WO2013065215A1

WO2013065215A1 - Imaging device

Info

Publication number: WO2013065215A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/004954
Authority: WO
Inventors: 横田　康夫; 真伊豫田; 美代子入来院; 康広宮本
Original assignee: パナソニック株式会社
Priority date: 2011-10-31
Filing date: 2012-08-03
Publication date: 2013-05-10
Also published as: JP2015008340A

Abstract

An imaging device having a camera body provided with an imaging unit having an imaging element and a heat-dissipating member for dissipating heat generated by the imaging element; the device being provided with a heat-conduction member connecting the imaging element and the heat-dissipating member, one end of the heat-conducting member being connected to a region of the heat-dissipating member that is normally covered by a slide cover capable of sliding in order to open and close an imaging window of the imaging unit.

Description

Imaging device

The present disclosure relates to an imaging apparatus capable of photographing a subject from a plurality of viewpoints by a plurality of imaging means.

Patent Document 1 includes two imaging units having an imaging device as an imaging device capable of capturing a subject from a plurality of viewpoints by a plurality of imaging units, and two viewpoints that are different from each other by the two imaging units. Has disclosed a digital camera capable of taking pictures.

JP 2008-167066 A

Since the imaging device included in the imaging unit generates heat, an imaging device including a plurality of imaging units has a problem in that the temperature rises and thermal noise is generated and image degradation occurs compared to an imaging device including only one imaging unit. It was.

Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an imaging device that safely dissipates heat generated by an imaging element and reduces generation of thermal noise and image degradation.

An image pickup apparatus according to the present disclosure is an image pickup apparatus including a camera body including an image pickup unit having an image pickup element and a heat radiating member that releases heat generated by the image pickup element, and heat that connects the image pickup element and the heat radiating member. A conductive member is provided, and one end of the heat conductive member is connected to a region of the heat radiating member that is always covered with a slidable slide cover for opening and closing a photographing window of the imaging unit.

The imaging device according to the present disclosure can safely dissipate heat generated by the imaging element, and can prevent generation of thermal noise and image degradation.

FIG. 1 is an external view of a digital camera 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the camera body 3 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the camera body 3 as seen from the opposite direction side to FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram including a configuration for performing operation control of the digital camera 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a connection position between the slide cover 10 and the heat conducting member 101 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a partially transparent view of the digital camera 100 as viewed from the front side. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the camera body 23 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to a cross section taken along the line AA ′ of FIG. 1 in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a connection position between the slide cover 10 and the heat conducting member 101 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a partially transparent view of a digital camera according to another embodiment as viewed from the front side. FIG. 12 is a partially transparent view of a digital camera according to another embodiment as viewed from the front side.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of already well-known matters and repeated descriptions for substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid the following description from becoming unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. The applicant provides the accompanying drawings and the following description in order for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims. Absent.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the configuration of the digital camera 100 in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment. The digital camera 100 includes a camera body 3 and an exterior case 1 that is accommodated with the camera body 3 interposed therebetween. 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the configuration of the camera body 3 which is the internal configuration of the digital camera 100. FIG. Here, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the outer case 1 on the front side (photographing direction) of the digital camera 100 is removed. FIG. 3 is a view as seen from the back side of the digital camera 100 in the direction opposite to that in FIG. 2 with the outer case 1 removed.

The exterior case 1 is provided with an operation unit 9 including a main power switch 9a and a release button 9b, a photographing window 1a, a slide cover 10, and an opening / closing lid 12. The shooting window 1a is a window for taking light into a first imaging unit 4 and a second imaging unit 5 provided in a camera body 3 to be described later. The slide cover 10 is slidable up and down to open and close the shooting window 1a. The opening / closing lid 12 is freely openable and closable. By opening and closing the open / close lid 12, a battery (not shown) serving as a power source for the digital camera 100 can be accommodated in a battery slot 7 provided in the camera body 3 to be described later. Further, by opening and closing the opening / closing lid 12, a memory card (not shown) for recording a captured still image or moving image can be accommodated in a card slot 20 provided in the camera body 3 to be described later. In the present embodiment, the outer case 1 is provided with a metal support attachment part 11 such as a stainless alloy used when the digital camera 100 is installed on a support such as a tripod or a monopod. This is not an essential component of the present disclosure. In the present embodiment, only the portion of the support attachment portion 11 that is fixed to a support such as a tripod or a monopod is exposed on the bottom surface of the exterior case 1.

