JP2016042150A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To arrange a capacitor performing accumulation of electricity and discharge of electricity inside an imaging device without increasing the size of the imaging device.SOLUTION: An imaging device includes a capacitor that expands due to charging and discharge, a lens barrel unit that includes a lens for imaging, and a support part that is provided in a part of a space formed by a first surface of the capacitor and the lens barrel unit to support the capacitor. The support part is overlapped with the lens barrel unit in a direction orthogonal to a direction to support the capacitor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device including a capacitor capable of discharging and storing electricity.

  In recent years, along with the downsizing of imaging devices, there is a tendency to reduce the size of light emitting means and capacitors (capacitors) that store and discharge light to emit light from the light emitting means. However, by reducing the size of the capacitor, the power that can be supplied from the capacitor to the light emitting means is reduced. In this case, the light emitting means may not be able to emit light with a sufficient amount of light intended by the user.

  Conventionally, in order to solve the above-described problems, it is known to use a capacitor capable of storing and discharging a large capacity. Patent Document 1 proposes a light emitting element driving apparatus that employs an electric double layer capacitor (capacitor) as a capacitor for storing electric power supplied to a light source unit.

JP 2007-108545 A

  Here, when a soft case, a film, or the like is employed as the exterior of the capacitor, the capacitor expands and contracts in response to charging and discharging. In particular, in a large-capacity capacitor such as the electric double layer capacitor described in Patent Document 1, the influence of expansion and contraction according to discharge and storage is large.

  Therefore, when a soft case or a film is used as the exterior of the capacitor described in Patent Document 1 and applied to the imaging device, the capacitor needs to be arranged inside the imaging device in consideration of expansion and contraction. Will become larger.

  An object of the present invention is to dispose a capacitor that performs storage and discharge inside the imaging device without increasing the size of the imaging device.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus of the present invention is formed by a capacitor that expands by charging and discharging, a lens barrel unit that includes an imaging lens, a first surface of the capacitor, and the lens barrel unit. A support portion that is provided in a part of the space that supports the capacitor, and the support portion is arranged in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the support portion supports the capacitor, and the lens barrel unit. It is characterized by overlapping.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to dispose a capacitor that performs storage and discharge inside the imaging device without increasing the size of the imaging device.

It is an external appearance perspective view at the time of seeing the digital camera 1 which is embodiment of the imaging device which implemented this invention from the front side. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an internal structure of a digital camera 1 that is an embodiment of an imaging apparatus embodying the present invention. It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the lens-barrel unit 9 and the battery box unit 10 of the digital camera 1 which is embodiment of the imaging device which implemented this invention from the front side. It is a principal part perspective view of the battery box unit 10 of the digital camera 1 which is embodiment of the imaging device which implemented this invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the electric double layer capacitor 21 of the digital camera 1 which is embodiment of the imaging device which implemented this invention, and its periphery. It is sectional drawing which showed the state which the electric double layer capacitor 21 of the digital camera 1 which is embodiment of the imaging device which implemented this invention expanded. It is the figure explaining the structure of the electric double layer capacitor 21 at the time of seeing the digital camera 1 which is embodiment of the imaging device which implemented this invention from the right side, and its periphery. It is a front view of the state which combined the lens-barrel unit 9 and the battery box unit 10 of the digital camera 1 which is embodiment of the imaging device which implemented this invention.

(Embodiment)
A digital camera (hereinafter simply referred to as a camera) 1 as an embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a camera 1 which is an embodiment of an imaging apparatus embodying the present invention as viewed from the front side. In the following description, the side on which the later-described illumination window 3 is provided is referred to as the front side. The side on which the rear cover unit 5 described later is provided is the back side. Further, a side on which a later-described left side cover unit 7 is provided is a left side, and a side on which a later-described right side cover unit 8 is provided is a right side. Further, a side on which a later-described top cover unit 6 is provided is an upper surface side, and a side of the top cover unit 6 is a lower surface side with a lens barrel unit 9 to be described later interposed therebetween.

  The taking lens barrel 2 is a lens barrel including an imaging lens that guides an optical image of a subject to an imaging element (not shown). The illumination window 3 is a window for transmitting illumination light when a light emitting unit 17 described later emits light toward the subject. As shown in FIG. 1, the illumination window 3 is provided on the front side of the camera 1 and in the vicinity of the photographing lens barrel 2.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the internal structure of the camera 1 which is an embodiment of the imaging apparatus embodying the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the exterior portion (housing) of the camera 1 is formed by a front cover unit 4, a rear cover unit 5, a top cover unit 6, a left side cover unit 7, and a right side cover unit 8.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the internal housing included in the exterior portion of the camera 1 described above is formed by a lens barrel unit 9, a battery box unit 10, a main substrate unit 11, and the like.

