JP2011061301A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus capable of accurately and easily achieving optical axis adjustment of an imaging unit. <P>SOLUTION: This imaging apparatus includes: a housing 10; an imaging unit 20 including an imaging module 30, and mounted to the housing; an optical axis angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting one or more optical angles out of a horizontal angle and a vertical angle of the optical axis O1 of the imaging unit, and a rotation angle of the imaging unit with respect to the optical axis, by an adjustment angle smaller than an angle of rotation of a universal tool D in accordance with a rotating operation by the universal tool; and an optical axis angle fixation mechanism for temporarily fixing the optical axis angle in an adjustable state before adjusting the optical axis angle, and fixing the optical axis angle adjusted at the adjustment angle in accordance with operation by the universal tool after the adjustment of the optical axis angle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus having an optical axis adjustment mechanism of an imaging unit.

  In the imaging apparatus, the optical axis of the imaging unit may need to be adjusted when the imaging apparatus is assembled and / or used. The optical axis adjustment is necessary regardless of the number of image pickup units mounted on the image pickup apparatus. In particular, in an imaging apparatus equipped with two or more imaging units, optical axis adjustment is required to match the optical axes of the imaging units.

  The optical axis adjustment is electrically performed by image processing of a captured image or physically performed by adjusting the mounting angle of the imaging unit. However, in the optical axis adjustment by image processing, if the deviation of the optical axis is too large, sufficient adjustment cannot be performed.

  The following Patent Document 1 discloses an example of optical axis adjustment by physical adjustment in a stereoscopic microscope. In the embodiment, by using the rotation adjustment mechanism and the slide adjustment mechanism, the forward operation by tightening the tightening screw, the forward regulation by the stop screw, and the backward operation by tightening the stop screw are performed, so that the optical axis of the stereomicroscope Is adjusted.

JP-A-11-211992

  However, since the optical axis adjustment mechanism of the above embodiment is premised on frequent adjustment when the stereomicroscope is used, the durability is high, but the structure becomes complicated and the adjustment operation becomes complicated and the cost increases. On the other hand, in the optical axis adjustment mechanism of the image pickup unit, adjustment at the time of assembly is more important than at the time of use. Therefore, it is desired to realize the optical axis adjustment with high accuracy and easily while maintaining a certain degree of durability.

  Accordingly, the present invention is intended to provide an imaging apparatus capable of easily and accurately realizing optical axis adjustment of an imaging unit.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, a housing, an imaging unit having an imaging module and attached to the housing, a horizontal angle, a vertical angle of the optical axis of the imaging unit, and a rotation angle of the imaging unit with respect to the optical axis An optical axis angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting an optical axis angle that is 1 or more with an adjustment angle smaller than the rotation angle of the general-purpose tool according to a rotation operation by the general-purpose tool, and an optical axis angle before the optical axis angle is adjusted. And an optical axis angle fixing mechanism for fixing the optical axis angle adjusted by the adjustment angle in accordance with an operation by a general-purpose tool after the optical axis angle is adjusted. Is provided.

  According to this configuration, the optical axis angle that is one or more of the horizontal angle, the vertical angle, and the rotation angle of the imaging unit with respect to the optical axis is adjusted to be smaller than the rotation angle of the general-purpose tool using the general-purpose tool. Adjusted by angle. In addition, the optical axis angle is adjusted in a state where it is temporarily fixed in an adjustable state (that is, the optical axis angle after adjustment does not easily change), and is adjusted at the adjustment angle using a general-purpose tool. It is fixed with. Thereby, the optical axis adjustment of the imaging unit can be realized with high accuracy and ease.

  The imaging apparatus may further include another imaging unit attached to the housing, and the optical axis angle adjustment mechanism may be configured to match the optical axis of the imaging unit with the optical axis of the other imaging unit. .

  The optical axis angle adjusting mechanism may be configured to be able to adjust two or more of the horizontal angle, vertical angle, and rotation angle of the imaging unit with respect to the optical axis independently of each other.

  The optical axis angle adjustment mechanism may be configured to adjust the optical axis angle when the imaging apparatus is assembled.

  In addition, the image pickup apparatus is responsive to a rotation operation with a general-purpose tool to adjust a horizontal angle of the optical axis and a support portion that supports the imaging module in a state in which the imaging module can be rotated in a horizontal direction with respect to the optical axis. A horizontal angle adjustment unit that rotates the support unit with respect to the housing with respect to the rotation center of the support unit, and the support unit is temporarily fixed to the housing in a rotatable state before adjustment of the horizontal angle of the optical axis. A horizontal angle fixing part that fixes the support part to the housing in accordance with an operation by a general-purpose tool after the adjustment of the horizontal angle of the optical axis may be provided.

