JP2004304827A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera which can realize the reduction of the thickness of a camera body and which can maintain the entire shape with a good balance in which the disposition of an inner constituting component is considered and excellent operationality. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic camera includes a photographing lens unit 11 having a plurality of lenses, a reflecting mirror 20 for changing the direction of a photographing optical axis incident perpendicularly to the front surface of the camera body and an imaging element 27, a main substrate 15 which has a substantially inverted U shaped configuration to be disposed over the photographing lens unit and which is disposed substantially in parallel to the front surface of the camera body, a memory containing chamber 17 having a connector for a memory and mounted at one end of the main substrate, and an image display unit 12 disposed substantially in parallel to the main substrate after the photographing lens unit and so as not to be superposed with the memory containing chamber in the substantially perpendicular direction to the front surface of the camera body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera, and more particularly to an electronic camera in which the configuration of a taking lens unit and the arrangement of internal units are improved.

  In general, an electronic image pickup apparatus, particularly an electronic camera (digital still camera), has more internal components compared to a silver halide camera, so that the camera body tends to be large and portability is deteriorated. There have been many proposals for it. Among them, an increase in the thickness of the camera body in the optical axis direction adversely affects not only portability but also gripping stability during photographing. It is considered that the factors of the thickness of the camera body include the arrangement of various electric circuit boards and an image display unit such as an LCD together with the optical path length of the optical system.

  First, as for the optical path length of the optical system, it is well known that the optical system is bent in the middle of the optical path so that the overall length of the optical path is not changed and the camera body is made compact. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-281578 discloses that a wide-angle converter lens is rotatably arranged on an incident side of a telephoto master lens that forms an image of a subject on an imaging surface of a solid-state imaging device. The lens is rotationally moved to a position on the optical path from the subject to the master lens and to a position outside the optical path, and a reflection mirror is arranged at the center of rotation of the converter lens, thereby reducing the length of the device from the imaging surface to the reflection mirror. There has been disclosed a camera device that can be set with a short optical path length and can be made compact as a whole device.

  Similarly, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-212287 discloses a configuration in which a prism body having an inclined surface for reflecting and deflecting a light beam as an inner reflecting surface is mounted on the object side of a photographing system, and an image is taken through the prism body. There is disclosed an image pickup apparatus in which the horizontal length of a photographing system is reduced.

Also, regarding the arrangement of various electric circuit boards and an image display unit such as an LCD, a photographing optical system is disposed at an end of the apparatus main body, and the photographing optical system, various electric circuit boards, the image display unit, and the like are arranged in the apparatus main body. It has been common practice to prevent the thickness from increasing by providing a layout that does not overlap in the thickness direction.
JP-A-9-281578 JP-A-9-212287

  As described above, JP-A-9-281578 or JP-A-9-212287 discloses that a photographing optical system is bent in order to reduce the thickness of the apparatus. However, the thickness of the device is not determined only by the physical dimensions of the imaging optical system, and as described above, the relative arrangement of the printed circuit board and the image display is also an important factor. ing. Furthermore, if the device is only thin, the portability and operability of the device cannot be satisfied, and conversely, the usability may be deteriorated. In fact, in the configuration as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-281578, the position of the photographing optical system is limited to the left end or the right end of the apparatus main body, or as a result, the area of the substrate or the like is secured. Since the camera becomes horizontally long, there is a great restriction on the shape and layout, and there is a possibility that problems arise in operability and the like. Even if the photographing optical system is incorporated in the main body of the apparatus, similar problems occur if the photographing optical system is arranged at the end of the main body of the apparatus so as not to overlap with various electric circuit boards and image display sections. I do.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the conventional electronic image pickup apparatus, and realizes a thinner camera body and a well-balanced overall shape and a good overall shape in consideration of the arrangement of internal components. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera capable of maintaining operability.

