JP2007133014A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup apparatus having a slide lens barrier for moving a photographing lens of an optical device such as an image pickup apparatus to a protected state (closed state) or an unprotected state (open state), and particularly to the slide type lens barrier. Provided is an imaging device that can be reduced in size without impairing the functions of an electronic imaging device that is inherently improved by improving the configuration.
An image pickup apparatus including a slide type lens barrier that is slidably supported along a front surface of the image pickup apparatus and moves a photographing lens to a protected state (closed state) or an unprotected state (open state). The slide-type lens barrier has an operation slide barrier that is manually operated and a passive slide barrier that is driven in the same direction in conjunction with movement of the operation slide barrier in an opening or closing direction. The amount was set to be equal to or greater than the movement amount of the operation slide barrier.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as a camera having a sliding lens protection cover that moves a photographic lens of an optical apparatus such as an imaging apparatus to a protected state (closed state) or an unprotected state (open state). .

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electronic imaging devices that record image signals, image information, and the like output from an imaging device as data files have been widely used. As such an optical apparatus such as an electronic image pickup apparatus, an optical apparatus having a slide barrier mechanism that makes a photographing lens in a protected state (closed state) or an unprotected state (open state) is known. In such an imaging apparatus, when the slide barrier is opened, not only the photographic lens but also the finder objective window is exposed. In general, the configuration is such that the start switch of the image pickup apparatus is automatically turned on when the slide barrier is opened.

  By the way, if the configuration is such that the entire photographing lens is covered with a single slide barrier, the width of the slide barrier needs to be equal to the width of the photographing lens barrel + α, and the amount of movement of the slide barrier is also required. In order to reduce the size of the image pickup device, it is necessary to consider that the barrier does not protrude from the side surface of the image pickup device main body when the slide barrier is in an open state, which is a great restriction on the size reduction of the image pickup device.

Therefore, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-197480, the conventional electronic imaging apparatus has an auxiliary barrier in addition to the main slide barrier, and covers the photographing lens barrel with both barriers. In conjunction with the opening operation of the slide barrier, the auxiliary barrier is also configured to overlap in the thickness direction via the drive lever. According to this configuration, the width of each slide barrier and the amount of movement of the barrier can be set smaller than in the case where a single slide barrier is configured, which contributes to downsizing of the imaging apparatus.
JP-A-9-197480

  However, according to the means disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-197480, etc., there is a drawback that the thickness of the imaging device increases because the drive lever and the torsion spring overlap each other in the thickness direction of the imaging device. In addition, since the auxiliary barrier is driven and driven by the drive lever, the amount of movement of the auxiliary barrier is small, which does not lead to a significant downsizing of the imaging device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and an object thereof is a sliding lens that moves a photographing lens of an optical device such as an imaging apparatus to a protected state (closed state) or an unprotected state (open state). An imaging apparatus having a barrier, and particularly an imaging apparatus that can be reduced in size without impairing the functions of an electronic imaging apparatus inherently improved by improving the configuration of a sliding lens barrier.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the imaging apparatus of the present invention is supported so as to be slidable substantially parallel along the front surface of the imaging apparatus, and the photographing lens is protected (closed) or unprotected. In an image pickup apparatus including a sliding lens barrier that moves to an open state, the sliding lens barrier is driven in the same direction in conjunction with an operation slide barrier that is manually operated and movement of the operation slide barrier in an opening or closing direction. The movement amount of the passive slide barrier of this imaging apparatus is set to be equal to or greater than the movement amount of the operation slide barrier.

  Another feature of the present invention is that in the imaging apparatus, the operation slide barrier constitutes an outline of the imaging apparatus, and a passive slide barrier is disposed between the operation slide barrier and the imaging apparatus. .

  According to another feature of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus, the passive slide barrier has a biasing unit, and is biased in each of the opening and closing directions with a moving neutral point as a boundary. The slide barrier has a contact portion with the passive slide barrier in each of the open and closed states, and is driven in conjunction with the contact portion until the passive slide barrier exceeds the neutral point of the urging means by the movement of the operation slide barrier. Is characterized in that the passive slide barrier is driven only by the urging force of the urging means.

  Another feature of the present invention is that in the imaging apparatus, the operation slide barrier is formed with a groove shape substantially parallel to the driving direction, and the passive slide barrier is fitted and slid into the groove shape. It is said.

