Camera and image pick-up device unit used therefor having a sealing structure between a dust-proofing member and an image pick-up device

• US 7,589,780 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2007
• Issued: 09/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: OM Digital Solutions Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd. (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Kobayashi, Motoaki, Kawai, Sumio, Takizawa, Hiroyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Ometz; David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bemben; Richard M
• Application Number:
  US11/848,081
• Publication Number:
  US 20070296819A1
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: 348/374
• US Class Current: 348/340
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 19/12 Reflex cameras with single objective and a movable reflector or a partly-transmitting mirror
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/52 Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/81 for suppressing or minimising disturbance in the image signal generation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/811 by dust removal, e.g. from surfaces of the image sensor or processing of the image signal output by the electronic image sensor

Abstract

A camera is provided that includes a dust-proofing member that has a substantially circular or polygonal plate-shape and that includes a transparent portion at an area having at least a predetermined length in a radial direction from the center thereof, and that is opposed to the front of an optical device at a predetermined interval. A member for vibration is arranged at a peripheral portion of the dust-proofing member and applies vibrations to the dust-proofing member. A sealing structure is arranged outside a peripheral portion of the optical device or an adjacent portion thereof, and forms a substantially sealed space portion including an air gap portion formed by opposing the optical device and the dust-proofing member, and sealing the space portion at a peripheral side of the optical device and the dust-proofing member.

Claims

1. A camera comprising:

an image pick-up device which obtains an image signal corresponding to beams irradiated onto a photoelectrically converting surface thereof;

an optical device arranged on a side of the photoelectrically converting surface of the image pick-up device;

a dust-proofing member having a substantially plate-shape and including a transparent portion, the transparent portion being provided just-in-front of the optical device at a predetermined interval;

a member for vibration which is arranged at a peripheral portion of the dust-proofing member, and which applies vibrations to the dust-proofing member; and

a sealing structure which seals a space between the dust-proofing member and the optical device, said sealed space including a first space formed by opposing the dust-proofing member and the optical device, and a second space which is larger than the first space and communicates with the first space and is provided at least at a part of a periphery of the optical device outside of the photoelectrically converting surface of the image pick-up device.

2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising a photographing optical system mounting unit for loading a photographing optical system that forms a subject image onto the photoelectrically converting surface of the image pick-up device.

3. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the optical device comprises an optical low-pass filter.

4. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the optical device comprises an optical low-pass filter, and the sealing structure includes a first member which supports the dust-proofing member in contact with the peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof and a second member which supports the optical device in contact with a peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof and which is arranged closely in contact with the first member at a predetermined portion of the second member.

5. The camera according to claim 4, wherein the first member is airtightly jointed to the dust-proofing member by an adhesive at an annular area near the peripheral portion of the dust-proofing member.

6. The camera according to claim 4, wherein the first member is airtightly jointed to the dust-proofing member by a pressing force caused by an elastic member.

7. The camera according to claim 4, wherein the first member and second member are airtightly fitted to each other at an annular area on an outer peripheral side of the optical device.

8. The camera according to claim 4, wherein the second member airtightly comes into contact with the peripheral portion of the optical device at a predetermined step portion thereof so as to regulate a position of the optical device in an optical axis direction.

9. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the sealing structure includes a first portion for supporting the dust-proofing member in contact with a peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof and a second portion for supporting the optical device in contact with a peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof, and the first portion and second portion are formed integrally with each other.

10. The camera according to claim 9, wherein the first portion is airtightly jointed to the dust-proofing member by an adhesive at an annular area near the peripheral portion of the dust-proofing member.

11. The camera according to claim 9, wherein the first portion is airtightly jointed to the dust-proofing member by a pressing force applied by an elastic member.

12. The camera according to claim 9, wherein the second portion airtightly comes into contact with the peripheral portion of the optical device at a predetermined step portion thereof so as to regulate a position of the optical device in an optical axis direction.

