KR20070110275A - Imaging device and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An imaging device (100) in which, in imaging an object, the drive of a drive motor (7) is controlled to move a lens section (4) in the optical axis direction, thereby autofucusing is performed where the focus of the lens section (4) is automatically adjusted. A cam member (6) has formed on it a cam surface with which a contact section (53a) of an outer tube section (5) comes into contact, and the cam surface has an AF range and a horizontal standard range, the AF range having a slope for causing the lens section (4) to be displaced in the optical axis direction by the autofucusing, the horizontal standard range being the range in which imaging can be performed with focus fixed.

Description

Imaging device and electronic device {IMAGING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an imaging device that can be mounted on an electronic device such as a cellular phone or a mobile computer, and an electronic device incorporating the imaging device.

Background Art Conventionally, a compact and high performance imaging device that can be mounted on an electronic device such as a mobile phone is known. As the imaging device, an imaging lens for forming an optical image of a subject and an optical image formed by the imaging lens are used as an electrical signal. There exist some imaging elements, such as a CMOS type image sensor to convert.

Moreover, as an imaging device, it is also known that the focusing adjustment can be performed by moving the imaging lens in the optical axis direction (see Patent Document 1, for example). In recent years, by automatically moving the imaging lens under the control of the CPU, It has also been developed to have an autofocus (AF) processing function that automatically performs focus adjustment.

In such an imaging device, for example, a cam member is provided which supports an imaging lens from below and has a cam surface having a horizontal surface portion and an inclined surface portion (AF area) continuous to the horizontal surface portion, and the cam member is provided in a predetermined direction. In some cases, the imaging lens is configured to be movable in the optical axis direction by driving with a. More specifically, the cam member can be driven to bring the predetermined contact portion of the imaging lens into contact with the upper side of the inclined surface portion of the cam member so that the focus can be further adjusted from the closer region side, and the contact portion of the imaging lens further below the inclined surface portion. By contacting, the focus can be further adjusted from the infinite circle area side.

Patent Document: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-170809

By the way, for example, it is generally performed to display a preview image on a display screen in a power-on state or a normal imaging state. In this case, in an imaging device having an AF processing function, driving of the cam member is based on driving. The imaging lens is positioned at a predetermined focusing position such as a hyperfocal position between the proximity region side and the infinity region side.

In such a case, it is necessary to store in the memory the hyperfocal position of the imaging lens between the proximity region side and the infinity region side, which are fluctuated by individual variation or the like of the imaging apparatus. In addition, when the imaging lens is properly moved to the proximal region or the infinity area based on the hyperfocal position, a predetermined calculation is performed based on the hyperfocal position, or the proximal or infinity area from the hyperfocal position. It is necessary to store the number of pulse signals of the stepping motor up to the memory.

In this way, since control relating to the AF processing cannot be easily performed, power consumption increases, and it is necessary to include a memory for storing a predetermined position and the number of pulse signals serving as a reference for the hyperfocal position and the like, thereby increasing the size of the apparatus. And cost increase.

Then, the subject of this invention is providing the imaging device and electronic apparatus which can aim at reduction of power consumption and cost.

In order to solve the said subject, in one aspect of this invention,

An imaging lens for forming an optical image of a subject, an imaging element for converting an optical image formed by the imaging lens into an electrical signal, a holding member for holding the imaging lens, and a support for holding the holding member A member, a cam portion provided on one of the holding member and the supporting member and displacing the imaging lens in the optical axis direction with respect to the imaging element, and a drive for rotating one of the holding member and the supporting member. Means; and autofocus processing means for controlling the driving of the driving means at the time of imaging of the subject to perform autofocus processing for automatically adjusting the focusing position of the imaging lens by moving the imaging lens in the optical axis direction. In the apparatus,

The cam portion,

The holding member and the cam surface which the contact part formed in the other part of the said support member in which the cam part is not provided are in contact, The said cam surface image | photographs the said imaging lens by the said autofocus process by the said autofocus processing means. An AF area for displacing in the optical axis direction with respect to the device, and a horizontal reference area that can be imaged with a fixed focus.

