JPH10104676A - Image stabilizing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent overload from being imposed on an actuator by providing the case of binoculars in which an image stabilizing device is loaded with a caging means which can regulate the turning action of a gimbal hanging means constituting this device and a switch means for cutting off the driving current of the actuator turning the gimbal hanging means when the turning action is regulated. SOLUTION: The caging means 200 interposing the gimbal hanging members 7 and 107 constituting the image stabilizing device 20 and regulating the turning actions thereof is arranged so that an image blurring correction control action can be executed at a pressing time and the binoculars can be used as the binoculars which can cope with quick panning/tilting operation at a nonpressing time. Besides, the caging means 200 is provided with a microswitch 230 so that a driving current cutoff signal is outputted to a CPU and the driving current with respect to rotation driving motors 5 and 105 is cut off when a pressing member 220 is not pressed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical device such as a monocular, a binocular, and a video camera, which vibrates, when the angle of emergence of a light beam from an observation object with respect to the optical axis of the optical device fluctuates. The present invention relates to an image stabilizing device provided in an optical device for preventing an optical image from being blurred and observed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When an optical device such as a monocular or a binocular for optical observation is held and operated by hand, particularly when the optical device is used by being brought into an aircraft or a vehicle, etc.
Vibrations and swings of aircraft, vehicles, and the like are transmitted to the optical device, and the exit angle of the light beam from the observation object with respect to the optical axis fluctuates, often deteriorating the observed optical image. The vibration transmitted to such an optical device, even if its amplitude is small,
The field of view of monoculars, binoculars, etc. is narrow, the exit angle of the luminous flux is enlarged by the eyepiece, and the image of the objective lens is enlarged and observed by the eyepiece, and finally the image appealing to the vision deteriorates From being observed,
As the magnification increases, fluctuations in the exit angle of the light beam with respect to the optical axis and deterioration in the observed image caused by vibrations and the like cannot be ignored.

Hitherto, various devices have been proposed for stabilizing an image in order to prevent the angle of emission of the light beam with respect to the optical axis from fluctuating due to vibrations and swings transmitted to the optical device, thereby preventing the observed image from deteriorating. Have been. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 57-37852 discloses a binocular provided with an anti-vibration means using a rotating inertial body (gyromotor) in order to correct blurring of an observation image in the binocular.

That is, in this technique, an erect prism is arranged on an optical axis between an objective lens and an eyepiece of binoculars, and the erect prism is fixed on gimbal suspension means to which a rotating inertia body is attached. In addition, even if the binoculars vibrate due to camera shake or the like, the erecting prism is held at substantially the same spatial position to prevent blurring of the observation image of the binoculars. The conventional technology using the rotating inertial body and the gimbal suspension means can stabilize the image with high accuracy, but the magnification of the binoculars and the effective diameter of the objective lens increase as the resolution increases, and the positive The vertical prism becomes larger, which increases the weight of the rotating inertial body that spatially holds the prism,
Further, power consumption for driving the rotary inertia body also increases.

Therefore, the applicant of the present application mounts an angular velocity sensor on the gimbal suspension means instead of the rotary inertia body, and controls the rotational position of the gimbal suspension means based on the output value from the angular velocity sensor to erect. An image stabilizing device has been proposed in which the attitude of a prism is fixed with respect to the earth (inertial system) (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-250100). According to this device, unlike other image stabilizing devices using an angular velocity sensor, there is no need to positively move an optical element (for example, a vari-angle prism or a lens) in response to vibration. There is an advantage that correction can be performed over a larger angle range. Also, there is no disadvantage in terms of lens aberration as in these other techniques. Further, the size of the optical device can be reduced.

[0006]

When using binoculars or video cameras, panning and tilting are often performed at high speed. For example, when observing a flying object such as a bird or an airplane while following it, a quick pan / tilt operation is required. Therefore, just because the binoculars or the video camera shakes does not necessarily mean that the camera shake is caused.

In addition, such an operation requires that the optical system in the apparatus follow the moving direction of the object to be observed smoothly, so that the optical system should be fixed at the original position against vibration. A function that is inconsistent with the above-described vibration damping function is required. Due to the characteristics of such devices, attempts have been made to uniformly separate the ranges in which these two functions are performed by differences in vibration frequency, vibration amplitude, angular velocity change, etc., but this is not always satisfactory. Not.

