Abstract:
An image photographing apparatus capable of maintaining the size of a sensor plate even in a case when the size of a shutter assembly is increased, the image photographing apparatus including a shutter assembly configured to control an amount of light entered, an image sensor disposed at a rear of the shutter assembly to change the light to an electrical signal, a sensor plate configured to support the image sensor, and a main frame configured such that the shutter assembly and the sensor plate are be mounted thereon, wherein the main frame includes a frame base, and a shutter mounting portion protrudedly formed from the frame base such that the shutter assembly is mounted in a sliding manner on the shutter mounting portion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2011-0126978, filed on Nov. 30, 2011 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]    Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an image photographing apparatus configured to convert light to an electric signal and store the converted electric signal. 
         [0003]    A digital image photographing apparatus is an apparatus configured to photograph and record the image of a subject by using an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) that converts light that passes through a lens into electrical signals. 
         [0004]    In particular, an image photographing apparatus having a detachable lens is referred to as an apparatus having a lens detachable from a body, which is configured to convert an image created from light that passes through the lens in an electrical form and create a file of the image. 
         [0005]    Image photographing apparatuses having a detachable lens are becoming more popular and this market is growing. Recently, efforts are underway to reduce the size of the body of the image photographing apparatus having a detachable lens, and providing such an apparatus which is lightweight. 
         [0006]    An image photographing apparatus is typically assembled in a manner that a shutter assembly and a sensor plate are sequentially mounted at a rear of a main frame. The sensor plate disposed at the back of the shutter assembly is mounted along with the shutter assembly at a plate mounting portion, which extends from the main frame. 
         [0007]    The plate mounting portion is disposed at an outer perimeter of the shutter assembly, and as the size of the shutter assembly increases, the gap between the shutter assembly and the plate mounting portion also increases, and the size of the sensor plate, as a result, needs to be increased as well. 
       SUMMARY  
       [0008]    According to an embodiment, there is provided an image photographing apparatus capable of maintaining the size of a sensor plate even when the size of a shutter assembly is increased. 
         [0009]    According to an embodiment, an image photographing apparatus includes a shutter assembly, a sensor plate and a main frame. The shutter assembly may control the amount of light that enters. The image sensor may be disposed at the back of the shutter assembly to convert the light to electrical signals. The sensor plate may support the image sensor. The shutter assembly and the sensor plate may be mounted on the main frame. The main frame may include a frame base, and a shutter mounting portion. The shutter mounting portion may be protrudedly formed from the frame base such that the shutter assembly is mounted in a sliding manner on the shutter mounting portion. 
         [0010]    The shutter mounting portion may include a first extension portion protrudedly formed from a rear surface of the frame base toward a rear side of the image photographing apparatus, and a second extension portion formed in a bent manner from one end portion of the first extension portion toward an inner side of the frame base. 
         [0011]    The shutter mounting portion may further include a shutter slide portion that is formed while being surrounded by the frame base, the first extension portion, and the second extension portion. 
         [0012]    The shutter assembly may be inserted into the shutter slide portion, and may be mounted on the main frame. 
         [0013]    An edge portion of the shutter assembly may be inserted into the shutter slide portion. 
         [0014]    The main frame may further include a plate mounting portion at which the sensor plate is mounted. 
         [0015]    The plate mounting portion may be protrudedly formed from a rear surface of the frame base toward a rear side of the image photographing apparatus. 
         [0016]    The plate mounting portion may be protrudedly formed from a rear surface of the second extension portion toward a rear side of the image photographing apparatus. 
         [0017]    The sensor plate may be mounted at the plate mounting portion by using a fastening member. 
         [0018]    According to an embodiment, an image photographing apparatus includes a shutter assembly, an image sensor, a sensor plate and a main frame. The shutter assembly may control the amount of light that enters. The image sensor may convert the light to electrical signals. The sensor plate may be disposed at the back of the shutter assembly to support the image sensor. The shutter assembly and the sensor plate may be mounted on the main frame. The main frame includes a frame base, a shutter mounting portion and a plate mounting portion. The frame base has a shape of a panel. The shutter mounting portion may be protrudedly formed from the frame base to surround an edge of the shutter assembly. The plate mounting portion may be formed at a rear of the shutter mounting portion, and at which the image sensor is mounted. 
