JP2008193228A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To miniaturize an imaging apparatus further by effectively utilizing the space around a lens unit. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus is provided with a lens unit 2 constituted of a plurality of photographing lenses 3 and 18a-18c, an imaging element 11 for converting light transmitted through the lens unit 2 to image signals, and a flexible rigid substrate 13 comprising an imaging element loading part 13a for mounting the imaging element 11 and an imaging circuit loading part 13b for mounting an electronic component 19 constituting an imaging circuit and flexibly connecting both. In the imaging apparatus, the imaging circuit loading part 13b is arranged around the group of the photographing lenses 18a-18c which are parallel with an optical axis and whose diameter is smaller than the largest photographing lens 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in imaging apparatuses represented by digital cameras, it has been essential to pursue portability such as downsizing and thinning while satisfying high magnification and high pixels. Therefore, not only the components that occupy a large volume inside the main body of the imaging apparatus such as the lens unit, the strobe unit, and the power supply, but also the layout of the electric circuit board is very important.

In order to solve this problem, a strobe capacitor is disposed in a longitudinal space formed on the rear side of the strobe light emitting portion and sandwiched between the electric substrate and the battery chamber so that the longitudinal direction coincides with the longitudinal direction. Thus, it is known to reduce the size and thickness of digital cameras. (See Patent Document 1)
See JP-A-2004-208228

  However, in the conventional example described above, when a small imaging device is provided with a high-magnification lens unit, a sufficient size reduction cannot be achieved. A high magnification lens unit is longer in the optical axis direction than a low magnification lens unit. Therefore, in the case of a substantially rectangular imaging device, when a high-magnification lens unit is mounted, it is optimal to align the thinnest direction of the imaging device with the diameter direction of the lens in order to sufficiently reduce the size.

  In the case of a lens unit that rotates when the lens unit is zoomed or focused, the lens unit has a large outer diameter even in the vicinity of the lens unit close to the image sensor, and therefore a circuit board is arranged along the outer periphery of the lens unit. Sometimes it is not suitable for miniaturization.

  In order to achieve the above object, in an imaging apparatus according to the present invention, a lens unit composed of a plurality of lenses, an imaging element for converting light that has passed through the lens unit into an image signal, and imaging that mounts the imaging element In an imaging apparatus having an element mounting portion and an imaging circuit mounting portion on which an electronic component constituting the imaging circuit is mounted and having a flexible rigid substrate that flexibly connects both, the optical device is parallel to the optical axis and is closer to the subject than the imaging device The image pickup circuit mounting portion is arranged around a photographing lens group smaller than the photographing lens having the largest diameter.

  According to the present invention, the space around the lens unit is effectively used, and the image pickup apparatus can be further downsized.

(First embodiment)
The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 3 are a cross-sectional view and a perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, a digital camera will be described as an example of an imaging apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view around a lens unit of an imaging apparatus main body 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 2 denotes a lens unit which includes a photographic lens 3 and is capable of moving back and forth in parallel to the optical axis direction of the photographic lens 3 with respect to the imaging apparatus body 1. The lens unit 2 is housed in a position that does not protrude with respect to the imaging device main body 1 when the imaging device is carried, when it is not used, or when only an operation for reproducing a captured image is performed. When confirming a photographed image at the time of photographing or setting of a photographing mode, it projects parallel to the optical axis direction of the photographing lens 3 and is extended to a photographing possible position. Further, when the photographing lens 3 is in the retracted state, it is protected so as to cover the surface of the photographing lens 3 by a lens barrier (not shown). The lens barrier is configured on the subject side with respect to the photographic lens 3 and retracts from the front surface of the photographic lens 3 so as not to narrow the photographing range during photographing. The lens unit 2 includes photographic lenses 18 a to 18 c in addition to the photographic lens 3. Like the photographic lens 3, the lens unit 2 can advance and retreat in parallel to the optical axis direction with respect to the imaging apparatus main body 1. Wait until you advance. After that, it moves to a predetermined position corresponding to the AF and zooming operation.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes an image sensor. The light passing through the photographing lenses 3 and 18a to 18c forms an image on the light receiving surface of the image pickup device 11, is photoelectrically converted, and is sequentially read out as a video signal. In the flexible rigid substrate 13, an image sensor mounting portion 13a on which the image sensor 11 is mounted and an image pickup circuit mounting portion 13b on which an electronic component 19 forming an image pickup circuit is mounted are connected by a flexible connection portion 13c. The adjustment plate 14 is fixed to the image pickup circuit mounting portion 13b, and the image pickup device 11 mounted on the image pickup circuit mounting portion 13b is perpendicular to the optical axes of the photographing lenses 3 and 18a to 18c and is troublesome to adjust to a desired position. The adjustment plate 14 can be fixed so as to be adjustable.