For example, the frequency range of camera shake is generally 0.5
Although it is said to be ／ 15 Hz, a pan / tilt operation included in this range is often required, and the situation where the function is required is different each time. In this case, if the case of the optical device is provided with a caging means capable of restricting the rotation of the gimbal suspension means, and the rotation can be appropriately regulated by the operator, the weight and size of the image stabilizing device can be reduced. In addition to reducing power consumption, the device can exhibit a smooth pan / tilt operation and a good anti-vibration function as required by the operator.

However, at this time, if the gimbal suspension means is merely mechanically pressed to restrict its rotation, the gimbal suspension means cannot be rotated even though the gimbal suspension means cannot be rotated. Since the drive current continues to flow through the actuator means to be driven, there is a problem that the actuator means is overloaded.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and aims to reduce the weight, size, and power of an optical device, and to provide a smooth pan / tilt operation and a favorable operation as required by an operator. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image stabilizing device which can exhibit a vibration proof function and can prevent an overload from being applied to an actuator means.

[0011]

The image stabilizing device of the present invention has a monocular optical system or a binocular optical system in which an erect prism is disposed between an objective lens and an eyepiece, and the objective lens of these optical systems is used. And an image stabilizing device mounted on an optical device having an eyepiece fixed in a case,
Gimbal suspension means having two rotation shafts extending in the left-right direction and the up-down direction of the optical device, and the erect prism is rotatably mounted on the case; Actuator means for rotating around a moving axis, two angular position information detecting means for detecting the angular positions of the gimbal suspension means around the two rotation axes, respectively, and fixed to the gimbal suspension means. Based on information detected by the two angular velocity information detecting means for detecting angular velocity information of the gimbal suspension means due to a change in the attitude of the optical device, and the angular position information detecting means and the angular velocity information detecting means. Feedback control for driving the actuator means so as to fix the prism to the inertial system and controlling the rotation of the gimbal suspension means around two rotation axes. A step, wherein the gimbal suspension means includes an inner gimbal suspension member for fixedly supporting the erect prism, an outer gimbal suspension member surrounding the inner gimbal suspension member, and the outer gimbal suspension member A first bearing rotatably supported by a member; and a second bearing rotatably supporting the outer gimbal suspension member in the case. The case includes the inner gimbal suspension member and the outer gimbal. Caging means capable of regulating the rotation of the suspension member is provided, and the caging means
When the rotation is restricted by the caging means,
Switch means for outputting a drive current cutoff signal for cutting off a drive current of the actuator means to the feedback control means is provided.

Although the specific structures of the caging means and the switch means are not particularly limited, the caging means may be connected to the gimbal suspension means with the inner gimbal suspension member and the outer gimbal suspension member interposed therebetween. A rotation restricting mechanism for restricting movement, and one end protruding out of the case and the other end connected to the rotation restricting mechanism, wherein when the one end is pressed, the rotation is restricted by the rotation restricting mechanism. A simple structure, if the switch means is configured to output the drive current cut-off signal when the pressing member is not pressed, the switch means is configured to include: It is possible to achieve both a good pan / tilt operation and a good anti-vibration function, and to prevent an overload of the actuator means.

In this case, the rotation restricting mechanism includes:
The specific configuration is not particularly limited as long as the rotation of the gimbal suspension means can be restricted with the inner gimbal suspension member and the outer gimbal suspension member interposed therebetween. The pressing member releases the rotation restriction by the rotation restriction mechanism when one end thereof is pressed. In this case, the rotation is restricted only when the pressing force is continuously applied. May be released, or after the pressing operation is performed, the rotation restriction release state is maintained even if the pressing force is released, and the pressing state returns to the original position for the first time by the pressing operation again Alternatively, the rotation may be restricted.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1, 2, 3, and 4 are a plan cross-sectional view, a front cross-sectional view, a side cross-sectional view, and a perspective view, respectively, showing a state where the image stabilizing device according to the embodiment of the present invention is incorporated in binoculars. As shown, the binoculars incorporating the image stabilizing device 20 of the present embodiment in a case 30 include a pair of objective lens systems 1a and 1b, a pair of eyepiece systems 2a and 2b, and a pair of upright lenses. Equipped with prisms 3a and 3b, objective lens 1
a, eyepiece 2a, erect prism 3a are first telescope system 10a
The objective lens 1b, the eyepiece 2b, and the erecting prism 3b similarly constitute a second telescope system 10b.
A pair of second telescope systems 10a and 10b constitute a binocular system.