         [0019]    The shutter mounting portion may include an upper mounting portion and a lower mounting portion. The upper mounting portion may have an upper extension portion protrudedly formed from an upper end of the frame base, and an upper fixation portion formed in a bent manner from one end portion of the upper extension portion toward a lower side. The lower mounting portion may have a lower extension portion protrudedly formed from a lower end of the frame base, and a lower fixation portion formed in a bent manner from one end portion of the lower extension portion toward an upper side. 
         [0020]    The shutter assembly may be mounted on the main frame while being inserted into a gap between the upper mounting portion and the frame base, and into a gap between the lower mounting portion and the frame base. 
         [0021]    The plate mounting portion may be protrudedly formed from at least one of the upper mounting portion and the lower mounting portion toward a rear side of the image photographing apparatus. 
         [0022]    According to another embodiment, an image photographing apparatus includes a main frame, an image sensor, a sensor plate, and a shutter assembly. The main frame may have an opening allowing light to enter therethrough. The image sensor may be disposed at the back of the main frame to convert the light to an electrical signals. The sensor plate may be mounted at the back of the main frame to support the image sensor. The shutter assembly may be disposed between the sensor plate and the main frame, and configured to be separated from and mounted at the main plate in dependent of the sensor plate. 
         [0023]    The main frame may include a shutter mounting portion configured such that the shutter assembly slides into the shutter mounting portion and is mounted to the main frame. 
         [0024]    The sensor plate may be fixedly mounted at the main frame by using a fastening member. 
         [0025]    A mounting direction of the sensor plate and a mounting direction of the shutter assembly may be different from each other. 
         [0026]    Even when the size of a shutter assembly is increased, the size of a sensor plate may be maintained, thereby resulting in a reduced size and weight of an image photographing apparatus as a whole. 
         [0027]    A shutter assembly may be mounted and separated independent of the sensor plate. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0028]    These and other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a portion of an image photographing apparatus in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is a view illustrating a main frame and a shutter assembly in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a main frame having a shutter assembly mounted thereto and a sensor plate in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the image photographing apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a view illustrating a rear of a portion of the image photographing apparatus of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the image photographing apparatus of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  is a drawing illustrating a shutter being separated from a portion of the image photographing apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0036]    Reference will now be made in detail to various exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0037]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , an image photographing apparatus includes a main frame  10 , a shutter assembly  20  disposed behind the main frame  10 , and a sensor plate  30  disposed behind the shutter assembly  20 . 
         [0038]    A frame base  110  forms the body of the main frame  10 . The frame base  110  may be formed in a panel shape, and include a first opening  150  formed at a center of the frame base  110 , such that light enters therethrough. 
         [0039]    A mount portion  100  is formed at the front of the frame base  110 , such that a lens (not shown) may be mounted on the mount portion  100 . The mount portion  100  is formed in a shape of a ring, such that light enters therethrough while the lens is mounted on the mount portion  100 . That is, the first opening  150  passes through the frame base  110  and the mount portion  100 . A lens mounting structure (not shown) may be provided on the edge of the front surface of the mount portion  100 , such that the lens may be mounted on the lens mounting structure (not shown). 
         [0040]    Shutter mounting portions  121  and  122  are formed at an upper end and a lower end of the frame base, respectively, such that the shutter assembly  20  may be mounted on the shutter mounting portions  121  and  122 . 
         [0041]    The upper shutter mounting portion  121  includes an upper extension portion  125  extendedly formed from an upper end of the frame base  110  in a rearward direction, and an upper fixation portion  126  formed at a downward angle from the upper extension  125 . 
         [0042]    An upper end of the frame base  110 , the upper extension portion  125 , and the upper fixation portion  126  form an upper shutter sliding portion  123  into which an upper edge of the shutter assembly  20  may be slidingly inserted. 
         [0043]    The lower shutter mounting portion  122  includes a lower extension portion  127  extendedly formed from a lower end of the frame base  110  in a rearward direction, and a lower portion fixation portion  128  formed at an upward angle from the lower extension portion  127 . 
