Imaging device
The imaging device uses a flange and labyrinth seal structure to prevent dust adhesion to optical components during image sensor displacement, ensuring high-quality image capture.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2021-12-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-19
Smart Images
Figure 0007876144000001 
Figure 0007876144000002 
Figure 0007876144000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure relates to an imaging device.
Background Art
[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging device that suppresses an image of a subject from being captured in a blurred state in a captured image by displacing an image sensor holding unit (imaging unit) to which an image sensor is fixed in a direction intersecting the optical axis. A filter is provided in front of the imaging surface of the image sensor, and a seal member is disposed between the imaging surface of the image sensor and the filter. This seal member suppresses foreign matter such as dust from entering between the imaging surface of the image sensor and the filter.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] By the way, in the case of the imaging device described in Patent Document 1, due to the displacement of the image sensor (imaging unit) performed by panning adjustment, foreign matter such as dust may fly in the air in the imaging device, and the foreign matter may adhere to optical components such as filters. When foreign matter adheres to the optical components, the quality of the captured image deteriorates.
[0005] Therefore, an object of this disclosure is to suppress foreign matter such as dust that has flown in the air in the imaging device due to the displacement of the image sensor from adhering to optical components such as filters in an imaging device in which the image sensor is displaced.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of this disclosure, An image sensor having an imaging surface into which light from the subject enters, An imaging unit that supports the image sensor with the imaging surface facing forward, A housing that houses the imaging unit, having a through-hole on its front surface, such that the front portion of the imaging unit protrudes from the front surface and passes through the through-hole, The housing includes an actuator that displaces the imaging unit in a direction intersecting the normal direction of the imaging surface, An imaging device is provided in which the imaging unit is provided with a flange portion that extends outward from the front portion of the imaging unit and along the front surface of the housing so as to cover the gap between the through hole of the housing and the imaging unit. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] According to this disclosure, in an imaging device in which the image sensor is displaced, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of foreign matter such as dust that is stirred up in the air within the imaging device due to the displacement of the image sensor to optical components such as filters. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] A schematic front perspective view of the imaging device according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. [Figure 2] schematic diagram of the imaging device [Figure 3] Front perspective view of the filter module and imaging module in their separated state. [Figure 4] Rear perspective view of the filter module and imaging module in their separated state. [Figure 5] Exploded perspective view of the imaging module [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view of the imaging module [Figure 7] Exploded perspective view of the imaging module in the imaging device according to Embodiment 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0009] The embodiments will be described in detail below, with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, unnecessarily detailed explanations may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters and redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art.
[0010] The inventors provide the accompanying drawings and the following description so that those skilled in the art may fully understand this disclosure, and not to limit the subject matter described in the claims.
[0011] The imaging apparatus according to the embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0012] (Embodiment 1) Figure 1 is a schematic front perspective view of an imaging device according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. Figure 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the imaging device. The XYZ Cartesian coordinate system shown in the figures is for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the embodiments of this disclosure and does not limit the embodiments of this disclosure. The X-axis direction is the front-to-back direction of the imaging device, the Y-axis direction is the left-to-right direction, and the Z-axis direction is the height direction. The side on which the subject is located during imaging is considered the front side of the imaging device.
[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the imaging device 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure incorporates a filter module 12 and an imaging module 14.
[0014] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this embodiment 1, the filter module 12 and the imaging module 14 are connected to each other in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) of the imaging device 10. Specifically, they are connected such that the filter module 12 is located in front of the imaging module 14.
[0015] The filter module 12 further includes a housing 16, a protective glass plate 18 provided in the housing 16 through which light from the subject passes, and at least one optical filter 20 disposed within the housing 16. The at least one optical filter 20 is, for example, an electronic ND filter, a non-electronic polarizing filter, an optical filter that transmits light of a specific wavelength, or the like.
[0016] In the case of the first embodiment, the optical filter 20 is disposed within a substantially sealed storage space R1 defined by the housing 16 (and additionally the protective glass plate 18) of the filter module 12 and the imaging module 14. As a result, the optical filter 20 is protected from foreign substances such as dust originating from outside the imaging device 10.
[0017] The imaging module 14 includes an imaging unit 22, a housing 24 that houses the imaging unit 22, and an actuator 26 provided within the housing 24 that displaces the imaging unit 22 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) and the height direction of the imaging device 10.