  The main board unit 11 is a unit including a main board (not shown) on which electronic components necessary for driving and operating the camera 1 are mounted, such as a system control unit (not shown) that comprehensively controls the operation of the camera 1. is there. A flexible printed wiring board (first board) 13 and a flexible printed wiring board (second board) 16 described later are connected to the main board of the main board unit 11.

  Hereinafter, the lens barrel unit 9 and the battery box unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the lens barrel unit 9 and the battery box unit 10 of the camera 1 which is an embodiment of the imaging apparatus embodying the present invention as seen from the front side.

  The lens barrel unit 9 is provided with a flexible printed wiring board (first board) 13 on which an electronic component 12 is mounted on the upper surface side. The electronic component 12 is a thermistor that detects the temperature around an imaging lens or an electric double layer capacitor 21 described later. Details of this will be described later.

  The lens barrel unit 9 is provided with bosses (positioning and fixing portions) 14a and 14b protruding from the upper surface side. In the following description, among the components constituting the lens barrel unit 9, the electronic component 12 and the bosses 14a and 14b project to the upper surface side of the camera 1 and the side where the elastic member 23 described later is provided. Is called a protrusion.

  The flexible printed wiring board 13 is provided with holes (not shown) at positions corresponding to the bosses 14a and 14b. The flexible printed wiring board 13 is positioned by fitting the bosses 14a and 14b into the holes. At the same time, the flexible printed wiring board 13 is fixed to the housing portion of the lens barrel unit 9 by fitting the bosses 14a and 14b into the holes.

  The battery box unit 10 is a substantially L-shaped unit, and is arranged so that the L-shape corresponds to the position on the upper surface side from the right side surface in the camera 1. The battery box unit 10 is arranged so that the lens barrel unit 9 described above is adjacent to the L-shaped inner portion.

  The details of the battery box unit 10 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part of the battery box unit 10 of the camera 1 which is an embodiment of the imaging apparatus embodying the present invention. FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the battery box unit 10 as viewed from the upper surface side. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the battery box unit 10 as viewed from the lower surface side. In addition, the battery box unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 4 shows a state in which the illumination window 3 is removed.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the base member 18 is a member that is a base of the battery box unit 10 and occupies most of the battery box unit 10. The battery box unit 10 is formed by connecting or mounting various members to the base member 18.

  The battery storage unit 15 is a storage chamber for storing a battery (not shown) that supplies power to each unit of the camera 1. The battery storage unit 15 is provided on the right side of the lens barrel unit 9 described above.

  The light emitting unit 17 is a light emitting unit that can illuminate a subject by emitting light. In the present embodiment, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) is employed as the light emitting unit 17. By emitting light from the light emitting unit 17, illumination light by the light emission passes through the illumination window 3 described above and is irradiated to the subject. The light emitting unit 17 is mounted on a flexible printed wiring board (hereinafter simply referred to as a flexible board) 16 described later.

  The flexible substrate (second substrate) 16 is a substrate on which the light emitting unit 17, a battery connector 20 to be described later, and an electric double layer capacitor (hereinafter simply referred to as a capacitor) 21 are mounted. The flexible substrate 16 is electrically connected to the main substrate (not shown) of the main substrate unit 11 described above.

  The mounting portion of the light emitting portion 17 of the flexible substrate 16 is positioned by bosses 19 a and 19 b provided on the base member 18. The flexible substrate 16 is fixed to the base member 18 with a double-sided tape.

  As described above, the battery connector 20 for electrically connecting to the battery terminals provided on the battery (not shown) is mounted on the flexible substrate 16. The battery connector 20 is fixed to the base member 18 inside the battery housing 15. In a state where a battery is inserted into the battery housing portion 15, the battery terminal of the battery and the battery connector 20 are electrically connected.

  Further, as described above, the capacitor 21 that stores the power supplied to the light emitting unit 17 is mounted on the flexible substrate 16. The capacitor 21 is a capacitor (capacitor) capable of storing and discharging for causing the light emitting unit 17 to emit light. Note that the capacitor 21 of the present embodiment has a substantially rectangular flat shape, and is disposed on the upper surface side of the lens barrel unit 9 in the space between the main board unit 11 and the battery storage unit 15.

  A space (first space) formed by the lens barrel unit 9 and the lower surface (first surface) of the capacitor 21 has a support surface for supporting the capacitor 21 in the base member 18 described above. 18a is formed.

