JP2015008340A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus capable of taking stereoscopic images with high reliability of user.SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus includes: a camera main body including a first imaging unit 4 which has an imaging element 42 and an exterior case storing the camera main body. The exterior case includes: a heat conduction member 101 that transmits the heat generated by the imaging element 42; and a slide cover 10 slidable to open/close an aperture of the first imaging unit 4 for taking images. The heat conduction member 101 is disposed in the exterior case so as to connect to a position where is constantly covered with a slide cover 10 irrespective of open/close of the slide cover 10 in a front case 1 constituting the exterior case.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus capable of photographing from a plurality of viewpoints with a plurality of imaging means.

  2. Description of the Related Art A digital camera equipped with two optical systems and two imaging elements is known as an imaging apparatus that can shoot with a plurality of imaging means from a plurality of viewpoints (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The digital camera described in Patent Document 1 has an image sensor such as an image sensor using two optical systems and two CCD (Charge Coupled Device) elements, and can shoot the same subject from two left and right viewpoints. ing.

JP 2008-167066 A

  In an imaging apparatus capable of capturing such a three-dimensional image, it is a problem to efficiently dissipate heat generated by the imaging element.

  An object of the present invention is to improve reliability from a user in an imaging apparatus.

  In order to achieve such an object, an image pickup apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is an image pickup apparatus having a camera body including an image pickup unit having an image pickup element and an exterior case that houses the camera body. The exterior case includes a heat conductive member that transmits heat generated by the image sensor, and a slidable slide cover that opens and closes a photographing window of the image pickup unit, and the heat conductive member includes the exterior case. The case is characterized in that it is arranged in the outer case so as to be always connected to the area covered by the slide cover.

  An image pickup apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a first image pickup unit having a first image pickup element that is always driven during shooting, and a second image pickup element that is driven only when shooting a stereoscopic image. An image pickup apparatus comprising: an image pickup unit; a camera body in which the first image pickup unit and the second image pickup unit are arranged with a space therebetween; and an exterior case that houses the camera body. A first heat conductive member for transmitting heat generated by the image pickup device, and a slidable slide cover for opening and closing a photographing window of the image pickup unit, and the first heat conductive member includes the exterior The case is characterized in that it is arranged in the exterior case so as to be always connected to the region covered by the slide cover.

  Furthermore, the imaging apparatus includes a second heat conductive member that transmits heat generated by the second image sensor, and the second heat conductive member is always covered by the slide cover in the exterior case. It arrange | positions in the exterior case so that it may connect to the area | region which has.

  Thereby, the heat generated by the image sensor can be radiated to the region covered with the slide cover in the exterior case.

  The exterior case may be a metal member. Thereby, the heat dissipation effect is further enhanced.

  The heat conducting member may have flexibility.

  Further, the heat conducting member may be a copper foil or a graphite sheet.

  Thereby, an external force such as vibration applied to the exterior case is not transmitted to the image sensor.

  According to the present invention, when the user is using a digital camera, the user can feel a sense of incongruity from the temperature difference from the ambient temperature, or the occurrence of low-temperature burns. There is less risk of distrust and the reliability of the product can be ensured.

1 is a front perspective view showing an external configuration of a digital camera 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The front perspective view which shows the structure of the camera main body 3 which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. The rear perspective view which shows the structure of the camera main body 3 which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a digital camera 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of a circuit block of a digital camera 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the connection position of the slide cover and heat conductive member which concern on one embodiment of this invention The block diagram which looked at the camera main body 3 which concerns on one embodiment of this invention from the back surface The block diagram which looked at the camera main body 3 in other embodiment of this invention from the back surface

  Hereinafter, an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described using a digital camera as an example with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of the digital camera in this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing an external configuration of a digital camera 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the camera body 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the camera body 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram in which the front case 1 is removed from the digital camera 100. FIG. 3 is a diagram in which the front case 1, the back case, and the main circuit board are removed from the digital camera 100.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the digital camera 100 is configured by housing a camera body 3 in an exterior case made up of a front case 1 and a back case 2.

  The camera body 3 includes a first imaging unit 4 and a second imaging unit 5, and the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 are made of metal inside the outer case with a predetermined interval. It is comprised by attaching to the flame | frame 6 of this.