[0018] The imaging unit 22 includes an image sensor 28 having an imaging surface 28a onto which light from the subject is incident. The image sensor 28 is a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD or a CMOS, and outputs a signal S1 corresponding to the light (image of the subject) from the subject that has entered the imaging surface 28a via the protective glass plate 18 and the optical filter 20. The image sensor 28 is supported by the imaging unit 22 with its imaging surface 28a facing forward of the imaging device 10.
[0019] In addition to the image sensor 28, the imaging unit 22 includes, for example, a substrate on which the image sensor 28 is mounted, a cover glass plate 30 that covers the imaging surface 28a, and the like. In the case of the first embodiment, the front surface 30a of the cover glass plate 30 serves as the incident portion of the imaging unit 22 onto which light from the subject is incident. The light from the subject enters the front surface 30a of the cover glass plate 30, passes through the cover glass plate 30, and then enters the imaging surface 28a of the image sensor 28.
[0020] In this first embodiment, the housing 24 includes a base plate 32 that supports the imaging unit 22 in a displaceable manner and constitutes the front portion of the housing 24, and a cover member 34 that is attached to the rear surface 32a of the base plate 32 and constitutes the rear portion of the housing 24.
[0021] The base plate 32 supports the imaging unit 22 so that it can be displaced in a direction intersecting the normal direction of the imaging surface 28a of the image sensor 28, and in this embodiment 1, in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) and height direction (Z-axis direction) of the imaging device 10. Furthermore, the base plate 32 supports the imaging unit 22 such that the normal direction of the imaging surface 28a of the image sensor 28 coincides with the extending direction of the optical axis LA of the imaging device 10, and that the optical axis LA passes through the center of the imaging surface 28a. In this embodiment 1, the extending direction of the optical axis LA is parallel to the front-back direction (X-axis direction) of the imaging device 10.
[0022] An actuator 26 is provided on the rear surface 32a of the base plate 32, which displaces the imaging unit 22 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) and the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the imaging device 10. Therefore, the imaging unit 22 is positioned on the rear surface 32a side of the base plate 32. To allow light from the subject to enter the imaging surface 28a of the image sensor 28 within the imaging unit 22, a through hole 32b is formed in the base plate 32 that penetrates in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) of the imaging device 10. The front portion of the imaging unit 22 passes through the through hole 32b toward the front and protrudes from the front surface 32c of the base plate 32.
[0023] The cover member 34 works in cooperation with the rear surface 32a of the base plate 32 to define a substantially sealed storage space R2. The majority of the imaging unit 22 and the actuator 26 are housed in this storage space R2. As a result, the imaging unit 22 and the actuator 26 are protected from foreign matter such as dust originating from outside the imaging device 10.
[0024] With this structure of the filter module 12 and imaging module 14, foreign matter such as dust cannot substantially enter their interiors from outside the imaging device 10. Therefore, foreign matter such as dust originating from outside the imaging device 10 does not substantially adhere to the optical filter 20 or the cover glass plate 30 of the imaging unit 22. As a result, the optical filter 20 and the cover glass plate 30 are protected from foreign matter.
[0025] However, foreign matter such as dust originating from inside the imaging device 10 may adhere to the optical filter 20 and the front surface 30a of the cover glass plate 30. Specifically, foreign matter such as dust that enters the storage space R2 of the imaging module 14 during the manufacturing stage may become airborne within the storage space R2 due to the displacement of the imaging unit 22, and this airborne foreign matter may adhere to the optical filter 20 and the cover glass plate 30.
[0026] Regarding the displacement of the imaging unit 22, the imaging device 10 according to this embodiment 1 is configured to control the actuator 26 based on vibrations applied to the imaging device 10, for example, vibrations transmitted from the user's hand, and to displace the imaging unit 22 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) and the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the imaging device 10.
[0027] Specifically, the imaging device 10 includes a vibration detection sensor 36 that detects vibrations applied to the imaging device 10, and a controller 38 that controls the actuator 26 based on the detection signal S2 from the vibration detection sensor 36.
