JP2018074225A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus which is advantageous for downsizing in an imaging apparatus comprising a lens unit which is rotated around a tilt rotation shaft, and lens cover parts.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a lens unit comprising: a lens barrel; an imaging device, spherical first and second lens cover parts which are fixed to the lens barrel and cover the lens barrel other than an imaging device side; a spherical third lens cover part which is fitted to the first and second lens cover parts in a rotatable manner and covers the imaging device side of the lens barrel; and a tilt rotation shaft that is provided in the lens barrel orthogonally with an optical axis of the lens barrel. The lens unit also comprises tilt drive means which performs a tilting operation of the lens unit around the tilt rotation shaft. The first lens cover part includes one opening on an SR surface. When the lens unit reaches a specific tilt angle by the tilt drive means, the third lens cover part is accommodated inside of the first lens cover part by a rotating operation through the opening that is provided on the SR surface of the first lens cover part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a structure for realizing downsizing of an imaging apparatus.

  In recent years, in surveillance cameras that can remotely monitor images, there is an increasing need for improving compatibility with installation locations and reducing intimidation for a person being monitored. In response to this, the camera body of the surveillance camera can be configured by covering the exterior of the lens barrel with a substantially spherical protective cover (hereinafter referred to as the lens cover) and reducing the overall size to make it less noticeable. ing.

  On the other hand, there is a growing need for higher optical performance, such as higher magnification, and when this is received, the overall length of the lens barrel stored inside the camera body increases, and the lens cover becomes larger in proportion to this. The entire body will become larger. Addressing both of these needs is a very important theme for surveillance cameras.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, as an ingenuity of the layout of components arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the lens cover portion, the mounting hole provided on the outer surface of the camera body is not used as a rate-determining factor for the external height of the device. The position of the installation hole is provided at a position shifted from the center of the spherical locus formed by the driven portion during pan / tilt driving.

  Similarly, Patent Document 2 devises the layout of components arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the lens cover portion. The reference numerals and figure numbers in parentheses used in the “background art” column from here represent those described in Patent Document 2. As shown in FIG. 6, the cable (23) moves as the camera unit (22) rotates in the tilt direction. Therefore, the opening (46) is formed so as to restrict the upper end of the moving range of the cable (23) to be positioned closer to the installation location than the lower end (13) of the dome cover (12). Accordingly, the dome cover (12) is not enlarged and the cable (23) is not greatly bent.

JP 2013-156608 A JP 2014-236318 A

  However, there is a limit to downsizing due to restrictions on the size and functional arrangement of the components only by devising the layout of the components arranged on the outer periphery of the conventional lens cover.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides the following imaging device. In other words, the imaging apparatus is advantageous in size reduction in an imaging apparatus having a lens unit that rotates around a tilt rotation axis and a lens cover portion.

In order to achieve the above object, the lens barrel (1) as a configuration of the present invention,
An image sensor (10) fixed to the non-subject side of the lens barrel (1);
Substantially spherical first and second lens cover portions (201, 202) that cover the lens barrel (1) other than the image pickup device (10) side, which are fixed to the lens barrel (1);
A substantially spherical third lens cover portion (rotatingly attached to the first lens cover portion (201) and the second lens cover portion (202) and covering the imaging element (10) side ( 203)
A lens unit (11a) having a tilt rotation axis (6a, 6b) provided on the lens barrel (1) in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens barrel (1);
Tilt drive means (15, 16, 18) for tilting the lens unit (11a) about the tilt rotation axis (6a, 6b),
The first lens cover part (201) has one opening (201a) on the SR surface,
When the lens unit (11a) reaches a specified tilt angle by the tilt driving means (15, 16, 18), the third lens cover part (203) is attached to the first lens cover part (201). The first lens cover (201) is housed in a rotating manner through the opening (201a) provided on the SR surface, inside the first lens cover (201).

