JP4875555B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus including a mechanism that removes foreign matter adhering to a surface to be cleaned.

  If there is a foreign object such as dust near the focal plane of the camera's taking lens, there is a problem that the shadow of the foreign object is reflected on the solid-state image sensor. Such foreign matter is caused by dust entering from the outside when the lens is replaced, or by fine abrasion powder such as resin that is a structural member due to the operation of the shutter or mirror inside the camera. It is considered. When a foreign object enters between the cover glass for protecting the solid-state image sensor and an optical filter such as an infrared cut filter or an optical low-pass filter (hereinafter abbreviated as LPF) disposed in front of the cover glass. The camera must be disassembled to remove the foreign material. Therefore, it is effective to provide a sealed structure that prevents foreign matter from entering between the cover glass of the solid-state image sensor and the optical filter.

  However, when a foreign object adheres to the surface of the optical filter that does not face the solid-state image sensor, if the adhesion position is in the vicinity of the focal plane, the adhered foreign object is reflected in the solid-state image sensor. The problem remains.

  In order to solve such problems, a technique has been proposed in which the surface of the cover glass of the solid-state image sensor or the outermost surface of the dust-proof structure is cleaned with a wiper installed on the shutter (see Patent Document 1). In this proposal, it is possible to remove the foreign matter attached to the surface of the cover glass of the solid-state imaging device or the outermost surface of the dust-proof structure (for example, the optical filter surface) without removing the lens and without disassembling the camera.

In addition, a technique for cleaning the surface of the image sensor by rotating a wiper having a rotation axis outside the surface of the image sensor (see Patent Document 2). In this proposal, as in the case of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, foreign matters attached to the cover glass surface of the solid-state image sensor or the outermost surface (for example, the optical filter surface) of the dust-proof structure without removing the lens and disassembling the camera are removed. Can be removed.
JP 2003-5254 A JP 2003-18440 A

  However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the shutter speed becomes slow because a warper is installed in the shutter.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, an elastic plate material is used as a member of the wiper, so that there is a problem that the camera becomes thick. Further, the pressure acting on the surface of the image sensor cannot be controlled. For this reason, when the pressure acting on the surface of the image sensor is large, the foreign material to be removed on the surface of the image sensor is dragged while being pressed with a large pressure, and the surface of the image sensor is damaged. There is a problem.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an imaging apparatus provided with a foreign matter removing mechanism that can be cleaned without damaging the optical effective range of the surface to be cleaned without reducing the shutter speed and without increasing the size. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus of the present invention is an imaging apparatus including a foreign matter removing mechanism that removes foreign matter attached to a surface to be cleaned, and the foreign matter removing mechanism moves along the surface to be cleaned. A cleaning member disposed in a possible manner, a support member that guides and supports the cleaning member in a moving direction, a driving unit that applies a driving force to the cleaning member, and a cleaning member that is provided on the surface to be cleaned. A plurality of pressing portions that can be elastically pressed against each other, and the cleaning object that is provided at the pressing contact portion of the plurality of pressing portions and is orthogonal to the moving direction when viewed from the moving direction of the cleaning member And a plurality of foreign substance removal units arranged continuously in a direction along the surface.

  According to the present invention, cleaning can be performed without damaging the optically effective range of the surface to be cleaned without reducing the shutter speed and without increasing the size.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the periphery of an imaging unit of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining a foreign matter removing mechanism in the imaging apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the reason why the shape of the cleaning member of the foreign matter removing mechanism of FIG. 2 is adopted, and FIG. 4 is a region where the branches of the cleaning member of the foreign matter removing mechanism of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating.

  The imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an imaging unit 101, a focal plane shutter 102, and a foreign matter removing mechanism 1, as shown in FIG.

  The imaging unit 101 includes an LPF (optical member) 201 held by a holding member 202 and a solid-state imaging device 203 that is housed in a package member 204 and photoelectrically converts an image of a subject. The solid-state image sensor 203 accommodated in the package member 204 is protected by a protection member 205, and the package member 204 is held by a holding plate 209. The solid-state image sensor 203 is connected via a connection terminal 208 to a control circuit board 207 that controls the operation of the image pickup apparatus. A seal member 206 is interposed between the protective member 205 and the LPF 201, and the space between the two is sealed.

