JP3860736B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera having an imaging element that converts light incident from an optical system into an electrical signal and an optical system for converging the light, and in particular, enables the imaging apparatus body to be thinned. The present invention relates to a thin imaging device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a card type camera disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-282073 is known as a thin imaging device.
This card type camera is equipped with a lens retracting mechanism, so that the lens is the same as the front of the camera body or immersed in the camera body when not shooting, and the lens protrudes from the front of the camera body when shooting to increase the focal length with respect to the image sensor. Secured.
[0003]
However, since this card type camera only retracts the lens, it is possible to reduce the thickness in the case of a fixed focus lens. However, the optical system with a long overall lens length such as a zoom lens or a long flange back focus is required. In the case of an optical system, it has been difficult to reduce the thickness.
[0004]
Also, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a thin digital camera including a zoom lens is conventionally known. In this digital camera, the photographing lens 1 that is a zoom lens is retracted and the CCD 23 that is an image sensor is moved to ensure a necessary flange back focus at the time of photographing.
That is, the moving amount of the first group of the photographic lens 1 is such that the lens barrel 2 has a retracted structure, and as shown in FIG. Is not included.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, on the back side of this conventional digital camera, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the required thickness T of the main body is determined by the maximum amount of movement of the image sensor 23 and the amount of clearance at that time. The thickness T of the main body includes the maximum amount of movement of the image sensor 23, and there is a limit to reducing the thickness T of the main body.
[0006]
Accordingly, the present invention is to provide a can be that an imaging device to be thinner than the conventional thickness of the non-shooting of the body without being affected by the maximum moving amount of the image pickup device and its purpose.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention of claim 1 in order to achieve the above objects, in an imaging apparatus having an imaging device for converting an optical image into an electrical signal, and processing means for processing the electrical signals by the optical system with a retractable mechanism When the imaging device is moved in the optical axis direction of the optical system, the focusing operation is performed, and when the imaging device is disposed at a position where the imaging device is focused at infinity, the imaging device is a device. When placed in a position that is flat with respect to the main body and focused at a finite distance, the imaging device supports the imaging device so that the imaging device is extended to the back side with respect to the apparatus main body. through the retractable mechanism is intended, a imaging device you characterized by being fitted with the imaging device in the apparatus main body.
[0008]
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the retracting mechanism is arranged at a position where the imaging device is focused at infinity where the imaging device is flat with respect to the apparatus main body when the power is turned off. an imaging device according to 1.
[0009]
The invention of claim 3, wherein the retractable mechanism is an imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a helicoid screw.
[0010]
The invention of claim 4 is the collapsible mechanism is an imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a pin which is guided in the cylindrical cam and the cylindrical cam.
[0011]
The invention of claim 5 is an imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the optical system is a varifocal optical system.
[0012]
The invention of claim 6, wherein the optical system is an imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is a single-focal optical system.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a lens barrel and a CCD collapsible portion showing a storage state of a digital camera according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a lens barrel showing a state where the zoom position of the digital camera is a long focal end. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the lens barrel and the CCD retractable portion, showing the zoom position of the digital camera at the short focal end.
[0014]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the photographing lens 1 includes three groups of a first group lens 10, a second group lens 11, and a third group lens 12, and these lens groups are held by a lens barrel 2. ing. The first group lens 10 is attached to the first group frame 13, the second group lens 11 is attached to the second group frame 14, and the third group lens 12 is attached to the third group frame 15.
[0015]
The outer diameters of the first group frame 13 and the second group frame 14 have a stamping structure so as to be coaxial with the inner diameter of the fixed frame 16. A rotating cam 17 is disposed on the outer diameter of the fixed frame 16. The fixed frame 16 is provided with three rectilinear grooves 16a of the first group frame 13 and three rectilinear grooves 16b of the second group frame 14 in the circumferential direction. The rotary cam 17 is provided with three first group cams 17a for the first group frame 13 and three second group cams 17b for the second group frame 14 in the circumferential direction.
