JP2006317547A - Catoptric system assembling unit and imaging apparatus using same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a catoptric system assembling unit which can position a relation between an optical element and an imaging element with high accuracy in the catoptric system assembling unit having a reflecting surface of a free curved surface shape. <P>SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus 10 includes the catoptric system assembling unit 30, the imaging element, a guide mechanism 80, a switching mechanism 90 or the like. The catoptric system assembling unit 30 has two or more reflecting surfaces of the free curved surface shape. The catoptric system assembling unit 30 has both side parts 70e, 70f of a light shielding cover 70 which functions as a 1st holding member and a holding member 43 which combines both the side parts 70e, 70f with each other. Inclined grooves 70c, 70d which are an example of a guide part are formed at both the side parts 70e, 70f. The inclined grooves 70c, 70d extend in a direction perpendicular to a straight line connecting a 1st optical axis center of one reflecting surface with a 2nd optical axis center of another reflecting surface. Prisms 41, 42 as optical elements are arranged at the holding member 43 which functions as a 2nd holding member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus used for a digital camera, a camera-equipped mobile phone, and the like, and more particularly, to a reflection optical system assembly unit using a free curved surface as a reflection surface and an image pickup apparatus using the same.

  Recent digital cameras and camera-equipped mobile phones are required to be smaller, thinner, and higher performance. In an image pickup apparatus using a coaxial optical system for these devices, it is necessary to reduce the number of lenses in order to reduce the size of the image pickup apparatus. However, if the number of lenses is reduced, it becomes difficult to reduce the aberration generated in the optical system, and the image quality deteriorates. Further, when trying to improve the image quality, it is necessary to increase the number of lenses, and as a result, there arises a problem that the image pickup apparatus becomes large.

  In recent years, a large number of imaging apparatuses using a coaxial optical system have been filed as imaging apparatuses used for digital cameras and camera-equipped mobile phones. For example, an imaging apparatus using a reflection optical system assembly unit described in JP-A-2005-55755 (Patent Document 1) has been proposed. In this imaging apparatus, an imaging optical system having a free curved surface or the like is used.

  The decentered optical system described in Patent Document 1 includes at least one decentered prism and a holding member that holds the decentered prism, and the decentered prism has an effective diameter of an optical action surface that is held by the holding member. An optical working surface having two or more positioning portions at positions sandwiching the positioning member, the holding member having a positioning holding portion corresponding to the positioning portion of the eccentric prism, and further including the positioning portion of the eccentric prism. , And any one of the holding members has two or more, and a total of three protrusions at positions outside the positioning portion or the positioning holding portion and sandwiching the effective diameter of the optical action surface, and the positioning The eccentric prism is positioned and fixed to the holding member via the part, the positioning holding part, and the protrusion.

Further, the decentered optical system holding structure described in Patent Document 1 includes a first decentered prism, a holding member having an aperture stop, and a second decentered prism, and an exit surface of the first decentered prism. And the incident surface of the second decentered prism has two or more positioning portions at positions sandwiching the effective diameter of the optical action surface, and the holding member is disposed on both sides of the first and first A positioning holding portion corresponding to the positioning portion of the second eccentric prism, an optical working surface having the positioning portion of the first and second eccentric prisms, and any one of the holding members is the positioning portion or The first eccentric prism in the holding member has two or more and three projections in total on the outside of the positioning holding part and sandwiching the effective diameter of the optical action surface. The positioning holding portion for the second eccentric prism and the positioning holding portion for the second eccentric prism are different in position from each other, and the first and second positioning prisms from both sides of the holding member via the positioning portion, the positioning holding portion, and the projection portion. One eccentric prism and the second eccentric prism are positioned and fixed.
JP 2005-55555 A

  In the case where the decentered optical system is used in an image pickup apparatus, if the holding member holds the first optical axis center of the reflecting surface having a free-form surface shape and the second optical axis center of the reflecting surface, the image is obtained. It is difficult to form a subject image on the imaging surface of the image sensor that reads Further, when the holding member is movable, high rigidity cannot be obtained with a holding member having a conventional structure.

  When the imaging device is used in a small and thin digital camera or a camera-equipped mobile phone, the field angle of the imaging optical system is set to a wide angle system, and pan focus (all subject shooting distance range while being fixed focus) It is desirable to set the lens so that it is in focus.

  Further, as a recent trend, there is a need to read a bar code using a digital camera or a camera-equipped mobile phone equipped with this imaging device, or to read characters such as a book or a document. In order to meet these needs, a pan-focus imaging device needs a mechanism suitable for macro photography.

  Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide a reflective optical system assembly unit that can position the relationship between the optical element and the imaging device with high accuracy in a reflective optical system assembly unit having an optical element having a free-form surface. There is to do.

  The second object of the present invention is to switch between a position suitable for the first imaging distance and a position suitable for the second imaging distance, and more preferably, the position of the incident surface of the image sensor and the imaging plane. It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging apparatus using a reflective optical system assembly unit capable of fc adjustment which is a focus surface adjustment so that the above relationship becomes the best.

  The reflective optical system assembly unit of the present invention based on the first aspect is disposed at a position separated from each other with respect to a straight line connecting the first optical axis center of the reflective surface and the second optical axis center of the reflective surface; When viewed from the side, a plurality of first holding members (for example, both side portions and a pair of left and right light shielding covers described later) having guide portions (for example, guide grooves such as inclined grooves described later and guide convex portions) orthogonal to the straight line when viewed from the side. Plate-like or bar-like member) and a second holding member (for example, a holding member having a diaphragm opening to be described later) for coupling the first holding members to each other. An optical element is arranged in the above.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus in which the fitting portion provided in the reflective optical system assembly unit has a posture of the reflective optical system assembly unit along a direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface of the image sensor. The reflecting optical system assembly unit is fitted with a guide shaft that is moved while being held, and the first position for setting the photographing position and its range along the guide shaft is compared with the first position. A switching mechanism that selectively positions and holds the second position at a position far from the light receiving surface of the image sensor, and the switching mechanism extends in a direction perpendicular to the light receiving surface of the image sensor. A rotation center axis installed parallel to the rotation center, a rotatable rotation member that positions the first setting position and the second setting position around the rotation center axis, and the rotation member as the first and first rotation positions. To move to position 2 And a switching member. The guide shaft and the rotation center shaft may be a common member.

  The first position is, for example, a standard imaging position for imaging corresponding to a case where the position of an object to be imaged is between a predetermined position and approximately infinity, and the second position is For example, it is a macro imaging position where the position of the object to be imaged is closer than the predetermined position. The standard imaging position in this specification means a pan-focus imaging state in which the focus is almost in focus from a close range to infinity. The macro imaging position means an imaging state suitable for shooting in a very close range where the distance to the subject is further shorter than the close range.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reflection optical system assembly unit has two prisms, and each prism has at least one free-form reflection surface, a light incident surface having an optical action surface, and an optical action. A second light-emitting surface having a surface, and the second holding member disposed between the prisms.