  Since the lens barrel unit 9 and the battery box unit 10 are combined with each other, the protruding portion (electronic component 12, boss 14a, 14b) of the lens barrel unit 9 described above enters the support surface 18a of the base member 18. The notch 18b is provided. The thermistor that is the electronic component 12 described above can detect the temperature around the capacitor 21 by entering the notch 18b. Therefore, in the camera 1 of the present embodiment, in the state where the lens barrel unit 9 and the battery box unit 10 are combined, the electronic lens 12 provided in the lens barrel unit 9 allows the imaging lens and the capacitor 21 to be connected. The ambient temperature can be detected.

  When the temperature of the capacitor 21 rises and exceeds a predetermined value, the amount of stored electricity decreases. Therefore, it is necessary to measure the ambient temperature of the capacitor 21 in order to prevent the temperature of the capacitor 21 from rising excessively. As the control, control for suppressing the operation related to charging / discharging of the capacitor 21 and the operation of the heat source near the capacitor 21 is performed. As described above, in the present embodiment, the above-described electronic component (thermistor) 12 is provided so as to enter the notch portion 18b of the base member 18, so that the ambient temperature of the capacitor 21 as well as the lens barrel 9 side is provided. Can be measured. An elastic member 23 is provided on the support surface 18a of the base member 18 at a position other than the notch 18b. Details of this will be described later.

  A mounting terminal 22 for mounting the capacitor 21 on the flexible board 16 is provided on the opposite side of the optical axis of the taking lens barrel 2 from the side supported by the elastic member 23 of the capacitor 21. The mounting terminal 22 is fixed to the flexible substrate 16 by soldering, so that the flexible substrate 16 and the capacitor 21 are electrically connected. The capacitor 21 is arranged such that the mounting terminal 22 is located on the side (right side) where the light emitting unit 17 and the battery connector 20 are arranged.

  In a space (not shown) formed by the capacitor 21, the light emitting unit 17, and the battery connector 20, a control IC (not shown) that performs light emission control of the light emitting unit 17 and charge control of the capacitor 21 is mounted on the flexible substrate 16. Yes.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, the positional relationship between the peripheral parts of the capacitor 21 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the capacitor 21 and its periphery of the camera 1 which is an embodiment of the imaging apparatus embodying the present invention. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing the A-A ′ cross section of the lens barrel unit 9 and the battery box unit 10 shown in FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the capacitor 21 is supported by the elastic member 23 on a part of the lower surface side (first surface) of the capacitor 21. In addition, the flexible substrate 16 described above is provided at a position facing the surface (second surface) opposite to the first surface of the capacitor 21. The elastic member 23 is a support member for supporting the capacitor 21, and is provided between the support surface 18 a of the base member 18 and the capacitor 21.

  Between the first surface of the capacitor 21 and the support surface 18a of the base member 18, a space (second space) maintaining a predetermined distance is provided. In the present embodiment, the elastic member 23 is press-fitted into the second space.

  In addition, in order to reduce the size and weight of the camera 1, a member that is relatively easily deformed, such as an aluminum film, is employed as the exterior portion of the capacitor 21. Therefore, the capacitor 21 of the present embodiment expands and contracts in accordance with power storage and discharge. In particular, in the present embodiment, an electric double layer capacitor having a relatively large amount of stored electricity is used as the capacitor 21, so that the degree of expansion and contraction of the capacitor 21 due to storage and discharge is large. In addition, the electric double layer capacitor has a characteristic that it frequently expands and contracts according to changes in use conditions and temperature environment.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating a state in which the capacitor 21 of the camera 1 which is an embodiment of the imaging apparatus embodying the present invention is expanded. Note that the cross section of FIG. 6 shows the same cross section as FIG. As described above, between the first surface of the capacitor 21 and the support surface 18a of the base member 18, a space (second space) that maintains a predetermined distance is provided. Therefore, when the capacitor 21 expands, the elastic member 23 supporting the capacitor 21 is compressed as shown in FIG. The capacitor 21 can expand in the space described above. That is, the camera 1 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which a space in consideration of the expansion of the capacitor 21 is provided in advance.

  Here, in a state where the lens barrel unit 9 is assembled to the battery box unit 10, the electronic component 12 and the bosses 14a and 14b of the lens barrel unit 9 enter the notch portion 18b of the support surface 18a. An elastic member 23 is provided on the support surface 18a at a position avoiding the notch 18b.

