JP2021056423A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a multi-lens camera apparatus capable of suppressing the adhesion of ice and snow to windows with easier configuration.SOLUTION: The multi-lens camera apparatus includes: multiple camera units each having a current-carrying part, which are arranged in a circle and movable in a circumference direction; windows covering the multiple camera units; a heat-generating part formed on the inner surface of the window part; and an electrode placed on the inner surface of the window for supplying the power to the heat-generating part through the current-carrying part. The electrodes are arranged along the circumferential direction so as to come into contact with the current-carrying part when the camera unit moves in the circumferential direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging device that suppresses adhesion of ice and snow to a window portion.

There is a multi-lens camera device in which a plurality of camera units are arranged in a circumferential shape, the position of each camera unit can be freely changed, and the desired direction of shooting from a narrow range to a wide range of up to 360 degrees can be flexibly adjusted.

When the multi-lens camera device is installed outdoors in a cold region or the like, ice or snow may adhere to the windows, which may cause image deterioration. In order to suppress image deterioration due to the adhesion of ice and snow to the window, a method of forming a transparent conductive film that generates heat by energization on the inner surface of the window and raising the temperature of the window to melt the ice and snow. Are known.

When this method is applied to a multi-lens camera device and the entire window portion is heated, depending on the position of the camera unit, the area that is not reflected in the image is heated, resulting in wasteful power consumption. Therefore, in order to reduce wasteful power consumption, it is desirable to heat only the area shown in the image. Therefore, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for controlling an energization pattern between electrode pairs for energizing a transparent conductive film to stop energization in a region that does not require heating and reduce wasteful power consumption. Is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-189155

When the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is applied to the multi-lens camera device, an electric circuit for controlling the energization pattern between each electrode pair is required in order to selectively heat only the vicinity of the region reflected in the image. Further, in order to determine the area reflected in the image, a position detecting means of each camera unit such as an encoder is required.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-lens camera device having a simpler configuration and suppressing the adhesion of ice and snow to a window portion.

In order to achieve the above object, the image pickup apparatus of the present invention has a plurality of camera units having a current-carrying portion, arranged in a circumferential shape, and movable in the circumferential direction, and a window portion covering the plurality of camera units. And an electrode formed on the inner surface of the window portion and an electrode arranged on the inner surface of the window portion to energize the heat generating portion via the energizing portion, and the electrode is the camera. The unit is arranged along the circumferential direction so as to come into contact with the energizing portion when the unit moves in the circumferential direction.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a multi-lens camera device that suppresses the adhesion of ice and snow to a window portion with a simpler configuration.

It is an external view and the exploded perspective view of the multi-lens camera apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view of the protective window unit which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view of the housing unit which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view around the camera unit which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the relationship between the position of the camera unit and the heating range of a transparent conductive film which concerns on Example 1 of this invention, and is the enlarged schematic diagram around the camera unit. It is a schematic diagram explaining the relationship between the position of the camera unit and the heating range of a transparent conductive film which concerns on Example 2 of this invention, and is the enlarged schematic diagram around the camera unit. It is a perspective view of the protective window unit which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is a perspective view of the housing unit which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is a perspective view around the camera unit which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the relationship between the position of the camera unit and the heating range of a transparent conductive film which concerns on Example 3 of this invention, and is the enlarged schematic diagram around the camera unit. It is a schematic diagram explaining the relationship between the position of the camera unit and the heating range of a transparent conductive film which concerns on Example 4 of this invention, and is the enlarged schematic diagram around the camera unit.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, relative positions of the components, etc. described in the following examples are arbitrary and can be changed according to the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied or various conditions. The description of cables and parts that are not directly related to the present invention is omitted and is not shown. Further, for convenience of explanation, the shape of the part and the like may be briefly described.

<Example 1>
In this embodiment, an example of an embodiment of a multi-lens camera device to which the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 1 (A) is an external view of the multi-lens camera device 1, and FIG. 1 (B) is an exploded perspective view of the multi-lens camera device 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the protective window unit 10, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the housing unit 20, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the periphery of the camera unit 23.

