JP2009094647A - Electronic imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic imaging device capable of simply actualizing the heat dissipation performance for suppressing temperature rise in an image sensor and the drip-proof performance inside the apparatus in non-use condition. <P>SOLUTION: A digital camera includes an image sensor 12 arranged at an internal space 4a in the main chassis 4, a ventilation portion 9 with a breather hole 9a for connecting the internal space 4a to outside, and a stroboscope 6 for opening or closing the breather hole 9a at the ventilation portion 9. The ventilation portion 9 forms a part of the main chassis 4 and adjoins the internal space 4a. The breather hole 9a is located at the upper part side when the digital camera is used. The stroboscope 6 has a function to light an object, which is a predetermined function of the digital camera, and it jumps out from a storage section 7 as if it rises up, and makes the breather hole 9a into an open status. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic image pickup apparatus incorporating an image pickup element, and more particularly to an electronic image pickup apparatus having a heat dissipation structure that enhances heat dissipation of an image pickup element.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various types of electronic imaging devices have appeared, such as digital cameras and digital video cameras, and mobile phones having an imaging function. An electronic imaging device generally includes an image sensor such as a CCD or a CMOS, forms an optical image of a subject on a light receiving surface of the image sensor by an optical system such as a lens, and the subject image is obtained by photoelectric conversion processing of the image sensor. Acquire (capture) data. In addition, the electronic imaging apparatus includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, and displays an image of the subject captured by the imaging element on the display unit.

  Note that the image pickup element inside the electronic image pickup apparatus can be optimally driven under a temperature condition defined in the design specification to pick up a high-quality image. However, the heat generated when the image sensor is driven causes the temperature of the image sensor to rise, and noise such as dark current is generated with the temperature rise of the image sensor. This noise due to heat causes the image quality of the image sensor to deteriorate, making it difficult to capture high quality images with the image sensor.

  In order to prevent the adverse effect of noise due to the temperature rise of the image pickup device, an electronic image pickup device incorporating a technique for cooling the image pickup device by a heat radiation action has recently appeared. For example, each air hole provided in the upper and lower parts of the outer cover of the camera body is connected by a cylinder inside the camera body to form an air flow path, and an air flow due to the chimney effect is generated in the air flow path. If there is also a digital camera (refer to Patent Document 1) that improves the heat dissipation of the electric element (CPU) that is a heat generation source, a cooling part formed of a heat storage material is housed inside the casing, and is discharged from this cooling part. There is also a digital camera (see Patent Document 2) that cools an imaging element or the like inside the housing with cold air.

JP 2006-85002 A JP 2006-94382 A

  However, in the conventional electronic imaging device exemplified by the digital camera described in Patent Document 1 described above, the heat dissipation vents formed in the upper and lower portions of the casing are always open to the outside of the device. Therefore, it is often difficult to realize the drip-proof performance of the electronic imaging device in the non-use state, and the device structure becomes complicated when realizing the drip-proof performance of the electronic imaging device in the non-use state. . In addition, the non-use state here is a state in which the user is placed or carried without being used (for example, not operated). On the other hand, the use state is a state in which the user is using or operating.

  In addition, the conventional electronic image pickup apparatus exemplified by the digital camera described in Patent Document 2 described above fills the inside of the casing with the cool air discharged by the cooling unit that has been cooled in advance by an external cooling device, and uses the image pickup element. Although cooling is performed, the drip-proof performance of the electronic image pickup apparatus when the image pickup element is cooled by such cold air is not considered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is an electronic imaging device that can easily realize heat dissipation performance that suppresses temperature rise of the imaging device and drip-proof performance inside the device in a non-use state. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging element disposed inside a casing, and a space in which the imaging element is disposed by forming a part of the casing. A ventilation portion having a ventilation hole that communicates between the adjacent arrangement space and the outside, and a function unit that executes a predetermined function of the electronic imaging device. And an opening / closing part provided in the housing so as to be able to open and close the vent hole.

  The electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-described invention, a seal member that closes a gap between the opening / closing portion and the casing in a state where the vent hole is closed is provided.

  In the electronic imaging device according to the present invention, in the above invention, the driving unit that opens the opening / closing unit that opens the vent hole, the temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the arrangement space of the imaging element, and the temperature And a control unit that causes the driving unit to open the opening / closing unit based on a temperature detection result of the sensor.

  The electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the air holes are plural.

  The electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the ventilation portion is a heat conduction member that transfers heat of the imaging element to the ventilation hole.