A pair of objective lens systems 1a, 1b and eyepiece lens systems 2a, 2b constituting the binocular system are fixed to a case 30 of the present optical device, and the erecting prisms 3a, 3b are vertically moved ( The direction in which the optical axis extends and the objective lens systems 1a and 1
a rotating shaft 6 extending in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the b) and in the lateral direction of the apparatus (the arrangement direction of the objective lens systems 1a and 1b);
Gimbal suspension member 7, 107 having 106 (see FIG. 5)
It is rotatably mounted on the case 30 via the.

The basic functions which are the premise of the apparatus according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. In this specification, the vertical direction of the apparatus indicates the direction of arrow A in the figure,
The horizontal direction of the device indicates the direction of arrow C in the figure. In FIG. 5, the gimbal suspension members 7, 107 on which the upright prisms 3a, 3b are mounted are fixed to the case 30, and therefore the upright prisms 3a, 3a mounted on the gimbal suspension members 7, 107 are provided. In the state where 3b is fixed to the case 30, the present optical device has a configuration of a normal binocular system, and the optical axes 4a and 4b of the telescope optical systems 10a and 10b at this time are referred to as the optical axes of the present optical device. It shall be.

It should be noted that appropriate arrangement positions of the objective lens systems 1a and 1b, the eyepiece lens systems 2a and 2b, the erect prisms 3a and 3b, the gimbal suspension members 7 and 107, and the rotating shafts 6 and 106 are known. Since it is described in detail in a literature (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 57-37852), it is omitted here.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the inner gimbal suspension member 107 is
, And the gimbal suspension device has a double inner and outer structure. While the outer gimbal suspension member 7 is rotated by a rotation shaft 6 extending in the left-right direction of the apparatus so as to correct vertical image blur, the inner gimbal suspension member 10 is rotated.
Numeral 7 is rotated by a rotating shaft 106 extending in the vertical direction of the apparatus so as to correct image blur in the horizontal direction. Erect prism 3a,
3b is attached to the inner gimbal suspension member 107. In FIG. 5, for convenience of description, the upper and lower relations are shown to be opposite to those in FIGS.

An angular velocity sensor 8 is fixed at the center of the upper side wall of the outer gimbal suspension member 7, while an angular velocity sensor 108 is fixed at the center of the front side wall of the inner gimbal suspension member 107. Is fixed. The angular velocity sensor 8 detects the rotational angular velocity ω ₁ when the outer gimbal suspension member 7 rotates in the direction of arrow B due to the vertical movement of the case 30, whereas the angular velocity sensor 8 Reference numeral 108 denotes a sensor for detecting the rotational angular velocity ω ₂ when the inner gimbal suspension member 107 rotates in the direction of arrow D due to the lateral movement of the case 30.

A position sensor 9 for detecting the rotation angle θ ₁ of the rotating shaft 6 is mounted at _{one end} of the rotating shaft 6 for performing position feedback control in addition to the speed feedback control based on the detected angular velocity. At the other end of the rotating shaft 6, the erecting prisms 3a and 3b are always returned to the initial posture against the shake of the case 30 based on the detection values from the angular velocity sensor 8 and the position sensor 9. A rotation drive motor (torquer) 5 for rotating the rotation shaft 6 of the gimbal suspension member 7 is attached. On the other hand, a position sensor 109 for detecting the rotation angle θ ₂ of the rotation shaft 106 for performing position feedback control in addition to the speed feedback control based on the detected angular velocity is attached to one end of the rotation shaft 106. Pivot axis
The other end of the erecting prism 3 is connected to the other end of the prism 106 based on the detection values from the angular velocity sensor 108 and the position sensor 109.
The rotation axis 10 of the inner gimbal suspension member 107 is set so that the a and 3b always return to the initial postures against the horizontal movement of the case 30.
A rotary drive motor (torquer) 105 for rotating 6 is attached.

Next, the basic concept of the control loop of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown, the apparatus comprises amplifiers 11a and 11a for amplifying an angular velocity signal from an angular velocity sensor 8 and an angular signal from a position sensor 9, respectively.
b, a CPU 12 for calculating a drive amount of the rotary drive motor 5 based on the angular velocity signal and the angle signal so as to return the erect prisms 3a and 3b to the original posture, and outputting a control signal based on the calculation; A motor drive circuit 13 for driving the rotary drive motor 5 by amplifying the control signal from the CPU 12 is provided. On the other hand, the detection signals from the angular velocity sensor 108 and the position sensor 109 are similar to the detection signals from the angular velocity sensor 8 and the position sensor 9 as shown in FIG.
The control signal is converted into a control signal by a control loop similar to the control loop shown in FIG.