According to the above aspect of the present invention, an imaging apparatus comprising autofocus processing means for performing autofocus processing for automatically adjusting a focusing position of an imaging lens at the time of imaging an object, wherein the imaging lens is positioned in the optical axis direction with respect to the imaging element. The cam surface of the cam portion to be displaced is provided with an AF area for displacing the imaging lens in the optical axis direction with respect to the imaging element in the autofocus process, and a horizontal reference area capable of imaging with fixed focus.

That is, when imaging a subject with a fixed focus, by making a contact part contact the reference area of the cam surface of a cam part, the position of the optical-axis direction with respect to the imaging element of an imaging lens can be fixed. Thereby, for example, in imaging of a subject by fixed focus, the imaging lens is positioned relative to the positioning of the imaging lens in a position where the imaging lens is positioned and imaged at a predetermined position between the near area side and the remote area side of the AF area. The control can be simplified and the power consumption can be reduced.

Further, the imaging lens can be positioned so that the imaging lens is properly focused at the remote position and the proximate position at the time of the autofocus process, based on the reference region provided on the cam surface. Therefore, the optical image formed by the imaging lens at the time of autofocusing is properly focused on the imaging element, so that the imaging lens can be displaced in the optical axis direction while contacting the contact portion with the AF area of the cam surface. Thereby, since the imaging lens is moved to a predetermined position in the optical axis direction, there is no need to provide a memory for storing the number of pulse signals of the drive motor from the predetermined position of the AF area or the predetermined position of the inclined surface portion to the proximal region or the remote region. .

In this manner, the power consumed during imaging of the subject by the imaging lens can be reduced, and the predetermined position or predetermined driving means serving as a reference such as the hyperfocal position of the imaging lens when the imaging lens is moved in the optical axis direction. It is not necessary to include a memory for storing the number of pulse signals, and the size of the imaging device can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

1 is a plan view illustrating an image pickup device to be exemplified as one embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a partially omitted cross-sectional view of the imaging device taken along line A-A in FIG.

3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of main parts of the imaging device of FIG.

4 is a perspective view showing a cam member provided in the imaging device of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the cam surface of the cam member of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a partially omitted cross-sectional view of the imaging device taken along line A-A in FIG.

7 is a front view and a rear view showing an example of a mobile phone equipped with an imaging device according to the present invention.

[Description of the code]

100: imaging device

3: imaging device

41: First lens (imaging lens)

42: second lens (imaging lens)

43: third lens (imaging lens)

44: lens fixing frame portion

44a: Male thread part (focusing state adjustment mechanism)

5: outer cylinder portion (holding member)

51a: female thread part (focusing state adjustment mechanism)

53a: contact portion

6: cam member

61: upper cam portion (cam portion)

611: cam surface

61a: reference area (reference position)

61b: Business area

61e: AF area (inclined surface part)

62: lower disc part (base)

7: drive motor (drive means)

10a: CPU (autofocus processing means)

T: Mobile Phone (Electronic Device)

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, specific aspect is demonstrated using drawing for this invention. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the example of illustration.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an imaging device 100 exemplified as one embodiment to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a partially omitted cross-sectional view of the imaging device 100 along line A-A in FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of main parts of the control system of the imaging apparatus 100.

In addition, in FIG. 1, illustration of the upper lid part 1a of the apparatus case 1 is abbreviate | omitted.