  In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 1 includes a plurality of lenses, and a light that is provided between the plurality of lenses and that changes a direction of a shooting optical axis that is incident substantially perpendicularly to a front surface of a camera body. A photographing lens unit having an axis changing unit, an image pickup device for photoelectrically converting the subject light converted by the optical axis changing unit, and a substantially U-shaped shape to be disposed across the photographing lens unit. And an electric circuit board arranged so that its own substrate surface and the front surface of the camera body are substantially parallel to each other when being arranged across the taking lens unit, and a connector for a detachable memory. In addition, a memory storage chamber directly mounted on one end substantially perpendicular to the extended bottom surface of the camera body of the electric circuit board, and substantially parallel to the electric circuit board on the rear side of the taking lens unit, and An electronic camera comprising: an image display unit that is disposed so as not to overlap the memory storage chamber in a direction substantially perpendicular to the front surface of the camera body and that is provided so that its own display surface is exposed to the back surface of the camera body. Is what you do.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera according to the first aspect, the optical axis changing unit provided in the imaging lens unit is configured such that a direction of an imaging optical axis that is incident on the front surface of the camera body substantially perpendicularly. It is characterized in that it is changed so that it faces vertically downward.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera according to the first aspect, the optical axis changing unit provided in the photographing lens unit is configured such that a direction of a photographing optical axis that is incident on the front surface of the camera main body substantially perpendicularly. The camera body may be changed so as to be parallel to a bottom surface and a back surface of the camera body.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera according to any one of the first to third aspects, the amount of light is mechanically adjusted between an optical axis changing unit provided in the photographing lens unit and the image sensor. A light amount adjusting device is provided.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the lens is moved in the optical axis direction between the optical axis changing unit provided in the photographing lens unit and the image sensor. A lens moving mechanism is provided.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera according to the first or second aspect, the electronic camera includes an imaging circuit that processes an imaging signal of the imaging element between the imaging element and a bottom surface of the camera body. The above-mentioned imaging substrate is further provided.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera according to the sixth aspect, the imaging substrate is disposed in parallel with the bottom surface of the camera body and close to the imaging device.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the electronic camera according to claim 5, wherein the electronic camera further includes a drive source for driving the lens moving mechanism, and the drive source is disposed on a side of the imaging lens unit. It is characterized by having.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera according to the first aspect, the imaging lens unit includes an imaging element moving mechanism that moves the imaging element along an optical axis of a light beam incident on an imaging surface of the imaging element. It is characterized by having.

  The invention according to claim 10 retains a lens closest to the subject and an optical axis changing unit that changes a direction of a photographing optical axis that has passed through the lens, and harmful light that enters and passes through the lens changes the optical axis. A front fixed frame having unnecessary external light shielding means integrally formed between the lens and the optical axis changing means so as not to enter the means, and a photographing optical axis bent by the optical axis changing means. A lens storage section in which the incident lens is stored, an imaging element storage section formed below the lens storage section, a lens moving mechanism for moving the lens stored in the lens storage section, and a light amount reaching the imaging element. A rear fixed frame having a mechanically adjustable aperture shutter unit, and an image display unit provided at the back of a taking lens unit including at least the front fixed frame and the rear fixed frame , It has been arranged parallel to the camera body front, and constitutes an electronic camera comprises a main substrate having a substantially U-shape so as to straddle the photographing lens unit.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera according to the tenth aspect, the electronic camera is further disposed below the photographing lens unit and performs processing of an electric signal photoelectrically converted by the imaging device. An imaging substrate is provided.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while realizing thickness reduction of the direction where a photography optical axis enters a camera body front surface substantially perpendicularly, the well-balanced whole shape and good operability which considered the arrangement of internal components are considered. An electronic camera that can be maintained can be realized.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the invention will be described.

