JP2907283B2 - Collapsible camera with lens barrier - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has a lens barrier for protecting a photographing lens, and is provided between a position where the photographing lens protrudes forward from the camera body and a retracted position where the photographing lens is further lowered toward the body. The present invention relates to a camera using a collapsible photographing lens that can be moved by a camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a camera having a lens barrier mechanism for protecting a photographic lens, a lens barrier is arranged on the front of a camera body and is moved in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis on the front of the photographic lens. 2. Description of the Related Art A camera with a lens barrier configured to open and close to protect an entire photographing lens including a lens barrel is known.

In such a camera with a lens barrier, in order to reduce the size of the entire camera, it is necessary to reduce the amount of projection of the photographing lens from the camera body. When the projection amount of the photographing lens is large, the thickness of the entire camera has necessarily been increased.

[0004] On the other hand, when a photographing lens having a relatively large size and a large amount of protrusion from a camera body is used by having a zoom function and functions such as a standard function and a telephoto function, the photographing lens, that is, the lens barrel is used. There is a demand for providing a lens barrier for protecting the lens.

[0005] However, when the above-mentioned lens barrier is used in a conventional type camera, the camera must necessarily be enlarged in order to secure a space for accommodating the lens barrier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to eliminate the interference of a lens barrier with a photographing lens, that is, a lens barrel, without using a large-sized camera as a whole, even when a relatively large photographing lens as described above is used. Another object of the present invention is to provide a camera having a lens barrier, which effectively protects a lens barrel and is easy to handle.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A collapsible camera having a lens barrier according to the present invention is movable between an open position retracted from the front surface of a taking lens barrel and a closed position covering the front surface of the taking lens barrel. A lens barrier, wherein the taking lens barrel is provided so as to be able to protrude from the camera body, and a tip of the movement trajectory of the lens barrier is collapsed toward the camera body side; A closing position that allows the tip to move to a projecting position beyond the movement locus of the lens barrier, and further prevents the lens barrier at the open position from moving to a position that interferes with the taking lens at the projecting position. And a closing prevention canceling means for canceling prevention of movement of the lens barrier by the closing preventing mechanism.

[0008]

According to the present invention, a photographic lens mirror is provided by providing a closing prevention mechanism for preventing a lens barrier at an open position from moving to a position where it interferes with a photographic lens barrel at a protruding position. Even if the lens barrier is inadvertently closed when the barrel is in the protruding position, the barrier is moved to a position where it interferes with the photographing lens barrel by the closure prevention mechanism unless the movement prevention is released by the closure prevention release means. Is prevented, so that no shock is applied to the lens barrel due to interference between the barrier and the lens barrel.

[0009]

1 and 2 are perspective views of a retractable automatic focusing camera showing a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a state in which a lens barrier 1 in front of a lens 2 is slid sideways for photographing, and FIG.
This shows a state in which the taking lens 2 is retracted into the camera body 3 and the lens barrier is closed. The photographing lens is of a bifocal type, and is configured to protrude forward from the position where the lens barrier slides as shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a portion A in FIG. The flange 20 protruding from the inner wall of the barrier main body 1 is joined to the barrier main body at a surface 21 indicated by oblique lines,
On this flange 20, a block boss 22 which can be engaged with a closing prevention block 30 which is a closing prevention and lens drive signal generating means provided on the camera body side, and a swing lever provided on the camera body side A swing lever boss 23 that can abut on 31 is arranged.

A closure prevention block 30, which is a closure prevention / lens drive signal generating means, is attached to the camera body 3 so as to slide in a direction parallel to the optical axis of the lens. A block recess 30a that engages with the boss 22;
And a block projection 30c that engages with a locking lever 32 provided on the body side.

