JP2017003630A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact imaging apparatus on which a light-emitting part, an EVF, and a back liquid crystal are mounted, regardless of a flat-type imaging apparatus.SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus includes a photographic optical system (2), an imaging part which acquires an image formed by the photographic optical system (2), an electronic view finder (100) which displays the image acquired by the imaging part, and a movable back display unit (120) which displays the image acquired by the imaging part and is pivotally supported to be freely rotatable with respect to an imaging apparatus body. When the movable back display unit (120) is rotated from a state of being stored in the imaging apparatus body, A part of the eyepiece part of the electronic view finder (100) is exposed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1(a)

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device in an optical apparatus, and more particularly to a digital still camera, a video camera, and the like equipped with an electronic viewfinder device for a camera.

  Conventionally, an electronic viewfinder device (hereinafter referred to as EVF) has been adopted in many optical devices such as a digital still camera and a video camera (hereinafter referred to as an imaging device). EVF captures light from a lens with an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS, converts it into image data, and displays it on an image display surface such as an LCD panel or an organic EL panel in the finder. The field of view is almost 100%, and the image to be taken can be seen. The rear LCD of the imaging device can be easily checked even in bright outdoors under sunlight with low visibility. ing.

  However, the demand for downsizing of image pickup devices is rapidly progressing, whereas EVF is an image display surface such as an LCD panel or an organic EL panel in a finder, a plurality of optical lenses, myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia. It has been necessary to provide a diopter adjustment mechanism or the like so that even a person such as the person can adjust the appearance of the subject and the display in the viewfinder, and thus has been mounted on a relatively large imaging device. In recent years, how to reduce the size of an image pickup apparatus while mounting the EVF on the image pickup apparatus has become an important theme in terms of design effectiveness.

  Therefore, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, an imaging device body, an imaging optical system provided in the imaging device body, an imaging unit that acquires an image formed by the imaging optical system, and the imaging device body Of the imaging optical system with respect to the rotation center portion and a storage position provided on the imaging optical system side of the rotation center portion. A light emitting unit that moves between a light emitting position provided on the opposite side, and at least a part of the light emitting unit when viewed from the optical axis direction of the imaging optical system when viewed from the optical axis direction of the imaging optical system. An imaging device that includes a finder unit unit that is arranged at an overlapping position and displays an image acquired by the imaging unit is known. Thereby, it is supposed that the outer shape of the imaging device can be made compact by arranging the storage position of the light emitting unit and the viewfinder unit in an overlapping manner.

JP 2006-10798 A

  However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, both the light emitting unit and the finder unit unit are mounted so as to protrude from the flat imaging device, and are superposed when viewed from the optical axis direction of the imaging optical system. The protruding light emitting part and finder unit part restrict the design and make it difficult to reduce the size.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device in which a light emitting unit, an EVF, and a rear liquid crystal are mounted while being a flat imaging device.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus of the present invention includes an imaging optical system, an imaging unit that acquires an image formed by the imaging optical system, and an electronic viewfinder that displays an image acquired by the imaging unit. And an image pickup device that displays an image acquired by the image pickup unit and includes a movable rear display unit that is rotatably supported with respect to the image pickup device main body. The movable rear display unit is stored in the image pickup device main body. When rotated from this state, a part of the electronic viewfinder eyepiece is exposed to the outside.

  According to the present invention, although it is a flat type imaging apparatus, it is possible to significantly reduce the size and improve the design by disposing the electronic viewfinder without providing a protruding portion. In addition, by detecting the position of the movable rear display unit, display / non-display can be switched in the electronic viewfinder display state according to the movable rear display unit rotation state and the line-of-sight input state. Thus, it is possible to provide an imaging device that contributes to power saving.

1 is a front perspective view of a digital camera that is an example of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a rear perspective view illustrating an example of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a rear perspective view illustrating an example of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the digital camera of FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an electronic viewfinder device included in the digital camera of FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electronic viewfinder device provided in the digital camera of FIG. 1 is a rear view of an electronic viewfinder device provided in the digital camera of FIG. S1-S1 sectional view of an electronic viewfinder device provided in the digital camera of FIG. S2-S2 sectional view of an electronic viewfinder device provided in the digital camera of FIG. S3-S3 sectional view of an electronic viewfinder device provided in the digital camera of FIG.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts. In addition, as long as the components described in the claims are used, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist.

  FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of an imaging apparatus 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1B and 1C are perspective views of the back side of the imaging apparatus 101. FIG. In the following, the horizontal direction in FIG. 1, that is, the horizontal direction is x, the vertical direction, that is, the vertical direction is y, the optical axis direction of the electronic viewfinder device (hereinafter referred to as EVF), that is, the thickness direction of the imaging device body. Is z, the subject side in the z direction is the front side, and the photographer side is the back side.

  In front of the image pickup apparatus main body 101, a lens barrel unit 102, which is a photographing optical system including a plurality of lens groups and a diaphragm (not shown) that forms an optical image of a subject on an image pickup device (not shown), is disposed. Yes.

  The lens barrel unit 102 is a collapsible zoom lens. FIG. 1 shows that the lens barrel unit 102 is retracted into the image pickup apparatus body 101 when the image pickup apparatus 101 is not in use (when the power is off). The lens on the subject side is shown protected by a lens barrier. The lens barrel unit 102 is in a state where the lens barrel unit 102 is extended from the imaging apparatus main body 101 in a photographing enabled state (power-on state).

  An image sensor such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor that photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject to generate image data, that is, an imaging element (not shown) is mounted behind the barrel unit 102 inside the imaging apparatus main body 101. Has been. In addition, a main board (not shown), an auxiliary board (not shown), and the like on which a processing circuit for converting image data generated by the image sensor into digital information is mounted inside the imaging apparatus main body 101. On the main board, a recording medium slot including a card I / F, an imaging unit, an image processing unit, a system control unit, a liquid crystal display control unit, a serial I / F, a serial connection terminal, and the like are mounted. A power supply switching circuit, a DC / DC converter, an operation switch, a video I / F, a video connection terminal, an external power supply input terminal, and the like are mounted on the auxiliary board.

  A built-in pop-up flash 103 that pops up to expose the light emission window and emit light when the brightness of the subject is insufficient at the time of shooting is provided at the upper right side when viewed from the front side of the imaging apparatus main body 101. . On the other hand, a release button 104 is arranged on the upper surface on the left side when viewed from the front side of the imaging apparatus main body 101. The release button 104 can be pressed in two stages (half-pressed and fully-pressed). When the shutter release button 104 is pressed halfway, a shooting preparation operation such as a photometric operation or a distance measuring operation is started. The subject image is stored as image data in a recording medium (not shown).

  On the outer periphery of the release button 104, a rotary operation type zoom lever 105 is provided. When the zoom lever 105 is rotated clockwise as viewed from the top surface of the imaging apparatus main body 101, the photographing lens is zoomed in the TELE side (direction in which the angle of view becomes narrower (telephoto side)), and counterclockwise. When the lens is rotated, the zoom operation is performed on the photographing lens in a wide range (direction in which the angle of view widens (wide angle side)). A power button 106 is disposed on the right side of the zoom lever 105 when viewed from the front side of the imaging apparatus main body 101. A microphone hole 107 is provided on the right side of the power button 106 to capture sound into a microphone (not shown) built in the imaging apparatus main body 101.

  A mode setting dial 108 is disposed on the left side of the zoom lever 105 when viewed from the front side of the imaging apparatus main body 101. A plurality of marks (not shown) corresponding to various shooting modes are printed or engraved on the top surface of the mode setting dial 108. By setting an index to each mark, the shooting mode corresponding to each mark is set. Is possible. The shooting modes include a still image shooting mode, a moving image shooting mode, a shot image playback mode, and the like. As the still image shooting mode, various modes (auto mode, landscape mode, portrait mode, sports mode, etc.) are selected. Mode, night view mode, etc.).

  A battery lid (not shown) is disposed on the lower surface of the imaging body 101. The battery lid simultaneously opens and closes a storage chamber for storing a main battery (primary battery, secondary battery, etc.) serving as a power source and a storage chamber for storing a storage medium for storing image data. On the side surface of the main body 101, jacks (not shown) for power supply and signal input / output are provided, and these jacks are covered and protected by a jack cover (not shown).

  On the back surface of the main body 101, there is a movable liquid crystal display unit 121 as a display device for performing confirmation of a subject image being photographed, reproduction display of the photographed image, menu display for performing various settings of the digital camera 101, and the like. A rear display unit 120 of the type is provided. The rear display unit 120 transitions between a storage position in close contact with the imaging apparatus main body 101 and a state in which the rear liquid crystal display unit 121 faces the front side of the imaging apparatus main body 101 shown in FIGS. It is possible to rotate around the rotation axis A in an angle range of 0 to 180 °. In the state of FIGS. 1A and 1B, a so-called self-photographing can be easily performed in which the photographer performs photographing while confirming himself / herself on the rear liquid crystal display unit 121. The rear liquid crystal display unit 121 may be another display unit such as an organic EL display unit.