Therefore, in the apparatus of this embodiment, two sets of control loops are required to return the two outer and inner gimbal suspension members 7, 107 to their original postures, but a common CPU 12 may be used. .

The above-mentioned erecting prisms 3a and 3b include an erecting prism of Schmidt, an erecting prism of Abbe, an erecting prism of Bauern fend, an erecting prism of Polo and There is an erect prism of Dach, etc. FIG. 7 shows an erect prism of Schmidt. The Schmidt erect prism includes a prism 23 and a prism 24 as shown in the figure, and a part 25 of the prism 24 is a roof reflection surface. In such an erect prism, there is an incident optical axis position where the incident optical axis 21 and the exit optical axis 22 can be on the same straight line as shown in the figure. In such an erect prism capable of taking the incident optical axis 21 and the exit optical axis 22 on the same straight line, FIG.
As shown in FIG.
Is parallel to the optical axis 22 after passing through the erecting prism and separated by h below the exit optical axis 22.
It has the property of becoming 22 '.

Each of the angular velocity sensors 8 and 108 comprises a columnar vibrator having a columnar shape and a plurality of piezoelectric ceramics.
A piezoelectric vibrating gyroscope utilizing Coriolis force, wherein at least two detecting piezoelectric ceramics and at least one feedback piezoelectric ceramic are provided on a side surface of a columnar vibrator. Each of the detection piezoelectric ceramics outputs a detection signal having a different value according to the vibration, and an angular velocity is obtained by calculating a difference between the detection signals.

The feedback piezoelectric ceramic is used for correcting the phase of the detection signal. Since the angular velocity sensors 8 and 108 have a simple structure and a very small size, the image stabilizing device 20 itself can have a simple structure and a small size. In addition, high S /
Since the precision is high in the N ratio, the angular velocity control can be performed with high precision.

As shown in FIG. 2, the outer gimbal suspension member 7 is rotatably supported by the case 30 via bearings 71 and 72 at both left and right ends thereof, while the inner gimbal suspension member 107 is provided. Are rotatably supported by the gimbal suspension member 7 via bearings 171 and 172 at both upper and lower ends.

A rotary drive motor (torquer) 5 for rotating the gimbal suspension member 7 is provided near the right end of the gimbal suspension member 7. This rotary drive motor 5 is
A plurality of coils 54 distributed on the left side circumference of a plate 53 fixed to the case 30, and an annular magnet 56 attached to the right side of a plate 55 screwed to the right end of the gimbal suspension member 7 Are arranged in close proximity to each other. The magnet 56 is provided so as to be located in a space on the inner peripheral side of the bearing 71. For this reason,
The bearing 71 has a larger diameter than the bearing 72 located at the left end of the gimbal suspension member 7.

On the other hand, a rotation drive motor (torquer) 105 for rotating the gimbal suspension member 107 is provided near the upper end of the gimbal suspension member 107. The rotary drive motor 105 is provided with a plurality of coils 154 distributed on the lower surface circumference of a plate 153 fixed to the gimbal suspension member 7.
And an annular magnet 15 attached to the upper surface of a plate 155 screwed to the upper end of the gimbal suspension member 107.
6 are arranged in close proximity to each other. Above magnet
156 is provided so as to be located in the space on the inner peripheral side of the bearing 171. The bearing 172 located at the lower end of the gimbal suspension member 107 is
The position sensor 109 is mounted in a space on the inner peripheral side of the inner diameter of the sensor.