The camera body 3 controls the operation of the first imaging unit 4, the second imaging unit 5, a metal frame 6 (see FIG. 4 described later), a battery slot 7, and the camera body 3. A circuit block 8 (see FIG. 4 described later) and a card slot 20 are provided.

The first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 are attached to the frame 6 at a predetermined interval. The battery slot 7 accommodates a battery (not shown) serving as a power source for the digital camera 100. The card slot 20 accommodates a memory card (not shown) that records captured still images and moving images. In this embodiment, the battery and the memory card are separated from the camera body 3, but the battery and the memory card may be built in the camera body 3. At this time, the battery may be provided in the battery slot 7 and the memory card may be provided in the card slot 20 and incorporated in the camera body 3.

Next, the configuration of the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line AA ′ in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first imaging unit 4 includes a lens unit including a lens 41a and a bending optical system 41b, an imaging element 42, a circuit board 43, a lens group 44, an aperture unit 45, and these. And a unit housing 46 that accommodates the above configuration. Further, a camera monitor 13 constituted by a liquid crystal display or the like is provided in the exterior case 1 on the back side.

In the first imaging unit 4, the optical image A1 of the subject enters the first imaging unit 4 through the shooting window 1a, is received by the lens 41a, and is bent by the bending optical system 41b. 42.

The image pickup element 42 is an image pickup element using a complementary metal oxide semiconductor image sensor (CMOS) that converts the optical image A1 received by the lens unit into image data. The image sensor 42 is mounted on the circuit board 43. The circuit board 43 is mounted with a circuit (described later) that controls the image sensor 42 and processes image data obtained from the image sensor 42. The circuit board 43 is connected to one end of a heat conducting member 101 that is a first heat conducting member that transfers heat generated by the image sensor 42. The other end of the heat conducting member 101 is connected to the outer case 1. In addition, a member that does not transmit an external force such as vibration applied to the housing to the image sensor 42, such as a flexible copper foil or graphite sheet, is used for the heat conducting member 101.

The lens group 44 and the aperture unit 45 are disposed between the lens unit and the image sensor 42. In the present embodiment, the lens unit, the lens group 44, the aperture unit 45, and the image sensor 42 are arranged in this order. However, the configuration of these lenses is not particularly limited.

The second imaging unit 5 has the same configuration as the first imaging unit 4. The reference numerals in parentheses shown in FIG. 4 indicate the configuration of the second imaging unit 5 corresponding to the configuration of the first imaging unit 4. Therefore, the above description is the description of the second imaging unit 5 by replacing the reference numeral indicating the configuration of the first imaging unit 4 with the corresponding parenthesized reference numeral.

Next, the operation of the digital camera 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the digital camera 100 including a configuration in which the first imaging unit 4 controls the operation of the camera body 3. 4, the reference numerals in parentheses in FIG. 5 indicate the configuration of the second imaging unit 5 corresponding to the configuration of the first imaging unit 4. In the following description, the following description is the description of the second imaging unit 5 by replacing the reference numeral indicating the configuration of the first imaging unit 4 with the corresponding parenthesized reference numeral.

The image sensor 42 converts the optical image A1 of the subject incident through the lens unit into image data such as still image data and moving image data. Here, the image sensor 42 operates based on the timing signal from the timing signal generator 47 mounted on the circuit board 43, and converts the optical image into image data.

The image data converted by the image sensor 42 is converted into a digital signal by the AD converter 48 mounted on the circuit board 43 and sent to the camera controller 16 for image processing. The image processing referred to here is, for example, gamma correction processing, white balance correction processing, scratch correction processing, YC conversion processing, electronic zoom processing, JPEG compression processing, and the like.

The camera controller 16 controls each part of the camera body 3 in response to an instruction from the operation unit 9. Specifically, the camera controller 16 transmits signals for controlling the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 to the lens controller 17 and receives various signals from the lens controller 17. The driving unit 18 drives the lens group of the optical system of the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 and controls the aperture unit 45 based on the control signal of the lens controller 17. The aperture unit 45 is a light amount adjusting member that adjusts the amount of light transmitted through the optical system. The lens group of the optical system includes a zoom lens group, an OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer) lens group, and a focus lens group.

The memory 19 connected to the camera controller 16 temporarily stores data when performing drive control of each lens group of the optical system of the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 and the aperture unit 45, It is used for storing programs and parameters for controlling the camera controller 16.

