and an image stored in the recording unit 28, editing, various settings of camera functions, and the like.

  The system controller 25 has a function of obtaining image data by performing a set electrical process, for example, color correction, white balance, automatic exposure, output signal format, etc., on an electrical signal relating to an image obtained by the imaging apparatus 10. Yes. The system controller 25 detects that the release button 21 has been pressed to the first stage, activates the display unit 27 and the strobe driving circuit 29, and temporarily stores an electric signal captured from the imaging device 10. Perform initialization.

  When the system controller 25 detects that the release button 21 has been pushed down to the second stage, it reads an electrical signal obtained by the imaging device 10 and creates image data. The obtained image data is displayed on the display unit 27 and stored in the recording unit 28. The recording unit 28 is information recording means for recording image data on a recording medium 28a to which the image data is applied. The applied recording medium 28 a means a flash memory incorporated in the camera housing 2, a memory card that is detachably mounted through a hatch 28 b provided in the camera housing 2, and the like.

  The imaging device 10 has a box-shaped outer shape as shown in FIG. 3 in an assembled state. The imaging device 10 includes a case 3, a prism optical system 4, an imaging element 51, a substrate 52, a prism holder 6, a switching mechanism 7, a trap T, and a motor 78.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the case 3 constitutes the outer shell of the imaging device 10 and houses the prism optical system 4 and the switching mechanism 7. In the case 3, a recess 3a is formed from the outside near the switching mechanism 7, and a motor 78 serving as a drive unit is attached. As shown in FIG. 4, the case 3 includes a front cover 31, a fixed frame 32, a gear housing 33, and a back cover 34, and seals the prism optical system 4 from the outside.

  The front cover 31 is provided with an opening 311 through which a light beam incident on the prism optical system 4 passes along the incident optical axis λi, and a cover glass 312 is fitted therein. The fixed frame 32 has a rib 321 and a screw hole 322 that are fitted to the front cover 31 on the incident side. The rib 321 is provided near the inner surface of the fixed frame 32, and the screw hole 322 is provided at a position on the outer side than the rib 321. The front cover 31 is attached to the fixed frame 32 by screws screwed through a fixing hole 313 provided at a position corresponding to the screw hole 322.

  The gear housing 33 is attached to the fixed frame 32 from the side opposite to the front cover 31. The gear housing 33 sandwiches the switching mechanism 7 described later in detail between the gear housing 33 and the fixed frame 32. The gear housing 33 is screwed to the fixed frame 32 and is fixedly bonded at the outer periphery.

  The back cover 34 is attached to the fixed frame 32 with the substrate 52 interposed therebetween. In addition, in order to accurately position the light receiving surface 51a of the image sensor 51 with respect to the emission optical axis λo of the prism optical system 4, the surface opposite to the light receiving surface 51a of the image sensor 51 is a sensor press provided on the back cover 34. It is fixed to the part 341 in advance with an adhesive. The imaging element 51, the substrate 52, and the back cover 34 are integrated with each other and are screwed to the fixed frame 32.

  The prism optical system 4 is an example of a decentered optical system in which the incident optical axis λi and the exit optical axis λo are decentered substantially in parallel. In particular, the prism optical system 4 is a reflection optical system having at least two reflection surfaces that are free-form optical surfaces. “Free-form optical surface” means a rotationally asymmetric curved optical surface having a single symmetrical surface along the optical axis of the reflected light beam.

  In the present embodiment, the prism optical system 4 includes a first prism 41, a second prism 42, and a diaphragm member 43 as shown in FIG. The first prism 41 and the second prism 42 are one of the optical elements constituting the reflection optical system. The first prism 41 and the second prism 42 are arranged side by side along the direction in which the incident optical axis λi and the outgoing optical axis λo are decentered. The first prism 41 is disposed on the incident side, and the second prism 42 is disposed on the exit side.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the first prism 41 has a first incident surface 411, a first reflecting surface 412, and a first exit surface 413. The second prism 42 has a second incident surface 421, two second reflecting surfaces 422 and 423, and a second exit surface 424. The first reflecting surface 412 and the second reflecting surfaces 422 and 423 are free-form optical surfaces, and the incident optical axis λi of the light beam incident from the object and the light beam emitted from the prism optical system 4 are emitted. It arrange | positions in the direction used as a mirror image with respect to the common virtual plane which optical axis (lambda) o follows.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first holding piece 415 is formed on the side surface 414 serving as the non-optical surface of the first prism 41 in a direction orthogonal to the virtual plane that the incident optical axis λi and the outgoing optical axis λo follow. Is provided. A second holding piece 426 is provided on a side surface 425 serving as a non-optical surface of the second prism 42 in a direction orthogonal to the virtual plane. The aperture member 43 has an opening 431 made in accordance with the effective area of the optical surface of the first prism 41 and the second prism 42. The aperture member 43 is sandwiched between the first prism 41 and the second prism 42, and also functions as a holding member that maintains the relative positional relationship between them.

  The aperture 431 of the aperture member 43 is provided at a right angle to the optical axis of the light beam emitted from the first prism 41 toward the second prism 42. A shutter that closes the opening 431 or a diaphragm blade that reduces the aperture of the opening 431 may be incorporated in the diaphragm member 43.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the light beam incident from the object that is the subject through the cover glass 24 attached to the incident window 23 of the camera housing 2 is incident on the first incident surface 411 and is reflected by the first reflecting surface 412. After being totally reflected, the light is emitted from the first emission surface 413. The light beam emitted from the first prism 41 is incident from the second incident surface 421, totally reflected by the two second reflecting surfaces 422 and 423, and then emitted from the second emitting surface 424. . The light beam emitted from the second prism 42 forms an object image on the light receiving surface 51a of the image sensor 51 arranged perpendicular to the emission optical axis λo.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the image sensor 51 is mounted on the substrate 52 from the side opposite to the prism optical system 4. The substrate 52 has a window portion 52a having a sufficiently large size through which the light beam emitted from the second prism 42 passes. A cover glass 53 is attached to the window 52a from the side facing the prism optical system 4. The imaging element 51 is a CCD (Charged-Coupled Device) in which a large number of semiconductor elements such as photodiodes that convert light into electrical signals are arranged. On the substrate 52, an electronic component 54 constituting an interface circuit or the like that links the image pickup device 51 and the system controller 25 is mounted.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the prism holder 6 is formed in an annular shape surrounding the first reflecting surface 412, the side surfaces 414, 425, and the second reflecting surface 422, and has a first prism at the center. A crosspiece 69 is provided so as to cross between 41 and the substrate 52. The prism holder 6 holds the posture of the prism optical system 4 with respect to the light receiving surface 51 a of the image sensor 51 inside the case 3. The prism holder 6 includes a first receiving portion 61, a second receiving portion 62, a convex strip 63, a fixed boss 64, a position detection piece 65, a support portion 66, a shield portion 67, and a guide boss 68.