As shown in detail in FIG. 8, the outer gimbal suspension member 7 comprises a pair of gimbal halves 7A and 7B divided into two parts. Each of these gimbal halves 7A, 7
B is a rectangular frame 7Aa, 7Ba and the frame 7Aa, 7B
A pair of upper and lower bearing holding parts 7A formed in the center of a
b, 7Bb, and bearing fitting portions 7Ac, 7Bc formed on both right and left ends of the frames 7Aa, 7Ba. The split surfaces 7Ad, 7B of the pair of gimbal halves 7A, 7B
The gimbal suspension member 7 is assembled by fitting the bearings 71, 72 into the bearing fitting portions 7Ac, 7Bc with d being aligned. In this assembly, the bearing holding portions 7Ab and 7Bb formed in a substantially arc shape hold the bearings 171 and 172 and the plate 153 fitted to the upper and lower ends of the inner gimbal suspension member 107 from front and rear. It has become.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a caging means 200 is provided near the left end of the gimbal suspension members 7, 107 in the case 30. This caging means 20
Reference numeral 0 denotes a rotation restricting mechanism 210 for simultaneously restricting the rotation of the gimbal suspension members 7, 107, and a pressing member 220 connected to the rotation restricting mechanism 210. The pressing member 220 is provided with a button
And a pressing piece 222 supporting the button 221 and extending downward. When the button 221 is pressed, the rotation restricting mechanism 21
The rotation restriction by 0 is released. Case
In order to facilitate the pressing operation of the button 221, the peripheral portion of the pressing member 220 is formed to bulge upward,
A portion near the button 221 at the top is formed in a concave shape.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing the above-mentioned caging means 200 as a single unit. FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 are views taken along arrows X, XI, and XII. As shown in these figures, the rotation restricting mechanism 210 includes a bracket 211 fixed to the case 30 via a pair of mounting holes 211a formed at both ends, and a pair of brackets provided on the bracket 211. Pair of holding levers rotatably supported by the pins 212
213 and a wire 2 with both ends connected to the holding lever 213
14, a pair of guide pins 215, and a spring 216 whose both ends are hung on the pair of press levers 213. On the other hand, the pressing piece 222 of the pressing member 220 is provided with a pressing pin 222a that comes into contact with the wire 214 from above.

When the push pin 222a pushes the wire 214 downward by the push operation of the button 221 as shown by the arrow in the figure, the wire 214 is pulled downward by the pair of guide pins 215, so that both ends of the wire 214 are pulled. Parts are pulled in the direction of approaching each other (the direction of the arrow in the drawing),
The pair of holding levers 213 rotate in a direction in which the holding pieces 213a are opened from each other (the direction of the arrow in the drawing), and the gimbal suspension members 7,
Release the rotation restriction for 07. At this time, the spring 216
Is elastically deformed in the pulling direction by the rotation of the pair of holding levers 213. Thereafter, when the pressing on the button 221 is released, the lever 213 is rotated by the elastic force of the spring 216 in a direction in which the holding pieces 213a are closed to each other, and returns to the original position where the wire 214 becomes straight, thereby The rotation regulation on the gimbal suspension members 7, 107 is restarted.

A micro switch 230 is attached to the bracket 211 of the rotation restricting mechanism 210. The micro switch 230 is such that the switch piece 231 is a pressing piece.
Switch body 2 so that it contacts the lower end of 222
32 is fixed to the bracket 211. Then, as shown by the arrow in the figure, the pressing piece 222 is pressed by the pressing operation of the button 221.
Is lowered, the switch piece 231 rotates downward as shown by the arrow in the figure while being pressed by the pressing piece 222.

As shown in FIG.
230 is connected to the CPU 12 and its switch piece 231
12 is in the position shown in FIG. 12 (that is, when the button 221 is not pressed), a drive current cutoff signal is output to the CPU 12, while the switch piece 231 is rotated downward by the pressing operation of the button 221. Sometimes, a drive current supply signal is output to the CPU 12. And CP
U12 shuts off the image blur correction control by interrupting the drive current to the rotary drive motor 5 when the drive current cutoff signal is input, and turns off the rotary drive motor when the drive current supply signal is input. 5 is supplied with a drive current to perform image blur correction control.

As described in detail above, in the present embodiment, the case 30 of the binoculars on which the image stabilizing device 20 is mounted is
A caging means 200 is provided which comprises a rotation restricting mechanism 210 for restricting the rotation of the gimbal suspension members 7 and 107 therebetween, and a pressing member 220 for releasing the rotation restriction by the rotation restricting mechanism 210 by a pressing operation. The pressing member 22
When 0 is pressed, both gimbal suspension members 7,107
In contrast, when the pressing of the pressing member 220 is released, the rotation of the two gimbal suspension members 7, 107 is restricted, so that quick pan / tilt operation can be performed. Use as compatible binoculars can be enabled.

Further, in this embodiment, the rotation restricting mechanism 210 is provided with a micro switch 230, and when the pressing member 220 is not pressed by the micro switch 230, a drive current cutoff signal is sent to the CPU 12. Since the drive current is output to cut off the drive current to the rotary drive motors 5, 105, the rotary drive motor 5, which drives the gimbal suspension members 7, 107 even though they cannot rotate, is provided. , 105 can be prevented from continuing to flow, whereby the overload of the rotary drive motors 5, 105 can be prevented.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the binoculars on which the image stabilizing device 20 is mounted can be reduced in weight, size, and power, and can be smoothly panned / tilted as required by the operator. The operation and a good vibration-proof function can be exhibited, and it is possible to prevent the rotational drive motors 5 and 105 from being overloaded.

