JP2642228B2 - camera - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a camera having a built-in flash device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a mechanism for storing and moving a built-in strobe and for positioning and moving a protruding position, it is configured by combining a spring and a tension as shown in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 127534/1987. FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of such a conventional mechanism. FIG. 3 is a view of the camera as viewed from the side. FIG. 3A shows the strobe retracted state, and FIG. 3B shows the protruded state. Reference numeral 1 denotes an outer shape of the camera body, which is composed of a cover member constituting the outer appearance of the camera body. Reference numeral 2 denotes a strobe unit, which moves between storage and projecting positions. The configuration of the strobe unit 2 will be described below. The case 3 is rotatably supported by a fixed shaft 4 fixed to the main body 1. Reference numeral 5 denotes a xenon tube for flash light emission. The reflection shade supports the xenon tube 5 and reflects and condenses the flash of the xenon tube to a subject in front of the camera. The panel 7 is made of a transparent member through which flash light passes, supports the reflector 6, and is fixed to the case 3. The spring 8 fitted on the fixed shaft 4 has one end thereof hung on the fixed shaft 4 and the other end thereof hung on the protruding portion 3e of the case 3, and biases the case 3 in the clockwise direction. The case 3 has a fixed shaft 4
Is provided with a fan-shaped hole 3a centered on the main body 1 in the hole 3a.
The protrusion 9 provided integrally with the fitting is fitted. Further, the case 3 is provided with a projection 3d for locking the storage position described later.

The tensioning lever 10 is rotatably supported by an internal structural member of the main body 1 by a pin 10a, and has a claw 10b formed at one end to be engaged with a projection 3d of the case 3, and a second end formed at the other end. Is formed with an extension 10c that engages with the operation button 11 protruding outside the camera body. The tensioning lever 10 is urged in the left turning direction by a spring (not shown). In the state shown in FIG. 3 (a), the projection 3d of the case 3 and the claw 10b are engaged, and the case 3, the extension 10c pushes up the operation button 11.

To perform flash photography from this state, use the operation button 11
Should be pushed down by the user. The operation button 11 turns the tensioning lever 10 rightward against a spring (not shown) to release the engagement between the claw portion 10b and the protrusion 3b of the case 3. The case 3 turns right around the fixed shaft good by the spring force of the spring 8, and one end 3 d of the fan-shaped hole 3 a of the case 3 comes into contact with the projection 9 and stops, and the state shown in FIG. Become. At this point, a switch (not shown) that is linked immediately before the end of the rotation of the strobe unit 2 is switched,
The switch signal is used to start a preparatory operation related to flash photography, for example, to start charging a flash light emitting capacitor.

The photographer moves the flash unit 2 from the state shown in FIG.
If you turn left by manual operation against the spring 8,
The tensioning lever 10 is again engaged with the projection 3d of the case 3, and returns to the state shown in FIG.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, since the tensioning mechanism is used for holding the stowed storage state, there are the following disadvantages.

In order for the claw portion 10b of the tensioning lever 10 to securely lock the projection 3d of the case 3, the strobe unit 2 needs to have the structure shown in FIG.
It is necessary to be able to turn left slightly further from the state. The extra margin can cancel the mechanical error generated in the tensioning portion. Therefore, a gap X is required between the strobe unit 2 and the main body 1 as shown in FIG. When the gap X is pushed, the strobe unit 2 moves. If the play or gap is large, the user feels this movement, which seriously impairs the luxury and quality of the camera.

Further, since the claw portion 10b of the tensioning lever 10 is located between the main body 1 and the flash unit 2, the width of the camera main body when viewing the camera from the left direction shown in FIG. This is an obstacle to miniaturization.

Further, as described above, in accordance with the movement of the strobe unit 2 to the projecting position, the switch is interlocked, and a strobe photographing preparation operation is generally started by a switch signal of the switch. It is obvious that the light intensity becomes weaker as the strobe unit 2 moves to the projecting position.

Therefore, the operating force required to switch the switch must be greater than the spring force required to operate the strobe unit.

However, strengthening the spring increases the turning diameter, increases the number of turns, and increases the winding diameter, which leads to an increase in the size of the camera, and also increases the operation force of the button 11 for releasing the tension. I will.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and can attach a strobe device to a camera body without play and without increasing the size of the camera. It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera that can be moved between the cameras.

[Means for Solving the Problems] A configuration for realizing the object of the present invention includes a first position stored in the camera body and a second position protruding from the camera body.
A strobe device movable between the first position and the second position, wherein the strobe device has a dead center between the first position and the second position. When the strobe device is moved to the first position and the second position, respectively, a toggle mechanism for applying a force to the strobe device in the moving direction is provided, and a lever body driven by a cam rotated by a motor as a drive source is provided. A drive mechanism is provided for moving the strobe device in the direction from the first position to the second position and in the direction from the second position to the first position by using movement. You have a camera.