The imaging apparatus 100 of this embodiment is comprised so that execution of the autofocus process which automatically adjusts the focusing position of the lens part 4 is possible, Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1), a substrate 2 disposed below the device case 1, an imaging element 3 provided on the light source side (upper side) surface of the substrate 2, and a lens for condensing the imaging element 3 Supporting the portion 4, the outer cylinder portion (holding member) 5 holding the lens portion 4, and the outer cylinder portion 5 to support the outer cylinder portion 5 in the optical axis direction with respect to the imaging element 3. The cam member 6 to be displaced, the drive motor (drive means) 7 for moving the lens portion 4 in the optical axis direction through the cam member 6, and the driving force of the drive motor 7 to the cam member ( A driving force transmitting member 8 for transmitting to 6), a photointerrupter 9 for detecting the position in the optical axis direction of the lens unit 4, and a control unit 10. .

The board | substrate 2 consists of a ceramic board etc., for example, and the apparatus case 1 is provided in contact with the lower end part to the light source side surface.

In addition, the flexible board F is connected to the board | substrate 2 in part as shown in FIG. The flexible board F is electrically connected with the imaging element 3 via predetermined wiring (not shown).

The imaging device 3 converts the optical image of the subject formed by the lens unit 4 at a predetermined position (for example, the left side in FIG. 2) of the substrate 2 to the light source side into an electrical signal. The photoelectric conversion section 3a is provided to be arranged. In addition, the imaging element 3 consists of a CMOS image sensor, a CCD image sensor, etc., for example, and the external shape is formed in substantially rectangular thin-plate shape.

Moreover, the cover member 31 is arrange | positioned at the light source side of the imaging element 3, for example, having a function as a filter which cuts infrared rays etc., and can prevent dust etc. from adhering to the said imaging element 3, have. On the light source side of the cover member 31, a lens portion 4 for forming an optical image of the subject on the photoelectric conversion portion 3a of the imaging element 3 is disposed.

The lens unit 4 includes a first lens 41, a second lens 42, and a third lens 43 (imaging lens), which are sequentially arranged from the light source side, and the first lens 41 and the second lens. The lens 42 and the third lens 43 are fixed to an inner circumferential portion of the lens fixing frame portion 44 whose outer shape is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape.

In addition, between the first lens 41 and the second lens 42, for example, an aperture plate 45 for adjusting the amount of light is disposed, and further, between the second lens 42 and the third lens 43. An interval regulating member 46 for regulating the gap between the second lens 42 and the third lens 43 is disposed.

In addition, the lens portion 4 is such that the male screw portion 44a formed on the outer circumferential portion of the lens fixing frame portion 44 is screwed to the female screw portion 51a formed on the inner circumferential portion of the outer cylinder portion 5 so that the lens portion 4 It is arranged inside.

Here, the lens unit 4 can be moved in the optical axis direction by rotating the lens unit 4 around the axis of the optical axis direction with respect to the outer cylinder part 5, whereby the focusing state of the lens unit 4 is changed. A focusing state adjusting mechanism for adjusting is configured. More specifically, in the state where the contact portion 53a of the outer cylinder portion 5 contacts the reference region of the cam member 6 and is positioned in the optical axis direction, the focusing state of the lens portion 4 is evaluated using a predetermined chart. According to the evaluation situation, the focusing state of the lens unit 4 is adjusted by screwing the lens unit 4 in the optical axis direction. In this manner, the focusing state adjustment mechanism can easily and appropriately adjust the focusing state of the lens unit 4 at the reference imaging position.

The outer cylinder part 5 is a member formed in the shape of a substantially cylindrical shape, for example, and is continuously formed in the upper annular part 51 in which the female screw part 51a was formed in the inner peripheral part, and this upper annular part 51, It is formed continuously on the to-be-pressed part 52 pressed against the board | substrate 2 side by the press member 11, such as a spring, and it is formed in the lower end at the cam surface 611 of the cam member 6 at the lower part. The lower annular part 53 in which the contact part 53a to contact is formed is provided.

The contact portions 53a are formed to protrude three from the lower surface of the lower annular portion 53 toward the imaging device 3 at intervals of approximately 120 °. Moreover, the protruding length of the contact part 53a is substantially equal to the height difference of the upper surface of the cam surface 611 of the cam member 6, or is longer than the height difference.