  The reference numbers with parentheses described in the above “Means for Solving the Problems” are given for easy understanding, and are not limited to these examples.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to maintain a reduction in intimidation for a monitored person by covering the lens barrel with a lens cover part (first lens cover part, second lens cover part, third lens cover part). Yes. In addition, even if the entire length of the lens barrel is extended due to the improvement in optical performance, the lens cover portion (third lens cover portion) that covers the imaging element side of the lens cover portion (first lens cover portion) that covers other than the imaging element It is housed in the inside through an opening provided on the SR surface by a turning operation. This eliminates the need to increase the clearance between the lens cover (third lens cover) and the components disposed on the outer periphery thereof. As a result, the entire camera body is reduced in size.

Explanatory drawing which shows the movable mechanism of the protective cover in Example 1 of this invention. FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a surveillance camera exterior according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an exploded view of a camera unit in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a lens unit in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an internal explanatory diagram of the lens unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the lens cover unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Exploded view of a lens unit in Embodiment 2 of the present invention Internal explanatory diagram of a lens unit in Embodiment 2 of the present invention Explanatory drawing which shows the movable mechanism of the lens cover part in Example 2 of the present invention.

[Example 1]
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 2A is a perspective view of the camera 12 in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is an exploded view of the exterior thereof. The front cover 133, the side cover 132, the upper cover 131, and the bottom cover 134 that are exterior parts are fixed to the camera unit 14 by fastening them with screws (not shown).

  3A is an exploded perspective view of the camera unit 14 viewed from the first tilt bearing 17 side, and FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view of the camera unit 14 viewed from the second tilt bearing 21 side. In FIG. 3, the tilt shaft 6 a that is a component of the lens unit 11 a and the first tilt bearing 17 are fitted, and the tilt shaft 6 b that is also a component of the lens unit 11 a is fitted to the second tilt bearing 21. Yes. The first tilt bearing 17 and the second tilt bearing 21 are fixed to the pan rotation base portion 23 by fastening with a screw (not shown). With this configuration, the lens unit 11a is supported so as to be tiltable.

  The guide part 19 and the tilt pulley 15 are integrally fixed to the lens unit 11a by fastening with a screw (not shown). A tilt drive motor 18 with a pinion 18a press-fitted and fixed to the pan rotation base 23 is fixed by fastening with a screw (not shown). The timing belt 16 meshes with both the pinion 18a and the tilt pulley 15. As a result, the power from the tilt drive motor 18 is transmitted to the tilt pulley 15 via the pinion 18 a and the timing belt 16. Thereby, the lens unit 11a integrated with the tilt pulley 15 by screw fastening (not shown) can be driven to rotate by tilt.

  An encoder 17a capable of detecting a tilt position is fixed to the first tilt bearing 17 by fastening with a screw (not shown). A scale 15 a is attached to the tilt pulley 15, and the scale 15 a rotates integrally with the tilt pulley 15. The scale 15a is provided with a slit portion (not shown), and the encoder 17a reads the slit portion of the scale 15a to detect the tilt angle of the lens unit 11a fastened with the tilt pulley 15 with a screw (not shown). To do. The tilt position information is transmitted when the tilt encoder flexible print substrate 17b provided in the tilt encoder 17a is connected to the relay board 7.

  The relay substrate 7 is fixed to the mounting plate 22 by fastening with a screw (not shown). The mounting plate 22 is fixed to the pan rotation base 23 by fastening with a screw (not shown). The lens unit 11a incorporates an imaging circuit board 9, and an imaging signal from the imaging circuit board 9 is transmitted by connecting the circuit board 9 and the relay board 7 by a flexible printed board 20. The flexible printed circuit board 20 is guided by the guide component 19 and the second tilt bearing 21 without being twisted during tilt rotation. A pan bearing unit 25 is fixed to the pan rotation base 23 with screws (not shown).