  Another feature of the present invention is that in the imaging apparatus, when the slide barrier of the imaging apparatus is moved to an open state, the passive slide barrier is housed in the operation slide barrier. .

  Another feature of the present invention is that, in the imaging apparatus, the activation switch of the imaging apparatus is provided at a part capable of detecting the open state position of either the operation slide barrier or the passive slide barrier. It is characterized by having.

  As described above, according to claim 1 of the present application, the photographing lens is supported so as to be slidable substantially in parallel along the front surface of the imaging device, and the photographing lens is protected (closed) or unprotected (open). In the image pickup apparatus including the slide type lens barrier that moves to (1), the slide type lens barrier includes a manually operated slide barrier and a passive slide that is driven in the same direction in conjunction with the movement of the manipulated slide barrier in the opening or closing direction. Since the movement amount of the passive slide barrier of this imaging apparatus is set to be equal to or greater than the movement amount of the operation slide barrier, the movement amount of the operation slide barrier is reduced, and the time lag from the barrier driving operation to the shooting state is reduced. Can be greatly reduced. In addition, the amount of operation slide barrier and passive slide barrier overlap has been increased, and compared with a single slide barrier, the original function of the image pickup device is not impaired, and the internal dimensions of the image pickup device main body are greatly improved by effectively utilizing the space in the main body. Can be set short.

  According to claim 2 of the present application, in the imaging device according to claim 1, the outer periphery of the imaging device is configured by the operation slide barrier, and the passive slide barrier is disposed between the operation slide barrier and the imaging device. Thus, the biasing means such as a torsion spring can be arranged in the operation slide barrier, the appearance of the slide barrier mechanism parts is prevented from being exposed, and the space in the main body is effectively used, leading to the downsizing of the imaging apparatus.

  Further, according to Claim 3 of the present application, in the imaging apparatus according to Claim 1, the passive slide barrier has biasing means, and biases in each of the opening and closing directions with the moving neutral point as a boundary. The operation slide barrier has a contact portion with the passive slide barrier in each of the open and closed states. Depending on the contact portion, the movement of the operation slide barrier causes the passive slide barrier to exceed the neutral point of the biasing means. Since the passive slide barrier is driven only by the biasing means (torsion spring, etc.) by driving the interlock slide, and thereafter the passive slide barrier is driven only by the biasing force of the biasing means, the configuration is simple and the imaging device It is possible to reduce the number of parts without increasing the thickness.

  According to claim 4 of the present application, in the imaging device according to claim 1, a groove shape is formed in the operation slide barrier substantially parallel to the driving direction, and the passive slide barrier is fitted into the groove shape. By moving, the passive slide barrier can be accurately and smoothly interlocked when driving the operation slide barrier, and a high-quality operation feeling can be provided.

  According to claim 5 of the present application, in the imaging device according to claim 1, when the slide barrier of the imaging device moves to the open state, the passive slide barrier is accommodated in the operation slide barrier. The exposure of the passive slide barrier is eliminated, the appearance is improved, and the degree of freedom in design is improved.In addition, the amount of overlap of the operation slide barrier and the passive slide barrier is increased, and the original function of the imaging device is not impaired compared to a single slide barrier. The space in the main body can be effectively used, and the outer dimension in the longitudinal direction of the imaging apparatus main body can be set short.

  According to Claim 6 of the present application, in the imaging device according to Claim 1, the activation switch of the imaging device can detect the open position of either the operation slide barrier or the passive slide barrier. As a result, the number of options for arranging the start switch is increased, and the space in the main body of the image pickup apparatus is effectively utilized, leading to miniaturization.

  Next, details of the present invention will be described in accordance with the description of the embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

  FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

  FIG. 3 is a front view (slide barrier open / closed state) of the electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

  FIG. 4 is a front view (slide barrier explanatory diagram) of the electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

  FIG. 5 is a detailed exploded perspective view of the electronic imaging device according to the present invention.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The embodiment described below is an example as means for realizing the present invention, and the present invention can be applied to a modified or modified embodiment described below without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

  1 to 5, reference numeral 1 denotes an image pickup apparatus main body, which is supported by a subject side (hereinafter referred to as a front face) portion so as to be slidable substantially parallel along the front face of the image pickup apparatus, and a subject image is formed on an image pickup device. An operation slide barrier (hereinafter referred to as an outer slide barrier) 2 and a passive slide barrier (hereinafter referred to as an outer slide barrier) 2 that move the photographing optical system photographing lens barrel 4 to a protected state (closed state) or an unprotected state (open state). Hereinafter, an inner slide barrier) 3 is installed. In addition, a finder optical system opening 5 is provided near the photographing optical system photographing lens barrel 4 and for observing a subject image during a photographing operation to determine a photographing range and the like above the main body.