[0028] The vibration detection sensor 36 is, for example, an angular velocity sensor that detects the angular velocity of the imaging device 10. The controller 38 is a processor such as a CPU or MPU, and outputs a control signal S3 to the actuator 26 based on a program stored in a memory or other storage device (not shown) and the detection signal S2 from the vibration detection sensor 36. For example, the controller 38 outputs a control signal S3 to the actuator 26 that displaces the imaging unit 22 in the opposite direction to the direction in which the imaging device 10 has been displaced. Through this control, the imaging surface 28a of the image sensor 28 of the imaging unit 22 is maintained at a constant position relative to the subject, and the image of the subject is formed at a constant position on the imaging surface 28a. As a result, blurring of the subject's image in the captured image is suppressed.
[0029] To control the actuator 26, the imaging unit 22 and actuator 26 are displaced (moved) within the storage space R2. This displacement creates airflow within the storage space R2, potentially causing dust and other foreign matter that has adhered to the inner surfaces of the imaging unit 22, actuator 26, and housing 24 (i.e., the rear surface 32a of the base plate 32 and the inner surface of the cover member 34) during the manufacturing process to become airborne within the storage space R2. Furthermore, this floating foreign matter within the storage space R2 may move into the storage space R1 through the through-hole 32b of the base plate 32. When foreign matter moves into the storage space R1, it may adhere to the rear surface 18a of the protective glass plate 18, the optical filter 20, and the front surface 30a of the cover glass plate 30, all of which are located within the storage space R1. Such adhesion can degrade the quality of the captured image.
[0030] Therefore, the imaging device 10 according to this embodiment 1 is configured to suppress the movement of foreign matter such as dust that has entered the storage space R2 during the manufacturing stage into the storage space R1.
[0031] Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the filter module and imaging module separated from each other. Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the filter module and imaging module separated from each other. Furthermore, Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging module. And Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging module. Note that in Figure 6, components other than the imaging unit 22, such as the actuator 26, located in the storage space R2 are omitted from the illustration.
[0032] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the filter module 12 and the imaging module 14 are connected via an annular sealing member 40. This effectively seals the storage space R1.
[0033] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the imaging module 14 includes a first fixed seal sheet 42 fixed to the front surface 32c of its base plate 32, and a movable seal sheet 44 attached to the front portion of the imaging unit 22.
[0034] The first fixing seal sheet 42 is made of, for example, a resin material and is attached to the base plate 32 via, for example, double-sided tape. The first fixing seal sheet 42 also has a through hole 42a that passes through the front portion of the imaging unit 22.
[0035] The movable seal sheet 44 is an annular sheet made of, for example, a resin material, and extends outward from the front portion of the imaging unit 22 that has passed through the through hole 32b of the base plate 32 and the through hole 42a of the first fixed seal sheet 42. By extending outward, the movable seal sheet 44 covers the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 32b of the base plate 32 and the imaging unit 22 (and further the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the first fixed seal sheet 42 and the through hole 42a and the imaging unit 22) when viewed from the front-to-back direction (view in the X-axis direction) of the imaging device 10.
[0036] Furthermore, the movable seal sheet 44 extends along the front surface 32c of the base plate 32 (or along the front surface 42b of the first fixed seal sheet 42 in this embodiment 1). The rear surface 44a of the first fixed seal sheet 42 faces the front surface 32c of the base plate 32 (or the front surface 42b of the first fixed seal sheet 42 in this embodiment 1) with a gap in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) of the imaging device 10.
[0037] In this first embodiment, the imaging module 14 also includes a second fixing seal sheet 46 and a spacer member 48 that supports the second fixing seal sheet 46.
[0038] The second fixed seal sheet 46 is made of, for example, a resin material and is positioned in front of the movable seal sheet 44. The second fixed seal sheet 46 also has a through hole 46a that exposes the incident surface of the imaging unit 22, i.e., the front surface 30a of the cover glass plate 30. The opening of the through hole 46a is contained within the outer contour of the movable seal sheet 44 when viewed in the direction normal to the imaging surface 28a of the image sensor 28 (in this embodiment, the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) of the imaging device 10). The second fixed seal sheet 46 is positioned opposite the front surface 44b of the movable seal sheet 44 at a distance in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) of the imaging device 10.
[0039] The spacer member 48 is provided on the first fixed seal sheet 42 and supports the second fixed seal sheet 46. The spacer member 48 creates a space for the movable seal sheet 44 between the first fixed seal sheet 42 and the second fixed seal sheet 46.