[0016]
The first group frame 13 is held by fixing a first group pin 18 that has passed through the rectilinear groove 16 a of the fixed frame 16 and the first group cam 17 a of the rotating cam 17 with a first group screw 19. Similarly, the second group frame 14 is held by fixing the second group pin 20 that has passed through the rectilinear groove 16 b of the fixed frame 16 and the second group cam 17 b of the rotating cam 17 with a second group screw 21.
[0017]
As a result, when the rotating cam 17 is rotated, the first group frame 13 and the second group frame 14 are rotated by the restriction of the rectilinear groove 16a of the fixed frame 16 and the restriction of the first group cam 17a of the rotating cam 17. Instead, each moves a predetermined amount in the direction of the optical axis. The rotary cam 17 is provided with a gear 17c, which is linked to a gear train that is continued from a zoom motor 56 shown in FIG. Thus, if the zoom motor 56 is rotated, the first group frame 13 and the second group frame 14 each move a predetermined amount.
[0018]
The fixed frame 16 to which the first group frame 13, the second group frame 14, and the rotating cam 17 are attached is attached to the shutter base plate 22. In the present embodiment, the third group lens 12 is fixed regardless of the zoom position, and the third group frame 15 is also attached to the shutter base plate 22. A barrier cover 44 including a barrier mechanism (not shown) is attached to the first group frame 13. The barrier cover 44 is accommodated on the same surface as the front cover 45.
[0019]
Next, the configuration of focus drive will be described. In this embodiment, the CCD 23 is moved and focused. The CCD 23 is placed in a CCD frame 26 together with a filter 24 in which an optical low-pass filter and an IR cut filter are bonded together and a pressure-bonded rubber 25, and a holding plate 27 is fixed to the CCD frame 26 to form a unit structure. The movement in the optical axis direction is performed by the focus cam 28. The focus cam 28 is rotatably held on the shutter base plate 22, and the helicoid surface 28 a of the focus cam 28 and the helicoid surface 26 a of the CCD frame 26 are fitted. Further, the focus cam 28 is provided with a gear 28b, which is interlocked with a gear train continuous from the focus motor 58 of FIG. The CCD frame 26 cannot be rotated by a rotation stopper (not shown). Accordingly, if the focus motor 58 is rotated, the CCD frame 26 moves by a predetermined amount. A CCD frame lid 30 is attached to the CCD frame 26 as an appearance. The CCD frame cover 30 is flush with the rear cover 31 in the stored state. In this way, the CCD retracted portion C is configured.
[0020]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the CCD collapsible portion and shows a stored state.
As shown in FIG. 4, in this CCD retractable portion C, instead of moving the CCD 23 by fitting the helicoid surface 28 a of the focus cam 28 and the helicoid surface 26 a of the CCD frame 26, A pin 26b fixed to the CCD frame 26 is engaged. Thereby, the pin 26b is regulated by the cam groove of the focus cam 28 and the rectilinear groove 22a of the shutter base plate 22 by rotating the focus cam 28 in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG. Accordingly, the CCD frame 26 moves a predetermined amount in the optical axis direction.
[0021]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the optical axis direction position and the zoom position for each group of the optical system of the digital camera and the CCD according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 5, the first group (first group lens 10 of the photographing lens 1), the second group (second group lens 11 of the photographing lens 1), and the CCD (imaging device 23) are movable with respect to the camera body. Only the third group is fixed with respect to the camera body regardless of the zoom position.
[0022]
Considering the storage state of FIG. 1 as a reference, it is necessary to extend the first group and the second group to the front in order to achieve the short focus end (WIDE) state of FIG. In order to focus on a finite distance, it is necessary to extend the CCD to the rear side.
Next, in order to enter the long focal end (TELE) state, it is necessary to extend the first group to the front side, move the second group to the rear side, and move the CCD to the rear side.
[0023]
FIG. 12 is a view showing the required thickness of the main body of the conventional digital camera, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the lens barrel and the CCD retracted portion of the conventional digital camera, and FIG. 11 is the short focal end of the conventional digital camera. It is sectional drawing which shows the lens barrel and CCD retractable part of a state.
