Imaging device

Abstract

To provide an imaging device that is capable of suitably locking an imaging element.SOLUTION: An imaging device 1 comprises: a movable section 20 that holds an imaging element 21, is provided so as to be movable within an orthogonal plane orthogonal to an optical axis OA, and is provided with an engagement section 27 protruding toward one side of the optical axis OA direction; and a lock unit 40 that is arranged on one side of the movable section 20, is provided so as to be movable within an orthogonal plane orthogonal to the optical axis OA, and has a lock member 43 which moves within the orthogonal plane, engages with the engagement section 27 provided to the movable section, and locks the movable section. The lock member 43 moves on a straight line in the vertical direction passing through the optical axis OA.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an imaging device that corrects camera shake by driving an image pickup device when camera shake is detected has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this conventional imaging device, a mechanism for holding the image pickup device at a predetermined position is provided.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0004] An imaging device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a movable part that holds an image pickup device, is provided so as to be movable within an orthogonal plane orthogonal to the optical axis, and has an engaging part that protrudes toward one side in the optical axis direction; a lock unit including a lock member that is disposed on the one side of the movable part, is provided so as to be movable within an orthogonal plane orthogonal to the optical axis, has a cam follower, and engages with the engaging part provided on the movable part within the orthogonal plane to lock the movable part, and a cam plate provided with a cam groove with which the cam follower engages, wherein the lock member engages with the engaging part by moving on a straight line in the vertical direction passing through the optical axis to lock the movable part, and at the time of locking, one and the other of the vertical directions of the cam follower are held by side edges of the cam groove The normal vector at the contact point between the cam follower and the cam groove passes through the optical axis. thereby restricting the movement in the vertical direction. Furthermore, an imaging device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a movable part that holds an image sensor and is movably mounted in an orthogonal plane perpendicular to the optical axis, and has an engaging portion that protrudes toward one side in the direction of the optical axis; a locking member disposed on one side of the movable part and movably mounted in an orthogonal plane perpendicular to the optical axis, having a cam follower, and moving in the orthogonal plane to engage with the engaging portion provided on the movable part to lock the movable part; and a cam plate having a cam groove into which the cam follower engages, wherein the locking member engages with the engaging portion and locks the movable part by moving radially outward from the optical axis side when the optical axis is the center, and when locked, one radial side of the cam follower and the other side are held by the side of the cam groove, and the normal at the contact portion between the cam follower and the cam groove passes through the optical axis, thereby restricting radial movement.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005] [Figure 1]This is a schematic diagram showing a camera 1 of an embodiment and a detachable interchangeable lens 2 attached to the camera 1. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the movable part 20, the fixed part 30, and the locking unit 40, seen from a diagonal rearward angle. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the movable part 20, the fixed part 30, and the locking unit 40, taken from a diagonal front angle. [Figure 4] This is a rear view of the engaging portion 27 and a part of the locking unit 40, with (a) being the unlocked position and (b) being the locked position. [Figure 5] This is an exploded perspective view of the lock unit 40, seen from the rear at an oblique angle. [Figure 6] This is a view of the cam plate 42 from the front. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0006] The following describes a camera 1 as an embodiment of the imaging device with reference to the drawings, etc. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the camera 1 of the embodiment and a detachable interchangeable lens 2 attached to the camera 1. In this embodiment, a camera 1 with a detachable interchangeable lens 2 is described, but the camera 1 of the present invention may be a camera with an integrated lens.

[0007] (Camera 1) Camera 1 comprises a fixed part 30 fixed to Camera 1, a movable part 20 including an image sensor 21 that moves relative to the fixed part 30, a lock unit 40 that restricts the movement of the movable part 20, a release switch 11, a display unit 12, a shake detection sensor 13, a drive unit 3 that drives the movable part 20 relative to the fixed part 30, a position detection unit 4, a control unit 14, and an operation unit 15.

[0008] The release switch 11 is a component that controls the shooting operation of the camera 1, and controls the timing of shutter drive, etc. (not shown).