A swing lever 31 and a locking lever 32 attached to the camera body are both supported coaxially rotatable about a lever boss 34 (see FIG. 4A) on the camera body. The swing lever 31 is provided with the locking lever 3.
2 comprises a wall portion 31a for limiting rotation, a hook portion 31b for stopping the spring 35, and a rocking lever slope 31c. The locking lever 32 includes a locking claw 32 a that engages with the block projection 30 c of the locking block 30, and a bent portion 3 that stops the other end of the spring 35 and limits the rotation axis of the swing lever 31.
2b.

The spring 35 is a torsion spring and the swing lever 3
1 and a locking lever 32, the lever boss 34 on the camera body side is arranged as an axis, and one end thereof is
1b to urge the swing lever 31 counterclockwise,
The other end contacts the bent portion 32b to urge the locking lever 32 clockwise.

FIG. 4 (a) is a plan view of the upper part in which the flange portion of FIG. 3 is further enlarged. FIG. 4A shows the barrier closing prevention mechanism in which the barrier is opened and the apparatus is in a shooting standby state. The spring 36 has one end fixed to the locking lever 32 and the other end connected to the camera body 3, whereby the locking lever 32 is constantly biased clockwise. In order to limit the rotation of the locking lever 32, a locking boss 38 is provided on the camera body side, and the locking claw 32 of the locking lever is provided.
a. The spring 37 is connected to the closing prevention block 30.
One end is connected to the closing prevention block and the other end is connected to the camera body 3 in order to always urge the camera in a subject direction (arrow 42) parallel to the optical axis.

Although not shown in the drawing, a brush for a main switch of the camera is provided on the back surface of the closing prevention block 30. FIG. 4B shows this switch, and the brush 48 attached to the block 30 slides on the substrate 45 in the vertical direction of the drawing (that is, in the directions of arrows 41 and 42 in FIG. 4A). I do. The main switch is turned off when the pattern moves from the pattern 47 on the substrate 45 to the pattern 46. The trigger signal activates the drive system of the lens barrel, and the lens barrel starts collapsing. Conversely, when the pattern shifts from the pattern 46 to the pattern 47, the main switch is turned on, and the trigger signal causes the photographing lens to start protruding from the camera body.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show the operation of the barrier closing prevention mechanism of FIG. 4A. The operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Perform

FIG. 4A shows the barrier closing prevention mechanism when the barrier is opened, the main switch is turned on, and the photographing lens is projected.
When the block boss 22 and the block concave portion 30a are engaged with each other, and when the closing prevention unit block 30 is in the closing prevention position in FIG. 4, the block boss or lens barrier moves in the direction of arrow 44. Can not do. However, the block boss 22 and the block recess 30a are indicated by arrow 4
The block 30 has a click structure in the direction 3, and when a predetermined force or more is applied to the lens barrier or the block boss 22 in the direction of the arrow 43, the block 30 pushes the block 30 in the direction of the arrow 42. Arrow 4 against force
It is moved in one direction. At the same time, block boss 2
2, that is, the barrier advances in the direction of arrow 43.

The block boss 22 has a block slope 30b.
, The brush attached to the block 30 moves on the substrate 45 and switches the main switch from on to off. Therefore, the lens barrel starts collapsing in response to a trigger signal to the barrel driving device. Further, when the block boss 22 advances in the direction of arrow 43 while abutting and pressing against the block slope 30b, the locking claw 32a of the locking lever 32 is moved.
And the block projection 30c are engaged. When the block 30 is further moved in the direction of the arrow 41, the block protrusion 30
c presses the locking claw 32a and slides on the slope of the locking claw 32a, so that the locking lever 32 rotates counterclockwise. Thereafter, when the block 30 moves more than a predetermined amount in the direction of the arrow 41, that is, when the block protrusion 30c moves in the direction of the arrow 41 beyond the locking claw 32a, the locking lever rotates clockwise and the locking boss again. 38. At this time, the locking claw 3
2a is at a position where the block projection 30c is locked,
The entire block 30 is prevented from moving in the direction of the arrow 42.

