JP2014064257A - Camera module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera module in which the image capturing direction can be switched by a simple configuration, and the camera can be shielded with a shield member.SOLUTION: In a camera module 1, a movable body 90 mounting a camera 10 rotates around a first axis Lz when a first motor 30 is driven, and a shield member 40 also rotates around the first axis Lz while passing on the outside of the camera 10, thus switching a state where the front of the camera 10 is open and a state where the camera is shielded in the front. When driving a second motor 60, the camera 10 rotates on the movable body 90 around a second axis Ly orthogonal to the first axis Lz.

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera module capable of switching the imaging direction of a camera.

  An apparatus for switching the imaging direction of a camera is widely used particularly in the field of surveillance cameras. In a camera module used for such applications, rotation of a motor is transmitted to the camera via a belt mechanism (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP-A-8-95129 JP 2008-78964 A

  The request to switch the imaging direction of the camera is not limited to the surveillance camera, but also exists in the field of, for example, a video phone. In such a field, since the camera is not used for a long time, the front of the camera is shielded in the meantime. There is a request to be shielded by. However, providing a mechanism for driving the shielding member in addition to the switching of the imaging direction of the camera increases the size of the camera module, which is not suitable for mounting on a video phone or the like. In particular, when a camera is mounted on a stationary TV and the other party's image is projected on the TV screen, the camera must be placed on the frame surrounding the TV screen. It is not preferable.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera module that can switch an imaging direction with a simple configuration and can also shield a camera with a shielding member.

  In order to solve the above problems, a camera module according to the present invention extends in a direction intersecting the imaging direction at a position opposite to the imaging direction with respect to the camera, a movable body on which the camera is mounted, and the camera. A fixed body that rotatably supports the movable body around an existing first axis, a shielding member that is supported by the fixed body so as to be rotatable around the first axis through the outside of the camera, and a first motor A first gear mechanism for driving the camera that transmits the rotation of the first motor to the movable body to rotate the movable body about the first axis, and the rotation of the first motor is transmitted to the shielding member. The shielding member is rotated around the first axis at a speed different from the angular velocity of the movable body, and the front of the camera is opened from the shielding member and the camera is shielded forward by the shielding member. switching Characterized in that it comprises a shield member driving gear mechanism.

  In the present invention, that the shielding member is supported by the fixed body means that the shielding member is rotatably supported by the movable body in addition to the case where the shielding member is directly supported by the stationary body so as to be rotatable. This also includes the case where the stationary body is rotatably supported via the movable body.

  In the present invention, when the first motor is driven, the movable body on which the camera is mounted rotates around the first axis, and the shielding member rotates around the first axis through the outside of the camera at an angular velocity different from that of the movable body. The camera is switched between a state in which the front of the camera is opened and a state in which the camera is shielded in the front. For this reason, the imaging direction can be switched with the front of the camera open, and the camera can be covered with a shielding member during periods when the camera is not used, so that dust or the like is prevented from adhering to the camera. be able to. In addition, when the camera module is mounted on a television or the like, the camera can be covered with a shielding member while the camera is not being used, so the presence of the camera is not a concern. Here, both the camera and the shielding member are driven by the first motor. Therefore, the imaging direction can be switched with a simple configuration, and the camera can be shielded by the shielding member while the camera is not used, which is suitable for downsizing of the camera module.

  In the present invention, the camera includes a camera body provided with an imaging optical system, a camera case provided with a camera body mounting hole supported by the movable body and mounted with the camera body, and the camera body includes: It is preferable to provide a terminal that contacts a case-side terminal provided in the camera body mounting hole when the camera body is mounted in the camera body mounting hole. According to this configuration, the camera module can be assembled without mounting the camera body on the camera case, and then the camera body can be mounted in the camera body mounting hole of the camera case. For this reason, there is an advantage that, when the camera module is assembled, a situation in which the camera body is damaged can be avoided. Also, when the camera body is installed in the camera body mounting hole, the terminals provided on the camera body come into contact with the case side terminals provided in the camera body mounting hole, so the electrical connection between the camera body and the camera case side is automatically established. Can be done.

  In the present invention, one of the camera body and the camera body mounting hole is formed with a convex portion, and the other is formed with a groove into which the convex portion is fitted when the camera body is mounted in the camera body mounting hole. It is preferable. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the orientation of mounting the camera body from being wrong.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the camera body mounting hole is open toward the imaging direction, and the shielding member is rotatable to a position where the entire camera body mounting hole is opened. According to such a configuration, the camera body can be mounted in the camera body mounting hole even when the camera body mounting hole is open in the imaging direction.

  In the present invention, the fixed body is provided with a wall surface that faces the camera and the shielding member on the outside, and an opening that exposes the camera between the wall surfaces. It is preferable to cover the front of the camera when facing the one end of the opening in the circumferential direction. According to such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the amount of rotation of the shielding member until the camera is shielded as compared with the structure in which the camera is covered with the fixed body, and to expose the camera in a short time. it can.

  In the present invention, the movable body includes a peripheral wall that is coaxially curved with respect to the first axis, and the shielding member is curved along the outer peripheral shape of the peripheral wall and faces the outer surface of the peripheral wall. It is preferable to provide the part. According to such a configuration, even when the shielding member is rotated around the first axis, the moving space of the shielding plate portion may be narrow. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the camera module. Further, since the shielding member covers the camera with the shielding plate portion curved along the outer shape of the movable body, the gap between the shielding plate portion and the camera is narrow. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent dust and the like from adhering to the camera.

  In the present invention, the first gear mechanism for driving the camera includes a first gear on the driving side to which the rotation of the first motor is transmitted, and the first gear on the driving side having a larger outer diameter than the first gear on the driving side. And the shield member driving gear mechanism includes a driving-side second gear to which the rotation of the first motor is transmitted and an outer diameter larger than that of the driving-side second gear. A driven-side second gear meshing with the driving-side second gear with dimensions, wherein the driving-side first gear and the driving-side second gear are the driving-side first gear and the driving-side second gear. Are preferably formed into an integrated compound gear. According to this configuration, it is possible to simplify the mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the first motor to the camera and the shielding member.