[0009] The image sensor 21 is positioned at the planned focal plane of the imaging optical system of the interchangeable lens 2, and generates a signal by photoelectric conversion of the subject image light incident through the imaging optical system of the interchangeable lens 2 based on the control of the control unit 14. The image sensor 21 is composed of, for example, a CCD, CMOS, etc.

[0010] The display unit 12 is a color liquid crystal display located on the rear of the camera 1, which displays captured subject images (still images, videos including live view images) and operation-related information (menus), etc.

[0011] The shake detection sensor 13 uses an acceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensor to detect camera shake caused by camera 1.

[0012] The control unit 14 controls the image sensor 21's shooting when the release switch 11 is pressed. The control unit 14 also processes the signal output by the image sensor 21, such as noise reduction and A / D conversion, to generate image data, which is then displayed on the display unit 12. Furthermore, the control unit 14 detects the target position of the image sensor 21 based on the shake signal detected by the shake detection sensor 13. Based on the detected target position, the control unit 14 calculates the amount of drive required to correct the shake of the image sensor 21, and drives the image sensor 21 via the drive unit 3 based on the calculated amount of drive.

[0013] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the movable part 20, the fixed part 30, and the locking unit 40 from a diagonal rearward angle, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the movable part 20, the fixed part 30, and the locking unit 40 from a diagonal frontward angle.

[0014] In the following diagrams, an XY Cartesian coordinate system has been established where appropriate to facilitate explanation and understanding. In this coordinate system, the direction to the left as viewed from the photographer is defined as the X-positive direction when the photographer is in the position of camera 1 (positive position) with the optical axis OA horizontal and taking a horizontally elongated image. The direction upwards in the positive position is defined as the Y-positive direction. Furthermore, the side of the subject in the direction of the optical axis OA is referred to as the front, the opposite side as the rear, the Y-positive side as the top, the Y-minus side as the bottom, and the rear surface as the rear surface.

[0015] (Movable part 20) The movable part 20 is movable within the XY plane, which is an orthogonal plane orthogonal to the optical axis OA with respect to the fixed part 30. The movable part 20 includes a movable frame 22 that holds the imaging element 21, and the imaging element 21 is attached to the front surface of the movable frame 22.

[0016] (Movable part 20 side drive part 3) On the minus side in the X direction of the region where the imaging element 21 is arranged in the movable frame 22, a coil 23 for driving in the X direction as the drive part 3 is attached, and on the minus side (lower side) in the Y direction of the imaging element 21, coils 24 and 25 for driving in the Y direction and for driving in the rotational direction as the drive part 3 are attached.

[0017] (Engagement part 27) At the edge of the movable frame 22, substantially columnar pin-shaped engagement parts 27 protruding rearward in the direction of the optical axis OA are provided, and in the embodiment, two are provided. However, it is not limited to two, and more may be provided. The two engagement parts 27 in the embodiment are approximately at the center in the X direction of the movable frame 22, at positions equal to each other in the Y direction from the optical axis OA, and are arranged spaced apart from each other at both edge parts in the Y direction of the movable frame 22. The arrangement of the two engagement parts 27 is not limited to the above example. For example, instead of arranging the engagement parts 27 on the plus side and the minus side in the Y direction respectively, they may be arranged on the plus side and the minus side in the X direction respectively.

[0018] In the embodiment, the engagement part 27 is pin-shaped, but it is not limited to this. As long as it is a shape that engages with the lock member 43 described later, it does not have to be pin-shaped. In the embodiment, the engagement part 27 extends rearward in the direction of the optical axis OA. The two engagement parts 27 are arranged at positions facing each other with respect to the optical axis OA, that is, in opposite directions at equal distances from the optical axis OA, and the straight line connecting the centers of the two engagement parts 27 passes through the optical axis OA.

