Imaging device

Abstract

To provide a technique, in an imaging apparatus that can change an imaging direction, that can retract a light-shielding member with a simple configuration, while preventing an increase in size.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus comprises: at least one or more imaging units that can be tilted and rotated by a tilt drive mechanism and are movable in a circumferential direction; lighting units; a cover that covers the imaging units and lighting units; and light-shielding members that are each at least partially arranged between the imaging unit and the lighting unit and arranged in contact with the cover. The light-shielding member can be retracted in a direction separated from the cover with the drive of the drive mechanism.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device, and more particularly to an imaging device capable of electrically adjusting an imaging direction. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for imaging devices capable of capturing a wide range of images. Some of these imaging devices are capable of shifting multiple imaging units in a circumferential direction around the central axis of the housing. In addition, some imaging devices are equipped with lighting in order to capture clear images even in the dark. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which an auxiliary light unit equipped with lighting can be attached to a camera body equipped with multiple imaging units.

[0003] There are also imaging devices in which the lighting is arranged in the same space as the imaging unit. When the lighting is arranged in the same space as the imaging unit, a light-shielding member needs to be provided between the imaging unit and the lighting to prevent the light reflected from the lighting from being reflected by the transparent protective cover. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a gasket that blocks light reflected from the protective cover in an imaging device equipped with multiple imaging units so that the light does not reach the lens barrel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0174343 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Pat. No. 1,061,2663 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the lighting is arranged in a space separate from the imaging unit, which results in an increase in size of the housing. On the other hand, in the configuration of Patent Document 2, it is possible to prevent the size from increasing, but if the imaging unit is electrically powered so that the imaging direction can be adjusted remotely, the friction between the protective shield and the gasket will become a large load. As a solution to these problems, a method of retracting the light blocking member when adjusting the angle of view of the imaging unit electrically is considered, but if a separate actuator for retracting the light blocking member is installed, costs will increase and the main body will become larger.

[0006] The present invention provides a technique that enables a light blocking member to be retracted with a simple configuration while preventing an increase in size in an imaging device that is capable of changing the imaging direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a tilt sensor comprising at least one imaging unit that is tiltable by a tilt drive mechanism and movable in a circumferential direction, a light source, a cover that covers the imaging unit and the light source, and a light blocking member that is at least partially disposed between the imaging unit and the light source and that is disposed so as to contact the cover, and the light blocking member is Tilt The drive mechanism is driven to retract the cover away from the cover. the light blocking member retreats in a direction away from the cover when the imaging unit tilts to one end of a tilt rotation range, and moves in a direction contacting the cover when the imaging unit tilts to the other end of the tilt rotation range; when adjusting the position of the imaging unit in the tilt direction, the imaging unit tilts to one end of the tilt rotation range, one end of the tilt rotation range, and a predetermined tilt position having a tilt rotation angle different from the other end; and after completing the adjustment of the position of the imaging unit in the tilt direction, the imaging unit tilts to the other end of the tilt rotation range and the predetermined tilt position. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, in an imaging device capable of changing the imaging direction, it is possible to provide a technique that makes it possible to retract a light blocking member with a simple configuration while preventing an increase in size. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the bottom case unit. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging unit. [Figure 6] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging unit and its periphery for explaining a method of locking a retraction mechanism of the light blocking unit. FIG. [Figure 7] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging unit and its periphery for explaining a method for unlocking a retraction mechanism of the light blocking unit. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, and relative positions of components described in the following examples are arbitrary and can be changed according to the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied or various conditions. Note that descriptions of cables and parts that are not directly related to the present invention will be omitted and are not shown. Furthermore, for convenience of explanation, the shapes of parts may be described in a simplified manner.

[0011] <Embodiment> In this embodiment, an example of an embodiment of an imaging device to which the present invention is applied will be described. Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an imaging device 1 according to this embodiment. The imaging device 1 includes a top case unit 3 and a bottom case unit 4. The top case unit 3 is fixed to the bottom case unit 4 with a fastening screw 2. A gasket (not shown) is disposed between the top case unit 3 and the bottom case unit 4 to prevent raindrops and dust from entering the inside of the imaging device 1.

[0012] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the top case unit 3. The top case unit 3 includes a top case 5, a protective cover 6, and a protective cover holder 7. The protective cover 6 is a transparent member such as polycarbonate, and protects a plurality of imaging units 9 (described below) from raindrops, dust, and external impact. A flange portion 6a of the protective cover 6 is sandwiched between the top case 5 and the protective cover holder 7. A gasket (not shown) is disposed between the top case 5 and the protective cover 6 to prevent raindrops and dust from entering the inside of the imaging device 1.