  The first receiver 61 supports the first holding piece 415 and positions the first prism 41 in the direction along the incident optical axis λi. The second receiving portion 62 supports the second holding piece 426 and positions the second prism 42 in the direction along the emission optical axis λo. The ridges 63 are provided in a direction along the incident optical axis λi and the outgoing optical axis λo. Convex ridges 63 that abut the first holding piece 415 and the second holding piece 426 from both sides in the direction in which the first prism 41 and the second prism 42 are arranged, and the first prism 41 and the second holding piece 426. And a ridge 63 that contacts the side surface of the prism 42. The ridges 63 position the first prism 41 along a plane orthogonal to the incident optical axis λi and the second prism 42 along a plane orthogonal to the emission optical axis λo.

  The fixing boss 64 is provided in the middle between the first receiving portion 61 and the second receiving portion 62, and fits with a fixing hole 433 provided in a fixing tab 432 extending from the side surface of the throttle member 43. The diaphragm member 43 is fixed to the prism holder 6 by being loaded on the prism holder 6 in a state of being combined with the first prism 41 and the second prism 42, and then the fixing boss 64 is ultrasonically caulked. .

  As shown in FIG. 5, the position detection piece 65 extends from the second prism 42 side toward the outside of the prism holder 6. The position detection piece 65 is inserted between the detection sensors 55 attached to the inside of the fixed frame 32 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 with the imaging device 10 assembled. The position detection piece 65 and the detection sensor 55 detect the position of the prism holder 6 with respect to the image sensor 51.

  The support portion 66 extends from the second prism 42 side toward the outside of the prism holder 6 and is connected to the switching mechanism 7. The shield part 67 is provided on the support part 66 between the second prism 42 and the switching mechanism 7. The guide boss 68 extends from the prism holder 6 on the first prism 41 side in the direction opposite to the support portion 66, and fits into a guide groove 323 provided on the inner surface of the fixed frame 32. The guide groove 323 extends in a direction perpendicular to the light receiving surface 51 a of the image sensor 51.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the switching mechanism 7 is disposed between the back portion of the second reflecting surface 422 of the second prism 42 and the case 3. As shown in FIG. 6, the switching mechanism 7 includes a guide shaft 71, a lead screw 72, a cam gear 73, a nut 74, an idle gear 75, a pinion gear 76, and a spring 77. The guide shaft 71 and the lead screw 72 are supported by the fixed frame 32 and the gear housing 33.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the guide shaft 71 is disposed perpendicular to the light receiving surface 51 a of the image sensor 51 and passes through a guide hole 661 provided in the support portion 66. A spring 77 is mounted on the outer periphery of the guide hole 661 between the support portion 66 and the fixed frame 32. The spring 77 biases the prism holder 6 toward the image sensor 51.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the lead screw 72 is arranged in parallel with the guide shaft 71, and is passed through an insertion hole 662 provided adjacent to the guide hole 661. The lead screw 72 is engaged with the cam gear 73 and rotates integrally. The nut 74 is screwed into the lead screw 72 on the imaging element 51 side with respect to the insertion hole 662 of the support portion 66. An anti-rotation piece 741 projects from the outer periphery of the nut 74 and is fitted in a guide groove provided in the fixed frame 32. As the lead screw 72 rotates, the nut 74 displaces the support portion 66.

  The idle gear 75 extends from the fixed frame 32 and is extrapolated to a gear shaft 324 that also serves as an engaging pin that pierces the gear housing 33, and meshes with the pinion gear 76 and the cam gear 73, respectively. The pinion gear 76 is fitted on a drive shaft 781 of a motor 78 inserted in parallel with the guide shaft 71 from the outside of the fixed frame 32. When the motor 78 rotates, the lead screw 72 is rotated via the pinion gear 76, the idle gear 75, and the cam gear 73.

  When the screw portion of the lead screw 72 is a right screw, the prism holder 6 is displaced in a direction away from the image sensor 51 by driving the motor 78 in a direction in which the lead screw 72 is rotated clockwise as viewed from the incident side. Further, when the motor 78 is reversed, the prism holder 6 is displaced in a direction approaching the image sensor 51. In the present embodiment, the switching mechanism 7 operates to displace the prism holder 6 in a binary manner to either the first position P1 or the second position P2.

  The first position P1 is a position where the prism holder 6 is brought closer to the light receiving surface 51a of the image sensor 51, and the distance to the object to be imaged is between a certain distance and infinity. Is a standard imaging position set so as to be in focus. The second position P2 is a position farther from the light receiving surface 51a of the image sensor 51 than the first position P1, and is focused in correspondence with the case where the distance to the object to be imaged is closer than a certain distance. Is the macro imaging position set so as to match.

