JP2012049704A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus capable of obtaining appropriate vibration characteristics without regard to temperature in a use environment.SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus of this invention comprises: imaging means which takes an image with incident subject light; an optical member which allows the incident subject light to pass therethrough to guide to the imaging means; vibration means which vibrates the optical member; temperature detection means which detects temperature in the vicinity of the optical member; and drive voltage control means which in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature detection means, varies drive voltage to be applied to the vibration means.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus.

  Conventionally, in an interchangeable lens digital camera, an optical member in which dust that intrudes when a lens is replaced and abrasion powder (hereinafter referred to as “foreign matter”) generated from driving parts in the camera is disposed on the front surface of the image sensor. There is a problem in that foreign matter is attached to the surface of the film and foreign matter is reflected in an image photographed by the image sensor. Therefore, a camera having a so-called cleaning mechanism that removes foreign matters by vibrating an optical member with a piezoelectric element has been commercialized (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-259162 A

  The piezoelectric element, peripheral components, adhesives, and the like that constitute the cleaning mechanism described above have temperature dependency. For this reason, appropriate vibration characteristics may not be obtained depending on the temperature of the usage environment.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of obtaining appropriate vibration characteristics regardless of the temperature of the use environment.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an imaging unit that captures an image of incident subject light, an optical member that transmits the incident subject light and guides it to the imaging unit, and a vibration unit that vibrates the optical member; An imaging apparatus comprising: a temperature detection unit that detects a temperature in the vicinity of the optical member; and a drive voltage control unit that changes a drive voltage applied to the vibration unit according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit. It is.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the imaging device which can acquire an appropriate vibration characteristic irrespective of the temperature of use environment can be provided.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the structure of the camera 1 which concerns on embodiment. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an imaging unit 50. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a camera body 2. FIG. 3 is a data table showing a relationship between a temperature detected by a temperature sensor 15 and a driving voltage. It is a perspective view when the camera 1 is seen from the back. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in case camera CPU100 performs cleaning operation.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which an imaging apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a lens interchangeable digital single-lens reflex camera will be described with reference to the drawings. Each drawing shown below is provided with an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system as necessary to facilitate explanation and understanding. In this coordinate system, the direction toward the left as viewed from the user at the camera position (hereinafter referred to as the normal position) when the user shoots a horizontally long image with the optical axis A being horizontal is defined as the X plus direction. Further, the direction toward the upper side in the normal position is defined as the Y plus direction. Further, the direction toward the subject at the normal position is taken as the Z direction. In FIG. 1, the optical axis OA and the subject light A are indicated by the same line.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a camera 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the camera 1 is a lens interchangeable digital single-lens reflex camera including a camera body 2 and a lens barrel 3 that is detachably attached to the camera body 2.

  The lens barrel 3 includes a photographing lens 4, an aperture unit 5, a focus adjustment mechanism (not shown), a lens CPU (not shown), and a communication unit (not shown). The photographing lens 4 is an optical lens that refracts incident subject light A and emits it toward the camera body 2. The aperture unit 5 is a device that adjusts the amount of subject light A that passes through the photographing lens 4. The aperture unit 5 includes a plurality of aperture blades (not shown) and an aperture blade drive mechanism (not shown).

  The diaphragm unit 5 adjusts the amount of the subject light A by changing the area of the aperture through which the incident subject light A passes by driving the diaphragm blade in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis OA by the diaphragm blade driving mechanism. The focus adjustment mechanism adjusts the focal position by changing the focal length of the photographic lens 4 by moving a part of the photographic lens 4 (focus lens) in the direction of the optical axis OA. The lens CPU has a function of transmitting and receiving data to and from the camera CPU (not shown) of the camera body 2 via the communication unit. The lens CPU controls the operations of the focus adjustment mechanism and the diaphragm blade drive mechanism described above in accordance with instructions from the camera CPU.

  The camera body 2 includes a mirror unit 10, a finder optical unit 20, a photometry unit 30, a shutter unit 40, and an imaging unit 50. The camera body 2 includes a distance measuring mirror 6, a distance measuring sensor 7, a liquid crystal monitor 8, and a temperature sensor 15.

  The mirror unit 10 includes a main mirror 11 and a sub mirror 12. Further, the mirror unit 10 includes a mirror driving unit (not shown) that operates the main mirror 11 and the sub mirror 12. The main mirror 11 and the sub mirror 12 are provided on the optical path of the subject light A incident from the photographing lens 4. The mirror unit 10 causes subject light A to enter the finder optical unit 20 or the shutter unit 40 and the imaging unit 50.

