Blade drive device

Abstract

The present invention provides a shutter driving device that suppresses the taking of an image that a user does not want into an electronic device due to illegal access or a user's misoperation, etc. in an electronic device having a camera function. The shutter driving device has a shutter member that shields or opens a lens opening of a camera, a driving section that drives the shutter member to a shielding state and an opening state, and a manual operation member that is operated to stop the action of the driving section on the shutter member. The operation member is selectively movable between a first position that stops the action of the shutter member and a second position that does not stop the action of the shutter member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a blade drive device. Background Technology

[0002] Most electronic devices in recent years have the ability to process, save, and transmit acquired images. To acquire images, they generally have camera functionality (camera module). In addition, as the term "IoT: Internet of Things" suggests, more and more electronic devices are used in a network-connected state. For such electronic devices, countermeasures against unauthorized external access via the network have become indispensable.

[0003] Regarding electronic devices with camera functions, many electronic devices have camera modules whose lens openings are always open. Therefore, in the Internet of Things (IoT), if the camera function is activated due to malicious external operation, it may capture images that the user does not want, resulting in the leakage of private images or a reduction in security functions due to the illegal acquisition of images.

[0004] Furthermore, when using portable information terminals such as PCs or smartphones, the camera function may sometimes be activated due to unintended user errors. In such cases, the following problems arise: unwanted images may be captured and recorded by the electronic device, leading to suspicions of surreptitious photography due to the leakage of these images or the recording of unwanted images.

[0005] To address this problem, the following solution is proposed: When the camera function is not in use, the open lens opening is closed with a shielding component, and the lens opening is only opened when the camera function is in use. For example, a sliding shielding component is provided on the casing of the electronic device. When the camera function is in use, the shielding component is manually slid to detach from the lens opening, and when the camera function is not in use, the shielding component is manually slid to cover the lens opening, etc. (see Patent Document 1 below).

[0006] Patent Document 1: Utility Model Registration No. 3170619

[0007] According to the aforementioned prior art, by closing the lens opening with a masking component when the camera function is not in use, it is possible to prevent images from being captured by the electronic device without the user's awareness. However, when manually operating the masking component, the opening and closing state of the masking component is easily interrupted. Even if the user intends to close the lens opening by sliding the masking component, sometimes the masking component will stop in a state where it does not completely cover the lens opening, and the user will not notice this. Conversely, even if the user intends to open the lens opening by sliding the masking component, the masking component will stop in a state where it does not completely detach from the lens opening, and the user will not notice this either.

[0008] If this situation arises, when the camera function is not in use, it is possible for unwanted images to be captured into the electronic device through a partially open lens opening. Furthermore, when the camera function is in use, the undesirable image cannot be obtained because part of the lens opening is closed. Additionally, if the shielding component is electrically operated to avoid such problems, the operation of the shielding component itself could be compromised by external manipulation due to unauthorized access, thus rendering it an ineffective countermeasure against unauthorized access. Summary of the Invention

[0009] This invention addresses the problem of capturing unwanted images into an electronic device due to unauthorized access or user error. Specifically, in electronic devices with camera functions, the challenge lies in preventing such incidents, ensuring that the lens opening is reliably opened when the camera function is in use, and reliably closing the lens opening when the camera function is not in use.

[0010] To address this issue, the present invention has the following structure.

[0011] A blade drive device, characterized in that the blade drive device comprises: a blade component that covers or opens the lens opening of a camera; a drive unit that drives the blade component to a covered state and an open state; and a manual operation unit that is operated to prevent the drive unit from performing an action on the blade component, the operation unit being selectively movable between a first position that prevents the action of the blade component and a second position that does not prevent the action of the blade component. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the blade drive mechanism. Figure 1 (a) is the state where the blade component is in the open state and the operating component is in the second position. Figure 1 (b) represents the state where the blade assembly is in the closed state and the operating assembly is in the second position. Figure 1 (c) is the state where the blade component is in the closed state and the operating component is in the first position.

[0013] Figure 2 This is an explanatory diagram showing the drive unit of the blade drive device.

[0014] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of a blade drive mechanism (other examples). Figure 3 (a) represents the state where the blade assembly is in the closed state and the operating assembly is in the second position. Figure 3 (b) is the state where the blade component is in the open state and the operating component is in the second position. Figure 3 (c) is the state where the blade component is in the open state and the operating component is in the first position.

[0015] Figure 4 This shows the blade drive device ( Figure 1 Explanation diagram of the action of the variant example ( Figure 4 (a) is the state where the blade component is in the open state and the operating component is in the second position. Figure 4 (b) represents the state where the blade assembly is in the closed state and the operating assembly is in the second position. Figure 4 (c) is the state where the blade component is in the closed state and the operating component is in the first position.