  The focal plane shutter 102 has a front curtain 211 composed of a plurality of shutter blades 211a, 211b, 211c, and 211d, and a rear curtain 212 composed of a plurality of shutter blades. The front curtain 211 is pressed by a presser plate 215, and an opening for imaging is provided at a substantially central portion of the presser plate 215. The rear curtain 212 is pressed by a presser plate 214, and an opening for imaging is provided at a substantially central portion of the presser plate 214. The driving space for the front curtain 211 and the driving space for the rear curtain 212 are partitioned by an intermediate plate 213.

  The foreign matter capturing unit 216 is provided with an adhesive portion 216a, and the foreign matter captured by the cleaning member 11 is transferred to the adhesive portion 216a.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the foreign matter removing mechanism 1 includes a cleaning member 11, a guide shaft (support member) 12 that guides and supports the cleaning member 11 along the movement direction, and a lead that applies a driving force to the cleaning member 11. A screw (driving means) 13 and a presser plate 19 are provided. The cleaning member 11 is cantilevered by the guide shaft.

  The cleaning member 11 includes a base 14 and a cleaning piece 15 whose base is attached to the base 14. The base 14 is screwed to the lead screw 13. When the lead screw 13 is rotationally driven by a motor (drive means) (not shown), the base 14 is guided along the guide shaft 12 arranged in parallel to the lead screw 13 and moves in the vertical direction in FIG. Accordingly, the cleaning piece 15 having the base attached to the base 14 can move along the surface (surface to be cleaned) of the LPF 201.

  The cleaning piece 15 is integrally formed of a metal plate or the like, and is disposed in parallel with the surface of the LPF 201 so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the cleaning piece 15. And a plurality of branch portions 17 arranged along the longitudinal direction (extending direction) of the trunk portion 16.

  The branch portion 17 has a trapezoidal member (17a, 17c, 17e, 17g, 17i in FIG. 2) and a trapezoidal member (17b, 17d, 17f, 17h in FIG. 2) having a thick tip. 16 are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction.

  Further, the branch portions 17a to 17i are inclined at the tip toward the LPF 201, and can be elastically pressed into contact with the surface of the LPF 201. The tips of the branch portions 17a to 17i serve as the pressure portion of the present invention. It is composed.

  And the fiber flocking member (foreign substance removal part) 18 is being fixed to the front-end | tip (pressing contact site | part) of branch part 17a-17i via the adhesive layer not shown, respectively. In such a fixed state, the fiber flocking member 18 at the tips of the branch portions 17a to 17i does not continuously generate a gap in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning piece 15 when viewed from the moving direction of the cleaning piece 15. Has been placed.

  The holding plate 19 is for restricting the distance between the trunk portion 16 and the LPF 201, and is fixed to the holding member 202. Note that reference numeral 20 in FIG. 2 denotes a mask member that holds the left and right ends of the LPF 201 in FIG. 2 and fixes them to the holding member 202.

  Next, the reason why the cleaning member 11 is shaped as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Since the cleaning member 11 moves between the imaging unit 101 and the focal plane shutter 102, the cleaning piece 15 is preferably a thin plate. Therefore, the fiber flocking member 18 is cut to about 0.2 mm in length and sieved. The height from the cleaning piece 15 to the tip of the fiber flocking member 18 varies by about ± 0.1 mm due to the accuracy of cutting and sieving and the fixing condition of the fiber flocking member 18 by an adhesive layer (not shown). For this reason, in order for all the fiber flocking members 18 at the tips of the branch portions 17a to 17i to come into contact with the surface of the LPF 201, the cleaning piece 15 needs to be in a state of applying pressure to the LPF 201.