  A pan driving motor 24 in which a pinion 24a is press-fitted and fixed is fixed to the pan rotation base portion 23 by screw fastening (not shown). The base metal plate 28 rotatably supports the pan bearing unit 25. A main substrate 29 and a pan pulley 26 are fastened to the base metal plate 28 with screws (not shown). The timing belt 27 meshes with a pan pulley 26 and a pinion 24a fixed to the base metal plate 28 with screws. Thereby, the power of the pan driving motor 24 is transmitted to the pan pulley 26 via the pinion 24a and the timing belt 27.

  Accordingly, it is possible to drive the pan rotation between the base metal plate 28 fastened with the pan pulley 26 and the screw (not shown) and the pan rotation base portion 23 fastened with the pan drive motor 24 and the screw (not shown). The pan bearing unit 25 is provided with a hole through which a cable (not shown) can pass, and a cable (not shown) connected to the relay board 7 is connected to the signal and power from the relay board 7 by the pan bearing unit 25. It is possible to transmit by connecting to the main board 29 through the hole.

  4A is an exploded perspective view of the lens unit 11a viewed from the object side, and FIG. 4B is an exploded perspective view of the lens unit 11a viewed from the image sensor side. The lens barrel 1 has an image pickup device 10 on the optical axis, and an image pickup signal from the image pickup device 10 is connected to the image pickup circuit substrate 9 by a flexible print substrate (not shown) and processed by the image pickup circuit substrate 9. The lens support metal plates 4 and 5 support the actuator unit 8 for rotating the lens barrel 1 and the imaging circuit board 9 and the third lens cover portion 203.

  The first lens cover part 201 and the second lens cover part 202 are the outer peripheral parts other than the image sensor 10 among the lens barrel 1, the image sensor 10, the circuit board 9, the actuator unit 8, and the lens support metal plates 4 and 5. It covers and is fastened to the lens support metal plate 4 with screws (not shown). The third lens cover portion 203 covers the outer peripheral portion on the image pickup device 10 side, and is rotatably held by the first lens cover portion 201 and the second lens cover portion 202 and a configuration described later.

  The first, second, and third lens cover portions 201, 202, and 203 have a substantially spherical shape, and the first and second lens cover portions 201 and 202 have a tilt axis and a pan axis shown in FIG. A spherical shape is formed around the intersecting point O. The third lens cover portion 203 has a spherical shape centered on a position O ′ offset from the intersection point O in the tilt axis direction by a specified amount. The distance d2 from the intersection O to the outermost portion of the third lens cover 203 is the distance d1 of the outermost portions of the first and second lens cover portions 201 and 202 from the intersection O. The distance from the intersection point O to the relay substrate 7 is d3.

  The distance from the intersection point O to the non-subject side surface of the image sensor 10 fixed to the lens barrel 1 is defined as d4. Their lengths have a relationship of d2> d3> d1> d4. The first lens cover portion 201 and the second lens cover portion 202 have two side portions orthogonal to the optical axis, and are provided with guide grooves 201b, 201c, 202b, and 202c on the respective surfaces. The third lens cover portion 203 also has two side portions perpendicular to the optical axis, and each surface is provided with axes 203a, 203b, 203c, and 203d. Each shaft and the guide groove are fitted.

  The first lens cover 201 has an opening 201a on the SR surface, and the third lens cover 203 has a gear 203e inside the SR surface (on the lens barrel 1 side).

  FIG. 5 shows the internal structure of the lens unit. In FIG. 5, the first, second, and third lens cover portions 201, 202, and 203 are cut along the PAN axis-optical axis plane so that the inside can be seen. As shown in FIG. 5, the pinion provided in the actuator unit 8 meshes with the gear 203 e provided in the third lens cover portion 203.

  The third lens cover portion 203 is formed by the actuator unit 8 in the shape of the guide grooves 201b, 201c, 202b, 202c fitted to the shafts 203a, 203b, 203c, 203d provided in the third lens cover portion 203. And the third lens cover part 203 is accommodated in a space between the first lens cover part 201 and the lens barrel 1 through the opening 201a of the first lens cover part 201.