[0013] 3 is an exploded perspective view of the bottom case unit 4. The bottom case unit 4 includes an imaging unit holder 8, a plurality of imaging units 9, a shift base 10, a bottom case 11, and a plurality of infrared illumination units 12. In this embodiment, the imaging device 1 includes, as an example, three imaging units 9 and three infrared illumination units 12, but it is sufficient to include one or more imaging units 9 and one or more infrared illumination units 12. The more imaging units 9 the imaging device 1 includes, the wider the range that can be imaged at one time.

[0014] The imaging unit 9 includes a lens barrel 902 (imaging section) having a lens group and an imaging element (not shown), and a protruding portion 914 is held between the imaging unit holder 8 and the shift base 10. The imaging unit 9 also holds the lens barrel 902 for tilt rotation and is capable of shifting on the shift base 10. The tilt rotation described here refers to rotation in the vertical direction around an axis approximately perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens barrel 902, and the shift movement refers to movement in the circumferential direction around the central axis A of the imaging device 1.

[0015] The infrared illumination unit 12 has an infrared illumination device 12a, and is fixed to the imaging unit 9, as will be described in detail later.

[0016] The shift base 10 has a spur gear 10a and is fixed to a bottom case 11. Between the shift base 10 and the bottom case 11, a printed circuit board (not shown) is disposed on which a video engine for processing an output signal from the imaging element and a network engine for performing network communication are mounted.

[0017] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging unit 9. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging unit 9. For the sake of explanation, Fig. 4 also illustrates an infrared illumination unit 12 fixed to the imaging unit 9. The lens barrel 902 is fixed to a lens barrel holder 904.

[0018] Lens barrel holder 904 has a helical gear 904a for tilt rotation, a light blocking portion 904b for setting the initial position of tilt rotation by a photointerrupter 908 described later, and a convex pressing portion 904c, and is held on a tilt base 907 so as to be able to tilt rotate. In addition, a front cover 903 and a rear cover 905 having a convex pressing portion 905a are fixed to the lens barrel holder 904. That is, the lens barrel holder 904, the front cover 903, and the rear cover 905 are holding portions that hold the lens barrel 902.

[0019] The infrared illumination unit 12 described above is disposed in a space covered by the protective cover 6. The infrared illumination unit 12 tilts in conjunction with the tilt rotation of the corresponding lens barrel 902. The infrared illumination unit 12 is preferably fixed to the lens barrel holder 904 so that the irradiation direction of the infrared illumination 12a and the imaging direction of the lens barrel 902 are approximately aligned, for example. This allows the irradiation direction of the infrared illumination 12a and the imaging direction of the lens barrel 902 to be approximately aligned regardless of the shift position and tilt angle of the lens barrel 902, thereby realizing suppression of uneven illumination and reduction of power consumption. Note that, for example, it is also possible to link the tilt rotation of the lens barrel 902 and the infrared illumination 12a by using a drive mechanism for tilt rotation of the lens barrel 902 for tilt rotation of the infrared illumination 12a without fixing the infrared illumination unit 12 to the lens barrel holder 904. It is also possible to use a drive mechanism for tilt rotation different from that of the lens barrel 902 and to link the tilt rotation of the lens barrel 902 and the infrared light source 12a by control.

[0020] The tilt base 907 includes a first tilt base 9071 and a second tilt base 9072, and a locking member 909 is disposed between the first tilt base 9071 and the second tilt base 9072.

[0021] A tilt motor unit 906 and a photointerrupter 908 are disposed on the first tilt base 9071 .

[0022] The tilt motor unit 906 includes a stepping motor 906a and a worm 906b. The worm 906b is press-fitted onto the output shaft of the stepping motor 906a. The worm 906b meshes with a helical gear 904a of the lens barrel holder 904, so that the lens barrel 902 can be tilt-rotated together with the lens barrel holder 904 using the stepping motor 906a as a power source. In other words, the tilt motor unit 906 is a drive mechanism for tilt rotation.

[0023] Photointerrupter 908 is mounted by soldering on a flexible substrate (not shown) and is activated by energizing it. The initial position of the tilt rotation is determined by detecting the position where light-shielding portion 904b of lens barrel holder 904 enters between the light-emitting portion and light-receiving portion of photointerrupter 908. In other words, photointerrupter 908 is a detection means for detecting the tilt rotation angle. After the initial position of the tilt rotation is determined, the tilt angle is grasped based on the number of drive pulses of stepping motor 906a.

[0024] A shift motor unit 912 and a shift gear unit 913 are disposed on the second tilt base 9072. The shift motor unit 912 includes a stepping motor 912a and a worm 912b, and the shift gear unit 913 includes a helical gear 913a and a spur gear 913b. The worm 912b is press-fitted onto the output shaft of the stepping motor 912a. The worm 912b meshes with the helical gear 913a, and the spur gear 913b meshes with the spur gear 10a of the shift base 10 described above, so that the lens barrel 902 can be shifted together with the second tilt base 9072 using the stepping motor 912a as a power source.