  In the electronic imaging device according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the opening / closing unit is an illumination mechanism having the functional unit which is a light emitting unit that illuminates a subject imaged by the imaging element. .

  The electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-described invention, the electronic imaging apparatus includes a microporous member that has air permeability and water impermeability and covers the vent hole.

  According to the present invention, a part of the outer wall of the housing forming the arrangement space of the image sensor is formed by the ventilation portion, the ventilation portion is adjacent to the arrangement space, and the upper side in the use state of the electronic imaging device, A ventilation hole that communicates between the arrangement space and the outside is arranged, and the ventilation hole of the ventilation part is opened and closed by an opening / closing part having a function part that performs a predetermined function of the electronic imaging apparatus. Therefore, there is no need to newly add a lid or the like only to open / close the ventilation hole of the ventilation portion to the casing, and an existing configuration portion that performs a predetermined function of the electronic imaging device is used as the opening / closing portion. It is possible to open and close the ventilation hole of the ventilation part. In addition, by utilizing the convection of the gas in the arrangement space of the image sensor, the heat in the arrangement space can be easily released to the outside through the open vent, while the electronic imaging device is not used. Such an opening / closing part can close the vent hole to prevent liquid from entering the space where the image sensor is arranged from the outside. As a result, the image sensor can be cooled with a simple configuration, and liquid can be prevented from entering the apparatus in the non-use state. As a result, the heat dissipation performance that suppresses the temperature rise of the image sensor and the non-use state It is possible to realize an electronic imaging apparatus that can easily realize the drip-proof performance inside the apparatus.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an electronic imaging device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following, a digital camera is exemplified as an example of an electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of the electronic imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the internal configuration of the electronic imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating one functional configuration example of the electronic imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a digital camera 1 that is an electronic imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment is a single-lens reflex digital camera, and a camera body 2 having an imaging function, and a detachable attachment to the camera body 2 And a lens unit 3 that can be attached.

  The camera body 2 includes a main housing 4 that forms most of its outer shape, a connection unit 5 for attaching the lens unit 3 to the main housing 4, a strobe 6 that illuminates the subject, and a storage unit that stores the strobe 6. 7, a sealing member 8 that closes the gap between the strobe 6 and the storage portion 7, a ventilation portion 9 that ventilates the inside and outside of the main housing 4, and a release button 10 for performing an imaging operation. The camera body 2 includes a mirror 11a that reflects light from a subject to a finder (not shown), a mirror driving unit 11b that drives the mirror 11a, an image sensor 12 that captures an image of the subject, and a circuit board 13. And a strobe driving unit 14 for driving the strobe 6. Furthermore, the camera body 2 includes a display unit 15 that displays an image captured by the image sensor 12, a storage unit 16 that stores image data, a control unit 17 that controls each component of the camera body 2, a battery, and the like. Power supply unit 18 and a power switch 19 for switching the power supply unit 18 on and off.

  The lens unit 3 is realized by using a plurality of lenses, a lens frame, and the like, and is attached to the camera body 2 via the connection portion 5 of the main housing 4. Specifically, the connecting portion 5 is an annular member, and is provided in an opening formed in the outer wall portion on the front side of the main housing 4 corresponding to the position of the image sensor 12. One end of the lens unit 3 is attached to the connecting portion 5 by fitting or the like. In this case, the lens unit 3 is arranged such that its optical axis passes through the center of the light receiving surface of the image sensor 12 inside the main housing 4. In this way, the lens unit 3 attached to the camera body 2 via the connection unit 5 condenses the light from the subject inside the camera body 2 via the opening inside the connection unit 5, thereby obtaining an image sensor. An optical image of the subject is formed on the 12 light receiving surfaces. Further, the lens unit 3 is driven based on the control of the control unit 17 of the camera body 2 to adjust the amount of light from the subject condensed inside the camera body 2 or to focus on the subject. .

  The main housing 4 forms most of the housing of the camera body 2. That is, the housing of the camera body 2 is formed by a storage portion 7 and a ventilation portion 9 which will be described later and the main housing 4. In this case, the main housing 4 and the ventilation portion 9 are integrally formed so that a part of the upper outer wall of the main housing 4 is formed by the ventilation portion 9 and is stored outside the upper outer wall of the main housing 4. The part 7 is integrally formed. On the other hand, in the internal space 4 a of the main housing 4, built-in components such as the image sensor 12 and the circuit board 13 (for example, components that serve as a heat source of the camera body 2) are arranged. The internal space 4a of the main housing 4 is a space in which at least the image sensor 12 is fixedly arranged (that is, an image sensor arrangement space).