  The main mirror 11 is a reflection mirror that reflects the subject light A to the finder optical unit 20. A semi-transmissive mirror (not shown) is formed at the center of the main mirror 11. The main mirror 11 transmits part of the subject light A through the semi-transmissive mirror and guides the subject light A to the sub mirror 12. Further, the main mirror 11 is rotated between the observation position (mirror down) indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1 and the retracted position (mirror up) indicated by the alternate long and short dash line by the above-described mirror driving unit.

  The sub mirror 12 guides part of the subject light A transmitted through the main mirror 11 to the distance measuring mirror 6. The subject light A guided to the distance measuring mirror 6 enters the distance measuring sensor 7. The sub mirror 12 is attached to the main mirror 11 so as to be rotatable. The sub mirror 12 is folded into the main mirror 11 when the main mirror 11 is mirrored up. Further, the sub mirror 12 stands up on the back side of the main mirror 11 when the main mirror 11 is mirrored down.

  The distance measuring sensor 7 is disposed at a position facing the distance measuring mirror 6. The distance measuring sensor 7 detects the defocus amount of the subject image by phase difference AF (autofocus) in a distance measuring area (not shown) set in the shooting screen. The camera CPU 100 (described later) calculates the driving amount of the focus lens based on the defocus amount detected by the distance measuring sensor 7.

  The liquid crystal monitor 8 is a display device provided on the back surface of the camera body 2. The liquid crystal monitor 8 mainly displays a subject image (reproduced image, live view image) captured by the imaging unit 50, information related to an operation, and the like.

  The finder optical unit 20 includes a finder screen 21, a pentaprism 22, an eyepiece lens 23, and a finder 24. The finder screen 21 is disposed above the mirror unit 10. The subject light A reflected by the mirror unit 10 is projected onto the finder screen 21 to form a subject image. The light of the subject image formed on the finder screen 21 is guided to the eyepiece lens 23 by the pentaprism 22 and further to the finder 24. Thus, the user can observe the subject image by looking through the finder 24. On the other hand, the subject image projected on the finder screen 21 is also guided to the photometry unit 30 via the pentaprism 22.

  The photometric unit 30 includes a photometric optical system 31 including a prism, a lens, and the like, and a photometric sensor 32. The photometric optical system 31 causes the branched light from the pentaprism 22 to enter the photometric sensor 32. The photometric sensor 32 measures the amount of subject light based on the incident branched light. The amount of subject light obtained by the photometric sensor 32 is stored in the memory 103 (described later).

  The shutter unit 40 includes a plurality of shutter blades (not shown). Subject light A is incident on the shutter unit 40 when the main mirror 11 is in a mirror-up state and is ready for photographing. The shutter unit 40 opens and closes (runs) the shutter blades in response to a shooting instruction by a full-press operation of a release button 61 (described later) or the like, and the subject light A is incident on the imaging unit 50. As described above, the incident time of the subject light A incident on the imaging unit 50 is controlled by the shutter unit 40.

  The opening / closing time of the shutter blades in the shutter unit 40, that is, the shutter speed value is controlled by the camera CPU 100.

  The imaging unit 50 captures the subject image formed by the photographing lens 4. The imaging unit 50 converts the captured subject image into an electrical image signal and outputs it to an image processing unit 101 (described later).

  The temperature sensor 15 is a temperature detection device that detects the temperature in the vicinity of the imaging unit 50. The temperature detected by the temperature sensor 15 is transmitted to the camera CPU 100.

  Next, the configuration of the imaging unit 50 will be described. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging unit 50. The imaging unit 50 includes a bracket 51, an imaging element 52, an optical low pass filter (hereinafter referred to as “optical LPF”) 53, a vibration element 55 (55X, 55Y), and a PC (flexible printed circuit board). 56, a fixing plate 57, and a presser malt 58. The optical LPF 53 and the image sensor 52 are arranged in this order from the subject side.

  The bracket 51 is a member that becomes a base of the imaging unit 50. The bracket 51 is formed in a plate shape.

  The image pickup element 52 is a photoelectric conversion element that picks up a subject image that has passed through the photographing lens 4 and formed an image on the surface thereof and converts it into an electrical signal. The image sensor 52 is configured by, for example, a photodiode and a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device). The image sensor 52 is held by the bracket 51. The image sensor 52 is mounted on an electric board (not shown) via the bracket 51. The image signal output from the imaging unit 50 is sent to the image processing unit 101 (described later) via the electric board.

  The optical LPF 53 is an optical filter that removes high-frequency components and the like from subject light transmitted through the photographing lens 4. The optical LPF 53 is an optical member provided on the front surface of the image sensor 52. The optical LPF 53 is formed in a plate shape and is held by the bracket 51 via a mask rubber 54 formed in a frame shape.