[0025] The second tilt base 9072 has four guide poles 9072a and one guide groove 9072b. Around the guide poles 9072a, light shielding unit biasing springs 910 are arranged. A light shielding unit 901 provided for the purpose of blocking the infrared illuminator 12a is loosely fitted in the guide poles 9072a. In this embodiment, the light shielding unit 901 is arranged to cover the lens barrel 902, for example. When the top case unit 3 is attached to the bottom case unit 4, the light shielding unit biasing spring 910 is compressed, and the light shielding unit 901 is biased in the direction of the protective cover 6 along the guide pole 9072a. Then, the protective cover contact surface 901a formed of an elastic member such as rubber is in close contact with the inner surface of the protective cover 6. As a result, the reflected light of the infrared illuminator 12a on the protective cover 6 is blocked without reaching the lens barrel 902. An elastic member such as rubber that forms protective cover contact surface 901a can be molded integrally with frame 901d made of resin.

[0026] A locking member 909 is disposed in guide groove 9072b, and the locking member 909 is sandwiched between the first tilt base 9071 and the second tilt base 9072. A locking member biasing spring 911 is disposed in a compressed state between the second tilt base 9072 and the locking member 909. The locking member 909 is biased rearward along guide groove 9072b by the locking member biasing spring 911, and is held at a position where it abuts against the first tilt base 9071.

[0027] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the imaging unit 9 for explaining a method for locking the retraction mechanism of the light blocking unit 901. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the imaging unit 9 for explaining a method for unlocking the retraction mechanism of the light blocking unit 901. In the following, the definitions of the up-down and front-back directions, the positive and negative directions of tilt rotation, and the value of the tilt angle are as shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. That is, with the imaging unit 9 as the reference, the direction toward the installation surface is defined as the bottom, the direction opposite the installation surface is defined as the top, the imaging direction at a tilt angle of 0° is defined as the front, and the opposite side is defined as the back.

[0028] In this embodiment, the tilt angle that can be set when adjusting the angle of view as a tilt angle that does not cause vignetting by the top case 5 or the light shielding unit 901 when shooting with the imaging unit 9 is, for example, +10 degrees to +120 degrees. Also, the tilt rotation range that can be rotated when adjusting the angle of view in order to retract the light shielding unit 901 is, for example, -20 degrees to +125 degrees. Note that the tilt angle is calculated from the number of drive pulses of the stepping motor 906a after the tilt initial position is set by the photointerrupter 908, and the tilt angle that can be set when adjusting the angle of view and the tilt rotation range that can be rotated are regulated by firmware.

[0029] First, when the light blocking unit 901 is to be retracted, it is tilted in the negative rotation direction up to a tilt angle of −20 degrees, which is the negative end of the tilt rotation range in which it can be rotated.

[0030] 6A, at a tilt angle of 0 degrees, pressing portion 904c of lens barrel holder 904 comes into contact with pressed portion 901c of light shielding unit 901. When tilted further in the negative rotation direction from this state, pressing portion 904c of lens barrel holder 904 presses pressed portion 901c of light shielding unit 901 downward, and light shielding unit 901 retreats downward along guide pole 9072a. At that time, when the inclined surface of locking claw 901b of light shielding unit 901 comes into contact with the inclined surface of locking claw 909a of locking member 909, a force acting forward is applied to locking claw 909a, and locking member 909 starts to slide forward along guide groove 9072b. When the locking member 909 is rotated to a tilt angle of −20 degrees, the inclined surface of the locking claw 901b and the inclined surface of the locking claw 909a are no longer in contact with each other, and the locking member 909 is pushed back backward along the guide groove 9072b by the locking member biasing spring 911. Then, as shown in FIG. 6B, the locking claw 901b engages with the locking claw 909a to enter a locked state, that is, the state in which the light shielding unit 901 is retracted in a direction away from the protective cover 6 is maintained. As a result, even when the light shielding unit 901 is not pressed into the pressing portion 904c of the lens barrel holder 904, the light shielding unit 901 is held in a position retracted downward, and a gap is generated between the protective cover contact surface 901a of the light shielding unit 901 and the protective cover 6. Therefore, the light shielding unit 901 can be retracted in a direction away from the protective cover 6 using the stepping motor 906a for tilt rotation as a power source. For example, no friction occurs between the light blocking unit 901 and the protective cover 6 during shifting, and the lens barrel 902 can be electrically shifted and tilted to adjust the angle of view. When the angle of view adjustment is complete, the tilt angle after the angle of view adjustment calculated from the number of drive pulses of the stepping motor 906a after the tilt initial position is set is stored in the firmware. In this description, the tilt angle after the angle of view adjustment is assumed to be +45 degrees.