  First, a first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an electronic camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front side. In this embodiment, the left and right directions are the directions viewed from the subject, unless otherwise specified in the following description. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an electronic camera main body, and a front cover 1a (exterior part) for protecting the front side of the camera main body 1 has a front opening 2a of the photographing lens slightly slightly rightward from the center. A transparent window for the optical viewfinder 3 for visually recognizing a subject is provided at an upper portion, further to the right of the camera body 1, and a strobe window 6 is provided at an upper portion of the central portion. The optical viewfinder 3 includes a plurality of optical components inside, and allows a photographer to visually recognize a subject at the time of shooting through an eyepiece window provided on a rear cover 1b (see FIG. 5) that protects the rear side of the camera body 1. Can be done. The strobe window 6 is a transparent window, inside which is provided a xenon tube for strobe light emission which emits light under the control of a strobe circuit provided inside the main body. The lens protection cover 4 at the center is slidably provided on the front surface of the front cover 1a in the left-right direction, covers and protects the photographing lens opening 2 when not photographing, and opens the photographing lens opening 2 when photographing. 1, the photographing lens protective cover 4 is open. 5a and 5b are a first convex portion and a second convex portion integrally formed on the front cover 1a, and are formed in a shape surrounding the taking lens opening 2, the details of which are shown in FIG. Details will be described later.

  The left side of the camera body 1 as viewed from the front side has a shape having a bulge in the thickness direction as compared with the right side. The bulging portion serves as a grip for the photographer at the time of photographing with the camera, so that the camera body 1 can be stably held. At the left end of the camera body 1, which is a part of the grip, a cover 9 for attaching and detaching an external memory is provided. The cover 9 is arranged rotatably with respect to the camera body 1, and in FIG. A state where the lid 9 is closed is shown. When the lid 9 is closed, the outer surface of the lid 9 does not protrude from the outer surface of the camera body 1 constituting the grip portion, and forms the same surface. On the upper surface of the camera body 1, a switch for operating the camera is provided. The release switch 7 is a switch for recording an image in a memory at the time of shooting, and the mode switch 8 is for switching a recording mode at the time of shooting.

  FIG. 2A is a front view showing in detail the vicinity of the taking lens opening 2 with the taking lens protection cover 4 opened, and FIG. 2B is an XX ′ near the center of the taking lens opening 2. It is the principal part sectional drawing which looked at the cross section along the line from the right side. A first group lens 19 of the photographic lens unit 11, which will be described later, is provided inside the photographic lens opening 2. A first convex portion 5a protruding from the front surface of the front cover 1a on the right side and a pair of second convex portions 5b vertically lower by one step than the first convex portion 5a are provided on the right side so as to surround the three surfaces of the taking lens opening 2. It is provided integrally with the cover 1a. When the photographic lens protection cover 4 is opened, a wall 4 a integrally provided on the inner surface of the end of the photographic lens protection cover 4 is located on the left side of the photographic lens opening 2. Therefore, the convex portion and the wall portion surrounding the photographing lens opening 2 in the up, down, left, and right directions prevent harmful light which is not the original subject light obliquely incident on the camera body 1 from entering the front lens of the photographing lens unit 11. It constitutes unnecessary external light shielding means and functions as a so-called hood. This makes it possible to easily prevent flare ghosts without a special hood. The same effect can of course be obtained by forming an annular hood or the like on the front cover 1a. In this case, however, a large amount of movement of the photographing lens protective cover 4 in the opening direction is required to extend beyond the hood. This is disadvantageous for miniaturization because it must be done. In this embodiment, even when the position of the taking lens protection cover 4 when it is opened is moved only to the very end of the taking lens opening 2 and a hood such as an annular shape cannot be formed separately, the end of the protection cover 4 can be formed. Since the effect of preventing the flare ghost is obtained by the wall portion 4a formed in the above, it is advantageous for miniaturization.

  3A to 3C are views showing the internal layout of the electronic camera according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 3A is a front view, FIG. 3B is a right side view, FIG. 3C is a diagram showing a layout of internal main components as viewed from above. In these figures, reference numeral 11 denotes a photographing lens unit, and the photographing lens unit 11 has a vertically long shape, and is arranged in such a direction that its longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the camera body, slightly from the center of the camera body. I have. The photographing lens unit 11 includes therein a plurality of lenses and optical components for forming a subject image and an image pickup device that performs photoelectric conversion on an image forming surface. The detailed configuration thereof will be described later with reference to FIGS. 5 will be described. The imaging substrate 13 is an electric circuit board on which an imaging circuit that mainly performs drive control of the imaging device and processes an electric signal that is photoelectrically converted by the imaging device is mounted. It is arranged parallel to the bottom of the body. The main board 15 is arranged in parallel with the front surface of the camera body, and has a substantially U-shape so as to straddle the photographing lens unit 11. The main board 15 has a built-in main CPU for performing overall system processing, a compression / decompression processing circuit for image signals, a control circuit for driving and controlling motors provided in a photographic lens system described later, and a connector for a detachable memory. It has a removable memory storage room 17, its interface circuit and input / output terminals 16.