[0019] (Recess 27a) FIG. 4 is a view of the engaging portion 27 and a part of the locking unit 40 as seen from the rear, where (a) shows the unlocked state and (b) shows the locked state. The locking operation will be described later. On the front end surface of the engaging portion 27, a concave portion 27a recessed in a substantially mountain shape (substantially fan shape) is provided. In the embodiment, the top of the mountain shape of the concave portion 27a is located on or near the central axis of the engaging portion 27, but it is not limited to this. However, it is preferable that the top of the mountain shape of the concave portion 27a is located on the straight line connecting the axis of the engaging portion 27 and the optical axis OA. It is also preferable that the center of the portion corresponding to the skirt of the mountain shape of the concave portion 27a is located on the straight line connecting the optical axis OA and the axis of the engaging portion 27. In the embodiment, the concave portion 27a is substantially mountain-shaped, but it is not limited to this, and for example, it may be arc-shaped. Further, the concave portion 27a does not necessarily need to be formed over the entire outer circumference of the engaging portion 27 in the axial direction, and it may be formed by cutting out a part of the outer circumference of the engaging portion 27.

[0020] (Fixing portion 30) The fixing portion 30 includes a fixing frame 31 fixed to the housing of the camera 1. The fixing portion 30 covers the rear side of the portion of the movable portion 20 where the imaging element 21 is disposed.

[0021] (Hole portion 37) At both edge portions of the fixing frame 31 in the Y direction and at positions equal to each other in the Y direction from the optical axis OA, two hole portions 37 are arranged apart from each other. The position where the hole portion 37 is provided substantially corresponds to the position where the engaging portion 27 is provided.

[0022] (Drive portion 3 on the fixing portion 30 side) On the minus side in the X direction of the fixing frame 31, a magnet 33 for driving in the X direction as the drive portion 3 is attached, and on the minus side (lower side) in the Y direction of the imaging element 21, magnets 34 and 35 for driving in the Y direction and for driving in the rotational direction as the drive portion 3 are attached. The magnets 33, 34, and 35 are provided at positions corresponding to the coils 23, 24, and 25, respectively.

[0023] (Position detection portion 4) Camera 1 is equipped with a position detection unit 4 (shown in Figure 1). The position detection unit 4 detects the position of the movable part 20 relative to the fixed part 30. In this embodiment, the position detection unit 4 is, for example, a Hall element 26 attached to the movable part 20 and a position detection magnet 36 attached to the fixed part 30, but it is not limited to this and may be, for example, a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit (PSD). Alternatively, instead of providing the position detection magnet 36, the driving magnets 33, 34, and 35 may also function as position detection magnets.

[0024] (Drive unit 3) As described above, the coils 23, 24, and 25 provided on the movable frame 22 and the magnets 33, 34, and 35 provided on the fixed frame 31 constitute the drive unit 3, which functions as a voice coil motor (VCM).

[0025] The movable part 20 and the fixed part 30 are biased toward each other by a spring member via three balls (not shown), thereby supporting the movable frame 22 so that it can move relative to the fixed frame 31 in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and around the optical axis OA. Alternatively, instead of biasing the movable part 20 and the fixed part 30 toward each other by a spring member, a magnet may be provided on either the movable part 20 or the fixed part 30, and the magnet may be attracted to the metal part of the other part so that they are biased toward each other.

[0026] When current flows through coils 23, 24, and 25, an electromagnetic force acts on the parts of coils 23, 24, and 25 where the direction of the current is perpendicular to the magnetic field lines of magnets 33, 34, and 35, driving the movable part 20 relative to the fixed part 30. If the direction of the current flowing through coils 23, 24, and 25 is reversed, the movable part 20 is driven in the opposite direction. Furthermore, the force acting on the movable part 20 can be changed by adjusting the magnitude of the current flowing through coils 23, 24, and 25.

[0027] When current flows through coils 23, 24, and 25, the movable part 20 is held in a predetermined position. However, when the current to coils 23, 24, and 25 is stopped, the force holding the movable part 20 is lost. At this time, the movable part 20 can move freely within its range of motion inside the housing of the camera 1. Therefore, when the power is stopped, it may fall in the direction of gravity due to its own weight and collide with other parts inside the housing, or it may collide with other parts when the camera 1 is shaken, potentially causing damage to the movable part.