         [0044]    A lower end of the frame base  110 , the lower extension portion  127 , and the lower portion fixation portion  128  form a lower shutter sliding portion  124  into which a lower edge of the shutter assembly  20  may be slidingly inserted. 
         [0045]    The sensor plate  30  may be fixed to three sensor mounting portions  131 ,  132 , and  133 . In the embodiment, three sensor mounting portions are illustrated, but more or less than three sensor mounting portions may be provided  128 . 
         [0046]    The first sensor mounting portion  131  extends rearward from an upper end of the left side of the frame base  110 . 
         [0047]    The second sensor mounting portion  132  extends rearward from a rear surface of the upper fixation portion  126 . The third sensor mounting portion  132  extends rearward from a rear surface of the lower fixation portion. 
         [0048]    When the sensor plate  30  is mounted on the sensor mounting portions  131 ,  132 , and  133 , rearwardly extending position determining protrusions  142  and  143  disposed on the rear surfaces of the upper portion fixation portion  126  and the lower portion fixation portion  128  and which are adjacent to the second sensor mounting portion  132  and the third sensor mounting portion  133 , facilitate mounting the sensor plate  30  to main frame  10 . 
         [0049]    A shutter frame  200  forms the body of the shutter assembly  20 . A second opening  210  is formed in a central portion of the shutter frame  200 , such that light may pass through the second opening  210 . A shutter (not shown) capable of moving swiftly to open and close the second opening  210  is accommodated inside the shutter frame  200 . 
         [0050]    As the shutter assembly  20  is mounted on the main frame  10 , the second opening  210  aligns with the first opening  150 . The light passes through the first opening  150  and the second opening  210  to the image sensor  310 . 
         [0051]    A plate body  300  forms the exterior of the sensor plate  30 . 
         [0052]    The image sensor  310  is mounted on the front surface of the plate body  300 . The image sensor  310 , the sensor plate  30 , with the image sensor  310 , is mounted on the main frame  10 , so that the image sensor faces the first opening  150 . 
         [0053]    The image sensor  310  may be a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) sensor or other sensor that converts light that passes through the shutter assembly  20  into an electrical signal. 
         [0054]    Sensor plate fastening portions  321 ,  322 , and  323  are formed at positions corresponding to the sensor mounting portions  131 ,  132 , and  133  of the main frame  10 . While three sensor plate fastening portions  321 ,  322 , and  323  and three sensor mounting portions  131 ,  132 , and  133 , are illustrated more or less can be provided. In accordance with this embodiment, it is preferred that the total number of the sensor fixation portions and the total number of the sensor mounting portions are the same. 
         [0055]    The sensor plate fastening portions  321 ,  322 , and  323  protrude from an upper side, a lower side, and a left side of the plate body  300 , respectively, such that the position of the sensor plate fastening portions  321 ,  322 , and  323  correspond to the position of the sensor mounting portions  131 ,  132 , and  133 . 
         [0056]    At the first sensor plate fastening portion  321  that corresponds to the first sensor mounting portion  131 , a first sensor fastening hole  331  is formed, such that the first sensor fastening portion  321  may be fastened to the first sensor mounting portion  131 . 
         [0057]    Likewise, a second sensor plate fastening hole  332  and a third sensor plate fastening hole  333  are formed at corresponding positions of the second sensor fixation portion  322  and the third fixation portion  323 , respectively. Position determining holes  342  and  343  are formed in the second sensor plate fastening portion  322  and third sensor plate fastening portion  323  at positions corresponding to the position determining protrusions  142  and  143 , respectively. 
         [0058]    Hereinafter, an operation to mount the shutter assembly  20  to the main frame  10 , and to mount the sensor plate  30  to the main frame  10  will be described. 
         [0059]      FIG. 2  is a view illustrating a main frame  10  and a shutter assembly in accordance with one embodiment. 
         [0060]    As illustrated on  FIGS. 1 to 2 , the edges of an upper side and a lower side of the shutter assembly  20  are inserted into the shutter sliding portions  123  and  124 , and the shutter assembly  20  slides in from the left side to the right side such that the shutter assembly  20  is mounted within the shutter mounting portions  121  and  122  of the main frame  10 . 
         [0061]    As the shutter assembly  20  is mounted in the main frame  10 , the first opening  150  and the second opening  210  are aligned with each other. 