  The strobe 6 is an illumination mechanism that illuminates a subject imaged by the image sensor 12 of the camera body 2, and is provided in the main housing 4 so that the vent 9 a of the vent 9 can be opened and closed. Specifically, the strobe 6 is a pop-up strobe with a built-in light emitting unit 6 a, and jumps out of the storage unit 7 by the action of the strobe driving unit 14. The strobe 6 in the pop-up state (pop-up state) opens the vent hole 9a of the vent portion 9 and can illuminate the subject with the light emitting portion 6a. That is, the strobe 6 opens the vent hole 9a of the vent 9 by performing a pop-up operation for executing a predetermined function of the digital camera 1 (for example, a subject illumination function). The light emitting unit 6a is an example of a functional unit that executes a function related to imaging, which is a predetermined function of the digital camera 1. The light emitting unit 6a emits illumination light (for example, flash) to a subject imaged by the imaging device 12, and Illuminate the subject. On the other hand, the pop-up strobe 6 operates so as to fall into the storage portion 7 by the action of the strobe driving unit 14. The strobe 6 that has been moved down in this way is finally stored in the storage portion 7 and closes the vent hole 9 a of the vent portion 9. That is, the strobe 6 functions as an illumination mechanism that illuminates the subject, and also functions as an opening / closing unit that opens and closes the vent 9a of the ventilation unit 9.

  The storage unit 7 is a frame that is integrally formed on the outer wall portion on the upper side of the main housing 4, and forms a part of the camera body 2 together with the main housing 4. The storage unit 7 stores the strobe 6 described above and protects the light emitting unit 6a of the strobe 6 in the stored state from external force. The seal member 8 is an elastic member, and is an opening / closing portion provided on the inner wall portion (wall portion facing the strobe 6 in the storage state) of the storage portion 7 and having the vent hole 9a closed as described above. The gap between the strobe 6 and the storage portion 7 which is a part of the housing of the camera body 2 is closed. Such a seal member 8 has a situation in which liquid such as water enters the inside of the camera body 2 through a gap between the strobe 6 and the storage portion 7 in the storage state when the strobe 6 is stored in the storage portion 7. Is surely prevented.

  The ventilation part 9 has a plurality of ventilation holes 9a, and the plurality of ventilation holes 9a vent the interior space 4a of the main housing 4 to the outside. Specifically, the ventilation portion 9 forms a part of the housing of the camera body 2 and is adjacent to the internal space 4 a of the main housing 4, that is, the arrangement space of the image sensor 12. In this case, the ventilation portion 9 forms a part of the upper outer wall of the main housing 4 and forms the bottom portion of the storage portion 7. The ventilation portion 9 has a plurality of ventilation holes 9 a on the upper side in the usage state of the digital camera 1. That is, the plurality of vent holes 9 a formed in the vent portion 9 are arranged on the upper side in the usage state of the digital camera 1, that is, on the upper side of the main housing 4. It communicates with the internal space 4a. When the strobe 6 described above is in the pop-up state, the ventilation unit 9 allows the gas in the internal space 4a heated by the heat generated by the image pickup device 12 or the control unit 17 in the driving state to pass outside through the plurality of ventilation holes 9a. Let it go. As a result, the ventilation portion 9 promotes heat dissipation from the internal space 4a to the outside of the camera body 2 and suppresses the temperature rise of the image sensor 12.

  The mirror 11 a is disposed in the internal space 4 a of the main housing 4, and reflects the light from the subject collected by the lens unit 3 to the finder (not shown) side of the camera body 2. The viewfinder of the camera body 2 is provided at a predetermined position on the back side of the main housing 4 (for example, in the vicinity of the storage unit 7). The mirror drive part 11b drives based on control of the control part 17, and switches the surface direction of the mirror 11a. By the action of the mirror driving unit 11b, the mirror 11a fixes the surface direction in the direction in which light from the subject is reflected on the finder side of the camera body 2 as an initial state, and the imaging element 12 captures an image of the subject ( Specifically, the surface direction is switched from the initial state at the time when the release button 10 is pressed down, the reflection of light from the subject to the viewfinder side is stopped, and the light from the subject is received by the image sensor 12.