A memory card is detachably attached to the card slot 20. The card slot 20 controls the memory card based on a control signal transmitted from the camera controller 16. Based on this control, still image data and moving image data obtained from the image sensor 42 are written into the memory card and data are read out. In the image data such as still image data and moving image data generated by the image sensor 42, the moving image data is also used for displaying a through image. Here, the through image is an image in which data is not recorded on the memory card among the moving image data, and is processed by the camera controller 16 and displayed on the camera monitor 13 in order to determine the composition of the moving image or the still image.

Next, structural features of the digital camera 100 will be described in more detail.

The digital camera 100 uses the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 to capture two images with parallax by capturing the same subject from two viewpoints, and the two images with parallax are acquired. By synthesizing, a stereoscopic image can be generated. In the present embodiment, the first imaging unit 4 is disposed at the end (the right end in FIG. 2) in the camera body 3. The second imaging unit 5 is disposed at a substantially central portion in the camera body 3. The digital camera 100 has two shooting modes. The first shooting mode is a mode in which only the first imaging unit 4 is driven and a planar image is shot. The second shooting mode is a mode for shooting a stereoscopic image by driving the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5.

In recent years, in digital cameras, the power consumption of image pickup devices and camera controllers has increased due to higher image quality and video shooting support, and the amount of heat generated by image pickup devices and camera controllers has also increased. Since the digital camera 100 includes two image pickup units, the heat generation amount in the image pickup unit is doubled, and the heat generation amount in the camera controller 16 that processes the captured image is larger than the conventional one.

In the digital camera 100, when the amount of heat generated in the image sensor increases, thermal noise may occur and image degradation may occur. In addition, when the user is using a digital camera, the temperature of the digital camera rises, and the user may feel discomfort due to the temperature difference between the temperature of the digital camera and the ambient temperature, and may feel distrustful about the product. is there. Therefore, it is a problem to safely dissipate the heat generated in the image sensor. On the other hand, it is difficult to incorporate a fan or a heat sink because of the demand for miniaturization of the camera.

In response to the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have studied and experimented on a configuration for safely radiating the heat generated in the image sensor and reducing the temperature rise of the image sensor.

As a result of examination and experiment, in the digital camera 100, one end of the heat conducting member 101 is thermally connected to the circuit board 43 on which the image pickup element 42 of the first image pickup unit 4 is mounted. In addition, the other end of the heat conducting member 101 is thermally connected to a portion that is always covered with the slide cover 10 on the inner surface on the front surface side of the exterior case 1. Similarly, one end of the heat conducting member 102 is thermally connected to the circuit board 53 on which the image pickup device 52 of the second image pickup unit 5 is mounted. Further, the other end of the heat conducting member 102 is thermally connected to a region that is always covered with the slide cover 10 on the inner surface on the front surface side of the outer case 1.

6 is a diagram for explaining the connection position between the slide cover 10 and the heat conducting member 101 in the digital camera 100. FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line AA ′ in FIG. is there. In FIG. 6, the circuit block 8 and the frame 6 are omitted for easy understanding of the drawing. Further, the reference numerals in parentheses in FIG. 6 indicate the configuration of the second imaging unit 5 corresponding to the configuration of the first imaging unit 4. In the following description, the following description is the description of the second imaging unit 5 by replacing the reference numeral indicating the configuration of the first imaging unit 4 with the corresponding parenthesized reference numeral. FIG. 7 is a partially transparent view of the digital camera 100 as viewed from the front side. In FIG. 7, the illustration of the shooting window 1 a is omitted, and a part of the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 are drawn through. In addition, the heat

conductive members

101 and 102 are thermally connected to the exterior case 1 in the hatched portions of the heat

conductive members

101 and 102 in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, one end of the heat conducting member 101 is thermally connected to a circuit board 43 on which the imaging element 42 of the first imaging unit 4 is mounted. Further, the other end of the heat conducting member 101 is thermally connected to a region that is always covered with the slide cover 10 on the inner surface on the front surface side of the outer case 1. By connecting the heat conducting member 101 in this way, the exterior case 1 can be used as a heat radiating plate, and the heat generated by the image sensor 42 can be thermally diffused and radiated to the atmosphere.

Here, the position where the heat conducting member 101 is connected to the inner surface of the outer case 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6A shows a state where the digital camera 100 is turned off, that is, a state where the slide cover 10 is slid upward so as to close the photographing window 1a. In this case, the range B <b> 1 is covered with the slide cover 10 on the front surface of the outer case 1.

FIG. 6B shows a state in which the digital camera 100 is powered on, that is, a state in which the slide cover 10 is slid downward so as to open the photographing window 1a. In this case, the range B <b> 2 is covered with the slide cover 10 on the front surface of the outer case 1.

