JP2004015602A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

A shutter member can be easily manufactured without being restricted by an imaging lens or an imaging element, and the imaging lens can be protected during non-shooting.
A shutter member is arranged on an object side of an imaging lens. Accordingly, the shutter member 14 is not restricted by the imaging lens 25 and the imaging element, and the design and manufacture of the shutter member 14 can be facilitated, whereby the size and thickness of the shutter member 14 can be reduced. The size and thickness of the whole camera can be reduced, and the imaging lens 25 can be protected by the shutter member 14 during non-shooting. In this case, by separately arranging the shutter member 14 on the subject side of the imaging unit 13 in which the imaging lens 25 and the imaging element are integrated, the alignment of the shutter member 14 with respect to the imaging unit 13 is simplified, and The work of assembling the shutter 13 and the shutter member 14 can be easily performed with high precision, thereby improving the productivity.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 3

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an imaging device used for a card-type camera or a mobile phone.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, an image pickup device used for a card-type camera includes an image pickup lens, an image pickup device such as a CCD, and a mechanical shutter member. A shutter member is arranged between the image pickup lens and the image pickup device. By opening and closing to open, an image of a subject is captured by an imaging lens and projected onto an image sensor, and the projected image is converted into an electric signal by the image sensor and captured as image data.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such an imaging apparatus, since the shutter member is arranged between the imaging lens and the imaging element, the shutter member is restricted by the imaging lens and the imaging element, and therefore, the design of the shutter member is limited. In addition, since the imaging lens and the image sensor must be accurately positioned on the optical axis and the shutter member must be positioned between them, the imaging lens, the image sensor, and the shutter are required. There is a problem that high accuracy is required for the work of assembling the members, the work of assembling is troublesome, and the productivity is poor.
[0004]
Further, in this image pickup apparatus, since the shutter member is disposed between the image pickup lens and the image pickup element, the image pickup lens is exposed even when not in use, so that the image pickup lens becomes dirty or damaged. Since there is a fear, a lens cap for protecting the imaging lens is required, and the number of parts increases accordingly.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a shutter member that can be easily manufactured without being restricted by an image pickup lens or an image pickup device, and that can protect a photographing lens during non-shooting.
Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily and accurately assemble an imaging lens, an imaging device, and a shutter member.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is an imaging apparatus that projects an image of a subject onto an imaging device with an imaging lens and captures the projected image as image data with the imaging device. An imaging apparatus, wherein a shutter member that opens and closes freely and closes when not photographing and covers the imaging lens is disposed.
According to the present invention, since the shutter member is arranged on the subject side of the imaging lens, the shutter member is not restricted by the imaging lens or the imaging element, and therefore, the design and manufacture of the shutter member can be facilitated. Since the shutter member can be reduced in size and thickness, and the size and thickness of the entire apparatus can be reduced with the shutter member, and the shutter member can be opened and closed to cover the imaging lens during non-photographing. The imaging lens can be reliably protected by the shutter member so that the imaging lens is not stained or damaged during non-shooting.
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus, an image of a subject is projected on an imaging device by an imaging lens, and the projected image is captured as image data by the imaging device, wherein the imaging lens and the imaging device are integrated. An imaging unit, wherein a shutter member that opens and closes freely during photographing and closes during non-photographing to cover the imaging lens is disposed on the subject side of the imaging unit with a different configuration. .
According to the present invention, the shutter member is separately arranged on the subject side of the image pickup unit in which the image pickup lens and the image pickup element are integrated, so that the same operation and effect as the invention of claim 1 can be obtained. Since it is only necessary to position the shutter member with respect to the unit, the work of assembling the imaging unit and the shutter member can be easily and accurately performed, thereby improving productivity.
[0008]
The invention according to claim 3 is the imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a fixed stop is disposed on the object side of the imaging lens and on an image plane side of the shutter member.
According to this invention, in addition to the same operation and effect as the invention described in claim 1 or 2, in addition, since the fixed diaphragm is arranged on the subject side of the imaging lens and on the image surface side of the shutter member, The shutter member can be arranged at the closest position, thereby preventing exposure unevenness. Further, since the stop is a fixed stop, the shutter member can be configured to be more compact than when a movable stop is used. This also makes it possible to reduce the size and thickness of the entire device.