When the lens barrier is further moved in the direction of arrow 43 at the closing preparation position, the block boss 22
It moves in three directions and comes into contact with the flat portion 30d of the block 30. FIG. 5 shows this state. In this state, the block 30 is at the release position for releasing the closure prevention of the lens barrier. By this time, the lens barrel has been retracted to a position where it does not interfere with the lens barrier.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the barrier is being moved from the closing preparation position to the closing position via the opening position. The swing lever boss 23 contacts the slope 31 c of the swing lever 31,
When the swing lever boss 23 is moved in the direction of the arrow 44 by a force larger than the force of the spring 35, the swing lever 31 rotates clockwise. Thus, the barrier is easily closed. When the barrier moves to the closing position, the swing lever boss 23
And the rocking lever slope 31c is out of contact with the rocking lever 3
1 rotates counterclockwise and returns to the original position.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a state where the barrier is moving from the closed position to the open position. When the swing lever boss 23 comes into contact with one end of the swing lever 31, the swing lever 31 starts to rotate counterclockwise, but since the wall 31 a of the swing lever 31 presses the bent portion 32 b of the locking lever 32. The locking lever 32 also rotates counterclockwise simultaneously with the swing lever 31 against the force of the spring 36. Then the locking claw 32
a is disengaged from the block projection 30c,
The arm 30 of the block 30 is moved by the force of the spring 37.
It moves in the direction of arrow 42 until e contacts the block boss 22. FIG. 7 shows this state. When the barrier is further opened, the contact between the lever boss 23 and the rocking lever slope 30c is lost, and the block boss 22 slides on the arm 30e, and the block boss 22 moves to the block concave portion. Combine.

At this time, the block 30 moves in the direction of the arrow 42, the brush 48 on the back surface of the block 30 slides on the substrate 45, and the main switch is turned on. Therefore, the photographing lens starts to protrude to the focusing operation position. With the configuration described above, interference with the photographing lens when opening and closing the barrier is eliminated.

FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged perspective view for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is also a bifocal collapsible autofocus camera, and its appearance is almost the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the barrier open. FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion corresponding to the portion A of the retractable automatic focusing camera of FIG.

The closing prevention mechanism of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The barrier flange 1a provided on the barrier 1 protrudes from the inner wall of the barrier 1, and a surface 1d indicates a joint surface with the inner wall of the barrier. The boss 1b traveling on the barrier flange 1a is a flange protrusion 1b. When the barrier performs a sliding motion and the flange 1a moves rightward, the flange protrusion 1b is disposed so as to abut on the lever end 13b of the lever 13. ing.

A closing prevention block 12, which is a closing prevention and lens driving signal generating means, is provided to prevent the closing of the barrier, and is slidable in the directions of arrows B and C. The guide groove 12b is provided for sliding in the directions of the arrows B and C. The guide groove 12b moves until the closing prevention block 12, which is the closing prevention and lens drive signal generating means, does not interfere with the barrier flange 1a. Is possible. The block pressing portion 12a protrudes from the camera body in order to move the closing prevention block 12 urged in the direction of arrow c in the direction of arrow B by a finger.

The lever 13 has a shaft 13c as a rotation axis and is urged in a clockwise direction. In the state shown in the drawing, the lever claw 13a of the lever 13 is connected to the open block 1 parallel to the guide groove 12b.
2 is in contact with the second lever surface 12c. When the closing prevention block 12 is retracted to a position where it does not prevent the movement of the barrier flange 1a in the closing direction, the lever surface 12c and the lever pawl 1
3a is released, the lever rotates clockwise, the lever claw 13a engages with the locking surface 12d of the closing prevention block 12, and the closing prevention block 12 is prevented from moving in the direction of arrow c. Has become.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the closing prevention mechanism of FIG. One end of the lever 13 is urged clockwise by a spring 14 engaged with the camera body 3. The closing prevention block 12 slides along two guide pins 16 which are located in the guide grooves 12b and fixed to the camera body.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the block pressing portion 12a of the closing prevention block 12 shown by the arrow BB in FIG. A brush 17 is fixed to the block pressing portion 12a of the closing prevention block, and a finger slip stopper is provided on the upper portion of the block pressing portion 12a. On a printed circuit board 18 fixed to the camera body side, wiring patterns 19,
The brush 17 provided with 20 and fixed below the block pressing portion 12a slides on the wiring patterns 19 and 20, and the block pressing portion 12a and the printed circuit board 18 constitute a main switch of the camera. When the brush 17 moves from the pattern 20 to the pattern 19, the main switch turns off. When the brush 17 moves from the pattern 19 to the pattern 20, the main switch turns on.