  In order for the metal plate to apply pressure to the LPF 201, as shown in FIG. 3, the tip of the metal plate 22 provided obliquely toward the LPF 201 surface is pressed against the LPF 201 on the metal plate 21 parallel to the LPF 201. In order to apply pressure to substantially the entire left and right direction of the LPF 201 by this method, the width W in the left and right direction of the metal plate 21 must be approximately equal to the width in the left and right direction of the cleaning surface of the LPF 201.

  On the other hand, the length L of the metal plate 21 toward the LPF 201 cannot be increased in order to reduce the space for retracting the cleaning member 11 out of the optical path. Therefore, since the width W in the left-right direction of the metal plate 21 is longer than the length L toward the LPF 201, the spring force becomes larger than necessary. If the spring force is too large, there may be a problem that the foreign matter attached to the LPF 201 is pressed and scratched, which is not preferable.

  Therefore, instead of applying a pressure to the entire area of the LPF 201 in the left-right direction, a single plate is divided into a plurality of regions to apply pressure, and the fiber flocking member 18 contacts each region to remove foreign matter. Is good.

  For the above reason, the cleaning member 11 has the shape as described above. As shown in FIG. 2, the branch portions 17 a to 17 i have a lateral width shorter than the length toward the LPF 201, so that the spring force does not become too large.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a region in which the branch portions 17 a to 17 i apply pressure to the LPF 201. The branch portions 17a to 17i move while applying pressure to the corresponding region regions 23a to 23i. As shown in FIG. 4, the branch portions 17 a to 17 i can apply pressure to substantially the entire left and right direction of the LPF 201 (region X in FIG. 4) while partially overlapping.

  Here, V in FIG. 4 indicates the optical effective range of the LPF 201, and the region X includes the entire optical effective range V. As a result, the cleaning member 11 can press the fiber flocking member 18 in contact with the entire optical effective range V of the LPF 201, and can effectively remove foreign matters attached to the optical effective range V of the LPF 201. The foreign matter removed from the optically effective range V of the LPF 201 is moved from the fiber flocking member 18 and stays on the adhesive portion 216a of the foreign matter catching portion 216 provided on the pressing plate 215.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the foreign matter removing mechanism 1 is provided independently, the foreign matter attached to the surface of the LPF 201 can be removed without reducing the shutter speed.

  Further, since the pressure acting on the LPF 201 can be controlled by adjusting the angles, widths, lengths, plate thicknesses, etc. of the branch portions 17a to 17i of the cleaning piece 15, the cleaning is performed without damaging the optical effective range of the LPF 201. be able to.

  Further, since the pressure is applied to the LPF 201 due to the spring property of the branch portion 17, a thin metal plate or the like can be used for the cleaning piece 15. As a result, the cleaning piece 15 can move through a small gap between the LPF 201 and the focal plane shutter 102 to clean the surface of the LPF 201, and an increase in the size of the imaging apparatus can be avoided.

  Next, a modified example of the cleaning member in the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the cleaning member 24 includes a cleaning piece 25 whose base is attached to the base 14.

  The cleaning piece 25 is integrally formed of a metal plate or the like, and is disposed opposite to and parallel to the surface of the LPF 201 and extends in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the cleaning piece 25. And a plurality of branch portions 27 arranged along the longitudinal direction of the trunk portion 26.

  The branch portion 27 includes a branch portion 27a to 27h that is a rectangular member and branch portions 27i to 27q that are substantially T-shaped members that are wide at positions higher than the 27a to 27h. Alternatingly arranged in the direction.

  Further, the branch portions 27a to 27q are inclined at the tips toward the LPF 201 so as to be elastically press-contactable with the surface of the LPF 201, and the tips of the branch portions 27a to 27q serve as the press portions of the present invention. It is composed.