As shown in FIG. 1 (B), the multi-lens camera device 1 shown in FIG. 1 (A) is composed of a protective window unit 10 and a housing unit 20. The protective window unit 10 is fixed to the housing unit 20 by a screw or the like (not shown). The protective window unit 10 covers the camera unit 23, the first energizing unit 24, the second energizing unit 25, and the like, which will be described later, and isolates them from the external space to protect them.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the protective window unit 10 includes a top cover 11, a protective window 12, and a protective window fixing member 13. The top cover 11 can be fixed to the bottom case 22 described later by a screw or the like (not shown), and by fixing the top cover 11 to the bottom case 22, the protective window unit 10 is attached to the housing unit 20.

Further, a gasket (not shown) is arranged between the top cover 11 and the protective window 12 to prevent raindrops and dust from entering the inside of the multi-lens camera device 1. Further, when the protective window unit 10 is attached to the housing unit 20, a gasket (not shown) is arranged so as to be located between the protective window 12 and the bottom case 22, and raindrops on the inside of the multi-lens camera device 1 are arranged. It suppresses the intrusion of dust and dirt.

The protective window 12 is a transparent member formed of resin such as polycarbonate or glass, and is sandwiched between the top cover 11 and the protective window fixing member 13. Further, the protective window 12 is arranged on the subject side of the camera unit 23 in the photographable range when the protective window unit 10 is attached to the housing unit 20. Further, as shown in the hatched portion of FIG. 2, a transparent conductive film 14 as a heat generating portion is formed on the inner surface of the protective window 12. The transparent conductive film 14 is a highly transparent thin film that generates heat when energized, and examples thereof include an ITO film (indium tin oxide film).

Further, a plurality of electrode pairs 15 for energizing the transparent conductive film 14 are arranged on the transparent conductive film 14. The plurality of electrode pairs 15 are composed of an electrode 15a (first electrode) and an electrode 15b (second electrode), respectively. The electrodes 15a and 15b are spaced apart from each other. Further, the electrodes 15a and 15b are arranged along the circumferential direction so as to come into contact with each other when the camera unit 23 moves in the circumferential direction. The electrodes 15a and 15b are formed of, for example, silver paste. Further, the lengths of the electrodes 15a are substantially equal, and the lengths of the electrodes 15b are substantially equal. Further, each electrode 15a and each electrode 15b are arranged so as to have a one-to-one correspondence with each other, and the length of the electrode 15a is longer than the length of the electrode 15b.

As shown in FIG. 3, the housing unit 20 includes a bottom cover 21, a bottom case 22, a plurality of camera units 23, a first energizing unit 24, and a second energizing unit 25. The housing unit 20 further includes a coil spring 26 as an urging member, a camera unit support member 27, and a guide 28. The bottom cover 21 is a portion installed on the ceiling or the like. A plurality of camera units 23 and the like are arranged in the bottom case 22.

A plurality of camera units 23 are arranged in a circumferential shape along the guide 28. The camera unit 23 is movable in the circumferential direction. The plurality of camera units The camera units 23 include a lens group (not shown), a lens holding member, a printed circuit board, an image sensor, and the like, and are fixed to the camera unit support member 27 by screws (not shown) or the like. Further, the camera unit 23 has a first guide portion 23a, a second guide portion 23b, and a coil spring pressing portion 23c. Further, a first energizing unit 24 and a second energizing unit 25 are attached to the camera unit 23.

The coil spring 26 is provided so as to correspond to the first energizing unit 24 and the second energizing unit 25. The guide 28 has a circumferential shape and engages with the camera unit support member 27.

The camera unit support member 27 has a guide engaging portion 27a that engages with the guide 28. When the guide 28 and the guide engaging portion 27a are engaged, the camera unit 23 slides along the guide 28, and the first energizing unit 24 and the second energizing unit 24 attached to the camera unit 23 and the camera unit 23 are energized. The unit 25 can move integrally. The camera unit 23 may be moved manually or electrically.

Further, the camera unit support member 27 has a structure for fixing the position of the camera unit 23 after adjusting the position of the camera unit 23. Examples of this structure include a structure of fixing with elastic parts such as a wave washer and a sheet metal (not shown), a structure of fixing with a screw, a structure of fixing with a magnet, and a meshing structure using a gear.