[0024]
With reference to FIG. 12, the required body thickness of a conventional digital camera when an optical system similar to that of one embodiment of the present invention is used will be described.
As shown in FIG. 12, the amount of movement of the first group of the photographic lens provided in the conventional digital camera is changed to the retractable structure of the lens barrel, and the retracted portion is included in the required thickness of the main body as shown in FIG. However, on the rear side, as shown in FIG. 11, the required thickness T of the main body is determined by the maximum amount of movement of the CCD and the amount at which the clearance at that time is secured.
[0025]
Next, FIG. 6 illustrates a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention when this optical system is used.
As shown in FIG. 6, the amount of movement of the first group does not include the retracted portion in the thickness of the main body as in the conventional case. However, it can be seen that the required thickness of the main body is reduced on the rear side by making the CCD into a retractable structure as described above.
[0026]
FIG. 7 is a front view showing an example of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention that includes the lens barrel 2 and the CCD retractable portion C described above.
As shown in FIG. 7, the digital camera includes a photographing lens 1 for photographing and a lens barrel 2 for holding the photographing lens 1 and moving it to a predetermined position. The digital camera further includes an objective lens 3 of an optical viewfinder for determining the composition and a strobe 4 used at low brightness.
[0027]
FIG. 8 is a rear view of the digital camera of FIG.
On the back side of the digital camera, there are a power switch 5 for starting and stopping the digital camera, a zoom button 6 for performing a zoom operation, an eyepiece lens 7 for the optical viewfinder, and messages such as composition determination, image reproduction display, and mode. A liquid crystal display 8 for display is provided. On the back side of the digital camera, a mode selection button 9 for switching each mode and an operation button B for performing an operation such as a mode that cannot be selected by the mode selection button 9 are provided.
On the back side of such a digital camera, a CCD collapsible portion C for collapsing the above-described image sensor 23 is provided.
[0028]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the digital camera. With the mode selection switch 51 linked to the mode selection button 9 and the operation selection switch 52 linked to the operation button B, the shooting mode, playback mode, erase mode, macro shooting mode, monochrome shooting mode, split playback mode, zoom The selected contents such as the reproduction mode, the batch erase mode, and the single frame erase mode are sent as signals to the control unit 54, and the respective modes are set.
[0029]
The case where the shooting mode is selected will be described. In the photographing mode, zoom operation is possible, and the zoom position selected by the zoom button 6 is sent to the control unit 54 as a zoom position signal from the zoom selection switch 53 linked to the zoom button 6. By sending a predetermined amount of signal from the control unit 54 to the motor driver 55 to move the lens to the selected zoom position, the focus driving focus motor 58 and zoom driving zoom motor 56 can be rotated. It becomes. The focus motor 58 and the zoom motor 56 are interlocked with the focus drive unit 59 and the zoom drive unit 57, respectively, and move the photographing lens of the photographing optical system 60 and the image pickup device 23, respectively, and set the selected zoom position.
[0030]
The light that has passed through the photographing optical system 60 is cut by the infrared cut filter and OLPF (optical low-pass filter) 61, and the high-frequency component that is the source of the false color and moire is cut to reach the image sensor 23. To do. The light that reaches the image sensor 23 is converted into an electric signal by the image sensor 23. The converted electric signal is sent to CDS, AGC, and A / D63. In CDS, low frequency noise is removed, and in AGC, only the video signal is amplified to a specified level, and then A / D converted by A / D and output as a digital signal. The output digital signal is sent to the image processing unit 64 to perform color information interpolation processing, white balance gain processing, contour enhancement processing, γ processing, conversion processing for separating the luminance signal and the two color difference signals, and the like. 69. In order to record on the recording medium 68, the signal data stored in the memory 69 is sent again to the image processing unit 64, subjected to compression processing, and then written to the recording medium 68. When displaying a through image for determining the composition, only a signal obtained by thinning out the signal from the image sensor 23 is output, and after the CDS, AGC, and A / D 63, the image processing unit 64 performs the same processing. Further, a thinning process is performed. Thereafter, the data is temporarily stored in the memory 69, and then sent to the image processing unit 64 to perform video conversion processing and output to the video amplifier 65. If a TV (TV monitor) 66 is connected, a through image can be output to the TV (TV monitor) 66. Similarly, in order to display on the LCD (liquid crystal monitor) 27, the video conversion processing in the image processing unit 64 is subjected to conversion processing for liquid crystal monitor display, and output and displayed on the LCD (liquid crystal monitor) 67.