[0016] Figure 5 This shows the blade drive device ( Figure 3 Explanation diagram of the action of the variant example ( Figure 5 (a) represents the state where the blade assembly is in the closed state and the operating assembly is in the second position. Figure 5 (b) is the state where the blade component is in the open state and the operating component is in the second position. Figure 5 (c) is the state where the blade component is in the open state and the operating component is in the first position.

[0017] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of a blade drive mechanism (other examples). Figure 6 (a) is the state where the blade component is in the open state and the operating component is in the second position. Figure 6 (b) represents the state where the blade assembly is in the closed state and the operating assembly is in the second position. Figure 6 (c) is the state where the blade component is in the closed state and the operating component is in the first position.

[0018] Figure 7 This is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of a blade drive mechanism (other examples). Figure 7 (a) represents the state where the blade assembly is in the closed state and the operating assembly is in the second position. Figure 7 (b) is the state where the blade component is in the open state and the operating component is in the second position. Figure 7(c) is the state where the blade component is in the open state and the operating component is in the first position.

[0019] Figure 8 This is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of a blade drive mechanism (other examples). Figure 8 (a) is the state where the blade component is in the open state and the operating component is in the second position. Figure 8 (b) represents the state where the blade assembly is in the closed state and the operating assembly is in the second position. Figure 8 (c) is the state where the blade component is in the closed state and the operating component is in the first position.

[0020] Figure 9 This is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of a blade drive mechanism (other examples). Figure 9 (a) is the state where the blade component is in the open state and the operating component is in the second position. Figure 9 (b) represents the state where the blade assembly is in the closed state and the operating assembly is in the second position. Figure 9 (c) The blade component is in the closed state and the operating component is in the first position.

[0021] Figure 10 This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the shielding portion of a blade component (in...). Figure 10 In (a), there is a mesh-like shading part. Figure 10 In (b), there is a concentric slit-like shielding part. Figure 10 In (c), there is a mosaic filter.

[0022] Figure 11 This is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of the outer surface of the blade component (in...). Figure 11 In (a), it is the appearance of the pattern, in Figure 11 In (b), it is the appearance of the text.

[0023] Figure 12 This is an explanatory diagram showing an electronic device internally equipped with a blade drive mechanism and a camera module. Figure 12 (a) is the front view. Figure 12 (b) is along Figure 12 (a) Cross-sectional view of the X-X line.

[0024] Label Explanation

[0025] 1 (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H): Blade drive device; 2: Blade component; 2A: Locking part; 2P: Shielding part; 3: Drive part; 4: Operating component; 5: Frame; 5A: Spring support part; 6: Spring; 10: Opening plate; 10A: Opening; 11: Shaft; 12: Protrusion; 20: Rod part; 21: Rotor part; 21A: Locking part; 22: Rotor magnet; 23: Yoke; 24: Coil; 25: Winding frame; 26: Power terminal; 30, 31, 32: Locking component; 30A, 31A, 32A: Locking part; 40: Magnetic pole part; 41: Extension component; 100: Electronic equipment; 200: Camera module; T: Housing; T1: Housing opening; F: Front panel; D: Display panel. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals in different figures indicate parts with the same function, and repeated descriptions in each figure are omitted as appropriate.

[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the blade drive device 1 (1A) includes a blade component 2. Figure 2 The drive unit 3 and operating component 4 are shown. The blade component 2, drive unit 3, and operating component 4 are mounted on the frame 5.

[0028] The frame 5 has an opening plate 10, which has an opening 10A corresponding to the lens opening of the camera. The blade component 2, as... Figure 1 As shown in (a), the camera lens opening is made open by opening the opening 10A, as... Figure 1 (b) Figure 1 As shown in (c), the lens opening of the camera is blocked by blocking the opening 10A. In the following description, the open state of the opening 10A is referred to as the open state of the blade component 2, and the blocked state of the opening 10A is referred to as the closed state of the blade component 2.

[0029] The blade component 2 is supported on the frame 5 by shaft 11. Shaft 11 is a shaft parallel to the central axis of opening 10A, through which the blade component 2 passes. Figure 2 The drive unit 3 shown rotates around axis 11 and is driven to switch between an open state (open state) and a closed state (covered state).