The operation of the retractable self-focusing camera according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 shows a closing prevention mechanism when the barrier is in the open state as described above, and the photographic lens and the barrier (not shown) are in the same state as in FIG.
The closing prevention block 12 is urged downward by the spring 15 to abut the surface 1e of the barrier flange, and cannot move the barrier flange rightward in the drawing. Therefore, the barrier cannot be closed.

In order to store the lens barrel and close the barrier from this state, first, the block pushing portion 12a of the closing prevention block 12 is pushed upward by a finger. As a result, the closing prevention block 12 slides upward along the guide pin 16 against the force of the spring 15. On this way brush 17
Moves from the wiring pattern 20 to the wiring pattern 19, the main switch is turned off, and a signal for retracting the lens barrel is generated. In response to this signal, the lens barrel driving device is operated, and collapsing of the lens barrel starts. When the upward movement of the block 12 is further continued, the lever claw 13a of the lever 13 urged clockwise by the spring 14 engages with the locking surface 12d. The closing prevention block 12 is restricted from moving upward by one of the guide pins 16 and stays at that position. This state is shown in FIG. 10, in which the closing prevention block 12 and the barrier flange 1a are disengaged as shown in the figure, and the barrier can be slid rightward. Further, during the transition from FIG. 9 to FIG. 10, the taking lens is retracted to a position lower than the barrier, and the barrier can be closed without interfering with the taking lens.

When the barrier is slid in the closing direction and the barrier flange is moved rightward, the lever end 13b of the lever 13 and the flange projection 1b abut just before the barrier is closed, and the lever is closed. Claw 13a and block 12
Are disengaged, the closing prevention block 12 moves downward until it comes into contact with the surface 1f of the barrier flange 1a, and stops in the state shown in FIG. FIG. 11 shows the state of the closing prevention mechanism when the barrier is moved to the closing position. In this case, although not shown, the taking lens is collapsed, and the appearance of the camera is as shown in FIG.

When the barrier starts to open leftward from the closed state in FIG. 11, the surface 12f of the block 12 and the barrier flange 1
The surface a f becomes a sliding surface, and the barrier flange 1 a moves to the left in the drawing. When the barrier is opened and the barrier flange moves to the position shown in FIG. 9, the closing prevention block 12
The contact between the barrier flange surface 1f and the spring 1 is released.
It moves downward by the force of 5, and comes into contact with the surface 1e of the barrier flange. Since the brush 17 is also moved by the movement of the closing prevention block, the main switch is switched from off to on. By the switching of the main switch, a signal for projecting the lens barrel is generated, and the lens barrel driving device is operated.
The lens barrel projects to the projecting position of the focusing operation. At this time, the closing prevention mechanism returns to the state of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a retractable self-focusing camera braking means and a locking means according to a third embodiment of the present invention. When the barrier 1 in the closed state is slid to the left to the open position, the main switch provided on the barrier 1 is turned on, and the trigger signal activates the lens barrel driving device, and the lens barrel starts to protrude. I do. The lens barrel protrudes to a position higher than the barrier and stops and enters a standby state. The standby state with the barrier opened is as shown in FIG. 1 as in the first embodiment. One end of the barrier 1 is constantly urged in the closing direction by a spring 58 fixed to the camera body, but can be easily moved manually in the opening direction (left direction in the drawing).