[0009]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, at least a part of the shutter member is disposed inside a decorative portion provided on a surface of the main body case. Image pickup device.
According to this invention, in addition to the same operation and effect as the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in particular, by disposing at least a part of the shutter member in a decorative portion provided on the surface of the main body case, It is possible to reduce the thickness of the main body case in which the imaging device is incorporated, and thus it is possible to reduce the size and thickness of the entire device.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the imaging device of the present invention is applied to a card-type camera will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the card-type camera of the present invention viewed from the front side, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the card-type camera viewed from the rear side, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the main parts of FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing the imaging unit of FIG.
The card-type camera includes a camera body 1 as shown in FIGS. The camera body 1 includes a front case 2 and a rear case 3, and both the front case 2 and the rear case 3 are formed of a thin metal plate having high rigidity such as stainless steel.
[0011]
In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, a photographing device 4 is provided at the upper right corner on the front surface of the front case 2, and an optical viewfinder 5 is provided at a position located on the left side, and further located on the left side. A strobe light emitting section 6 is provided at the location where the light is emitted. A shutter button 7 and a first menu button 8 are provided on the front left side (the right side in FIG. 2) of the upper surfaces of the front case 2 and the rear case 3. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a display unit 9 is provided at a position located on the left side of the rear surface (the front surface in FIG. 2) of the rear case 3, and a position located on the right side is operated in the cross direction. A possible cursor key 10 is provided. A second menu button 11 and a power key 12 are provided at positions above and to the right of the cursor key 10, respectively, and an optical viewfinder 5 is provided at a position above the display unit 9 on the front case. It is provided continuously from two sides.
[0012]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the imaging device 4 includes an imaging unit 13 and a shutter member 14, and the shutter member 14 is arranged on the subject side (the near side in FIG. 3) of the imaging unit 13; The optical finder 5 is arranged on a side portion (the left side in FIG. 3) of the imaging unit 13, and in this state, the imaging unit 13, the shutter member 14, and the optical finder 5 are assembled in the camera body 1. . In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the imaging unit 13 includes an imaging unit 17 and a crystal filter 18 provided in a holder member 16 provided on the substrate 15, and a distal end portion (a left end portion in FIG. 5) of the holder member 16. ) Is provided with a lens unit 19, and the imaging unit 17, the crystal filter 18, and the center of the lens unit 19 are arranged so as to be located on the optical axis 20.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 5, the imaging unit 17 includes a fixed base 21 provided on the substrate 15 in the holder member 16, an imaging device 22 such as a CCD housed in a recess 21 a of the fixed base 21, And a cover glass 23 provided on the fixed base 21 so as to cover the element 22. The imaging element 22 outputs an electric signal in accordance with an image of the subject captured by the lens unit 19. The crystal filter 18 is an optical low-pass filter, and is arranged in the holder member 16 in a state corresponding to the subject side (the left side in FIG. 5) of the imaging unit 17. The lens section 19 includes a lens barrel 24 attached to the tip end (left end in FIG. 5) of the holder member 16, in which the imaging lens 25 and the fixed diaphragm 26 are located on the image plane side (right side in FIG. 5). ).
[0014]
In this case, the lens barrel 24 is formed in a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 5, and a collar portion 27 for holding the imaging lens 25 is formed in an intermediate portion inside the lens barrel 24. The inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 27 has a larger diameter on the subject side (the left side in the figure) than the lens function portion of the imaging lens 25 so that the angle of view by the fixed diaphragm 26 is not limited, and the image surface is smaller than this diameter. The side (the right side in the figure) is formed in a tapered shape having a larger diameter. On the subject side (left side in the figure) of the flange portion 27 in the lens barrel 24, a mounting concave portion 28 for mounting the imaging lens 25 and the fixed diaphragm 26 is formed. The lens barrel 24 is attached to the holder member 16 by screwing a male screw 24 a formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof into a female screw 16 a formed on the inner peripheral surface of the holder member 16.