  As described above, since the imaging element mounting portion 13a and the imaging circuit mounting portion 13b are connected by the flexible connection portion 13c, even if the adjustment plate 14 is adjusted after the imaging circuit mounting portion 13b is fixed. The adjustment margin is absorbed by the flexible connecting portion 13c. This makes it possible to adjust the surface tilt of the image sensor 11. The imaging circuit mounting portion 13b on which the electronic component 19 forming the imaging circuit is mounted has a smaller diameter than the photographic lens 3 having the maximum diameter so that the imaging circuit mounting portion 13b on which the imaging device 11 is mounted has a substantially perpendicular positional relationship. Arranged around the taking lenses 18b and 18c in parallel to the optical axis. By adopting a configuration in which the taking lenses 18b and 18c are only moved in a straight line without being rotated during AF and zooming operations, a rotating cam is not required around the taking lenses 18b and 18c, and a space can be secured. .

  The electronic component 19 to be mounted is mounted only on the lens side surface of the imaging circuit mounting portion 13b. By disposing a high height component among the electronic components 19 from the central portion of the photographing lenses 18b and 18c, the space can be used effectively. Therefore, the imaging circuit mounting portion 13b can be disposed within the projection range of the photographic lens 3 having the maximum diameter. Thereby, the thinnest direction of the imaging device is determined by the photographing lens 3, and the thinnest configuration can be realized as an imaging device using a desired photographing lens.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic front perspective view of the imaging apparatus main body 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  A light-emitting device 4 such as a strobe is used when the brightness of the subject is not sufficient at the time of shooting. The light emitting device 4 is disposed on the upper side of the lens unit 2. If the light emitting device 4 is disposed on the lower side with respect to the lens unit 2, it is not preferable because the light hits the subject from the lower side.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a display unit. This is used for confirming whether or not the photographer is in a desired photographing range at the time of photographing. It is also used for confirming a photographed image after photographing. The display unit 5 is connected to the imaging apparatus main body 1 via a rotary hinge 6.

  The display unit 5 is attached to the imaging apparatus main body 1 so as to be openable and closable and rotatable. The display unit 5 is fixed at the storage position with respect to the imaging apparatus body 1 when the imaging apparatus is carried, when it is not used, or when only an operation for reproducing a captured image is performed. The photographer opens / closes and rotates the display unit 5 with respect to the image pickup apparatus body 1 with a predetermined angle of rotation about the axis of the rotary hinge 6 having two axes.

  When the image pickup apparatus is carried or not used, the display surface of the display unit 5 is fixed toward the image pickup apparatus main body 1 at the storage position to protect the display surface that is easily damaged. In addition, a cable or a flexible substrate (not shown) passes through the rotary hinge 6 in order to exchange signals for image display between the display unit 5 and the main substrate 22.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes a release button operated at the start of photographing. The release button 7 has a two-stage push-in structure of half-press and full-press. When half-press, the AF and AE are locked, and a captured image is captured by full-press. Since a delicate operation is required, it is desirable that the release button 7 is disposed on the upper surface of the image pickup apparatus so that it can be operated with the index finger of the hand holding the image pickup apparatus body 1.