The image stabilizing device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various other modifications can be made. For example, the angular velocity information detecting means may be a cylindrical vibrator. In addition to piezoelectric vibrating gyro sensors of the type, it is possible to use piezoelectric vibrating gyro sensors using various types of vibrators such as a triangular prism vibrator type, a square prism vibrator type, a tuning fork vibrator type, and the like. , And various other angular velocity sensors can be used.

As the angle position information detecting means, various angle sensors such as a resolver, a synchro, and a rotary encoder can be used instead of the position sensor. Further, the apparatus of the above embodiment is configured to be applied to binoculars, but the image stabilizing apparatus of the present invention may be configured to be applicable to monoculars. The same effect can be obtained even when the camera is mounted on a camera such as a video camera.

[0040]

According to the present invention, the case of the optical device on which the image stabilizing device is mounted is provided with a caging means capable of restricting the rotation of the gimbal suspension means constituting the image stabilizing device. The caging means is provided with switch means for outputting to the feedback control means a drive current cutoff signal for cutting off the drive current of the actuator means for rotating the gimbal suspension means when the rotation of the caging means is restricted. Therefore, the operation of the caging means selects between a mode in which image blur correction control is performed and a use mode as an optical device that can respond to a quick pan / tilt operation without performing the image blur correction control. And when the latter mode is adopted by the switch means, the drive current of the actuator means is cut off. From overload to the actuator means it takes can be prevented.

As described above, according to the present invention, the optical device on which the image stabilizing device is mounted can be reduced in weight, size, and power consumption, and can be smoothly panned / removed as required by the operator.
It is possible to exhibit a tilt operation and a good anti-vibration function, and it is possible to prevent an overload from being applied to the actuator means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view showing binoculars incorporating an image stabilizing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front sectional view showing binoculars having a built-in image stabilizing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing binoculars incorporating the image stabilizing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of binoculars incorporating the image stabilizing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the image stabilizing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, for explaining basic functions of the apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining a basic function of the image stabilizing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view for explaining the erect prism shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing in detail the outer gimbal suspension member shown in FIG. 1;

9 is a front view showing the caging means shown in FIG. 2 as a single item.

10 is a view as viewed in the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 9.

11 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow XI in FIG. 9;

12 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow XII in FIG. 9

[Explanation of symbols]

1a, 1b Objective lens (objective lens system) 2a, 2b Eyepiece lens (eyepiece lens system) 3a, 3b Erect prism 4a, 4b Optical axis 5 Rotary drive motor (ToruCa) 105 Rotary drive motor (ToruCa) 6,106 Rotation Shaft 7 gimbal suspension member (outer gimbal suspension member) 107 gimbal suspension member (inner gimbal suspension member) 8,108 angular velocity sensor 9,109 position sensor 10a, 10b telescope optical system 12 CPU 20 image stabilizing device 53,153 plate 54, 154 Coil 55, 155 Plate 56, 156 Magnet 71, 72 Bearing (second bearing) 171, 172 bearing (first bearing) 200 Caging means 210 Rotation regulating mechanism 211 Bracket 211a Mounting hole 212 Pin 213 Holding lever 213a Nipping Piece 214 wire 215 guide pin 216 spring 220 pressing member 221 button 222 pressing piece 222a pressing pin 230 micro switch (switch means) 231 Switch piece 232 Switch body

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] October 31, 1996

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0002

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION monocular, when operating in a hand held optical device for the purpose of optical observation such as binoculars, especially bring the optical device into an aircraft or a vehicle or the like When used, vibrations and fluctuations of an aircraft, a vehicle, and the like are transmitted to the optical device, and the exit angle of the light beam from the observation object with respect to the optical axis fluctuates, often deteriorating the observed optical image. Vibration transmitted to such an optical device
Is suitable for monocular or binoculars even if its amplitude is small.
In that case, the view is narrow and the observation object is enlarged and observed.
Therefore, the fluctuation angle with respect to the optical axis is also enlarged. That
Therefore, even at the time of swinging with a relatively small angle fluctuation speed,
The observed object moves rapidly in the field of view, or the angle of fluctuation is large.
When it is hard, there is an inconvenience of being out of sight
I will. Also, at the time of swinging with a relatively large angle fluctuation speed,
Observe only the magnification of the optical device even if the angle of change is relatively small
Observed when the angle fluctuation speed of the image of the object increases
Therefore, there is a disadvantage that the image is blurred and the image is deteriorated.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0004