  Here, the horizontal angle adjustment unit is a horizontal adjustment groove provided in the support unit and the horizontal angle fixing unit, and is configured to adjust the horizontal angle of the optical axis by an adjustment angle smaller than the rotation angle of the horizontal adjustment groove. May be.

  In addition, the imaging apparatus includes a support unit that supports the imaging module on the housing at a predetermined angle in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and a rotation operation by a general-purpose tool to adjust the vertical angle of the optical axis. The vertical angle adjustment unit that tilts the support unit with respect to the housing, and before the adjustment of the vertical angle of the optical axis, the support unit is temporarily fixed to the housing in a tiltable state, and after the vertical angle adjustment of the optical axis In addition, a vertical angle fixing unit that fixes the support unit to the housing may be provided in accordance with an operation using a general-purpose tool.

  Here, the vertical angle adjustment unit is a cam that is rotatably provided between the housing and the support unit, and is configured to adjust the vertical angle of the optical axis by an adjustment angle smaller than the rotation angle of the cam. May be.

  In addition, the imaging apparatus includes a holding unit that holds the imaging module in a rotatable state around the optical axis, and a rotation angle with respect to the optical axis in order to adjust a rotation angle with respect to the optical axis, with the optical axis as a reference. A rotation angle adjustment unit that rotates the imaging module with respect to the holding unit, and before the adjustment of the rotation angle with respect to the optical axis, the imaging module is temporarily fixed to the holding unit in a rotatable state, and after the rotation angle adjustment with respect to the optical axis, You may provide the rotation angle fixing | fixed part which fixes an imaging module to a holding | maintenance part according to operation by a general purpose tool.

  Here, the rotation angle adjustment unit is a rotation adjustment groove provided in the holding unit and the imaging module, and may be configured to adjust the rotation angle with respect to the optical axis by an adjustment angle smaller than the rotation angle of the rotation adjustment groove. Good.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the imaging device which can implement | achieve the optical axis adjustment of an imaging unit highly accurately and easily can be provided.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the internal structure of an imaging device. It is a conceptual diagram (1/3) which shows the optical axis adjustment of a 1st imaging unit. It is a conceptual diagram (2/3) which shows the optical axis adjustment of a 1st imaging unit. It is a conceptual diagram (3/3) which shows the optical axis adjustment of a 1st imaging unit. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of a 1st imaging unit. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of a 1st imaging unit and a fixed plate. It is a perspective view which shows a 1st imaging unit and a fixed plate. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment method of the 1st imaging unit and fixing plate with respect to a housing | casing. It is a perspective view which shows the 1st imaging unit and fixing plate which were attached to the housing | casing. It is a perspective view which shows the adjustment method (before adjustment) of the horizontal angle of an optical axis. It is a perspective view which shows the adjustment method (after adjustment) of the horizontal angle of an optical axis. It is a perspective view which shows the adjustment method (before adjustment) of the vertical angle of an optical axis. It is a perspective view which shows the adjustment method (after adjustment) of the vertical angle of an optical axis. It is a perspective view which shows the adjustment method (before adjustment) of the rotation angle with respect to an optical axis. It is a perspective view which shows the adjustment method (after adjustment) of the rotation angle with respect to an optical axis.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has the substantially same function structure, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

  Below, the imaging device 1 which mounts the two imaging units 20 and 22 as one Embodiment of the imaging device which concerns on this invention is demonstrated. Note that the present invention can be similarly applied to an imaging apparatus equipped with a single imaging unit or three or more imaging units.

[1. Configuration of Imaging Device 1]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an imaging apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal configuration of the imaging apparatus 1. The imaging apparatus 1 includes a housing 10, first and second imaging units 20, 22, a front panel 14, a back panel 16, a top panel (not shown), a cover 18, one or more circuit boards 24, a wiring cable, and a connector. Etc.

  The housing 10 is provided with heat radiation fins 11 on the side surfaces, and openings 12a, 12b, and 12c are provided on the front surface, the back surface, and the top surface. In the first and second imaging units 20 and 22, for example, the first imaging unit 20 is a unit for infrared imaging, and the second imaging unit 22 is a unit for visible light imaging. The front panel 14 is provided with a lens window 15 for the first and second photographing units 20 and 22, and the rear panel 16 is provided with a wiring cable, a connector socket and the like (not shown). The cover 18 is attached to the housing 10 and covers the upper surface and side surfaces of the housing 10. The circuit board 24 is a board on which a circuit for performing processing control of the imaging device 1 is mounted.