The first energizing unit 24 has a guide engaging portion 24a and an energizing portion 24b, and the second energizing unit 25 has a guide engaging portion 25a and an energizing portion 25b. The member on which the guide engaging portion 24a and the guide engaging portion 25a are formed is made of, for example, an insulating resin. The energizing portion 24b and the energizing portion 25b are formed of, for example, a conductive material such as copper.

Further, the energizing unit 24b and the energizing unit 25b are electrically connected to a printed circuit board (not shown) provided inside the housing unit 20 by a cable (not shown) or the like. The electrical connection between the energizing unit 24b and the energizing unit 25b and the printed circuit board by a cable (not shown) may be relayed through the printed circuit board (not shown) provided in the camera unit 23.

Further, at least two or more convex contact portions 24c are formed in the energizing portion 24b. The distance between the contact portions 24c is larger than the distance between the adjacent electrodes 15a and smaller than the length of the electrodes 15a. At least two or more convex contact portions 25c are formed in the energizing portion 25b. The distance between the contact portions 25c is larger than the distance between the adjacent electrodes 15b and smaller than the length of the electrodes 15b.

As a result, even when the energizing portion 24b and the energizing portion 25b straddle the plurality of electrodes 15a and the plurality of electrodes 15b, respectively, the energizing portion 24b and the plurality of electrodes 15a, the energizing portion 25b and the plurality of electrodes 15b Electrical connection is guaranteed. Therefore, stable energization is possible in the region between the plurality of electrodes 15a and the plurality of electrodes 15b of the transparent conductive film 14.

The coil spring 26 is arranged between the first energizing unit 24 and the coil spring pressing portion 23c, and the first guide portion 23a and the guide engaging portion 24a engage with each other, so that the first energizing unit 24 becomes a camera. The unit 23 is urged toward the subject side in the optical axis direction. As a result, when the protective window unit 10 is attached to the housing unit 20, the energized portion 24b is electrically connected to the electrode 15a.

The coil spring 26 is arranged between the second energizing unit 25 and the coil spring pressing portion 23c, and the second guide portion 23b and the guide engaging portion 25a engage with each other, so that the second energizing unit 25 becomes a camera. The unit 23 is urged toward the subject side in the optical axis direction. As a result, when the protective window unit 10 is attached to the housing unit 20, the energized portion 25b is electrically connected to the electrode 15b.

According to the above-described configuration, when the protective window unit 10 is attached to the housing unit 20, the energizing portion 24b and the electrode 15a, and the energizing portion 25b and the electrode 15b are electrically connected to each other. As a result, the region between the electrodes 15a and 15b of the transparent conductive film 14 can be energized based on a control signal from a printed circuit board (not shown) provided inside the housing unit 20.

The number of contact portions 24c and 25c, the distance between the contact portions 24c, the distance between the contact portions 25c, and the lengths of the electrodes 15a and 15b are not related to the position of each camera unit 23, and the protective window 12 of the camera unit 23 The imaging range 23d in is determined to be heated.

Next, heating of the protective window 12 of the multi-lens camera device 1 will be described. 5 (A) is a schematic view illustrating the relationship between the position of the camera unit 23 and the heating range of the transparent conductive film 14, FIG. 5 (B) is an enlarged schematic view around the camera unit 23-1, and FIG. 5 (C). ) Is an enlarged schematic view around the camera unit 23-3.

The plurality of camera units 23 are composed of camera units 23-k (k = 1 to 4), and each camera unit 23-k has a shooting range of 23 d-k (k = 1 to 4) in the protective window 12. Further, a first energizing unit 24-k (k = 1 to 4) and a second energizing unit 25-k (k = 1 to 4) are attached to each camera unit 23-k. Each of the first energizing units 24-k has an energizing unit 24b-k (k = 1 to 4), and each of the second energizing units 25-k has an energizing unit 25b-k (k = 1 to 4). Have.