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

That is, in this technique, an erect prism is arranged on an optical axis between an objective lens and an eyepiece of binoculars, and the erect prism is fixed on gimbal suspension means to which a rotating inertia body is attached. In addition, even if the binoculars vibrate due to camera shake or the like, the erecting prism is held in substantially the same posture to prevent blurring of the observation image of the binoculars. like this,
Prior art utilizing the rotational inertial body and the gimbal suspension means while attained the image stabilization with high accuracy, large in a small space
A high-speed rotating body is necessary to obtain inertial force,
Because it is necessary to reduce the vibration generated by the body itself
Must be highly accurate. This small, high-speed, high-precision
The problems with demands are price, life, and even power-on.
Disadvantageous in the time required to obtain the necessary inertial force from
It is. Also, as the magnification and resolution of the binoculars are increased,
When the effective diameter of the objective lens is increased, the erect prism
As the size increases, a large inertia force is required
In addition to increasing the problem of
It becomes bigger with it.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0005

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Therefore, the applicant of the present application mounts an angular velocity sensor on the gimbal suspension means instead of the rotary inertia body, and controls the rotational position of the gimbal suspension means based on the output value from the angular velocity sensor to erect. An image stabilizing device has been proposed in which the attitude of a prism is fixed with respect to the earth (inertial system) (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 6-250100). According to this device,
The erect prism held on the gimbal suspension means
Inertia force, especially high vibration speed, high vibration frequency
For vibrations with relatively large amplitude,
High posture holding ability. Therefore, from the angular velocity sensor
The control force of the rotational position based on the output may be small. Only
And other image sources that drive the vari-angle prism and lens.
The stabilization device requires an active drive and has a high frequency
To compensate for large amplitudes in vibration, drive the
Must be adjusted in a large angle range.
And difficult.

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0006

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0006] Also, in use of binoculars and a video camera, it is also often performed the panning and tilting at high speed. For example, when observing a flying object such as a bird or an airplane while following it, a quick pan / tilt operation is required.
Therefore, just because the binoculars or the video camera shakes does not necessarily mean that the camera shake is caused.

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0009

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

However, at this time, if the gimbal suspension means is merely mechanically pressed to restrict its rotation, the gimbal suspension means cannot be rotated even though the gimbal suspension means cannot be rotated. Since the driving current continues to flow through the driven actuator , there is a problem that the actuator is overloaded.

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0010

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and aims to reduce the weight, size, and power of an optical device, and to provide a smooth pan / tilt operation and a favorable operation as required by an operator. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image stabilizing device that can exhibit a vibration proof function and can prevent an overload from being applied to an actuator .

[Procedure amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0011

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0011]

The image stabilizing device of the present invention has a monocular optical system or a binocular optical system in which an erect prism is disposed between an objective lens and an eyepiece, and the objective lens of these optical systems is used. And an image stabilizing device mounted on an optical device having an eyepiece fixed in a case,
Gimbal suspension means having two rotation shafts extending in the left-right direction and the up-down direction of the optical device, and the erect prism is rotatably mounted on the case; An actuator for rotating about a moving axis, two angular position information detecting means for detecting the angular positions of the gimbal suspension means around the two rotation axes, respectively, and a fixed to the gimbal suspension means. Provided, two angular velocity information detecting means for respectively detecting angular velocity information of the gimbal suspension means due to a change in the attitude of the optical device, and based on information detected by the angular position information detecting means and the angular velocity information detecting means, said erecting prism to drive the actuator to secure to the inertial system, two feedback control means for controlling the rotation about the rotation axis of said gimbal suspension means Wherein the gimbal suspension means comprises an inner gimbal suspension member for fixedly supporting the erect prism, an outer gimbal suspension member surrounding the inner gimbal suspension member, and the inner gimbal suspension member being attached to the outer gimbal suspension member. A first bearing rotatably supported; and a second bearing rotatably supporting the outer gimbal suspension member in the case. The case includes the inner gimbal suspension member and the outer gimbal suspension member. rotation regulation can caging means is provided for, in the caging means, when the rotation restriction has been made by said caging means, the accession
Switch means for outputting a drive current cutoff signal for cutting off the drive current of the tutor to the feedback control means is provided.