In addition, the upper end of the pressing member 11 is in contact with, for example, the lower surface of the upper lid portion 1a of the apparatus case 1, whereby the outer cylinder portion 5 is pushed by the pressing member 11 to the substrate 2. It is always pressed to the side.

Moreover, the detection blade member 54 for detecting the position of the lens part 4 in the optical-axis direction by the photointerrupter 9 is arrange | positioned at the predetermined position of the outer cylinder part 5.

Next, the cam member 6 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. 4 is a perspective view showing the cam member 6, and FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the cam surface 611 of the cam member 6. As shown in FIG.

As shown in Fig. 4, the cam member 6 is, for example, a member formed in a substantially annular shape. Specifically, a cam surface 611 that contacts the contact portion 53a to the upper end portion and supports the outer cylinder portion 5 from the lower side. An upper cam portion (cam portion) 61 having an upper portion, and a lower portion that is a support member that protrudes outward from the lower side of the upper cam portion 61 and has a gear formed on the outer circumference thereof and supports the outer cylinder portion 5 through the upper cam portion 61; The disk part (base) 62 is comprised.

As shown in Fig. 5, the cam surface 611 of the upper cam portion 61 has a reference area 61a having a horizontal plane extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis direction, and slightly lower in height than the reference area 61a. The stepless area 61b which has a horizontal plane, the small step area 61c which connects the reference area 61a and the limitless area 61b continuously, and is higher than the reference area 61a. Is an adjacent area 61d having a high horizontal plane, an AF area 61e having a wide inclined plane that continuously connects the non-circular area 61b and the adjacent area 61d, and an adjacent area 61d and a reference area ( A large stepped area 61f that continuously connects 61a) is formed at an interval of about 120 °. Thereby, the three contact parts 53a of the outer cylinder part 5 contact the cam surface 611 of the cam member 6, and the cam member 6 supports the outer cylinder part 5 at three points. Here, the horizontal plane means a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens.

Then, the cam member 6 rotates around the axis in the optical axis direction, thereby allowing the cam surface 611 to move while sliding the contact portion 53a of the outer cylinder portion 5 along the cam surface 611 of the upper cam portion 61. As a result, the lens portion 4 is displaced along the outer cylinder portion 5 in the optical axis direction.

The height difference of the large step area 61f is such that, for example, at least the level of the pulse signal output from the photointerrupter 9 can be switched by the detecting blade member 54. That is, for example, when the cam member 6 rotates so that the cam surface 611 moves to the left direction in FIG. 5, the step portion 61f having the large contact portion 53a moves from top to bottom. At this time, the pulse signal output from the photointerrupter 9 is switched from the low level (L level) to the high level (H level) based on the relative difference between the detection vane member 54 and the photointerrupter 9. It is supposed to be.

The reference area 61a is an area for fixing the position of the lens unit 4 in the optical axis direction when the power is turned on or when the image is captured at a fixed focus in a normal image pickup state. Positioning is performed in the optical axis direction so as to focus at an upper focus including light and the like. This makes it possible to easily and appropriately adjust the focusing state of the lens unit 4 without requiring a collimator or the like, for example, so that the imaging of the subject in the fixed focus can be performed more appropriately. do.

In addition, an upper focal point is a thing of the predetermined position set as the best focus within the range of 30 cm-3 m with a high imaging frequency at least.

In addition, the reference region 61a positions the lens portion 4 in the optical axis direction with respect to the image pickup element 3 so as to focus the lens portion 4 at an indefinite and close position in the autofocus process. It is set as the reference position, and horizontal and infinite circle area 61b and the proximity area 61d are arrange | positioned before and after AF area 61e. That is, the adjustment of the focusing state of the lens unit 4 is performed such that the optical image is imaged on the photoelectric conversion unit 3a of the imaging device 3 while the contact portion 53a of the outer cylinder portion 5 is in contact with the reference area 61a. By doing so, even if the lens portion 4 is moved to an infinitely far and near position during the autofocusing process, the optical image of the lens portion 4 is formed in the photoelectric conversion portion 3a of the imaging device 3.