  The trap T includes a partition wall 35, a shield part 67, and an adhesive G1. The partition wall 35 is formed to extend from both the fixed frame 32 and the gear housing 33, and in the case 3, a first region A1 in which the switching mechanism 7 is disposed and a second region in which the prism optical system 4 is disposed. It is provided so as to partition A2. The partition wall 35 has a communication hole 351 that is opened to a size that does not interfere with the support portion 66 of the prism holder 6 that is displaced by the switching mechanism 7. The shield portion 67 extends from the support portion 66 to a position overlapping the edge of the communication hole 351 along the partition wall 35 on the second region A2 side. The adhesive G <b> 1 is applied to the surfaces of the partition wall 35 and the shield part 67 over a range where the partition wall 35 and the shield part 67 face each other.

  A dust collector C is provided around the cover glass 53 attached to the window 52 a of the substrate 52. In the present embodiment, the dust collector C is a gel-like pressure-sensitive adhesive raised in a bowl shape.

  In 10 configured as described above, the trap T is provided on the back portion of the second reflecting surface 422. In both the first position (standard imaging position) P1 shown in FIG. 8 and the second position (macro imaging position) P2 shown in FIG. 9, the shield portion 67 covers the communication hole 351, and the first area A1. And the second region A2 are not in linear communication. In the present embodiment, the case 3 is sealed with respect to the outside, and the prism holder 6 is moved by the motor 78.

  When the prism holder 6 is displaced by the switching mechanism 7 from the first position P1 shown in FIG. 8 to the second position P2 shown in FIG. 9 or from the second position P2 to the first position P1, the case 3 The air trapped inside is stirred. At this time, the air inside the case 3 flows between the outer periphery of the prism holder 6 and the case 3 and between the support portion 66 of the prism holder 6 and the case 3. In addition, a part of it passes through the trap T and moves between the first area A1 and the second area A2.

  Since the trap T has a narrow and complicated shape, the air flow is disturbed. Therefore, if there is a suspended matter such as dust in the air, it will be trapped at the corner of the trap T or collide with the wall surface of the partition wall 35 or the shield part 67. Since the adhesive G1 is applied in the range of the trap T, dust in the air is collected in the trap T. Since the trap T is provided on the back of the second reflecting surface 422 of the second prism 42, the collected dust does not interfere with the optical path. That is, dust does not appear in the image acquired by the image sensor 51.

  When the prism holder 6 is switched from the first position (standard imaging position) P <b> 1 to the second position (macro imaging position) P <b> 2, the air in the second region A <b> 2 is second from the outer periphery of the prism holder 6. It is wound between the prism 42 and the cover glass 53. In the present embodiment, a dust collector C in which an adhesive is raised in a bowl shape is provided around a cover glass 53 disposed between the image sensor 51 and the second exit surface 424 of the second prism 42. ing. Therefore, the dust drifting in the second region A2 can be collected by the dust collector C before getting on the cover glass 53.

  Next, an imaging apparatus 10A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The imaging apparatus 10A of this embodiment is different in the configuration of the trap T provided between the first area A1 and the second area A2 and the dust collector C provided along the outer periphery of the window 52a of the substrate 52. ing. The other configuration has the same function as that of the imaging device 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, and therefore, detailed description other than the trap T and the dust collector C is omitted here. 3 to 6 and the description corresponding thereto. In addition, configurations having the same functions as those of the imaging device 10 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIGS. 10 and 11 and description thereof is omitted.

  The trap T is filled with an adhesive gel G <b> 2 between the partition wall 35 and the shield part 67. The amount of the gel G2 to be filled does not protrude from the trap T at any of the first position (standard imaging position) P1 shown in FIG. 10 and the second position (macro imaging position) P2 shown in FIG. In addition, the amount is sufficient to completely separate the first region A1 and the second region A2.

  The dust collector C includes ribs 81 and fins 82 each having adhesiveness on the surface, and is disposed along the outer periphery of the cover glass 53 attached to the window 52 a of the substrate 52. The ribs 81 and the fins 82 themselves may have adhesiveness on the surface, or may be made by attaching an adhesive tape to the surface of the core material.

  The rib 81 rises from the substrate 52 toward the second prism 42. The fin 82 extends from the prism holder 6 toward the substrate 52 and is fitted on the outside of the rib 81. In particular, the rib 81 and the fin 82 are displaced by the switching mechanism 7 between the prism holder 6 to the first position (standard imaging position) P1 shown in FIG. 10 and the second position (macro imaging position) P2 shown in FIG. Within the range of movement, the lengths of each part always overlap each other.

  In the imaging device 10A configured as described above, the first region A1 and the second region A2 are completely blocked by the trap T. Moreover, even if dust adheres, the adhesive gel G2 filled in the trap T is agitated when the prism holder 6 is displaced, and it is easy to maintain the adhesiveness of the surface. Further, it is possible to prevent dust newly generated from the operating portion of the switching mechanism 7 from entering the second region A2.

  The dust collector C composed of the ribs 81 and the fins 82 prevents the air in the second region A2 from flowing linearly between the second emission surface 424 and the cover glass 53. Yes. When the prism holder 6 is moved from the first position (standard imaging position) P1 to the second position (macro imaging position) P2, the second prism 42 and the cover glass 53 are moved from the outside of the dust collector C to the second position. The air in the area A2 is sucked. Since the air passing between the ribs 81 and the fins 82 is agitated, dust floating therein is collided with the ribs 81 and the fins 82 and collected.

  An imaging apparatus 10B according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The imaging device 10B of this embodiment is different from the imaging devices 10 and 10A of the first and second embodiments in that a sealing film 83 is provided between the partition wall 35 and the shield portion 67. Moreover, the adhesive G1, the gel G2, and the dust collector C are not provided. Other configurations have the same functions as those of the imaging apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 6. Therefore, for these details, refer to FIG. 3 to FIG. 6 and the explanation points corresponding to these, and description thereof will be omitted here. In the configurations shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, configurations having the same functions as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The seal film 83 is slidably contacted with the shield portion 67 whose outer peripheral edge is attached to the partition wall 35 and whose inner peripheral edge faces the partition wall 35. The sealing film 83 is a flexible film such as rubber or silicone resin. The sealing film 83 has a shape of the shield portion 67 within a range in which the prism holder 6 moves from the first position (standard imaging position) P1 shown in FIG. 12 to the second position (macro imaging position) P2 shown in FIG. To suppress the flow of air between the first region A1 and the second region A2.