  In this invention, the said movable body is provided with the circular convex part formed concentrically with the said 1st axis, and the said shielding member fits into the said circular convex part, and is the cyclic | annular form which can be rotated relatively to the said circular convex part Preferably, the driven side first gear is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall, and the driven side second gear is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the annular portion. According to such a configuration, the shielding member and the movable body can be reliably rotated in a concentric state with a simple configuration. Further, the mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the first motor to the camera and the shielding member can be simplified.

  In this invention, it is preferable to provide the 1st biasing member which presses the said movable body to the said 1st axial direction, and presses it against the said fixed body. According to such a configuration, the movable body is not inadvertently displaced due to backlash between the gears.

  In the present invention, the camera is supported by the movable body so as to be rotatable about a second axis extending in a direction intersecting the first axis and the imaging direction, and the movable body includes a second motor, and It is preferable that a second gear mechanism for driving the camera is mounted that transmits the rotation of the second motor to the camera and rotates the camera about the second axis. According to such a configuration, the imaging direction can be switched between two directions with a simple configuration.

  In the present invention, the second gear mechanism for driving the camera meshes with the drive side gear having a larger diameter than the drive side gear driven by the second motor and the drive side gear. It preferably includes a sector gear that transmits the rotation to the camera side. If it is a sector gear, since the space to occupy becomes small, the camera module can be miniaturized.

  In this invention, it is preferable to provide the 2nd biasing member which presses the said camera to the said 2nd axial direction, and presses it against the said movable body. According to this configuration, the camera is not inadvertently displaced due to backlash between the gears.

  In the present invention, when the first motor is driven, the movable body on which the camera is mounted rotates around the first axis, and the shielding member rotates around the first axis through the outside of the camera at an angular velocity different from that of the movable body. The camera is switched between a state in which the front of the camera is opened and a state in which the camera is shielded in the front. For this reason, the imaging direction can be switched with the front of the camera open, and the camera can be covered with a shielding member during periods when the camera is not used, so that dust or the like is prevented from adhering to the camera. be able to. In addition, when the camera module is mounted on a television or the like, the camera can be covered with a shielding member while the camera is not being used, so the presence of the camera is not a concern. Here, both the camera and the shielding member are driven by the first motor. Therefore, the imaging direction can be switched with a simple configuration, and the camera can be shielded by the shielding member while the camera is not used, which is suitable for downsizing of the camera module.

It is explanatory drawing of the television carrying the camera module to which this invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole structure of the camera module to which this invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing of the mechanism components etc. of the camera module to which this invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the camera module to which this invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing of the 1st gear mechanism for camera drive, etc. of the camera module to which this invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing of the 2nd gear mechanism for camera drive, etc. of the camera module to which this invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing of the camera module which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the camera used for the camera module which concerns on another embodiment of this invention.

  An example of a camera module to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the front-rear direction of the camera module is defined as the X-axis direction, the lateral direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction is defined as the Y-axis direction, and the vertical direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is defined as the Z-axis direction. To do. Also, in the X axis direction, the side where the subject is located is one side + X, the side opposite to the side where the subject is located is the other side -X, and the left side of the Y axis direction toward the camera is the one side + Y. And the right side is the other side -Y, the upper side in the Z-axis direction is the one side + Z, and the lower side is the other side -Z.

(Overall configuration of TV)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a television equipped with a camera module to which the present invention is applied. In the television 100 shown in FIG. 1, the periphery of the television screen 1100 is surrounded by a rectangular frame 1020, and the camera module 1 to which the present invention is applied is mounted on the upper side portion 1021 of the frame 1020. The camera module 1 includes a videophone camera 10 and a fixed body 80 on which the camera 10 is mounted. The camera 10 is supported by a frame body 1020 via the fixed body 80. The television 100 configured as described above has a videophone function, and transmits a caller's image captured by the camera module 1 to the other party. In addition, the other party is displayed on the television screen 1100.

(Overall configuration of camera module 1)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the camera module 1 to which the present invention is applied. FIGS. 2A and 2B are a perspective view of the camera module 1 and a lower case inside the camera module 1. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows a mode that the mechanism components etc. were taken out. In addition, illustration of the upper case is abbreviate | omitted in FIG.2 (b).

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of mechanical parts and the like of the camera module 1 to which the present invention is applied. FIGS. 3 (a), (b), (c), and (d) are diagrams of the camera module 1 to which the present invention is applied. Plan view of mechanism parts, bottom view of mechanism parts, etc., explanatory view when viewing mechanism parts from arrow F1 shown in FIG. 3 (a), and mechanism parts etc. seen from arrow F2 shown in FIG. 3 (a) It is explanatory drawing at the time. In addition, illustration of a movable body is abbreviate | omitted in FIG.3 (d).

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the camera module 1 to which the present invention is applied. FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D show the camera 10 when the front is 0 °. Is a front view in a standby state where the camera 10 faces -30 °, a front view when the camera 10 faces -20 °, a front view when the camera 10 faces 0 °, and the camera 10 is + 20 °. It is a front view of the state which faces the direction. 4 (e), (f), (g), and (h) are plan views in a standby state in which the camera 10 faces in the direction of −30 °, and plan views in a state in which the camera 10 faces in the direction of −20 °. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a state in which the camera 10 faces a direction of 0 ° and a plan view of a state in which the camera 10 faces a direction of + 20 °. Note that the upper case is not shown in FIGS. 2B and 4E, 4F, 4G, and 4H.