  The detachable memory storage room 17 is mounted on the rear side of the end of the main board 15 so that the memory insertion opening of the detachable memory storage room 17 comes to a position corresponding to the lid 9 provided on the left side surface of FIG. It has become. The detachable memory has a flash memory mounted therein, and may be a flat so-called card type or a stick type stick. Further, the removable memory storage room 17 is directly mounted on the back side of the main board 15 so that a harness is not required and the internal layout efficiency is improved. The input / output terminal 16 includes a plurality of terminals such as a signal terminal for transferring image signals to and from an external device and an external power supply terminal for externally supplying a driving power supply for the camera, and a cable is inserted according to the terminal position. An opening (not shown) is provided on the right side surface of the body exterior. Further, as described above, since the main board 15 is U-shaped and extends to the right end of the camera body 1, the input / output terminals 16 are directly mounted on the main board 15 so that the harness can be eliminated and the layout efficiency can be reduced. Raising.

  The battery 14 is used to supply power to the electronic camera, and is disposed on the front side of the detachable memory storage chamber 17 so as to be perpendicular to the bottom surface in the grip on the left side of the camera body 1. An opening / closing lid for battery replacement is arranged on the bottom surface (not shown). The image display unit 12 is used for playing back recorded images and as an electronic finder during shooting. The image display unit 12 is formed of a liquid crystal or a plasma display, and has a display surface provided on the back surface of the main body so as to be easily used by a photographer or the like. The image display section 12 is provided between the photographing lens unit 11 and the rear cover 1b (see FIG. 5) of the camera main body 1, and is arranged at a position where the detachable memory storage room 17 does not overlap in the thickness direction of the camera main body 1. Have been. Then, without providing a protective glass or the like in the opening of the rear cover 1b, the image display surface is directly exposed from the opening provided in the rear cover 1b, so that the thickness of the camera body 1 is reduced. The strobe unit 18 includes a xenon tube disposed inside the above-described strobe window 6, a control circuit for controlling light emission of the xenon tube, a charging capacitor, and the like. The strobe unit 18 is disposed between the photographing lens unit 11 and the battery 14 on the front surface of the main board 15 with the longitudinal direction thereof being parallel to the photographing lens unit 11.

  4 and 5 are diagrams showing a detailed configuration of the photographing lens unit 11. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part on the front, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part on the right side. The front fixed frame 30 holds the first group lens 19 and the reflection mirror 20 closest to the subject. A shielding member 30a for blocking harmful light entering the first group lens 19 from passing obliquely so as not to enter the reflection mirror 20 is provided integrally with the front fixed frame 30 between the first group lens 19 and the reflection mirror 20. Is formed. The shielding member 30 a is formed integrally with an extension of the receiving portion of the first group lens 19, and is formed in a wedge shape so as to narrow toward the reflection mirror 20. The reflection mirror 20, which is a photographing optical axis changing unit, has a thin plate shape and a rectangular shape. The direction of the photographing optical axis which has entered the front surface of the camera substantially perpendicularly and has passed through the first group lens 19 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 20 and is bent by 90 °, so that it can be changed vertically downward. The front fixed frame 30 has a flange portion formed on the lower surface of the reflection mirror 20 and substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the camera body. The flange portion is fitted to the tips of two guide shafts 36 described later. A fitting portion is formed between the mating portion and a rear fixing frame 31 also described later.

