JP3951213B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as a video camera or a digital still camera (electronic still camera), and in particular, an inclination angle and an inclination direction of an imaging surface of an imaging element disposed at a rear end of a lens barrel with respect to a lens optical axis. It is related with the imaging device comprised so that adjustment fixation was possible.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, imaging devices such as video cameras and digital still cameras (electronic still cameras) equipped with imaging devices such as CCDs (Charge Coupled Devices) have been widely used as imaging means for photoelectrically converting optical images. Hereinafter, the configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the related art will be described.
[0003]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main part centering on the lens barrel assembly 1 and the CCD 13 of a video camera according to the prior art filed by the present applicant and published on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-167057. It is. FIG. 3 shows an outline of the configuration of the lens barrel assembly 1 in an imaging apparatus such as a video camera, and the relative positional relationship between the lens barrel and the CCD 13.
Note that other components included in the video camera, such as signal processing means, signal recording / reproducing means, and a housing, are not shown.
[0004]
In FIG. 3, a lens barrel assembly 1 includes a lens barrel 2 that has a cylindrical shape and is formed of resin, and a plurality of fixed lens groups 6 and 8 that are fixedly disposed in the lens barrel 2. And a plurality of moving lens groups 7 and 9 arranged to be movable on the optical axis within a predetermined range.
A CCD 13 is disposed and fixed at the rear end (right side in the drawing) of the lens barrel assembly 1 via an optical low-pass filter assembly 11 and a rubber sheet 12.
For the other components shown in FIG. 3, refer to the above-mentioned publications as necessary.
[0005]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view and a rear view of the main part centering on the CCD (b3) in the image pickup apparatus of the prior art configuration having a configuration different in detail from the video camera shown in FIG.
In FIG. 4, the lens barrel b1 is the same as FIG. 3 described above in that it is a member in which a series of lens groups are arranged in the left part of the cross-sectional view (not shown).
The fixed plate b2 is a plate-like member fixed to the rear end (right side of the sectional view) of the lens barrel b1 using a fixing means (screw or the like) not shown.
[0006]
The imaging device (CCD) b3 has an imaging surface (not shown) inside, and has a function of photoelectrically converting an optical image formed on the imaging surface and outputting a generation signal.
The image pickup element b3 has a package back surface (facing the right side of the sectional view) bonded and fixed to the movable plate b10, and a surface on the lens barrel b1 side (facing the left side of the cross section) facing the lens barrel b1. It is in contact with a rubber sheet b11 having elasticity disposed through an optical LPF (optical low-pass filter assembly) b7.
[0007]
A projection b5 having a predetermined height is formed on the lens barrel b1 side of the fixed plate b3, and this projection b5 is formed on the movable plate b10 side in the assembled state shown in FIG. It is in contact with the inside of the recess b6.
[0008]
B8 is a fixed screw that is screw-fitted to the movable plate b10 and is movably fitted to the fixed plate b2 in the longitudinal direction thereof.
b9 is a vertical adjustment screw that makes the tip of the movable plate b10 abut on the right side of the posture shown in FIG. 4 of the movable plate b10 and “screws” into a through hole provided in the fixed plate b2, and b4 is also movable. This is a horizontal adjustment screw that has its tip abutted against the right side surface of the plate b10 shown in FIG. 4 and is "screwed" into a through-hole provided in the fixed plate b2.
[0009]
Further, b12 is disposed between the back surface of the fixing plate b2 (the surface facing right in the posture shown in FIG. 4) and the screw head of the fixing screw b8, and the screw head is separated from the fixing plate b2. It is a compression spring that urges to.
Due to the biasing action of the compression spring b12, the movable plate b10 integrated with the fixing screw b8 is biased toward the right in FIG. 4, but the vertical plate b9 and the horizontal screw b4 are pressed against the respective tips. It is blocked from moving further to the right.
[0010]
The image pickup apparatus shown in FIG. 4 can be assembled by adjusting the inclination angle and the inclination direction with respect to the optical axis of the lens group of the image pickup surface of the image pickup element b3 by having each configuration described above. It is configured as follows.
The reason for assembling the image pickup apparatus by executing the above adjustment (so-called “tilt adjustment”) is that each of the lens barrel assembly 1, the image pickup element b 3, and the peripheral members is simply dimensional variation and the like. There is a case where the best imaging surface on which the lens group forms an optical image and the imaging surface do not overlap in parallel only by arranging and fixing the parts at predetermined positions. In order to ensure the predetermined quality and performance by assembling the imaging device so that the imaging surface and the imaging surface overlap in parallel.