  In this state, in the first direction (x direction in FIG. 5A) orthogonal to the support direction in which the elastic member 23 supports the capacitor 21 (z direction in FIG. 5B), the electronic component 12 and the boss 14a. 14b and the support surface 18a of the base member 18 are overlapped. That is, in the first direction orthogonal to the support direction of the elastic member 23, the support surface 18 a of the base member 18 and the protruding portion of the lens barrel unit 9 overlap each other. The first direction described above is a direction parallel to the optical axis of the imaging lens.

  Next, the positional relationship between the base member 18 and the protruding portion of the lens barrel unit 9 when the camera 1 is viewed from the right side direction will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the capacitor 21 and its periphery when the camera 1 which is an embodiment of the imaging apparatus embodying the present invention is viewed from the right side. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing a B-B ′ cross section of the lens barrel unit 9 and the battery box unit 10 shown in FIG.

  Here, the second direction described above is a direction orthogonal to the support direction in which the elastic member 23 supports the capacitor 21 and is different from the first direction described in the above-described embodiment. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the direction parallel to the optical axis of the imaging lens included in the taking lens barrel 2 (x direction) is the first direction, A direction orthogonal to the first direction and the support direction (z direction) described above is the second direction (y direction). That is, the second direction is a direction orthogonal to the support direction of the elastic member 23 and the camera 1 viewed from the right side or the left side.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, in a state where the lens barrel unit 9 is assembled to the battery box unit 10, the electronic component 12 and the boss 14b of the lens barrel unit 9 are formed in the notch 18b of the support surface 18a. Enters. That is, in the second direction (y direction) orthogonal to the support direction of the elastic member 23, the electronic component 12 and the boss 14 b that are part of the lens barrel unit 9 overlap with the support surface 18 a of the base member 18. Yes. Although not shown in FIG. 7B, the boss 14a of the lens barrel unit 9 also overlaps the support surface 18a of the base member 18 in the second direction.

  As described above, the camera 1 of the present embodiment has the lens barrel unit 9 and the base member 18 in the first direction and the second direction that are orthogonal to the direction in which the elastic member 23 supports the capacitor 21. Are superimposed on each other. With this configuration, even when a space is provided in consideration of the expansion of the capacitor 21, the support surface 18a of the base member 18 and the protruding portion of the lens barrel unit 9 overlap each other. An increase in size of the camera 1 can be suppressed. Therefore, the camera 1 of this embodiment can arrange | position the capacitor 21 which performs an electrical storage and discharge inside an imaging device, without enlarging an imaging device.

  In the present embodiment, the capacitor 21 is provided directly above the optical axis of the imaging lens. Therefore, in order to secure a sufficient space for the capacitor 21 to expand, it is desirable to have a configuration in which components other than the capacitor 21 are not disposed as much as possible immediately above the optical axis of the imaging lens.

  Here, since the outer edge of the photographing lens barrel 2 is substantially cylindrical, the distance between the outer edge of the photographing lens barrel 2 and the base member 18 varies depending on the distance from the optical axis of the imaging lens. For example, even if the height from the lower surface of the camera 1 is the same, the distance between the outer edge of the taking lens barrel 2 and the base member 18 increases as the distance from the optical axis of the imaging lens increases.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the size of the space (first space) formed by the first surface of the capacitor 21 and the lens barrel unit 9 in accordance with the distance from the optical axis of the imaging lens. It is also different. FIG. 8 is a front view of a state in which the lens barrel unit 9 and the battery box unit 10 of the camera 1 which is an embodiment of the imaging apparatus embodying the present invention are combined.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the space 24 on the right side and the space 25 on the left side with respect to the optical axis of the imaging lens have a spatial margin more than the space immediately above the optical axis of the lens. Is big. Therefore, the lens barrel unit 9 of the present embodiment employs a configuration in which the electronic component 12 and the bosses 14a and 14b are positioned on the left side with respect to the optical axis of the imaging lens. In addition, the light emitting unit 17 and the control IC (not shown) of the present embodiment are provided on the right side with respect to the optical axis of the imaging lens. That is, the camera 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that the protruding portion of the lens barrel unit 9, the light emitting portion 17, and the control IC are provided, avoiding directly above the optical axis of the imaging lens.

  Here, the elastic member 23 is positioned in a space formed by the first surface of the capacitor 21 and the support surface 18a so as not to overlap the protruding portion of the lens barrel unit 9 in the direction of supporting the capacitor 21. Provided.