  Reference numeral 8 denotes a power button of the imaging apparatus. When the power button 8 is pressed, the image pickup apparatus is turned on. When the photographing mode is set, the lens barrier is retracted from the front surface of the photographing lens 3 and the lens unit 2 is extended to a predetermined position parallel to the optical axis direction of the photographing lens 3. The camera is ready for shooting. In the reproduction mode, the lens unit 2 is held in the stored state, and the photographed image is displayed on the display unit 5.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic rear perspective view of the imaging apparatus main body 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of operation buttons 9 a to 9 c are arranged on the rear surface of the imaging apparatus, and are operated while looking at menus and icons displayed on the display unit 5. For example, display device settings, menu switching, display ON / OFF switching, display operation for changing brightness, cross buttons that can be input vertically and horizontally, selection decision buttons, and the like. Since these operation buttons are operated while looking at the display unit 5, the convenience of the photographer is improved by arranging them near the display unit 5.

  A zoom dial 10 has a structure that can be rotated up and down to a predetermined position, and changes the positional relationship of the photographing lenses 18a to 18c arranged in the lens unit 2 to zoom from wide angle to telephoto. Is an input interface. It is arranged near the center of the back of the imaging device so that it can be operated with the thumb of the hand holding the imaging device body 1.

  4 is a schematic rear perspective view of a partially cut inside, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a flexible rigid substrate. The flexible rigid substrate 13 has a connector mounting portion 13e in addition to the image sensor mounting portion 13a and the image pickup circuit mounting portion 13b. The connector mounting portion 13e is connected to the imaging circuit mounting portion 13b via the flexible connection portion 13d, and is electrically connected to the main board 22 via the connector 23 mounted on the connector mounting portion 13e. A connector (not shown) is mounted on the main board 22 so that the card-type memory 20 can be mounted. In the present invention, no component is mounted on the surface opposite to the surface on which the image sensor 11 of the image sensor mounting portion 13a is mounted. Therefore, the imaging apparatus can be configured with a minimum length in the optical axis direction.

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment of the present invention, the operation members 9a to 9c are arranged on the back side of the image sensor mounting portion 13a on the optical axis. However, further miniaturization can be achieved by not disposing the operation members 9a to 9c on the back side of the image sensor mounting portion 13a.

(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment of the present invention, the electronic component 19 mounted on the imaging circuit mounting portion 13b is mounted only on the surface on the photographing lenses 18a to 18c side. However, when the number of electronic components 19 to be mounted is small, or when the height of the electronic components 19 is low, the electronic components 19 may be mounted on the side opposite to the photographing lenses 18a to 18c.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lens unit portion of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic front perspective view of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic rear perspective view of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic rear perspective view of the inside of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of a flexible rigid board | substrate.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging device main body 2 Lens unit 3 Shooting lens 4 Light-emitting device 5 Display part 6 Rotating hinge 7 Release switch 8 Power switch 9a-9c Operation member 10 Zoom switch 11 Imaging element 12 Mode dial 13 Flexible rigid board 13a Imaging element mounting part 13b Imaging Circuit mounting portion 13c, 13d Flexible connection portion 13e Connector mounting portion 14 Adjustment plate 15a to 15b Adjustment screw 16a to 16c Adjustment spring 17 Exterior cover 18a to 18c Shooting lens 19 Electronic component 20 Card type memory 21 Operation flexible substrate 22 Main substrate

Claims (4)

  A lens unit (2) constituted by a plurality of photographing lenses (3, 18a to 18c), an image sensor (11) for converting light passing through the lens unit (2) into an image signal, and the image sensor A flexible rigid substrate (13) having an image pickup device mounting portion (13a) for mounting (11) and an image pickup circuit mounting portion (13b) for mounting an electronic component (19) constituting the image pickup circuit and flexibly connecting both of them. The image pickup circuit mounting portion (13b) is arranged around the photographing lens group (18a to 18c) smaller than the photographing lens (3) having the largest diameter parallel to the optical axis. Imaging device.   2. The imaging according to claim 1, wherein the imaging circuit mounting portion (13 b) is arranged so as to be within a rectangular projection area in which the photographing lens (3) having the maximum diameter is inscribed in the projection along the optical axis. apparatus.   The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the image pickup circuit mounting portion (13b) has components mounted only on one side of the substrate.   The lens unit (2) and the photographing lenses (3, 18a to 18c) held therein are configured to perform only a straight-ahead operation in the optical axis direction during zooming and focusing operations. The imaging device according to -3.

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