[0040] In this embodiment 1, the spacer member 48 is provided with a through hole 48a. A movable seal sheet 44 is placed inside the through hole 48a.
[0041] The first fixed seal sheet 42, the movable seal sheet 44, the second fixed seal sheet 46, and the spacer member 48 substantially seal the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 32b in the base plate 32 and the imaging unit 22. In other words, a so-called labyrinth seal structure that closes the gap is provided in the imaging module 14.
[0042] However, the gap between the through-hole 32b of the base plate 32 and the imaging unit 22 is not completely sealed. Specifically, the gap is completely sealed when viewed in the direction of the through-hole 32b (i.e., in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) of the imaging device 10). On the other hand, the gap communicates with the storage space R1 through the space between the first fixed seal sheet 42 and the movable seal sheet 44, and the space between the movable seal sheet 44 and the second fixed seal sheet 46. However, the spacing between these seal sheets is small enough to suppress the intrusion of foreign matter such as dust. Also, since the space between these seal sheets is a thin space that extends outward from the through-hole 32b, the spatial distance from the gap to the storage space R1 is long. As a result, foreign matter such as dust cannot substantially move from the gap to the storage space R1. Therefore, the gap between the through-hole 32b of the base plate 32 and the imaging unit 22 is substantially sealed.
[0043] With this labyrinth seal structure, when the imaging unit 22 is displaced by the actuator 26, the movable seal sheet 44 attached to the imaging unit 22 is also displaced. Specifically, the movable seal sheet 44 displaces between the first fixed seal sheet 42 and the second fixed seal sheet 46 without contacting them, while maintaining a state that covers the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 32b of the base plate 32 and the imaging unit 22. In this embodiment 1, the movable seal sheet 44 displaces within the through hole 48a of the spacer member 48.
[0044] Furthermore, it is preferable that the outer contour of the movable seal sheet 44 is such that, even when the movable seal sheet 44, i.e., the imaging unit 22, is displaced by its maximum displacement, the opening of the through hole 46a of the second fixed seal sheet 46 is contained within it when viewed in the direction normal to the imaging surface 28a of the image sensor 28 (in this embodiment, the front-to-back direction of the imaging device 10 (X-axis direction)). This prevents the spatial distance from the gap between the through hole 32b of the base plate 32 and the imaging unit 22 to the through hole 46a of the second fixed seal sheet 46 from becoming extremely short. For example, it prevents the movable seal sheet 44 from being present between the gap and a part of the through hole 46a, thus preventing them from communicating at the shortest distance in the front-to-back direction of the imaging device 10.
[0045] This labyrinth seal structure effectively seals the gap between the inner surface of the through-hole 32b in the base plate 32 and the imaging unit 22 without affecting the displacement of the imaging unit 22. Furthermore, when the imaging unit 22 is displaced, the movement of foreign matter such as dust from storage space R2 to storage space R1 through the gap between the inner surface of the through-hole 32b in the base plate 32 and the imaging unit 22 is suppressed.
[0046] According to this embodiment 1 described above, in an imaging device 10 in which the image sensor 28 is displaced, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of foreign matter such as dust that is airborne within the imaging device (particularly within the imaging module 14 in this embodiment) due to the displacement of the image sensor 28 to optical components such as filters.
[0047] (Embodiment 2) This second embodiment is a simplified version of the first embodiment described above. Therefore, components of this second embodiment that are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0048] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging module in the imaging device according to Embodiment 2.
[0049] As shown in Figure 7, the imaging module 114 in the imaging device according to this second embodiment corresponds to the imaging module 14 of the first embodiment described above, with the second fixing seal sheet 46 and spacer member 48 removed.
[0050] Similar to Embodiment 1 described above, this second embodiment also suppresses the movement of foreign matter such as dust into the air within the imaging device (particularly within the imaging module 14 in this embodiment) due to the displacement of the image sensor 28 in the imaging device 10, and prevents that foreign matter from adhering to optical components such as filters.
[0051] Although embodiments of this disclosure have been described above with reference to the embodiments described above, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to the embodiments described above.