[0030] like Figure 2As shown, the drive unit 3 includes: a rod portion 20, which engages with a protrusion 12 that protrudes parallel to the shaft 11 and is provided on the blade member 2; a rotor portion 21, which is integral with the rod portion 20; a rotor magnet 22, which is fixed to the rotor portion 21 and is rotatably supported about an axis parallel to the shaft 11; a yoke 23, which is arranged to clamp the rotor magnet 22; a coil 24, which is wound on a part of the yoke 23; and a winding frame 25 for holding the coil 24. A pair of energized terminals 26, respectively connected to a pair of ends of the coil 24, are mounted on the winding frame 25. The rotor magnet 22 is mounted on the rod portion 20 in such a way that it maintains its position at both ends of the operating range of the rod portion 20. Thus, the blade member 2 is kept in an open state and a closed state. In addition, the drive unit 3 is not limited to such an example, and various components such as a VCM (Voice Coil Motor) that enables linear movement of the magnet or coil can be used.

[0031] Operating component 4 is a manually operated component, which is freely movable relative to the frame 5. Operating component 4 is freely supported on the spring bearing portion 5A of the frame 5 via a spring 6 (see reference). Figure 2 On ) by manually sliding, Figure 1 The first position shown in (c) and Figure 1 of (a), Figure 1 Selectively move between the second positions shown in (b).

[0032] The first position is where the operating component 4 prevents the blade component 2 from moving, and the second position is where the operating component 4 does not prevent the blade component 2 from moving. When the operating component 4 moves to the first position, the blade component 2 cannot move under the drive of the drive unit 3. When the operating component 4 moves to the second position, the blade component 2 can move to the open or closed state under the drive of the drive unit 3. By manually passing through the intermediate position, the operating component 4 is selectively moved to the first or second position by the force applied by the spring 6.

[0033] Moreover, in Figure 1 In the blade drive device 1 (1A) shown, the operating member 4 includes a locking member 30 having a locking portion 30A. The locking member 30 moves integrally with the operating member 4, such as... Figure 1 As shown in (c), in the first position of the operating member 4, the locking part 30A of the locking member 30 is locked to the locking part 2A of the blade member 2, which is in the closed state. As a result, the operation of the drive unit 3 on the blade member 2 is prevented.

[0034] This blade drive device 1 (1A) can open and close the blade component 2 by moving the operating member 4 to the second position via the drive unit 3. Thus, by actuating the drive unit 3 according to the user's intention, the blade component 2 can be reliably put into an open or closed state.

[0035] Furthermore, after the user intentionally moves the drive unit 3 to make the blade component 2 close, the blade drive device 1 (1A) can fix the blade component 2 in the closed state by moving the operation member 4 to the first position. Even if an unwanted drive signal is sent to the drive unit 3, the closed state of the blade component 2 can be maintained.

[0036] In this way, the user can disable the blade component 2 when they do not want it to move. In particular, since the position of the blade component 2 can be maintained (locked), the blade component 2 is in a closed state, that is, a state that restricts shooting. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from taking unwanted images and causing those images to leak to the outside.

[0037] Figure 3 The blade drive device 1 (1B) shown is another example, in which the operating component 4 includes a locking component 31 having a locking part 31A. Figure 3 The first position shown in (c) and Figure 3 of (a), Figure 3 Move between the second position shown in (b).

[0038] like Figure 3 of (a), Figure 3 As shown in (b), when the operating member 4 is moved to the second position, the blade member 2 can be driven by the drive unit 3. Figure 3 The closed state shown in (a) and Figure 3 The operation is in the open state as shown in (b). In contrast, as... Figure 3 As shown in (c), after the blade component 2 is opened by the drive unit 3, the blade component 2 can be fixed in the open state by moving the operation member 4 to the first position. In this example, the blade component 2 can be prevented from closing against the user's intention by moving the operation member 4 to the first position.

[0039] Figure 4 The blade drive device 1 (1C) shown is Figure 1 The variation shown is similar to the example where the blade component 2 is a sliding type. Figure 1 The examples shown are the same. Additionally, Figure 5 The blade drive device 1 (1D) shown is Figure 3 The variation shown is similar to the example where the blade component 2 is a sliding type. Figure 3The example shown is the same.

[0040] exist Figure 6 In the blade drive device 1 (1E) shown, the operating component 4 includes a locking component 32 having a locking part 32A. Figure 6 The first position shown in (c) and Figure 6 of (a), Figure 6 The blade drive device 1 (1E) moves between the second positions shown in (b). The rotor 21 of the drive unit 3 is provided with a locking part 21A. The locking part 32A of the locking member 32, which moves integrally with the operation member 4, is locked on the locking part 21A, thus preventing the rotation of the rotor 21 and the movement of the blade member 2.

