JP2004252060A - Solid-state imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a solid-state imaging device which has a simple structure, can switch a focal position with high precision, and facilitates initial adjustment of the focal position. <P>SOLUTION: A lens holder 5 is engaged with a fixed holer 2 slidably along an optical axis and in a circumferential direction, and an adjusting ring 3 is screwed onto the outer circumference of the lens holder. An upper-end surface of the adjusting ring 3 is provided with a 1st end surface 3e and a 2nd end surface 3f which have different heights by areas which are equally divided into three in the circumferential direction. The holder 3 has horizontal projections 2e formed at three positions and the upper-end surface of the adjusting ring 3 is pressed by a spring 4 against the reverse surfaces of the horizontal projection parts. The adjusting ring 3 is rotated by a driving lever 3h to switch the 1st end surface 3e and 2nd end surface 3f abutting against the reverse surfaces of the horizontal projections 2e, thereby easily changing over from a normal imaging position to a macro-imaging position and vice versa with high precision. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging device that performs imaging using an imaging device, and particularly to a solid-state imaging device that can perform macro imaging in addition to normal imaging.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a fixed focal position camera using an optical lens having a large depth of focus has been widely used. By using this fixed focal position camera, a so-called macro that captures an image close to a subject up to about 5 to 10 cm is used. If imaging can be performed easily, the utility value is high. However, since the focal position of the lens differs between the case of performing macro imaging and the case of performing normal imaging for imaging an object at a distance of several meters or more, means for changing the focal position is required.
[0003]
By the way, as means for changing the focal position of the lens, cams are already arranged in the circumferential direction, a lens holder is brought into contact with this cam, and this cam is rotated to move this lens holder in the optical axis direction. Driving means has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). The means disclosed in Patent Document 1 is shown in FIGS. That is, the lens driving device includes a holding cylinder 102 fixed to the substrate 101 and a lens barrel 107 inserted into the holding cylinder. Pins 107a to 107c provided on the outer periphery of the lens barrel 107 are provided. 107c is engaged with the rectilinear groove 103 formed in the holding cylinder 102, so that the lens barrel 107 can move only in the optical axis direction. The lens barrel 107 is urged in the optical axis direction by a spring 106.
[0004]
A cam ring 108 is mounted on the outer circumference of pins 107a to 107c provided on the outer circumference of the lens barrel 107, and a drive ring 109 is fitted on the outer circumference of the cam ring. The pressing plate 112 prevents the movement of the cam ring 108 in the optical axis direction. 4, cams 108a inclined in the optical axis direction are arranged in a ring shape on the inner periphery of the cam ring 108. Pins provided on the outer periphery of the lens barrel 107 on this inclined surface 107 a to 107 c are pressed by the spring 106. An arc-shaped long hole 108d shown in FIG. 5 is provided on the outer periphery of the cam ring 108, and the cam ring is fixed to the drive ring 109 by a set screw 110 through the long hole.
[0005]
Therefore, when the drive ring 109 is rotated and the cam ring 108 fixed to the drive ring is rotated, the inclined surface of the cam 108a moves in the circumferential direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 4), and the pin 107a pressed against this surface To 107c are moved in the optical axis direction (vertical direction in FIG. 4). Since the mounting angle between the cam ring and the drive ring 109 can be adjusted by the length of the long hole 108d of the cam ring 108, the initial adjustment of the focal position during assembly is possible in this range.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-5-34562 (page 2-3, FIG. 1)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the above-described means is used in a simple and inexpensive solid-state imaging device that only moves to the two positions of the normal imaging position and the macro imaging position, the following problem occurs. That is, first, the above-described means is a mechanism for moving the imaging position to two places because the mechanism for changing the focal position steplessly is too complicated in structure and is not profitable due to manufacturing cost. Second, since the optical axis position of the lens barrel 107, that is, the focal position of the lens, is set by rotating the drive ring 109 to a predetermined position, if the operation position of the drive ring 109 is slightly shifted, A proper focus position cannot be obtained. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately set two imaging positions.
[0008]
Third, the movement of the focal position during photographing and the initial adjustment of the focal position during assembly are performed using the same inclined surface of the cam 108a. Therefore, on the inclined surface of the cam 108a, the movable range for adjusting the focal position at the time of photographing is reduced by the amount of movement for the initial adjustment at the time of assembly. Therefore, if the manufacturing accuracy of each component is not increased, a predetermined movable range for adjusting the focal position at the time of photographing cannot be secured, or the pins 107a to 107c may come off the inclined surface of the cam 108a. . Further, for the initial adjustment at the time of assembling, it is necessary to once remove the holding plate 112, loosen the set screw 110 fixing the cam ring 108 and the drive ring 109, and re-tighten them again. Become.