[0011]
The procedure of tilt adjustment in the above-described conventional configuration will be described below.
First, in the assembled state as shown in FIG. 4, the movable plate b10 to which the image sensor b3 is integrally fixed is (1) the contact point between the projection b5 and the recess b6, and (2) vertical adjustment. The position and inclination are determined by three points: the contact point between the tip of the screw b9 and the movable plate b10, and (3) the contact point between the tip of the horizontal screw b4 and the movable plate b10.
[0012]
Therefore, for example, by rotating the vertical adjustment screw b9 in a predetermined direction and moving the fitting position of the vertical adjustment screw b9 within the “screw” fitting hole provided in the fixing plate b2, the fixing plate b2 and When the adjustment is made so that the distance from the movable plate b10 is increased, the movable plate b10 and the imaging surface that moves integrally with the movable plate b10 rotate clockwise in the sectional view shown in FIG. 4 about the first rotary shaft b13 shown in the figure. To do. Further, when the vertical screw b9 is adjusted so as to reduce the interval, the movable plate b10 and the imaging surface are rotated counterclockwise.
[0013]
On the other hand, when the adjustment is performed by rotating the horizontal adjustment screw b4 in a predetermined direction to increase the distance between the fixed plate b2 and the movable plate b10, the movable plate b10 and the imaging surface moving integrally therewith are 4 rotates around the second rotation axis b14 shown in the drawing so that the right side in FIG. When the horizontal adjustment screw b4 is adjusted so as to reduce the interval, the movable plate b10 and the imaging surface are rotated so that the right side in FIG. 4 is directed upward in the drawing.
[0014]
That is, by adjusting using the vertical adjustment screw b9 and the horizontal adjustment screw b4 described above, the movable plate b10 is desired within a predetermined range around the first rotation axis b13 and the second rotation axis b14. It can be fixed after rotating at a rotation angle of.
Further, since the first rotating shaft b13 and the second rotating shaft b14 are configured to be orthogonal to each other, the imaging surface that is movable integrally with the movable plate b10 is in an arbitrary inclination direction with respect to the lens barrel b1. In addition, so-called tilt adjustment can be performed and fixed so as to have an arbitrary inclination angle within a predetermined range.
[0015]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the image pickup apparatus according to the related art having the tilt adjusting mechanism shown in FIG. 4 has a problem that has not been solved as described below.
The first problem is that the position at which the protrusion b5 or the like serving as the rotation axis in the tilt adjustment is to be disposed is limited to the vicinity of one end on the diagonal line of the imaging surface, and is thus located on the opposite side diagonally with respect to the protrusion b5. The position of the image pickup surface requires a large rotatable range for tilt adjustment, and a relatively large space needs to be secured around the image pickup element b3 (particularly in the front and back in the optical axis direction). It is difficult to reduce the size of the configuration and the imaging device.
[0016]
The second problem is that it is necessary to dispose the compression spring b12 between the head of the fixing screw b8 and the fixing plate b2. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the size of the configuration around the image sensor b3 in the optical axis direction. It is a point.
[0017]
The present invention has been made in view of the situation as described above, and in particular, an image pickup apparatus in which a series of lens groups for forming an optical image on an image pickup surface of an image pickup element are arranged inside a lens barrel. In this case, a fixing portion for fixing the image sensor is provided, the fixing portion is screwed to the rear end surface of the lens barrel using three screws, and the screwing amounts of the three screws are adjusted respectively. Thus, the imaging device is characterized in that the imaging surface can be adjusted and fixed at a desired inclination with respect to the optical axis of the lens group. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image pickup apparatus that can reduce the size of the image pickup apparatus itself.
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To solve the above problems, the present invention provides an image pickup apparatus having the structure below follow. That is,
And lenses, an imaging apparatus including a lens barrel having the lens therein, and an image pickup element disposed on the outside of the end surface of the lens barrel in the optical axis of the lens,
A fixed portion having three through holes, to which the image sensor is fixed;
Three male screws each having a head portion and a screw portion, the screw portion being inserted through each of the through holes;
Three female screw portions provided on one end surface portion of the lens barrel and screwed with the male screws,
A rubber that is disposed between the one end surface portion and the imaging device so as to surround the imaging surface of the imaging device and shields the periphery of the imaging surface and biases the lens barrel and the imaging device in a direction away from each other. A sheet, and
The one end surface portion and the imaging element are urged only by the rubber sheet , and the fixing portion abuts on the head portion of the male screw by the urging force of the rubber sheet , and the male screw is screwed into the female screw portion. Ru imaging apparatus der characterized by comprising configured, the slope of which varies with respect to the optical axis of the imaging surface in accordance with the amount.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an imaging apparatus which is a preferred example according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 1 is an assembly diagram of a main part centering on a CCD in an imaging apparatus which is a preferred example of an embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main part shown in FIG.