  The second lens group frame 21 is open on both sides, has a cylindrical interior, and has a flange on a part of the outer periphery. The cylindrical inside is provided with two lenses, and a fixed stop 21a is integrally formed near one opening end of the cylindrical inside. In addition, the flange portion of the second group lens frame 21 has a fitting portion fitted to two guide shafts 36 for supporting the second group lens frame 21 movably only in the optical axis direction, A cam pin (not shown) for positioning in the optical axis direction is formed. The aperture shutter unit 33 is fixedly disposed near the fixed aperture 21a of the second lens group frame 21. The aperture shutter unit 33 is a device that mechanically adjusts the amount of light reaching the image sensor, and is provided inside a disk-shaped main body such that the aperture blades and the shutter blades can freely advance and retreat in the optical path. The aperture blades and the shutter blades are driven by independent drive sources 33a provided outside the disk-shaped main body.

  The third lens group frame 22, like the second lens group frame 21, is open on both sides, has a cylindrical interior, and has a flange on a part of the outer periphery. A fitting portion fitted with two guide shafts 36 for supporting the third lens group frame 22 movably only in the optical axis direction is provided on the flange portion with two lenses inside the cylindrical shape. A cam pin 22a for positioning in the optical axis direction is formed. The fourth lens group frame 23 has a hollow disk shape, holds one lens inside, and, like the second lens group frame 21, can move the fourth lens group frame 23 only in the optical axis direction. A fitting portion to be fitted to two guide shafts 36 for supporting the first and second guide shafts 36 and an end 23a for regulating the position in the optical axis direction are formed.

  The rear fixing frame 31 has a vertically long, substantially cylindrical shape, and is arranged so that the longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the bottom surface. Inside, an upper lens housing portion and a lower housing portion such as an image sensor are mainly formed, and a part is partitioned by a flange portion formed in the middle. Two guide shafts 36 for supporting the respective group lens frames so as to be movable in the optical axis direction are erected on the flange portion inside the cylinder in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface. Through the guide shaft 36, the second group lens frame 21, the third group lens frame 22, and the fourth group lens frame 23 are arranged inside the cylinder in order from the top so as to freely move only in the optical axis direction. . The fourth lens group frame 23 is connected to the rear fixed frame 31 by a spring (not shown), and is constantly urged toward the bottom of the camera body.

  A flat low-pass filter 24 for preventing moire, a flat IR cut filter 25 for cutting infrared light components, a displacement absorption For example, an elastic member 26 made of a rubber material and an image sensor 27 are arranged in order from the top. The low-pass filter 24 and the IR cut filter 25 have their flat surfaces arranged substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the camera body, and the imaging element 27 also has its imaging surface arranged substantially parallel to the bottom surface. The fixing plate 28 is fixed to the rear fixing frame 31 with screws or the like while pressing the back surface of the package surface of the image sensor 27. Accordingly, the low-pass filter 24, the IR cut filter 25, and the image sensor 27 are stably held in the housing such as the image sensor by the elastic force of the elastic member 26. Further, a flexible cable 29 for electrically connecting the image pickup device 27 and the camera body is mounted on a terminal of the image pickup device 27, and one surface of the flexible cable 29 is adhesively fixed to a fixing plate 28 with a double-sided tape or the like. The other end of the flexible cable 29 is connected to a connector mounted on the imaging board 13.

  The lens moving mechanism includes a zoom unit and an AF unit. The cam barrel 32 is a cylindrical cam for moving the second group lens frame 21 and the third group lens frame 22 in the lens moving mechanism, and is disposed in the cylindrical lens housing of the rear fixed frame 31. And has an outer shape that slides on the inner wall of the lens housing. A cam groove for moving the second group lens frame 21 and the third group lens frame 22 and a driving gear part 32a are integrally formed on the circumference of the cam cylinder 32. A cam pin (not shown) of the second lens group frame 21 and the cam pin 22a of the third lens group frame 22 fit into the cam groove. The cam cylinder 32 is rotated by a zoom motor 35. The zoom motor 35 is fixedly disposed on the left side of the photographing lens unit 11 outside the rear fixed frame 31, and includes a zoom drive reduction mechanism. The output gear of the zoom motor 35 meshes with the gear portion 32a of the cam barrel 32.