  The camera body 3 records a power supply block 7 that houses a battery (not shown) serving as a power source for the digital camera, a circuit block 8 for controlling the operation of the camera body 3, and a captured still image or moving image. And a card slot 20 for accommodating a memory card (not shown), each of which is disposed in a space in the exterior case. Here, the power block 7 supplies power for use in the camera body 3 to each unit, and in addition to housing the battery, a power terminal to which a power adapter for converting AC power to DC power is connected is arranged. Has been.

  The first imaging unit 4 is disposed at an end portion (right end in FIG. 1) of the exterior case. The second imaging unit 5 is disposed in the substantially central portion of the exterior case. The first image pickup unit 4 is always driven when the digital camera is shooting. The second imaging unit 5 is mainly driven when a stereoscopic image is taken together with the first imaging unit 4.

  An operation unit 9 including a main power switch 9a and a release button 9b is provided on the upper surface of the exterior case. The front case 1 is provided with a slide cover 10 that can slide up and down to open and close the shooting windows 1 a of the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5.

  On the bottom surface of the exterior case, a metal support attachment portion 11 such as a stainless alloy used when the digital camera is installed on a support such as a tripod or a monopod is disposed so as to be exposed to the outside. Yes. The support fixture mounting portion 11 is fixed to the frame 6 and only a portion fixed to the support fixture such as a tripod or a monopod is exposed on the bottom surface portion of the exterior case.

  An opening / closing lid 12 for opening and closing the opening to the outside of the space when the battery is accommodated in the space of the power supply block 7 or when the memory card is accommodated in the space of the card slot 20 is provided on the bottom surface of the back case 2. Is provided. A user of the digital camera can attach / detach the battery to / from the power supply block 7 and attach / detach the memory card to / from the card slot 20 by opening / closing the opening / closing lid 12.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the digital camera 100. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of the circuit block of the digital camera 100. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 are cut in the vertical direction. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of a circuit block that controls the operation of the camera body 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 are arranged on the upper part of the front case 1 facing the shooting window 1 a. The first imaging unit 4 is a lens unit composed of a lens 41a and a bending optical system 41b, and a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor Image Sensor) that is disposed at a lower position and converts an optical image received by the lens unit into image data. ), A circuit board 43 on which the image sensor 42 is mounted, a lens group 44 and an aperture unit 45 disposed between the lens unit and the image sensor 42, and a unit housing that houses these components. The body 46 is configured.

  The lens unit includes a lens 41a that receives the optical image A1 of the subject and a bending optical system 41b in order to guide an optical image incident on the first imaging unit 4 through the imaging window 1a to the imaging element 42. Further, on the circuit board 43 on which the image sensor 42 is mounted, a circuit that controls the image sensor 42 and processes image data obtained from the image sensor 42 is mounted. The circuit board 43 is connected to a heat conduction member 101 that is a first heat conduction member that transmits heat generated by the image sensor 42, and the other end of the heat conduction member 101 is connected to the front case 1. Yes.

  Similarly, the second imaging unit 5 is arranged at a lower position with a lens unit composed of a lens 51a and a bending optical system 51b, and an imaging element 52 by CMOS that converts an optical image received by the lens unit into image data. A circuit board 53 on which the image sensor 52 is mounted, a lens group 54 and a diaphragm unit 55 disposed between the lens unit and the image sensor 52, and a unit housing 56 that accommodates these components. ing.

  The lens unit includes a lens 51a that receives the optical image A1 of the subject and a bending optical system 51b in order to guide an optical image incident on the second imaging unit 5 through the imaging window 1a to the imaging element 52. Further, on the circuit board 53 on which the image sensor 52 is mounted, a circuit that controls the image sensor 52 and processes image data obtained from the image sensor 52 is mounted. The circuit board 53 is connected to a heat conducting member 102 that is a second heat conducting member that transfers heat of the image sensor 52, and the other end of the heat conducting member 102 is connected to the front case 1.

  A camera monitor 13 constituted by a liquid crystal display or the like is disposed on the rear surface of the rear case 2.

  The heat conducting member 101 and the heat conducting member 102 are preferably a flexible copper foil or graphite sheet so that an external force such as vibration applied to the housing is not transmitted to the image sensor.

  Next, the configuration and operation of the circuit block 8 of the camera body 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The imaging elements 42 and 52 convert an optical image of a subject incident through the lens unit into image data such as still image data and moving image data. Here, the imaging elements 42 and 52 operate based on the timing signal from the timing signal generator 14 mounted on the circuit boards 43 and 53, and convert the optical image into image data.