  The imaging unit 50 includes a pair of vibration elements 55X and a pair of vibration elements 55Y as the vibration elements 55. As shown in FIG. 2, the vibration element 55 </ b> X and the vibration element 55 </ b> Y are disposed on two orthogonal sides of the optical LPF 53. The vibration element 55X and the vibration element 55Y are bonded to the optical LPF 53 with an adhesive (not shown).

  The vibration element 55X is, for example, a vibrator formed in a long plate shape from PZT (lead zirconate titanate). The vibration element 55X is arranged at both edges in the y direction on the subject side surface of the optical LPF 53 so that the longitudinal direction is in the x direction in contact with the subject side surface of the optical LPF 53.

  The vibration element 55X repeatedly stretches and vibrates when a drive voltage having a sawtooth waveform is continuously applied. The vibration element 55X vibrates with the frequency of about 60 [kHz] to 100 [kHz], for example, and vibrates the optical LPF 53.

  The vibration element 55Y is the same vibrator as the vibration element 55X. The vibration element 55Y is arranged at both edges in the x direction on the subject side surface of the optical LPF 53 so that the longitudinal direction is the y direction. The vibration element 55Y generates vibration in the y direction, and vibrates the optical LPF 53.

  In this way, by applying the drive voltage to the vibration elements 55X and 55Y, the optical LPF 53 can be vibrated to remove foreign matters attached to the surface of the optical LPF 53. Hereinafter, the removal of foreign matter by the vibration elements 55X and 55Y is referred to as “cleaning operation”.

  The FPC 26 is an electric board that transmits a drive voltage from the vibration element driving circuit 106 (see FIG. 3) to the vibration elements 55X and 55Y. The FPC 26 and the vibration elements 55X and 55Y are joined by an adhesive tape 56a (or adhesive).

  The fixing plate 57 is a member for fixing components such as the FPC 56 and the vibration elements 55X and 55Y to the bracket 51. These parts are pressed by the holding malt 58 having elasticity and screwed to the bracket 51.

  The vibration by the vibration element 55 is also transmitted from the optical LPF 53 to the mask rubber 54. However, the vibration of the mask rubber 54 is absorbed and attenuated by the internal rubber member. For this reason, the vibration of the vibration element 55 does not resonate with external support members such as the image pickup element 52 and the bracket 51.

  The vibration element 55 described above has temperature dependency. That is, the vibration element 55Y is likely to vibrate at a low temperature and hardly vibrate at a high temperature even when the same drive voltage is applied. Similarly, members such as the mask rubber 54, the adhesive tape 56a, and the adhesive (not shown) have temperature dependency. These members are cured at a low temperature and the acceleration performance is improved. For this reason, even if the vibration of the same acceleration is given, it will become easy to vibrate at low temperature, and will become difficult to vibrate at high temperature.

  By the way, when the vibration element 55 vibrates excessively, it is conceivable that the optical LPF 53 is broken or the coating on the surface is peeled off. In addition, it is considered that members such as an adhesive that joins the respective parts are easily peeled off. For this reason, a drive voltage with a safety margin is set so that the member is not broken or peeled off when it is vibrated at the lowest temperature assumed as a use environment. However, if the drive voltage is set so that the member is not broken or peeled off in the low temperature range, the vibration characteristics deteriorate in the high temperature range, so even if the same drive voltage is applied, sufficient vibration cannot be obtained, Removal performance decreases. In addition, when the drive voltage is set so that sufficient vibration is obtained in the high temperature range, the vibration characteristics become excessive in the low temperature range, and the above-described members are broken or peeled off. Therefore, in the camera body 2 of the present embodiment, substantially the same vibration characteristics are obtained in each temperature range by changing the driving voltage according to the temperature. The control of the vibration element 55 will be described in detail later.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the camera body 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the camera body 2. 3, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Here, the description of the parts shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is omitted.

  The display panel 9 is a display device provided on the upper surface of the camera body 2. The display panel 9 mainly displays information related to shooting conditions such as aperture value, shutter speed value, shooting mode, and setting sensitivity.

  The image processing unit 101 performs analog and digital processing, such as noise removal, A / D conversion, color correction processing, size change, and encoding, on the image signal output from the imaging unit 50 to obtain an image of the subject image. Create data. This image data is temporarily stored in the memory 103.

  The communication unit 102 is a circuit that transmits and receives data and signals to and from the communication unit (not shown) of the lens barrel 3.