[Procedure amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0012

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Although the specific structures of the caging means and the switch means are not particularly limited, the caging means may be connected to the gimbal suspension means with the inner gimbal suspension member and the outer gimbal suspension member interposed therebetween. A rotation restricting mechanism for restricting movement, and one end protruding out of the case and the other end connected to the rotation restricting mechanism, wherein when the one end is pressed, the rotation is restricted by the rotation restricting mechanism. A simple structure, if the switch means is configured to output the drive current cut-off signal when the pressing member is not pressed, the switch means is configured to include: compatibility between a pan / tilt operation and good stabilization function, and a
This is preferable because overload of the actuator can be prevented.

[Procedure amendment 10]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0023

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The above-mentioned erecting prisms 3a and 3b include an erecting prism of Schmidt, an erecting prism of Abbe, an erecting prism of Bauern fend, an erecting prism of Polo, and an erecting prism of Polo. There is an erect prism of Dach, etc. FIG. 7 shows an erect prism of Schmidt. The Schmidt erecting prism is composed of a prism 23 and a prism 24 as shown in the figure, and a part 25 of the prism 24 is a roof reflection surface. In such an erect prism, there is an incident optical axis position where the incident optical axis 21 and the exit optical axis 22 can be on the same straight line as shown in the figure. As shown in FIG. 7, in an erecting prism capable of taking the incident optical axis 21 and the emitting optical axis 22 on the same straight line, as shown in FIG.
After passing through the erecting prism, the ray 21 'parallel to 1 has the property of becoming a ray 22' parallel to the optical axis 22 and separated by h below the exit optical axis 22. In addition,
With an erect prism, the incident optical axis and the exit optical axis are the same straight line.
Other prisms can be used without being limited to those above.

[Procedure amendment 11]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0040

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0040]

According to the present invention, the case of the optical device on which the image stabilizing device is mounted is provided with a caging means capable of restricting the rotation of the gimbal suspension means constituting the image stabilizing device. The caging means is provided with a switch means for outputting a drive current cutoff signal to the feedback control means for cutting off a drive current of the actuator for rotating the gimbal suspension means when the rotation of the caging means is restricted. Therefore, the operation of the caging means selects between a mode in which image blur correction control is performed and a use mode as an optical device that can respond to a quick pan / tilt operation without performing the image blur correction control. it can, and, by the switch means, in case of employing the latter mode, the accession to interrupt the driving current of the actuator It is possible to prevent the overload Yueta it takes.

[Procedure amendment 12]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0041

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

As described above, according to the present invention, the optical device on which the image stabilizing device is mounted can be reduced in weight, size, and power consumption, and can be smoothly panned / removed as required by the operator.
It is possible to exhibit a tilt operation and a good anti-vibration function, and to prevent the actuator from being overloaded.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An optical system comprising a monocular optical system or a binocular optical system in which an erecting prism is disposed between an objective lens and an eyepiece lens, wherein the objective lens and the eyepiece lens of these optical systems are fixed in a case. An image stabilizing device mounted on the device, comprising two rotating shafts extending in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction of the optical device, and a gimbal suspension for rotatably mounting the erect prism to the case. Means, actuator means for rotating the gimbal suspension means around the two rotation axes, and two angular position information for detecting the angular positions of the gimbal suspension means around the two rotation axes, respectively. Detecting means; two angular velocity information detecting means fixed to the gimbal suspending means for respectively detecting angular velocity information of the gimbal suspending means due to a change in attitude of the optical device; Means for driving the actuator means to fix the erect prism to an inertial system based on the information detected by the means and the angular velocity information detection means, and to rotate the gimbal suspension means around two rotation axes. Feedback control means for controlling, the gimbal suspension means, an inner gimbal suspension member for fixedly supporting the erect prism, an outer gimbal suspension member surrounding the inner gimbal suspension member, and the inner gimbal suspension member A first bearing rotatably supported by the outer gimbal suspension member, and a second bearing rotatably supported by the case with the outer gimbal suspension member.
The case is provided with caging means capable of restricting rotation of the inner gimbal suspension member and the outer gimbal suspension member, and the caging means is restricted in rotation by the caging means. An image stabilizing device, further comprising: switch means for outputting a drive current cutoff signal for cutting off a drive current of the actuator means to the feedback control means. 2. A rotation restricting mechanism for restricting rotation of the gimbal suspension means with the inner gimbal suspension member and the outer gimbal suspension member interposed therebetween, and one end protruding outside the case. And the other end is connected to the rotation restricting mechanism, and the pressing member releases the rotation restriction by the rotation restricting mechanism when the one end is pressed. 2. The image stabilizing device according to claim 1, wherein the driving current cut-off signal is output when not pressed.