  In FIG. 2, in the camera module 1, it is necessary to adjust the imaging direction by the camera 10 in the left-right direction and the up-down direction according to the left-right position of the caller and the height position of the face. Therefore, in the camera module 1 of this embodiment, the camera 10 is rotated around the first axis Lz extending in the Z-axis direction to adjust the imaging direction in the left-right direction, and the camera 10 extends in the Y-axis direction. The imaging direction is adjusted in the vertical direction by rotating around the second axis Ly. Further, when the television 100 is used as a normal television, the camera module 1 of the present embodiment shields the front side of the camera 10 while the camera 10 is not being used due to circumstances such as the camera 10 being exposed when exposed. The member 40 is shielded.

  In order to realize such an operation, in the camera module 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the movable body 90 on which the camera 10 is mounted and the opposite side of the imaging direction with respect to the camera 10. A fixed body 80 that rotatably supports the movable body 90 around a first axis Lz that extends in the Z-axis direction intersecting the imaging direction at a position is provided. The fixed body 80 includes the first motor 30 and the first gear mechanism 20 for driving the camera that transmits the rotation of the first motor 30 to the movable body 90 to rotate the movable body 90 about the first axis Lz. It is installed. Further, the fixed body 80 transmits the rotation of the first motor 30 to the shielding member 40, which is supported on the fixed body 80 so as to be rotatable about the first axis Lz through the outer side in the radial direction from the camera 10. The shielding member driving gear mechanism 50 that rotates the shielding member 40 around the first axis Lz at a speed different from the angular velocity of the movable body 90 is mounted. The first motor 30 and the shielding member driving gear mechanism 50 are The camera 10 is switched between a state in which the front of the camera 10 is opened from the shielding member 40 and a state in which the camera 10 is shielded by the shielding member 40 in front.

  The camera 10 is supported by the movable body 90 so as to be rotatable around the first axis Lz and the second axis Ly extending in the Y-axis direction intersecting the imaging direction. A camera driving second gear mechanism 70 is mounted that transmits the rotation of the motor 60 and the second motor 60 to the camera 10 to rotate the camera 10 about the second axis Ly.

(Configuration of fixed body 80)
As shown in FIG. 2, the fixed body 80 includes a rectangular box-shaped lower case 81 that is open toward one side + Z (upper side) in the Z-axis direction, and a rectangular upper case that closes the upper opening of the lower case 81. 82, and the fixed body 80 defines the outer shape of the camera module 1. The lower case 81 includes a bottom plate portion 810 positioned on the other side −Z in the Z-axis direction, and four side plate portions 811, 812, 813, and 814 erected from the outer edge of the bottom plate portion 810 toward one side + Z in the Z-axis direction. (Wall surface). In the lower case 81, a rectangular opening 815 is formed in the side plate portion 811 located on the front surface (one side in the X-axis direction + X), and imaging by the camera 10 is performed through the opening 815. In the side plate portion 811, the end portions 816 and 817 of the side plate portion 811 are bent obliquely toward the inside of the lower case 81 on both sides of the opening portion 815 in the Y-axis direction, and the opening portion 815 includes the end portion 816, The camera 10 is exposed from between 817. The bottom plate portion 810 is formed with a circular recess 818 that is recessed in two steps around the first axis Lz, and an axial hole 819 is formed at the center of the bottom of the recess 818.

(Configuration of movable body 90)
In FIG. 2, the movable body 90 includes a bottomed cylindrical body 901 that is coaxial with the first axis Lz, and a disc-shaped cover 905 that covers the upper surface of the cylindrical body 901. A cutout 906 is formed in the cover 905 so as to overlap the camera 10, and one end + Z end in the Z-axis direction of the camera 10 is located inside the cutout 906. However, the camera 10 does not protrude from the cover 905 to the one side + Z in the Z-axis direction. A shaft portion 907 projecting to one side + Z in the Z-axis direction is formed at the center (position through which the first axis Lz passes) of the upper surface of the cover 905 (one side in the Z-axis direction + Z surface). The part 907 is rotatably supported by a shaft hole (not shown) formed in the upper case 82.

  2 and 3, the cylindrical body 901 includes a circular bottom plate portion 91 centered on the first axis Lz and a peripheral wall 92 bent from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate portion 91 toward one side + Z in the Z-axis direction. The peripheral wall 92 is curved in an arc shape around the first axis Lz. Inside the movable body 90, the camera 10 is mounted with the imaging direction directed in a direction orthogonal to the Z-axis direction. The peripheral wall 92 is partially interrupted in the circumferential direction, and the imaging direction of the camera 10 is directed to the opening 98 that is a part of the interrupted portion.

  Inside the cylindrical body 901, a support plate portion 95 whose both ends are connected to the peripheral wall 92, and a columnar portion 96 erected from the bottom plate portion 91 at a position facing the support plate portion 95 are formed. In addition, a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 92 that faces the support plate portion 95 across the first axis Lz is thick, and a step that faces the support plate portion 95 in parallel with the thick portion. The attached support surface 97 is formed. The support plate portion 95 and the support surface 97 are used for supporting the camera 10 and fixing the second motor 60 and the second gear mechanism 70 for driving the camera, as will be described in detail later.

  In the bottom plate portion 91 of the cylindrical body 901, a circular convex portion 93 centered on the first axis Lz is formed on the lower surface located on the other side −Z in the Z-axis direction, and from the center of the circular convex portion 93. Has a circular shaft portion 94 protruding toward the other side -Z in the Z-axis direction. The shaft portion 94 is rotatably fitted in the shaft hole 819 of the bottom plate portion 810 of the lower case 81 so that the movable body 90 is supported so as to be rotatable around the first axis Lz with respect to the fixed body 80 (lower case 81). Has been.

  In the movable body 90, the first gear mechanism 20 for driving the camera, which will be described later, is formed on a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 92 located on the other side −Z in the Z-axis direction over a predetermined angular range in the peripheral direction. A driven first gear 22 is formed.