  The image data converted by the imaging elements 42 and 52 is converted into a digital signal by the AD converter 15 mounted on each of the circuit boards 43 and 53, and sent to the camera controller 16 for image processing. The image processing referred to here is, for example, gamma correction processing, white balance correction processing, scratch correction processing, YC conversion processing, electronic zoom processing, JPEG compression processing, and the like.

  The camera controller 16 receives instructions from the operation unit 9 and controls each unit of the camera body 3. Specifically, the camera controller 16 transmits signals for controlling the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 to the lens controller 17 and receives various signals from the lens controller 17. The drive unit 18 drives the lens group of the optical system of the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 and controls the aperture units 45 and 55 based on the control signal of the lens controller 17. The aperture units 45 and 55 are light amount adjusting members that adjust the amount of light transmitted through the optical system. The lens group of the optical system includes a zoom lens group, an OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer) lens group, and a focus lens group.

  A memory 19 connected to the camera controller 16 temporarily stores data when the lens groups of the optical systems of the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 and the aperture units 45 and 55 are driven and controlled. It is used to store programs and parameters for controlling the camera controller 16.

  A memory card is detachably attached to the card slot 20. The card slot 20 controls the memory card based on a control signal transmitted from the camera controller 16, and writes and reads still image data and moving image data obtained from the image sensors 42 and 52. In the image data such as still image data and moving image data generated by the imaging elements 42 and 52, the moving image data is also used for displaying a through image. Here, the through image is an image in which data is not recorded in the memory card among the moving image data, and is processed by the camera controller 16 and displayed on the camera monitor 13 in order to determine the composition of the moving image or the still image.

  Next, structural features of the digital camera 100 will be described in more detail.

  In recent years, in digital cameras, power consumption of an image sensor and a camera controller has increased due to higher image quality and video shooting support, and the amount of heat generated in the image sensor and camera controller has increased. Since the digital camera 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes two image pickup units, the heat generation amount in the image pickup unit is doubled, and the heat generation amount in the camera controller 16 that processes the captured image is also conventional. It will be larger than

  When the amount of generated heat increases, thermal noise is generated and image degradation occurs, so that it is a problem to efficiently dissipate the heat of the image sensor. On the other hand, it is difficult to incorporate a fan or a heat sink because of the demand for miniaturization of the camera.

  In order to solve such a problem, the present inventors have studied and experimented on a configuration that efficiently reduces the temperature rise of the image sensor.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of the digital camera 100. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view seen from the back side of the digital camera 100. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 are cut in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the first imaging unit, the other end of the heat conducting member 101 thermally connected to the circuit board 43 on which the imaging element 42 is mounted is connected to the inner surface of the front case 1. . By connecting in this way, the front case 1 can be used as a heat radiating plate, and the heat generated in the image sensor 42 can be diffused and radiated to the atmosphere.

  Similarly, in the second imaging unit, the other end of the heat conducting member 102 thermally connected to the circuit board 53 on which the imaging element 52 is mounted is connected to the inner surface of the front case 1. By connecting in this way, the front case 1 can be used as a heat radiating plate, and the heat generated in the image sensor 52 can be diffused and radiated to the atmosphere.

  Here, the position where the heat conducting member 101 and the heat conducting member 102 are connected to the inner surface of the front case 1 will be described.

  FIG. 6A shows a state where the digital camera 100 is turned off, that is, a state where the slide cover 10 is closed. In this case, the slide cover 10 covers the lens 41a and the lens 51a in the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5, respectively. In this case, in the front case 1, the range B1 including the photographing window 1a is covered with the slide cover 10.

  FIG. 6B shows a state where the digital camera 100 is powered on, that is, a state where the slide cover 10 is open. In this case, the slide cover 10 does not cover the lens 41a and the lens 51a in the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5, respectively. In this case, in the front case 1, the photographing window 1 a is not covered with the slide cover, and the range B <b> 2 is covered with the slide cover 10.

  Here, in FIG. 6, the non-contact area 103 indicated by hatching in the front case 1 corresponding to the range B <b> 3 is as shown in FIG. 6B even when the slide cover 10 is closed as shown in FIG. 6A. Even when the slide cover 10 is open, the area is covered with the slide cover 10. That is, the non-contact area 103 is a position that is always covered by the slide cover 10 regardless of whether the slide cover 10 is opened or closed, and is an area that the user cannot touch.