  An example of the switching mechanism is a first flat surface portion including a first surface portion parallel to the light receiving surface, and further parallel to the light receiving surface and perpendicular to the light receiving surface. A second flat surface portion having a different direction position and including a second surface portion is arranged side by side.

  Another example of the switching mechanism includes a rotating cam having a slope including a first surface portion and a second surface portion, the positions of which are different from each other in the direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface in the direction of rotation about the rotation center axis. is doing.

  The contact portion of the reflective optical system assembly unit is formed in a part of a light shielding cover that constitutes the reflective optical system assembly unit. According to this example, it is possible to reduce the number of parts constituting the reflective optical system assembly unit.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is further provided a manual operation switching member interlocking with the switching mechanism, wherein the manual operation switching member switches the switching mechanism between the first setting position and the second setting position. ing. Thus, the imaging state (first position and second position) can be switched in accordance with a manual operation from the outside of the imaging apparatus.

  A fine adjustment mechanism for finely adjusting at least one of the first position and the second position of the reflective optical system assembly unit in a direction perpendicular to the light receiving surface of the image sensor; Also good. In the imaging apparatus provided with the fine adjustment mechanism, in addition to the switching function of two imaging states (for example, the standard imaging position and the macro imaging position) by the switching mechanism, a function of performing fine adjustment of the focus state is added.

  An example of the fine adjustment mechanism includes a cam member that can rotate about the rotation center axis. The cam member has slopes whose positions in the direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface are different in the rotating direction. The switching mechanism has a receiving portion in contact with the inclined surface of the cam member of the fine adjustment mechanism on a surface opposite to the positioning surface of the rotating member, and the cam member rotates relative to the rotating member. The fine adjustment is performed by changing the position.

  The receiving portion of the switching mechanism, that is, the receiving portion in contact with the inclined surface of the fine adjustment mechanism may have an arc shape or an inclined surface shape that follows the shape of the inclined surface.

  Another example of the fine adjustment mechanism includes a restricting member for restricting a movement limit position in a direction in which the rotating cam of the switching mechanism rotates around the rotation center axis. By the restricting member, the rotation center The movement limit position of the rotating cam is finely adjusted with respect to the direction in which the inclined surface moves around the axis.

  According to the present invention, in a reflective optical system assembly unit having an optical element having a free-form surface shape, the relationship between the optical element and the imaging element can be positioned with high accuracy using the holding member having the guide portion. In addition, by combining the first holding member having the guide portion and the second holding member for arranging the optical element, the incident optical axis and the outgoing optical axis can be arranged with high accuracy with respect to the imaging element. Can do.

  According to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the first position for setting the photographing position and its range in the direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface of the imaging element is set to the reflective optical system assembly unit, compared to the first position. It is possible to switch between the second position which is far from the light receiving surface of the image sensor. For this reason, it is possible to perform imaging suitable for each of the two imaging states, that is, the case where the position of the object to be imaged is in the first distance range and the second distance range. In addition, since this switching mechanism can be realized in a small space, it is possible to reduce the size of the imaging device including the reflective optical system assembly unit.

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a digital camera 1 as an example of an imaging device. The digital camera 1 is provided with a release button 20, a flash 21, a cover glass 23, and the like. Further, an image monitor 24 is provided on the back of the digital camera 1. The digital camera 1 includes a manual operation switching member 95. As will be described later, the manual operation switching member 95 moves the reflection optical system assembly unit 30 that is a rotationally asymmetric decentered optical system in the digital camera, for example, at the first position that is the standard imaging position and at the macro imaging position, for example. This is for switching to a certain second position.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the entire inside of the digital camera 1. As shown in FIG. 2, an imaging apparatus 10, an image process processing circuit 11 as processing means using an LSI, a recording unit 12 as an “applied recording medium” described below, and the like are provided inside the digital camera 1. Is housed. The image process processing circuit 11 is mounted on a substrate attached to the imaging device 10.

  The image process processing circuit 11 has a function of obtaining image data by performing predetermined electrical process processing (for example, color processing, white balance, automatic exposure, output signal formatting, etc.) on the electrical signal obtained by the imaging device 10. I'm in charge. The recording unit 12 functions as one unit of an information recording medium for recording the image data from the image process processing circuit 11 on the applied recording medium. Here, the “applied recording medium” refers to a flash memory built in the digital camera 1 or a memory card that can be inserted and removed externally.

  The imaging apparatus 10 includes a reflection optical system assembly unit 30 that forms a rotationally asymmetric decentered optical system by the following two prisms 41 and 42 that are optical elements, a fixed frame 31, and the like. A printed circuit board 35 is attached to a predetermined position of the fixed frame 31. The printed board 35 has an opening 36 through which light passes. For example, an imaging element 32 such as a CCD and the following optical member 44 are joined to the printed board 35. Further, a photographing board 38 is fixed to the printed board 35 via a conductive member 37 such as anisotropic conductive rubber, and the image processing circuit 11 is mounted on the photographing board 38.

  FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the digital camera 1. The digital camera 1 includes a cover glass 23 and a manual operation switching member 95 of the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 shown in the block diagram of FIG. The release button 20 and the flash 21 are connected to the CPU 25 shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2, and photographing by the digital camera 1 is performed when the operator operates the release button 20. The image monitor 24 has a finder function for the operator to visually recognize the object to be photographed and a function for displaying the photographed image to the operator.

  In the example of the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the release button 20, the flash 21 used in the dark, the cover glass 23 for incident imaging light, and macro imaging and standard imaging are switched on the exterior 2. The manual operation switching member 95 and the image monitor 24 are provided. The user can operate the manual operation switching member 95 while looking at the image monitor 24. Although not shown, an icon indicating a state in which the manual operation switching member 95 is switched by the user can be displayed on the image monitor 24.

  An example of the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 is shown in FIGS. The reflection optical system assembly unit 30 includes a first prism 41 and a second prism 42 as optical elements which will be described in detail later, a holding member 43 having a diaphragm opening 62a described later, and the like. The holding member 43 is manufactured by resin molding or the like, and as will be described in detail later, the positioning portions 53c and 53d that are the fitting bosses of the first prism 41 are fitted into the positioning holding portions 62e and 62d that are the fitting holes. In addition, the first and second prisms may be bonded with an adhesive or the like in a state where the positioning portions 61c and 61d that are fitting bosses of the second prism 42 are fitted to the positioning holding portions 62f and 62g that are fitting holes. 41 and 42 are held.