  An AF motor 34 for focus adjustment is also one of the driving sources of the lens moving mechanism, and is disposed outside the rear fixed frame 31 on the right side of the photographing lens unit 11 opposite to the zoom motor 35. ing. A lead screw is formed on the output shaft of the AF motor 34, and the moving plate 34a is screwed to the lead screw shaft, and can only move in a straight line by regulating means (not shown). The end 23a of the fourth lens group frame 23 is engaged with the movable plate 34a. Since both the zoom motor 35 and the AF motor 34 are arranged in the camera main body 1 at positions separated to the left and right so as not to overlap with the image display section 12 in the thickness direction, the thickness of the camera main body can be reduced. convenient. A drive source 33a of the aperture shutter unit 33, an AF motor 34, a zoom motor 35, and an electrical position detection sensor for detecting an initial position of each lens group and the like are connected to the internal main board 15 by a flexible cable (not shown). Have been.

  Next, the movement of each lens group will be briefly described. At the time of zooming, the zoom motor 35 is rotated by the zoom operation of the operator, and the cam barrel 32 is rotated through the gear portion 32a. Since the second group lens frame 21 and the third group lens frame 22 are regulated by the guide shaft 36 so as to move only in the optical axis direction, the second group lens frame according to the rotation angle of the cam barrel 32. The lens group 21 and the third lens group 22 move to predetermined positions in the optical axis direction via respective cam pins fitted into cam grooves formed in the cam barrel 32. Also, during AF, the AF motor 34 rotates in conjunction with the zoom movement of the second group lens frame 21 and the third group lens frame 22 or by the operation of the photographer, and only translational movement is allowed in accordance with the rotation of the lead screw. The moved moving plate 34a moves in the optical axis direction. The fourth lens group frame 23 is constantly urged in the direction of the image sensor 27 and is in contact with the moving plate 34a via the end 23a, so that positioning according to the moving plate 34a is performed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the configuration in which the AF adjustment is realized by moving the lens. However, it is of course possible to move the image sensor 27 in the optical axis direction instead of the fourth lens group frame 23 to focus. It is. In this case, the fourth group lens frame 23 is fixedly disposed in the lens storage section of the rear fixed frame 31, and the imaging element 27 stored in the storage section such as the imaging element of the rear fixed frame 31 is replaced with the rear fixed frame 31. Are stored in separate holders. Then, similarly to the movement of the fourth lens frame 23, this holding body is configured to be movable in the optical axis direction by a combination of two guide shafts 36 and an AF motor 34 with a lead screw. At this time, since the low-pass filter 24 and the IR cut filter 25 do not need to be moved, the low-pass filter 24 and the IR cut filter 25 are held in the storage portion of the rear fixed frame 31 by the fixing plate 28. The AF motor 34 is similarly fixed to the rear fixed frame 31. When the AF adjustment is performed by providing the optical axis direction moving means of the image sensor in this manner, the structure of the photographing lens system is simplified, and the use of an AF-compatible device and a fixed focus device is facilitated. Becomes easier.

  In this embodiment, the fixed stop 21a is formed integrally with the second lens frame 21. However, as another example, the fixed stop may be provided on the reflection mirror 20. Specifically, it can be easily realized by forming a metal film on the reflection surface by printing or coating, or by attaching a black thin plate having an opening at the center. Since the reflecting mirror 20 has a flat surface, it is easier to provide a fixed diaphragm than a lens having a curved surface. It is also possible to use a reflection mirror coated with an infrared cut film, in which case the IR cut filter 20 is of course unnecessary. The reflecting mirror 20 can of course be replaced with a prism.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A is a front view, FIG. 6B is a right side view, and FIG. 6C is a top view showing the layout of the photographing lens unit 11, the image display section 12, and the like. As in the first embodiment, a reflection mirror 20 is disposed inside the photographing lens unit 11 so that incident light can be bent by 90 °. The photographing lens unit 11 is disposed inside the camera body such that the bent photographing optical axis is parallel to the bottom surface and the back surface of the camera body 1, in other words, the horizontal direction during normal photographing. The photographing lens unit 11 is laid out in the main body such that the first group lens 19 is located near the right end of the main body. This is because, when the taking lens unit 11 is located at the center of the camera body 1, some space is left and right of the taking lens unit 11, but a sufficient space cannot be secured, and it is difficult to effectively use the first taking lens unit. If the group lens 19 is at the right end, the optical finder can also be arranged near the right end, and the vicinity of the center of the main body can be effectively used. Thereby, since the longitudinal direction of the photographing lens unit 11 is arranged parallel to the bottom surface, the thickness of the camera body can be reduced and the height can be reduced.