Here, the region 103 in the outer case 1 is a region corresponding to a range B3 where the range B1 and the range B2 overlap. The region 103 is in a state where the slide cover 10 is slid upward so as to close the photographing window 1a or in a state where the slide cover 10 is slid downward so as to open the photographing window 1a. The region is always covered by the slide cover 10. That is, the region 103 is a region that is always covered by the slide cover 10 regardless of the slide state of the slide cover 10. That is, the area 103 is an area that cannot be directly touched by the user when the digital camera 100 is used.

As described above, even if the area 103 is heated, the user cannot touch it directly with his / her hand, so when the user touches the digital camera 100, he / she feels hot and uncomfortable, or burns at a low temperature. Can be prevented. Further, the other end of the heat conducting member 101 may be connected anywhere within the region 103. For example, in the outer case 1, the outer case 1 is disposed near the center of the region 103, which is far from the region other than the region 103. With the above-described configuration, heat generated in the image sensor 42 can be safely radiated, and a temperature increase of the digital camera 100 due to the image sensor 42 can be reduced. In addition, by using the exterior case 1 as a heat radiating member, it is not necessary to provide a heat radiating plate for radiating the heat of the image pickup device inside the image pickup device, so that the image pickup device can be reduced in size and weight. By using the exterior case 1 as a metal member, the heat dissipation effect can be further enhanced.

(Embodiment 2)
The second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a camera body 23 that is an internal configuration of the digital camera 200 according to the second embodiment. Here, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the outer case 1 on the front side (the shooting direction) of the digital camera 200 is removed. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ in FIG. 4, the reference numerals in parentheses in FIG. 9 indicate the configuration of the second imaging unit 5 corresponding to the configuration of the first imaging unit 4.

The camera body 23 further includes a plate 14 in addition to the camera body 3 according to the first embodiment. The plate 14 is connected to the frame 6. In addition, the plate 14 supports a lens barrel (not shown) that is a cylinder that accommodates the lens movable portion in the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5. As shown in FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, the plate 14 is disposed at a position close to the outer case 1, but may be disposed so as to be in contact with the outer case 1.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a connection position between the slide cover 10 and the heat conducting member 101 in the digital camera 200, and corresponds to a cross section cut along the line AA ′ in FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing. In FIG. 10, the circuit block 8 and the frame 6 are not shown for easy understanding of the drawing. 6, the reference numerals in parentheses in FIG. 10 indicate the configuration of the second imaging unit 5 corresponding to the configuration of the first imaging unit 4. In the following description, the following description is the description of the second imaging unit 5 by replacing the reference numeral indicating the configuration of the first imaging unit 4 with the corresponding parenthesized reference numeral.

As shown in FIG. 10, one end of the heat conducting member 101 is thermally connected to a circuit board 43 on which the imaging element 42 of the first imaging unit 4 is mounted. Further, the other end of the heat conducting member 101 is thermally connected to a region of the plate 14 that is always covered by the exterior case 1 and the slide cover 10. By connecting the heat conducting member 101 in this way, the plate 14 can be used as a heat radiating plate, and the heat generated by the image sensor 42 can be diffused and radiated.

Here, the position where the heat conducting member 101 is connected to the plate 14 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10A shows a state where the digital camera 200 is powered off, that is, a state where the slide cover 10 is slid upward so as to close the photographing window 1a. In this case, in the plate 14, the range B <b> 4 is covered with the exterior case 1 and the slide cover 10.

FIG. 10B shows a state in which the digital camera 200 is powered on, that is, a state in which the slide cover 10 is slid downward so as to open the photographing window 1a. In this case, in the plate 14, the range B <b> 5 is covered with the outer case 1 and the slide cover 10.

Here, the region 104 in the plate 14 is a region corresponding to a range B6 where the range B4 and the range B5 overlap. The region 104 can be used both when the slide cover 10 is slid upward so as to close the shooting window 1a and when the slide cover 10 is slid downward so as to open the shooting window 1a. This is an area always covered by the outer case 1 and the slide cover 10. That is, the region 104 is a region that is always covered by the exterior case 1 and the slide cover 10 regardless of the slide state of the slide cover 10. That is, the region 104 is a region on the inner surface side of the region of the exterior case 1 that cannot be directly touched by the user when the digital camera 200 is used.