[0015]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the imaging lens 25 is a meniscus convex lens having a concave surface facing the subject side (the left side in FIG. 5), and its outer peripheral portion is equal to or thinner than the central lens thickness. It is formed in a shape. The imaging lens 25 is inserted into the mounting recess 28 from the subject side, and a flat rear surface (right side in the figure) of the outer peripheral portion is adhered to the flange 27 with an adhesive and fixed in the mounting recess 28. ing. The fixed stop 26 is formed in a thin plate shape that is sufficiently thin with respect to the lens thickness of the imaging lens 25, has an outer shape substantially equal to or larger than the imaging lens 25, and has an optical axis 20 at the center thereof. A circular through hole 26a having a center is formed. The fixed stop 26 is inserted from the subject side into the mounting recess 28 and is in close contact with the front surface (the left side surface in the figure) of the imaging lens 25. Is fixed in the mounting recess 28 with an adhesive in a state of being substantially flush with the tip end surface of the mounting recess 28.
[0016]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the shutter member 14 includes a shutter case 30, in which a shutter blade 31 is rotatably mounted, and the shutter case 30 drives the shutter blade 31. By rotating the shutter blade 31 with the actuator 32, a circular shutter hole 33 provided through the center of the shutter case 30 on the front and back sides (front and rear in FIG. 3) is provided. The shutter blades 31 are configured to open and close. In this case, the shutter case 30 is housed in the decorative portion 34 of the front case 2 with the center of the shutter hole 33 positioned on the optical axis 20 of the imaging unit 13 as shown in FIGS. ing.
[0017]
The decorative portion 34 includes a housing 35 disposed on the inner surface side (the rear side in FIG. 3) of the front case 2 and a decorative ring 36 disposed on the front side (the front side in FIG. 3) of the front case 2. The shutter case 30 is attached to the front case 2 via the housing 35. That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the housing 35 is formed in a substantially disk shape having a step by a soft synthetic resin that absorbs impact. A housing recess 37 into which the shutter case 30 is inserted is provided inside the housing 35, and a circular through-hole 35 a is formed at the tip end (the front end in FIG. 3) of the shutter case 30. It is provided corresponding to the shutter hole 33.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 4, the front end (left end in FIG. 4) of the housing 35 is inserted into a circular opening 38 provided at the upper right corner of the front case 2, and It is configured to protrude to the front side (left side in the figure) and to be mounted in the front case 2 in this state. The decorative ring 36 is formed in a substantially ring shape by a metal plate having a decorative property, and is attached to the outer periphery of the front end of the housing 35 projecting from the opening 38 of the front case 2 to the front side. It is configured to cover the tip.
[0019]
According to such a card-type camera, since the shutter member 14 is arranged on the subject side of the imaging lens 25 of the imaging unit 13, the shutter member 14 is not restricted by the imaging lens 25 and the imaging element 22. The design and manufacture of the shutter member 14 can be facilitated, whereby the size and thickness of the shutter member 14 can be reduced, and the size and thickness of the entire camera can be reduced. In particular, since the shutter member 14 is arranged on the subject side of the imaging lens 25, the imaging lens 25 can be freely opened and closed by the shutter member 14 during non-photographing. The imaging lens 25 can be reliably protected by the shutter member 14 so as not to be attached.
[0020]
Further, in this card type camera, the imaging lens 25 and the imaging element 22 are integrated as an imaging unit 13, a shutter member 14 is formed separately from the imaging unit 13, and the shutter member 14 is separately provided on the subject side of the imaging unit 13. With the arrangement, the shutter member 14 only needs to be aligned with the imaging unit 13 at the time of assembling, so that the work of assembling the imaging unit 13 and the shutter member 14 can be performed accurately and easily. The property can be improved, and a low-cost product can be obtained.
[0021]
Further, in this card-type camera, since the fixed stop 26 is arranged on the subject side of the imaging lens 25 and on the image plane side of the shutter member 14, the shutter member 14 can be arranged at a position close to the fixed stop 26. This makes it possible to prevent exposure unevenness, and since the stop is the fixed stop 26, the shutter member 14 can be made more compact than in the case where a movable stop is used. The thickness can be reduced. In particular, the fixed stop 26 is formed in a thin plate shape sufficiently thinner with respect to the lens thickness of the imaging lens 25, and the fixed stop 26 is in close contact with the imaging lens 25, and the imaging lens is mounted in the mounting concave portion 28 of the lens barrel 24. Since the fixed diaphragm 26 is fixed together with the fixed diaphragm 25, the thickness of the fixed stop 26 can be sufficiently reduced, and the length in the direction of the optical axis 20 can be shortened. be able to.