The plurality of electrode pairs 15 consist of electrode pairs 15-n (n = 1 to 16), and the electrode pairs 15-n are electrode 15an (n = 1 to 16) and electrode 15b-n (n = 1), respectively. It is composed of ~ 16). The main heating range 30a-k (k = 1 to 4) and the sub-heating range 30b-k (k = 1 to 4) are the heating ranges of the transparent conductive film 14 corresponding to the camera unit 23-k.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5B, the heating range of the transparent conductive film 14 when the energizing portion 24b and the energizing portion 25b are electrically connected only to the pair of electrode pairs 15 will be described. When the camera unit 23-1 is located at the position shown in FIG. 5B, the energizing unit 24b-1 and the electrode 15a-1 and the energizing unit 25b-1 and the electrode 15b-1 are electrically connected to each other.

Therefore, the region between the electrodes 15a-1 and the electrodes 15b-1 is the main heating range 30a-1. At this time, the photographing range 23d-1 is included in the main heating range 30a-1. However, since the transparent conductive film 14 is continuously formed on the inner surface of the protective window 12, a weak current wraps around the region between the electrodes 15a-1 and 15b-1, and the subheating range 30b-1 is set. It is weakly heated. As for the temperature distribution in the sub-heating range 30b-1, the temperature decreases as the distance from the main heating range 30a-1 decreases because the amount of current wraparound decreases.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5C, the heating range of the transparent conductive film 14 when the energizing portion 24b and the energizing portion 25b are electrically connected to the plurality of electrode pairs 15 will be described. When the camera unit 23-3 is located at the position shown in FIG. 5C, the energizing unit 24b-3 and the electrode 15a-8 and the electrode 15a-9, the energizing unit 25b-3 and the electrode 15b-8 and the electrode 15b-9 However, each is electrically connected.

Therefore, the region between the electrodes 15a-8 and the electrodes 15b-8 and the region between the electrodes 15a-9 and the electrodes 15b-9 are the main heating ranges 30a-3. At this time, the photographing range 23d-3 is included in the main heating range 30a-3. However, since the transparent conductive film 14 is continuously formed on the inner surface of the protective window 12, the region near the region between the electrodes 15a-8 and 15b-8 and the region between the electrodes 15a-9 and 15b-9. A weak current also wraps around in the vicinity, and the sub-heating range 30b-3 is weakly heated. As for the temperature distribution in the sub-heating range 30b-3, the temperature decreases as the distance from the main heating range 30a-3 decreases because the amount of current wraparound decreases.

With the configuration described above, the position detection means of the camera unit 23-k and the electric circuit for controlling the energization pattern of each electrode pair 15-n are not provided, and the protective window 12 is covered with ice and snow in a simpler configuration. Adhesion can be suppressed. Further, without the position detecting means of each camera unit 23-k, it is possible to heat only the vicinity of the shooting range 23d-k regardless of the position of each camera unit 23-k. Therefore, wasteful power consumption can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the number of camera units is 4 and the number of electrode pairs is 16, but the number of camera units and electrode pairs is not limited to this, depending on the shooting range in the protective window of the camera unit. Further, the number of divisions may be increased or decreased. Further, the number of contact portions of the energizing portion of the energizing unit, the distance between the contact portions, and the length of the electrodes of the electrode pair can be freely changed according to the shooting range in the protective window of the camera unit.

<Example 2>
In the first embodiment, since the transparent conductive film 14 is continuously formed on the inner surface of the protective window 12, the electrode 15a to which the current-carrying portion 24b is electrically connected and the electrode to which the current-carrying portion 25b is electrically connected are electrically connected. A weak current may wrap around in the vicinity of the region between 15b, and the heating efficiency may be reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, a configuration capable of further reducing power consumption without reducing the heating efficiency as compared with the first embodiment will be described by forming the transparent conductive film by dividing the transparent conductive film.

It should be noted that the same reference numerals are given to the configurations that obtain substantially the same functional functions as the configurations of the multi-lens camera device 101 described in the present embodiment and the multi-lens camera apparatus 1 described in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be described here. Is omitted. Further, in the following, a configuration different from that of the multi-lens camera device 1 described in the first embodiment will be mainly described.

FIG. 6 (A) is a schematic view illustrating the relationship between the position of the camera unit 23 and the heating range of the transparent conductive film 114, and FIG. 6 (B) is an enlarged schematic view around the camera unit 23-1 and FIG. 6 (C). ) Is an enlarged schematic view around the camera unit 23-3. First, with reference to FIG. 6A, a configuration related to the heating range of the transparent conductive film 114, which is different from that of the first embodiment, will be described.