  The memory 103 is configured by a storage medium (not shown) such as an EEPROM, a ROM, or a DRAM. The EEPROM and the ROM are nonvolatile memories that retain stored information even when the camera 1 is turned off. The EEPROM stores various types of information set by the user (validity / invalidity of automatic cleaning operation described later), a data table indicating the relationship between the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 15 and the driving voltage, and the like. .

  FIG. 4 is a data table showing the relationship between the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 15 and the drive voltage. The camera CPU 100 sets the drive voltage V to 60 [V] if the temperature T detected by the temperature sensor 15 is less than 15 [° C.], which is a low temperature range. This drive voltage is the largest voltage at which the optical LPF 53 is not destroyed when the optical LPF 53 is vibrated by the vibration element 55 in the lowest temperature range. That is, the drive voltage has a safety margin so that the member is not broken or peeled off when the optical LPF 53 is vibrated in the lowest temperature range.

  Further, the camera CPU 100 sets the drive voltage V to 80 [V] when the temperature T is 15 [deg.] C. to 35 [[deg.] C.] in which the temperature T is in a normal temperature range. The drive voltage V in the normal temperature range is also set as a default value when temperature detection is not performed by the temperature sensor 15. Further, if the temperature T is 35 [° C.] or higher, which is a high temperature range, the drive voltage V is set to 100 [V].

  As described above, when the temperature T detected by the temperature sensor 15 is lower than the normal temperature range, the camera CPU 100 sets the drive voltage V applied from the vibration element drive circuit 106 to the vibration element 55 from the drive voltage V in the normal temperature range. When the temperature T is higher than the normal temperature range, the drive voltage V applied from the vibration element drive circuit 106 to the vibration element 55 is set higher than the drive voltage V in the normal temperature range. According to this, since the drive element 55 can be driven with substantially the same vibration characteristics in each temperature range from a low temperature to a high temperature, it is possible to prevent the foreign matter removal performance from deteriorating.

  The ROM stores a program necessary for the operation and control of the camera 1 as well as initial values and setting values necessary for executing this program. The DRAM is a volatile memory in which stored information is erased when the camera 1 is turned off. In addition to the image data output from the image processing unit 101, the DRAM temporarily stores data necessary for processing by the camera CPU 100, the image processing unit 101, and the like.

  The memory card I / F (interface) unit 104 has a function of recording image data stored in the DRAM of the memory 103 on the memory card 70. In addition, the memory card I / F unit 104 has a function of reading image data recorded on the memory card 70. A memory card 70 as an external recording medium is detachably attached to a memory card slot (not shown) of the memory card I / unit 104.

  The operation unit 60 is an operation input unit that acquires an operation input by a user. The operation unit 60 includes members such as a dial and buttons. In FIG. 3, these members are comprehensively represented as the operation unit 60.

  Here, a specific example of the operation unit 60 will be described together with the appearance of the camera 1. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the camera 1 when viewed from the back. On the upper surface of the camera body 2, a display panel 9, a release button 61, and a shooting mode dial 62 are arranged. Further, when the camera 1 is viewed from the back, a grip G is formed on the right side of the camera body 2 when the user holds the camera 1 during shooting.

  The release button 61 is a button for the user to instruct the camera CPU 100 to start shooting. In the present embodiment, when the user presses the release button 61 halfway, focus adjustment and exposure control are performed. When the user fully presses the release button 61, the mirror unit 10, the shutter unit 40, and the like are operated, and an image is picked up by the image sensor 52. The shooting mode dial 62 is a dial for the user to instruct the camera CPU 100 to set the shooting mode.

  On the other hand, a main dial 63 is disposed on the rear side of the camera body 2 and above the grip G. A sub dial 64 is disposed on the front side of the camera body 2 and above the grip G. The main dial 63 and the sub dial 64 are dials that mainly input an aperture value, a shutter speed value, an exposure correction value, and the like and set various functions by combining with other buttons.

  A liquid crystal monitor 8 is disposed on the back of the camera body 2. A finder 24 for observing the subject image in the eyepiece state by the user is disposed on the upper part of the liquid crystal monitor 8. Further, on the left side of the liquid crystal monitor 8, a playback button 65 and a menu button 66 are arranged. The user can switch from the shooting mode to the playback mode by operating the playback button 65. Further, the user can perform various settings for shooting and reproduction and basic settings of the camera 1 by operating the menu button 66.