[0028] (Rock Unit 40) Therefore, in this embodiment, a locking unit 40 is provided to fix the movable part 20 when it is not powered. The locking unit 40 is located on the rear side of the fixed part 30 inside the housing of the camera 1. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the locking unit 40 seen from the rear at an oblique angle.

[0029] The locking unit 40 comprises a base portion 46 positioned at the front and a cover portion 41 positioned at the rear. Between the base portion 46 and the cover portion 41 are an intermediate gear portion consisting of a worm gear 47 and a second pinion gear 48, an actuator 44, a first pinion gear 45 held on the shaft of the actuator 44, two locking members 43, and a cam plate 42, all of which are held by the base portion 46. Alternatively, instead of providing the worm gear 47 and the second pinion gear 48 separately as the intermediate gear portion, the worm gear 47 and the second pinion gear 48 may be integrated and formed as a single component.

[0030] (Base section 46) On the rear surface of the base portion 46 in the direction of the optical axis OA, there is a cam plate holding shaft 46a extending to the rear in the direction of the optical axis OA, and a gear holding portion 46b positioned on the X-minus side of the cam plate holding shaft 46a.

[0031] A cam plate 42 is rotatably held on the cam plate holding shaft 46a. A holding shaft (not shown) extending in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis OA is arranged in the gear holding portion 46b. A second pinion gear 48 is attached to the holding shaft on the Y-minus side, and a worm gear 47 is attached to the holding shaft on the upper part of the second pinion gear 48. Therefore, when the holding shaft rotates due to the rotation of the second pinion gear 48, the worm gear 47 also rotates. If the worm gear 47 and the second pinion gear 48 are integrated and formed as a single part, the holding shaft may be fixed to the base portion 46, and the integrated intermediate gear portion (worm gear 47 and second pinion gear 48) may be rotatably supported relative to the holding shaft.

[0032] Furthermore, the base portion 46 is provided with two through holes 46c. The two through holes 46c are at equal positions in the Y direction from the optical axis OA, and the line connecting the two through holes 46c passes through the optical axis OA. The positions where the through holes 46c are provided roughly correspond to the positions where the engaging portion 27 and the hole portion 37 are provided. Furthermore, the base portion 46 is provided with a guide frame 46f that guides the movement of the locking member 43, which will be described later.

[0033] (Actuator 44) The actuator 44 is supported on the Y-minus side of the gear holding portion 46b of the base portion 46. The rotating shaft 44a of the actuator 44 is rotatable relative to the base portion 46, and a first pinion gear 45 having a gear is attached to the lower end of the rotating shaft 44a. The first pinion gear 45 meshes with the second pinion gear 48. Note that if a worm gear 47 is directly connected to the rotating shaft 44a of the actuator 44, the first pinion gear 45 and the second pinion gear 48 do not need to be provided.

[0034] (Locking member 43) In this embodiment, two locking members 43U and 43D are arranged on the positive and negative (upper and lower) sides of the Y direction with respect to the optical axis OA. The locking members 43U and 43D are identical in shape and are arranged on a straight line passing through the optical axis OA so as to be symmetrical with respect to the optical axis OA. That is, they are arranged on a straight line passing through the optical axis OA in opposite directions. The locking member 43 is positioned within a guide frame 46f provided on the base portion 46. The side surface of the locking member 43 is guided by the inner surface of the guide frame and moves along a straight line passing through the optical axis OA. At this time, the two locking members 43U and 43D can move while maintaining an equal distance from the optical axis OA, as the cam follower 43a described below moves along the cam groove 42b of the cam plate 42.

[0035] In cases where it is not necessary to explain them separately, lock member 43U and lock member 43D will be described together as lock member 43. Figure 4(a) shows the second position when the lock member 43 is not locked (unlocked) and the movable part 20 is not locked, and Figure 4(b) shows the first position when the lock member 43 is locked and the movable part 20 is locked.

[0036] (Cam Follower 43a) As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the locking member 43 is provided with a cam follower 43a on its rear surface on the optical axis OA side, which engages with the cam groove 42b of the cam plate 42. One end of the cam groove 42b is located on the central side of the cam plate 42, and the other end is located on the outer circumference side of the cam plate 42.