  In the upper right of the figure, a strobe light emission window 6 is provided that emits light as necessary when the amount of light is insufficient during photographing. A liquid crystal display device 7 is provided on the non-subject side (hereinafter referred to as the back side) of the imaging apparatus, and is used for confirming the subject image to be captured and for reproducing and displaying the captured image.

  Reference numeral 8 denotes a shutter button, which can be pressed in two steps. When the shutter button 8 is half-pressed, a shooting preparation operation (photometry operation, distance measurement operation, etc.) is started. When the shutter button 8 is fully pressed, the subject is imaged, and image data of the subject image is recorded on a recording medium to be described later. To be recorded.

  9 is a lid member capable of opening and closing a main battery (including a rechargeable battery in addition to a single-use primary battery) serving as a power source and a storage chamber for storing a recording medium on which a signal-processed subject image is recorded; By opening the lid member 9, the opening of the storage chamber is opened and each insertion / removal becomes possible.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes a mode setting dial, which is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the imaging apparatus main body 1. A plurality of marks corresponding to various shooting modes are displayed on the upper surface of the mode setting dial 10, and the shooting modes corresponding to the marks are obtained by matching these marks with an index formed on the outer surface of the imaging apparatus main body 1. Can be set.

  11 is a strap attachment ring. Reference numeral 12 denotes a zoom switching button 12, which can switch the focal length of the photographing optical system in the wide direction when pressed in one direction, and switch the focal length of the photographing optical system in the tele direction when pressed in the other direction. .

  Reference numeral 13 denotes a cover member for protecting the power / signal input / output jack. When the cover member is opened, the power / signal input / output jack and various cables can be inserted and removed.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes a plurality of operation buttons used when instructing the imaging device function.

  Reference numeral 15 denotes a torsion spring (biasing means) used as an urging force of the passive slide barrier, one end of which is supported by the fixed shaft 1a of the imaging apparatus body, and the other end is supported by the shaft 3a of the inner slide barrier.

  Although not shown, the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a main board, an auxiliary board, and two large boards. For example, the main board is mounted with a recording medium slot including a card I / F, an image pickup unit, an image processing unit, a system control unit, an LCD display unit, a serial I / F, a serial connection terminal, and the like. Are mounted with a power supply switching circuit, a DC / DC converter, an operation SW, a video I / F, a video connection terminal, an external power input terminal, and the like.

  With reference to the drawings, a configuration and layout of main parts of the electronic imaging apparatus of the present embodiment will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment is shown in a slide barrier closed state in the upper diagram and in a slide barrier opened state in the lower diagram. The operation slide barrier 2 and the passive slide barrier 3 supported so as to be slidable substantially parallel to the front surface of the imaging apparatus are driven in conjunction with each other. When the outer slide barrier 2 is manually operated from the protected state (closed state) to the left in the figure, the inner slide barrier 3 is also driven in conjunction with the inner slide barrier 3 as shown in the lower figure. It is housed in the outer slide barrier 2 and the photographing lens barrel opening is opened.