The transparent conductive film 114 is divided into transparent conductive films 114-n (n = 1 to 16) corresponding to the electrode pair 15-n. As a method of dividing and forming the transparent conductive film 114, a method of continuously forming the transparent conductive film on the inner surface of the protective window 12 and then removing the transparent conductive film in the formation-unnecessary region with a laser is exemplified. .. Alternatively, a method of forming a transparent conductive film on the inner surface of the protective window 12 after masking the formation-unnecessary region is exemplified.

The heating range 130-k (k = 1 to 4) is the heating range of the transparent conductive film 114 corresponding to the camera unit 23-k.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6B, the heating range of the transparent conductive film 114 when the energizing portion 24b and the energizing portion 25b are electrically connected only to the pair of electrode pairs 15 will be described. When the camera unit 23-1 is located at the position shown in FIG. 6B, the energizing unit 24b-1 and the electrode 15a-1 and the energizing unit 25b-1 and the electrode 15b-1 are electrically connected to each other. Therefore, the region between the electrodes 15a-1 and the electrodes 15b-1 is the heating range 130-1. At this time, the photographing range 23d-1 is included in the heating range 130-1. The transparent conductive film 114 is divided and formed on the inner surface of the protective window 12. Therefore, unlike the first embodiment, the weak current does not sneak into the vicinity of the region between the electrodes 15a-1 and 15b-1, and the electrodes 15a-1 and 15b-1 of the transparent conductive film 114-1 Only the region between them is heated, and the heating range is 130-1.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6C, the heating range of the transparent conductive film 114 when the energizing portion 24b and the energizing portion 25b are electrically connected to the plurality of electrode pairs 15 will be described. When the camera unit 23-3 is located at the position shown in FIG. 6C, the energizing unit 24b-3 and the electrode 15a-8 and the electrode 15a-9, the energizing unit 25b-3 and the electrode 15b-8 and the electrode 15b-9 However, each is electrically connected. Therefore, the region between the electrodes 15a-8 and the electrodes 15b-8 and the region between the electrodes 15a-9 and the electrodes 15b-9 are the heating ranges 130-3. At this time, the photographing range 23d-3 is included in the heating range 130-3. The transparent conductive film 114 is divided and formed on the inner surface of the protective window 12. Therefore, unlike the first embodiment, the weak current does not sneak into the vicinity of the region between the electrode 15a-8 and the electrode 15b-8 and the vicinity of the region between the electrode 15a-9 and the electrode 15b-9. Only the region between the electrodes 15a-8 and 15b-8 of the transparent conductive film 114-8 and the region between the electrodes 15a-9 and 15b-9 of the transparent conductive film 114-9 are heated, and the heating range 130- It becomes 3.

As described above, by forming the transparent conductive film by dividing it, it is possible to suppress weak heating due to wraparound of a weak current to a region where heating is not required, and it is possible to further reduce power consumption. ..

In this embodiment, the number of divisions of the transparent conductive film is 16, but the number of divisions of the transparent conductive film is not limited to this, and the transparent conductive film is further divided according to the photographing range in the protective window of the camera unit and the number of electrode pairs. You may increase or decrease the number.

<Example 3>
In this embodiment, the multi-lens camera device 201, which is a simplified configuration of the first embodiment, will be described.
It should be noted that the same reference numerals are given to the configurations that obtain substantially the same functional functions as the various configurations of the multi-lens camera device 201 described in the present embodiment and the multi-lens camera device 1 described in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be described here. Is omitted. Further, in the following, a configuration different from the multi-lens camera device 1 described in the first embodiment will be mainly described.

7 is a perspective view of the protective window unit 210, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the housing unit 220, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the periphery of the camera unit 223.

Similar to the first embodiment, the transparent conductive film 14 is formed on the inner surface of the protective window 12 as shown in the hatched portion of FIG. In the transparent conductive film 14, one electrode 215a (second electrode) and a plurality of electrodes 215b (first electrode) for energizing the transparent conductive film 14 are arranged. The length of each electrode 215b is substantially equal. The electrode 215a and the plurality of electrodes 215b are arranged at intervals.