[0041] In this example, such as Figure 6 of (a), Figure 6 As shown in (b), when the operating member 4 is moved to the second position, the blade member 2 can be driven by the drive unit 3. Figure 6 The open state shown in (a) and Figure 6 The operation is in the off state as shown in (b). In contrast, as... Figure 6 As shown in (c), after the blade component 2 is closed by the drive unit 3, by moving the operation unit 4 to the first position, the locking part 32A of the locking member 32 is locked onto the locking part 21A provided on the rotor unit 21, thus fixing the blade component 2 in the closed state. In this example, by moving the operation unit 4 to the first position, it is possible to prevent the blade component 2 from being opened against the user's intention.

[0042] Figure 7 The blade drive device 1 (1F) shown is... Figure 6 Similarly, in the example shown, a locking part 21A is provided on the rotor part 21, and the locking part 32A of the locking member 32, which moves integrally with the operating member 4, is locked on the locking part 21A, thereby preventing the movement of the blade member 2.

[0043] In this example, such as Figure 7 of (a), Figure 7 As shown in (b), when the operating member 4 is moved to the second position, the blade member 2 can be driven by the drive unit 3. Figure 7 The closed state shown in (a) and Figure 7 The operation is in the open state as shown in (b). In contrast, as... Figure 7As shown in (c), after the blade component 2 is opened by the drive unit 3, the operation unit 4 is moved to the first position. Thereby, the locking part 32A of the locking member 32 is locked onto the locking part 21A provided on the rotor unit 21, thus securing the blade component 2 in the open state. In this example, by moving the operation unit 4 to the first position, the blade component 2 can be prevented from being closed against the user's intention.

[0044] exist Figure 8 In the blade drive device 1 (1G) shown, the operating member 4 includes a magnetic pole portion (magnet) 40, which is located near the yoke 23 of the drive unit 3 in a first position. In this example, an extension member 41 is provided on the operating member 4, and the magnetic pole portion 40 is mounted at its end. The magnetic pole portion 40 imparts a magnetic force to the yoke 23 that is greater than the magnetic force generated in the yoke 23 by energizing the coil 24, thereby preventing the rotation of the rotor magnet 22.

[0045] Therefore, as Figure 8 of (a), Figure 8 As shown in (b), when the operating member 4 is moved to the second position, the blade member 2 can be driven by the drive unit 3. Figure 8 The open state shown in (a) and Figure 8 The operation is in the off state as shown in (b). In contrast, as... Figure 8 As shown in (c), after the blade component 2 is closed by the drive unit 3, the rotor magnet 22 can be fixed in the closed state by moving the operation unit 4 to the first position, which is achieved by fixing the yoke 23 magnetized by the magnetic pole unit 40. In this example, by moving the operation unit 4 to the first position, the blade component 2 can be prevented from being opened against the user's intention.

[0046] exist Figure 9 In the blade drive device 1 (1H) shown, the operating member 4 includes a magnetic pole portion (magnet) 40, which is positioned close to the rotor magnet 22 of the drive unit 3. In this example, an extension member 41 is provided on the operating member 4, and the magnetic pole portion 40 is mounted at its end. The magnetic pole portion 40 imparts a magnetic force to the rotor magnet 22 that is greater than the magnetic force exerted on the rotor magnet 22 by the yoke 23 by energizing the coil 24, thereby preventing the rotation of the rotor magnet 22.

[0047] Therefore, as Figure 9 of (a), Figure 9 As shown in (b), when the operating member 4 is moved to the second position, the blade member 2 can be driven by the drive unit 3. Figure 9 The open state shown in (a) and Figure 9 The operation is in the off state as shown in (b). In contrast, as... Figure 9As shown in (c), after the blade component 2 is closed by the drive unit 3, the rotor magnet 22 can be fixed in the closed state by moving the operation unit 4 to the first position. In this example, by moving the operation unit 4 to the first position, the blade component 2 can be prevented from being opened against the user's intention.

[0048] According to the blade drive device 1 (1A-1H) described above, by moving the operating member 4 to the second position, the user can intentionally drive the drive unit 3 to reliably open the lens opening when using the camera function, and can intentionally drive the drive unit 3 to reliably cover the lens opening when not using the camera function. Moreover, by manually moving the operating member 2 to the first position according to the user's intention, the user can prevent the drive unit 3 from operating on the blade member 2.

[0049] Here, the drive unit 3 is preferably configured to maintain one side of the blade component 2 in an open or closed state when in a stable state without power, or to maintain both sides of the blade component 2 in either a near-open or closed state when in a stable state without power. In this way, the position of the blade component 2 can be stably maintained when the drive unit 3 is not driven.