  First and second imaging units 20 and 22 and a circuit board 24 are attached to the housing 10. A wiring cable and a connector are connected to the first and second imaging units 20 and 22 and the circuit board 24. A front panel 14 and a back panel 16 are mounted on the front and back surfaces of the housing 10, and a top panel (not shown) and a cover 18 are mounted on the top surface of the housing 10.

  The first and second imaging units 20 and 22 are attached to the housing 10 with the front panel 14 side as the front surface (subject side). The first imaging unit 20 has an optical axis adjustment mechanism, and is attached to the housing 10 in a state where the optical axis can be adjusted. The second imaging unit 22 does not have an optical axis adjustment mechanism, and is fixedly attached to the housing 10.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing optical axis adjustment of the first imaging unit 20. In the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the optical axis O1 of the first imaging unit 20 is adjusted in order to match the optical axes O1 and O2 of the first and second imaging units 20 and 22. In the first imaging unit 20, the horizontal and vertical angles of the optical axis O1 and the rotation angle with respect to the optical axis O1 are adjusted independently of each other. Note that at least one of the horizontal angle, the vertical angle, and the rotation angle with respect to the optical axis O1 may be adjusted.

  Here, the horizontal angle and the vertical angle of the optical axis O1 are horizontal and vertical angles with respect to the subject, and the rotation angle with respect to the optical axis O1 is an inclination angle of the imaging module 30 (to be described later) It is also expressed as the tilt of the photographed image). Note that the optical axis adjustment is premised on implementation at the time of assembling the imaging apparatus, but may be implemented particularly when the imaging apparatus is used.

  FIG. 3A is a plan view showing the adjustment of the horizontal angle of the optical axis O1. By rotating the first imaging unit 20 in the horizontal direction Rh and adjusting the optical axis O1 ′ to the optical axis O1, the optical axes O1 and O2 of the first and second imaging units 20 and 22 are in the horizontal direction. Match.

  FIG. 3B is a side view showing the adjustment of the vertical angle of the optical axis O1. By rotating the first imaging unit 20 in the vertical direction Rv and adjusting the optical axis O1 ′ to the optical axis O1, the optical axes O1 and O2 of the first and second imaging units 20 and 22 are in the vertical direction. Match.

  FIG. 3C is a plan view showing the adjustment of the rotation angle with respect to the optical axis O1. In FIG. 3C, captured images I1 and I2 by the first and second imaging units 20 and 22 are shown. The first imaging unit 20 (module 30) is rotated Rr with respect to the optical axis O1 ′, and the optical axis O1 ′ is adjusted to the optical axis O1, whereby the light of the first and second imaging units 20, 22 is obtained. The axes O1 and O2 coincide. That is, by adjusting the captured image I1 ′ to I1 by the rotation Rr of the first imaging unit 20, the captured images I1 and I2 match in the rotation direction.

[2. Configuration of first imaging unit 20]
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the first imaging unit 20. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing configurations of the first imaging unit 20 and the fixed plate 80.

  The first imaging unit 20 includes a module 30, a holder 40, a base plate 50, a cam 60, and a module plate 70. Further, the first imaging unit 20 is attached to the housing 10 via a fixed plate 80.

  The module 30 is an imaging module. The module 30 is provided with a front plate 31 having a substantially elliptical outer shape, and a module main body 32 having a substantially rectangular outer shape smaller than the front plate 31 is provided on the back surface of the front plate 31. An opening 33 is provided in the center of the front plate 31, and wedge grooves 34 are provided on the left and right sides of the outer periphery of the front plate 31. A lens 36 and a lens barrel 37 constituting the module main body 32 are inserted into the opening 33. At the four corners of the front plate 31, there are provided long holes 35 through which rotation fixing screws 93 for fixing the module 30 to the holder 40 are inserted through the module plate 70 by adjusting the rotation angle of the module 30 with respect to the optical axis O <b> 1. .

  The holder 40 is a member for supporting the module 30. The holder 40 includes a substantially square front plate 41 and a substantially trapezoidal bottom plate 42, and has a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional shape. In the center of the front plate 41, a substantially elliptical concave portion 43 corresponding to the outer shape of the front plate 31 of the module 30 is provided, and wedge grooves 44 are provided on the left and right sides of the outer periphery of the concave portion 43. The wedge groove 44 constitutes a rotation adjustment groove together with the wedge groove 34 provided in the module 30. The recess 43 is provided with a substantially square opening 41 o corresponding to the outer shape of the module body 32. Screw holes 45 through which rotation fixing screws 93 for fixing the module 30 to the holder 40 through the module plate 70 are inserted are provided at the four corners of the recess 43.