The AF area 61e is an area for displacing the lens portion 4 in the optical axis direction under the autofocus process (described later) under the control of the CPU 10a (described later). It is the remote area side, and the upper side is the proximity area 61d side. That is, the contact part 53a slides along the said AF area 61e, and the distance of the optical axis direction with respect to the photoelectric conversion part 3a of the imaging element 3 of the lens part 4 can be changed. Thereby, by driving the cam member 6 to bring the contact portion 53a into contact with the upper side of the AF area 61e, the focus can be further adjusted from the closer area 61d side, and further the AF area 61e can be made. By bringing the contact portion 53a of the lens portion 4 into contact with the lower side, the focus can be further adjusted from the remote region side.

The lower area of the AF area 61e is an area for positioning in the optical axis direction so that the lens unit 4 is focused at the remote imaging position.

In this case, the remote area is an area including a position focusing on a subject farther than the hyperfocal point and includes an excessive area.

The fruitless circle area 61b is an area for positioning the lens part 4 in the optical axis direction to focus at the fruitless circle position, and constitutes one of two horizontal parts before and after the AF area. This is an area where the shooting magnification becomes positive.

Here, the endless circular position is on the opposite side to the closer area 61d than the infinity area, and the focus of the lens unit 4 can be adjusted from the infinity side more than the original infinity. That is, the predetermined resin constituting the first lens 41, the second lens 42, and the third lens 43 of the lens unit 4 has a refractive index, for example, due to environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. There is a possibility of fluctuation, and in this case, it becomes impossible to focus at infinity. Therefore, even if the refractive index of the resin fluctuates and the focus cannot be focused from the infinity in the normal state, the focusing position 61b allows the focusing position to be shifted to the opposite side to the proximity region 61d. Can be properly adjusted to infinity. In this case, by setting the horizontal area that is continuous at the critical position of one end of the AF area of the cam portion as the horizontal plane, the lens can be reliably placed at the infinite circular position irrespective of the shape of the tip portion of the cam follower. In addition, since the cam change of the end portion on the excessive side of the AF area becomes smooth, wear of the cam is prevented and durability is improved.

The proximity area 61d is an area for positioning the lens unit 4 in the optical axis direction so as to focus at the proximity imaging position. When the contact portion 53a of the outer cylinder portion 5 comes into contact with the proximal region 61d, the lens portion 4 is in a state where the lens portion 4 is unfolded to the most object side (see Fig. 6). At this time, the distance between the subject and the lens unit 4 is, for example, about 5 to 30 cm, and an image of a document is picked up from the front of the imaging area (photoelectric conversion unit 3a) of the imaging element 3, or viewed. When the imaging device 100 is mounted in the cellular phone (to be described later) according to the invention, the imaging device 100 can be used as a barcode reader. Here, by making the proximity area continuous to the proximal position of the other end of the AF area of the cam part the horizontal plane, the lens can be reliably placed in the proximal position irrespective of the shape of the distal end of the cam follower part. In addition, since the cam change of the proximal end portion of the AF area becomes smooth, wear of the cam is prevented and durability is improved.

The gear of the lower disc portion 62 is meshed with a spur gear portion (not shown) formed in the lower outer peripheral portion of the driving force transmission member 8.

In addition, the driving force transmitting member 8 is provided with a helical tooth (not shown) concentrically with the spur gear portion, and above the spur gear portion, and the helical tooth is fixed to the output shaft of the drive motor 7. ) Is engaged.