  Since the inner peripheral edge of the sealing film 83 enters between the partition wall 35 and the shield portion 67, air easily flows from the second region A2 to the first region A1, and conversely, from the first region A1 to the second region. It is difficult to flow into the area A2. Therefore, once the dust floating in the second region A2 passes through the seal film 83 and moves to the first region A1 side, the dust is collected in the trap T by the seal film 83 and is difficult to return to the second region A2. . Therefore, the dust in the second area A2 is gradually reduced.

  In addition, it is preferable to form the seal film 83 with a material that is easily charged with static electricity, because dust floating inside the case 3 is easily adsorbed by Coulomb force. In particular, when the operation of displacing the prism holder 6 between the first position (standard imaging position) P1 and the second position (macro imaging position) P2 is repeated, the seal film 83 and the shield portion 67 rub against each other, causing static electricity. It becomes easy to take on.

  Note that the dust collector C in the first embodiment and the dust collector C in the second embodiment may be provided in the third embodiment. Moreover, in 1st Embodiment, instead of apply | coating the adhesive G1 to the partition 35 and the shield part 67, at least one of the ranges which the partition 35 and the shield part 67 oppose the adhesive sheet which has adhesiveness on the surface. It may be pasted on. Furthermore, instead of the dust collector C in the first embodiment, an adhesive sheet having adhesiveness on the surface may be attached around the cover glass 53.

  A camera-equipped mobile phone 200 incorporating an imaging device 10C according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the structure which has the same function as previous embodiment attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits the description. A camera-equipped mobile phone 200 shown in FIG. 14 is an example of an electronic device incorporating the imaging device 10C. The camera-equipped cellular phone 200 is a folding cellular phone in which one end of each of the two casings 201 and 202 is connected by a hinge 203.

  In a folded state, an incident window 223 and a manual operation unit 209 for the image pickup apparatus 10C are provided facing outward. The manual operation unit 209 is engaged with a lever member 93 of the imaging apparatus 10C as shown in FIG. In this camera-equipped mobile phone 200, the imaging device 10 </ b> C, the speaker, and the display unit 27 are built in one housing 201, and the system controller 25, the recording unit 28, and the key input unit are installed in the other housing 202 connected by a hinge 203. 204, built-in microphone and the like.

  The display unit 27 is provided on the side where the two casings 201 and 202 are hidden in a folded state, and is connected to the system controller 25 by a wiring 251 passed through the hinge 203 via the drive circuit 271.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 18, the imaging device 10 </ b> C includes a prism optical system 4, a prism holder 6, an imaging element 51, a substrate 52, a case 3, a switching mechanism 9, a shield portion 91, a trap. T1. A wiring 252 connecting the substrate 52 and the system controller 25 is passed through the hinge 203. Of the configurations related to the prism optical system 4, the imaging device 51, the substrate 52, and the prism holder 6 of the imaging device 10 </ b> C, configurations having the same functions as those of the imaging devices 10, 10 </ b> A, and 10 </ b> B of the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, the description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the case 3 constitutes an outer shell of the image pickup apparatus 10C, and is divided into an incident side case 36 and an emission side case 37, which are bonded together with an adhesive. Case 3 includes prism optical system 4 and switching mechanism 9. The switching mechanism 9 is disposed between the back portion of the second reflecting surface 422 of the second prism 42 of the case 3 and the case 3, and includes a shaft 92, a lever member 93, and a slot 309.

  The shaft 92 is disposed perpendicular to the light receiving surface 51 a of the image sensor 51. As shown in FIG. 17, the lever member 93 includes a cam portion 94 and an arm portion 95. The cam portion 94 is fitted on the shaft 92 and is surrounded by a cylindrical wall 38 provided on the second prism 42 side of the case 3. The arm portion 95 extends from the cam portion 94 to the outside of the case 3 in the centrifugal direction around the shaft 92.

  As shown in FIG. 17, a slot 309 is opened in the cylindrical wall 38 along the rotation range of the arm portion 95 centering on the shaft 92, and the arm portion 95 is passed therethrough. The rotating tip of the arm part 95 is sandwiched between the engagement pins 295 of the manual operation part 209. When the manual operation unit 209 is slid from the outside of the camera-equipped mobile phone 200, the lever member 93 is rotated about the shaft 92.

  The cam portion 94 of the lever member 93 is externally fitted to the shaft 92 adjacent to the support portion 66 of the prism holder 6. A positioning surface 663 is provided on the support portion 66 facing the cam portion 94. The cam portion 94 has a switching cam surface 941 on the positioning surface 663 side and a sliding surface 942 on the opposite side. As shown in FIG. 18, an adjustment ring 96 is inserted on the shaft 92 on the sliding surface 942 side. The switching cam surface 941 has a first surface and a second surface whose positions rotated about the shaft 92 are different in a direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface 51 a of the image sensor 51.

  The first surface abuts on the positioning surface 663 of the support portion 66 when the lever member 93 is rotated in either direction, and the prism holder 6 is positioned at the first position close to the image sensor 51 (standard imaging position). Hold at P1. The second surface is in contact with the positioning surface 663 of the support 66 when the lever member 93 is rotated in the opposite direction, and the prism holder 6 is separated from the image sensor 51 at a second position (macro imaging position). ) Hold at P2.

  The adjustment ring 96 has a fine adjustment cam surface 962 on the opposite side of the sliding surface 961 that contacts the sliding surface 942 of the cam portion 94. The fine cam surface 962 is a spiral surface whose position is gradually displaced with a certain inclination in the direction along the center line of the shaft 92 as it moves in the circumferential direction around the shaft 92. The fine cam surface 962 is in contact with a receiving portion 361 provided on the inner surface of the incident side case 36.