(Configuration of shielding member 40)
The shielding member 40 is disposed so as to partially overlap the lower surface of the bottom plate portion 91 of the movable body 90 and the outer surface of the peripheral wall 92. In this embodiment, the shielding member 40 includes an annular annular portion 41 that fits into the circular convex portion 93 of the movable body 90 between the bottom plate portion 91 of the movable body 90 and the bottom plate portion 810 of the lower case 81, and the annular portion 41. A connecting plate portion 42 that protrudes radially outward, and a shielding plate portion 43 that is bent in parallel to the first axis Lz from the outer end portion of the connecting plate portion 42 and overlaps the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 92 of the movable body 90 on the radially outer side. And. In the present embodiment, the shielding plate portion 43 is curved in an arc shape along the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 92 as a result of being curved in an arc shape around the first axis Lz.

  In such a shielding member 40, a driven second gear 52 that constitutes a shielding member driving gear mechanism 50 described later is entirely provided on a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the annular portion 41 located on the other side −Z in the Z-axis direction. It is formed over the circumference. The annular portion 41 is fitted to the circular convex portion 93 of the movable body 90 so as to be relatively rotatable, and the shielding member 40 is rotatable about the circular convex portion 93. Thus, the shielding member 40 is supported by the fixed body 80 via the movable body 90 so as to be rotatable around the first axis Lz.

(Configuration of the first gear mechanism 20 for driving the camera)
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the first gear mechanism 20 for driving the camera of the camera module 1 to which the present invention is applied, and FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are the first gear mechanism for driving the camera. These are a perspective view seen from obliquely upward, an exploded perspective view seen obliquely from above, and an exploded perspective view seen obliquely from below.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, in the fixed body 80, a motor fixing plate 39 having a U-shaped planar shape is fixed to the inner surface of the side plate portion 814 of the lower case 81. Of the pair of plate-like portions 391 and 392 facing each other in the motor fixing plate 39, the main body of the first motor 30 is fixed to the outer surface side of the plate-like portion 392, and the other side of the first motor 30 in the X-axis direction. The rotating shaft 31 that protrudes toward −X penetrates the plate-like portion 392 and is rotatably supported at the tip portion by the plate-like portion 391. The power supply to the first motor 30 is performed via the wiring board 34 held outside the side plate portion 814 of the lower case 81. In the present embodiment, a stepping motor is used as the first motor 30.

  Between the plate-like portions 391 and 392, a worm gear 32 is fixed to the rotary shaft 31, and the worm gear 32 meshes with a worm wheel 33 that can rotate around an axis extending in the Z-axis direction.

  The worm wheel 33 is formed to extend toward one side + Z in the Z-axis direction in the compound gear 35 that can rotate around the support shaft 38, and the compound gear 35 has one side in the Z-axis direction. From + Z toward the other side −Z, the worm wheel 33, the large diameter gear 51, and the small diameter gear 21 having a smaller diameter than the large diameter gear 51 are integrally formed in this order. In the compound gear 35, the worm wheel 33, the large diameter gear 51, and the small diameter gear 21 are coaxially formed. For this reason, when the first motor 30 rotates, the compound gear 35 (the worm wheel 33, the large-diameter gear 51, and the small-diameter gear 21) rotates around an axis extending in the Z-axis direction.

Here, the small-diameter gear 21 meshes with the driven-side first gear 22 of the movable body 90 and is used as the driving-side first gear of the first gear mechanism 20 for driving the camera. The large diameter gear 51 meshes with the driven second gear 52 of the shielding member 40 and is used as the driving second gear of the shielding member driving gear mechanism 50. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of each gear has the following relationship: small gear 21 <large gear 51
Driven side first gear 22> driven side second gear 52
Small gear 21 <driven side first gear 22
Large gear 51 = driven second gear 52
(Small-diameter gear 21 / driven-side first gear 22) <(large-diameter gear 51 / driven-side second gear 52)
Meet. For this reason, the gear ratios of the first gear mechanism 20 for driving the camera and the gear mechanism 50 for driving the shielding member are different. Therefore, when the first motor 30 rotates, the rotation of the first motor 30 is transmitted to the movable body 90 and the shielding member 40 at a reduced speed. As a result, both the movable body 90 and the shielding member 40 are about the first axis Lz. Rotate. At that time, the angular velocity of the shielding member 40 and the angular velocity of the movable body 90 are different. Therefore, when the first motor 30 rotates, a state in which the camera 10 is shielded in front by the shielding plate portion 43 of the shielding member 40 and a state in which the front of the camera 10 is opened from the shielding plate portion 43 of the shielding member 40 are executed. The

  In this embodiment, when the first motor 30 rotates, the angular velocity of the shielding member 40 is larger than the angular velocity of the movable body 90. Therefore, in this embodiment, first, when the front (one side in the X-axis direction + X) is set to 0 °, as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (e), the camera 10 stands by in the direction of −30 °. At the position, the camera 10 faces the opening 815 at one end + Y end in the Y-axis direction of the opening 815 of the lower case 81, but the front of the camera 10 is shielded by the shielding plate 43 of the shielding member 40. Has been.

  From this state, when the first motor 30 rotates, the shielding member 40 rotates at an angular velocity greater than that of the movable body 90. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. The camera 10 faces the opening 815 when it faces the −20 ° direction, but the shielding plate 43 of the shielding member 40 has already passed through the opening 815 of the lower case 81. Therefore, the front of the camera 10 is in an open state.

  Next, when the first motor 30 further rotates, as shown in FIGS. 4C and 4G, the front of the camera 10 is opened until the imaging direction L of the camera 10 faces 0 °. Only the direction of the camera 10 is switched. Also, as shown in FIGS. 4D and 4H, the camera 10 remains open until the imaging direction L of the camera 10 is directed to the + 20 ° direction. Only switches. The rotation of the movable body 90 is detected by an optical or magnetic sensor 99 (see FIG. 3B) disposed between the bottom plate portion 91 of the movable body 90 and the bottom plate portion 810 of the lower case 81. The

  Thereafter, when the first motor 30 is rotated in the reverse direction, the camera 10 rotates in the reverse direction. The shielding member 40 also returns to the standby position of −30 ° until the camera 10 returns to the standby position that faces the −30 ° direction. Therefore, the camera 10 faces the opening 815 at one end + Y end in the Y-axis direction of the opening 815 of the lower case 81, but the front of the camera 10 is shielded by the shielding plate 43 of the shielding member 40. Will be.