Here, the rotational direction of the driving force transmission member 8 is such that the driving force transmission member 8 is engaged with the worm 71 and the helical teeth when the lens portion 4 is moved from the remote imaging position to the proximity imaging position. It is a direction pressed against the board | substrate 2 side. That is, since the lens portion 4 is pressed from the light source side to the substrate 2 side by the pressing member 11, when the lens portion 4 is moved in the optical axis direction in the AF area 61e, the driving force transmitting member It is preferable to rotate so that 8 may become the direction which is pressed toward the board | substrate 2 side from the point of the improvement of the positioning accuracy of the lens part 4 in the optical-axis direction.

In other words, when the autofocus process (to be described later) is performed at the time of releasing the lens portion 4, the helical is pushed toward the substrate 2 side by releasing the lens portion 4 so that the driving force transmitting member 8 is pressed against the substrate 2 side. In the case where the teeth are provided and the lens unit 4 is closed, the helical teeth are preferably provided such that the driving force transmitting member 8 is pressed toward the substrate 2 by winding the lens unit 4.

The drive motor 7 is a pulse motor, such as a stepping motor, for example, and is made to step-drive a rotor by predetermined angle based on the pulse output and input from CPU10a. As a result, the cam member 6 is rotated in a predetermined direction around the axis in the optical axis direction through the worm 71 and the driving force transmission member 8.

The control unit 10 is for controlling the autofocus process. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 10 includes a CPU 10a, a RAM 10b, and a storage unit 10c. Moreover, the control part 10, the imaging element 3, the drive motor 7, and the photointerrupter 9 are electrically connected through the bus B. As shown in FIG.

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10a collectively controls each unit constituting the imaging device 100, and reads a predetermined program stored in the storage unit 10c to a working area of the RAM 10b. It expands and performs various processes according to the said program.

The RAM (Random Access Memory) 10b constitutes a storage area, a work area, and the like of a program or data read from the storage unit 10c under the control of the CPU 10a.

The storage unit 10c is composed of, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electronic Erasable Programmable ROM), or the like, and stores various programs executed under the control of the CPU 10a, data relating to processing of each program, and the like. To remember. Specifically, the storage unit 10c stores, for example, the autofocus processing program c1.

The autofocus processing program c1 controls the drive of the drive motor 7 at the time of imaging of a subject as the autofocus processing means to the CPU 10a to move the outer cylinder portion 5 holding the lens portion 4 in the optical axis direction. Is a program that realizes a function of performing an autofocus process of automatically adjusting the focusing position of the lens unit 4 by moving to.

Here, the autofocus processing is performed by rotating the cam member 6 in a predetermined direction under the control of the CPU 10a, for example, by sliding the contact portion 53a of the outer cylinder portion 5 to the cam surface 611. Image data is acquired by imaging the subject while moving 4) between the remote imaging position and the proximity imaging position. Then, the CPU 10a sequentially stores the acquired frequency analysis data in the RAM 10b by performing specific frequency analysis at the plurality of focus adjustment positions of the acquired image data. Further, the CPU 10a evaluates the focusing state of the optical image of the subject at the focus adjustment position of the image data based on the frequency analysis data stored in the RAM 10b, and focuses the imaging position having the best evaluation value. It is supposed to define by location.

In the autofocusing process, the lens unit 4 is moved in one direction from the remote imaging position to the proximity imaging position. In this case, one AF area provided on the cam surface 611 of the cam member 6 is provided. You may change so that the rotation speed of the drive motor 7 for a predetermined time may be delayed in AF area 61e following next to 61e. That is, the target of an image pickup position having a good evaluation value is searched for in one AF region 61e, and the number of pulses from the reference region 61a up to the target image pickup position is stored, and the following number is based on the number of pulses. By delaying the rotational speed of the drive motor 7 in the vicinity of the target imaging position in the AF area 61e, the focusing state of the optical image can be more appropriately evaluated.

For example, when the "macro mode" is set, the CPU 10a drives the drive motor 7 to move the lens portion 4 to the proximity area 61d without executing the autofocus process. To control.

Next, the electronic device equipped with the imaging device 100 of this invention is demonstrated using the said imaging device 100 as an example.