  If it is the structure mentioned above, the protrusion part of the lens-barrel unit 9, the light emission part 17, and control IC can be arrange | positioned in the camera 1, ensuring the space for the capacitor 21 to expand | swell. Moreover, if it is the structure mentioned above, since each part mounted in the flexible substrate 16, such as the light emission part 17, control IC, and the mounting terminal 22 of the capacitor 21, can be arrange | positioned closely, an electrical loss is reduced. You can also

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary. In the above-described embodiment, the electronic component 12 and the bosses 14a and 14b are mentioned as a part (projection) of the lens barrel unit 9 that overlaps the support surface 18a of the base member 18, but the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, a configuration in which members and components other than the electronic component 12 and the bosses 14a and 14b among the components of the lens barrel unit 9 overlap with the support surface 18a of the base member 18 may be employed. As long as at least the lens barrel unit 9 and the base member 18 overlap each other, the above-described effects of the present invention can be achieved.

  In the above-described embodiment, the protruding portion of the lens barrel unit 9 and the support surface 18 a overlap in both the first direction and the second direction orthogonal to the direction in which the elastic member 23 supports the capacitor 21. Although it was a structure, it is not limited to this.

  For example, any configuration may be used as long as the protruding portion of the lens barrel unit 9 and the support surface 18a overlap in either the first direction or the second direction described above. In this case, the elastic member 23 is provided at a position different from the position where the lens barrel unit 9 and the support surface 18a described above overlap.

  Further, the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the elastic member 23 supports the capacitor 21 is not limited to the first direction and the second direction described above. As long as the configuration is such that the lens barrel unit 9 and the support surface 18a of the base member 18 overlap in at least one of the directions orthogonal to the direction in which the elastic member 23 supports the capacitor 21, The effects of the present invention can be achieved.

  Note that the camera 1 of the above-described embodiment is configured to use the elastic member 23 as a member that supports the capacitor 21, but is not limited thereto. For example, the capacitor 21 may be supported by a support portion other than an elastic material. In the above-described configuration, it is only necessary that at least the above-described support portion is provided in a part of the space formed by the first surface of the capacitor 21 and the support surface 18a of the base member 18.

  Furthermore, the structure which the support part and the base member 18 which were mentioned above are formed integrally may be sufficient. In this case, a support portion protruding to the side where the capacitor 21 is provided is formed on the support surface 18 a of the base member 18. The capacitor 21 is supported by the support portion. That is, in the configuration described above, the base member 18 itself becomes a support portion that supports the capacitor 21. In this case, the support portion described above may be configured to be provided at least in a part of the space (first space) formed by the first surface of the capacitor 21 and the lens barrel unit 9. That's fine.

  Further, the camera 1 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which the capacitor 21 is provided on the upper surface side of the lens barrel unit 9, but is not limited thereto. For example, a configuration in which the capacitor 21 is provided on the side surface side or the lower surface side of the lens barrel unit 9 may be employed. In this case, the base member 18 changes the position where the support surface 18 a is provided according to the arrangement of the capacitor 21. If the lens barrel unit 9 and a part of the support surface 18a of the base member 18 overlap each other, the above-described effects of the present invention can be achieved.

9 Lens barrel unit 10 Battery box unit 18 Base member (supporting part)
21 Electric double layer capacitor (capacitor)
23 Elastic member (supporting part)

Claims (10)

A capacitor that expands by charging and discharging; and
A lens barrel unit including an imaging lens;
A support portion that is provided in a part of a space formed by the first surface of the capacitor and the lens barrel unit, and supports the capacitor;
Have
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support unit overlaps the lens barrel unit in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the support unit supports the capacitor. The lens barrel unit has at least one protrusion on the side where the support is provided,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support portion overlaps the protruding portion in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the support portion supports the capacitor.   The support portion is an elastic member provided in a part of a space formed by the base member disposed to face the first surface of the capacitor and the first surface of the capacitor and the base member. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a member.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the base member overlaps the protruding portion of the lens barrel unit in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the elastic member supports the capacitor.   The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the capacitor has a substantially rectangular flat shape.   The elastic member includes a first direction that is parallel to an optical axis of the imaging lens in a space formed by the first surface of the capacitor and the base member, and the elastic member 6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the capacitor is provided at a position that does not overlap the protruding portion in either one of a direction that supports the capacitor and a second direction that is a direction orthogonal to the first direction. Imaging device.   The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion is an electronic component capable of detecting a temperature around the capacitor and the imaging lens.   The imaging according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a substrate on which the capacitor is mounted at a position facing the second surface opposite to the first surface of the capacitor. apparatus.   9. The capacitor includes a mounting terminal for mounting on the side opposite to the side on which the support portion is provided with respect to the optical axis of the imaging lens. The imaging device described in 1.   The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the capacitor is an electric double layer capacitor.

Images