  FIG. 1B shows a state in which the lens barrel 1 is in a horizontal posture (tilt 0 ° posture). As described above, since the length of each component is in the relationship of d2> d3> d1> d4, the clearance between the lens unit 11a and the relay board 7 is d3-d1 as shown in the figure. On the other hand, if the lens unit 11a takes an upward posture (tilt posture of 90 degrees) with the third cover portion 203 covering the image sensor 10, d2> d3, so that the third lens cover portion 203 and the relay substrate 7 interfere with each other. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 1C, if the third lens cover 203 is housed inside the first lens cover 201 by the above-described structure, it is fixed to the lens barrel 1 because d1> d4. The image pickup element 10 and the relay substrate 7 are in a relationship that does not interfere with each other.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of this embodiment. In the camera 12 configured as described above, the current tilt angle of the lens unit 11a is confirmed by the tilt encoder 17a in step 101, and it is confirmed whether the specified tilt angle is exceeded or not exceeded. The prescribed tilt angle at this time means a posture immediately before the third lens cover portion 203 comes into contact with the relay substrate 7 when the lens unit 11a takes the upward posture by the tilting operation.

  If the predetermined angle is exceeded, the third lens cover portion 203 is rotated by the actuator unit 8 in step 102, and the first lens cover portion 201 and the first lens cover portion 201 pass through the opening 201a of the first lens cover portion 201. The third lens cover portion 203 is housed in a space between the lens barrel 1. If the angle does not exceed the predetermined angle, the third lens cover 203 is maintained on the rear surface of the lens unit 11a in step 103.

  In this way, the third lens cover 203 is housed or deployed according to the tilt angle, so that the third lens cover 203 is in a tilted posture where the image sensor 10 side of the lens unit 11a can be seen by the monitored person. By covering the image pickup element 10 side of the lens unit 11a, there is an effect of maintaining a reduction in intimidation for the monitored person. Further, when the lens unit 11a is in the upper position in which the image pickup element 10 side is closest to the relay substrate 7, the lens cover portion 203 is accommodated to prevent interference with the relay substrate 7.

  At this time, the image pickup element 10 side of the lens unit 11a becomes a blind spot from the person being monitored, and thus the effect of reducing intimidation is not impaired. As a result, even if the entire length of the lens barrel 1 is extended, there is no need to increase the clearance between the lens unit 11 and the relay substrate 7, so that there is an effect of preventing an increase in size in the height direction.

[Example 2]
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The basic configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and common constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment and are not described.

  FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the lens unit 11b of the present embodiment. The first lens cover portion 211 and the second lens cover portion 212 cover the range other than the image pickup device 10 among the lens barrel 1, the image pickup device 10, the circuit board 9, and the lens support metal plates 4 and 5, and the lens. The support sheet metal 4 is fastened with screws (not shown). The third lens cover portion 213 covers the image sensor 10 side, and is rotatably held by the first lens cover portion 211 and the second lens cover portion 212 and a configuration described later.

  The first, second, and third lens cover portions 211, 212, and 213 are substantially spherical, and the first and second lens cover portions 211 and 212 are intersections that connect the tilt axis and the pan axis shown in FIG. A spherical shape is formed around O. The third lens cover portion 213 has a spherical shape centered on a position O ′ offset from the intersection point O in the tilt axis direction by a specified amount. The distance d2 from the intersection point O to the outermost part of the third lens cover part 213 is the distance d1 of the outermost part of the first and second lens cover parts 211 and 212 from the intersection point O. The distance from the intersection point O to the relay substrate 7 is d3.