[0037] (U-shaped part 43c) Furthermore, a U-shaped portion 43c for holding the engaging portion 27 is provided at the radially outer end of the locking member 43 when the optical axis OA is centered. Furthermore, the locking member 43 is provided with a tapered portion 43d at the entrance of the U-shaped portion 43c, which is wider than the base end of the U-shaped portion 43c. In other words, the opening at the entrance of the U-shaped portion 43c is wider than the other parts. Alternatively, instead of providing the tapered portion 43d at the entrance of the U-shaped portion 43c, an R-shaped curved surface may be formed.

[0038] (Elastic part 43b) An elastic portion 43b is attached to the rear surface of the base end of the U-shaped portion 43c. The elastic portion 43b holds the engaging portion 27 in the U-shaped portion 43c and presses the engaging portion 27 in a direction away from each other.

[0039] In this embodiment, the elastic portion 43b is a leaf spring and has a convex portion 43e projecting in the direction opposite to the engaging portion 27 at its center. The convex portion 43e is formed by bending the leaf spring so that it fits into the V-shaped recess 27a of the engaging portion 27. With the engaging portion 27 held in the U-shaped portion 43c, the convex portion 43e of the elastic portion 43b fits into the recess 27a of the engaging portion 27 and presses the surface of the recess 27a on the optical axis OA side radially outward. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the elastic portion 43b is formed as a leaf spring, but it may be formed as a wire spring instead of a leaf spring.

[0040] (Cam plate 42) Figure 6 is a view of the cam plate 42 from the front. The cam plate 42 is a disc-shaped member that can rotate about the optical axis OA. A gear 42a is provided on the outer circumference of the cam plate 42.

[0041] (Cam groove 42b) Furthermore, two cam grooves 42b are provided on the front surface of the cam plate 42, which is the side facing the locking member 43. The cam followers 43a of the locking member 43 engage with each of the cam grooves 42b. One end of the cam groove 42b is at the center of the cam plate 42, i.e., on the optical axis OA side, and the other end of the cam groove 42b is on the outer circumference of the cam plate 42, i.e., at a position radially away from the optical axis OA.

[0042] As shown in Figures 4(b) and 6, the two sides 42ba of the cam groove 42b on the outer circumference side of the cam plate 42 are parallel to each other, perpendicular to the optical axis OA, and also perpendicular to the radial direction. That is, as shown in Figure 4(b), when the locking member 43 locks the engaging portion 27, the two sides of the cam groove 42b where the cam follower 43a is located are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the locking member 43 in the orthogonal plane. Therefore, the movement of the engaging portion 27 in the Y direction is restricted by the side edge 42ba. In addition, the movement of the locking member 43 in the X direction is restricted by the guide frame 46f (shown in Figure 5) that guides the movement of the locking member 43. As a result, the movement of the locking member 43 within the orthogonal plane is restricted. On the other hand, the two side edges 42bb of the cam groove 42b on one end of the cam plate 42 on the optical axis OA side are also parallel to each other, perpendicular to the optical axis OA, and also perpendicular to the radial direction. Therefore, even when the lock is not engaged (unlocked) as shown in Figure 4(a), the movement of the locking member 43 in the orthogonal plane is restricted.

[0043] (Cover section 41) The cover portion 41 is provided with a retaining portion (not shown) that holds the tip of the cam plate retaining shaft 46a of the base portion 46, and together with the base portion 46, forms the outer frame of the lock unit 40. Furthermore, the cover portion 41 is provided with two through holes 41c. The two through holes 41c are located at equal distances from the optical axis OA, and the straight line connecting the two through holes 41c passes through the optical axis OA. If the cam plate holding shaft 46a can be held in a cantilevered position by providing sufficient bending strength to the cam plate holding shaft 46a, the cover portion 41 can be omitted.