  The user operates the menu button 66 to display a menu screen (not shown) on the liquid crystal monitor 8 and selects various items related to the cleaning operation by selecting an item “cleaning” from the menu. Can do. For example, execution of manual cleaning operation, enable / disable setting to execute automatic cleaning operation when power is turned on, enable / disable setting to execute automatic cleaning operation when power is turned off, setting to execute automatic cleaning operation when power is turned on and off Can be set to valid / invalid. Execution of these items and validity / invalidity of settings can be operated and selected by a selector dial 67 (described later). In the present embodiment, the operation of executing the manual cleaning operation by the user is acquired as an operation input associated with the vibration of the optical LPF 53 in the camera CPU 100.

  A selector dial 67 is arranged on the right side of the liquid crystal monitor 8. The selector dial 67 is a dial-type switch having electric contacts (not shown) in the four directions of up, down, left and right and in the center. When the user presses the arrow mark 68 engraved vertically and horizontally with a finger, the direction of the pressed arrow mark 68 is input as the selection direction. Further, when the OK button 69 arranged at the center is operated, it is inputted that it is determined by the selection contents at that time. The selector dial 67 is mainly used for an operation for changing the shooting conditions displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 8, the setting of the menu items described above, an operation for changing a captured image, and the like.

  In addition, the camera body 2 is provided with a power switch (not shown) for turning the camera body 2 on and off as the operation unit 60. In the present embodiment, an operation in which the user turns on and off the power switch is acquired as an operation input associated with the vibration of the optical LPF 53 in the camera CPU 100.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the description will be continued. The sequence control unit 105 is a circuit that controls the operation timing of the mirror unit 10 and the shutter unit 40. The sequence control unit 105 outputs drive signals to the mirror unit 10 and the shutter unit 40 in accordance with operation instructions from the camera CPU 100.

  The vibration element drive circuit 106 is a circuit that applies a drive voltage to the vibration elements 55X and 55Y. The vibration element drive circuit 106 applies a drive voltage (sawtooth AC voltage) having a predetermined frequency to the vibration elements 55X and 55Y in accordance with the control signal transmitted from the camera CPU 100. The vibration elements 55X and 55Y vibrate when a drive voltage is applied. Further, the optical LPF 53 resonates and vibrates with the vibrations of the vibration elements 55X and 55Y. And the foreign material adhering to the surface of the optical LPF 53 is removed by the vibration of the optical LPF 53.

  The camera CPU 100 is a circuit that comprehensively controls the entire camera 1 and is configured by a microprocessor.

  When the release button 61 is pressed halfway, the camera CPU 100 calculates a lens driving amount based on the defocus amount of the subject image detected by the distance measuring sensor 7. The camera CPU 100 transmits information regarding the calculated lens driving amount to the lens CPU (not shown) of the lens barrel 3. Thereby, in the lens barrel 3, the focus adjustment mechanism controlled by the lens CPU moves the focus lens of the photographing lens 4 to perform focus adjustment.

  At the same time, the camera CPU 100 is based on the set photographing mode, photographing sensitivity information, etc., in addition to the light amount of the subject light from the photometric sensor 32, the lens information of the lens barrel 3, the open F value, the focal length, and the like. Calculate the appropriate exposure value. Then, the camera CPU 100 sets an aperture value and a shutter speed value corresponding to the calculated exposure value, and causes the display panel 9 and the liquid crystal monitor 8 to display the set aperture value and shutter speed value. The aperture value and the shutter speed value may be manually set by the user.

  Further, when the release button 61 is fully pressed, the camera CPU 100 controls the mirror unit 10 via the sequence control unit 105 and rotates the main mirror 11 and the sub mirror 12 from the observation position to the retracted position (mirror up). ). At the same time, the camera CPU 100 transmits a signal related to the set aperture value to the lens CPU (not shown) of the lens barrel 3, and drives the aperture blade to a predetermined position by the aperture blade drive mechanism. Further, the camera CPU 100 controls the shutter unit 40 via the sequence control unit 105 and drives shutter blades (not shown) that shield the image sensor 52 with the set shutter speed value. As a result, a subject image is captured by the image sensor 52. Then, the shutter blade closes the entire shooting screen, and the shooting ends.

  When the photographing is finished, the camera CPU 100 controls the mirror unit 10 via the sequence control unit 105 and rotates the main mirror 11 and the sub mirror 12 from the retracted position to the observation position (mirror down). At the same time, the camera CPU 100 controls the shutter unit 40 via the sequence control unit 105 to perform shutter charging. Furthermore, the camera CPU 100 transmits a diaphragm opening signal to a lens CPU (not shown) of the lens barrel 3, and drives the diaphragm blades to the open position by the diaphragm blade driving mechanism.