  The distance from the intersection point O to the non-subject side surface of the image sensor 10 fixed to the lens barrel 1 is defined as d4. Their lengths have a relationship of d2> d3> d1> d4. The first and second lens cover portions 211 and 212 are provided with guide grooves 211b, 211c, 212b, and 212c, respectively. The third lens cover portion 213 is provided with shafts 213a, 213b, 213c, and 213d. Each shaft and the guide groove are fitted. The third lens cover portion 213 includes protrusions 213e and 213f, and the first lens cover portion 211 also includes protrusions 211e and 211f.

  FIG. 8 shows the internal structure of the lens unit. In FIG. 8, the first, second, and third lens cover portions 211, 212, and 213 are cut along the PAN axis-optical axis plane so that the inside can be seen. One end of the tension spring 30a is fixed to the protrusion 211e of the first lens cover 211, and the other end of the tension spring 30a is fixed to the protrusion 213e of the third lens cover 213. In addition, the tension spring 30b is being fixed to the projection part 211f and the projection part 213f which are not shown in FIG.

  Due to the biasing of the tension springs 30a and 30b, a force is always applied to the third lens cover portion 213 in the direction of the arrow 30c so as to cover the imaging element 10 side of the lens barrel 1.

  FIG. 9 shows the internal structure of the camera according to this embodiment. The relay substrate 7 is fixed directly below the lens unit 11b via the mounting plate 220. The mounting plate 220 includes a stopper portion 220a. The third lens cover portion 213 includes a contact surface 213g.

  When the lens unit 11b rotates about the tilt axes 6a and 6b, a stopper portion 220a provided on the mounting plate 220 and a nodal surface 213g provided on the third lens cover portion 213 from a predetermined tilt range. Abut. As a result, rather than the force applied to the third lens cover part 213 by the tension springs 30a and 30b, the stopper part 220a provided on the mounting plate 220 and the current joint surface 213g provided on the third lens cover part 213 by tilt rotation. As a result, the force applied to the third lens cover increases.

  At this time, the third lens cover portion 213 is formed along the shape of the guide groove front portions 211b, 211c, 212b, and 212c into which the shafts 213a, 213b, 213c, and 213d provided in the third lens cover portion 213 are fitted. Rotates, and the third lens cover portion 213 is accommodated in the space between the first lens cover portion 211 and the lens barrel 1 through the opening 211 a of the first lens cover portion 211.

  FIG. 9B shows a state in which the lens barrel 1 is in a horizontal posture (tilt 0 ° posture). As described above, since the lengths of the components are in the relationship of d2> d3> d1> d4, the clearance between the lens unit 11b and the relay substrate 7 is d3-d1 in the state shown in the figure. On the other hand, when the lens unit 11b is in the upward posture (tilt posture of 90 degrees) with the third cover portion 213 covering the image sensor 10, d2> d3, so that the third lens cover portion 213 and the relay substrate 7 interfere with each other. To do.

  If the third lens cover part 213 is housed inside the first lens cover part 211 by the structure described above as shown in FIG. 9C, it is fixed to the lens barrel 1 because d1> d4. The image pickup element 10 and the relay substrate 7 are in a relationship that does not interfere with each other. Note that the specified tilt angle at which the contact surface 213g and the stopper portion 220a contact each other is just before the third lens cover portion 213 comes into contact with the relay substrate 7 when the lens unit 11b takes the upward posture by the tilting operation. Means the angle.

  As described above, the third lens cover portion 213 is housed or deployed according to the tilt angle, so that the third lens cover portion 213 is in a tilted posture where the image sensor 10 side of the lens unit 11b can be seen by the monitored person. By covering the image pickup element 10 side of the lens unit 11b, there is an effect of maintaining a sense of intimidation reduction for the monitored person. Further, when the lens unit 11b is in the upper position where the image pickup element 10 side is closest to the relay substrate 7, the third lens cover portion 213 is housed to prevent interference with the relay substrate 7. .