  When the movable rear display unit 120 rotates around the rotation axis A from the storage position in close contact with the imaging apparatus main body 101, the EVF 100 is exposed. The EVF 100 is a device that captures light from a photographing lens with an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS, converts the light into image data, and displays the image data on an image display surface such as an LCD panel or an organic EL panel in the viewfinder.

  The EVF 100 is exposed from the imaging device 101 and is covered with an eyepiece 23 attached to the rear cover 206 around the lens protection window 2. The eyepiece 23 is a cover member provided so that when the photographer looks into the lens protection window 2, ambient light circulates or the photographer's face does not directly contact the lens protection window 2. Projects from the top and constitutes part of the exterior. When the movable rear display unit 120 is in a storage state in close contact with the rear cover 206, the eyepiece 23 enters the concave portion 123 of the rear display unit 120 and comes into close contact therewith. Thereby, when the rear display unit 120 shifts to the housed state, the collision sound with the imaging apparatus main body 101 can be absorbed by the rubber material of the eyepiece 23.

  Reference numeral 3 denotes a diopter adjustment dial that protrudes outside the imaging apparatus main body 101. As a result, the photographer can operate the diopter adjustment dial 3 at the same time while looking into the lens protection window 2.

  An operation button group 110 including a plurality of operation buttons is provided on the back surface of the main body 101. For example, the cross button arranged in the center of the operation button group 110 can be pushed into four places, up and down, left and right, and one central part. Are assigned functions for changing the display form, switching to the playback screen, and the like.

  FIG. 1C shows a state in which the movable rear display unit 120 is rotated 135 ° from the rear cover 206. When the photographer looks into the lens protection window 2, the rear display unit 120 plays an umbrella role against disturbance light coming from above, and an imaging device equipped with an easy-to-see EVF that is not easily affected by the disturbance light. Can be provided.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging apparatus 101. The main body of the imaging apparatus 101 is configured by a main chassis 201 which is a main structure holding each unit. The main chassis 201 holds the lens barrel unit 102 in the center using screws (not shown), and holds the battery box unit 202 on the left side in the figure and the strobe unit 103 on the right side in the figure with the lens barrel unit 102 as the center. ing. The battery box unit 202 has a main board.

  The EVF unit 100 is disposed below the strobe unit 103, and the optical axis of the lens barrel unit 102 and the y direction are substantially the same. This makes it possible to smoothly shift the shooting state while looking into the finder from the normal position shooting (horizontal shooting) during so-called vertical shooting, in which shooting is performed with the image pickup apparatus in the vertical direction.

  In the main chassis 201, the rear cover 206 and the rear display unit 120 are fastened with screws (not shown) on the rear side. When the cover 122 of the rear display unit 120 is removed, it has a magnet 124 as a magnetic field generating means housed in a recess in the rear display unit 120 and bonded and fixed. The magnet 124 is attracted to a magnet (not shown) disposed inside the image pickup apparatus main body so that the rear display unit 120 does not easily rotate from the state in which the rear display unit 120 is in close contact with the rear cover 206, and the inside of the image pickup apparatus main body 101. It serves as an object of position detection by a magnetic sensor (not shown) disposed in the, and also serves to detect the rotational state of the rear display unit 120.

  For example, a giant magnetic resistance (GMR) element or a semiconductor Hall element is used as the magnetic sensor. In the present embodiment, a GMR element is used for the magnetic sensor, a threshold value is set for the magnetic value detected by the GMR element, and the proximity sensor of the EVF 100 is switched on / off according to the magnetic value that changes depending on the position of the magnet 124. ing. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an imaging apparatus equipped with an EVF, when the rear display panel and the EVF display panel are set to the automatic switching mode using the proximity sensor, it is determined that the photographer has approached the proximity sensor by approaching the EVF, and the rear display panel The display is set to be switched to the display panel in the EVF, and the proximity sensor is always in a movable state.

  According to the present embodiment, the proximity sensor needs to be moved only when the rear display unit 120 is rotated, that is, when the EVF lens protection window 2 is exposed to the exterior. In comparison, it can contribute to power saving.