[0009]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an individual imaging apparatus having a simple structure, which can switch an imaging position with high accuracy and can easily perform initial adjustment of a focus position at the time of assembly.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, a first feature of a solid-state imaging device according to the present invention is that a substrate on which an imaging element is mounted, a holder fixed to the substrate so as to surround the imaging element, and an optical An adjustment ring that is movable in the axial direction and is rotatable around the optical axis. The solid-state imaging device also includes a locking member that regulates movement of the adjustment ring in the optical axis direction, and a biasing member that biases the adjustment ring in the optical axis direction and joins the adjustment ring and the locking member. A lens holder that holds a lens that forms a subject image on the image sensor, is movable in the optical axis direction integrally with the adjustment ring, and is positionally adjustable in the optical axis direction with respect to the adjustment ring. have. By rotating the adjustment ring around the optical axis, the lens holder is attached to the first surface of at least one of the joint surface of the adjustment ring with the locking member and the joint surface of the adjustment member with the adjustment ring. And a cam surface for moving from the first position to a second position moved in the optical axis direction.
[0011]
By configuring the invention in this manner, the following operation and effect can be obtained. That is, first, the basic configuration is a holder fixed to the substrate, an adjustment ring movable in the optical axis direction and the rotation direction with respect to the holder, and an urging member for urging the adjustment ring in the optical axis direction. By using the lens holder attached to the adjustment ring, the joint position between the adjustment ring and the locking member that restricts the movement of the adjustment ring in the optical axis direction is simply changed by rotating the adjustment ring. Therefore, the structure becomes extremely simple.
[0012]
Second, since the imaging position is determined in multiple stages by the cam, the imaging position can be accurately and reliably switched. Third, the initial setting of the focal position at the time of assembling can be easily performed by adjusting the position of the lens holder with respect to the adjustment ring in the optical axis direction without affecting the switching of the imaging position. Cut off.
[0013]
A second feature of the solid-state imaging device according to the present invention is that the adjusting ring described in the above feature 1 is provided with a groove for assembly.
[0014]
That is, in order to realize the solid-state imaging device according to the present invention with a simpler structure, as described later, a ring-shaped groove centered on the optical axis is formed in the holder, and a ring-shaped adjustment ring is formed in this groove. It is desirable to insert a spring that presses the adjustment ring from below. That is, the adjusting ring is pressed by the spring against the upper inner wall of the ring-shaped groove of the holder, which faces the upper surface of the adjusting ring. In such a configuration, in order to insert the ring-shaped adjustment ring into the ring-shaped groove formed in the holder, a method of dividing the holder into upper and lower parts may be considered, but the ring-shaped upper inner wall is formed in a predetermined circumferential direction. A notch is formed so as to leave a protrusion having a width, and an assembling groove through which the protrusion can pass in the optical axis direction is cut out in a ring-shaped adjustment ring. And manufacturing and assembly costs can be significantly reduced.
[0015]
A third feature of the solid-state imaging device according to the present invention resides in that the adjustment ring according to any one of the first and second features is provided with a rotation-regulating protrusion that comes into contact with the locking member.
[0016]
That is, the imaging position is switched in multiple stages by rotating the adjustment ring and switching the optical axis position where the adjustment ring is joined to the locking member. In this case, in the method of switching the imaging position to two positions, the rotation restricting convex portion may be brought into contact with the locking member at the rotation position corresponding to each imaging position to positively lock. In addition, it is easy to confirm the switching operation of the imaging position, and the erroneous operation can be reliably prevented.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The configuration of the solid-state imaging device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. That is, an imaging element 11 composed of a CCD is mounted on the substrate 1, and a holder 2 is fixed on the substrate 1 so as to surround the imaging element. An inner cylindrical portion 2a centered on the optical axis is formed on the upper portion of the holder 2, and the lens holder 5 is inserted into the inner cylindrical portion 2a such that the circumferential groove 5a is engaged. Therefore, the lens holder 5 is movable in the optical axis direction with respect to the holder 2 and is rotatable around the optical axis.
[0018]
At the center of the lens holder 5, a lens 51 for forming a subject image on the image sensor 11 is held by a retainer 52, and a male screw 2 b is formed on the outer periphery of the lens holder 5. A ring-shaped adjusting ring 3 is screwed to the male screw 2b of the lens holder 5 via a female screw 3a formed on the inner periphery thereof. Now, a horizontal flange portion 2c is provided on the outer periphery of the inner cylindrical portion 2a of the holder 2, and a column portion 2d is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the adjustment ring 3 at three places at 120 degrees around the outer periphery of the adjustment ring 3. It is formed at a circumferential interval. At the upper end of each column 2d, a horizontal protruding portion 2e facing the optical axis is formed.