  Further, the adjustment ring 96 allows the operation portion 963 to be seen through a through hole 362 provided in the incident side case 36 in an arc shape with respect to the center line of the shaft 92. When a pin or a dedicated jig is inserted into the operation unit 963 and moved along the through hole 362, the adjustment ring 96 rotates around the shaft 92. As a result, the cam portion 94 and the support portion 66 are displaced along the shaft 92. That is, the prism holder 6 is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the light receiving surface 51 a of the image sensor 51.

  The shield portion 91 is integrally provided from the arm portion 95 and is curved along the outer surface of the cylindrical wall 38. Further, the shield portion 91 is formed in a size that covers the slot 309 in the rotation range of the arm portion 95. An edge portion 381 of the cylindrical wall 38 outside the shield portion 91 in a direction along the center line of the shaft 92 is provided flush with the outer peripheral surface of the shield portion 91 with respect to the center line of the shaft 92.

  Trap T1 is comprised by the adhesive G1 apply | coated to the mutual surface over the range which the cylindrical wall 38 and the shield part 91 oppose between the cylindrical wall 38 and the shield part 91. In the imaging apparatus 10 </ b> C, the cylindrical wall 38 and the shield portion 91 overlap each other when viewed in the radial direction of the shaft 92, and air does not flow linearly from the outside to the inside of the case 3. That is, air that flows between the cylindrical wall 38 and the shield part 91 and flows into or out of the case 3 collides with the cylindrical wall 38 and the shield part 91.

  In the imaging apparatus 10 </ b> C having the above configuration, when the lever member 93 is rotated by the manual operation unit 209, the prism holder 6 is far from the imaging element 51 at the first position (standard imaging position) P <b> 1 close to the imaging element 51. It is displaced between the second position (macro imaging position) P2. At this time, the air inside the case 3 and the air outside the case 3 may be ventilated through the trap T1. Since the trap T1 has an intricate shape, the air flow is disturbed.

  If there is a floating substance such as dust in the air, it will be trapped at the corner of the trap T1 or may collide with the wall of the cylindrical wall 38 or the shield 91. Since the adhesive G1 is applied in the range of the trap T1, dust in the air is collected while passing through the trap T1. In addition, it is also preferable to provide any of the dust collectors C provided in the imaging devices 10, 10A, and 10B described in the first to third embodiments in the imaging device 10C of the present embodiment.

  The trap T1 is a back portion of the second reflecting surface 422 of the second prism 42 among the reflecting surfaces of the prism optical system 4, and is a portion that communicates the inside and the outside of the case 3 only. It is provided between the shield member 91 attached to the lever member 93 of the switching mechanism 9. Accordingly, it is difficult for dust to enter from the outside of the case 3, and even when dust is collected in the trap T1, it is deviated from the optical path, so there is no fear that dust will appear in the photograph.

  An imaging apparatus 10D according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20. This imaging device 10D is different from the imaging device 10C of the fourth embodiment in the configuration of the trap T1. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the imaging device 10C of the fourth embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted. Note that the description in the first embodiment is referred to for the prism optical system 4, the image sensor 51, and the substrate 52. Moreover, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the structure which has the same function as the structure as described in previous embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the trap T <b> 1 provided in the imaging device 10 </ b> D of the present embodiment is filled with an adhesive gel G <b> 2 between the cylindrical wall 38 and the shield portion 91. In FIG. 19, the amount of the gel G2 to be filled does not protrude from the trap T1 and the air between the inside and the outside of the case 3 even when the lever member 93 is rotated around the shaft 92. The amount is sufficient to completely block the flow.

  The imaging device 10D having the above configuration completely blocks the air flow between the inside and the outside of the case 3 with the gel G2 in the trap T1. Therefore, the imaging device 10 </ b> D can prevent dust from entering the inside of the case 3.

  An imaging apparatus 10E according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This imaging device 10E is different from the imaging devices 10C and 10D of the fourth and fifth embodiments in the configuration of the trap T1. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the imaging device 10C of the fourth embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted. Note that the description in the first embodiment is referred to for the prism optical system 4, the image sensor 51, and the substrate 52. Moreover, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the structure which has the same function as the structure as described in previous embodiment.

  The trap T1 provided in the imaging device 10E of the present embodiment includes a lip sheet 84 attached to the cylindrical wall 38. As shown in FIG. 23, the lip sheet 84 is provided with a hole 841 through which the arm portion 95 is passed, and covers the shield portion 91 from the outside of the case 3. The lip sheet 84 is made of flexible rubber or silicone rubber, and follows the shape of the step or gap between the cylindrical wall 38 and the shield portion 91, and the prism holder 6 is in the first position ( When the lever member 93 is rotated so as to be the standard imaging position) P1 or the second position (macro imaging position) P2, the cylindrical wall 38 is deformed even if the arm portion 95 and the hole 841 come close to each other. And the shield 91 are sealed.

  In addition, as illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22, the imaging device 10 </ b> E includes a first area A <b> 1 in which the switching mechanism 9 is disposed inside the case 3 and a second area A <b> 2 in which the prism optical system 4 is disposed. Similar to the partition wall 35, a cylindrical partition wall 39 that surrounds the outer periphery of the switching mechanism 9 is provided inside the incident side case 36. A seal film 85 is attached to the cylindrical partition wall 39. The sealing film 85 hangs down from the cylindrical partition wall 39 to the inner peripheral surface of the prism holder 6 on the second prism 42 side, and seals this space.

  The sealing film 85 is sufficiently flexible to follow the shape of the prism holder 6 regardless of whether the prism holder 6 is held at the first position (standard imaging position) P1 or the second position (macro imaging position) P2. have. On the surface of the sealing film 85 facing the second reflecting surface 422, the prism holder 6 positioned on the back side of the first reflecting surface 412, and the inner surface of the incident side case 36 on the back side of the second reflecting surface 423 It is also preferable to apply an adhesive to each.