  The main chassis 201 is fastened with the top cover unit 109 on the upper surface side of the imaging apparatus 101, and the bottom cover 205 is fastened with screws (not shown) on the bottom surface side. On the side surface side, the side cover 204 is similarly fastened to the front side, and the front cover 203 is fastened to the main chassis 201 using screws (not shown).

  FIG. 3A is a rear perspective view of the EVF 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an EVF base member, 2 is a lens protection window, and 3 is a diopter adjustment dial. The EVF base member 1 protrudes from the rear surface of the imaging device and constitutes a part of the appearance. The diopter adjustment dial 3 is held at a position outside the EVF base member 1 so as to protrude from the side surface of the imaging device. As a result, the photographer can operate the diopter adjustment dial 3 at the same time while looking into the protective window 2.

  FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view of the EVF 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The lens holder 4 houses a lens in a space provided therein, and is fastened and fixed to the EVF base member 1 with screws. Similarly, reference numeral 5 denotes a mounting cover made of a metal plate fastened to the EVF base member 1 with screws. The mounting cover 5 is held by being fixed to the main chassis 201 shown in FIG. Reference numeral 6 denotes a display means, and this embodiment employs an organic EL panel, but it may be a slightly larger LCD panel.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes a display means holder. Reference numeral 8 denotes a heat radiating plate that is sandwiched between the display means holder 7 and fixed in the optical axis direction. The heat radiating plate 8 shown in the present embodiment is made of a metal plate having a relatively high thermal conductivity such as copper or aluminum, and fixes the display means 6 and at the same time has a role of diffusing heat in close contact with the surface of the display means 6. ing.

  Reference numeral 9 denotes a dust-proof cylinder, which is fixed to the positioning pin formed on the upper surface of the display means holder 7 together with the heat radiating plate 8 from the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, that is, from the upper side in the y direction. It plays a role to prevent the invasion of relics such as minute dust.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes a metal shaft that is press-fitted and fixed to the display means holder 7 at diagonal positions across the optical axis. The shaft 10 passes through the fitting hole provided in the lens holder 4 and slides, thereby guiding the display means holder 7 in parallel with the optical axis direction.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes a first lens, reference numeral 12 denotes a second lens, and reference numeral 13 denotes a third lens, which is formed from an optical lens. Reference numeral 14 denotes a mask member formed by adhering a light-shielding sheet member and a double-sided tape, and harmful external light or reflected light enters the optically effective range of the first lens 11. Is to prevent. A spacer 15 is sandwiched between the first lens 11 and the second lens 12 and maintains the distance between the two lenses with high accuracy.

  The second lens 12, the spacer 15, and the first lens 11 are sequentially inserted into the inner space of the lens holder 4 from the subject side, and are fitted to the inner wall of the lens holder 4 with respective outer shapes. Thereafter, the mask member 14 is attached to the lens holder 4 as these lids, and the second lens 12, the spacer 15, and the first lens 11 are prevented from coming off in the optical axis direction. On the other hand, the third lens 13 is inserted into the inner space of the lens holder 4 from the photographer side, and is fitted with its outer shape like the other lenses. Then, the lens holder 4 is fastened to the base member 1 with screws and sandwiched therebetween, whereby the position of the third lens 13 in the optical axis direction is determined.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes a cap member that is press-fitted and fixed to the tip of the photographer side of the shaft 10 and moves integrally with the shaft 10. Reference numeral 17 denotes a coil spring that is inserted into the space provided in the lens holder 4 and compressed between the cap member 16 and the EVF base member 1. In this embodiment, in order to move the display means holder 7 smoothly without rattling, the display means holder 7 is always urged toward the subject side by using the elastic force of the coil spring 17.

  Reference numeral 18 denotes a stepped screw having a sliding shaft portion, which is fastened to the EVF base member 1. Thereby, the diopter adjustment dial 3 is rotatably held in the state shown in FIG. Reference numeral 19 denotes a metal ball, and 20 denotes a coil spring that biases the ball 19. The coil spring 20 and the ball 19 are sequentially inserted from the outside in the x direction with respect to the hole provided on the side surface of the EVF base member 1. Here, the diopter adjustment dial 3 is provided with an uneven shape (not shown), and the dial 3 can be discretely stopped at an arbitrary angle by engaging the ball 19 and the uneven shape.

  Reference numeral 21 denotes a lever that interlocks the rotation operation of the diopter adjustment dial 3 with the rectilinear operation of the display means holder 7, and reference numeral 22 denotes a lever holder that holds the lever 21 between the attachment cover 5. When the photographer operates the diopter adjustment dial 3, the lever 21 swings, and the display means holder 7 is moved in the optical axis direction.