[0031] Next, when the light blocking unit 901 retracted downward is returned to its original position, it is tilted in the positive rotation direction up to a tilt angle of +125 degrees, which is the positive end of the tilt rotation range.

[0032] In detail, as shown in FIG. 7A, at a tilt angle of +122 degrees, the pressing portion 905a of the rear cover 905 comes into contact with the pressed portion 909b of the locking member 909. When the rear cover 905 is tilted further in the positive rotation direction from this state, the pressing portion 905a of the rear cover 905 presses the pressed portion 909b of the locking member 909 forward, and the locking member 909 slides forward along the guide groove 9072b. When the rear cover 905 is rotated to a tilt angle of +125 degrees, the locking claw 901b of the light shielding unit 901 and the locking claw 909a of the locking member 909 are disengaged. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, the light shielding unit 901 is pushed back toward the protective cover 6 along the guide pole 9072a by the light shielding unit biasing spring 910, and the protective cover contact surface 901a comes into contact with the inner surface of the protective cover 6. Thereafter, when the camera is tilted in the negative direction to the stored tilt angle of +45 degrees after the angle of view adjustment, the locking member 909 is pushed back along the guide groove 9072b by the locking member biasing spring 911, and is held in a position abutting the first tilt base 9071.

[0033] In this embodiment, the light blocking unit is locked at the negative end of the tilt rotation range and unlocked at the positive end of the tilt rotation range, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the relationship may be reversed, or the locking and unlocking may be performed at the same end. Also, the locking and unlocking may be performed when the lens barrel 902 is tilted to the outside of the range of tilt angles that can be set when adjusting the angle of view, even if not at the end.

[0034] With the configuration described above, in an imaging device in which multiple imaging units are arranged in a circular shape and the angle of view can be adjusted electrically, it is possible to retract the light blocking member without having to provide a separate actuator for retracting the light blocking member.

[0035] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. The light shielding unit 901 is preferably configured to cover the lens barrel 902, but may have other configurations. For example, at least a part of the light shielding unit 901 is disposed between the lens barrel 902 and the infrared illuminator 12a, and the surface corresponding to the protective cover contact surface 901a is disposed so as to be in close contact with the protective cover 6. It is sufficient that the light shielding unit 901 is disposed in this manner to block the reflected light of the infrared illuminator 12a at the protective cover 6 from reaching the lens barrel 902. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1. Imaging device 6 Protective cover 9. Imaging unit 12 Infrared lighting unit 12a Infrared lighting 901 Shading unit 902 Lens barrel (imaging section) 909 Locking parts

Claims

1. At least one imaging unit that can be tilt-rotated by a tilt drive mechanism and can move in a circumferential direction; Lighting and a cover for covering the imaging unit and the lighting; a light blocking member at least a portion of which is disposed between the imaging unit and the illumination and is disposed so as to be in contact with the cover; Equipped with the light blocking member is retractable in a direction away from the cover by being driven by the tilt drive mechanism, the light blocking member retreats in a direction away from the cover when the imaging unit tilts to one end of a tilt rotation range, and moves in a direction contacting the cover when the imaging unit tilts to the other end of the tilt rotation range, When adjusting the position of the imaging unit in the tilt direction, the imaging unit tilts to one end of the tilt rotation range, one end of the tilt rotation range, and a predetermined tilt position having a tilt rotation angle different from the other end, and after completing the adjustment of the position of the imaging unit in the tilt direction, the imaging unit tilts to the other end of the tilt rotation range and the predetermined tilt position.

1. An imaging device comprising:

2. A plurality of the imaging units are provided, The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of imaging units are arranged in a circular pattern.

3. 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the light blocking member is disposed so as to cover the imaging section.

4. 4. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the illumination includes infrared illumination.

5. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the illumination devices are arranged to correspond to the imaging units, respectively.

6. 6. The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein the lighting unit rotates in a tilt manner in conjunction with a tilt rotation of the corresponding imaging unit.

7. A holding unit that holds the imaging unit, The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that when the imaging unit tilts to one end of the tilt rotation range, the light-shielding member retracts in a direction away from the cover by abutting a part of the holding portion and a part of the light-shielding member.

8. 8. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a locking member for maintaining the light blocking member in a retracted state in a direction away from the cover.

9. 9. The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein the light blocking member, which is maintained in a retracted state in a direction away from the cover by the locking member, is released from the retracted state when the imaging unit tilts to the other end of the tilt rotation range.

10. A holding unit that holds the imaging unit, 10. The imaging device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein when the imaging unit tilts to the other end of the tilt rotation range, the light blocking member is released from the retracted state by abutting a part of the holding portion and a part of the locking member.

11. 11. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit for detecting a tilt rotation angle.

Images