[0044] The through-hole 46c in the base portion 46 and the through-hole 41c in the cover portion 41 are formed at the same position, and when the cover portion 41 and the base portion 46 are combined, they form a through-hole 40c that penetrates the lock unit 40. The two through-holes 40c are at equal distances from the optical axis OA, i.e., corresponding to the position where the engaging portion 27 is provided, and the straight line connecting the two through-holes 40c passes through the optical axis OA.

[0045] The engaging portion 27 provided on the movable portion 20 is inserted through the hole 37 provided on the fixed portion 30, and further inserted through the through hole 46c of the base portion 46 of the lock unit 40 and the through hole 40c of the cover portion 41.

[0046] (Operation of locking member 43) During shooting, the locking member 43 of the locking unit 40 is in a second position on the optical axis OA side, spaced apart from the engaging portion 27, as shown in Figure 4(a). At this time, the locking member 43 is in an unlocked state, not engaging with the engaging portion 27 and not restricting the movement of the movable portion 20 relative to the fixed portion 30.

[0047] In this state, for example, if the photographer selects to turn off the main power of camera 1, the actuator 44 will rotate before the power is completely turned off. As a result, the first pinion gear 45 attached to the rotating shaft of the actuator 44 rotates, and the second pinion gear 48, which is meshed with the first pinion gear 45, also rotates. The rotation of the second pinion gear 48 causes the holding shaft to rotate, which in turn causes the worm gear 47 to rotate. As a result, the gear 42a of the cam plate 42 is meshed with the worm gear 47, and the cam plate 42 rotates.

[0048] As the cam plate 42 rotates, the locking member 43 moves within the guide frame 46f in a radial direction perpendicular to the optical axis OA, because the cam follower 43a is engaged with the cam groove 42b of the cam plate 42.

[0049] When the locking member 43 moves radially with respect to the optical axis OA, the engaging portion 27 is sandwiched and held inside the U-shaped portion 43c, and the movable portion 20 is locked against the fixed portion 30. In other words, the locking member 43 is in a first position that restricts the movement of the movable portion 20 relative to the fixed portion 30.

[0050] (Effect of moving radially with respect to the optical axis OA direction) In this case, unlike the embodiment, if the locking member 43 moves along the optical axis OA instead of the radial direction to lock the movable part 20 to the fixed part 30, then a thickness is required in the direction of the optical axis OA to accommodate the movement of the locking member 43 along the optical axis OA, which increases the size of the camera 1. However, in this embodiment, the locking member 43 moves radially with respect to the optical axis OA, engaging with the engaging portion 27 and locking the movable portion 20 against the fixed portion 30. Therefore, the camera 1 can be made thinner. Furthermore, since the locking member 43 moves linearly in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis OA, the movement space of the locking member 43 can be suppressed.

[0051] (Tapered section 43d) Here, a Hall element is attached to the movable part 20, and a position-detecting magnet 36 is attached to the fixed part 30, thereby detecting the position of the movable part 20. However, depending on the temperature, the position detection of the movable part 20 may become inaccurate, and the position of the movable part 20 may deviate from the target position. In that case, the center of the engaging part 27 may not be on the straight line in which the locking member 43 moves. However, in this embodiment, the entrance portion of the U-shaped portion 43c that holds the engaging portion 27, which is provided at the tip of the locking member 43, is provided with a tapered portion 43d that is wider than the base end of the U-shaped portion 43c. In other words, the opening of the entrance portion of the U-shaped portion 43c is widened. Therefore, even if the position of the engaging portion 27 varies, the engaging portion 27 can be reliably guided into the U-shaped portion 43c. Thus, the locking operation of the movable portion 20 can be reliably performed.

[0052] (Effect of elastic section 43b) Furthermore, when the locking member 43 holds the engaging portion 27, the convex portion 43e of the elastic portion 43b fits into the recess 27a of the engaging portion 27 and presses the surface of the recess 27a on the optical axis OA side radially outward. As a result, the two engaging parts 27, which are positioned on either side of the optical axis OA, are elastically pressed apart from each other, thus preventing looseness of the movable part 20 when the locking member 43 is locking the engaging parts 27.