  Screw holes 46 and positioning projections 47 through which screws 96 for fixing the module plate 70 to the front plate 41 are inserted are provided at the four corners of the front plate 41. A shaft hole 48 through which the vertical adjustment shaft 62 of the cam 60 is inserted and a vertical fixing screw 92 for guiding and fixing the rotation of the cam plate 61 of the cam 60 with respect to the vertical adjustment shaft 62 are inserted into one end of the bottom plate 42. A screw hole 49 is provided. A slope 42 a corresponding to the slope 63 formed on the upper surface of the cam plate 61 is formed on the bottom surface of the bottom plate 42.

  The base plate 50 is a member for supporting the holder 40 on the housing 10. The base plate 50 includes a substantially square front plate 51 and a bottom plate 52, and has a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional shape. Screw holes 53 and positioning projections 54 for fixing the front plate 41 of the holder 40 to the front plate 51 via the lower plate 71 of the module plate 70 are provided at both ends of the front plate 51 in pairs. A screw hole 55 through which a vertical fixing screw 92 for guiding and fixing the rotation of the cam plate 61 with respect to the vertical adjustment shaft 62 is inserted is provided in the rear portion of the bottom plate 52, and a wedge groove 56 is provided in the rear portion of the bottom plate 52. It is done. In order to rotatably support the holder 40 with respect to the housing 10 on the bottom surface of the bottom plate 52, a rotating shaft 57 engaged with a shaft hole 13 (see FIG. 7) provided in the mounting surface of the housing 10. Is provided (see FIG. 6). Note that a shaft hole may be provided on the bottom surface of the bottom plate 52 of the base plate 50 and a rotation shaft may be provided on the bottom surface of the housing 10. A length at which a horizontal fixing screw 91 for fixing the base plate 50 to the housing 10 through the fixing plate 80 is inserted through the periphery of the bottom plate 52 by adjusting the rotation angle of the base plate 50 with respect to the rotation shaft 57. A hole 58 is provided.

  The cam 60 is a member for adjusting the rotation (tilt) angle of the holder 40 with respect to the housing 10 (base plate 50). The cam 60 includes a disc-shaped cam plate 61 and a vertical adjustment shaft 62 erected at the center of the cam plate 61. A slope 63 is formed on the upper surface of the cam plate 61 so that the thickness in the circumferential direction changes, and an uneven surface 64 for preventing slipping is formed on the outer periphery of the cam plate 61 as necessary. A guide groove 65 concentric with the cam plate 61 is provided around the vertical adjustment shaft 62. The cam plate 61 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the vertical adjustment shaft 62 in a state where movement in the horizontal direction is restricted by the vertical fixing screw 92 engaged with the guide groove 65. On the upper surface of the vertical adjustment shaft 62, an engaged surface 66 such as a groove or a protrusion is provided so as to engage with the tip of a general-purpose tool D such as a screwdriver.

  The module plate 70 is a member for attaching the module 30 to the holder 40. The module plate 70 includes an upper plate 71 and a lower plate 72, both of which are substantially U-shaped. At both ends of the upper plate 71 and the lower plate 72, a contact piece 73 that contacts the front plate 31 of the module 30 and a biasing piece 74 that urges the front plate 31 of the module 30 against the holder 40 are provided in pairs. It is done. The contact piece 73 is provided with a screw hole 75 through which a rotation fixing screw 93 for fixing the front plate 31 of the module 30 is inserted into the front plate 41 of the holder 40, and the biasing piece 74 has a front plate of the module 30. A protrusion 74 a protruding from the side in contact with 31 is provided. In particular, the urging piece 74 of the lower plate 72 is provided with a protrusion 74a such that the optical axis O1 of the first imaging unit 20 is inclined upward when the vertical angle of the optical axis O1 is not adjusted. Screw holes 76 and positioning projections 77 through which screws 96 for fixing the upper plate 71 and the lower plate 72 to the front plate 41 of the holder 40 are inserted are provided at both corners of the upper plate 71 and the lower plate 72. At both corners of the lower plate 72, screw holes 78 and positioning projections 79 are provided through which screws 97 for fixing the front plate 41 of the holder 40 to the front plate 51 of the base plate 50 are inserted.