  Thus, in the camera module 1 of the present embodiment, the imaging direction of the camera 10 can be switched around the first axis Lz. Therefore, when the television 100 shown in FIG. 1 is used as a videophone, if the first motor 30 is operated by operating a switch or a remote control switch provided on the television main body, the camera is adapted to the position of the caller. Since the imaging direction of 10 can be switched to the left and right, the imaging direction of the camera 10 can be adjusted appropriately.

(Configuration of second gear mechanism 70 for driving the camera)
FIGS. 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams of the second gear mechanism 70 for driving the camera of the camera module 1 to which the present invention is applied. FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C illustrate the movable body 90 obliquely from above. It is the perspective view seen, the exploded perspective view seen from diagonally upward, and the exploded perspective view which looked at the mode which further disassembled further from diagonally downward.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the camera 10 includes a camera body 11 having an imaging optical system 110 and the like, and a camera case 12 that holds the camera body 11 inside, and a movable body 90. The shaft hole 920 formed in the peripheral wall 92 and the shaft hole 950 formed in the support plate portion 95 are supported by the movable body 90 so as to be rotatable around the second axis Ly. More specifically, the camera case 12 has a cylindrical body 121 that holds the camera body 11 inside, and substantially circular end plates 122 and 123 formed at both ends of the cylindrical body 121. ing. In the camera case 12, shaft portions 124 and 125 protrude from the end plates 122 and 123 toward both sides on the second axis Ly, and the shaft portions 124 and 125 are rotatably supported in the shaft holes 950 and 920. Has been.

  In the movable body 90, the second motor 60 is fixed between the support plate portion 95 and the peripheral wall 92 by using a fixed plate 69, a columnar portion 96, a discontinuous portion of the peripheral wall 92, and the like. Then, the output shaft 61 extends in a direction orthogonal to the Z-axis direction. The output shaft 61 and the camera 10 are mechanically connected by a second gear mechanism for driving a camera 70 described below. The second motor 60 and the second gear mechanism 70 for driving the camera rotate the camera 10 around the second axis Ly that is orthogonal to the Z-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the power supply to the second motor 60 is performed by the flexible wiring board 101 inserted inward from the interrupted portion of the peripheral wall 92, and the electrical connection between the camera 10 and the outside is the peripheral wall. This is performed by the flexible wiring board 102 inserted inward from the interrupted portion 92. In this embodiment, a stepping motor is used for the second motor 60.

  The second gear mechanism 70 for driving the camera has a motor pinion 71 fixed to the output shaft 61, and a composite gear 75 rotatably supported by a columnar portion 96 and a peripheral wall 92. A large-diameter gear 73 meshing with the motor pinion 71 and a small-diameter gear 74 (drive-side gear) integrally formed with the large-diameter gear 73 having a smaller diameter than the large-diameter gear 73 are provided. Further, a fan-shaped gear 78 having a diameter larger than that of the small-diameter gear 74 is fixed to the shaft portion 125 of the camera case 12, and the fan-shaped gear 78 meshes with the small-diameter gear 74 of the compound gear 75. For this reason, when the second motor 60 rotates, the rotation of the second motor 60 is transmitted to the camera 10 at a reduced speed by the second gear mechanism 70 for driving the camera. As a result, the camera 10 rotates around the second axis Ly. To do. Therefore, at any timing shown in FIG. 4, if the second motor 60 is operated, the vertical position in the imaging direction can be adjusted.

  The fan-shaped movable plate 16 is fixed to the shaft portion 124 of the camera case 12, while the movable body 90 is optically attached to the substrate 17 held between the peripheral wall 92 and the support plate portion 95. Alternatively, a magnetic sensor 18 is mounted. For this reason, the orientation of the camera 10 when the camera 10 rotates around the second axis Ly can be detected by the sensor 18.

(Main effects of this form)
As described above, in the camera module 1 of the present embodiment, when the first motor 30 is driven, the movable body 90 on which the camera 10 is mounted rotates around the first axis Lz and has an angular velocity greater than that of the movable body 90. The shielding member 40 rotates around the first axis Lz through the outside in the radial direction from the camera 10. For this reason, it can switch to the state which opened the front of the camera 10, and the state which shielded the camera ahead. Accordingly, the imaging direction can be switched with the front of the camera 10 opened, and the camera 10 can be covered with the shielding member 40 during a period when the camera 10 is not used, so that dust or the like adheres to the camera 10. This can be prevented. Further, when the camera module 1 is mounted on the television 100 or the like, the camera 10 can be covered with the shielding member 40 while the camera 10 is not used, so the presence of the camera 10 does not matter. Here, both the camera 10 and the shielding member 40 are driven by the first motor 30. Therefore, the imaging direction can be switched while the camera module 1 is downsized, and the camera 10 can be shielded by the shielding member 40 while the camera 10 is not used.

  Further, in this embodiment, the shielding member 40 covers the front of the camera 10 when the camera 10 faces the one end in the circumferential direction of the opening 815 of the lower case 81. Therefore, as compared with the structure in which the camera 10 is covered with the fixed body 80 (the side plate portion 811 of the lower case 81), the amount of rotation of the shielding member 40 until the camera 10 is shielded can be reduced, and the camera 10 can be exposed in a short time.