         [0062]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a main frame having a shutter assembly and a sensor plate mounted thereto in accordance with an embodiment. 
         [0063]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the sensor plate  30  is mounted behind the main frame  10 , within which the shutter assembly  20  is mounted. 
         [0064]    By having the sensor plate  30  positioned behind the main frame  10 , and inserting the position determining protrusions  142  and  143  into the position determining holes  342  and  343 , respectively, the sensor plate  30  is coupled to the main frame  10  at a precise position. Furthermore, the position determining protrusions  142  and  143  prevent the sensor plate  30  from moving and interrupting the coupling when the sensor plate  30  is coupled to the main frame  10  with fastening members  40 . 
         [0065]    As fastening members  40  are inserted into the sensor fastening portions  321 ,  322 , and  323  of the sensor plate  30  having a fixed position, the fastening member  40 , after passing through the sensor fastening holes  331 ,  332 , and  333 , is fastened to the sensor mounting portions  131 ,  132 , and  133 . The fastening members  40  fix the sensor plate  30  to the main frame  10 . 
         [0066]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 5 , the shutter assembly  20  and the sensor plate  30  are mounted to the main frame  10  through the processes of  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . 
         [0067]    The sequence of the drawings show that the shutter assembly  20  is mounted to the main frame  10 , and then the sensor plate  30  is mounted to the main frame  10 . However, this sequence may be changed. 
         [0068]    The sequence may be changed because the shutter assembly  20  is mounted to the separate shutter mounting portions  121  and  122  in a sliding manner, and the sensor plate  30  is mounted in a manner independent of the mounting of the shutter assembly  20   
         [0069]    In other words, the sensor plate  30  is mounted behind the main frame  10  by using the fastening members  40 , and the shutter assembly  20  is slidingly mounted within the shutter mounting portions  121  and  122 . 
         [0070]    Even when the sensor plate  30  is mounted to the main frame  10  prior to mounting of the shutter assembly  20 , the same arrangement illustrated on  FIGS. 4 to 5  may be obtained. 
         [0071]    As illustrated on  FIG. 6 , when the shutter assembly  20  and the sensor plate  30  are mounted on the main frame  10 , the first opening  150 , the second opening  210 , and the image sensor  310  are aligned with one another. Thus, the light passes through the first opening  150  and the second opening  210 , and continues to the image sensor  310 . 
         [0072]    The shutter assembly  20  is inserted into and coupled to the shutter sliding portions  123  and  124  in a sliding manner, but is not directly coupled to the sensor plate  30 . Thus, the shutter assembly  20 , from the sensor plate  30 , may be independently mounted and separated. 
         [0073]    In order to mount the shutter assembly  20  having a large size, the size of the main frame  10  at which the shutter assembly  20  is mounted should be large. Because the size of the frame base  110  of the main frame  10  is large, the distance between the upper shutter sliding portion  123  and the lower shutter sliding portion  124  is accordingly spaced apart, and thus, it is possible to mount a shutter assembly  20  having a relatively large size. 
         [0074]    Even when a shutter assembly  20  having a relatively large size is used, the sensor mounting portions  132  and  133  are disposed behind the shutter fixation portions  121  and  122 , and thus, as the shutter fixation portions  121  and  122  extend further toward the central portion of the frame base  110 , the gap between the sensor mounting portions  132  and  133  may be maintained. Thus, the size of the sensor plate  30  does not needed to be increased. 
         [0075]    As illustrated on  FIG. 7 , when the shutter assembly  20  and the sensor plate  30  are mounted to the main frame  10 , the shutter assembly  20  by itself may be separated. 
         [0076]    The shutter assembly  20  by itself may be separated from the sensor plate  30  mounted to the main frame  10  and thus, when repair of just the shutter assembly  20  is needed, the repair may be made by separating the shutter assembly  20  by itself. 
         [0077]    Since the sensor plate  30  is mounted at the back, the sensor plate  30  may be independently separated for repair. 
         [0078]    Since this design allows repair to be made by separating only the component needed for the repair, the repair may be easily performed, and the time and cost for repair may be reduced. 
         [0079]    Although a few exemplary embodiments have been shown and described therein, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made within the scope of the claims and their equivalents.