  The image sensor 12 is an image sensor such as a CCD or a CMOS, and is disposed in the internal space 4 a of the main housing 4. Specifically, the image pickup device 12 is fixedly arranged in the internal space 4 a in a state where it is mounted on the circuit board 13. The image sensor 12 receives light from the subject condensed by the lens unit 3 through a light receiving surface, and photoelectrically converts the received light from the subject to generate an image signal. The image signal generated by the image sensor 12 corresponds to an optical image of the subject imaged on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 12 by the lens unit 3. In this way, the image sensor 12 captures an image of the subject. The image sensor 12 transmits the generated image signal to the control unit 17.

  The circuit board 13 is formed with circuits necessary for realizing various operations of the digital camera 1, and is arranged in the internal space 4 a of the main housing 4. The circuit board 13 is mounted with electronic components such as the imaging device 12 and the control unit 17, and each component of the digital camera 1 (specifically, the lens unit 3, the release button 10, the mirror driving unit 11 b, the imaging unit). The element 12, the strobe driving unit 14, the display unit 15, the storage unit 16, the power supply unit 18, and the power switch 19) are electrically connected to the control unit 17.

  The strobe drive unit 14 is realized using an actuator or the like, and drives the strobe 6 based on the control of the control unit 17. The strobe drive unit 14 drives the strobe 6 stored in the storage unit 7 to be in the above-described pop-up state, or drives the strobe 6 in the pop-up state to be stored in the storage unit 7.

  The display unit 15 is realized by using a liquid crystal display or the like, and is built in the camera body 2 in such a manner that the display screen is directed to the outside from the back side of the main housing 4. The display unit 15 displays an image of the subject imaged by the image sensor 12. The storage unit 16 stores image data of the subject imaged by the image sensor 12. The storage unit 16 may be a non-volatile semiconductor memory (for example, a flash memory) built in the camera body 2 or a storage medium such as a hard disk, or is detachably attached to the camera body 2. It may be a portable storage medium.

  The control unit 17 is realized by using a CPU that executes a processing program, a ROM that stores a processing program and the like, and a RAM that temporarily stores calculation parameters and the like of each processing, and is mounted on the circuit board 13. The control unit 17 controls the operation of each component of the digital camera 1 and controls the input / output of signals between the components. Specifically, the control unit 17 controls switching of the on / off state of the power supply unit 18 based on the input information from the power switch 19 to turn on the power supply unit 18 and to remove the strobe 6 from the storage unit 7. The drive of the strobe drive unit 14 is controlled to pop up. The control unit 17 controls the driving of the lens unit 3 based on the input information from the release button 10 to adjust the amount and focus of light from the subject, and at the timing when the release button 10 is pressed down. The mirror drive unit 11b is controlled to remove the mirror 11a from the optical path of light from the subject, and to cause the image sensor 12 to take an image of the subject. In this case, the control unit 17 causes the light emitting unit 6a to emit illumination light as necessary, and causes the image sensor 12 to capture an image of the subject illuminated by the illumination light.

  Further, the control unit 17 includes an image processing unit 17a. The image processing unit 17a acquires the image signal generated by the image sensor 12, performs predetermined image processing on the acquired image signal, and generates image data of the subject. The control unit 17 stores the subject image data generated by the image processing unit 17a in the storage unit 16 and causes the display unit 15 to display an image based on the subject image data.

  The power supply unit 18 is a primary battery or a secondary battery that is replaceably inserted into the camera body 2, and switches between an on state and an off state by a switching operation of the power switch 19. When the power supply unit 18 is in an on state, each component of the digital camera 1 (for example, the lens unit 3, the light emitting unit 6a, the mirror driving unit 11b, the imaging device 12, the strobe driving unit 14) is provided via the circuit board 13 or the like. , The display unit 15, the storage unit 16, and the control unit 17). On the other hand, when the power supply unit 18 is in the off state, the power supply unit 18 stops power supply to the respective components of the digital camera 1.

  Next, the heat dissipation performance of the digital camera 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the heat radiation action of the ventilation portion of the electronic imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, when the digital camera 1 is in use, the strobe 6 pops up so as to get up from the storage unit 7 to open each ventilation hole 9 a of the ventilation unit 9. In this case, the pop-up strobe 6 does not open the ventilation holes 9 a toward the outside of the digital camera 1 more than necessary. That is, the strobe 6 in the pop-up state covers each ventilation hole 9a while covering the ventilation part 9 to the extent that the ventilation between the outside of the digital camera 1 and the internal space 4a of the main housing 4 through each ventilation hole 9a is not hindered. Open.