  An optical member 44 such as an infrared cut filter or a dustproof cover glass is disposed on the exit side of the second prism 42. The light emitted from the second prism 42 forms an image on the image plane 45. A light receiving surface of the image sensor 32 as a sensor for converting an object image formed by the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 into an electric signal is disposed on the image plane 45. The light receiving surface of the image pickup element 32 corresponds to the imaging surface 45 referred to in the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the first prism 41 includes a rotationally asymmetric decentered optical system entrance surface 51, a rotationally asymmetric reflective surface 52, and a rotationally asymmetric decentered optical system exit surface 53. This is a decentered optical prism.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the exit surface 53 of the first prism 41 has a notch in part due to the mold structure and the design of the light beam height. The first prism 41 emits light collected from the object to be photographed from a rotationally asymmetric decentered optical surface. The first prism 41 has an optical pupil position at the stop position of the holding member 43 having the stop opening 62 a, and guides the light beam to the incident surface of the rotationally asymmetric decentered optical system of the second prism 42. The first prism 41 has a flat portion 53b formed on a flat surface having a step in an outer region of the effective diameter portion 53a.

  The flat portion 53b of the first prism 41 is formed in a hemispherical shape for positioning in the exit optical axis direction, and positioning portions 53c and 53d on the surface orthogonal to the two optical axis directions formed in a columnar shape. It has three protrusions 53e, 53f, 53g and the like. The positioning portions 53c and 53d are provided at positions outside the effective diameter portion 53a. In FIG. 4, the positioning portions 53c and 53d are provided symmetrically with respect to the center of the emission optical axis so that the mounting position balance of the first prism 41 is equal to the left and right by providing the effective diameter portion 53a as the center.

  The protrusions 53e and 53g are provided outside the positioning portions 53c and 53d around the effective diameter portion 53a. Therefore, when compared with the distance from the center position of the effective diameter portion 53a, the distance to the projections 53e and 53g is longer than the distance to the positioning portions 53c and 53d in parallel with the optical axis direction. The protruding portion 53f is provided outside the effective diameter portion 53a and inside the positioning portions 53c and 53d. As described above, at least two of the three protrusions are longer than the distance to the positioning part in order to increase the surface mounting accuracy when compared with the distance from the center position of the effective diameter part 53a ( It is provided at a position far) and orthogonal to the optical axis direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the second prism 42 is composed of a decentered prism having a rotationally asymmetric decentered optical system entrance surface 61, a reflecting surface 62, a reflecting surface 63, and an exit surface 64. Since at least one of the reflecting surface 62 and the reflecting surface 63 is a rotationally asymmetric surface, optically very high performance (peripheral performance, aberration performance) can be obtained.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the rotationally asymmetric decentered optical system entrance surface 61 of the second prism 42 has a planar portion 61b formed in a plane on the outer region of the effective diameter portion 61a. There is an inclined surface (so-called C surface) 61h for preventing reflection flare in the vicinity. The flat surface portion 61b away from the effective diameter portion 61a has two positioning portions 61c and 61d formed in a columnar shape and three protrusions 61e, 61f and 61g formed in a hemispherical shape. The positioning portions 61c and 61d are provided at outer positions on the outer periphery of the effective diameter portion 61a with the incident optical axis as the center to improve accuracy. The protrusions 61e and 61g are provided at positions outside the positioning portions 61c and 61d that sandwich the effective diameter portion 61a. The protrusion 61f is provided outside the effective diameter portion 61a and inside the positioning portions 61c and 61d. In addition, the protrusions 61e, 61f, and 61g are disposed asymmetrically on the incident surface 61 to improve the assembling plane accuracy.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 12, the stop portion of the holding member 43 having the stop opening portion 62a is at the optical pupil position, and the front surface and the back surface of the stop portion respectively have the exit surface 53 of the first prism 41. A circular recess for escaping the protruding portion of the effective diameter portion 53a and the protruding portion of the effective diameter portion 61a of the incident surface 61 of the second prism 42 is formed. Further, the holding member 43 is formed with a circular and tapered aperture opening 62a.

  The holding member 43 is located at the optical center of the effective diameter portion 53 a of the exit surface 53 of the first prism 41, the optical center of the effective diameter portion 61 a of the incident surface 61 of the second prism 42, and the stop portion of the holding member 43. A structure (see FIGS. 8, 10, and 12) for satisfying the combination accuracy (for example, in the 10 μm range) required for the optical center with the circular aperture 62a is provided. For this purpose, the holding member 43 has planar portions 62b and 62c formed on both sides on the outer side of the opening 62a.

  Positioning and holding portions 62d, 62e, 62f, etc. are provided on the flat portions 62b, 62c so that the parallelism of the first and second prisms 41, 42 attached to the holding member 43 is within a range of 10 μm to 20 μm, for example. 62 g is formed. These positioning holding parts 62d to 62g are formed at positions corresponding to the positioning parts 53c, 53d of the first prism 41 and the positioning parts 61c, 61d of the second prism 42, and the positioning parts 53c, 53d, 61c, 61d According to the shape, it is formed as a through-hole that can be fitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, since the positioning holding portions 62e and 62f are formed in oval long holes, even if there is a slight deviation between the distance between the positioning portions 53c and 53d and the distance between the positioning portions 61c and 61d. The first and second prisms 41 and 42 can be assembled to the holding member 43 with high accuracy. By doing this, the optical center of the effective diameter portion 53 a of the exit surface 53 of the first prism 41, the optical center of the effective diameter portion 61 a of the incident surface 61 of the second prism 42, and the circular shape at the stop portion of the holding member 43. The combination accuracy (10 μm to 20 μm) required for the optical center with the diaphragm aperture 62a can be satisfied.

  An example of the thickness H of the holding member 43 is designed as H = 1.12 mm, and examples of the lengths t of the positioning portions of the first and second prisms 41 and 42 are designed as t = 0.55 mm. In the present embodiment, t / H = 0.49.

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 10, and 12, the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 configured as described above includes the first prism 41 from the flat portion 62 b side of the holding member 43 and the positioning portion 53 c from the positioning holding portion. The positioning part 53d is fitted to the positioning holding part 62e. As a result, the positional accuracy of the exit optical axis center of the exit optical surface of the first prism 41 can be reduced to 10 μm or less.

  At this time, the protrusions 53e, 53f, and 53g of the first prism 41 abut on the flat surface portion 62b of the holding member 43, so that the mounting accuracy of the first prism 41 with respect to the holding member 43 can be 10 μm or less. Similarly, the positioning part 61c is fitted to the positioning holding part 62f and the positioning part 61d is fitted to the positioning holding part 62g from the flat part 62c side of the holding member 43. As a result, the positional accuracy of the optical axis center of the second prism 42 becomes 10 μm or less. At this time, the protrusions 61e, 61f, 61g of the second prism 42 come into contact with the flat portion 62c of the holding member 43, so that the mounting accuracy of the second prism 42 with respect to the holding member 43 is 10 μm or less. In the perspective view of the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 shown in FIG. 7, slopes 65 and 66 on both sides of the prisms 41 and 42 are formed on the mold structure and to prevent unnecessary reflection such as flare.