[0019]
On the other hand, a ring groove 3b is opened on the lower surface of the adjusting ring 3, and a compression coil spring 4 is inserted into this ring groove. The adjusting ring 3 having a ring shape has three grooves 3c for assembling at intervals of 120 degrees on the circumference thereof, and the adjusting ring 3 is attached to the holder 2 as described later. It can be assembled to As shown in FIG. 1, a first end face 3e having a step 3d in the optical axis direction and a second end face 3f are formed on the upper end face of the adjustment ring 2 with the groove 3c as a boundary, as shown in FIG. . That is, in FIG. 1, the first end face 3 e is located below the second end face 3 f by the step 3 d, that is, at a position close to the image sensor 11. Therefore, as will be described later, the first end surface 3e is a surface for setting a macro imaging position, while the second end surface 3f is a surface for setting a normal imaging position.
[0020]
Further, at the portion of the first end face 3e which is in contact with the groove 3c, a rotation restricting projection 3g is formed which protrudes in the optical axis direction. When the adjustment ring 3 is rotated as described later, the rotation restricting projection 3g comes into contact with the horizontal projection 2e of the holder 2 to restrict the rotation of the adjustment ring and prevent the adjustment ring 3 from coming off. Play a role. A drive lever 3h for manually rotating the adjustment ring 3 is provided at a portion of one second end face 3f in contact with the groove 3c so as to protrude in the optical axis direction. Note that the step 3d is an inclined surface along the circumferential direction so as not to be caught by the horizontal projection 2e of the holder 2 when the adjustment ring 3 is rotated.
[0021]
Next, the assembly and use of the above-described solid-state imaging device will be described. First, the holder 2 is fixed with an adhesive on the substrate 1 on which the image pickup device 11 composed of a CCD is mounted so as to surround the image pickup device. Next, the lens 51 is attached to the lens holder 5 by the retainer 52, and the adjusting screw 3 is attached by screwing the female screw 3a to the male screw 2b formed on the outer periphery of the lens holder. Then, the compression coil spring 4 is mounted on the ring groove 3b of the adjustment ring 3, and the three groove portions 3c of the adjustment ring 3 pass through the horizontal protrusion 2e of the column 2d in the optical axis direction. The lens holder 5 is inserted into the holder 2. After the insertion, the adjustment ring 3 is rotated to move the first end face 3e or the second end face 3f to a position where the first end face 3e or the second end face 3f is pressed against the lower surface of the horizontal protrusion 2e by the compression coil spring 4, and is mounted.
[0022]
When the adjustment ring 3 is inserted into the holder 2 and rotated for mounting, the lower surface of the horizontal projection 2e needs to pass over the rotation restricting projection 3g provided on the adjustment ring 3. For this reason, the protrusion height of the rotation restricting convex portion 3g is formed to be sufficient to abut the side surface of the horizontal protrusion portion 2e of the holder 2 to reliably restrict the rotation. If a sufficient play height in the optical axis direction with the horizontal flange portion 2c of the holder 2 opposed to the lower surface is ensured, the adjustment ring 3 is pushed down to get over the rotation restricting convex portion 3g and rotate. Can be done.
[0023]
FIG. 3 shows the shape of the horizontal projection 2e of the holder 2 as viewed in the radial direction from the optical axis. As shown in FIG. 3, the contact surface of the horizontal protrusion 2 e with the adjustment ring 3 is cut out so as to have a slight step by about half of the circumferential width. The frictional force when rotating the pressed adjustment ring 3 is reduced.
[0024]
Next, a method of using the solid-state imaging device will be described. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, when imaging is performed at the normal imaging position, the drive lever 3h is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 1 until the drive lever 3h is positioned near the side surface of the column 2d. In this case, the second end face 3f of the adjustment ring 3 is pressed against the lower surface of the horizontal projection 2e by the compression coil spring 4, and the lens holder 5 is set to the normal imaging position at this position. On the other hand, when imaging is performed at the macro imaging position, the drive lever 3h is rotated clockwise in FIG. 1 until the rotation restricting protrusion 3g is positioned near the side surface of the horizontal protrusion 2e. In this case, the first end surface 3e of the adjustment ring 3 is pressed by the compression coil spring 4 against the lower surface of the horizontal projection 2e, and the lens holder 5 is pushed up in the optical axis direction by the height of the step 3d, and the macro Set to the imaging position.
[0025]
When switching between the normal imaging position and the macro imaging position, the drive lever 3h may be rotated, so that the switching operation can be reliably performed. When performing the initial adjustment of the focal position, the lens holder 5 is detached from the holder 2 by a procedure reverse to that described above, and the adjustment ring 3 screwed to the lens holder is rotated to make the lens holder 5 It is only necessary to adjust the position in the optical axis direction relative to the adjustment ring.