  And the fiber flocking member (foreign substance removal part) not shown is fixed to the front-end | tip of branch part 27a-27q via the adhesive layer not shown, respectively. In such a fixed state, the fiber flocking members at the tips of the branch portions 27a to 27q are arranged so as not to continuously generate a gap in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning piece 25 when viewed from the moving direction of the cleaning piece 25. Is done. Other configurations and operational effects are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Next, an imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining the cleaning member of the foreign matter removing mechanism in the image pickup apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 7 and 8 explain the reason why the shape of the cleaning member in FIG. 6 is adopted. It is a figure for doing. In addition, about the part which overlaps or corresponds to the said 1st Embodiment, a code | symbol is used and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the cleaning member 28 of this embodiment includes a cleaning piece 29 whose base is attached to the base 14.

  The cleaning piece 29 is integrally formed of a metal plate or the like, is opposed to the surface of the LPF 201, and is paired with a pair of long plate-like trunk portions 30 that extend in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the cleaning piece 29. , 31 and a pair of branch portions 32 arranged along the longitudinal direction of the trunk portion 31. The trunk portion 31 is arranged parallel to the surface of the LPF 201, and the trunk portion 30 is arranged such that a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction is curved in a convex shape toward the surface of the LPF 201, and the curved portion is elastic on the surface of the LPF 201. Can be pressed and contacted. The pair of branch portions 32 are provided on the trunk portion 31 so as to be located on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion of the trunk portion 30.

  The pair of branch portions 32 are inclined at the tips toward the LPF 201 and can be elastically pressed into contact with the surface of the LPF 201. Here, the tip of the pair of branch portions 32 and the curved portion of the trunk portion 30 constitute the pressing portion of the present invention.

  And the fiber flocking member (foreign substance removal part) 18 is being fixed to the front-end | tip of a pair of branch part 32, and the curved part of the trunk | drum 30, respectively via the adhesive layer not shown. In such a fixed state, the fiber flocking member 18 at the tip of the pair of branch portions 32 and the fiber flocking member 18 at the curved portion of the trunk 30 are viewed in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning piece 29 when viewed from the moving direction of the cleaning piece 29. It is arrange | positioned so that a clearance gap may not be produced continuously.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the reason why the cleaning member 28 is shaped as described above will be described.

  As described in the first embodiment, in order for all the fiber flocking members 18 to contact the LPF 201, the metal plate needs to be in a state where pressure is applied to the LPF 201.

  In order for the metal plate to apply pressure to the LPF 201, as shown in FIG. 7, a metal plate 33 that is convexly curved toward the LPF 201 is pressed against the surface of the LPF 201. When pressure is applied by this method, if the distance (h in FIG. 8) between the LPF 201 and the LPF 201 of the metal plate 33 facing the left end of FIG. 8 is longer than the height of the tip of the fiber flocking member 18, the metal plate The fiber flocking member 18 that has been flocked to 33 contacts only the center of the LPF 201.

  On the other hand, when the distance h is shortened so that the fiber flocking member 18 is brought into contact with both sides of the LPF 201, the metal plate 33 warps as shown by an arrow z in FIG. Therefore, it is difficult to clean the fiber flocking member 18 in contact with the entire surface of the LPF 201 using only the curved metal plate 33.

  For this reason, as in the first embodiment, substantially the entire area in the left-right direction of the LPF 201 is divided into a plurality of regions, pressure is applied, and the fiber flocking member 18 is brought into contact with each region to remove foreign matter. Preferably it is done.

  For the above reason, the cleaning member 28 has a shape as shown above.

  FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a region where the curved portion of the trunk 30 and the branch 32 of the cleaning member 28 of FIG. 6 are elastically pressed into contact with the LPF.

  When the trunk 30 faces the LPF 201, the distance between the LPF 201 and the surface of the trunk 30 facing the left end of the LPF 201 is longer than the height of the tip of the fibrous member 18. Therefore, the trunk portion 30 can apply pressure to the central portion (region C) of the LPF 201 in FIG.

  On the other hand, since the branch part 32 is provided opposite to the left and right ends of the LPF 201, pressure can be applied to the left and right ends (region D) of the LPF 201 in FIG.