  In this way, the first prism 41 and the second prism 42 are held on both sides of the holding member 43 as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 11, one positioning holding part 62d, so that the straight line passing through the center of gravity of the first prism 41 and the straight line passing through the center of gravity of the second prism 42 do not come on the same straight line on the holding member 43. 62e and the other positioning holding portions 62f and 62g are provided at different positions. That is, when the reflection optical system assembly unit 30 is given gravitational acceleration due to dropping or the like, the positioning portions 53c, 53d, 61c, 61d and the positioning holding portions 62d, 62e, 62f, 62g which are mounting bosses of the prisms 41, 42 are provided. It is designed to minimize the possibility of force concentration and breakage at the mating part.

  In the state of FIG. 12, when adjustment of the inclination of the first and second prisms 41 and 42 with respect to the holding member 43 is necessary, the first prism 41 shown in FIG. By tilting the protrusions 53e, 53f, 53g and a part of the mold corresponding to the protrusions 61e, 61f, 61g of the second prism 42 shown in FIG. The parallelism can be adjusted to the 10 μm level.

  As described above, the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 according to the present embodiment is used to form an object image on the imaging surface 45 by entering a light beam from an object, and has at least two free-form surfaces. Reflective surfaces 52, 62, and 63 are provided. In addition, the optical axis of the incident optical action surface (incident optical axis λ1 shown in FIG. 16) for entering the light beam from the object, and the emitted light for emitting the light beam from the reflection optical system assembly unit 30 to the imaging surface 45 The prism λ2 is substantially parallel to the axis λ2, has a predetermined interval, and has a free-form surface on the reflecting surface. The reflecting surface 52 of the first prism 41 and the reflecting surfaces 62 and 63 of the second prism 42 constitute a reflecting optical system referred to in the present invention. Further, the prism optical system includes a guide shaft 81 and a guide member 82 described below that are fitted to a part 70a of the light shielding cover 70 and maintain the emission optical axis λ2 perpendicular to the imaging device 32.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 includes a light shielding cover 70 that houses the prisms 41 and 42 and the holding member 43. An incident window 71 is formed in the light shielding cover 70 at a position facing the incident surface 51 of the first prism 41.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, inclined grooves 70 c and 70 d, which are examples of guide portions, are formed on the inner surfaces of both side portions 70 e and 70 f of the light shielding cover 70. Pin-shaped convex portions 72 and 73 (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) provided on both sides of the holding member 43 are fitted into the inclined grooves 70 c and 70 d.

  Both side portions 70e and 70f of the light shielding cover 70 correspond to the first holding member referred to in the present invention. The holding member 43 having the aperture opening 62a corresponds to the second holding member referred to in the present invention. Prisms 41 and 42, which are optical elements, are arranged on both the front and back surfaces of a holding member 43 as a second holding member. The inclined optical system assembly unit 30 is assembled and fixed to the light shielding cover 70 and can be positioned by the inclined grooves 70c and 70d and the convex portions 72 and 73 of the holding member 43.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a straight line (ray axis) that connects the first optical axis center Q1 of the reflecting surface 52 of the first prism 41 and the second optical axis center Q2 of the reflecting surface 62 of the second prism 42 is shown. In the case of L, the inclined grooves 70c and 70d move the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 in the lateral direction with respect to the light axis L (with respect to a virtual plane including the incident optical axis λ1 and the outgoing optical axis λ2 shown in FIG. When viewed from a direction (perpendicular to the right angle).

  Both side portions 70e and 70f of the light shielding cover 70 provided with the inclined grooves 70c and 70d function as a first holding member. These both side portions 70e and 70f are arranged at positions separated from the light axis L in the width direction of the reflection optical system assembly unit 30 (direction perpendicular to the virtual plane). Both side portions 70e and 70f are coupled to each other by a holding member 43 that functions as a second holding member, and prisms 41 and 42 as optical elements are disposed on the holding member 43.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the ray axis L is inclined by an angle α with respect to a plane J parallel to the light receiving surface of the image sensor 32. For this reason, the holding member 43 fixed to the side portions 70e and 70f of the light shielding cover 70 so as to be perpendicular to the light axis L is inclined with respect to a line segment (emitted optical axis λ2) perpendicular to the light receiving surface of the image sensor 32. Take a posture. An adhesive may be used to fix the holding member 43 to the both side portions 70e and 70f of the light shielding cover 70.

  The inclined grooves 70c and 70d may be formed in the plate-like first holding member 85 shown in FIG. 13, or, as shown in FIG. 14, the inclined groove 70d is formed in the rod-like first holding member 86. (Only one is shown) may be formed.

  In the above embodiment, the inclined grooves 70c and 70d are shown as an example of the guide part, but a guide convex part may be adopted as another example of the guide part. For example, guide grooves are formed along both side surfaces of the holding member 43 that is the second holding member, and the guide grooves are fitted to both side portions 70e and 70f of the light shielding cover 70 that is the first holding member. A plurality of pin-shaped guide protrusions may be formed. In short, a guide portion is formed so that the holding member 43 can be held at a right angle with respect to the light axis L inclined with respect to a plane J (shown in FIG. 16) parallel to the light receiving surface of the image sensor 32. Just do it.

  Alternatively, a plurality of vertical grooves (a plurality of guide grooves extending in a direction perpendicular to the light receiving surface of the image sensor 32 and having different lengths) are provided on both side portions 70e and 70f of the light shielding cover 70 which is the first holding member. A plurality of pin-shaped guide protrusions that are formed and engage with the plurality of vertical grooves may be formed on both side surfaces of the holding member 43 that is the second holding member.

  In addition, one vertical groove (a groove extending in a direction perpendicular to the light receiving surface of the image sensor 32) is formed on each of both side portions 70e and 70f of the light shielding cover 70 which is the first holding member, and the second holding member. Rectangular guide projections that engage with the vertical grooves may be formed on both side surfaces of the holding member 43. In this case, the guide convex portion is inclined with respect to the light beam axis L so that the holding member 43 takes a posture perpendicular to the light beam axis L. By adopting such a guide portion, the processing accuracy of the guide portion is improved, and the assembly accuracy can be further increased.