[Operation] In the camera having the above-described configuration, when the cam is rotated by driving the motor, the lever body moves, and the strobe device is moved from the first position to the second position, or vice versa. The strobe device is biased and held at the first position or the second position by utilizing the characteristics of the mechanism.

Here, as one of the advantages of the toggle mechanism, a force may be applied in different directions at each position of the action point. To hold the strobe device at the first position and the second position without backlash, respectively. It is necessary to rely on the biasing force of the toggle mechanism. Further, the existence of a mechanical error in the mechanism for moving the strobe device cannot be ignored. For example, in the driving force transmission method by gear connection, it is difficult to fully utilize the characteristics of the toggle mechanism even in absorbing such mechanical errors, but in the driving force transmission method in which the lever body is moved by a cam, the mechanical errors described above are used. Can be absorbed, and as a result, the characteristics of the toggle mechanism can be effectively used.

[Embodiment] The cameras shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) are schematic views showing a technology which is a premise of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as a prerequisite technology), and FIG. FIG. 1B shows a state in which the strobe is projected. In this technology,
The same members as those in the conventional example shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. The torsion coil spring 12 has an arm portion hung on the protrusion 9 of the main body 1 and the protrusion 3f of the case 3. In this state, the spring 12 is in the loosening direction, that is, the main body 1
Of the case 3 and the protrusion 3f of the case 3 are separated from each other. In the state shown in FIG. 1A, the projection 3f of the case 3 is pressed substantially downward by the spring 12.

Therefore, a moment of turning to the left is generated on the fixed shaft 4 of the case. However, since the strobe unit 2 abuts the main body 1, it is stably held at the storage position.

When the photographer turns the strobe unit clockwise against the spring 12 to perform strobe photographing, the protrusion 3f of the case 3
Also, the protrusion 9 of the main body 1 gradually moves to the left from the lower left direction, and the force applied by the spring 12 also changes from substantially below to the left in the figure. Therefore, the moment in the left turning direction generated on the fixed shaft 4 as the rotation center is also reduced.

When the direction of the force applied to the protrusion 3f of the case 3 by the spring 12 coincides with the line connecting the center of the fixed shaft 4 and the protrusion 3f, the moment generated around the rotation shaft 4 of the case 3 is zero.
Becomes This state is called a dead point of the toggle mechanism.

When the photographer further turns the strobe unit 2 to the right,
A moment in the right turning direction is generated on the fixed shaft 4. In this state, even if the photographer releases his hand, the strobe unit 2 turns right until one end 3b of the fan-shaped hole 3a of the case 3 hits the projection 9 of the main body 1. At this time, the right turning moment is It becomes stronger as it operates, and reaches the state shown in FIG. 1 (b). A substantially upward force is applied to the protrusion 3f of the case 3 by the spring 12. Accordingly, a right turning moment is generated in the fixed shaft 4, and the strobe unit 2 is stably held at the projecting position.

When the strobe unit is stored, if the photographer turns the strobe unit 2 counterclockwise against the spring force of the spring 12, the rotation of the strobe unit 2 by the spring 12 is fixed. The moment generated on the axis 4 becomes 0 from the right turning direction, further changes to the left turning direction,
The state returns to the storage state shown in FIG.

In the base technology having the above-described configuration, the strobe unit 2 can be held at the storage position without play, components such as the tension lever, the operation button, and the like are eliminated as in the related art, and there is also a cost reduction effect.

Further, since the spring 12 is housed in the case 3 and the outer case of the strobe unit in the strobe unit 2, the size can be reduced as compared with the conventional example using tensioning.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a camera according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 2 (a) shows a strobe retracted state and FIG. 2 (b) shows a strobe projecting state.

In the base technology shown in FIG. 1, the strobe device is moved manually, and the strobe device is biased and held at a retracted position and a projected position by a toggle mechanism built in the strobe device. The base technology is further developed, and one embodiment of the camera of the present invention shown in FIG.
The storage and projection operations of the strobe device are performed using a motor in the camera body as a drive source.

At the center of rotation of the case 3 of the strobe unit 2, a two-way hole 3g is provided, and a lever 13 is provided in the two-way hole 3g.
The two-way portion of the shaft 13a is fitted. Shaft 13a of lever 13
Is rotatably fitted to the main body 1, so that the flash unit 2 and the lever 13 rotate integrally about the shaft 13a. Further, an engaging groove 13b is provided integrally with the U-shaped groove 19c of the lever 19 to be described later at the front end of the lever 13 without looseness.

On the other hand, the gear 14 is connected to a motor (not shown) via a reduction gear, and rotates integrally with the cam 15. Lever 16 is a shaft
At the tip of a pair of arms 16e and 16f provided so as to sandwich the cam 15, rollers 16g and 16h that come into contact with the cam 15 are rotatable around the shafts 16b and 16c, respectively. I support it.