  The portion to which pressure is applied by the trunk portion 30 and the region to which pressure is applied by the branch portion 32 are partially overlapped (shaded portion in FIG. 9). Therefore, by applying pressure to the center portion (region C) of the LPF 201 with the trunk portion 30 and to both left and right ends (region D) of the LPF 201 with the branch portion 32, pressure is applied to substantially the entire left and right direction of the LPF 201 (region X in FIG. 9). Can be added.

  Here, V in FIG. 9 indicates the optical effective range of the LPF 201, and the region X includes the entire optical effective range V. As a result, the cleaning member 28 can bring the fiber flocking member 18 into contact with the entire optical effective range V of the LPF 201, and can remove foreign matters attached to the optical effective range V of the LPF 201.

  Since the trunk portion 31 is embossed and has high rigidity, local lifting that occurs in the trunk portion 31 when the branch portion 32 is deformed can be reduced.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the foreign matter removing mechanism 1 is provided independently, the foreign matter attached to the surface of the LPF 201 can be removed without reducing the shutter speed.

  Further, since the pressure acting on the LPF 201 can be controlled by adjusting the curvature of the trunk 30 of the cleaning piece 29 and the angle, width, length, plate thickness, etc. of the branch 32, the optical effective range of the LPF 201 is damaged. Can be cleaned without

  Furthermore, since the pressure is applied to the LPF 201 due to the spring properties of the trunk portion 30 and the branch portion 32, a thin metal plate or the like can be used for the cleaning piece 29. As a result, the cleaning piece 29 can move through the small gap between the LPF 201 and the focal plane shutter 102 to clean the surface of the LPF 201, and upsizing of the imaging device can be avoided.

  Next, a modified example of the cleaning member in the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the cleaning member 34 includes a cleaning piece 35 whose base is attached to the base 14.

  The cleaning piece 35 is integrally formed of a metal plate or the like, and is opposed to the surface of the LPF 201 and is extended in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the cleaning piece 35. , 37 and a branch portion 38 arranged at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the trunk portion 37. The trunk portion 37 is arranged parallel to the surface of the LPF 201, and the trunk portion 36 is arranged such that a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction is curved so as to protrude toward the surface of the LPF 201, and the curved portion is elastic on the surface of the LPF 201. Can be pressed and contacted.

  Further, the branch portion 38 has a tip inclined toward the LPF 201 so that it can be elastically pressed into contact with the surface of the LPF 201. Here, the front ends of the branch portions 38 and the longitudinal sides of the curved portion of the trunk portion 36 constitute the pressing portion of the present invention.

  And the fiber flocking member (foreign substance removal part) 18 is being fixed to the front-end | tip of the branch part 38 and the longitudinal direction both sides of the curved part of the trunk | bridging part 36 via the adhesive layer not shown, respectively. In this fixed state, the fiber flocking member 18 at the tip of the branch portion 38 and the fiber flocking member 18 at the curved portion of the trunk portion 36 are continuous in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning piece 35 when viewed from the moving direction of the cleaning piece 35. And it arrange | positions so that a clearance gap may not be produced.

  Here, when the cleaning member 34 faces the LPF 201, the distance between the LPF 201 and the surface of the trunk portion 36 facing the left end of the LPF 201 is shorter than the height of the tip of the fiber flocking member 18. Accordingly, pressure can be applied to the left and right ends of the LPF 201 in FIG. 10 by the trunk portion 36 (region D in FIG. 9).

  On the other hand, since the branch part 38 is provided facing the center part of the LPF 201, pressure can be applied to the center part of the LPF 201 (region C in FIG. 9).

  And the area | region to which a pressure is applied by the trunk part 36 and the area | region to which a pressure is applied by the branch part 38 are in the state partially overlapped (shaded part of FIG. 9). Therefore, pressure can be applied to the region X shown in FIG. 9 of the LPF 201 by applying pressure to the left and right ends of the LPF 201 with the trunk portion 36 and to the center portion of the LPF 201 with the branch portion 38.

  As a result, the cleaning member 34 can bring the fiber flocking member 18 into contact with the optically effective range V of the LPF 201, and can remove foreign matters attached to the optically effective range V of the LPF 201.