[0022]
Further, in this card-type camera, the shutter member 14 is arranged in the front case 2 in a state where the shutter case 30 of the shutter member 14 is housed in the decorative portion 34 provided to protrude from the front surface of the front case 2. The thickness of the camera body 1 composed of the case 2 and the rear case 3 can be reduced, and thus the size and thickness of the entire camera can be reduced. In this case, since the decorative portion 34 is formed by using a soft synthetic resin for the housing 35 disposed on the inner surface side of the front case 2 and housing the shutter case 30 in the housing recess 37 of the housing 35, Thus, the shutter member 14 can be protected by absorbing the impact so as not to be applied to the shutter member 14. Even if the front end of the housing 35 is protruded from the opening 38 of the front case 2 to the front side, the decorative ring 36 is attached to the outer periphery of the protruded housing 35 to cover and cover the front end of the housing 35. It is possible to obtain a product that is favorable both in appearance and design.
[0023]
In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a card-type camera has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be used by incorporating it into an electronic device such as a mobile phone or a mobile device. be able to.
[0024]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the shutter member is disposed on the subject side of the imaging lens, the shutter member is not restricted by the imaging lens or the imaging element, and therefore, the design and manufacture of the shutter member are not required. Therefore, the shutter member can be made smaller and thinner, whereby the size and thickness of the entire apparatus can be made smaller, and the shutter member can be opened and closed during non-photographing. Since the imaging lens is covered, the imaging lens can be reliably protected by the shutter member so that the imaging lens is not stained or damaged during non-shooting. In particular, since the shutter member is separately arranged on the subject side of the imaging unit in which the imaging lens and the imaging element are integrated, it is only necessary to position the shutter member with respect to the imaging unit. Can be easily and accurately performed, whereby productivity can be improved.
[0025]
In this case, by disposing the fixed aperture on the subject side of the imaging lens and on the image side relative to the shutter member, it is possible to dispose the shutter member at a position closest to the fixed aperture, thereby preventing exposure unevenness. In addition, since the stop is a fixed stop, the shutter member can be configured to be more compact than in the case where a movable stop is used, whereby the size and thickness of the entire apparatus can be reduced.
Further, by arranging at least a part of the shutter member in the decorative portion provided on the surface of the main body case, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the main body case in which the imaging device is incorporated, thereby also reducing the size and thickness of the entire device. Can be achieved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention applied to a card-type camera, viewed from the front side.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the card-type camera of FIG. 1 as viewed from the rear side.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the imaging device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the imaging unit of FIG. 3;
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 camera body 2 front case 3 rear case 4 imaging device 13 imaging unit 14 shutter member 17 imaging unit 19 lens unit 20 optical axis 22 imaging device 25 imaging lens 26 fixed diaphragm 30 shutter case 31 shutter blade 32 actuator 34 decoration unit 35 housing 36 Decorative ring

Claims (4)

In an imaging apparatus, an image of a subject is projected on an imaging device by an imaging lens, and the projected image is captured as image data by the imaging device.
An imaging apparatus, wherein a shutter member that opens and closes freely during photographing and closes during non-photographing to cover the imaging lens is disposed on a subject side of the imaging lens. In an imaging apparatus, an image of a subject is projected on an imaging device by an imaging lens, and the projected image is captured as image data by the imaging device.
The image pickup lens and the image pickup element are integrated to form an image pickup unit, and a shutter member that opens and closes freely during photographing and closes when not photographing to cover the image pickup lens is separately arranged on the subject side of the image pickup unit. An imaging device, comprising: The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a fixed stop is disposed on the subject side of the imaging lens and on an image plane side of the shutter member. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least a part of the shutter member is disposed inside a decorative portion provided on a surface of the main body case.

Images