  On the other hand, the image sensor 12 and the control unit 17 mounted on the circuit board 13 generate heat during driving. Specifically, the imaging element 12 and the control unit 17 are driven while consuming power when capturing an image of a subject, and generate heat. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, heat generated by driving the image sensor 12 and the control unit 17 is released from the surfaces of the image sensor 12 and the circuit board 13 to the internal space 4 a of the main housing 4.

  Here, the ventilation portion 9 is adjacent to the internal space 4a in which the imaging element 12 and the like are disposed, and each ventilation hole 9a of the ventilation portion 9 is located on the upper side (see FIG. 4) in the usage state of the digital camera 1. The internal space 4a communicates with the outside in a direction from the lower side to the upper side when the digital camera 1 is in use. When the strobe 6 opens each vent 9a, the vent 9 releases the heat in the internal space 4a to the outside of the digital camera 1 through each vent 9a.

  That is, the gas heated by the heat generated by the imaging device 12 and the control unit 17 convects in the internal space 4a and flows upward in the use state of the digital camera 1, that is, toward the ventilation unit 9. And the gas (namely, heat) in this internal space 4a is discharge | released outside the digital camera 1 through each ventilation hole 9a of this ventilation part 9, as shown in FIG. The ventilation part 9 ventilates the gas in the internal space 4a in this way, and releases heat from the internal space 4a to the outside of the digital camera 1. As a result, the ventilation part 9 can realize the heat dissipation performance of the digital camera 1, and the heat dissipation performance can cool the image sensor 12 in the internal space 4 a and suppress the temperature rise of the image sensor 12.

  On the other hand, the strobe 6 in a state where each vent hole 9a is opened (that is, in a pop-up state) does not hinder the ventilation between the outside of the digital camera 1 and the internal space 4a via each vent hole 9a as described above. The ventilation portion 9 is covered (see FIG. 4). The pop-up strobe 6 functions like an umbrella or a roof that suppresses the intrusion of liquid from the outside of the digital camera 1 into the ventilation unit 9, and the outside of the digital camera 1 from the internal space 4 a through each ventilation hole 9 a. In a state where gas (heat) is released to the inside, it is possible to prevent liquid such as water from entering the internal space 4a from the outside of the digital camera 1 through the air holes 9a.

  Next, the drip-proof performance of the digital camera 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the drip-proof performance of the electronic imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 shows the digital camera 1 viewed from above in the use state.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the digital camera 1 is not in use, the strobe 6 operates to fall down toward the storage unit 7 and is stored in the storage unit 7, and as a result, each of the ventilation units 9. The ventilation hole 9a is closed. Further, the seal member 8 closes the gap between the strobe 6 and the storage portion 7 in the storage state.

  The strobe 6 in the stored state closes each vent hole 9a of the vent portion 9, thereby preventing liquid such as water from entering the inside of the main housing 4 (internal space 4a) through the vent hole 9a. . As a result, the strobe 6 in the housed state can realize the drip-proof performance of the digital camera 1 in the non-use state. Furthermore, the sealing member 8 closes the gap between the strobe 6 and the storage portion 7 in the storage state, thereby allowing the seal member 8 to enter the storage portion 7 (specifically, each air hole 9a of the ventilation portion 9) from the outside of the digital camera 1. It is possible to reliably prevent liquid such as water from entering. The strobe 6 in the housed state can further improve the drip-proof performance of the digital camera 1 in the non-use state by the action of the seal member 8.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a part of the outer wall of the housing that forms the arrangement space of the image sensor is formed by the ventilation portion, the ventilation portion is adjacent to the arrangement space, and the electronic An opening / closing part having a function part for performing a predetermined function of the electronic image pickup device, wherein a ventilation hole for communicating the arrangement space and the outside is arranged on the upper side in the use state of the image pickup device (For example, the strobe 6 described above) is configured to open and close the ventilation hole of the ventilation portion. For this reason, there is no need to newly add a lid or the like only to open / close the ventilation hole of the ventilation unit to the casing, and an existing component that performs a predetermined function of the electronic imaging device is used as the opening / closing unit. The air vent can be opened and closed. In addition, by utilizing the convection of the gas in the arrangement space of the image sensor, the heat in the arrangement space can be easily released to the outside through the open vent, while the electronic imaging device is not used. Such an opening / closing part can close the vent hole to prevent liquid from entering the space where the image sensor is arranged from the outside. As a result, the image sensor can be cooled with a simple configuration, and liquid can be prevented from entering the apparatus in the non-use state. As a result, the heat dissipation performance that suppresses the temperature rise of the image sensor and the non-use state It is possible to realize an electronic imaging apparatus that can easily realize the drip-proof performance inside the apparatus.