  The EVF 100 is generally provided with a diopter adjustment mechanism so that a photographer with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or presbyopia can easily focus with the naked eye. Conventionally, many of these diopter adjustments have been performed by moving the lens holder in the optical axis direction.

  However, the present embodiment is configured to move the display means holder 7 with less occupied space in order to improve space efficiency. That is, by moving the display side having a relatively small volume while the lens group having a large volume is fixed, the distance from the lens group is changed, and the diopter is arbitrarily adjusted. It should be noted that the diopter in the present embodiment is set so that it can be adjusted in a range from the + plus end to the −side end.

  FIG. 4A is a rear view of the EVF 100, and the drawings shown in FIGS. 4B to 4D are cross-sectional views at three locations, respectively, and + when the diopter is adjusted to the most positive side. It is sectional drawing in the edge of the side. 4B is a sectional view taken along the line S1-S1, FIG. 4C is a sectional view taken along the line S2-S2, and FIG. 4D is a sectional view taken along the line S3-S3.

  As shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the dust-proof cylinder 9 is arranged between the display means 6 and the first lens 11, is held by the display means holder 7, and is arranged on the photographer side. The mask members 14 are in close contact with each other. By doing so, a so-called dust-proof structure is realized in which foreign matter such as dust does not enter around the display means 6.

  Here, the first lens 11, the spacer 15, and the second lens 12 are fixed by a mask member 14 so as not to be detached in the optical axis direction. In general, when these components are rattled, the optical performance is deteriorated, so that the accuracy required for the distance between the optical lenses is very high.

  In FIG. 4C, the coil spring 17 is inserted into a space provided in the lens holder 4 and is compressed between the EVF base member 1 and the cap member 16. The elastic force of the coil spring 17 always urges the display means holder 7 toward the subject via the cap member 16 and the shaft 10.

  4 a is a drive pin provided on the diopter adjustment dial 3, and 7 a is a follower pin provided on the side surface of the display means holder 7. Reference numeral 22a denotes a rotating shaft that is provided in the lever holder 22 and holds the lever 21 rotatably. The lever 21 oscillates about the rotation shaft 22a, and one end is slidably fitted to the drive pin 3a and the other end is slidably fitted to the follower pin 7a. The holder 7 is interlocked. When the diopter is changed from the + side to the-side, the drive pin 3a moves downward in the y direction. As a result, the lever 21 is swung clockwise, and the follower pin 7a of the display means holder 7 is configured to move by being pushed toward the photographer while the cap member 16 resists the biasing force of the coil spring 17.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail based on preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention. included. For example, in the above embodiment, the EVF 100 is applied to a compact digital camera, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the structure of the EVF 100 according to the present embodiment can be applied to other imaging devices such as a digital single-lens reflex camera and a digital video camera, and other electronic devices such as a portable information terminal.

1 EVF base member, 2 lens protection window, 3 diopter adjustment dial,
4 lens holder, 5 mounting cover, 6 display means, 7 display means holder,
8 heat radiating sheet metal, 9 dust-proof cylinder, 10 shaft, 11 first lens,
12 Second lens, 13 Third lens, 14 Mask member, 15 Spacer,
16 cap member, 17 coil spring, 18 stepped screw, 19 ball,
20 coil spring, 21 lever, 22 lever holder

Claims (5)

The imaging optical system (2), the imaging unit that acquires the image formed by the imaging optical system (2), the electronic viewfinder (100) that displays the image acquired by the imaging unit, and the imaging unit are also acquired. In the imaging apparatus including the movable rear display unit (120) rotatably supported with respect to the imaging apparatus main body, the movable rear display unit (120) is housed in the imaging apparatus main body. An imaging apparatus characterized in that a part of the eyepiece of the electronic viewfinder (100) is exposed to the outside when rotated from a state. The imaging apparatus is provided with a recess (122) on the back side of the movable rear display unit (120), and when the movable rear display unit (120) is housed in the imaging apparatus main body, the electronic viewfinder (100). The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a part of the eyepiece (23) enters. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic viewfinder (100) of the imaging apparatus is disposed below the built-in strobe unit (103). The center of display of the electronic viewfinder (100) of the imaging apparatus is arranged adjacent to the optical axis of the photographing optical system (102) in the same height position. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device switches ON / OFF of a proximity sensor of the electronic viewfinder (100) by detecting a position of the movable rear display unit (120). The imaging device according to claim 1.