  The fixing plate 80 is a member for fixing the base plate 50 to the housing 10. The fixed plate 80 includes a bottom plate 81 having a substantially E-shaped outer shape and a rear plate 82 erected on the rear portion of the bottom plate 81. A wedge groove 83 is provided in part of the outer periphery of the bottom plate 81. The wedge groove 83 constitutes a horizontal adjustment groove together with the wedge groove 56 of the base plate 50. On the left and right sides of the bottom plate 81, contact pieces 84 that contact the upper surface of the bottom plate 52 of the base plate 50 are provided, and at the center of the bottom plate 81, a biasing piece that biases the bottom plate 52 of the base plate 50 toward the housing 10. 85 is provided. The contact piece 84 is provided with a screw hole 86 through which a horizontal fixing screw 92 for fixing the base plate 50 to the housing 10 is inserted, and the urging piece 85 contacts the upper surface of the bottom plate 52 of the base plate 50. A protrusion 85a protruding from the side is provided. Abutting surfaces that abut on the outer periphery of the bottom plate 52 of the base plate 50 are provided on the outer periphery of the rear and side portions of the bottom plate 81. In particular, a contact surface that contacts the side surface and the bottom surface of the bottom plate 52 of the base plate 50 is provided at the tip of the contact piece 84. The rear plate 82 is provided with a cable port 87 for inserting a wiring cable and a socket 88 for connecting a connector.

[3. Assembly and attachment of first imaging unit 20]
Below, the assembly method of the 1st imaging unit 20 and the attachment method with respect to the housing | casing 10 are demonstrated, referring FIGS. 6-8. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the first imaging unit 20 and the fixed plate 80. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a method for attaching the first imaging unit 20 and the fixing plate 80 to the housing 10. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the first imaging unit 20 and the fixing plate 80 attached to the housing 10.

  First, the module main body 31 is inserted from the front side of the holder 40 into the opening 41o of the holder 40, and the front plate 31 of the module 30 is disposed in the concave portion 43 of the holder 40. An upper plate 71 and a lower plate 72 of the module plate 70 are attached to the front plate 41. The module plate 70 temporarily secures the module 30 to the holder 40 by means of a rotation fixing screw 93 inserted through the screw hole 75, the long hole 35 of the module 30, and the screw hole 45 of the holder 40. The module plate 70 is fixed to the holder 40 by screws 96 inserted through the screw holes 76 in a state where the module plate 70 is positioned by the positioning protrusions 47 of the holder 40. The module 30 is temporarily fixed to the holder 40 in a state where the front plate 31 is urged to the concave portion 43 of the holder 40 by the urging piece 74 of the module plate 70. The module 30 is temporarily fixed to the holder 40 so that the wedge groove 34 and the wedge groove 44 of the holder 40 are integrated to form a rotation adjusting groove. The module 30 is attached to the holder 40 via the module plate 70 by temporarily fixing the rotation fixing screw 93, that is, in a state where the rotation angle of the first imaging unit 20 with respect to the optical axis O1 can be adjusted. .

  Next, the bottom plate 42 of the holder 40 is mounted on the bottom plate 52 of the base plate 50 via the cam plate 61 of the cam 60 with the vertical adjustment shaft 62 of the cam 60 inserted through the shaft hole 48 of the holder 40. The front plate 51 of the base plate 50 is attached to the front plate 41 of the holder 40 via the lower plate 72 of the module plate 70. The holder 40 is temporarily fixed to the base plate 50 by a vertical fixing screw 92 inserted through the screw hole 49, the guide groove 63 of the cam 60, and the screw hole 55 of the base plate 50. The holder 40 is temporarily fixed to the base plate 50 so that the upper surface (slope 63) and the bottom surface of the cam plate 61 are in contact with the bottom surface of the bottom plate 42 of the holder 40 and the upper surface of the bottom plate 52 of the base plate 50, respectively. The base plate 50 is positioned by the positioning projections 47 and 53 of the holder 40 and the base plate 50, and the screw 97 inserted into the screw hole 78 of the lower plate 72 and the screw hole 53 of the front plate 51, and the lower plate 72. The screw hole 76 and the screw 96 inserted into the screw hole 46 of the holder 40 are fixed to the holder 40. The holder 40 can be rotated (tilted) with respect to the base plate 50 via the cam 60 by temporarily fixing the vertical fixing screw 92, that is, the vertical angle of the optical axis O1 of the first imaging unit 20 can be adjusted. It is attached with.