  The imaging device 10E configured as described above prevents the dust and the air from entering the inside of the case 3 with the lip sheet 84 and the seal film 85. Further, even when dust floating in the case 3 is collected by applying the adhesive to the prism holder 6 located on the back of the reflecting surface and the inner surface of the case 3, the dust is acquired by the image sensor 51. There is no reflection in the photo.

  An imaging apparatus 10F according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the imaging device 10F, the shape of the lip sheet 84 attached to the cylindrical wall 38 is different from the shape of the lip sheet 84 in the imaging device 10E of the sixth embodiment. Other configurations are the same as the configurations of the respective units except for the trap T1 of the imaging device 10C of the fourth embodiment, and thus the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted.

  The lip sheet 84 in this embodiment is configured by a number of strips 842 in which holes 841 through which the arm portions 95 of the lever member 93 are passed are formed by cutting. As shown in FIG. 24, the strip pieces 842 are formed by a single line in the rotation direction of the arm portion 95 and a large number of cuts provided in a direction perpendicular thereto. The opening of the lip sheet 84 is minimized by bending only the strip 842 where the arm portion 95 exists.

  By providing the lip sheet 84 as described above, the opening through which dust enters the case 3 can be reduced. Further, as in the sixth embodiment, a cylindrical partition wall 39 that covers the outer periphery of the switching mechanism 9 is provided inside the case 3, and a seal film 85 is attached to the space between the prism holder 6 and the cylindrical partition wall 39. Sealing the gap can further prevent dust from entering. Further, an adhesive G1 is applied to the inner surface of the case 3 located behind the reflecting surfaces of the prism optical system 4 and the periphery of the prism holder 6, particularly the cover glass 53 covering the image pickup device 51, and the surface is adhesive. By adhering a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet or a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape having the above, dust floating inside the case 3 may be collected.

  An imaging apparatus 10G according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The imaging device 10G of the present embodiment is greatly different in the prism optical system 4G compared to the other embodiments. The prism optical system 4G includes a first prism 44 having a first incident surface 441, a first reflecting surface 442, and a first exit surface 443, a second incident surface 451, and two second reflecting surfaces 452. , 453 and a second prism 45 having a second exit surface 454. In particular, in the second prism 45, a second reflecting surface 452 and a second exit surface 454 are formed continuously. Each optical surface is a free-form surface having a different shape.

  As a result, as indicated by a one-dot chain line with an arrow in FIG. 25, the incident optical axis λi and the outgoing optical axis λo are parallel to each other, but their vectors are directed in opposite directions. That is, the image sensor 51 is arranged adjacent to the incident window 23. Therefore, the overall size of the imaging device 10G can be reduced in the direction along the incident optical axis λi and the outgoing optical axis λo. Since this other configuration is roughly the same as the fourth to seventh embodiments except that the arrangement and shape of the substrate 52 are inevitably different with the arrangement of the image pickup device 51, the description thereof is omitted. .

  An image pickup apparatus 10H according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The imaging device 10H according to the present embodiment is greatly different from the other embodiments in the prism optical system 4H. The prism optical system 4H includes a first surface 461 serving as an incident surface, a second surface 462 serving as a reflecting portion, a third surface 463, a fourth surface 464, a fifth surface 465, a sixth surface 466, and a first surface serving as an exit surface. The seven surfaces 467 are a single prism 46 that is all configured in a free-form surface. A diaphragm member 43 </ b> B is provided before the light beam enters the first surface 461.

  As indicated by a dashed line with an arrow in FIG. 26, the vector of the exit optical axis λo is parallel and opposite to the vector of the incident optical axis λi. As a result, as with the imaging device 10G of the eighth embodiment, the imaging element 51 is disposed adjacent to the incident window 23. The light beam incident on the prism optical system 4H from the first surface 461 is totally reflected in order of the second surface 462, the third surface 463, the fourth surface 464, the fifth surface 465, and the sixth surface 466, and the seventh surface 467. To the image sensor 51.

  Since the prism optical system 4H is integrally provided in the imaging device 10H, the optical axis does not shift due to a manufacturing error due to assembly. Further, since the image pickup device 51 is arranged adjacent to the entrance window 23 as in the eighth embodiment, the overall size of the image pickup apparatus 10H is small in the direction along the incident optical axis λi and the exit optical axis λo. can do.

  An imaging apparatus 10I according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The imaging device 10I of this embodiment is greatly different in prism optical system 4I compared to other embodiments. The prism optical system 4I includes a first prism 47 having a first incident surface 471, two first reflecting surfaces 472 and 473, and a first exit surface 474, a second incident surface 481, and two second second surfaces. The reflecting surfaces 482 and 483, and the second prism 48 having the second exit surface 484. The aperture member 43 is disposed between the first prism 47 and the second prism 48.

  In this prism optical system 4I, each optical surface is formed in a free-form surface shape, and the vector of the incident optical axis λi and the vector of the outgoing optical axis λo are parallel as shown by a dashed line with an arrow in FIG. They are aligned in the same direction. The light beam incident on the first incident surface 471 is totally reflected by the two first reflecting surfaces 472 and 473 and then emitted from the first emitting surface 474. The light beam emitted from the first emission surface 474 passes through the diaphragm member 43, is incident from the second incident surface 481, is totally reflected by the two second reflection surfaces 482, 483, and then the second light beam. Injected from the exit surface 484. Since this imaging apparatus 10I can set the incident angle and the reflection angle at each reflecting surface to be small, the image distortion is small.

  In the imaging devices 10G, 10H, and 10I according to the eighth to tenth embodiments, the manual operation unit 209 is coupled to the lever member 93 of the switching mechanism 9, and the first position (standard imaging position) P1 and the first position. The position of the prism optical systems 4G, 4H, 4I can be switched to any one of two positions (macro imaging position) P2. In addition, the trap T1 of the fourth or fifth embodiment is applied to the trap T1 configured between the cylindrical wall 38 and the shield portion 91. Furthermore, it is also preferable to include the lip sheet 84 of the sixth or seventh embodiment and the seal film 85 of the sixth embodiment, or the dust collector C in the first or second embodiment.