The housing unit 220 includes a bottom cover 21, a bottom case 22, a camera unit 223, an energizing unit 225, a coil spring 26 as an urging member, a camera unit support member 27, and a guide 28.

A plurality of camera units 223 are arranged in a circumferential shape along the guide 28. The camera unit 223 is movable in the circumferential direction. Similar to the camera unit 23 of the first embodiment, the camera unit 223 includes a lens group (not shown), a lens holding member, a printed circuit board, an image sensor, and the like, and is fixed to the camera unit support member 27 by a screw (not shown) or the like. The lens. Further, the camera unit 223 has a guide portion 223b and a coil spring pressing portion 223c.

Further, an energizing unit 225 is attached to the camera unit 223, and the camera unit 223 and the energizing unit 225 can be integrally moved along the guide 28. The camera unit may be moved manually or electrically.

The energizing unit 225 has a guide engaging portion 225a and an energizing portion 225b. The member on which the guide engaging portion 225a is formed is made of, for example, an insulating resin. The energizing portion 225b is formed of, for example, a conductive material such as copper. Further, the energizing unit 225b is electrically connected to a printed circuit board (not shown) provided inside the housing unit 220 by a cable (not shown) or the like. The electrical connection between the energizing unit 225b and the printed circuit board by a cable (not shown) may be relayed by a printed circuit board (not shown) provided in the camera unit 223. Further, as a configuration for stably energizing the transparent conductive film 14, at least two or more of the energizing portions 225b are provided as in the first energizing unit 24 and the second energizing unit 25 of the first embodiment. A convex contact portion 225c is formed.

The coil spring 26 is arranged between the energizing unit 225 and the coil spring pressing portion 223c, and the guide portion 223a and the guide engaging portion 225a engage with each other so that the energizing unit 225 is on the subject side of the camera unit 223 in the optical axis direction. Be urged towards. As a result, when the protective window unit 210 is attached to the housing unit 220, the energized portion 225b is electrically connected to the electrode 215b. Further, when the protective window unit 210 is attached to the housing unit 220, the electrode 215a is electrically connected to a contact component such as a finger (not shown) provided in the housing unit 220. The contact component is mounted on a printed circuit board (not shown) or the like, and is electrically connected to the printed circuit board (not shown) provided inside the housing unit 220 described above by a cable (not shown) or the like.

According to the above-described configuration, when the protective window unit 210 is mounted on the housing unit 220, the energized portion 225b and the electrode 215b, and the contact component (not shown) and the electrode 215a are electrically connected to each other. As a result, the region between the electrodes 215a and 215b of the transparent conductive film 14 can be energized based on a control signal from a printed circuit board (not shown) provided inside the housing unit 220.

Next, heating of the protective window 12 of the multi-lens camera device 201 will be described. FIG. 10 (A) is a schematic view illustrating the relationship between the position of the camera unit 223 and the heating range of the transparent conductive film 14, FIG. 10 (B) is an enlarged schematic view around the camera unit 223-1, and FIG. 10 (C). ) Is an enlarged schematic view around the camera unit 223-3.

The plurality of camera units 223 are composed of camera units 223-k (k = 1 to 4), and each camera unit 223-k has a shooting range of 223 d-k (k = 1 to 4) in the protective window 12. Further, an energizing unit 225-k (k = 1 to 4) is attached to each camera unit 223-k. Each of the energizing units 225-k has an energizing unit 225b-k (k = 1 to 4). The electrodes 215b are composed of electrodes 215bn (n = 1 to 16), and each electrode 215bn is paired with one electrode 215a.

The main heating range 230a-k (k = 1 to 4) and the sub-heating range 230b-k (k = 1 to 4) are the heating ranges of the transparent conductive film 14 corresponding to the camera unit 223-k.

Next, with reference to FIG. 10B, the heating range of the transparent conductive film 14 when the energizing portion 225b is electrically connected to only one electrode 215b will be described. When the camera unit 223-1 is located at the position shown in FIG. 10B, the energized portion 225b-1 and the electrode 215b-1 are electrically connected. Therefore, the region between the electrode 215a and the electrode 215b-1 becomes the main heating range 230a-1.