[0031]
According to the digital camera of the above embodiment, in an imaging device such as a digital camera provided with an imaging device that converts light incident from the optical system into an electrical signal and processing means that processes the electrical signal, the front and back surfaces of the body at the time of shooting A part of the camera can be automatically extended to be in a photographing state without impairing the zooming and focusing functions, and a flat body shape can be obtained when the power is turned off or stored.
[0032]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the case of a digital camera has been described as an example of a thin imaging device, but the present invention can be applied to a portable information terminal or the like provided with an imaging device. In the above embodiment, the zoom lens as the variable focus optical system is used. However, a single focus optical system may be used instead of the variable focus optical system. Moreover, although the case where CCD was used as an image pick-up element was demonstrated in the said embodiment, you may use a CMOS sensor etc. instead of CCD. That is, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, a thin and flat body shape can be obtained when carrying the camera off or at the time of storage without impairing the zooming and focusing functions at the time of shooting. Can do.
[0034]
Furthermore, it is possible to realize a imaging device having a collapsed mechanism without imaging device be ensuring the strength and increasing the member such as a pin by using a helicoid screw.
[0035]
Still, it is possible to secure the strength by using a cylindrical cam and the pin, and to realize an imaging apparatus having a collapsed mechanism inexpensive image sensor.
[0036]
Still, by the imaging optical system in the variable focus, it is possible to obtain a multi-functional imaging device.
[0037]
Furthermore, by making the photographing optical system a single focal point, the optical system can be made smaller, and a thinner and flat body shape can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a lens barrel and a CCD retractable portion of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a stored state.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a lens barrel and a CCD collapsible portion of the digital camera, showing a state where the zoom position is at the long focal end.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a lens barrel and a CCD collapsible portion of the digital camera, showing a state where a zoom position is at a short focal end.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the CCD collapsible portion of the digital camera, showing a stored state.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between an optical axis direction position and a zoom position regarding each group of an optical system of a digital camera and a CCD according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a required main body thickness of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a front view of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a rear view of the digital camera.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the digital camera.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a lens barrel and a CCD retracted portion in a stored state of a conventional digital camera.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a lens barrel and a CCD retractable portion in a short focal end state of a conventional digital camera.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a necessary body thickness of a conventional digital camera.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Shooting lens 23 CCD (imaging device)
26a helicoid surface 28a helicoid surface 64 image processing unit C CCD collapsible unit

Claims (6)

In imaging device having an imaging device for converting an optical image into an electrical signal, and processing means for processing the electrical signal by an optical system provided with a collapsing mechanism,
A focusing operation is performed by moving the image sensor in the optical axis direction of the optical system, and
When the image sensor is arranged at a position that focuses at infinity, the image sensor is flat with respect to the apparatus body, and when it is arranged at a position that focuses at a finite distance, the image sensor element through a retractable mechanism is for supporting the imaging element so that the state of feeding the back side with respect to the apparatus main body, you characterized in that attaching the imaging device to said apparatus body imaging device. The collapsing mechanism, an imaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that arranged at a position focused at infinity a flat state the imaging device relative to the apparatus main body at the time of power-off. Imaging device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the collapsed mechanism is provided with a helicoid screw. Imaging device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the collapsed mechanism and a pin which is guided in the cylindrical cam and the cylindrical cam. Imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the optical system is a varifocal optical system. Imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the optical system is characterized in that it is a single-focal optical system.

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