  The imaging apparatus 10 of the embodiment includes a guide mechanism 80 for guiding the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface of the imaging element 32 (direction indicated by an arrow X in FIG. 16). ing. An example of the guide mechanism 80 includes a cylindrical pin-shaped shaft (guide shaft) 81 formed at the left end of the fixed frame 31 in FIG. 16 and a guide member 82 formed at the right end of the fixed frame 31. have. The guide member 82 extends in a direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface of the image sensor 32. The guide shaft 81 corresponds to the rotation center axis referred to in the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 17 and the like, the shaft 81 is fitted in a fitting hole 83 which is an example of a fitting portion formed in a part 70a of the light shielding cover 70 so as to be movable in the X direction. The guide member 82 is engaged with an engaging portion 84 (shown in FIG. 19) that is an example of a fitting portion formed on the light shielding cover 70 so as to be movable in the X direction. By this guide mechanism 80, the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 is guided so as to be movable in the arrow X direction while maintaining the posture of the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 along the direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface of the image sensor 32. .

  The imaging device 10 has a switching mechanism 90. The switching mechanism 90 includes the shaft 81 extending in a direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface of the image sensor 32, and a switching member 91 that can rotate around the shaft 81. The shaft 81 also functions as a rotation center axis. The switching mechanism 90 moves the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 along the guide mechanism 80 to the first position (standard imaging position shown in FIG. 2 as an example) P1 and the imaging element 32 compared to the first position P1. It has a function of selectively positioning and holding at a second position P2 (a macro imaging position as an example) that is far from the light receiving surface.

  The switching member 91 has a rotating cam 91a that is an example of a rotating member that can rotate in a direction indicated by an arrow Y in FIG. In this embodiment, the switching member 91 and the rotating cam 91a are integrally formed, but the switching member 91 and the rotating cam 91a may be formed separately.

  The rotating cam 91a has two surfaces parallel to the light receiving surface of the image sensor 32 (the following two plane portions 101 and 102 that determine the first position P1 and the second position P2), and a slope portion 103. is doing. Restricting members 92 and 93 are provided on the fixed frame 31 side. These regulating members 92 and 93 are for regulating the movement limit position in the direction in which the cam 91a rotates when the switching member 91 rotates about the shaft 81.

  The switching member 91 is, for example, a first operation position S1 shown in FIG. 20A and a first setting shown in FIG. 20B by a manual operation switching member 95 provided on the exterior 2 of the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 2 can be switched to the setting position S2. As shown in FIG. 15, the manual operation switching member 95 is interlocked with the switching member 91 of the switching mechanism 90, and is used when the switching mechanism 90 is switched to the first setting position S1 and the second setting position S2. Is done. That is, when the manual operation switching member 95 is provided on the switching member 91 and the end of the manual operation switching member 95 is exposed outside the exterior 2 of the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 2, the switching mechanism 90 is manually operated with fingers. be able to. 16 and 17, the manual operation switching member 95 is omitted.

  The switching member 91 shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B is rotatable in the arrow Y direction between the first set position S1 and the second set position S2. A positioning surface 100 is formed on the switching member 91. The positioning surface 100 includes a first plane portion 101 parallel to the light receiving surface of the image sensor 32, and a position (coordinates) in a direction parallel to the light receiving surface and perpendicular to the light receiving surface. ) Are different from each other, and a slope portion 103 located between the first and second plane portions 101 and 102 is provided. Further, an operation unit 104 is provided on the switching member 91 shown in FIG. 19 as necessary.

  Here, the operation unit 104 is a member that interlocks with the manual operation switching member 95 described above or is a substitute for the manual operation switching member 95. When the operation unit 104 is provided outside the exterior 2, the operation unit 104 is not shown in FIG. As shown, the manual operation switching member 95 becomes unnecessary.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 30, the switching member 91 can be switched by an actuator 151 such as an electric motor. For example, the switching member 91 can be rotated by the actuator 151 by meshing the drive gear portion 152 provided on the output shaft of the actuator 151 with the driven gear portion 153 provided on the switching member 91. In this way, the manual operation switching member 95 and the operation unit 104 are not necessary.

  A predetermined portion in the middle of the rotation direction of the first flat surface portion 101 shown in FIG. 20 functions as a first surface portion for positioning the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 at the first position P1. A predetermined portion in the middle of the rotation direction of the second flat surface portion 102 functions as a second surface portion for positioning the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 at the second position P2.

  A contact portion 110 that contacts the positioning surface 100 is formed on the light shielding cover 70 side. The contact portion 110 is formed at a position facing the positioning surface 100 and comes into contact with each flat surface portion 101, 102 or the slope portion 103 of the positioning surface 100 according to the rotation position of the switching member 91. Yes.

  Since the inclined surface portion 103 is formed between the first flat surface portion 101 and the second flat surface portion 102, the abutting portion 110 smoothly moves between the first flat surface portion 101 and the second flat surface portion 102. Can be moved to. The contact portion 110 is formed on a part of the light shielding cover 70, but may be formed on the first prism 41 or the second prism 42. Further, the contact portion 110 may be formed on the holding member 43. By doing so, the number of parts can be reduced.

  A spring 111 is provided as an example of a pressing mechanism for applying the contact portion 110 to the positioning surface 100. The spring 111 is attached to the fixed frame 31, for example. The spring 111 is in contact with the convex portions 112 formed on both side portions 70 e and 70 f of the light shielding cover 70 and urges the light shielding cover 70 toward the fixed frame 31. That is, the contact portion 110 is urged toward the positioning surface 100 by the elasticity of the spring 111.

Hereinafter, the operation of the imaging apparatus 10 of the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 19 shows a state where the switching member 91 and the operation unit 104 of the switching mechanism 90 are in the neutral position. By turning the switching member 91 left and right with this neutral position as a boundary, either the first flat surface portion 101 or the second flat surface portion 102 comes into contact with the contact portion 110.

  For example, when the switching member 91 is rotated to the first set position S1 as shown in FIGS. 20 (A) and 21 (A) by the manual operation switching member 95 shown in FIG. The reflective optical system assembly unit 30 becomes the standard imaging position because it contacts the first surface portion in the first flat surface portion 101. At this time, the switching member 91 is prevented from further rotating by the one regulating member 92. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the manual operation switching member 95 and the switching member 91 are operatively connected to each other.

  As shown in FIG. 20B and FIG. 21B, when the switching member 91 is rotated to the second set position S2, the contact portion 110 becomes the second surface portion in the second plane portion 102. By abutting, the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 becomes a macro imaging position. At this time, the switching member 91 is prevented from further rotating by the other restricting member 93.

  22 to 25 show an imaging apparatus 10a according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The basic configuration of the image pickup apparatus 10a is the same as that of the image pickup apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, but the image pickup apparatus 10a of the second embodiment has the fine adjustment mechanism 120. This is different from the embodiment. In this imaging device 10a, parts common to the imaging device 10 of the first embodiment are denoted by common reference numerals.

  The fine adjustment mechanism 120 has at least one of the first position P1 and the second position P2 (for example, the first position P1) of the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 in a direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface of the image sensor 32. It is for fine adjustment.