  Further, since the shielding member 40 covers the camera 10 with the shielding plate portion 43 curved along the outer shape of the movable body 90, even when the shielding member 40 is rotated around the first axis Lz, The moving space may be narrow. Therefore, the camera module 1 can be reduced in size. Further, since the shielding member 40 covers the camera 10 with the shielding plate portion 43 curved along the outer shape of the movable body 90, the gap between the shielding plate portion 43 and the camera 10 is narrow. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent dust and the like from adhering to the camera 10.

  The small-diameter gear 21 (driving side first gear) of the camera driving first gear mechanism 20 and the large-diameter gear 51 (driving side second gear) of the shielding member driving gear mechanism 50 are formed in the compound gear 35. Therefore, the mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the first motor 30 to the camera 10 and the shielding member 40 can be simplified. Further, the driven first gear 22 of the first gear mechanism 20 for driving the camera is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 92 of the movable body 90. Further, the shielding member 40 includes an annular portion 41 that fits into the circular convex portion 93 of the movable body 90 and can rotate relative to the circular convex portion 93, and the shielding member driving gear mechanism 50 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the annular portion 41. The second driven gear 52 is formed. Therefore, the shielding member 40 and the movable body 90 can be reliably rotated around the first axis Lz with a simple configuration, and the mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the first motor 30 to the camera 10 and the shielding member 40 is simplified. can do.

  Furthermore, since the camera 10 can be rotated around the second axis Ly that is orthogonal to the first axis Lz by the second motor 60 and the second gear mechanism 70 for driving the camera, the imaging direction is switched between two directions with a simple configuration. be able to.

  In the second gear mechanism 70 for driving the camera, a sector gear 78 having a larger diameter than the small gear 74 meshes with the small gear 74 (drive side gear) of the compound gear 75 driven by the second motor 60. doing. For this reason, even if the reduction gear ratio of the second gear mechanism for driving the camera 70 is increased, the fan gear 78 can occupy a small space in the Z-axis direction, so that the camera module 1 can be thinned. it can.

(Another embodiment)
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a camera module 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are a perspective view of the camera module 1 and an exploded view of the camera module 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view, an exploded perspective view of the camera module 1 with the upper case 82 removed, and an exploded perspective view of the camera module 1 with the camera body 11 removed. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a camera 10 used in a camera module 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 8 (a), (b), (c), and (d) show the camera module 1. 4 is a perspective view of the movable body 90, a perspective view of the camera 10, a perspective view of the camera 10 with the camera body 11 removed, and an exploded perspective view of the camera 10. FIG. The basic configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, and therefore, common portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be given. Omitted.

  Similarly to the camera module 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the camera module 1 illustrated in FIG. 7 rotates the camera 10 around the first axis Lz extending in the Z-axis direction to change the imaging direction in the left-right direction. In addition, the camera 10 is rotated around the second axis Ly extending in the Y-axis direction to adjust the imaging direction in the vertical direction. In the camera module 1, the camera 10 is switched between a state in which the front of the camera 10 is opened from the shielding member 40 and a state in which the camera 10 is shielded by the shielding member 40 in front.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in this embodiment, the camera 10 includes a camera body 11 having an imaging optical system 110 and an imaging element, and a camera body mounting hole 13 that holds the camera body 11 inside. A camera case 12 is provided, and the camera body mounting hole 13 is opened in the imaging direction of the camera 10. The camera body 11 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole.

  In this embodiment, the camera case 12 includes a socket 14 provided with a camera body mounting hole 13 and a holder 15 that holds the socket 14 inside. The socket 14 includes a rectangular tube-shaped body 140 whose inside is the camera body mounting hole 13 and a bottom plate portion 144 that closes the rectangular tube-shaped body 140 on the opposite side to the imaging direction. An end portion in the Y-axis direction protrudes outward from the rectangular tubular body 140. The socket 14 is held by the cylindrical body 121 of the holder 15. The holder 15 includes shaft portions 124 and 125 projecting from both end portions of the cylindrical body portion 121 toward both sides, and the shaft portions 124 and 125 are rotatably supported by the movable body 90. The shaft portions 124 and 125 are formed on the second axis Ly, and serve as a rotation center axis when the imaging direction by the camera 10 is adjusted in the vertical direction.

  In the manufacturing process of the camera module 1 configured as described above, after assembling the camera module 1 using members other than the camera body 11, the camera body 11 is mounted in the camera body mounting hole 13 of the camera case 12. Therefore, the circumferential width dimension of the opening 98 formed in the peripheral wall 92 of the movable body 90 is larger than the lateral dimension of the camera body 11, and the entire camera body mounting hole 13 is exposed from the opening 98. doing. Further, the shielding member 40 is rotatable to a position where the entire camera body mounting hole 13 is opened. Therefore, after assembling the camera module 1 using members other than the camera body 11, the camera body 11 can be mounted in the camera body mounting hole 13 exposed from the opening 98.

  Here, a terminal 111 is formed at the rear end (end opposite to the imaging direction) of the side surface 116 of the camera body 11. When the camera body 11 is mounted in the camera body mounting hole 13, the terminal 111 is formed. Is in contact with a case-side terminal (not shown) provided inside the camera body mounting hole 13. For this reason, the result imaged by the camera body 11 can be output to the camera case 12 side.

  The side surface 116 of the camera body 11 is formed with a convex portion 112 extending in the mounting direction of the camera body 11, while the camera body 11 is mounted in the camera body mounting hole 13 in the camera body mounting hole 13. In this case, a groove 132 into which the convex portion 112 is fitted is formed. In this embodiment, the convex portion 112 is formed at a substantially central position in the width direction of the side surface 116 of the camera body 11, and the groove 132 is formed at a substantially central position of the side surface 146 of the rectangular tubular body 140 of the socket 14. Has been.

  Further, the side surface 117 of the camera body 11 is formed with a step 114 by a recess provided in a part of the side surface 117, while the camera body 11 is mounted in the camera body mounting hole 13 in the camera body mounting hole 13. In this case, a spring portion (not shown) such as a leaf spring that engages with the stepped portion 114 is formed. For this reason, when the camera body 11 is mounted in the camera body mounting hole 13, the spring portion provided in the camera body mounting hole 13 is hooked on the stepped portion 114, thereby preventing the camera body 11 from coming off from the camera body mounting hole 13. Has been. Other configurations are the same as those of the camera module 1 described with reference to FIGS.