  At this time, since the image pickup device 10 side of the lens unit 11b is a blind spot from the person being monitored, the effect of reducing intimidation is not impaired. As a result, even if the entire length of the lens barrel 1 is extended, there is no need to increase the clearance between the lens unit 11b and the relay substrate 7, so that there is an effect of preventing an increase in size in the height direction.

  As mentioned above, although the preferable Example of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these Examples, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Lens barrel, 201 ... 1st lens cover part, 201a ... Opening part, 201b, 201c ... Guide groove, 202 ... 2nd lens cover part, 202b, 202c ... Guide groove, 203 ... 3rd Lens cover part, 203a, 203b, 203c, 203d ... axis, 203e ... gear 4,5 ... lens support sheet metal, 6a, 6b ... tilt shaft, 7 ... relay board, 8 ... actuator unit, 9 ... imaging circuit board, 10 ... Image sensor 11a, 11b ... lens unit, 12 ... camera, 131 ... upper cover, 132 ... side cover, 133 ... front cover, 134 ... bottom cover, 14 ... camera unit, 15 ... tilt pulley, 15a ... scale, 16 ... Timing belt, 17 ... first tilt bearing, 17a ... encoder, 18 ... tilt motor, 19 ... guide component, 2 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Flexible printed circuit board, 21 ... Second tilt bearing, 22 ... Mounting plate, 23 ... Pan rotation base, 24 ... Pan motor, 25 ... Pan bearing unit, 26 ... Tilt pulley, 27 ... Timing belt, 28 ... Base Sheet metal, 29 ... main substrate, 211 ... first lens cover, 211a ... opening, 211b, 211c ... guide groove, 211e, 211f ... projection, 212 ... second lens cover, 212b, 212c ... Guide groove, 213 ... third lens cover portion, 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d ... shaft, 213e, 213f ... projection portion, 213g ... contact surface, 30a, 30b ... pulling spring, 30c ... pulling spring Force applied to the lens cover part 213, 220 ... mounting plate, 220a ... stopper part

Claims (3)

A lens barrel (1);
An image sensor (10) fixed to the non-subject side of the lens barrel (1);
Spherical first and second lens cover portions (201, 202) that cover the lens barrel (1) other than the image pickup element (10) side, which are fixed to the lens barrel (1);
A spherical third lens cover (203) that covers the image sensor (10) side and is rotatably attached to the first lens cover (201) and the second lens cover (202). )When,
A lens unit (11a) having a tilt rotation axis (6a, 6b) provided on the lens barrel (1) in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens barrel (1);
Tilt drive means (15, 16, 18) for tilting the lens unit (11a) about the tilt rotation axis (6a, 6b),
The first lens cover part (201) has one opening (201a) on the SR surface,
When the lens unit (11a) reaches a specified tilt angle by the tilt driving means (15, 16, 18), the third lens cover part (203) is attached to the first lens cover part (201). An image pickup apparatus, wherein the image pickup apparatus is housed in an inside of the first lens cover part (201) through an opening (201a) provided on the SR surface by a turning operation. Position detecting means (17a) for detecting the tilt position of the lens unit (11a);
A drive source (8) for rotating the third lens cover (203);
According to the tilt position of the lens unit (11a) detected by the position detection means (17a), the third lens cover (203) is rotated by the drive source (8), and the first lens The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is housed inside the first lens cover part (201) through the opening (201a) provided on the SR surface of the cover part (201). . Biasing means (30a, 30b) for biasing between the first lens cover part (211) and the third lens cover part (213) and the third lens cover part (213) and a specified tilt range With only abutting surface (220a),
The third lens cover portion (213) is always urged by the urging means (30a, 30b) so as to take a position covering the image sensor (10) side,
In the predetermined tilt range, the joint surface (213a) provided on the joint surface (220a) and the third lens cover portion (213) abuts on the third lens cover portion (213). Rotates, and the third lens cover part (213) passes through the opening (211a) provided on the SR surface of the first lens cover part (211), and the first lens cover part (211). The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus is housed inside.