  The bottom plate 52 of the base plate 50 is attached to the housing 10 via the bottom plate 81 of the fixed plate 80 with the bottom plate 81 of the fixed plate 80 disposed on the bottom plate 52 of the base plate 50. The fixing plate 80 is positioned with respect to the base plate 50 by contact with the base plate 50 via the contact surface, and the horizontal fixing screw 91 inserted through the screw hole 86 and the screw hole 58 of the base plate 50. Thus, the housing 10 is temporarily fixed. The base plate 50 is temporarily fixed to the housing 10 in a state where the bottom plate 52 is biased to the mounting surface of the housing 10 by the biasing piece 85 of the fixing plate 80. The base plate 50 is temporarily fixed to the housing 10 so that the wedge groove 56 and the wedge groove 83 of the fixed plate 80 are integrated to form a horizontal adjustment groove. The base plate 50 can be rotated with respect to the housing 10 via the fixing plate 80 by temporarily fixing the horizontal fixing screw 91, that is, in a state in which the horizontal angle of the optical axis O1 of the first imaging unit 20 can be adjusted. It is attached.

[4-1. Horizontal angle adjustment]
9A and 9B are perspective views showing a method of adjusting the horizontal angle of the optical axis O1. FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective views of the first image pickup unit 20 as viewed obliquely from above, and show states before and after adjustment of the horizontal angle, respectively.

  The horizontal angle of the optical axis O1 is adjusted using horizontal adjustment grooves (configured by wedge grooves 56 and 83) provided in the base plate 50 and the fixed plate 80. The base plate 50 is rotatably attached to the housing 10 via a fixing plate 80 by temporarily fixing a horizontal fixing screw 91. For this reason, when a general-purpose tool D such as a screwdriver is inserted into the horizontal adjustment groove and rotated, the casing 10 (with reference to the rotation shaft 57 of the base plate 50 (corresponding to the x mark in FIGS. 9A and 9B)). The base plate 50 rotates relative to the fixed plate 80).

  Here, the horizontal rotation angle of the first imaging unit 20 is a1, the rotation angle of the general-purpose tool D in the horizontal adjustment groove is a2, and the outer end of the wedge groove 56 of the bottom plate 52 of the base plate 50 and the rotation shaft The distance from the center of 57 is R1, and the depth of the wedge groove 56 is R2. In this case, the rotation angle ratio h = a1: a2 between the first imaging unit 20 and the general-purpose tool D is obtained as R2: R1.

  For example, in the first imaging unit 20 according to the present embodiment, R1 = 31.5 mm, R2 = 6.5 mm, and the rotation angle ratio h = 6.5: 31.5≈0.2. For this reason, when the general-purpose tool D is rotated clockwise by 10 °, the base plate 50 rotates counterclockwise by 2 ° with respect to the housing 10 with respect to the rotation shaft 57, and the optical axis of the first imaging unit 20 The horizontal angle of O1 is finely adjusted.

  After the horizontal angle is finely adjusted, the base plate 50 is fixed to the housing 10 by fastening the horizontal fixing screws 91 inserted through the screw holes 86 of the fixing plate 80 and the long holes 58 of the base plate 50. The Here, the base plate 50 is attached in a state of being biased to the housing 10 via the fixed plate 80 by the biasing piece 85 of the fixed plate 80. Therefore, the base plate 50 is fixed to the housing 10 without moving with respect to the housing 10 when the horizontal fixing screw 91 is fastened, that is, in a state where the horizontal angle of the optical axis O1 is finely adjusted.

[4-2. Vertical angle adjustment]
10A and 10B are perspective views showing a method for adjusting the vertical angle of the optical axis O1. 10A and 10B are perspective views of the first imaging unit 20 as viewed obliquely from the rear, and show states before and after adjustment of the vertical angle, respectively.

  The vertical angle of the optical axis O1 is adjusted by using a vertical adjustment shaft 62 of a cam 60 disposed between the holder 40 and the base plate 50. The holder 40 is rotatably attached to the base plate 50 via a cam 60 by temporarily fixing a vertical fixing screw 92. For this reason, when the general-purpose tool D is engaged with the engaged surface 66 of the vertical adjustment shaft 62 and rotated, the holder 40 is rotated (inclined) with respect to the base plate 50 with respect to the lower plate 72 of the module plate 70. To do. Instead of rotating the vertical adjustment shaft 62 using the general-purpose tool D, the cam plate 61 may be rotated using a finger or the like by friction with the uneven surface 64 formed on the side surface of the cam plate 61. Good.

  For example, in the first imaging unit 20 according to the present embodiment, the slope 63 is formed on the upper surface of the cam plate 61 so that the rotation angle ratio between the first imaging unit 20 and the vertical adjustment shaft 62 is 1:25. Yes. Therefore, when the vertical adjustment shaft 62 is rotated by 10 °, the holder 40 is rotated by 0.4 ° with respect to the base plate 50 with respect to the lower plate 72 of the module plate 70, and the optical axis O 1 of the first imaging unit 20. The vertical angle of is finely adjusted.