  Further, the reflection mirror 20 is formed of a half mirror, and a light beam passing through the first group lens 19 is split into two. The reflected light beam passes through each imaging lens and reaches the imaging device in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Each lens for the optical finder is arranged on the back surface of the reflection mirror 20, which is a half mirror, so that the transmitted light is used as a light beam for the optical finder (not shown). The image of the subject passing through each lens is observed from an eyepiece 37 provided on the rear cover 1-c. Since a single-lens reflex type optical finder can be configured by using the reflection mirror 20 in the photographing lens unit 11, a finder image without parallax can be obtained while maintaining a low profile.

  In addition to dividing the subject light into two by a half mirror (beam splitter), it is also possible to change the direction of the subject light by rotating the reflecting mirror 20 as appropriate. For example, the reflection mirror 20 is configured as a normal reflection type that is not a half mirror, and is configured to be rotatable approximately 45 ° clockwise by a motor or the like around the right end of the reflection mirror 20 in FIG. Keep it. Normally, the reflecting mirror 20 is set to a position rotated by 45 ° and retracted from the light flux of the subject light, so that the subject light enters only the optical viewfinder system, and the photographer observes the subject with the eyepiece 37 while observing the subject. Decide the composition, etc. Next, when the release switch 7 is pressed, the reflection mirror 20 automatically rotates counterclockwise by 45 ° to guide the subject light to the image sensor side, and the image is recorded through AF / AE operations. In this way, by dividing the subject light into two and switching the angle of the reflection mirror 20 to guide the subject light to the image sensor only at the moment of shooting, a finder image without parallax can be obtained, There is no decrease in the amount of light to the image sensor, and a high quality captured image can be obtained accordingly.

  The imaging substrate 13 is mainly mounted with an imaging circuit that performs drive control of the imaging device and processes an electric signal photoelectrically converted by the imaging device, and between the imaging lens unit 11 and the image display unit 12. It is arranged parallel to the back of the camera body. Further, in the first embodiment, the image display unit 12 fixed inside the main body is configured to be rotatable. That is, the image display unit 12 is disposed outside the rear cover 1b and is rotatable about a rotation shaft provided on the left and right. The normal position 12a closely attached to the rear cover 1b and the image display surface are the main body. The image display unit 12 freely rotates approximately 180 ° between a horizontal position 12b parallel to the bottom surface and an inversion position 12c where the image display surface is on the subject side.

  Then, when the photographer uses the image display unit as an electronic finder at the time of photographing, there is a problem that, unlike the optical finder, the user cannot see the image at a normal position 12a unless the eyes are separated from the main body to some extent. As a result, the side of the arm holding the camera is opened and the holding of the camera is weakened, which may cause camera shake during telephoto shooting or low-speed shutter. When taking a picture while holding the image display surface at the horizontal position 12b at the waist level at the time of telephoto or at the time of a low-speed shutter, even if the eyes are separated from the camera body, the sides are tightened, so that camera shake does not easily occur. The horizontal position 12b is of course effective when shooting an object at a low position near the ground. Further, at the reversing position 12c, the image on the image display surface is automatically displayed upside down by detecting the rotation angle of the image display unit. When taking a picture of one's own face toward one, the user can easily take a picture while looking at the image display surface.

  Note that the present invention relates to an electronic camera which is one of the electronic imaging devices, but can be applied to other electronic imaging devices such as a video camera using an imaging device.