The locking means comprises a barrier locking member 56 and a barrier-side locking projection 1a.
It is possible to lock the locking projection 1a provided on the barrier 1 with the locking claw 56b at the right end and hold the barrier 1 at the open position, and use the boss 56c provided on the camera body as a rotation axis to rotate the spring. It is biased in the clockwise direction by 57. However, the rotation of the barrier locking member 56 in the clockwise direction beyond the position shown in the figure is restricted by a boss (not shown) provided on the camera body side. The knob 56a provided on the barrier locking member 56 protrudes from the camera body. By operating the knob 56a, the barrier locking member can be rotated about the boss 56c.

Next, a brake mechanism for adjusting the closing speed of the barrier will be described. Reference numeral 51 denotes a rack attached to the back surface of the barrier, and a rack 51 and planetary gear units 52, 53, 5
9 is mechanically connected. The planetary gear device includes a sun gear 52, a planetary gear 53, and an arm 59. The governor mechanism includes a stepped gear 54 composed of a flat gear and an escape wheel,
It is composed of an ankle 55. The gears 52 and 53, the stepped gear 54, and the ankle 55 are each rotatably held by the camera body 3.

The barrier 1 has a main switch (not shown)
Is provided. The structure of the main switch is shown in FIG.
This is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, and the main switch is turned on or off by sliding the brush on the substrate, as in the description of FIG. 4B of the first embodiment. In other words, turn on the main switch with the barrier open,
If the barrier is moved slightly closer to the closed position than open,
The main switch is configured to be turned off. When the main switch is switched from off to on, the lens barrel starts moving to the protruding position. When the main switch is switched from on to off, the lens barrel moves to the retracted position.

The operation of the third embodiment will be described below. First, the operation of moving the barrier 1 from the closed state as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 13 to the opening direction to the state of preparation for photographing will be described. The barrier 1 is moved leftward against the spring 58. The leftward movement of the rack 51 causes the sun gear 52 to rotate counterclockwise, and accordingly, the arm 59 also rotates counterclockwise. As a result, the planetary gear 53 and the stepped gear 54 are disengaged, and the sun gear 52
Is not transmitted to the governor mechanisms 54 and 55. That is, the barrier can be easily opened. When the barrier is further moved in the opening direction, the locking projection 1a of the barrier 1 presses the locking claw 56b of the barrier locking member 56 upward in the drawing, and once rotates the barrier locking member 56 counterclockwise,
When the barrier is completely opened and the locking projection 1a moves leftward from the locking claw 56b, the main switch is switched from off to on, and the lens barrel starts moving to the protruding position. At this time, the barrier locking member 56 rotates clockwise and returns to the state shown in FIG.
6 locks the locking projection 1a, and the barrier 1 leans open. When the movement of the lens barrel to the projecting position is completed, the camera is ready for photographing.

Next, the operation of moving the lens barrel to the retracted position to accommodate the photographing lens after the photographing is completed and closing the lens barrier will be described. When the knob 56a of the barrier locking member 56 is rotated counterclockwise, the locking projection 1a and the locking claw 56b are disengaged, and the barrier 58 starts to move in the closing direction by the force of the spring 58. When the barrier 1 slightly moves from the open state to the closed state, the main switch is switched from on to off, and the lens barrel starts collapsing. Further, the barrier 1 continues to move in the closing direction, but this time the sun gear rotates clockwise, and the arm 59 also rotates clockwise. As a result, the planetary gear 53 meshes with the stepped gear, and the rotation of the sun gear 52 is controlled by the governor mechanisms 54 and 5.
5 is transmitted. In other words, the governor cannot move the lens barrier quickly. The lens barrel 2 is collapsed to a position where it has escaped in the height direction (height in the optical axis direction) before the barrier 1 comes. The barrier is closed without interfering with the lens barrel.