13. The camera according to claim 12, wherein the second portion regulates the position of the optical device against an elastic force which displaces the optical device at the step portion in the optical axis direction.

14. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the first space is an air gap between the dust-proofing member and the optical device.

15. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the sealing structure comprises a passage connecting the sealed space to an outside space.

16. The camera according to claim 15, further comprising a sealing auxiliary member which is coupled to outside of the sealing structure to airtightly seal a space around an opening of the passage to the outside space, wherein an inner volume of the sealing auxiliary member changes depending on an inner pressure of the sealed space sealed by the sealing structure.

17. The camera according to claim 16, wherein the sealing auxiliary member comprises an annular elastic member which is mounted at an annular area of the sealing structure at a peripheral portion or an adjacent portion of the optical device, so as to seal a space that is airtight except for the opening of the passage to the space in the sealing auxiliary member.

18. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the sealing structure has a flow passage for reducing resistance against air flow between a relatively narrow space portion and a relatively large space portion in the sealed space at a predetermined portion.

19. The camera according to claim 18, wherein the sealing structure comprises a first member which supports the dust-proofing member in contact with the peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof and a second member which supports the optical device in contact with a peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof and which is arranged closely in contact with the first member at a predetermined portion of the second member, and the flow passage has a notch at a part of a contact surface formed airtightly in contact with the peripheral portion of the optical device in the second member.

20. The camera according to claim 18, wherein the sealing structure includes a first portion which supports the dust-proofing member in contact with the peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof and a second portion which supports the optical device in contact with a peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof, the first portion and the second portion are formed integrally with each other, and the flow passage is formed by providing a notch at a part of a contact surface which is airtightly in contact with the peripheral portion of the optical device in the second portion.

21. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the sealing structure includes a first member which supports the dust-proofing member in contact with the peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof and a second member which supports the optical device in contact with a peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof and which is arranged closely in contact with the first member at a predetermined portion thereof, and the second member comprises a passage connecting the sealed space to an outside space.

22. The camera according to claim 21, wherein the passage is formed as a hole which is pierced to an area extending to an outer peripheral side of the optical device in the second member.

23. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the sealing structure includes a first member which supports the dust-proofing member in contact with the peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof and a second member which supports the optical device in contact with a peripheral portion or an adjacent portion and which is arranged closely in contact with the first member at a predetermined portion thereof, and the first member comprises a passage connecting the sealed space to an outside space.

24. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the member for vibration comprises an electromechanical transducer, and a predetermined vibration is generated in the dust-proofing member by externally applying a predetermined driving voltage to the electromechanical transducer.

25. The camera according to claim 24, wherein the electromechanical transducer comprises a piezoelectric element.

26. The camera according to claim 25, wherein the piezoelectric element is adhered to the dust-proofing member by an adhesive.

27. The camera according to claim 26, wherein the sealing structure includes a first portion which supports the dust-proofing member in contact with the peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof and a second portion which supports the optical device in contact with a peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof, and the second portion comprises a passage connecting the sealed space to an outside space.

28. The camera according to claim 27, wherein the passage is formed as a hole which is pierced at an area thereof extending to an outer peripheral side of the optical device in the second portion.

29. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the sealing structure includes a first portion which supports the dust-proofing member in contact with the peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof and a second portion which supports the optical device in contact with a peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof and which is formed integrally with a first portion at a predetermined portion thereof, and the first portion comprises a passage connecting the sealed space to an outside space.

30. A camera comprising:

an image pick-up device which obtains an image signal corresponding to beams irradiated onto a photoelectrically converting surface thereof;

a dust-proofing member having a substantially plate-shape and including a transparent portion, the transparent portion being provided just-in-front of the image pick-up device at a predetermined interval;

a member for vibration which is arranged at a peripheral portion of the dust-proofing member, and which applies vibrations to the dust-proofing member; and

a sealing structure which seals a space between the dust-proofing member and the photoelectrically converting surface of the image pick-up device, said sealed space including;

a first space formed by opposing the dust-proofing member and the photoelectrically converting surface, and a second space which is larger than the first space and communicates with the first space and is provided at least at a part of a periphery of the photoelectrically converting surface outside of the photoelectrically converting surface of the image pick-up device.