  Since the trunk portion 37 is provided with an L-shaped bent portion 37a by bending or the like and has high rigidity, local lifting generated in the trunk portion 37 due to deformation of the branch portion 38 can be reduced. . Other configurations and operational effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  Next, another modification of the cleaning member in the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the cleaning member 39 includes a cleaning piece 40 whose base is attached to the base 14.

  The cleaning piece 40 is integrally formed of a metal plate or the like, is disposed opposite to the surface of the LPF 201, and extends in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the cleaning piece 40. And a branch portion 42 provided at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the trunk portion 41. The trunk portion 41 has a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction arranged parallel to the surface of the LPF 201, and curved portions on both sides in the longitudinal direction can be elastically pressed into contact with the surface of the LPF 201.

  Further, the branch part 42 has a tip inclined toward the LPF 201 and can be elastically pressed into contact with the surface of the LPF 201. Here, the front ends of the branch portions 42 and both longitudinal sides of the curved portion of the trunk portion 41 constitute the pressing portion of the present invention.

  And the fiber flocking member (foreign substance removal part) 18 is being fixed to the front-end | tip of the branch part 42, and the longitudinal direction both sides of the curved part of the trunk | drum 41 via the adhesive layer not shown, respectively. In such a fixed state, the fiber flocking member 18 at the tip of the branch portion 42 and the fiber flocking member 18 at the curved portion of the trunk portion 41 are continuous in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning piece 40 when viewed from the moving direction of the cleaning piece 40. And it arrange | positions so that a clearance gap may not be produced.

  Here, when the cleaning member 39 faces the LPF 201, the distance between the LPF 201 and the surface of the trunk portion 41 facing the left end of the LPF 201 is shorter than the height of the tip of the fiber flocking member 18. Accordingly, pressure can be applied to the left and right ends of the LPF 201 in FIG. 9 by the trunk portion 41 (region D in FIG. 9).

  On the other hand, since the branch part 42 is provided facing the center part of the LPF 201, pressure can be applied to the center part of the LPF 201 (region C in FIG. 9).

  The region to which pressure is applied by the trunk portion 41 and the region to which pressure is applied by the branch portion 42 are in a partially overlapping state (shaded portion in FIG. 9). Therefore, pressure can be applied to the region X shown in FIG. 9 of the LPF 201 by applying pressure to the left and right ends of the LPF 201 with the trunk portion 41 and to the central portion of the LPF 201 with the branch portion 42.

  As a result, the cleaning member 39 can bring the fiber flocking member 18 into contact with the entire optical effective range V of the LPF 201, and can effectively remove foreign matters attached to the optical effective range V of the LPF 201. Other configurations and operational effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  Next, the reason why the shape of the cleaning member of FIG. 11 is employed will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

  A cleaning mechanism 43 shown in FIG. 12 includes a cleaning piece 44 attached to the base 14. The cleaning piece 44 has a central portion that curves toward the LPF 201, and faces that face the left and right ends of the LPF 201 are a trunk portion 45 that is parallel to the LPF 201, and a branch that is obliquely provided from the parallel portion of the trunk portion 45 toward the LPF 201. Part 46.

  FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the trunk 45 when facing the LPF 201. When the cleaning mechanism 43 as shown in FIG. 12 is used, the curved portion of the trunk 45 is pushed upward by the LPF 201 (arrow U in FIG. 13) as shown in FIG. The one closer to the curved part is pushed up. Accordingly, since the connecting portion of the branch portion 46 to the trunk portion 45 is also inclined with respect to the LPF 201, the branch portion 46 can apply pressure to the LPF 201 only at a part of the tip. It becomes difficult to clean. For the above reason, the shape of the cleaning member shown in FIG. 11 was adopted.