  An example of the fine adjustment mechanism 120 includes a cam member 121 that can rotate about a shaft 81 as shown in FIGS. The cam member 121 has a slope 122 whose position in the direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface of the image sensor 32 is different in the rotating direction. A receiving portion 123 formed on the switching member 91 of the switching mechanism 90 is in contact with the inclined surface 122.

  The receiving portion 123 is formed on a surface facing the opposite side of the positioning surface 100 of the switching member 91. The receiving portion 123 may have an arc shape, or may have a slope shape that follows the slope 122 of the cam member 121 of the fine adjustment mechanism 120. The cam member 121 rotates around the shaft 81 integrally with the switching member 91 during normal use, and the cam member 121 and the switching member 91 can rotate in different directions around the shaft 81 only during the adjustment process. I am doing so. As a result, the position of the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 can be finely adjusted.

  When performing the fc adjustment of the imaging device 10 a, the cam member 121 is rotated relative to the switching member 91 around the shaft 81. At this time, since the receiving portion 123 slides on the slope 122, the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 can finely adjust at least one of the first position P1 and the second position P2. That is, by moving the fine adjustment mechanism 120 as shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B and FIGS. 25A and 25B, the position of the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 is orthogonal to the light receiving surface of the image sensor 32. Fine adjustment can be performed in the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. If the angle θ shown in FIGS. 25A and 25B is fixed, the fine adjustment mechanism 120 does not change.

  In this way, by adjusting the distance from the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 to the image pickup device 32 by rotating the cam member 121 with respect to the switching member 91 at the time of fc adjustment, for example, the fc adjustment can be performed at the standard image pickup position. it can.

  Although detailed description is omitted, when performing this fc adjustment, an adjustment test chart is placed at an object position suitable for standard imaging, and the contrast value of the image data is evaluated based on an electrical signal from the imaging device. Then, fine adjustment is performed at a position where the contrast value is maximized.

  After the fc adjustment, the receiving portion 123 is fixed to the cam member 121. For example, by adhering the cam member 121 to the switching member 91 with an adhesive, the distance from the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 to the image sensor 32 is fixed at a position where the focus surface with respect to the image sensor 32 is adjusted.

  In the present embodiment, the imaging state at the standard imaging position is the best, but the fc adjustment is performed so that the imaging state at the macro imaging position is the best, and the imaging state at the standard imaging position gradually decreases. It may be made to become.

Next, the operation of the image pickup apparatus 10a according to the second embodiment provided with the switching mechanism 90 and the fine adjustment mechanism 120 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 24A and FIG. 25A, when the switching member 91 is rotated to the first set position S1 in the normal switching operation, the contact portion 110 is in the first plane portion 101. By abutting on the first surface portion of the lens, the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 becomes the standard imaging position. At this time, the cam member 121 moves integrally with the switching member 91 in the same direction toward the first set position S1. The switching member 91 is stopped at the first set position S1 by one of the restricting members 92.

  As shown in FIGS. 24B and 25B, when the switching member 91 is rotated to the second set position S2 in the normal switching operation, the contact portion 110 is moved into the second plane portion 102. By contacting the second surface portion, the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 becomes the macro imaging position. At this time, the cam member 121 moves in the same direction as the switching member 91 toward the second set position S2. The switching member 91 is stopped at the second set position S2 by the other restricting member 93.

  Since the imaging device 10a can finely adjust the position of the focus surface by the fc adjustment using the cam member 121, variations in component parts and shape accuracy of components inevitably occur when the imaging device 10a is assembled. The positional deviation between the imaging surface of the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 and the light receiving surface of the image sensor 32 due to the above can be minimized. For this reason, the imaging device 10a can form a high-quality image.

  26 to 28 show an imaging device 10b according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The basic configuration of the image pickup apparatus 10b is the same as that of the image pickup apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, but the image pickup apparatus 10b of the third embodiment has a fine adjustment mechanism 130 and the switching member 91. The positioning surface 100 is different from that of the first embodiment in that the positioning surface 100 is mainly constituted by the cam inclined surface 131. In this imaging device 10b, parts common to the imaging device 10 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The positioning surface 100 of the switching member 91 of the imaging device 10b includes a first surface portion and a first surface portion in which the position in the direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface of the imaging element 32 changes in the direction in which the switching member 91 rotates about the shaft 81. The cam slope 131 includes two surface portions. A predetermined portion of the cam inclined surface 131 in the rotation direction, that is, the first set position S1 shown in FIGS. 27A and 28A positions the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 at the first position P1. Function as a first surface portion. The second predetermined position S2 shown in FIG. 27 (B) and FIG. 28 (B) in another predetermined portion in the rotational direction of the cam inclined surface 131 positions the reflective optical system assembly unit 30 at the second position P2. It functions as a second surface portion for the purpose.

  In other words, the positioning surface 100 of the imaging device 10b is constituted by a cam slope 131 whose coordinate position changes in a direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface of the imaging element 32, and the contact portion 110 is in contact with the cam slope 131. The first surface portion is a first portion in the cam slope 131, and corresponds to the first set position S1 shown in FIGS. 27 (A) and 28 (A). The second surface portion is a second portion different from the first portion in the cam slope 131, and corresponds to the second set position S2 shown in FIGS. 27 (B) and 28 (B).

  Like the image pickup apparatus 10b of this embodiment, the first position (for example, the standard position) is obtained by bringing the contact portion 110 into contact with the first surface portion or the second surface portion which is an intermediate position in the cam inclined surface 131. The imaging position) and the second position (for example, the macro imaging position) can be switched.

  The fine adjustment mechanism 130 of the imaging apparatus 10b according to this embodiment includes shafts 142 and 143 as an example of the regulating members 140 and 141 for regulating the range in which the switching member 91 moves in a direction parallel to the light receiving surface of the imaging element 32. It has an eccentric pin that rotates around the center.

  As shown in FIG. 27A, one regulating member 140 functions as a stopper for stopping the switching member 91 at the first set position S1. As shown in FIG. 27B, the other restricting member 141 functions as a stopper for stopping the switching member 91 at the second set position S2. By rotating these regulating members 140 and 141 around the shafts 142 and 143 and finely adjusting the first set position S1 and the second set position S2, the first slope of the cam slope 131 with which the contact portion 110 contacts is set. The positions of the surface portion and the second surface portion can be finely adjusted.

  According to the imaging apparatus 10b configured as described above, the reflection optical system assembly unit 30 can be switched between the first position P1 (for example, the standard imaging position) and the second position P2 (for example, the macro imaging position). The fine adjustment of at least one of the first position P1 and the second position P2 of the reflective optical system assembly unit 30, that is, the fine adjustment (fc adjustment) of the focus surface can be performed. If the fc adjustment function is not required, the regulating members 92 and 93 as simple stoppers as shown in FIG. 15 can be used instead of the regulating members 140 and 141.