  In the present invention, the heat conducting member 101 and the heat conducting member 102 are disposed in the outer case so as to be connected to the non-contact region 103 of the front case 1. Heat from the image sensor is transferred to the non-contact area 103, but even if the non-contact area 103 is heated, the user does not touch the front case 1 with the slide cover 10 by hand. Therefore, when the user touches the digital camera 100, it can be prevented that the user feels hot and uncomfortable, and a low temperature burn is caused.

  In the present invention, both the imaging units are provided with a heat dissipation structure, but only one of the imaging units may be provided with a heat dissipation structure. This case will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram viewed from the back side of the digital camera 100 according to another embodiment.

  In the digital camera 100, only the first imaging unit 4 is driven during normal shooting, and the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 are driven during stereoscopic image shooting. Therefore, the temperature in the vicinity of the second imaging unit 5 does not relatively increase as compared with the temperature in the vicinity of the first imaging unit 4 that is always driven. Therefore, a heat dissipation structure may be provided only on the first imaging unit 4 side that is always driven. Also in this case, the other end of the heat conducting member 101 is connected to the non-contact region 103 of the front case 1.

  Further, the other end of the heat conducting member 101 may be connected anywhere within the non-contact region 103. In the front case 1, the vicinity of the center of the non-contact area 103 that is farthest from the area other than the non-contact area 103 is preferable.

  In the present invention, the heat conducting member is arranged for each image pickup device, but the heat conducting member 101 and the heat conducting member 102 may be integrally formed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the slide cover 10 is opened and closed, the heat generated by the image sensor is radiated to the non-contact area of the front case 1 that is always covered by the slide cover 10, thereby The temperature rise can be suppressed, and when the user is using a digital camera, the user feels uncomfortable from the temperature difference from the ambient temperature, and the risk of distrust to the product is reduced. Reliability can be ensured.

  Further, since the front case is used as a heat radiating member, it is not necessary to provide a heat radiating plate for radiating the heat of the image pickup device inside the image pickup apparatus, so that the image pickup apparatus can be reduced in size and weight. Moreover, the heat dissipation effect can be enhanced by using the outer case as a metal member.

  Further, even in an imaging apparatus having one imaging unit, the same effect can be obtained by providing a similar heat dissipation structure.

  The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and corrections are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the invention is useful for enhancing the reliability of an imaging apparatus capable of capturing a stereoscopic image.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Front case 2 Back case 3 Camera main body 4 1st imaging unit 5 2nd imaging unit 6 Frame 7 Power supply block 8 Circuit block 9 Operation part 10 Slide cover 11 Supporting tool attachment part 12 Opening / closing cover 13 Camera monitor 20 Card slot 41a , 51a Lens 41b, 51b Bending optical system 42, 52 Imaging element 43, 53 Circuit board 44, 54 Lens group 45, 55 Aperture unit 46, 56 Unit housing 100 Digital camera (an example of imaging device)
101, 102 Thermal conduction member

Claims (6)

A camera body including an imaging unit having an imaging element;
An imaging device having an exterior case that houses the camera body,
The outer case is
A heat conducting member that conducts heat generated by the image sensor;
A slidable slide cover for opening and closing a shooting window of the imaging unit;
The imaging apparatus, wherein the heat conducting member is arranged in the outer case so as to be always connected to an area covered by the slide cover in the outer case. A first imaging unit having a first imaging element that is always driven during imaging;
A second imaging unit having a second imaging element that is driven only when capturing a stereoscopic image;
An image pickup apparatus having a camera body in which the first image pickup unit and the second image pickup unit are arranged at an interval, and an exterior case that houses the camera body,
A first heat conducting member for transmitting heat generated by the first image sensor;
A slidable slide cover for opening and closing a shooting window of the imaging unit;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first heat conducting member is arranged in the outer case so as to be always connected to a region covered with the slide cover in the outer case. And a second heat conducting member for transferring heat generated by the second image sensor,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second heat conducting member is arranged in the exterior case so as to be always connected to a region covered with the slide cover in the exterior case.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outer case is made of a metal member.   5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat conducting member is flexible.   6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat conducting member is a copper foil or a graphite sheet.

Images