In the retractable self-focusing camera of the present invention as described above, it is possible to provide a lens barrier for protecting the taking lens while keeping the camera compact. In particular, it is easy to prevent the photographing lens from being inadvertently damaged by providing a barrier closing prevention means and providing a switch function of starting collapsing or providing a braking means for delaying the closing of the barrier. Became possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view of a retractable self-focusing camera with a barrier closed.

FIG. 2 shows the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view of the retractable self-focusing camera with a barrier opened.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the retractable self-focusing camera shown in FIG. 1, showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and showing a closing prevention mechanism in the camera.

FIG. 4A is a partially enlarged plan view of the closing prevention mechanism of FIG. 3, showing the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a view showing the first embodiment of the present invention and showing a main switch provided in the closing prevention mechanism of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged plan view showing the first embodiment of the present invention and showing the closing prevention mechanism of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged plan view of the closing prevention mechanism of FIG. 3, showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged plan view of the closing prevention mechanism of FIG. 3, showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a partial enlarged perspective view of the retractable self-focusing camera shown in FIG. 1, showing a second embodiment of the present invention, and showing a closing prevention mechanism in the camera.

9 shows a second embodiment of the present invention and is a partially enlarged plan view of the closing prevention mechanism of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged plan view of the closing prevention mechanism of FIG. 8, showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

11 shows a second embodiment of the present invention and is a partially enlarged plan view of the closing prevention mechanism of FIG. 8. FIG.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a second embodiment of the present invention and showing a main switch provided in the closing prevention mechanism of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a brake means or a closing delay mechanism of a retractable self-focusing camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Lens barrier 2 ... Lens barrel 3 ... Camera body 12 ... Closing prevention and lens drive signal generating means 13 ... Lever 17 ... Brush 18 ... Printed circuit board 20 ... ··· Flange 30 ··· Closing prevention and lens drive signal generating means 31 ··· Swinging lever 32 ··· Locking lever 56 ··· Barrier locking member 56a ··· knob 51 ··· rack 52 53, 54, 55 ... brake means

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tokuyasu Kotani 1-6-3 Nishioi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Nikon Oi Works Co., Ltd. (72) Daiki Tsukahara 1-3-6 Nishioi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo No. Nikon Corporation Oi Works (72) Inventor Hiroshi Wakabayashi Nikon Oi Works 1-3-6 Nishioi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo (56) References JP-A-60-91338 (JP, A) ( 58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G03B 11/00-11/06

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] A lens barrier movable between an open position retracted from the front surface of the photographing lens barrel and a closed position covering the front surface of the photographing lens barrel;
A retracted position, which is provided so as to be protrudable from the camera body and whose tip is retracted toward the camera body with respect to the movement locus of the lens barrier, and a protruding position where the tip protrudes from the camera body and exceeds the movement locus of the lens barrier A closing prevention mechanism that prevents the lens barrier at the open position from moving to a position that interferes with the photographing lens at the protruding position; and the lens barrier by the closing prevention mechanism. And a closing prevention releasing means for releasing movement prevention of the lens. 2. The closing prevention canceling means has a lens driving signal generating means, and sends out a lens driving signal in response to cancellation of the prevention of movement of the lens barrier by the closing preventing mechanism. The collapsible camera having a lens barrier according to claim 1, wherein a photographing lens barrel at a position is driven to the collapsible position. 3. The closure prevention canceling means cancels the prevention of movement of the lens barrier by the closure prevention mechanism by further moving the lens barrier at the opening position in a direction away from the taking lens barrel. A collapsible camera having the lens barrier according to claim 1. 4. The closure prevention release means has a manual operation unit provided separately from the lens barrier, and when the manual operation unit is manually operated, movement of the lens barrier by the closure prevention mechanism is prevented. The collapsible camera having the lens barrier according to claim 1, wherein the camera is released.