  Further, when executing the cleaning operation, the camera CPU 100 changes the drive voltage applied from the vibration element drive circuit 106 to the vibration element 55 according to the temperature in the vicinity of the optical LPF 53 detected by the temperature sensor 15. Hereinafter, control in which the camera CPU 100 changes the drive voltage applied from the vibration element drive circuit 106 to the vibration element 55 according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 15 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the camera CPU 100 executes the cleaning operation.

  In step S101, when the camera CPU 100 detects that the power of the camera body 2 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S102. In step S <b> 102, the camera CPU 100 starts control of the vibration element driving circuit 106.

  In step S103, the camera CPU 100 determines whether or not the setting for executing the automatic cleaning operation when the power is turned on is valid. If the determination in step S103 is YES, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S104. If the determination in step S103 is NO, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S125.

  In step S <b> 104, the camera CPU 100 determines whether or not the setting for executing the temperature detection by the temperature sensor 15 (hereinafter referred to as “temperature monitor” as appropriate) is valid. If the determination in step S104 is YES, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S105. If the determination in step S104 is NO, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S124.

  In step S105, the camera CPU 100 starts temperature monitoring. Note that the temperature monitor requires some time from the start to the end.

  In step S106, the camera CPU 100 determines whether or not an operation input for forcibly terminating the temperature monitor has been acquired. Here, the operation input to forcibly end is, for example, a case where a half-press operation of the release button 61 by the user, an operation of the playback button 65 (switching to the playback mode), or the like is detected. When the user wants to prioritize shooting over the cleaning operation, the user can forcibly end the cleaning operation by executing the above operation. If the determination in step S106 is YES, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S107. If the determination in step S106 is NO, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S118.

  In step S107, the camera CPU 100 ends the temperature detection in the vicinity of the temperature sensor 15 optical LPF 53. In this case, the cleaning operation is not executed.

  Subsequently, in step S108, the camera CPU 100 detects whether or not the power of the camera body 2 is turned off. If the determination in step S108 is YES, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S109. If the determination in step S108 is NO, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S125.

  In step S109, the camera CPU 100 determines whether the setting for executing the cleaning operation when the power is off is valid. If the determination in step S109 is YES, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S110. If the determination in step S109 is NO, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S116.

  In step S110, the camera CPU 100 determines whether or not the setting for executing the temperature monitor is valid. If the determination in step S110 is YES, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S111. If the determination in step S110 is NO, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S117.

  In step S111, the camera CPU 100 starts temperature monitoring. In step S112, the camera CPU 100 determines whether or not the temperature monitoring has been completed. If the determination in step S112 is YES, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S113. If the determination in step S112 is NO, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S112 and waits until the determination in step S112 becomes YES.

  In step S <b> 113, the camera CPU 100 sets the drive voltage according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 15 based on the data table (see FIG. 4) stored in the memory 103.

  In step S <b> 114, the camera CPU 100 outputs a control signal including the set drive voltage value to the vibration element drive circuit 106. As a result, the vibration element drive circuit 106 applies the set drive voltage to the vibration element 55 and starts the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation is executed a preset number (one or more).

  In step S115, the camera CPU 100 determines whether or not the cleaning operation has been completed. If the determination in step S115 is YES, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S116. If the determination in step S115 is NO, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S115 and waits until the determination in step S115 becomes YES. In the present embodiment, in the cleaning operation when the power is turned off, determination of an operation input for forcibly terminating the temperature monitor or the cleaning operation is omitted.

  In step S <b> 116, the camera CPU 100 ends the control of the vibration element driving circuit 106.

  On the other hand, the camera CPU 100 sets a default value of the drive voltage based on the data table (see FIG. 4) stored in the memory 103 in step S117, which has shifted from step S110 (determination NO). As described above, when the temperature monitor is not executed, the default value set as the drive voltage in the normal temperature region is set as the drive voltage. The camera CPU 100 proceeds from step S117 to step S114. As a result, the cleaning operation is executed with the drive voltage in the normal temperature range.

  Further, the camera CPU 100 determines whether or not the temperature monitoring is ended in step S118, which has shifted from step S106 (determination NO). If the determination in step S118 is YES, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S119. If the determination in step S118 is NO, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S106.

  In step S <b> 119, the camera CPU 100 sets a drive voltage according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 15 based on the data table (see FIG. 4) stored in the memory 103.

  In step S <b> 120, the camera CPU 100 outputs a control signal including the set drive voltage value to the vibration element drive circuit 106. As a result, the vibration element drive circuit 106 applies the set drive voltage to the vibration element 55 and starts the cleaning operation.

  In step S121, the camera CPU 100 determines whether or not the cleaning operation has been completed. If the determination in step S121 is YES, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S108. If the determination in step S121 is NO, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S122.