At this time, the photographing range 223d-1 is included in the main heating range 230a-1. However, since the transparent conductive film 14 is continuously formed on the inner surface of the protective window 12, a weak current wraps around the region between the electrodes 215a and 215b-1, and the subheating range 230b-1 is weakly heated. Will be done. As for the temperature distribution in the sub-heating range 230b-1, the temperature decreases as the distance from the main heating range 230a-1 decreases because the amount of current wraparound decreases.

Next, with reference to FIG. 10C, the heating range of the transparent conductive film 14 when the energizing portion 225b is electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes 215b will be described. When the camera unit 223-3 is located at the position shown in FIG. 10C, the energized portion 225b-3, the electrode 215b-8, and the electrode 215b-9 are electrically connected. Therefore, the region between the electrode 215a, the electrode 215b-8, and the electrode 215b-9 becomes the main heating range 230a-3.

At this time, the photographing range 223d-3 is included in the main heating range 230a-3. However, since the transparent conductive film 14 is continuously formed on the inner surface of the protective window 12, a weak current wraps around the region between the electrode 215a, the electrode 215b-8, and the electrode 215b-9, and the subheating range 230b -3 is weakly heated. As for the temperature distribution in the sub-heating range 230b-3, the temperature decreases as the distance from the main heating range 230a-3 decreases because the amount of current wraparound decreases.

With the configuration described above, the position detection means of the camera unit 23-k and the electric circuit for controlling the energization pattern of each electrode pair 15-n are not provided, and the protective window 12 is covered with ice and snow in a simpler configuration. Adhesion can be suppressed. Further, without the position detecting means of each camera unit 223-k, it is possible to heat only the vicinity of the shooting range 223d-k in the protective window 12 of the camera unit 223-k regardless of the position of each camera unit 223-k. .. Therefore, wasteful power consumption can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the number of camera units is 4, and the number of electrodes that can be electrically connected to the energized portion of the energizing unit is 16. However, the number of electrodes that can be electrically connected to the energizing portion of the camera unit and the energizing unit is not limited to this, and the number of divisions may be further increased or decreased depending on the photographing range in the protective window of the camera unit. Further, the number of contact portions of the energizing portion of the energizing unit, the distance between the contact portions, and the length of the electrodes of the electrode pair can be freely changed according to the shooting range in the protective window of the camera unit.

<Example 4>
In the third embodiment, since the transparent conductive film 14 is continuously formed on the inner surface of the protective window 12, a weak current is also generated in the vicinity of the region between the electrode 215a and the electrode 215b where the current-carrying portion 225b is electrically connected. The heating efficiency may be reduced due to wraparound and the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, a configuration capable of further reducing power consumption without reducing the heating efficiency as compared with the third embodiment will be described by forming the transparent conductive film by dividing the transparent conductive film.

It should be noted that the same reference numerals are given to the configurations that obtain substantially the same functional functions as the various configurations of the multi-lens camera device 301 described in the present embodiment and the multi-lens camera device 201 described in the third embodiment, and the description thereof will be described here. Is omitted. Further, in the following, a configuration different from the multi-lens camera device 201 described in the third embodiment will be mainly described.

11 (A) is a schematic view illustrating the relationship between the position of the camera unit 223 and the heating range of the transparent conductive film 114, and FIG. 11 (B) is an enlarged schematic view around the camera unit 223-1 and FIG. 11 (C). ) Is an enlarged schematic view around the camera unit 223-3. First, with reference to FIG. 11A, a configuration related to the heating range of the transparent conductive film 114, which is different from that of the third embodiment, will be described.

The transparent conductive film 114 is divided into transparent conductive films 114-n (n = 1 to 16) corresponding to the electrodes 215 bn. The heating range 330-k (k = 1 to 4) is the heating range of the transparent conductive film 114 corresponding to the camera unit 223-k.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11B, the heating range of the transparent conductive film 114 when the energizing portion 225b is electrically connected to only one electrode 215b will be described. When the camera unit 223-1 is located at the position shown in FIG. 11B, the energized portion 225b-1 and the electrode 215b-1 are electrically connected. Therefore, the region between the electrode 215a and the electrode 215b-1 is the heating range 330-1.