31. The camera according to claim 30, wherein the sealing structure includes a first member which supports the dust-proofing member in contact with the peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof and a second member which supports the image pick-up device in contact with a peripheral portion or an adjacent portion of the photoelectrically converting device.

32. The camera according to claim 31, wherein the first member is airtightly jointed to the dust-proofing member by an adhesive in an annular area near the peripheral portion of the dust-proofing member.

33. The camera according to claim 31, wherein the first member is airtightly jointed to the dust-proofing member by a pressing force caused by an elastic member.

34. The camera according to claim 31, wherein the first member and the second member are airtightly fit to each other at an annular area on an outer peripheral side of the photoelectrically converting surface of the image pick-up device.

35. The camera according to claim 31, wherein the first member comprises a supporting portion which regulates a position of the dust-proofing member in an optical axis direction, and which is airtightly in contact with the peripheral portion of the dust-proofing member.

36. The camera according to claim 35, wherein the supporting portion regulates the position of the dust-proofing member against an elastic force which displaces the dust-proofing member in the optical axis direction.

37. The camera according to claim 30, wherein the sealing structure comprises a first portion for supporting the dust-proofing member in contact with the peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof and a second portion for supporting the image pick-up device in contact with a peripheral portion or an adjacent portion of the photoelectrically converting surface, and the first portion and the second portion are formed integrally with each other.

38. The camera according to claim 37, wherein the first portion is airtightly jointed to the dust-proofing member by an adhesive in an annular area near the peripheral portion of the dust-proofing member.

39. The camera according to claim 37, wherein the first portion is airtightly jointed to the dust-proofing member by a pressing force applied by an elastic member.

40. The camera according to claim 37, wherein the first member comprises a supporting portion which regulates a position of the dust-proofing member in an optical axis direction, and which is airtightly in contact with the peripheral portion of the dust-proofing member.

41. The camera according to claim 40, wherein the supporting portion regulates the position of the dust-proofing member against an elastic force which displaces the dust-proofing member in the optical axis direction.

42. The camera according to claim 30, the first space is an air gap between the dust-proofing member and the photoelectrically converting surface of the image pickup device.

43. The camera according to claim 30, wherein the sealing structure has a passage connecting the sealed space to an outside space.

44. The camera according to claim 30, wherein the member for vibration comprises an electromechanical transducer, and predetermined vibrations are applied to the dust-proofing member by externally applying a predetermined driving voltage to the electromechanical transducer.

45. The camera according to claim 44, wherein the electromechanical transducer comprises a piezoelectric element.

46. The camera according to claim 45, wherein the piezoelectric element is adhered to the dust-proofing member by an adhesive.

47. The camera according to claim 30, wherein the sealing structure comprises a first member which supports the dust-proofing member in contact with the peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof and a second member which supports the image pick-up device in contact with a peripheral portion or an adjacent portion of the photoelectrically converting surface, and the second member has a passage connecting the sealed space to an outside space.

48. The camera according to claim 47, wherein the passage is formed as a hole pierced at an area extending to an outer peripheral side of the photoelectrically converting portion of the image pick-up device in the second member.

49. The camera according to claim 30, wherein the sealing structure comprises a first member which supports the dust-proofing member in contact with the peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof and a second member which supports the image pick-up device in contact with a peripheral portion or an adjacent portion of the photoelectrically converting surface, and the first member has a passage connecting the sealed space to an outside space.

50. The camera according to claim 30, wherein the sealing structure comprises a first portion which supports the dust-proofing member in contact with the peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof and a second portion which supports the image pick-up device in contact with a peripheral portion or an adjacent portion of the photoelectrically converting surface, the first portion and the second portion are integrally formed with each other, and the second portion has a passage connecting the sealed space to an outside space.