[0050] Furthermore, the operating component 4 is preferably pulled into either the first or second position by the force of the spring 6 or the attraction of a magnet. By providing slots or the like for a portion of the operating component 4 to be inserted into the first and second positions, or by providing an operating area that moves up and down like a cam when the operating component 4 moves, thus allowing for force variation, the operating component 4 can be selectively operated to one of the first and second positions more reliably.

[0051] The blade component 2 used here is as follows Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, a shielding portion 2P is provided to close the opening 10A. This shielding portion 2P can be a light-shielding portion that blocks all light incident on the opening 10A; otherwise, as... Figure 10 of (a), Figure 10 As shown in (b), it can also be a light-blocking part that blocks a portion of the light incident on the opening 10A to prevent shooting. Figure 10 The example shown in (a) is a mesh-like shading section. Figure 10 The example shown in (b) is a concentric slit-shaped shielding section. By setting them, a portion of the light incident on the opening 10A can be blocked, thus hindering the shooting. Additionally, as... Figure 10 As shown in (c), the shielding part 2P of the blade component 2 can also be a filtering part that filters the light incident on the opening 10A to prevent imaging. Figure 10In the example shown in (c), the light incident on the opening 10A can be filtered by a mosaic filter, thereby hindering the shooting.

[0052] When the blade component 2 is in the closed state, it is preferable that this state can be visually observed, allowing the user or others to confirm that the lens opening of the camera module is blocked. Therefore, the outer surface of the blade component 2 is preferably pre-colored with a highly visually conspicuous color such as red. Furthermore, it is preferable to provide the outer surface of the blocking portion 2P of the blade component 2 with... Figure 11 The appearance of the pattern shown in (a), or as Figure 11 As shown in (b), adjust the appearance of the text to improve its aesthetics.

[0053] Figure 12 A PC (laptop PC) with camera functionality is shown as an example of an electronic device including a blade drive unit and a camera module. The blade drive units 1 (1A to 1H) are located on the front side of the camera module 200 within the housing T, such that the operating component 4 protrudes to the outside of the housing T of the electronic device 100, and the opening 10A of the frame 5 is coaxial with the lens opening of the camera module 200. Regarding electronic devices 100 equipped with blade drive units 1 (1A to 1H), not only PCs, but also portable information terminals such as smartphones, AI speakers (smart speakers) with camera functionality, home security cameras, and other IoT devices with camera functionality are all examples.

[0054] By making the camera module 200 itself thinner, it can be configured inside the housing T of the electronic device 100 without requiring a large space. In this example, one lens opening of the camera module is configured to overlap with the housing opening T1 provided in the housing T. Alternatively, as illustrated in the example, the blade drive device 1 (1A to 1H) and the camera module 200 can be disposed in spaces within the electronic device 100, such as above the front panel F and the display panel D.

[0055] The electronic device 100, equipped with such a blade drive device 1 (1A to 1H) and camera module 200, can prevent unwanted images (videos) from being captured by the user by keeping the blade components 2 of the blade drive device 1 (1A to 1H) in a closed state and blocking the action by the operating component 4. Thus, the leakage of private images or suspicion of being secretly photographed can be avoided, allowing for safe use of the camera-enabled electronic device 100 even in an IoT environment.

[0056] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the specific structure is not limited to these embodiments, and design changes that do not depart from the scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention. In addition, the above embodiments can be combined with each other's techniques as long as there are no particular contradictions or problems in their purpose and structure.

Claims

1. A shutter driving device characterized by comprising: a shutter member that shields or opens a lens opening of a camera; a driving section that drives the shutter member to a shielding state and an opening state; and a manual operation member that is operated to stop the driving section from operating the shutter member, the operation member is selectively movable between a first position that stops the shutter member from operating and a second position that does not stop the shutter member from operating, the operation member is selectively moved to the first position or the second position by a spring force of a spring that moves the operation member on a spring receiving section of a frame body by being manually moved beyond an intermediate position, and a direction in which the spring exerts the spring force on the operation member is in a plane in which the shutter member operates.

2. The shutter driving device according to claim 1, characterized in that: the operation member has a locking section that is locked with a locking section of the shutter member in the first position.

3. The shutter driving device according to claim 1, characterized in that: the operation member has a locking section that is locked with a locking section of a rotor section of the driving section in the first position.

4. The shutter driving device according to claim 1, characterized in that: the operation member has a magnetic pole section that is close to a yoke of the driving section in the first position.

5. The shutter driving device according to claim 1, characterized in that: the operation member has a magnetic pole section that is close to a rotor magnet of the driving section in the first position.

6. An electronic device having a camera module and the shutter driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. ​ ​

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