As shown in Fig. 7, the electronic device is, for example, a folding cellular phone T, an upper housing 12a as a case having a display screen D, and a lower housing provided with operation buttons P. As shown in FIG. 12b is connected via the hinge 12c. The imaging device 100 is embedded below the display screen D on the inner surface side (side having the display screen D) of the upper housing 12a, so that the imaging device 100 is placed on the upper housing 12a. Light can be taken in from the outer surface.

As described above, even when the imaging device 100 is incorporated in the mobile phone T, the enlargement of the mobile phone T can be suppressed, and the imaging of the subject can be performed more appropriately in accordance with the distance to the subject, the imaging environment, or the like. Therefore, the mobile telephone T with high added value can be obtained.

In addition, since the other components of the cellular phone T are well-known, description is abbreviate | omitted.

As described above, according to the imaging device 100 of the present embodiment, when imaging a subject with a fixed focus, the cam member 6 is rotated and the lens portion 4 is placed in the reference region 61a of the cam surface 611. By making the contact part 53a of the outer cylinder part 5 which hold | maintains hold | maintains, the position of the optical-axis direction with respect to the imaging element 3 of the lens part 4 can be fixed. Thereby, for example, in imaging of the subject by fixed focus, it is the structure which positions and image | photographs the lens part 4 at the predetermined position between the proximity area 61d side of a AF area 61e, and a remote area side. On the contrary, the control regarding the positioning of the lens unit 4 can be simplified, and the power consumption can be reduced.

In addition, the lens unit 4 can be appropriately positioned at the remote position and the proximate position at the time of the autofocusing process on the basis of the reference region 61a provided on the cam surface 611. That is, in the state in which the contact portion 53a of the outer cylinder portion 5 is in contact with the reference area 61a, the focusing state of the lens portion 4 is adjusted by moving the lens portion 4 in the optical axis direction with respect to the outer cylinder portion 5. Can be performed easily and appropriately. More specifically, since the cam member 6 supports the outer cylinder portion 5 at three points at intervals of about 120 °, the cam member 6 is driven by the cam member 6 when the lens portion 4 is pressed from the subject side. It is possible to suppress the inclination of the lens portion 4 with respect to the optical axis direction in accordance with the pressed portion, such as the configuration for supporting the outer cylinder portion 5 within two points. That is, support of the said lens part 4 can be performed suitably, without requiring a member like a guide which suppresses the inclination of the lens part 4, for example. In addition, the lens unit 4 can be held at three points with the center of gravity of the lens 4 as a center, and the structure of the imaging device 100 can be made resistant to impact.

Therefore, the contact portion 53a of the outer cylinder portion 5 is brought into the AF area 61e of the cam surface 611 while appropriately focusing the optical image formed by the lens portion 4 on the imaging element 3 during the autofocus processing. The lens portion 4 can be displaced in the optical axis direction while being in contact. As a result, when the lens unit 4 is moved to a predetermined position in the optical axis direction, the proximity region 61d is moved from the predetermined position serving as a reference point such as the hyperfocal position of the lens unit or the predetermined position of the AF region 61e as in the prior art. In addition, there is no need to provide a memory for storing the number of pulse signals of the drive motor 7 to the remote area. As a result, the size of the imaging device 100 can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, You may change various improvement and a design in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the lens unit 4 is moved in one direction from the remote imaging position to the proximity imaging position under the control of the CPU 10a, but the lens unit 4 is not limited thereto. You may make it move to a direction. That is, the CPU 10a moves the lens unit 4 from the remote imaging position to the predetermined position of the proximity imaging position, and then reversely rotates the cam member 6 by reversing the rotational direction of the drive motor 7. (4) may be moved from the proximity imaging position to the remote imaging position. In this case, it is preferable to return as much as this backlash in consideration of the backlash generated by the reverse rotation of the drive motor 7, for example.