  FIG. 29 shows an imaging apparatus 10c according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The basic configuration of the imaging apparatus 10c is the same as that of the imaging apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, but is different from the first embodiment in that the manual operation switching member 95 is not provided. In this imaging device 10c, parts common to the imaging device 10 of the first embodiment are denoted by common reference numerals. In the case of this imaging apparatus 10c, the manual operation switching member 95 can be made unnecessary by exposing the operation unit 104 to the exterior of a camera or the like.

  In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 30, the drive gear portion 152 is provided on the output shaft of the actuator 151, and the driven gear portion 153 is provided on the switching member 91. Then, the switching member 91 is rotated by the actuator 151 by engaging the driving gear portion 152 with the driven gear portion 153. According to this configuration, the manual operation switching member 95 and the operation unit 104 are not necessary.

  FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 are examples in which the imaging apparatus of the present invention is incorporated in a camera-equipped mobile phone 160 as an example of imaging equipment. By incorporating the image pickup apparatus (for example, the image pickup apparatus 10) described in each of the embodiments into the camera-equipped mobile phone 160, the camera-equipped mobile phone 160 can be reduced in size and thickness, and the image quality can be improved. As shown in FIG. 32, the release button 20 is provided on the main body 161 of the camera-equipped mobile phone 160.

  A display unit 162 is attached to the main body 161 of the camera-equipped mobile phone 160 by a hinge 163 so as to be opened and closed. The display unit 162 is provided with the imaging device 10 having the above-described reflection optical system assembly unit 30, an image monitor 24, and the like. Note that the configuration and operation of the imaging apparatus 10 are the same as those in the above embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  33 to 35 show different examples of the reflective optical system assembly units 30a, 30b, and 30c applied to the imaging apparatus of the present invention. Any of the reflection optical system assembly units 30a, 30b, and 30c can be switched between the first position P1 and the second position P2 by a switching mechanism similar to that of the imaging apparatus of the above-described embodiment.

  In the reflective optical system assembly unit 30a shown in FIG. 33, the surfaces 201 to 206 of the first prism 41a and the second prism 42a are all free-form surfaces. The light incident from the first surface 201 is refracted by the first surface 201, totally reflected by the second surface 202, refracted by the third surface 203, and then refracted by the fourth surface 204. Further, the light is totally reflected by the fifth surface 205, then totally reflected by the sixth surface 206, refracted by the fifth surface 205, and then imaged on the imaging surface 45. According to the reflection optical system assembly unit 30a, the light traveling from the second prism 42a toward the image sensor 32 is emitted in the opposite direction (left side in FIG. 33) with respect to the light incident on the first prism 41a from the object. For this reason, the entrance window 71 can be provided in the fixed frame 31 in which the image sensor 32 is provided, and the reflection optical system assembly unit 30a can be further reduced in thickness.

  The decentering prism 210 of the reflective optical system assembly unit 30b shown in FIG. 34 has a first surface 211, a second surface 212, and a third surface 213 that are free-form surfaces. The light incident through the holding member 214 functioning as the diaphragm member is refracted by the first surface 211 and incident on the eccentric prism 210, is internally reflected by the second surface 212, and is incident on the first surface 211 again. Is totally reflected, is internally reflected by the third surface 213, is totally reflected by the first surface 211 three times, is again internally reflected by the third surface 213, is refracted by the first surface 211 four times, and is imaged. The image is formed at 45. In the reflection optical system assembly unit 30b, the light traveling from the decentering prism 210 to the image sensor 32 is emitted in the opposite direction (left side in FIG. 34) with respect to the light incident on the decentering prism 210 from the object. For this reason, the incident window 71 can be provided in the fixed frame 31 in which the image sensor 32 is provided, and the reflection optical system assembly unit 30b can be further reduced in thickness.

  In the reflective optical system assembly unit 30c shown in FIG. 35, the surfaces 231 to 238 of the first prism 221 and the second prism 222 are all free-form surfaces. The light incident from the first surface 231 is refracted by the first surface 231, totally reflected by the second surface 232, further totally reflected by the third surface 233, and then refracted and emitted by the fourth surface 234. Further, the light passes through the holding member 43 having the aperture opening, is incident and refracted by the fifth surface 235, is further totally reflected by the sixth surface 236 and the seventh surface 237, is refracted by the eighth surface 238, and is imaged. The image is formed at 45.

  In carrying out this invention, the constituent elements of the invention, including the optical element, the first and second holding members, the guide portion, the guide mechanism, the image pickup element, and the switching mechanism, are within the scope of the invention. Needless to say, various modifications can be made.

  In the above-described embodiment, the position of the switching mechanism 90 is switched by the manual operation switching member 95. However, instead of using the manual operation switching member 95, a motor or solenoid is used as in the actuator 151 shown in FIG. It is also possible to use an actuator such as that which can be switched electrically.

1 is a perspective view of a digital camera including an imaging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing of the digital camera which follows the AA line in FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view of a reflection optical system assembly unit of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the reflective optical system assembly unit shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first prism of the reflective optical system assembly unit shown in FIG. 3. The perspective view of the 2nd prism of the reflective optical system assembly unit shown by FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the reflective optical system assembly unit shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a front view of a holding member of the reflective optical system assembly unit shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a side view of a holding member of the reflective optical system assembly unit shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the reflective optical system assembly unit shown in FIG. 3. Sectional drawing which shows the gravity center position of the 1st prism and 2nd prism of the reflective optical system assembly unit shown by FIG. The figure which shows the cross section of the holding member of the reflective optical system assembly unit shown by FIG. 3, and the side surface of a part of 1st and 2nd prism. The perspective view which shows the modification of a holding member. The perspective view which shows another modification of a holding member. The perspective view of the imaging device incorporated in the digital camera shown by FIG. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging apparatus shown in FIG. The disassembled perspective view of the imaging device shown by FIG. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a part of a light shielding cover of the imaging apparatus shown in FIG. 15. The top view of the imaging device shown by FIG. (A) and (B) are front views when the switching mechanism of the image pickup apparatus shown in FIG. 15 is in the first set position and the second set position, respectively. (A) and (B) are exploded perspective views when the switching mechanism of the imaging apparatus shown in FIG. 15 is in the first set position and the second set position, respectively. The perspective view of the imaging device which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging apparatus shown in FIG. (A) (B) is a front view when the switching mechanism of the imaging device shown in FIG. 22 is in the first set position and the second set position, respectively. (A) and (B) are exploded perspective views when the switching mechanism of the imaging device shown in FIG. 22 is in the first set position and the second set position, respectively. The perspective view of the imaging device which shows the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. (A) and (B) are front views when the switching mechanism of the imaging apparatus shown in FIG. 26 is in the first set position and the second set position, respectively. FIGS. 27A and 27B are exploded perspective views when the switching mechanism of the imaging apparatus shown in FIG. 26 is in the first setting position and the second setting position, respectively. The perspective view of the imaging device which shows the 4th Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view of the switching mechanism which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the mobile phone with a camera as another example of the apparatus for imaging. FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of the camera-equipped mobile phone shown in FIG. 31. Sectional drawing which shows the other example of a prism optical system. Sectional drawing which shows the further another example of a prism optical system. Sectional drawing which shows the further another example of a prism optical system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital camera 10, 10a, 10b, 10c ... Imaging device 11 ... Image process processing circuit (processing means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Recording part 30, 30a, 30b, 30c ... Reflective optical system assembly unit 32 ... Imaging element 41 ... 1st prism 42 ... 2nd prism 43 ... Holding member (2nd holding member)
45: Imaging surface 70: Shading cover 70a: Part of the shading cover (fitting part)
70c, 70d ... inclined grooves (guide portions)
70e, 70f ... Both sides of the light shielding cover (first holding member)
80 ... guide mechanism 81 ... shaft (guide shaft)
85: Plate-shaped holding member (first holding member)
86: Rod-shaped holding member (first holding member)
90 ... Switching mechanism 91 ... Switching member 91a ... Rotating cam (Rotating member)
95: Manual operation switching member 100 ... Positioning surface 110 ... Abutting portion 120 ... Fine adjustment mechanism 130 ... Fine adjustment mechanism 140, 141 ... Restriction member 160 ... Mobile phone with camera