51. The camera according to claim 50, wherein the passage is formed as a hole pierced at an area extending to an outer peripheral side of the photoelectrically converting surface of the image pick-up device in the second portion.

52. The camera according to claim 30, wherein the sealing structure comprises a first portion which supports the dust-proofing member in contact with the peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof and a second portion which supports the image pick-up device in contact with a peripheral portion or an adjacent portion of the photoelectrically converting surface, the first portion and the second portion are integrally formed with each other, and the first portion has a passage connecting the sealed space to an outside space.

53. The camera according to claim 30, wherein the sealing structure has a flow passage for reducing resistance against air flow between a relatively small space portion and a relatively large space portion at a predetermined portion.

54. The camera according to claim 53, wherein the sealing structure comprises a first member which supports the dust-proofing member in contact with the peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof and a second member arranged for supporting the image pick-up device in contact with a peripheral portion or an adjacent portion of the photoelectrically converting surface, and the flow passage is formed by providing a notch at a part of a contact surface portion formed airtightly in contact with the peripheral portion of the photoelectrically converting surface of the image pick-up device in the second member.

55. The camera according to claim 53, wherein the sealing structure comprises a first portion which supports the dust-proofing member in contact with the peripheral portion or an adjacent portion thereof and a second portion arranged for supporting the image pick-up device in contact with a peripheral portion or an adjacent portion of the photoelectrically converting surface, the first portion and the second portion are integrally formed with each other, and the flow passage is formed by providing a notch at a part of a contact surface portion formed airtightly in contact with the peripheral portion of the photoelectrically converting surface of the image pick-up device in the second portion.

56. The camera according to claim 30, further comprising a holding structure which presses the peripheral portion of the dust-proofing member so as to press and fix the dust-proofing member to the sealing structure.

57. The camera according to claim 56, wherein the holding structure has a stop function for shutting off harmful light.

58. The camera according to claim 56, wherein the holding structure is substantially circular.

59. The camera according to claim 56, wherein the holding structure presses the dust-proofing member at a plurality of portions.

60. The camera according to claim 56, wherein the holding structure is fastened to the sealing structure by a screw.

61. The camera according to claim 56, wherein the holding structure is fit and fixed to the sealing structure.

62. The camera according to claim 56, wherein the holding structure presses the peripheral portion of the dust-proofing member with point contact or with line contact so that the dust-proofing member is pressed and fixed to the sealing structure.

63. The camera according to claim 56, wherein at least a portion in contact with the dust-proofing member in the holding structure is made of a member for absorbing vibrations.

64. The camera according to claim 30, further comprising a photographing optical system mounting unit loading a photographing optical system for forming a subject image onto the photoelectrically converting surface of the image pick-up device.

65. The camera according to claim 30, wherein the dust-proofing member is adhered and fixed to the sealing structure.

66. The camera according to claim 65, wherein the dust-proofing member is adhered and fixed to the sealing structure over an entirety of the peripheral portion thereof.

67. The camera according to claim 65, wherein the dust-proofing member is adhered and fixed to the sealing structure at a plurality of portions of the peripheral portion thereof.

68. The camera according to claim 65, further comprising:

a photographing lens mounting unit for mounting the photographing lens,

wherein the photographing lens is detachable from the photographing lens mounting unit.

69. The camera according to claim 65, wherein the surface of the dust-proofing member comprises a thin-film forming portion and a thin-film non-forming portion and the sealing structure is adhered and fixed to the thin-film non-forming portion.

70. The camera according to claim 69, wherein the thin film comprises one of an infrared cut-off film, an ultraviolet cut-off film, a reflection preventing film, and an electrostatic charge preventing film.

71. The camera according to claim 30, wherein a portion of the sealing structure in contact with the dust-proofing member or the member for vibration is made of a soft material.