  In the imaging devices 10, 10 </ b> A, and 10 </ b> B in the first to third embodiments, the switching mechanism 7 is driven by the motor 78 and the position of the prism optical system 4 is displaced. In the imaging devices 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G, 10H, and 10I in the embodiment, the switching mechanism 9 is driven by a manual operation by the lever member 93, and the positions of the prism optical systems 4, 4G, 4H, and 4I are displaced. Yes. The prism optical systems 4G, 4H, and 4I of the imaging devices 10G, 10H, and 10I according to the eighth to tenth embodiments are switched by a motor 78 as in the imaging devices 10, 10A, and 10B according to the first to third embodiments. It is also possible.

  The imaging device 10 built in the digital camera 100 may be any of the imaging devices 10A to 10I described in the second to tenth embodiments, or the imaging device 10C built in the camera-equipped mobile phone 200. May be any of the imaging devices 10, 10A, and 10B described in the first to third embodiments and the imaging devices 10D to 10I described in the fifth to tenth embodiments.

According to the above description, the following matters can be obtained. Combinations of items are also possible.
[Appendix]
(Additional Item 1) At least two reflecting surfaces having a free-form surface shape, and a light beam incident from an object along the incident optical axis is arranged on an outgoing optical axis arranged so as to be decentered substantially parallel to the incident optical axis. A prism optical system that forms an object image by being ejected along;
An image sensor that receives a light receiving surface perpendicular to the emission optical axis and converts the object image into an electrical signal;
A substrate on which the image sensor is mounted;
A case for holding the substrate and enclosing the prism optical system;
A prism holder that holds the posture of the prism optical system with respect to the image sensor inside the case;
A switching mechanism for displacing the prism holder along the emission optical axis;
A trap that collects dust between the first region in which the switching mechanism is disposed and the second region in which the prism optical system and the image sensor are disposed;
An imaging apparatus comprising:

    (Additional Item 2) The switching mechanism includes a first position where the prism holder is close to the light receiving surface of the image sensor, and a second position which is farther from the light receiving surface of the image sensor than the first position. The image pickup apparatus according to Additional Item 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus is selectively positioned at either one of the positions.

(Additional Item 3) The first position is a standard imaging position for performing imaging corresponding to a case where the position of the object to be imaged is between a predetermined position and infinity,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second position is a macro imaging position for performing imaging in response to a case where the position of an object to be imaged is closer than a predetermined position.

    (Additional Item 4) The prism optical system includes two prisms and a diaphragm member disposed between the two prisms, and each prism has at least one reflecting surface having a free-form surface and light having refractive power. The imaging apparatus according to Additional Item 1, wherein the imaging apparatus includes an incident surface and a light exit surface having a refractive power.

    (Additional Item 5) The switching mechanism includes an axis disposed in parallel with the emission optical axis and a cam that rotates about the axis, and the cam rotates in the direction about the axis. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a cam surface including a first surface portion and a second surface portion that are different in a direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface.

    (Additional Item 6) The imaging apparatus according to Additional Item 5, wherein the prism holder includes a support portion that is fitted on the shaft of the switching mechanism and a contact portion that contacts the cam.

    (Additional Item 7) The additional mechanism further includes a lever member that switches the prism holder between the first position and the second position in conjunction with the cam. Imaging device.

    (Additional Item 8) A fine adjustment mechanism for finely adjusting at least one of the first position and the second position where the prism holder is positioned in a direction perpendicular to the light receiving surface of the image sensor. Item 3. The imaging apparatus according to Item 2, further comprising:

    (Additional Item 9) The fine adjustment mechanism has an inclined surface that is rotatable about the axis and has a different position in a direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface in the rotating direction, and the switching mechanism is the fine adjustment mechanism. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a receiving portion with which the inclined surface abuts, wherein the setting position of the prism holder is finely adjusted by changing a rotation position of the fine adjustment mechanism.

    (Additional Item 10) The imaging device according to Additional Item 9, wherein the receiving portion of the switching mechanism is formed on a surface opposite to the cam surface of the cam.

    (Additional Item 11) The imaging device according to Additional Item 9, wherein the receiving portion of the switching mechanism has a spiral slope shape following the shape of the inclined surface of the fine adjustment mechanism.

    (Additional Item 12) The fine adjustment mechanism includes a restricting member for restricting a movement limit position of the switching mechanism in a direction in which the inclined surface rotates about the axis, and the position of the restricting member is the axis. The image pickup apparatus according to appendix 9, wherein fine adjustment is made with respect to a direction in which the inclined surface rotates around the center.

    (Additional Item 13) The imaging apparatus according to Additional Item 7, wherein the manual operation unit and the case are covered with at least one of a tape-like adhesive material, a silicone gel material, and an elastomer.

(Additional Item 14) In the case, a through-hole having a size that does not interfere with a support portion of the prism holder straddling the first region and the second region is opened, and the first region and the second region are opened. Having a partition partitioning the region,
The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the trap is a silicone gel filled between the partition wall and the support portion.