  In step S122, the camera CPU 100 determines whether an operation input for forcibly terminating the temperature monitor has been acquired. If the determination in step S122 is YES, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S123. If the determination in step S122 is NO, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S121.

  In step S123, the camera CPU 100 forcibly ends the cleaning operation. When the process of step S123 ends, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S108.

  The camera CPU 100 sets a default value of the drive voltage based on the data table (see FIG. 4) stored in the memory 103 in step S124, which has shifted from step S104 (determination NO). When the process of step S124 ends, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S120.

  Further, the camera CPU 100 determines whether or not the execution of the manual cleaning operation has been acquired in step S125, which has shifted from step S103 (determination NO). If the determination in step S125 is YES, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S104. If the determination in step S125 is NO, the camera CPU 100 proceeds to step S108.

According to embodiment mentioned above, there exist the following effects.
(1) The camera CPU 100 changes the drive voltage applied to the vibration element 55 according to the temperature detected by the temperature monitor. Accordingly, the drive element 55 can be driven with substantially the same vibration characteristics in each temperature range from a low temperature to a high temperature. Accordingly, appropriate vibration characteristics can be obtained regardless of the temperature of the use environment.

(2) In the lowest temperature range, the camera CPU 100 takes the highest voltage at which the optical LPF 53 does not break when the optical LPF 53 is vibrated in the lowest temperature range. For this reason, when the optical LPF 53 is vibrated in the lowest temperature range, the member is not broken or peeled off.

(3) When the setting for executing the automatic cleaning operation is valid and the setting for executing the temperature monitor is valid when the power is turned on, the camera CPU 100 determines the vibration element according to the temperature detected by the temperature monitor. The drive voltage applied to 55 is changed. For this reason, when the automatic cleaning operation is executed when the power is turned on, the optical LPF 53 can always be vibrated with appropriate vibration characteristics.

(4) The camera CPU 100 applies a preset drive voltage to the vibration element 55 when the setting for executing the automatic cleaning operation is valid and the setting for executing the temperature monitor is not valid when the power is turned on. To control. According to this, the time required for the cleaning operation when the power is turned on can be shortened. Therefore, the user can start shooting as soon as possible when the power is turned on.

(5) When the camera CPU 100 executes the manual cleaning operation, if the setting for executing the temperature monitor is valid, the camera CPU 100 changes the drive voltage applied to the vibration element 55 according to the temperature detected by the temperature monitor. . For this reason, when performing the manual cleaning operation, the optical LPF 53 can always be vibrated with appropriate vibration characteristics.

(6) When the manual cleaning operation is performed, the camera CPU 100 performs control so as to apply a preset drive voltage to the vibration element 55 if the setting for executing the temperature monitor is not valid. According to this, the time required for the cleaning operation can be shortened. Therefore, the user can start photographing as soon as possible when the manual cleaning operation is executed.

(7) If the camera CPU 100 obtains a forced termination operation input while executing the temperature monitor, the camera CPU 100 ends the temperature monitor. In this case, since the user can start photographing before the cleaning operation is executed, the user does not miss a photo opportunity.

(8) If the camera CPU 100 acquires an operation input for forcible termination during the cleaning operation, the camera CPU 100 ends the cleaning operation. In this case, since the user can start photographing even during the cleaning operation, the user does not miss a photo opportunity.

(9) When the setting for executing the automatic cleaning operation is valid and the setting for executing the temperature monitor is valid when the power is turned off, the camera CPU 100 determines the vibration element according to the temperature detected by the temperature monitor. The drive voltage applied to 55 is changed. For this reason, when the automatic cleaning operation is executed when the power is turned off, the optical LPF 53 can always be vibrated with appropriate vibration characteristics.

(10) The camera CPU 100 applies a preset drive voltage to the vibration element 55 when the setting for executing the automatic cleaning operation is valid and the setting for executing the temperature monitor is not valid when the power is turned off. To control. For this reason, the time required for the cleaning operation when the power is turned off can be shortened.
(Deformation)

  Without being limited to the embodiment described above, the present invention can be variously modified and changed as described below, and these are also within the scope of the present invention.

(1) In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the example in which the temperature range is divided into three and the drive voltage is set in each temperature range has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the temperature ranges may be further divided and the drive voltage may be set in each temperature range. In the present embodiment, the example in which the drive voltage corresponding to the detected temperature range is stored in the memory 103 as table data has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a calculation formula using the temperature as an input parameter may be stored in the memory 103, and the camera CPU 100 may calculate the drive voltage using the calculation formula and the detected temperature. .