[0020]
The imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment described below has a configuration as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and includes lens groups for forming an optical image, actuator means and control means for these lens groups. By providing a processing means for the photoelectric conversion signal output from the CCD, a recording / reproducing means for recording and reproducing the signal on a medium, an operating means, a housing structure, etc., it has unprecedented features as will be described later. It is configured as a video camera, a digital camera (electronic still camera), or the like.
However, each configuration other than the characteristic configuration as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 conforms to the imaging device according to the conventional technical configuration, and the description thereof will be omitted below and the features of the present embodiment. Concentrate on specific composition.
[0021]
The main assembly diagram of the image pickup apparatus of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which each member shown in the figure is assembled to the rear end of the lens barrel A7.
That is, when assembling, first, the optical low-pass filter assembly A1 is inserted into the recess A8 provided at the rear end of the lens barrel A7, and the upper surface of the inserted optical low-pass filter assembly A1 (the upper surface in the assembly work posture, in the posture shown in FIG. Is disposed on the right surface).
Further, two compression springs are arranged in two holes provided in the lens barrel A7 so as to bias the CCD base A4 in a direction away from the lens barrel A7.
[0022]
Thereafter, a CCD base A4, to which an image pickup device (CCD) A3 is integrally bonded and fixed, is disposed on each of the above components, and after three screws A6 are passed through the through holes provided in the CCD base A4, the lens barrel A10 The CCD base A4, to which the image pickup device A3 is integrally fixed, is disposed and fixed to the lens barrel A7 by screwing into screw holes A10 provided on the rear end surface.
Since the three through holes for the screw A6 provided in the CCD base A4 are configured not to be “screw” fitted but through a predetermined gap, the screw A6 moves through the through hole in the through direction. It is free.
[0023]
The components assembled through the above procedure are arranged as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 2, and the relationship between the components and the functions of the components are as follows.
[0024]
First, the rubber sheet A2 has a function of shielding light around a predetermined imaging surface (not shown) provided on the incident surface side of the imaging device A3 (facing downward in the posture shown in FIG. 2).
Further, the rubber sheet A2 urges the optical low-pass filter assembly A1 to the lens barrel A7 by its elastic repulsive force and abuts the lens barrel A7, and fixes the image pickup device A3 by the reaction force generated by the abutment. It is pushed upward in the illustrated posture.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 1, the rubber sheet A2 has a shape in which the inside of the rectangular sheet is extracted in a square shape, and the rubber sheet A2 is excessively pressed against the image sensor A3 and the optical low-pass filter assembly A1. In order not to apply pressure, each contact area is configured to be as small as possible.
[0026]
Further, the CCD base A4, to which the image pickup device A3 is integrally fixed, is urged upward by the rubber sheet A2 and the two compression springs A5 as shown in FIG. 2, and as a result, the three screws A6. The heads A6-1 are in contact with the heads A6-1 in the direction away from the lens barrel A7.
[0027]
Accordingly, the direction of the tilt (tilt) and the magnitude of the tilt angle of the image pickup device A3 and the image pickup surface integrally fixed to the CCD base A4 with respect to the lens barrel A7 and the lens group optical axis are three. The head A6-1 of each of the screws A6 is determined by the distance from the lens barrel A7 or the screwing amount of the three screws A6 into the lens barrel A7.
In other words, any one of the three screws A6 or each of them is rotated in a predetermined direction to change the distance from the lens barrel A7 of each head A6-1, or the lens of the three screws A6. By changing the screwing amount with respect to the lens barrel A7, the inclination direction of the image pickup surface of the image pickup element A3 and the inclination angle within a predetermined range with respect to the optical axis of the lens group disposed inside the lens barrel A7 are increased. Since these can be changed and set collectively (also referred to as “inclination of the imaging surface relative to the optical axis of the lens group”), the tilt adjustment of the imaging surface of the imaging device A3 described above can be executed.