  In addition, the ventilation hole of the ventilation section communicates the arrangement space of the imaging element and the outside in a direction from the lower side to the upper side in the usage state of the electronic imaging device, and therefore convection gas (heat) in the arrangement space. Can be easily released to the outside above, thereby improving the heat dissipation performance.

  Furthermore, since the gap between the opening / closing part and the housing in a state in which the ventilation hole of the ventilation part is closed is closed by the seal member, it is possible to reliably prevent liquid from the outside from entering the ventilation hole of the ventilation part. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably prevent the liquid from entering the arrangement space of the image pickup device via the vent hole, and it is possible to reliably realize the drip-proof performance inside the apparatus when not in use.

  In addition, since the opening / closing part in which the ventilation hole of the ventilation part is opened functions as a liquid blocking means such as an umbrella or a roof, the ventilation hole in the opened state even when the electronic imaging apparatus is in use Intrusion of the liquid into the arrangement space of the image pickup element via can be suppressed.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, the strobe 6 is in the pop-up state at the timing when the power switch 19 is switched to the on state, and each vent hole 9a of the vent portion 9 is in the open state. However, in this second embodiment, The temperature of the internal space 4a in which the image sensor 12 is arranged is detected by a temperature sensor, and the strobe 6 is popped up based on the detection result of the temperature sensor, and each vent hole 9a of the vent 9 is opened. Yes.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a functional configuration example of the electronic imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the internal configuration of the electronic imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a digital camera 21 that is an electronic imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment includes a camera body 22 in place of the camera body 2 of the digital camera 1 according to the first embodiment described above. The camera body 22 includes a control unit 27 instead of the control unit 17 of the digital camera 1 according to the first embodiment, and further includes a temperature sensor 23 that detects the temperature of the internal space 4a of the main housing 4. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

  The temperature sensor 23 detects the temperature of the arrangement space of the image sensor 12 described above. Specifically, the temperature sensor 23 is disposed inside the housing of the camera body 22, for example, on the inner wall portion of the ventilation portion 9, and this ventilation portion 9 is in the adjacent internal space 4 a (that is, the arrangement space of the image sensor 12). Detect the temperature of the gas. Since the temperature sensor 23 is positioned above the internal space 4a when the digital camera 21 is in use, the temperature sensor 23 detects the temperature of a relatively high temperature portion of the convection gas in the internal space 4a. As a result, the temperature sensor 23 can efficiently detect the temperature of the gas in the internal space 4a that has risen due to heat generated by the imaging device 12 or the control unit 27 or the like. The temperature sensor 23 sends the detection result of the temperature of the gas in the internal space 4 a to the control unit 27.

  The control unit 27 is realized by using a CPU that executes a processing program, a ROM that stores processing programs and the like in advance, and a RAM that temporarily stores calculation parameters and the like of each processing, and is mounted on the circuit board 13. The control unit 27 controls the temperature sensor 23 so as to detect the temperature in the internal space 4a at all times or every predetermined time.

  The control unit 27 includes a determination processing unit 27b. The determination processing unit 27b sequentially acquires the temperature detection result in the internal space 4a detected by the temperature sensor 23, and each time the temperature detection result is acquired from the temperature sensor 23, the internal space 4a indicated by the acquired temperature detection result. It is determined whether or not the temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. Specifically, the determination processing unit 27 b has a threshold value set in advance according to the design specification of the image sensor 12, and compares this threshold value with the temperature detection result by the temperature sensor 23. When the temperature in the internal space 4a indicated by the temperature detection result is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the determination processing unit 27b determines that the temperature in the internal space 4a has increased to a predetermined temperature or higher. In this case, the control unit 27 controls the strobe driving unit 14 so as to bring the strobe 6 into a pop-up state. That is, the control unit 27 controls the strobe driving unit 14 based on the determination result of the determination processing unit 27 b that determines the temperature detection result of the temperature sensor 23 instead of controlling the strobe driving unit 14 based on the input information from the power switch 19. 14 is controlled. Other functions of the control unit 27 are the same as those of the control unit 17 of the digital camera 1 according to the first embodiment.