  Then, after the vertical angle is finely adjusted, the holder 40 is fastened by fastening the vertical fixing screw 92 inserted through the screw hole 49 of the holder 40, the guide groove 65 of the cam 60, and the screw hole 55 of the base plate 50. Fixed to the base plate 50. Here, the holder 40 is attached to the base plate 50 via the cam 60 by temporarily fixing the vertical fixing screw 92. Therefore, the holder 40 is fixed to the base plate 50 without moving with respect to the base plate 50 when the vertical fixing screw 92 is fastened, that is, with the vertical angle of the optical axis O1 being finely adjusted.

[4-3. Adjustment of rotation angle with respect to optical axis O1]
11A and 11B are perspective views showing a method of adjusting the rotation angle with respect to the optical axis O1. 11A and 11B are perspective views of the first imaging unit 20 as viewed obliquely from the front, and show states before and after adjustment of the rotation angle, respectively.

  The rotation angle with respect to the optical axis O1 is adjusted using rotation adjustment grooves (configured by wedge grooves 34 and 44) provided in the module 30 and the holder 40. The module 30 is rotatably attached to the holder 40 via the module plate 70 by temporarily fixing the rotation fixing screw 93. For this reason, when the general-purpose tool D is inserted into the rotation adjustment groove and rotated, the module 30 rotates relative to the holder 40 with the optical axis O1 of the module 30 as a reference.

  Here, the rotation angle of the module 30 with respect to the optical axis O1 is a3, the rotation angle of the general-purpose tool D in the rotation adjustment groove is a4, and the distance between the outer end of the wedge groove 34 of the module 30 and the optical axis O1 is R3, The depth of the wedge groove 34 is R4. In this case, the rotation angle ratio h = a3: a4 between the module 30 and the general-purpose tool D is obtained as R4: R3.

  For example, in the first imaging unit 20 according to the present embodiment, R3 = 34.5 mm, R4 = 7 mm, and the rotation angle ratio h = 7: 34.5≈0.2. For this reason, when the general-purpose tool D is rotated clockwise by 10 °, the module 30 is rotated counterclockwise by 2 ° with respect to the holder 40 with respect to the optical axis O1, and the first imaging unit 20 is rotated with respect to the optical axis O1. The rotation angle is finely adjusted.

  Then, after the rotation angle is finely adjusted, the module 30 is fastened by fastening the rotation fixing screw 93 inserted through the screw hole 75 of the module plate 70, the long hole 35 of the module 30, and the screw hole 45 of the holder 40. It is fixed to the holder 40. Here, the module 30 is attached in a state of being biased to the holder 40 via the module plate 70 by the biasing piece 74 of the module plate 70. Therefore, the module 30 is fixed to the holder 40 without moving with respect to the holder 40 when the rotation fixing screw 93 is fastened, that is, with the rotation angle with respect to the optical axis O1 being finely adjusted.

[5. Summary]
As described above, according to the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, one or more of the horizontal angle, the vertical angle, and the rotation angle of the first imaging unit 20 with respect to the optical axis of the first imaging unit 20. The optical axis angle is adjusted with an adjustment angle smaller than the rotation angle of the general-purpose tool D using the general-purpose tool D. In addition, the optical axis angle is adjusted while being temporarily fixed in an adjustable state (that is, the adjusted state does not easily change), and is fixed with the general-purpose tool D adjusted at the adjustment angle. Is done. Thereby, the optical axis adjustment of the first imaging unit 20 can be easily realized with high accuracy. The optical axis adjustment mechanism is assumed to be used when the imaging apparatus is assembled, but may be used particularly when the imaging apparatus 1 is used.

  Here, when the imaging apparatus 1 includes two or more imaging units (for example, the first and second imaging units 20 and 22), the optical axis adjustment mechanism is used to match the optical axes between the imaging units. The Even when the imaging apparatus 1 has a single imaging unit, the optical axis adjustment mechanism is used to adjust the optical axis of the imaging unit.