  In the lower figure, the inner slide barrier 3 is indicated by a broken line. In this case, the amount of movement of the inner slide barrier 3 of the imaging device is equal to or greater than the amount of movement of the outer slide barrier 2. The imaging device has a three-stage variable focal length lens barrel made up of a first movable lens barrel, a second movable lens barrel and a third movable lens barrel provided concentrically with each other. The taking lens 4 is extended. As shown in this figure, the amount of movement of the inner slide barrier 3 is set to be equal to or greater than the amount of movement of the outer slide barrier 2, thereby reducing the amount of movement of the outer slide barrier 2 and the time lag from the barrier driving operation to the photographing state. Can be reduced. In addition, the amount of overlap of the outer slide barrier 2 and the inner slide barrier 3 is increased, and compared with a single slide barrier, the original function of the image pickup apparatus is not impaired, and the space inside the main body is effectively used to make the outer dimensions of the image pickup apparatus main body in the longitudinal direction. Can be set short.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of slide barrier driving of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. The outer slide barrier 2 and the inner slide barrier 3 that are supported so as to be slidable substantially parallel to the front surface of the imaging device 1 are driven in conjunction with each other, and the inner slide barrier 3 has a torsion spring 15 as a biasing means, and has one end. Is supported by the fixed shaft 1a of the imaging apparatus main body 1, the other end is supported by the shaft 3a of the inner slide barrier, and the torsion spring support shaft 3a of the inner slide barrier 3 corresponds to the open or closed state of the outer slide barrier 2, respectively. There is a contact portion 2d, and the inner slide barrier 3 is driven by the movement of the outer slide barrier 2 until the neutral point 15a of the torsion spring 15 is exceeded. Thereafter, the inner slide barrier 3 is driven only by the urging force of the torsion spring.

  As shown in FIG. 5, an outer slide barrier 2 and an inner slide barrier 3 that are slidably supported along the front surface of the imaging apparatus 1 are formed. A plate member 2a positioned between the inner slide barrier 3 is coupled to the outer slide barrier 2, and is engaged with the plate member 2a and a holding member 16 fixed to the imaging device so as to be capable of relative sliding contact. . That is, since the holding member 16 is slidably supported via the plate member 2a, the length of the support surface is constant, and even if the slide barrier is opened or closed, the friction becomes large, or it is shaken during movement. There is no fear of movement. A groove shape is formed in the outer slide barrier 2 substantially in parallel with the driving direction, and the inner slide barrier 3 is fitted and slid into the groove shape via a slide shaft 3a. As a result, when the outer slide barrier is driven, the inner slide barrier can be accurately and smoothly interlocked without stress, and a high-quality operation feeling can be provided.

It is a front perspective view of the electronic imaging device concerning the present invention. It is a back perspective view of the electronic imaging device concerning the present invention. It is a front view (slide barrier open state / closed state) of the electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention. It is a front view (slide barrier explanatory drawing) of the electronic imaging device which concerns on this invention. 1 is a detailed exploded perspective view of an electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Imaging device body 2 Operation slide barrier (outside slide barrier)
3 Passive slide barrier (inner slide barrier)
4 Shooting optical system lens barrel 5 Finder optical system opening 6 Strobe light emission window 7 Liquid crystal display device 8 Shutter button 9 Lid member 10 Mode setting dial 11 Strap attachment ring 12 Zoom switching button 13 Jack protection cover 14 Operation button 15 Energizing Means (torsion spring)

Claims (6)

  An image pickup apparatus including a slide type lens barrier that is slidably supported along a front surface of the image pickup apparatus and moves the photographing lens to a protected state (closed state) or an unprotected state (open state). The barrier has an operation slide barrier that is manually operated and a passive slide barrier that is driven in the same direction in conjunction with the movement of the operation slide barrier in the opening or closing direction. An imaging apparatus characterized by being set to be equal to or greater than the amount of movement of the slide barrier.   2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an outer periphery of the imaging apparatus is configured by the operation slide barrier, and a passive slide barrier is disposed between the operation slide barrier and the imaging apparatus.   The passive slide barrier has an urging means and is urged in an opening or closing direction with a moving neutral point as a boundary, and the operation slide barrier is in contact with the passive slide barrier in an open or closed state. It is characterized by the fact that the passive slide barrier is driven by the contact portion until the passive slide barrier exceeds the neutral point of the biasing means by the movement of the operation slide barrier, and thereafter the passive slide barrier is driven only by the biasing force of the biasing means. The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2.   The imaging according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a groove shape is formed in the operation slide barrier substantially parallel to a driving direction, and the passive slide barrier is fitted and slid in the groove shape. apparatus.   The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the slide barrier of the imaging apparatus moves to an open state, the passive slide barrier is accommodated in the operation slide barrier.   6. The start switch of the imaging apparatus is provided at a part capable of detecting an open state position of either the operation slide barrier or the passive slide barrier. An imaging apparatus according to claim 1.

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