[0052] For example, in the first embodiment described above, as shown in Figure 6, the movable seal sheet 44 faces the first fixed seal sheet 42, which is fixed to the front surface 32c of the base plate 32 of the housing 24, with a gap between them. However, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to this. The movable seal sheet 44 may be in contact with the first fixed seal sheet 42 without a gap. However, in that case, the frictional force between the first fixed seal sheet 42 and the movable seal sheet 44 must be small enough that it does not create resistance when the actuator 26 displaces the imaging unit 22. Furthermore, it is assumed that no wear particles are generated from at least one of the first fixed seal sheet 42 when the movable seal sheet 44 slides on the front surface 42b of the first fixed seal sheet 42.
[0053] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first fixed seal sheet 42 is fixed to the front surface 32c of the base plate 32 of the housing 24. However, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to this. If the base plate 32 does not have through holes other than the through hole 32b, the first fixed seal sheet 42 can be omitted. In this case, the movable seal sheet 44 extends along the front surface 32c of the base plate 32.
[0054] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, as shown in Figure 6, the movable seal sheet 44 is attached to the front portion of the imaging unit 22 that passes through the through hole 32b of the base plate 32, and extends outward to cover the gap between the through hole 32b and the imaging unit 22. In other words, the movable seal sheet 44 is a so-called flange shape. However, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to this. Instead of the movable seal sheet 44, an outwardly extending flange portion may be integrally formed on the front portion of the imaging unit 22.
[0055] In other words, the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, in a broad sense, comprises an image sensor having an imaging surface into which light from a subject is incident, an imaging unit supporting the image sensor with the imaging surface facing forward, a housing having a through hole in its front surface, with the front portion of the imaging unit passing through the through hole so as to protrude from the front surface, and an actuator provided inside the housing that displaces the imaging unit in a direction intersecting the normal direction of the imaging surface, wherein the imaging unit has a flange portion extending outward from the front portion of the imaging unit and along the front surface of the housing so as to cover the gap between the through hole of the housing and the imaging unit.
[0056] As described above, the embodiments described in this disclosure have been explained as examples of the technology. For this purpose, drawings and a detailed description are provided. Therefore, among the components described in the drawings and detailed description, there may be not only components that are essential for solving the problem, but also components that are not essential for solving the problem, in order to illustrate the technology described above. For this reason, the mere fact that these non-essential components are described in the drawings and detailed description should not be immediately assumed to be essential.
[0057] Furthermore, since the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes of the technology described herein, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc., can be made within the scope of the claims or equivalents thereof. [Industrial applicability]
[0058] This disclosure is applicable to imaging devices that include multiple ND filters with different light transmittances. [Explanation of symbols]
[0059] 22 Imaging Unit 24 enclosure 28 Image sensor 28a Imaging surface 32b through hole 32c front 44 Flange section (movable seal sheet)
Claims
1. An image sensor having an imaging surface into which light from the subject enters, An imaging unit that supports the image sensor with the imaging surface facing forward, A housing that houses the imaging unit, having a through-hole on its front surface, such that the front portion of the imaging unit protrudes from the front surface through the through-hole, A first fixing seal sheet is fixed to the front surface of the housing and has a through hole through which the front portion of the imaging unit passes; The housing includes an actuator that displaces the imaging unit in a direction intersecting the normal direction of the imaging surface, The imaging unit is provided with a flange portion that extends outward from the front portion of the imaging unit and along the front surface of the housing, such that the gap between the through hole of the housing and the imaging unit is covered when viewed in the normal direction. An imaging device characterized in that the gap between the first fixing seal sheet and the flange portion is small enough to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter such as dust.
2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flange portion is an annular movable seal sheet attached to the front portion of the imaging unit.
3. A second fixed seal sheet is positioned opposite the front surface of the movable seal sheet at a distance from it, and has a through hole that exposes the incident portion of the imaging unit and has an opening that is contained within the outer contour of the movable seal sheet when viewed in the normal direction, The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a spacer member provided on the first fixed seal sheet, supporting the second fixed seal sheet, and forming a space for the movable seal sheet between the first fixed seal sheet and the second fixed seal sheet.
4. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein the outer contour of the movable seal sheet is such that, even when the movable seal sheet is displaced by the maximum amount of displacement, the opening of the through hole of the second fixed seal sheet is contained within it when viewed in the normal direction.
5. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an optical filter is located in front of the front surface of the housing.
6. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the imaging unit comprises a cover glass plate that covers the imaging surface of the image sensor.