[0053] (Effect of the shape of the cam groove 42b) When the locking member 43 is locked in place, the cam follower 43a is positioned at the end of the cam groove 42b provided in the cam plate 42, near the outer circumference. The two sides at the end near the outer circumference of the cam groove 42b are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the locking member 43 in the orthogonal plane. That is, the cam follower 43a is held in place by one radial direction and the other, and furthermore, the normal to the contact portion between the cam follower 43a and the cam groove 42b passes through the optical axis OA, i.e., the rotation center of the cam plate 42. Therefore, even if a force in the Y direction acts on the locking member 43, no force acts to rotate the cam plate 42, thus restricting the movement of the locking member 43 in the Y direction. In addition, the movement of the locking member 43 in the X direction is restricted by the guide frame 46f that guides the movement of the locking member 43, thus restricting the movement of the locking member 43 in the orthogonal plane.

[0054] (Effects of providing two engagement parts 27) When the engaging portion 27 is provided in one location, the locking member 43 restricts the movement of the engaging portion 27 in one direction in the Y direction (either the positive Y direction or the negative Y direction), but it can move freely in other directions. On the other hand, by providing the engaging portion 27 in two locations, the locking member 43 restricts the movement of the engaging portion 27 in both directions in the Y direction (the positive Y direction and the negative Y direction), thus reliably restricting the movement of the movable portion 20 in the Y direction relative to the fixed portion 30. Furthermore, since the movement of the engaging portion 27 in the X direction is restricted by the U-shaped portion 43c, the movement of the engaging portion 27 in the X and Y directions, i.e., in orthogonal planes, is restricted, and therefore the movement of the movable portion 20 in orthogonal planes relative to the fixed portion 30 is restricted. As a result, since the movable portion 20 is fixed even when the power is OFF, there is no need to keep it constantly powered, and power consumption can be reduced. Although the embodiment described shows the device being held in two places, it may be held in three or more places. In the locked state shown in Figure 4(b), the locking portion 43 is elastically pressed toward each other by two engaging portions 27 located on either side of the optical axis OA via the elastic portion 43b. In this case, the cam follower 43a is pressed against the side 42ba1 on the optical axis OA side of the two side edges 42ba of the cam groove 42b on the outer circumference of the cam plate 42, and the movement of the engaging portion 27 in the Y direction is restricted by the two side edges 42ba1 on the optical axis OA side.

[0055] As described above, the locking member 43 does not exert any force that rotates the cam plate 42 when the power is off, so the locking member 43 does not move. Therefore, even when the power is off, the movable part 20 including the image sensor 21 is fixed, so the movable part 20 does not fall due to gravity or move due to vibrations during transport. Thus, the movable part 20 including the image sensor 21 can be held without consuming power. In the unlocked state shown in Figure 4(a), when the locking member 43 does not lock the engaging portion 27, the cam follower 43a is located at the end of the cam groove 42b provided in the cam plate 42 that is close to the optical axis OA. The two sides 42bb at the end of the cam groove 42b that is close to the optical axis OA are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the locking member 43 in the orthogonal plane. Furthermore, the movement of the locking member 43 in the X direction is restricted by a guide frame 46f (shown in Figure 5) that guides the movement of the locking member 43. As a result, the movement of the locking member 43 within the orthogonal plane is restricted. Consequently, the locking member 43 does not move freely even when the power is off and the lock is not engaged, eliminating the need for constant power supply and thus reducing power consumption.

[0056] Furthermore, the holding of the movable part 20 may be controlled not only when the power is turned off, but also by the photographer via the control unit 15. Alternatively, the movable part 20 may be automatically held depending on the shooting mode.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fixing portion 30 is provided with two holes 37 through which the engaging portion 27 is inserted, but no other openings for locking operation are provided on the rear side of the image sensor 21. Therefore, when the temperature of the image sensor 21 rises during shooting, the fixed frame 31 of the fixed part 30 can be used as a heat dissipation path, and a sufficient area for the heat dissipation mechanism can be secured, allowing for efficient heat dissipation in the part closest to the heat source.