Claims (14)

An optical element having a free-form reflecting surface for entering a light beam from an object to form an object image on the imaging surface, an incident optical axis for entering the light beam from the object, and a light beam on the imaging surface And a reflection optical system that is substantially parallel to each other and has a predetermined interval, and an object image formed by the reflection optical system is converted into an electrical signal. In a reflection optical system assembly unit including an image sensor,
A guide portion disposed at a position spaced apart from a straight line connecting the first optical axis center of the reflecting surface and the second optical axis center of the reflecting surface and orthogonal to the straight line when viewed from a side surface; A reflection having a plurality of first holding members and a second holding member that couples the plurality of first holding members to each other, and the optical element is disposed on the second holding member. Optical system assembly unit. A guide shaft for moving a fitting portion provided in the reflective optical system assembly unit according to claim 1 in a state in which the posture of the reflective optical system assembly unit is maintained along a direction orthogonal to a light receiving surface of the imaging element. Mated with
A first position for setting the imaging position and range of the reflective optical system assembly unit along the guide axis, and a second position at a position farther from the light receiving surface of the image sensor than the first position. And a switching mechanism for selectively positioning and holding the position,
The switching mechanism is
A rotation center axis installed in parallel with the guide axis extending in a direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface of the image sensor;
A rotatable rotating member that positions the first setting position and the second setting position around the rotation center axis;
An imaging apparatus using a reflective optical system assembly unit, comprising: a switching member for moving the rotating member to the first and second positions.   Processing means for obtaining image data by performing predetermined electrical process processing on an image pickup signal obtained from the image sensor, and recording the image data subjected to the electrical process processing on an applied information recording medium The imaging apparatus using the reflection optical system assembly unit according to claim 2, further comprising: a recording unit.   The first position is a standard imaging position for performing imaging corresponding to a case where the position of an object to be imaged is between a predetermined position and approximately infinity, and the second position is an imaging 3. The imaging apparatus using a reflective optical system assembly unit according to claim 2, wherein the imaging apparatus is a macro imaging position for performing imaging in response to a case where the position of an object to be processed is closer to the standard imaging position.   The reflection optical system assembly unit has two prisms, and each prism has at least one free-form reflecting surface, a light incident surface having an optical action surface of a decentered optical system, and an optical of the decentered optical system. The imaging apparatus using the reflective optical system assembly unit according to claim 2, further comprising: a light exit surface having a working surface, and further including the second holding member disposed between the prisms. .   The rotating member is a rotating cam, and a positioning surface of the rotating cam includes a first plane portion including a first surface portion parallel to the light receiving surface, and further parallel to the light receiving surface and the first plane. 3. The imaging using the reflective optical system assembly unit according to claim 2, wherein the second planar portion including the second surface portion is arranged side by side with a second plane portion that is different in position in a direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface. apparatus.   The rotating member is a rotating cam, and a positioning surface of the rotating cam includes a first surface portion and a second surface portion that are different from each other in a direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface in a direction rotating around the rotation center axis. The reflective optical system according to claim 2, further comprising two restricting members that have a slope including the first and second rotation portions of the rotary cam and restrict the rotational positions of the first and second surface portions. An imaging device using a system assembly unit.   3. The reflection optical system assembly unit has a contact portion, and the contact portion is formed on a part of a light shielding cover having a structure integrated with the reflection optical system assembly unit. An imaging apparatus using the reflective optical system assembly unit described.   A manual operation switching member that is linked to a rotating cam of the switching mechanism, and further includes a manual operation switching member that switches the switching mechanism between the first setting position and the second setting position. Item 7. An imaging apparatus using the reflection optical system assembly unit according to Item 6.   A fine adjustment mechanism for finely adjusting at least one of the first position and the second position of the reflective optical system assembly unit in a direction perpendicular to the light receiving surface of the image sensor; The imaging apparatus using the reflective optical system assembly unit according to claim 2, further comprising a cam member arranged coaxially with the rotating member of the switching mechanism.   The cam member of the fine adjustment mechanism is rotatable about the rotation center axis of the switching mechanism, and has a slope whose position in a direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface changes in the direction of rotation. The reflection mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the switching mechanism includes a receiving portion with which the inclined surface of the fine adjustment mechanism abuts, and the fine adjustment is performed by changing a rotation position relative to the fine adjustment mechanism. An imaging apparatus using an optical system assembly unit.   The reflection portion according to claim 11, wherein a receiving portion corresponding to the fine adjustment mechanism of the rotating member used for the switching mechanism is formed on a surface opposite to the positioning surface of the rotating member. An imaging apparatus using an optical system assembly unit.   The rotating member used in the switching mechanism has a receiving portion that comes into contact with the inclined surface of the fine adjustment mechanism, and the receiving portion has a shape of an inclined surface along the inclined surface of the fine adjusting mechanism. An imaging apparatus using the reflective optical system assembly unit according to claim 12. A fine adjustment mechanism for finely adjusting at least one of the first position and the second position of the reflective optical system assembly unit in a direction perpendicular to the light receiving surface of the image sensor;
The fine adjustment mechanism includes a restricting member for restricting a movement limit position in a direction in which the rotating cam of the switching mechanism rotates around the rotation center axis, and the restriction member is used to center the rotation center axis. 8. The imaging apparatus using a reflective optical system assembly unit according to claim 7, wherein the movement limit position of the rotary cam can be finely adjusted with respect to the direction in which the slope moves.

Images