(2) When an operation input for forcibly terminating the temperature monitor is acquired, a message such as “temperature is being detected” may be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 8. Further, the operation input for forcibly terminating the temperature monitor is not limited to the half-press operation of the release button 61 by the user or the operation of the playback button 65 but may be other operations. For example, the temperature monitor may be forcibly terminated when a switching operation from normal viewfinder shooting to live view shooting or movie shooting is performed.

(3) In the present embodiment, the temperature monitoring is started after the cleaning operation is executed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and temperature monitoring may be started when the power of the camera body 2 is turned on. In the present embodiment, the example in which the dedicated temperature sensor 15 is provided for temperature monitoring has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the camera body 2 can also be used as a temperature sensor installed for other purposes.

(4) In the present embodiment, the example in which the operation of executing the manual cleaning operation and the power ON / OFF operation by the user is the operation input associated with the vibration of the optical LPF 53 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and another operation such as lens replacement may be an operation input associated with the vibration of the optical LPF 53.

(5) The present invention can be applied not only to a lens interchangeable digital single lens reflex camera but also to a lens interchangeable digital camera that does not include the mirror unit 10.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment and modification can be used in combination suitably, since the structure of each embodiment is clear by illustration and description, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited by the embodiment described above.

  1: camera, 2: camera body, 3: lens barrel, 15: temperature sensor, 50: imaging unit, 52: imaging element, 55 (55X, 55Y) vibration element, 60: operation unit, 100: camera CPU, 103 : Memory, 106: Vibration element drive circuit

Claims (11)

Imaging means for capturing an image of incident subject light;
An optical member that transmits incident subject light and guides it to the imaging means;
Vibration means for vibrating the optical member;
Temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature in the vicinity of the optical member;
Drive voltage control means for changing the drive voltage applied to the vibration means according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection means;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The imaging device according to claim 1,
The drive voltage applied to the vibration means in the lowest temperature range is a voltage that does not break the optical member when the optical member is vibrated by the vibration means in the lowest temperature range;
An imaging apparatus characterized by the above. The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2,
An operation input acquisition means for acquiring a user's operation input is provided,
The drive voltage control unit applies to the vibration unit according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit when the operation input acquisition unit acquires the operation input associated with the vibration of the optical member. Changing the drive voltage;
An imaging apparatus characterized by the above. The imaging device according to claim 3.
The drive voltage control means is effective to vibrate the optical member when the operation input obtaining means obtains an operation input for turning on the power of the imaging apparatus, and detects the temperature by the temperature detection means. If the setting to be effective is changed, the drive voltage applied to the vibration means is changed according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection means,
An imaging apparatus characterized by the above. In the imaging device according to claim 3 or 4,
The drive voltage control means is effective to vibrate the optical member when the operation input obtaining means obtains an operation input for turning on the power of the imaging apparatus, and detects the temperature by the temperature detection means. If the setting to be performed is not valid, applying a preset drive voltage to the excitation means;
An imaging apparatus characterized by the above. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
If the setting for detecting the temperature by the temperature detection unit is valid when the operation input acquisition unit acquires an operation input for vibrating the optical member, the drive voltage control unit Changing the drive voltage to be applied to the vibration means according to the detected temperature;
An imaging apparatus characterized by the above. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 3 to 6,
If the setting for detecting the temperature by the temperature detection unit is not valid when the operation input acquisition unit acquires an operation input for vibrating the optical member, the drive voltage control unit sets a drive voltage that is set in advance. Applying to the excitation means,
An imaging apparatus characterized by the above. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 3 to 7,
When the drive voltage control means acquires the forced termination operation input in the operation input acquisition means while the temperature detection means detects the temperature in the vicinity of the optical member, the temperature by the temperature detection means Terminating detection of the
An imaging apparatus characterized by the above. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 3 to 8,
When the drive voltage control means acquires the forced termination operation input by the operation input acquisition means while the optical member is vibrated by the vibration means, the vibration of the optical member by the vibration means Quitting the
An imaging apparatus characterized by the above. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 3 to 9,
The drive voltage control means is detected by the temperature detection means when the operation input obtaining means obtains an operation input for turning off the power of the imaging apparatus and the setting for vibrating the optical member is valid. Changing the drive voltage to be applied to the excitation means according to the temperature
An imaging apparatus characterized by the above. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 3 to 10,
The drive voltage control means is set in advance if the setting for detecting the temperature by the temperature detection means is not valid when the operation input obtaining means obtains an operation input for turning off the power of the imaging device. Applying a driving voltage to the excitation means;
An imaging apparatus characterized by the above.

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