In the state shown in FIG. 2A, the roller 16h is in contact with the top position of the cam 15, and the lever 16 is at the most left-turned position in the driving range of the cam 15.

The other end of the lever 16 is further provided with a hole 16d.
Shaft 17a is rotatably supported.

On the other end of the lever 17, a support shaft that forms the rotation center of the lever 19
A fan-shaped hole 17b having substantially the center at 19a is provided, and there is no backlash between the inner and outer circumferential arcs of the fan-shaped hole 17b, and a gap is formed between the side ends 17c, 17d of the fan-shaped hole 17b in the rotation direction of the lever 19. A shaft 19b provided on the lever 19 has a loose fit.
A torsion spring 18 is hung on the lever 19, and in FIG. 2 (a), the lever 19 is urged in the right turning direction. However, since the U-shaped groove 19c of the lever 19 is engaged with the engagement shaft 13b of the lever 13, and the lever 13 and the strobe unit 2 are in the stowed retracted state, they do not turn left anymore. I have.

Next, the operation when the strobe is moved to the protruding position will be described. When a motor (not shown) is operated and the gear 14 turns clockwise, first the roller 16h supported by the lever 16 is disengaged from the top portion of the cam 15, and then the roller 16g comes into contact with the lift portion of the cam 15. When the cam 15 further turns to the right, the lever 16 turns to the right, and the lever 17 starts to move downward in the figure in conjunction therewith.
At this time, the engagement shaft 19b of the lever 19 and the fan-shaped hole 17b of the lever 17
The levers 19 and 13 and the strobe unit 2 are stably stored in the retracted state by the spring 18 until one of the side ends 17b abuts. When the engagement shaft 19b of the lever 19 abuts on one side end 17d of the fan-shaped hole 17b, the lever 19 turns left against the spring force of the spring 18, and the lever 13 and the strobe unit 2 Starts a right turn.

With the turning of the lever 19 to the left, the center axis of the spring 18 approaches the rotation center of the lever 19, so that the biasing force of the spring 19 for turning the strobe unit 2 to the left becomes weak, and finally becomes zero. When the lever 19 further turns left, the spring
The lever 18 biases the lever 19 in the direction of turning left.

The motor is stopped when the detecting means (not shown) detects that the roller 16g has got on the top portion of the cam 15,
The strobe is projected as shown in FIG. Levers 16 and 17
Is positioned by the cam 15, and the strobe unit 2
The positions of the levers 13 and 19 are defined by the biasing force of the spring 18 and the contact between the one end 3b of the fan-shaped hole 3a of the case 3 and the fixed projection 9 of the main body 1. And fan-shaped hole 17 of lever 17
Both side ends 17c and 17d of b are separated from the engagement shaft 19b of the lever 19.

In this embodiment, since the toggle mechanism is provided in the main body, the size of the strobe unit can be minimized. In addition, at the storage position and the protruding position of the strobe unit, there is a play between the levers 17 and 19, so that there is no inconvenience even if there is a mechanical error, and a fine stroke adjustment or the like is not required. is there.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, when a strobe device provided with a toggle mechanism for applying a force to the strobe device in each direction of movement is driven in both directions by using a motor as a drive source. Since the movement of the lever driven by the cam rotated by the motor is used, mechanical errors can be absorbed, and the strobe device can be moved to the first position stored in the camera body and the second position protruding, respectively. Positioning can be performed in a biased state.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent a large gap or backlash, which is a problem in appearance, from occurring between the strobe device and the camera body, and to achieve a reduction in size.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 (a) and 1 (b) are schematic cross-sectional views showing a prerequisite technique of a camera according to the present invention, and FIGS. 2 (a) and (b) are schematic cross-sectional views showing an embodiment of a camera according to the present invention. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are schematic sectional views of a conventional camera. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Body, 2 ... Strobe unit 3 ... Strobe case 4 ... Fixed axis, 5 ... Xenon tube 6 ... Reflector shade, 7 ... Panel 8 ... Spring, 9 ... Protrusion 10 ... Tight Constant lever, 11 Operation button 12 Spring 13 Lever 14 Gear 15 Cam 16 Lever 17 Lever 18 Spring 19 Lever

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A camera equipped with a strobe device movable between a first position stored in a camera body and a second position protruding from the camera body, wherein the strobe device includes the first strobe device. A dead center between the first position and the second position, and when the strobe device moves to the first position and the second position beyond the dead point, a force is applied to the strobe device in the moving direction. The strobe device is moved from the first position to the second position by using a movement of a lever body driven by a cam rotating with a motor as a drive source, and 2. A camera provided with a drive mechanism for moving in a direction from the second position to the first position.