  Here, the optical axis adjustment mechanism independently sets two or more optical axis angles among the horizontal angle, the vertical angle, and the rotation angle of the imaging unit with respect to the optical axis of the imaging unit (for example, the first imaging unit 20). Configured to adjust. Therefore, adjustment of a certain optical axis angle does not affect the adjustment of other optical axis angles, so that the optical axis of the imaging unit can be easily adjusted.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can come up with various changes or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. Of course, it is understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in order to adjust the horizontal angle of the optical axis O1, instead of providing the wedge grooves 56 and 83 in the base plate 50 and the fixed plate 80, protrusions that can engage the general-purpose tool D with the base plate 50 and the fixed plate 80, etc. The engaging portion may be provided. Similarly, in order to adjust the rotation angle of the optical axis O1, instead of providing the wedge grooves 34 and 44 in the module 30 and the holder 40, engagement of a projection or the like that can engage the general-purpose tool D in the module 30 and the holder 40. A part may be provided.

  Further, the horizontal angle, the vertical angle, and the rotation angle with respect to the optical axis O1 of the optical axis O1 are adjusted using two or more general-purpose tools D instead of being adjusted using the same general-purpose tool D such as a driver. May be.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Case 20 1st imaging unit 22 2nd imaging unit 30 Module 40 Holder 50 Base board 60 Cam 70 Module board 80 Fixing plate 91 Horizontal fixing screw 92 Vertical fixing screw 93 Rotation fixing screw O1 Light of 1st imaging unit axis

Claims (10)

A housing,
An imaging unit having an imaging module and attached to the housing;
An optical axis angle that is one or more of a horizontal angle, a vertical angle, and a rotation angle of the imaging unit with respect to the optical axis is adjusted to be smaller than a rotation angle of the general-purpose tool according to a rotation operation by the general-purpose tool. An optical axis angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting the angle;
Before the adjustment of the optical axis angle, the optical axis angle is temporarily fixed in an adjustable state, and after the adjustment of the optical axis angle, the optical axis angle adjusted at the adjustment angle according to an operation by a general-purpose tool. An optical axis angle fixing mechanism for fixing
An imaging apparatus comprising: Further comprising another imaging unit attached to the housing,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical axis angle adjustment mechanism is configured to match an optical axis of the imaging unit with an optical axis of the other imaging unit.   2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical axis angle adjustment mechanism is configured to be capable of independently adjusting two or more of a horizontal angle, a vertical angle, and a rotation angle of the imaging unit with respect to the optical axis. .   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical axis angle adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the optical axis angle when the imaging apparatus is assembled. A support unit that supports the housing in a state in which the imaging module is rotatable in a horizontal direction with respect to an optical axis;
In order to adjust the horizontal angle of the optical axis, in accordance with a rotation operation by a general-purpose tool, a horizontal angle adjustment unit that rotates the support unit with respect to the housing with respect to the rotation center of the support unit;
Prior to the adjustment of the horizontal angle of the optical axis, the support portion is temporarily fixed to the housing in a rotatable state. After the adjustment of the horizontal angle of the optical axis, the support portion is moved according to an operation by a general-purpose tool. A horizontal angle fixing part for fixing to the body,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:   The horizontal angle adjustment unit is a horizontal adjustment groove provided in the support unit and the horizontal angle fixing unit, and is configured to adjust the horizontal angle of the optical axis by an adjustment angle smaller than the rotation angle of the horizontal adjustment groove. The imaging device according to claim 5. A support unit that supports the imaging module on the casing at a predetermined angle in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis;
In order to adjust the vertical angle of the optical axis, a vertical angle adjustment unit that tilts the support unit with respect to the housing according to a rotation operation by a general-purpose tool;
Before adjusting the vertical angle of the optical axis, the support portion is temporarily fixed to the housing in a tiltable state, and after adjusting the vertical angle of the optical axis, the support portion is moved to the housing according to an operation with a general-purpose tool. A vertical angle fixing part for fixing to the body,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:   The vertical angle adjustment unit is a cam that is rotatably provided between the housing and the support unit, and is configured to adjust the vertical angle of the optical axis by an adjustment angle smaller than the rotation angle of the cam. The imaging device according to claim 7. A holding unit for holding the imaging module in a rotatable state around the optical axis;
In order to adjust the rotation angle with respect to the optical axis, a rotation angle adjustment unit that rotates the imaging module with respect to the holding unit based on the optical axis according to a rotation operation by a general-purpose tool;
Before adjusting the rotation angle with respect to the optical axis, the imaging module is temporarily fixed to the holding unit in a rotatable state, and after the rotation angle with respect to the optical axis is adjusted, the imaging module is held according to an operation with a general-purpose tool. A rotation angle fixing part to be fixed to the part,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:   The rotation angle adjustment unit is a rotation adjustment groove provided in the holding unit and the imaging module, and is configured to adjust the rotation angle with respect to the optical axis by an adjustment angle smaller than the rotation angle of the rotation adjustment groove. The imaging device according to claim 9.

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