[0058] Furthermore, by positioning the engaging portion 27 on the edge of the image sensor 21 rather than on the rear side, the distance between the engaging portions 27 can be increased. Therefore, the movable portion 20 can be locked with greater positional accuracy.

[0059] For example, if, unlike the embodiment, the retraction of the locking member 43 when unlocking is performed by the biasing force of a spring, and the standby position of the engaging portion 27 is misaligned, the frictional force between the locking member 43 and the engaging portion 27 will increase, and it may not be possible to retract the locking member 43 accurately and reliably. It is conceivable to try to solve this by increasing the biasing force of the elastic body, but in this case, there is the drawback of increasing the operating load when locking. However, in this embodiment, when unlocking, the actuator 44 is rotated in the reverse direction, thereby retracting the locking member 43 from the engagement position with the engagement portion 27 with sufficient force even when unlocking. Therefore, the movement of the locking member 43 can be performed accurately and reliably.

[0060] Although preferred embodiments have been described above, the invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0061] OA optical axis 1 Camera 20 Moving parts 21 Image sensor 22 Movable Frames 27 Engaging part 27a Recess 30 Fixed part 31 Fixed frame 37 Hole 40 Lock Unit 42 Cam plate 42a Gear 42b Cam groove 43 Locking member 43a Cam follower 43b Elastic part 43c U-shaped part 43d Tapered section 43e protrusion 44 Actuators 44a Rotation axis 45. First pinion gear 46 Base section 46a Cam plate holding shaft 46b Gear retaining part 46c through hole 47 Worm Gear 48. Second pinion gear

Claims

1. A movable part that holds the image sensor and is movably mounted in an orthogonal plane perpendicular to the optical axis, and has an engaging portion that protrudes toward one side in the direction of the optical axis, The locking unit comprises a locking member having a cam follower, which is positioned on one side of the movable part and is movable in an orthogonal plane perpendicular to the optical axis, and which moves in the orthogonal plane to engage with the engaging part provided on the movable part to lock the movable part, and a cam plate having a cam groove into which the cam follower engages, The locking member is By moving along a straight line in the vertical direction passing through the optical axis, it engages with the engaging portion and locks the movable portion, An imaging device in which, when locked, one vertical and the other vertical side of the cam follower are held by the side of the cam groove, and the normal at the contact point between the cam follower and the cam groove passes through the optical axis, thereby restricting movement in the vertical direction.

2. A movable part that holds the image sensor and is movably mounted in an orthogonal plane perpendicular to the optical axis, and has an engaging portion that protrudes toward one side in the direction of the optical axis, The locking unit comprises a locking member having a cam follower, which is positioned on one side of the movable part and is movable in an orthogonal plane perpendicular to the optical axis, and which moves in the orthogonal plane to engage with the engaging part provided on the movable part to lock the movable part, and a cam plate having a cam groove into which the cam follower engages, The locking member is By moving radially outward from the optical axis side, with the optical axis as the center, it engages with the engaging portion and locks the movable portion, When locked, one radial end of the cam follower and the other end are held by the sides of the cam groove, and the normal to the contact portion between the cam follower and the cam groove passes through the optical axis, thereby restricting radial movement. Imaging device.

3. The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking member has a U-shaped portion for holding the engaging portion.

4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking member comprises two locking members positioned above and below the optical axis, and the two locking members are arranged symmetrically with respect to the optical axis.

5. The locking unit includes a guide frame that guides the movement of the locking member, and the locking member of the locking member is guided by the guide frame and moves along a straight line passing through the optical axis. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The locking member is When the cam follower is positioned at one end of the cam groove on the optical axis side in the unlocked state, the vertical movement of the cam follower is restricted by the side of the cam groove, with one vertical and the other vertical of the cam follower being held by the side of the cam groove. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1.

7. The locking member is When the cam follower is positioned at one end of the cam groove on the optical axis side in the unlocked state, its radial movement is restricted by the holding of one radial end of the cam follower by the side of the cam groove. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2.

Images