[0028]
Furthermore, in this embodiment, each screw A6 is arranged so that the three vectors starting from the center of the imaging surface and ending at the installation position of each screw A6 are mutually independent.
As a result, by appropriately adjusting the height of each of the three screw heads A6-1 (or the screwing amount of the three screws A6 with respect to the lens barrel A7), any direction with respect to the optical axis of the lens group. The imaging surface can be adjusted and fixed so as to have an arbitrary angle of inclination within a predetermined range. Therefore, the image pickup apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment can perform the tilt adjustment so that the image pickup surface has a desired inclination with respect to the optical axis of the lens group.
[0029]
That is, the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment described above is
(1) An imaging apparatus in which a lens group for generating an optical image on an imaging surface of an imaging element is disposed inside a lens barrel,
Support means for integrally fixing the image sensor to support the image sensor;
Coupling means configured to couple the lens barrel and the support means to each other at at least three positions, and to change a distance between the lens barrel and the support means at each coupling position; An image pickup configured to be capable of arbitrarily setting an inclination direction of the imaging surface with respect to the lens group and an inclination angle within a predetermined range of the imaging surface with respect to the lens group by changing an interval at each coupling position. apparatus. as well as,
(2) At each coupling position, an abutting portion provided on the coupling unit so that the support unit abuts in a direction away from the lens barrel and maintains the intervals.
The imaging apparatus according to (1), further comprising a biasing unit that biases the support unit in the separation direction so as to maintain a contact state between the support unit and the abutting portion.
[0030]
According to the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment described above, the imaging surface can be tilted at an arbitrary direction with respect to the optical axis of the lens group and at an arbitrary angle within a predetermined range with a simple configuration. In addition, quality can be improved.
In addition, unlike the configuration of the prior art described with reference to FIG. 4, the tilt adjustment is not performed by rotating around a rotation axis fixed at one corner on the diagonal of the imaging surface. The space to be secured can be made relatively small, and it becomes possible to promote the downsizing of the periphery of the image sensor and consequently the image pickup apparatus itself.
Similarly, since the compression spring does not protrude behind the image sensor as in the prior art configuration shown in FIG. 4, this also promotes downsizing of the periphery of the image sensor, and hence the image pickup apparatus itself. It becomes possible.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the rubber sheet A2 is used in addition to the compression spring A5 as means for urging the CCD base A4 in the direction away from the lens barrel A7, it is more reliably attached. This makes it possible to achieve a remarkable effect that the quality and performance can be improved as compared with the prior art. Alternatively, as another configuration modified from this embodiment, the CCD base A4 is urged away from the lens barrel A7 by using only the elastic repulsive force of the rubber sheet A2 without using the compression spring A5. You may comprise (not shown). According to such a configuration, the number of parts can be reduced, and the peripheral configuration and the imaging apparatus can be reduced in size. This modification is also a configuration encompassed by the present invention.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail , according to the present invention , it is possible to provide an imaging device that has a function of adjusting the tilt of the imaging surface, and that enables the configuration around the imaging device and thus the imaging device itself to be miniaturized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an assembly diagram of a main part centering on a CCD of an image pickup apparatus which is a preferred example of an embodiment according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main part shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an imaging apparatus according to a conventional technique.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are a cross-sectional view and a rear view of main parts of an imaging apparatus according to a conventional technique.
[Explanation of symbols]
A2 Rubber sheet (biasing means)
A3 CCD (imaging device)
A4 CCD base (fixed part)
A5 Compression spring (biasing means)
A6 Screw A7 Lens barrel

Claims (1)

An imaging apparatus comprising: a lens; a lens barrel having the lens therein; and an imaging element disposed outside one end surface of the lens barrel on the optical axis of the lens,
A fixed portion having three through holes, to which the image sensor is fixed;
Three male screws each having a head portion and a screw portion, the screw portion being inserted through each of the through holes;
Three female screw portions provided on one end surface portion of the lens barrel and screwed with the male screws,
A rubber that is disposed between the one end surface portion and the imaging device so as to surround the imaging surface of the imaging device and shields the periphery of the imaging surface and biases the lens barrel and the imaging device in a direction away from each other. provided with a sheet, the,
The one end surface portion and the imaging element are urged only by the rubber sheet , and the fixing portion abuts on the head portion of the male screw by the urging force of the rubber sheet , and the male screw is screwed into the female screw portion. An image pickup apparatus configured to change an inclination of the image pickup surface with respect to the optical axis according to a quantity.

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