  Here, the threshold value used for the determination process of the determination processing unit 27b described above is the temperature in the internal space 4a immediately before the temperature of the image sensor 12 exceeds the temperature range specified in the design specification (hereinafter referred to as the specified temperature range). Is preferably set to a desired temperature value. The determination processing unit 27b compares the threshold value with the temperature detection result of the temperature sensor 23, and determines the timing when the temperature in the internal space 4a indicated by the temperature detection result becomes equal to or higher than the threshold value. The control unit 27 controls the strobe driving unit 14 at the timing determined by the determination processing unit 27b (timing when the temperature in the internal space 4a is equal to or higher than the threshold value) to bring the strobe 6 into a pop-up state. Each vent 9a is opened. Accordingly, the control unit 27 can open each air hole 9a of the ventilation unit 9 before the temperature of the image sensor 12 exceeds the specified temperature range. As a result, the temperature of the image sensor 12 is set to the specified temperature range. The image sensor 12 can be cooled without raising the temperature to over

  In addition, the control unit 27 can control the strobe driving unit 14 at an earlier timing to open each ventilation hole 9a of the ventilation unit 9 with a decrease in the threshold value compared with the temperature detection result, As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent a temperature rise exceeding the specified temperature range of the image sensor 12. On the other hand, the control unit 27 delays the control timing of the strobe driving unit 14 to bring each vent hole 9a of the vent unit 9 into an open state as the threshold value to be compared with the temperature detection result approaches the upper limit value. As a result, the temperature rise of the image sensor 12 can be suppressed within a specified temperature range, and as a result, the possibility of liquid entering the internal space 4a via each vent 9a can be reduced. .

  As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the temperature in the arrangement space of the image sensor is detected by the temperature sensor, the temperature detection result of the temperature sensor is compared with a predetermined threshold value, and this arrangement is performed. It is determined whether or not the temperature in the space is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. When it is determined that the temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, the vent hole of the ventilation portion is opened by the opening / closing portion, and the others are described in the first embodiment. Configured the same. For this reason, instead of opening the vent hole at the timing when the power switch is turned on as in the first embodiment, the vent hole is set at a timing when the temperature in the arrangement space of the image sensor becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. It can be opened. As a result, the number of times or time required for driving the opening / closing part to open the ventilation hole of the ventilation part can be reduced, and the temperature in the arrangement space of the image sensor can be reliably cooled below a specified temperature. As a result, while enjoying the same effects as the first embodiment described above, the drip-proof performance at the time of use can be enhanced, and the temperature rise of the image sensor can be more reliably suppressed within the specified temperature range. An imaging device can be realized.

  In Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention described above, heat is released to the outside from each open vent 9a using the convection of the gas in the internal space 4a of the main housing 4. Not limited to this, the heat of the circuit board 13 may be further absorbed by the ventilation part 9 to improve heat dissipation. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the ventilation portion 9 is formed of a heat conductive member having high heat conductivity such as aluminum or copper, and forms a circuit while forming a part of the upper outer wall of the main housing 4 as described above. Contact the substrate 13. The ventilation portion 9 in a state where the end portion is in contact with the circuit board 13 absorbs heat generated in the circuit board 13 when the image pickup device 12 or the control unit 17 is driven. The heat of the circuit board 13 absorbed by the ventilation part 9 is conducted to the vicinity of the ventilation hole 9a and is released to the outside through the ventilation hole 9a. As a result, the heat dissipation performance that suppresses the temperature rise of the image sensor 12 can be further improved.

  In the first and second embodiments of the present invention described above, a single-lens reflex type digital camera is illustrated as an example of the electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention. However, the electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to various types of devices in which an image sensor is built in a housing. For example, it may be a twin-lens reflex type (so-called compact type) digital camera, a digital video camera, or an imaging function. It may be a mobile phone or a PDA. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the mobile phone according to the present invention is a folding type, and an imaging unit is built in an upper housing in the usage state of the mobile phone, and an arrangement of imaging elements constituting the imaging unit is provided. Vent holes are formed in the outer wall of the housing adjacent to the space. A mobile phone having such a configuration is formed by opening a housing containing an imaging unit or a display unit, which is a functional unit that performs a predetermined function (that is, from a folded state to an opened state). The same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments of the present invention described above, the cross-sectional shape of the vent hole 9a formed in the vent portion 9 is circular, but this is not limiting, and the cross-sectional shape of the vent hole 9a is Alternatively, a desired shape such as a rectangle may be used. Further, the vent 9a may be a slit formed in the vent 9 or a gap formed between the fins by arranging a plurality of fins side by side. In addition, one or more ventilation holes 9a may be formed in the ventilation part 9, but the heat dissipation performance can be improved by increasing the number or cross-sectional area of the ventilation holes 9a.