1 is a perspective view showing a digital camera that incorporates an image pickup apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the digital camera schematically shown along line F2-F2 in FIG. The perspective view of the imaging device shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging device illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the prism optical system and the prism holder shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a perspective view in which the fixing frame, the prism holder, the gear housing, and the switching mechanism shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging apparatus shown along line F7-F7 in FIG. Sectional drawing which expands and shows the fitting part of the prism holder and case in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the state which the prism holder displaced to the 2nd position from the state shown in FIG. Sectional drawing which expands and shows the fitting part of the prism holder and case of the imaging device of 2nd Embodiment which concerns on this invention. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the prism holder is displaced to a second position from the state illustrated in FIG. 10. Sectional drawing which expands and shows the fitting part of the prism holder and case of the imaging device of 3rd Embodiment which concerns on this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the state which the prism holder displaced to the 2nd position from the state shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows the mobile telephone with a camera incorporating the imaging device of 4th Embodiment which concerns on this invention. Sectional drawing which shows typically the mobile phone with a camera of FIG. The perspective view of the imaging device shown in FIG. Sectional drawing of the imaging device shown along F17-F17 line | wire in FIG. Sectional drawing of the imaging device shown along F18-F18 line | wire in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the imaging device of 5th Embodiment concerning this invention. Sectional drawing of the imaging device shown along F20-F20 line | wire in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the imaging device of 6th Embodiment concerning this invention. Sectional drawing of the imaging device shown along F22-F22 line | wire in FIG. The perspective view of the external appearance of the switching mechanism in the imaging device shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows the lip sheet attached to the switching mechanism of the imaging device of 7th Embodiment which concerns on this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the imaging device of 8th Embodiment concerning this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the imaging device of 9th Embodiment concerning this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the imaging device of 10th Embodiment concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Case, 4, 4G, 4H, 4I ... Prism optical system, 6 ... Prism holder, 7, 9 ... Switching mechanism 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G, 10H, 10I ... Imaging device 35 ... partition wall, 351 ... communication hole, 38 ... cylindrical wall, 51 ... imaging element, 51a ... light receiving surface, 52 ... substrate, 52a ... window part, 66 ... support part, 67 ... shield part, 78 ... motor, 81 ... Rib, 82 ... Fin, 83, 85 ... Seal film, 84 ... Lip sheet, 91 ... Shield part, 92 ... Shaft, 93 ... Lever member, 94 ... Cam part, 95 ... Arm part, 309 ... Slot, λi ... Incident light Axis, λo: emission optical axis, P1, first position, P2, second position, A1, first area, A2, second area, T, T1, trap, C, dust collector, G1, adhesion Agent, G2, gel.

Claims (18)

It has at least two free-form reflecting surfaces, and emits a light beam incident along an incident optical axis from an object along an emission optical axis arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the incident optical axis. A prism optical system for forming an object image;
An image sensor that receives a light receiving surface perpendicular to the emission optical axis and converts the object image into an electrical signal;
A substrate on which the image sensor is mounted;
A case for holding the substrate and enclosing the prism optical system;
A prism holder that holds the posture of the prism optical system with respect to the image sensor inside the case;
A switching mechanism disposed between the back portion of the reflecting surface and the case, and displacing the prism holder along the emission optical axis;
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a trap that collects dust between a first region in which the switching mechanism is disposed and a second region in which the prism optical system and the image sensor are disposed. The trap is
The prism holder support portion that extends from the first region to the second region has a communication hole that is opened to a size that does not interfere, and the interior of the case is formed between the first region and the second region. Partition walls to divide the area,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a shield portion extending from the support portion to a position overlapping with an edge of the communication hole along the partition wall.   The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the trap has an adhesive applied to at least one of the partition and the shield in a range where they face each other.   The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the trap has an adhesive sheet that is attached to at least one of the partition and the shield in a range where the partition faces the shield.   The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the trap has a gel filled between the partition wall and the shield portion. The switching mechanism is driven by a motor attached to the outside of the case,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the case seals the first region and the second region with respect to the outside.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a sealing film that extends from one of the partition and the shield and slides in contact with the other. It has at least two free-form reflecting surfaces, and emits a light beam incident along an incident optical axis from an object along an emission optical axis arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the incident optical axis. A prism optical system for forming an object image;
An image sensor that receives a light receiving surface perpendicular to the emission optical axis and converts the object image into an electrical signal;
A substrate on which the image sensor is mounted;
A case for holding the substrate and enclosing the prism optical system;
A shaft disposed perpendicular to the light receiving surface between the back of the reflecting surface and the case;
A prism holder having a support portion which holds the posture of the prism optical system with respect to the imaging element inside the case and is externally fitted to the shaft;
A cam portion that is slidably contacted with a positioning surface formed on the support portion and is externally fitted to the shaft to displace the prism holder along the shaft; and an arm portion that extends from the shaft to the outside of the case in a centrifugal direction. A lever member having
A slot opened in the case in a rotation range of the arm portion;
A shield part provided on the arm part and covering the slot within a rotation range of the arm part;
An imaging apparatus comprising: a trap that collects dust passing between the case and the shield portion.   The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein the trap has an adhesive applied to at least one of the case and the shield.   The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein the trap includes an adhesive sheet that is attached to at least one of the case and the shield.   The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein the trap includes a gel filled between the case and the shield portion. The case has a cylindrical wall that covers the cam portion,
The shield is disposed along the outer surface of the cylindrical wall;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a lip sheet attached to the cylindrical wall and having flexibility to cover the shield portion from the outside of the case.   The lever member is selectively provided at one of a first position close to the light receiving surface of the image sensor and a second position farther from the light receiving surface of the image sensor than the first position. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the prism holder is positioned. The substrate is
Having a window for passing the light beam emitted from the prism optical system;
Mounting the image sensor on the window from the side opposite to the prism optical system,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a dust collector having adhesiveness is disposed on a surface along an outer periphery of the window portion.   The image pickup apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the dust collector is in a tape shape having a surface coated with an adhesive.   The imaging device according to claim 14, wherein the dust collector is a gel-like pressure-sensitive adhesive raised in a bowl shape. The dust collector is
A rib rising from the substrate toward the prism optical system;
It is composed of fins extending from the prism holder toward the substrate and loosely fitting with the ribs,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the rib and the fin overlap each other within a movement range of the prism holder by the switching mechanism.   The switching mechanism is configured to selectively select one of a first position close to the light receiving surface of the image sensor and a second position farther from the light receiving surface of the image sensor than the first position. The imaging device according to claim 14, wherein the prism holder is positioned.

Images