1 is an external perspective view of an electronic camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front. 2A and 2B are a front view and a cross-sectional view illustrating the vicinity of an aperture of a taking lens in Example 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 in detail. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal layout in the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a front surface of the photographing lens unit according to the first exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a side surface of the photographing lens unit according to the first exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an internal layout according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

Reference Signs List 1 camera body 1a front cover 1b rear cover 2 photographing lens opening 3 optical viewfinder 4 photographing lens protective cover 5a first convex portion 5b second convex portion 6 strobe window 7 release switch 8 mode switch 9 lid
11 Shooting lens unit
12 Image display section
13 Imaging board
14 batteries
15 Main board
16 I / O terminals
17 Removable memory storage room
18 Strobe unit
19 First lens group
20 Reflection mirror
21 Lens frame of the 2nd group
21a Fixed aperture
22 Third group lens frame
22a cam pin
23 4th lens group
23a end
24 Low-pass filter
25 IR cut filter
26 Elastic members
27 Image sensor
28 Fixing plate
29 Flexible cable
30 Front fixed frame
31 Rear fixing frame
32 cam cylinder
33 Aperture shutter unit
33a drive source
34 AF motor
34a Moving plate
35 Zoom motor
36 Guide shaft
37 Eyepiece

Claims (11)

A plurality of lenses; an optical axis changing unit provided between the plurality of lenses to change a direction of a photographing optical axis incident substantially perpendicular to the front surface of the camera body; and a subject converted by the optical axis changing unit. A photographing lens unit having an image sensor that photoelectrically converts light,
It has a substantially U-shape so as to be placed across the taking lens unit, and when placed over the taking lens unit, its own substrate surface and the front surface of the camera body are substantially parallel. An electric circuit board arranged as
A memory storage chamber having a connector for detachable memory, and directly mounted at one end substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the camera body extended from the electric circuit board;
The rear side of the photographing lens unit is disposed so as not to overlap the memory storage chamber in a direction substantially parallel to the electric circuit board and substantially perpendicular to the front surface of the camera body, and has its own display surface exposed to the rear surface of the camera body. An electronic camera, comprising: an image display unit provided to perform the operation.   The optical axis changing means provided in the imaging lens unit changes the direction of an imaging optical axis that has entered the camera body front surface substantially perpendicularly so as to be vertically downward. Electronic camera according to the present invention.   The optical axis changing means provided in the photographing lens unit changes the direction of the photographing optical axis that is incident substantially perpendicularly to the front surface of the camera body so as to be parallel to the bottom surface and the back surface of the camera body. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein:   4. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a light amount adjusting device that mechanically adjusts a light amount between an optical axis changing unit provided in the photographing lens unit and the image sensor. 5. camera.   The lens moving mechanism for moving a lens in an optical axis direction is provided between an optical axis changing unit provided in the photographing lens unit and an image pickup device, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein Electronic camera.   2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising an image pickup board mounted with an image pickup circuit for processing an image pickup signal of the image pickup element between the image pickup element and a bottom surface of the camera body. 3. 2. The electronic camera according to item 2.   The electronic camera according to claim 6, wherein the imaging substrate is arranged in parallel with a bottom surface of the camera body and close to the imaging device.   6. The electronic camera according to claim 5, wherein the electronic camera further includes a drive source for driving the lens moving mechanism, and the drive source is disposed on a side of the imaging lens unit.   2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the photographing lens unit has an imaging device moving mechanism that moves the imaging device along an optical axis of a light beam incident on an imaging surface of the imaging device. 3. A lens that holds a lens closest to the subject and an optical axis changing unit that changes the direction of the photographing optical axis that has passed through the lens, and that prevents the harmful light that enters and passes through the lens from entering the optical axis changing unit. And a front fixed frame having unnecessary external light shielding means formed integrally with the optical axis changing means,
A lens housing section in which a lens into which a photographing optical axis bent by the optical axis changing means is housed, an imaging element housing section formed below the lens housing section, and a lens housed in the lens housing section. A rear fixed frame having a lens moving mechanism for moving, and an aperture shutter unit for mechanically adjusting the amount of light reaching the image sensor,
An image display unit provided on the back of a photographic lens unit including at least the front fixed frame and the rear fixed frame,
A main board disposed in parallel with the front of the camera body and having a substantially U-shaped shape so as to straddle the photographing lens unit;
An electronic camera, comprising:   11. The electronic camera according to claim 10, wherein the electronic camera further includes an imaging substrate disposed below the photographing lens unit and configured to process an electric signal photoelectrically converted by the imaging device. .

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