As described above, even if the region 104 is heated, the region 104 is covered with the region of the outer case 1 that cannot be directly touched by the user, so that when the user touches the digital camera 100, the region 104 is hot. It can prevent uncomfortable feelings and low temperature burns. Further, the other end of the heat conducting member 101 may be connected anywhere within the region 104. For example, in the plate 14, the plate 14 is arranged near the center of the region 104 that is far from the region other than the region 104. With the above configuration, the heat generated in the image sensor 42 can be safely radiated, and the temperature rise of the digital camera 200 due to the image sensor 42 can be reduced. Further, since the plate 14 is used as a heat radiating member, the heat radiating effect can be further enhanced by using the plate 14 as a metal member.

(Other embodiments)
As described above, Embodiments 1 and 2 have been described as examples of implementation in the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can also be applied to embodiments in which changes, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. are made as appropriate. In addition, it is possible to combine the components described in the first and second embodiments to form a new embodiment. Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

In Embodiments 1 and 2, the

heat conducting members

101 and 102 are provided in both the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5, but the heat conducting member is provided only in one of the imaging units. Just do it.

FIG. 11 is a partially transparent view of the digital camera as viewed from the front side. In FIG. 11, the illustration of the shooting window 1 a is omitted, and a part of the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 are drawn through. Further, the heat conductive member 101 is thermally connected to the outer case 1 in the shaded portion of the heat conductive member 101 in FIG. 11.

In the digital camera according to the present embodiment, since only the first imaging unit 4 is driven when shooting in the first shooting mode, the second imaging unit is compared with the temperature in the vicinity of the first imaging unit 4. It was found that the temperature in the vicinity of 5 did not rise relatively. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, the heat conducting member 101 may be provided only on the first imaging unit 4 side.

Also in an imaging apparatus having only one first imaging unit 4 as an imaging unit, the same heat conducting member 101 may be provided in the first imaging unit 4 as shown in FIG.

In the first and second embodiments, separate heat conducting members are arranged on the circuit boards on which the imaging elements are mounted. However, the heat conducting member 101 and the heat conducting member 102 are integrated members. May be. Further, in the first and second embodiments, the

heat conducting members

101 and 102 are connected to the circuit board on which each image sensor is mounted. However, the circuit board such as a sheet metal for fixing the circuit board on which each image sensor is mounted is used. The

heat conducting members

101 and 102 may be thermally connected to other arranged heat conducting members, respectively.

As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the implementation in the present disclosure. For this purpose, the accompanying drawings and detailed description are provided. Accordingly, among the components described in the accompanying drawings and the detailed description, not only the components essential for solving the problem, but also the components not essential for solving the problem in order to illustrate the above implementation. May also be included. Therefore, just because those non-essential components are described in the accompanying drawings and detailed description, the non-essential components should not be recognized as essential. Moreover, since the above-mentioned embodiment is for illustrating implementation, various changes, replacements, additions, omissions, and the like can be made within the scope of the claims or an equivalent scope thereof.

As described above, according to the present disclosure, the present disclosure can be applied to an imaging device capable of capturing a stereoscopic image. Specifically, the present disclosure can be applied to a digital camera or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1

Exterior case

3, 23 Camera main body 4 1st imaging unit 5 2nd imaging unit 6 Frame 7 Battery slot 8 Circuit block 9 Operation part 10 Slide cover 11 Supporting tool attachment part 12 Opening / closing lid 13 Camera monitor 14 Plate 16 Camera controller 20

Card slot

41a,

51a Lens

41b, 51b Bending

optical system

42, 52

Image sensor

43, 53

Circuit board

44, 54

Lens group

45, 55

Aperture unit

46, 56

Unit housing

47, 57

Timing signal generator

48, 58

AD Converter

100, 200 Digital camera (an example of an imaging device)
101, 102 Thermal conduction member

Claims

A camera body provided with an imaging unit having an imaging element;
An imaging device having a heat dissipation member that releases heat generated in the imaging element,
A heat conducting member for connecting the imaging element and the heat dissipation member;
One end of the heat conducting member is connected to a region of the heat radiating member that is always covered with a slidable slide cover for opening and closing a photographing window of the imaging unit. .
A plurality of the imaging units;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat conducting member is provided in an imaging element of at least one imaging unit of the plurality of imaging units.
A plurality of the imaging units;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein all of the imaging elements of the plurality of imaging units are provided with the heat conducting member.
2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat radiating member is an exterior case that houses the camera body.
2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat radiating member is a plate that supports a lens barrel of the imaging unit.
2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat dissipating member is made of a metal member.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat conducting member has flexibility.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat conducting member is a copper foil or a graphite sheet.