  Next, an image pickup apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 is a perspective view for explaining the cleaning member of the foreign matter removing mechanism in the image pickup apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a view in which the branch portion of the cleaning member in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the area | region to perform. In addition, about the part which overlaps or corresponds to the said 1st Embodiment, a code | symbol is used and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the cleaning member 47 includes a cleaning piece 48 whose base is attached to the base 14.

  The cleaning piece 48 is disposed in parallel with the surface of the LPF 201 and extends in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the cleaning piece 48, and a width direction of the stem 49 ( And branch portions 50a to 50d provided on both sides in the short direction. The trunk portion 49 and the branch portions 50a to 50d are integrally formed of a metal plate or the like. Of the branches 50a to 50d, the branches 50a and 50c are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the trunk 49 on one side in the width direction of the trunk 49 (the lower side in FIG. 14). Are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the trunk 49 on the other side in the width direction (upper side in FIG. 14). Further, the branch portions 50a and 50c are arranged with their positions shifted in the longitudinal direction of the trunk portion 49 with respect to the branch portions 50b and 50d.

  Further, the branch portions 50a to 50d are inclined toward the LPF 201, and can be elastically pressed into contact with the surface of the LPF 201, and the branch portions 50a to 50d constitute the pressing portion of the present invention. .

  And the fiber flocking member (foreign substance removal part) 18 is being fixed to the opposing surface of LPF201 of the branch parts 50a-50d via the adhesive layer not shown, respectively. In such a fixed state, the fiber flocking member 18 fixed to the branch portions 50a to 50d does not continuously generate a gap in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning piece 48 when viewed from the moving direction of the cleaning piece 48. Is arranged.

  Here, the region where the branch portion 50a applies pressure to the LPF 201 is E1 in FIG. 15, the region where the branch portion 50b applies pressure is E2 in FIG. 15, and the region where the branch portion 50c applies pressure is E3 in FIG. The region where the branch 50d applies pressure is E4 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the branch portions 50 a to 50 d do not have a gap in the left-right direction of the LPF 201, have an overlapping area shown by a hatched portion in FIG. 15, and are provided so as to apply pressure to the region Y in FIG. It has been.

  V in FIG. 15 indicates the optical effective range of the LPF 201, and the region Y includes the entire optical effective range V. Since all the branch parts 50a-50d which contact LPF201 are substantially the same shape, a spring force will also become substantially equivalent. Accordingly, substantially the same pressure can be applied to all of the region Y of the LPF 201.

  As a result, the cleaning member 48 can bring the fiber flocking member 18 into contact with the entire optical effective range V of the LPF 201, and can effectively remove foreign matters attached to the optical effective range V of the LPF 201.

  The trunk portion 49 is embossed. Even if the branch portions 50a to 50d exert a force on the trunk portion 49 in a direction away from the LPF 201 by the reaction force of the branch portions 50a to 50d pushing the LPF 201, the trunk portion 49 is This prevents the parallel relationship with the LPF 201 from being deformed. Thereby, it is avoided that the branch parts 50a-50d cannot apply pressure equally to the LPF 201 right and left.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the foreign matter removing mechanism 1 is provided independently, the foreign matter attached to the surface of the LPF 201 can be removed without reducing the shutter speed.

  Further, since the pressure acting on the LPF 201 can be controlled by adjusting the angles, widths, lengths, plate thicknesses, and the like of the branch portions 50a to 50d of the cleaning piece 48, cleaning is performed without damaging the optical effective range of the LPF 201. be able to.

  Further, since the pressure is applied to the LPF 201 by the spring property of the branch portions 50a to 50d, a thin metal plate or the like can be used for the cleaning piece 48. As a result, the cleaning piece 48 can move through the small gap between the LPF 201 and the focal plane shutter 102 to clean the surface of the LPF 201, and upsizing of the imaging apparatus can be avoided.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to what was illustrated to the said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, it can change suitably.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the method for removing foreign matters attached to the surface of the LPF has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the imaging unit 103 is disposed immediately after the focal plane shutter 102.

  FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the outline of the imaging unit 103, the focal plane shutter 102, and the foreign matter removal mechanism 1. Similar to the first embodiment, the imaging unit 101 includes a solid-state imaging device 203, a package member 204, a substrate 207, a holding plate 209, and the like, and the solid-state imaging device 203 is a protective member 217 such as a cover glass. Is protected by. The surface of the protection member 217 may be used as a surface to be cleaned, and the surface to be cleaned may be cleaned by the foreign matter removing mechanism in each of the above embodiments. The protection member 217 can be replaced with various filters such as LPF.

It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the imaging part periphery of the imaging device which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the foreign material removal mechanism in the imaging device which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a perspective view for demonstrating the reason for having employ | adopted the shape of the cleaning member of the foreign material removal mechanism of FIG. 2, (b) is the figure seen from the arrow B direction of (a). It is a figure for demonstrating the area | region where the branch part of the cleaning member of the foreign material removal mechanism of FIG. 2 press-contacts LPF elastically. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the modification of the cleaning member of the foreign material removal mechanism in the imaging device which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the cleaning member of the foreign material removal mechanism in the imaging device which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. (A) is the perspective view for demonstrating the reason which employ | adopted the shape of the cleaning member of FIG. 6, (b) is the figure seen from the arrow A direction of (a). It is a figure for demonstrating the reason which employ | adopted the shape of the cleaning member of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the area | region where the curved part and branch part of the trunk part of the cleaning member of FIG. 6 elastically press-contact with LPF. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the modification of the cleaning member in the imaging device which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the other modification of the cleaning member in the imaging device which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the reason which employ | adopted the shape of the cleaning member of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the reason which employ | adopted the shape of the cleaning member of FIG. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the cleaning member of the foreign material removal mechanism in the imaging device which is the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the area | region where the branch part of the cleaning member of FIG. 14 elastically press-contacts LPF. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the imaging part periphery of the imaging device which is the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Foreign substance removal mechanism 11 Cleaning member 12 Guide shaft (support member)
13 Lead screw (drive means)
14 Base 16 Trunk parts 17a-17i Branch part 18 Fiber flocking member (foreign substance removal part)
19 Presser plate 201 LPF (optical member: surface to be cleaned)
203 Solid-state image sensor 217 Protective member (surface to be cleaned)

Claims (6)

An imaging apparatus including a foreign matter removing mechanism for removing foreign matter attached to a surface to be cleaned,
The foreign matter removing mechanism includes a cleaning member that is movably disposed along the surface to be cleaned, a support member that guides and supports the cleaning member along a moving direction, and a driving unit that applies a driving force to the cleaning member. And a plurality of pressing portions that are provided on the cleaning member and elastically press-contact with the surface to be cleaned, and are provided at the pressing contact portions of the plurality of pressing portions, from the moving direction of the cleaning member An imaging apparatus comprising: a plurality of foreign matter removing units that are continuously arranged in a direction along the surface to be cleaned perpendicular to the moving direction when viewed.   The cleaning member is supported by the support member, and a plurality of trunks extending in a direction along the surface to be cleaned orthogonal to the moving direction, and a plurality of the cleaning members are arranged along the extending direction of the trunk. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising: a branch portion, wherein the pressing portion is disposed on each of the plurality of branch portions.   The cleaning member is supported by the support member and extends in a direction along the surface to be cleaned perpendicular to the moving direction, and is supported by the support member and the first trunk portion. A second trunk portion that is substantially parallel and spaced apart in the movement direction, and a plurality of branch portions that are arranged on the second trunk portion along the extending direction of the second trunk portion. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: the pressing portion disposed on each of the first trunk portion and the branch portion.   The cleaning member includes a trunk portion supported by the support member and extending in a direction along the surface to be cleaned perpendicular to the moving direction, and a branch portion provided on the trunk portion, and the trunk portion and The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing portions are arranged on the branch portions.   The surface to be cleaned is a protective member that protects an image sensor that photoelectrically converts an image of a subject, or a surface of an optical member that is disposed on the subject side of the image sensor. 5. The imaging device according to any one of 4.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member is cantilevered by the support member.

Images