72. The camera according to claim 71, wherein the soft material is rubber.

73. The camera according to claim 72, wherein the rubber is arranged between a main body unit of the sealing structure and the dust-proofing member or the member for vibration.

74. The camera according to claim 30, wherein a portion of the sealing structure in contact with the dust-proofing member or the member for vibration is made of hard rubber, which is arranged between a main body unit of the sealing structure and the dust-proofing member or the member for vibration.

75. The camera according to claim 73, wherein the soft material forms a part of the main body unit of the sealing structure.

76. The camera according to claim 73, wherein the sealing structure includes a member for pressing the peripheral portion of the dust-proofing member so as to press and fix the dust-proofing member to the main body unit of the sealing structure.

77. The camera according to claim 76, wherein the pressing member comprises a plate spring.

78. The camera according to claim 76, wherein at least a portion of the pressing member contacting with the dust-proofing member or the member for vibration is made of a soft material.

79. The camera according to claim 30, further comprising:

a dust collector at an outer-peripheral portion of a surface of the dust-proofing member or at an adjacent portion thereof.

80. The camera according to claim 79, wherein the dust collector includes an adhesive member.

81. The camera according to claim 80, wherein the adhesive member comprises an adhesive tape.

82. The camera according to claim 79, wherein the dust collector comprises a needle-shaped electrode for ionizing dust and a dust collecting electrode for absorbing and collecting the ionized dust.

83. The camera according to claim 30, further comprising a dust-receiver for receiving dust arranged near the peripheral portion of the dust-proofing member.

84. The camera according to claim 83, wherein the dust-receiver includes an adhesive.

85. The camera according to claim 83, wherein the dust-receiver is arranged below the dust-proofing member.

86. The camera according to claim 44, wherein the sealing structure comprises a conductive portion and the conductive portion of the sealing structure is abutted onto a conductive member formed on a surface of the electromechanical transducer.

87. The camera according to claim 86, wherein the conductive member includes a first conductive member which is formed along a surface and a side surface of the dust-proofing member in the electromechanical transducer and a second conductive member which is formed on a surface opposed to the surface of the dust-proofing member in the electromechanical transducer, and

the first conductive member is formed extending to the surface opposed to the surface of the dust-proofing member in the electromechanical transducer, and comprises an insulating portion between the first conductive member and the second conductive member on the opposed surface.

88. An image pick-up device unit comprising:

an image pick-up device which obtains an image signal corresponding to beams irradiated onto a photoelectrically converting surface thereof;

an optical member provided just-in-front of the image pick-up device at a predetermined interval;

a member for vibration which is arranged at a peripheral portion of the optical member, and which applies vibrations to the optical member;

a sealing structure which seals a space between the optical member and the photoelectrically converting surface of the image pick-up device, said sealed space including a first space formed between the optical member and the photoelectrically converting surface, and a second space which is larger than the first space and communicates with the first space and is provided at least at a part of a periphery of the photoelectrically converting surface outside of the photoelectrically converting surface of the image pick-up device; and

a holding structure which presses the peripheral portion of the optical member so as to press and fix the optical member to the sealing structure.

89. The image pick-up device unit according to claim 88, wherein the optical member is adhered and fixed to the sealing structure.

90. The image pick-up device unit according to claim 88, wherein a portion of the sealing structure in contact with the optical member or the member for vibration is made of a soft material.

91. The image pick-up device unit according to claim 88, wherein a dust collector is arranged at an outer peripheral portion or at adjacent thereof on an opposed surface facing the image pick-up device of the optical member.

92. The image pick-up device unit according to claim 88, further comprising:

a dust-receiver arranged near the peripheral portion of the optical member.

93. The image pick-up device unit according to claim 88, wherein the member for vibration comprises an electromechanical transducer, and the sealing structure comprises a conductive portion that is abutted onto a conductive member formed on a surface of the electromechanical transducer.