  As described above, in the camera module 1 according to the present embodiment, the camera 10 includes the camera body 11 including the imaging optical system 110 and the camera case 12 supported by the movable body 90. A camera body mounting hole 13 to which 11 is mounted is formed. Therefore, it is possible to assemble the camera module 1 without mounting the camera body 11 on the camera case 12 and then mount the camera body 11 in the camera body mounting hole 13 of the camera case 12. For this reason, when the camera module 1 is assembled, there is an advantage that a situation in which the camera body 11 is damaged can be avoided.

  When the camera body 11 is mounted in the camera body mounting hole 13, the terminal 111 provided in the camera body 11 comes into contact with the case side terminal provided in the camera body mounting hole 13, so that the camera body 11 and the camera case 12 side are connected. Electrical connection can be made automatically.

  The camera body 11 is provided with a convex portion 112, and the camera body mounting hole 13 is formed with a groove 132 into which the convex portion 112 is fitted when the camera body 11 is mounted in the camera body mounting hole 13. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the camera body 11 from being attached in the wrong direction.

  Furthermore, the camera body mounting hole 13 is opened in the imaging direction, and the shielding member 40 can be rotated to a position where the entire camera body mounting hole 13 is open. For this reason, even when the camera body mounting hole 13 is open toward the imaging direction, the camera body 11 can be mounted in the camera body mounting hole 13.

  In this embodiment, the convex portion 112 is formed in the camera body 11 and the groove 132 is formed in the camera body mounting hole 13. However, the groove is formed in the camera body 11 and the convex portion is formed in the camera body mounting hole 13. May be.

  Further, the camera 10 is constituted by the camera body 11 and the camera case 12 provided with the camera body mounting hole 13, so that the camera body 11 is inserted into the camera body mounting hole 13 of the camera case 12 after the camera module 1 is assembled. For example, the mounting structure may be employed in a camera module having a structure in which the camera 10 is rotated around one axis or a camera module having no shielding member 40.

(Other embodiments)
In the camera module 1 according to the above-described embodiment, it is preferable to provide a biasing member (first biasing member) such as a coil spring or a leaf spring that presses the movable body 90 in the first axis Lz direction and presses it against the fixed body 80. According to such a configuration, the camera 10 is not inadvertently displaced around the first axis Lz due to backlash between the gears. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, a first urging member 908 made of a coil spring is attached to the shaft portion 907, and the first urging member 908 is compressed between the upper case 82 and the cover 905. It is in. For this reason, the first biasing member 908 biases the movable body 90 toward the other side −Z in the Z-axis direction on the first axis Lz. As a result, the movable body 90 is urged by the first urging member 908 to the other side −Z in the Z-axis direction, and the other of the circular convex portion 93 or the shaft portion 94 in the Z-axis direction shown in FIG. The side-Z surface comes into contact with the bottom of the recess 818 formed in the bottom plate 810 of the lower case 81 with elasticity. For this reason, the camera 10 is not inadvertently displaced around the first axis Lz due to backlash between the gears. Further, since the rotation of the first motor 30 is decelerated and transmitted by the first gear mechanism 20, even when the configuration in which the movable body 90 is pressed toward the fixed body 80 by the first biasing member 908 is employed, The movable body 90 can be rotated by the rotation of the first motor 30.

  In the camera module 1 according to the above-described embodiment, it is preferable to provide a biasing member (second biasing member) such as a coil spring or a leaf spring that presses the camera in the second axis Ly direction and presses the camera against the movable body 90. According to such a configuration, the camera 10 is not inadvertently displaced around the second axis Ly due to backlash between the gears. For example, the second urging member 129 made of a coil spring shown in FIG. 6 is attached to the shaft portion 124 of the camera case 12. As a result, since the second urging member 129 made of a coil spring is compressed between the peripheral wall 92 of the cylindrical body 901 and the movable plate 16, the second urging member 129 causes the movable body 90 to move to the second axis. Energize along Ly. For this reason, in the camera case 12, the distal end surface of the shaft portion 125 abuts on the support surface 97 of the peripheral wall 92 with elasticity. Note that a structure in which a multistage circular convex portion 127 formed at the base of the shaft portion 124 of the camera case 12 partially abuts on the peripheral wall 92 may be employed. For this reason, the camera 10 is not inadvertently displaced around the second axis Ly due to backlash between the gears.

  Further, a stopper (first stopper) that defines a rotation angle range around the first axis Lz of the movable body 90 may be configured between the fixed body 80 and the movable body 90. According to this configuration, the first The position where the stopper is actuated can be set as the initial position (standby position) around the first axis Lz. Therefore, the initial position of the camera 10 can be defined without adjusting the angular position of the movable body 90 when the movable body 90 is incorporated on the fixed body 80, and the drive current supplied to the first motor 30 can be determined. The direction around the first axis Lz of the movable body 90 (camera 10) can be controlled by the number of feed pulses. Further, when the camera module 1 is driven, if the position where the first stopper is operated is stored using a counter and a memory, it is easy to return the movable body 90 to the previous angular position again. .

  In addition, a stopper (second stopper) that defines a rotation angle range around the second axis Ly of the camera 10 between the camera 10 and the movable body 90, for example, a stopper that operates at a position where the camera 10 faces downward is configured. In this configuration, the position where the second stopper is actuated can be set as the initial position (standby position) around the second axis Ly. Accordingly, when the camera 10 is incorporated on the movable body 90, the initial position of the camera 10 can be defined without adjusting the angular position of the camera 10, and a drive current feed pulse supplied to the second motor 60 can be defined. The direction around the second axis Ly of the camera 10 can be controlled by the number of. Further, when the camera module 1 is driven, if the position where the second stopper is operated is stored using a counter, a memory, and the like, it is easy to return the camera 10 to the previous angular position again.