[0026]
As a means for switching between the normal imaging position and the macro imaging position, as described above, a step in the circumferential direction is provided on the upper end surface of the adjustment ring 3 so as to abut on the lower surface of the horizontal protrusion 2e. Not limited to this, the circumferential width of the horizontal protrusion 2e is increased, and a step in the circumferential direction is provided on the lower surface of the horizontal protrusion. On the other hand, the adjusting ring 3 is connected to a contact portion having a narrow circumferential width. Alternatively, the structure may be such that the contact portion is pressed against the lower surface of the horizontal protrusion 2e. Further, a structure in which a step is provided in the circumferential direction on the lower surface of the horizontal projection 2e as well as the adjustment ring 3 may be adopted.
[0027]
Further, the number of steps 3e in the circumferential direction is not limited to one on the upper end surface of the adjustment ring 3, and it is easy to switch to three or more different imaging positions by providing two or more steps. Furthermore, by using a normal imaging film instead of the imaging device 11, the solid-state imaging device according to the present invention can be used as a normal optical camera.
[0028]
A groove 3c for assembling the adjustment ring 3 is cut out, and the locking member against which the adjustment ring 3 is pressed is formed as a horizontal projection 2e having a predetermined circumferential width, so that the groove 3c is formed in the groove 3c. By passing the horizontal projection 2e in the optical axis direction, the adjustment ring 3 can be easily assembled to the holder 2 without dividing the holder 2 into two vertically. Therefore, manufacturing and assembly costs can be significantly reduced. Further, by providing a rotation restricting convex portion 3g on the adjusting ring 3 and abutting the rotation restricting convex portion 3g on the locking member at a rotational position corresponding to a predetermined imaging position, it is easy to confirm the switching operation. And erroneous operations can be reliably prevented.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
First, the basic configuration includes a holder fixed to the substrate, an adjustment ring movable in the optical axis direction and the rotation direction with respect to the holder, an urging member for urging the adjustment ring in the optical axis direction, By using the lens holder attached to the adjustment ring, the joint position between the adjustment ring and the locking member that restricts the movement of the adjustment ring in the optical axis direction is simply changed by rotating the adjustment ring. Therefore, the structure becomes extremely simple.
[0030]
Secondly, since the imaging position is determined in a multi-stage manner by the cam, the imaging position can be accurately and reliably switched.
[0031]
Third, the initial setting of the focal position at the time of assembly is adjusted by adjusting the position of the lens holder with respect to the adjustment ring in the optical axis direction, so that the switching of the imaging position is not affected, and the initial setting at the time of assembly is easily performed. You can make settings.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a top view of a solid-state imaging device.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the solid-state imaging device.
FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of a horizontal flange portion viewed from an optical axis center in a radial direction.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a conventional solid-state imaging device.
FIG. 5 is a development view showing a shape of a cam of a solid-state imaging device according to a conventional example.
FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view showing an initial adjustment unit of a focal position of a solid-state imaging device according to a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Substrate 11 Image sensor 2 Holder 2a Inner cylindrical part 2b Male screw 2c Horizontal flange part 2d Outer cylindrical part 2e Horizontal protrusion (locking member)
3 Adjusting ring 3a Female screw 3b Circumferential groove 3c Groove 3d Step 3e First end face (corresponding to macro imaging position)
3f Second end surface (corresponds to the normal imaging position)
3g Rotation restricting projection 3h Drive lever 4 Compression coil spring (biasing member)
5 Lens holder 5a Cylindrical groove 51 Lens 52 Retainer

Claims (3)

A substrate on which the image sensor is mounted;
A holder fixed to the substrate so as to surround the imaging element,
An adjustment ring movable in the optical axis direction with respect to the holder and rotatable around the optical axis;
A locking member for restricting movement of the adjustment ring in the optical axis direction,
An urging member for urging the adjusting ring in the optical axis direction to join the adjusting ring and the locking member;
A lens holder that holds a lens that forms a subject image on the image sensor and that is movable in the optical axis direction integrally with the adjustment ring, and that is position-adjustable in the optical axis direction with respect to the adjustment ring; Has,
On at least one of the joint surface of the adjusting ring with the locking member and the joining surface of the locking member with the adjusting ring, the lens holder is moved to the first position by rotating the adjusting ring around the optical axis. A solid-state imaging device having a cam surface for moving from the first position to a second position moved in the optical axis direction. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment ring is provided with a groove for assembly. 3. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment ring is provided with a rotation restricting protrusion that contacts the locking member. 4.

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