Moreover, even in the imaging device 100 which is not provided with the control mechanism for performing the AF processing illustrated in the above embodiment, the structure other than the component parts related to the AF processing, that is, the assembling structure of the lens unit 4 and the lens By adjusting the focusing state adjustment mechanism and the like at the reference imaging position of the unit 4 with the imaging device 100 of the above embodiment, the assembly of the lens unit 4 and the focusing state of the lens unit 4 are performed. Operations such as adjustment can be performed in a similar manner to that of the imaging device 100, simply.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, three contact parts 53a, ... are provided in the lower annular part 53 of the outer cylinder part 5, and these contact parts 53a contact the cam surface 611 of the cam member 6 Although the outer cylinder part 5 is supported by three points by the said cam member 6, it is not limited to this, The outer cylinder part 5 should just be supported by at least three points.

In addition, in the said embodiment, although the contact part 53 was provided in the lower surface of the outer cylinder part 5, and the cam member 6 provided with the lower disc part 62 as a base and the upper cam part 61 as a cam part was illustrated, It is not limited, but the contact part is provided in the upper surface of a base, the cam part is provided in the lower surface of an outer cylinder part (holding support member), and the said lens part 4 is moved to an optical axis direction by rotating the said outer cylinder part around the axis of an optical axis direction. You may make it.

In addition, in the above case, the outer cylinder portion and the pedestal may be rotated around the axis in the optical axis direction with respect to the cam portion. That is, the cam portion and the contact portion may be configured to rotate relatively around the axis in the optical axis direction.

In addition, in the said embodiment, although the mobile telephone T was illustrated as an electronic device, it is not limited to this, Of course, any electronic device which can incorporate the imaging device 100 may be sufficient. By providing the image capturing apparatus according to the present invention in the apparatus main body, similarly to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to lower the power consumed at the time of imaging the subject by the image capturing lens and at the same time to move the imaging lens in the optical axis direction It is not necessary to include a memory for storing a predetermined position serving as a reference such as a hyperfocal position and the number of pulse signals of a predetermined driving means, so that the size of the imaging device can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

In addition, although the drive motor 7 was illustrated as a drive means in the said embodiment, it is not limited to this, For example, you may use small actuators, such as a piezoelectric element and a shape memory alloy.

Claims (9)

An imaging lens for forming an optical image of a subject, an imaging element for converting an optical image formed by the imaging lens into an electrical signal, a holding member for holding the imaging lens, and a support for holding the holding member A member, a cam portion provided on one of the holding member and the supporting member and displacing the imaging lens in the optical axis direction with respect to the imaging element, and a drive for rotating one of the holding member and the supporting member. Means; and autofocus processing means for controlling the driving of the driving means at the time of imaging of the subject to perform autofocus processing for automatically adjusting the focusing position of the imaging lens by moving the imaging lens in the optical axis direction. Device, The cam portion, The holding member and the support member have a cam surface to be brought into contact with a contact portion formed on the other portion of the support member, in which the cam portion is not provided. And an AF area for displacing in the optical axis direction with respect to the imaging element, and a horizontal reference area capable of imaging with fixed focus. The image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein one end of the AF area is an infinite circle position. The focusing state according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the focusing state of the imaging lens is adjusted by moving the imaging lens in the optical axis direction with respect to the holding member in a state where the contact portion is in contact with the reference position and positioned. And an adjustment mechanism. The said cam part and the said contact part rotate relatively about the axis of an optical-axis direction, and hold | maintain the said holding member or the said holding member in multiple points of three or more points so that they may be substantially equally spaced apart. An imaging device. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reference position is a position for positioning the imaging lens focused in an image focusing direction in an optical axis direction. The electronic device characterized by including the imaging device in any one of Claims 1-5 in an apparatus main body. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cam portion has a horizontal hyper-infinity region continuous to the hyper-infinity position of the one end of the AF area. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the other end of the one end of the AF area is in a proximal position. 9. An imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said cam portion has a horizontal proximity region continuous at said proximal position of said other end of said AF region.

Images