At this time, the photographing range 223d-1 is included in the heating range 330-1. The transparent conductive film 114 is divided and formed on the inner surface of the protective window 12. Therefore, unlike the third embodiment, the weak current does not sneak into the vicinity of the region between the electrodes 215a and 215b-1. Only the region between the electrode 215a and the electrode 215b-1 of the transparent conductive film 114-1 is heated, and the heating range is 330-1.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11C, the heating range of the transparent conductive film 114 when the energizing portion 225b is electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes 215b will be described. When the camera unit 223-3 is located at the position shown in FIG. 11C, the energized portion 225b-3, the electrode 215b-8, and the electrode 215b-9 are electrically connected. Therefore, the region between the electrode 215a, the electrode 215b-8, and the electrode 215b-9 is the heating range 330-3.

At this time, the photographing range 223d-3 is included in the heating range 330-3. The transparent conductive film 114 is divided and formed on the inner surface of the protective window 12. Therefore, unlike the third embodiment, the weak current does not sneak into the vicinity of the region between the electrode 215a, the electrode 215b-8, and the electrode 215b-9. Only the region between the electrodes 215a and 215b-8 of the transparent conductive film 114-8 and the region between the electrodes 215a and 215b-9 of the transparent conductive film 114-9 are heated, and the heating range is 330-3.

As described above, by forming the transparent conductive film by dividing it, it is possible to suppress weak heating due to the wraparound of a weak current to a region where heating is not required, as in the second embodiment, and it is possible to suppress the weak heating due to the wraparound of the weak current. The consumption can be further reduced.

In this embodiment, the number of divisions of the transparent conductive film is 16, but the number of divisions of the transparent conductive film is not limited to this, and the transparent conductive film is further divided according to the photographing range in the protective window of the camera unit and the number of electrode pairs. You may increase or decrease the number.

1, 101, 201, 301 Multi-lens camera device 10, 210 Protective window unit 12 Protective window 14, 114 Transparent conductive film 15 Electrode pair 15a, 15b, 215a, 215b Electrode 20, 220 Housing unit 23, 223 Camera unit 23c, 223c Coil spring holding part 23d, 223d Shooting range 24 First energizing unit 25 Second energizing unit 225 Energizing unit 24b, 25b, 225b Energizing part 24c, 25c, 225c Contact part 26 Coil spring 30a, 230a Main heating range 30b, 230b Sub-heating range 130, 330 Heating range

Claims (13)

A plurality of camera units that have an energizing part, are arranged in a circumferential shape, and can move in the circumferential direction.
A window portion that covers the plurality of camera units and
A heat generating portion formed on the inner surface of the window portion and
An electrode arranged on the inner surface of the window portion and for energizing the heat generating portion via the energizing portion is provided.
An imaging device characterized in that the electrodes are arranged along the circumferential direction so that the camera unit comes into contact with the energized portion when the camera unit moves in the circumferential direction. The electrode is a plurality of first electrodes arranged along the circumferential direction, and a plurality of second electrodes arranged at intervals from the first electrode and arranged along the circumferential direction. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising an electrode. The electrodes include a plurality of first electrodes arranged along the circumferential direction, and a second electrode arranged at a distance from the first electrode and continuous along the circumferential direction. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus has. The imaging device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the energizing portion has a first energizing portion arranged so as to come into contact with the first electrode. The imaging device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the energizing portion has a second energizing portion arranged so as to be in contact with the second electrode. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the energizing portion has a convex shape and has at least two or more contact portions that are electrically connected to the electrodes. The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein the distance between the contact portions is larger than the distance between the adjacent electrodes. The imaging device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the distance between the contact portions is smaller than the length of the electrodes. The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the energizing member has an urging member for urging the energizing portion toward the electrode so that the energizing portion is electrically connected to the electrode. Imaging device. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the heat generating portion is divided into a plurality of regions and formed on the inner surface of the window portion. The imaging device according to claim 10, wherein the electrodes are provided so as to correspond to the plurality of regions. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the heat generating portion is made of a transparent conductive film. The imaging device according to claim 12, wherein the transparent conductive film is an indium tin oxide film.

Images