  In the above embodiment, the camera module 1 is provided on the upper side portion 1021 of the frame 1020 of the television 100. However, the camera module 1 may be provided on the side or lower side of the frame 1020. The camera module 1 may be provided so as to protrude from the frame body 1020. Furthermore, the configuration in which the camera module 1 is installed is not limited to the above-described embodiment, such as a configuration in which the camera module 1 is configured separately from the television 100 and attached to the camera module 1.

  In the above embodiment, the camera module 1 for videophone is exemplified. However, the present invention is applied to a camera module that analyzes the movement of a subject person and inputs an instruction to a TV or a device connected to the TV. May be. In addition to the video phone, the present invention may be applied to a camera module for a surveillance camera, a camera module mounted on a monitor of a personal computer, a camera module mounted on a portable terminal, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera module 10 Camera 11 Camera main body 12 Camera case 13 Camera main body mounting hole 14 Socket 15 Holder 20 1st gear mechanism 21 for a camera drive Small diameter gear (1st gear of a drive side)
22 driven side first gear 30 first motor 35 compound gear 40 shielding member 43 shielding plate part 50 shielding member driving gear mechanism 51 large diameter gear (driving side second gear)
52 Second driven gear 60 Second motor 70 Second gear mechanism 74 for driving the camera Small diameter gear (drive side gear)
78 Fan-shaped gear 80 Fixed body 81 Lower case (fixed body)
90 movable body 93 circular convex portion 100 TV 111 terminal 112 convex portion 129 second urging member 132 groove 811 to 814 side plate portion (wall surface)
815 Opening 908 First urging member Lz First axis Ly Second axis

The worm wheel 33 is formed to extend toward one side + Z in the Z-axis direction in the compound gear 35 that can rotate around the support shaft 38, and the compound gear 35 has one side in the Z-axis direction. From + Z to the other side −Z, a worm wheel 33, a small diameter gear 21, and a large diameter gear 51 larger than the small diameter gear 21 are integrally formed in this order. In the compound gear 35, the worm wheel 33, the large diameter gear 51, and the small diameter gear 21 are coaxially formed. For this reason, when the first motor 30 rotates, the compound gear 35 (the worm wheel 33, the large-diameter gear 51, and the small-diameter gear 21) rotates around an axis extending in the Z-axis direction.

Claims (12)

A camera,
A movable body on which the camera is mounted;
A fixed body that rotatably supports the movable body around a first axis extending in a direction intersecting the imaging direction at a position opposite to the imaging direction with respect to the camera;
A shielding member supported by the fixed body so as to be rotatable around the first axis through the outside of the camera;
A first motor;
A first gear mechanism for driving a camera that transmits the rotation of the first motor to the movable body to rotate the movable body about the first axis;
Transmitting the rotation of the first motor to the shielding member, rotating the shielding member around the first axis at a speed different from the angular speed of the movable body, and opening the front of the camera from the shielding member; A shielding member driving gear mechanism for switching the camera to a state where the camera is shielded by the shielding member in front;
A camera module characterized by comprising: The camera includes a camera body including an imaging optical system, and a camera case supported by the movable body and including a camera body mounting hole in which the camera body is mounted.
The said camera main body is equipped with the terminal which contacts the case side terminal provided in the said camera main body mounting hole when this camera main body is mounted in the said camera main body mounting hole. The camera module.   One of the camera body and the camera body mounting hole is formed with a convex portion, and the other is formed with a groove into which the convex portion is fitted when the camera body is mounted in the camera body mounting hole. The camera module according to claim 2, wherein The camera body mounting hole is open toward the imaging direction,
The camera module according to claim 2, wherein the shielding member is rotatable to a position where the entire camera body mounting hole is in an open state. The fixed body is provided with a wall surface facing the camera and the shielding member on the outside, and an opening for exposing the camera between the wall surface,
The camera according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shielding member covers the front of the camera when the camera is facing one end portion in the circumferential direction of the opening. module. The movable body includes a peripheral wall curved coaxially with respect to the first axis,
The camera module according to claim 1, wherein the shielding member includes a shielding plate portion that is curved along an outer peripheral shape of the peripheral wall and faces an outer surface of the peripheral wall. . The first gear mechanism for driving the camera is a driven first gear that transmits the rotation of the first motor, and a driven gear that meshes with the first gear on the driving side with a larger outer diameter than the first gear on the driving side. A first side gear,
The shielding member driving gear mechanism includes a driving-side second gear to which the rotation of the first motor is transmitted and a driven-side meshing with the driving-side second gear with a larger outer diameter than the driving-side second gear. A second gear,
The drive-side first gear and the drive-side second gear are formed as a compound gear in which the drive-side first gear and the drive-side second gear are integrated. Camera module. The movable body includes a circular convex portion formed concentrically with the first axis,
The shielding member includes an annular portion that fits into the circular convex portion and is rotatable relative to the circular convex portion,
The driven first gear is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall;
The camera module according to claim 7, wherein the second driven gear is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the annular portion.   The camera module according to claim 1, further comprising a first urging member that presses the movable body in the first axis direction and presses the movable body against the fixed body. The camera is supported by the movable body so as to be rotatable around a second axis extending in a direction intersecting the first axis and the imaging direction,
The movable body is equipped with a second motor and a second gear mechanism for driving the camera that transmits the rotation of the second motor to the camera and rotates the camera about the second axis. The camera module according to any one of claims 1 to 9.   The second gear mechanism for driving the camera meshes with the driving side gear having a larger diameter than the driving side gear driven by the second motor and the driving side gear to rotate the driving side gear. The camera module according to claim 10, further comprising a sector gear transmitted to the side.   The camera module according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising a second urging member that presses the camera in the second axis direction and presses the camera against the movable body.

Images