  In the above-described first and second embodiments of the present invention, the case where the opening / closing part that opens and closes the air hole 9a is the pop-up type strobe 6 is exemplified. As long as it has a function unit that executes the predetermined function, a slide-type lens cover having a lens having a function of condensing light from the subject may be used.

  Further, in Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention described above, the strobe 6 is housed in the housing portion 7 to close the vent holes 9a of the vent portion 9, but the inner wall of the strobe 6 is further closed. It is also possible to provide a protrusion at a position corresponding to the air hole 9a on the portion (the wall on the side facing the air hole 9), and close the air hole 9a by inserting this protrusion into the air hole 9a. Thereby, the drip-proof performance of the electronic imaging device can be further enhanced.

  In the first and second embodiments of the present invention described above, the ventilation hole 9a that connects the internal space 4a of the main housing 4 and the outside is formed in the ventilation part 9. The ventilation hole 9a may be covered with a ventilation impermeable member such as a film-like or fibrous microporous member having a property. Thereby, the drip-proof performance of the electronic imaging device can be further enhanced.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the strobe drive unit 14 is controlled to be in the pop-up state at the timing when the power switch 19 is switched to the on state, but the power switch 19 is further in the off state. The strobe drive unit 14 may be controlled at the timing of switching to the storage unit 7 so that the strobe 6 is stored in the storage unit 7 and the ventilation hole 9a of the ventilation unit 9 may be closed. The pores 9a may be closed. Further, an input button for inputting instruction information to the control unit 17 may be further provided, and the control unit 17 may control the strobe driving unit 14 based on the instruction information from the input button.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention described above, the strobe drive unit 14 is controlled and the strobe 6 is popped up at a timing when the temperature detection result of the temperature sensor 23 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. A lower limit value for the temperature detection result of the sensor 23 is set, the strobe drive unit 14 is controlled at a timing when the temperature detection result is equal to or lower than the lower limit value, and the strobe 6 is stored in the storage unit 7. May be closed, or the strobe 6 may be housed in the housing portion 7 manually to close the vent hole 9a.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments of the present invention described above, the strobe driving unit 14 is realized using an actuator or the like, but is not limited thereto, and the strobe driving unit is configured using a movable collar and a spring member. 14 may be realized. In this case, the strobe drive unit 14 holds the strobe 6 in the storage unit 7 with the hook and deforms the spring member, and removes the hook from the strobe 6 based on the control of the control unit. The strobe 6 is popped up by force.

It is a schematic diagram which shows one structural example of the electronic imaging device concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the internal configuration of the electronic imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of a functional configuration of the electronic imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a heat radiation action of a ventilation portion of the electronic imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a drip-proof performance of the electronic imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows typically the example of 1 function structure of the electronic imaging device concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the internal configuration of an electronic imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows the modification of the electronic imaging device concerning this invention. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates another aspect of the electronic imaging device concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,21 Digital camera 2,22 Camera main body 3 Lens unit 4 Main housing 4a Internal space 5 Connection part 6 Strobe 6a Light emission part 7 Storage part 8 Seal member 9 Ventilation part 9a Vent hole 10 Release button 11a Mirror 11b Mirror drive part 12 Image sensor 13 Circuit board 14 Strobe drive unit 15 Display unit 16 Storage unit 17, 27 Control unit 17a Image processing unit 18 Power supply unit 19 Power switch 23 Temperature sensor 27b Determination processing unit

Claims (7)

An image sensor disposed inside the housing;
A ventilation portion that forms a part of the housing and is adjacent to the arrangement space of the imaging element, and has a ventilation hole that communicates the adjacent arrangement space and the outside on the upper side in a use state of the electronic imaging device; ,
An opening / closing part provided in the housing so as to be capable of opening and closing the vent hole, having a function part for executing a predetermined function of the electronic imaging device;
An electronic imaging apparatus comprising:   The electronic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a seal member that closes a gap between the opening / closing portion and the housing in a state where the vent hole is closed. A drive unit that performs an opening operation of the opening and closing unit that opens the vent;
A temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of an arrangement space of the image sensor;
Based on the temperature detection result of the temperature sensor, a control unit that causes the driving unit to open the opening / closing unit,
The electronic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The electronic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air hole is plural.   The electronic imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation portion is a heat conductive member that transmits heat of the imaging element to the ventilation hole.   The electronic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing unit is an illumination mechanism including the functional unit which is a light emitting unit that illuminates a subject imaged by the imaging element. .   The electronic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a microporous member that has air permeability and water impermeability and covers the vent hole.

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