JP6942473B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging device including a light emitting unit.

If an image with unnatural brightness is obtained by irradiating the subject directly with the flash light, irradiate the subject with the flash light toward the wall or ceiling and irradiate the subject with the reflected indirect light. Bounce imaging is performed. Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging device having a built-in light emitting unit capable of such bounce imaging. In this imaging device, flash imaging and bounce imaging that directly irradiate a subject with light are possible by changing the direction of a light emitting unit provided at the tip of a light emitting unit that pops up with respect to the imaging device main body.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-070506

However, since the image pickup apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided with a structure in which the direction of the light emitting portion is variable at the tip of the light emitting unit, the tip of the light emitting unit may become large and impair the design of the image emitting device. There is.

Further, in a conventional imaging device that pops up the light emitting unit around a shaft provided at the base end portion of the light emitting unit, if the light emitting unit is simply rotatable to a position where the light emitting unit faces the ceiling or the like, the light emitting unit takes an image. It protrudes greatly backward from the back of the device body. In this case, if the user tries to perform bounce imaging while looking through the viewfinder eyepiece window, the light emitting unit interferes with the user's face.

The present invention provides an imaging device capable of performing bounce imaging without causing the light emitting unit to protrude significantly from the back surface of the imaging device main body.

The image pickup device as one aspect of the present invention has an image pickup device main body having a front surface facing the subject and a back surface on the opposite side thereof, and a light emitting unit. A light emitting unit that can move to a bounce light emitting position that faces a direction different from the subject, and a moving mechanism that rotates the light emitting unit around the rotation center axis and moves it between a storage position and a bounce light emitting position. Have. The moving mechanism positions the light emitting portion on the front side of the rotation center axis at the first position with respect to the image pickup apparatus main body in the retracted position, and moves the rotation center axis from the first position at the bounce light emitting position. Also has a stop portion that can be positioned at a second position on the front side, the light emitting portion is located on the back side of the rotation center axis, and the rotation center axis can be stopped at the second position . The light emitting unit is characterized in that the light emitting unit can be moved to a front light emitting position in which the light emitting unit faces the direction of the subject between the storage position and the bounce light emitting position .

It is possible to realize an imaging device capable of performing bounce imaging without causing the light emitting unit to protrude significantly from the back surface of the imaging device main body.

A front perspective view and a rear perspective view showing the appearance of the digital single-lens reflex camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the camera which is Example 1. FIG. The perspective view which shows the appearance at the front light emitting position and the bounce light emitting position of the camera which is Example 1. FIG. Exploded view of the flash unit in Example 1. Another exploded view of the flash unit according to the first embodiment. The perspective view which shows the appearance of the click board and the 2nd link member in Example 1. FIG. Exploded view of the second link member in Example 1. A front view, a cross-sectional view, and a cross-sectional view of the flash unit at the storage position in the first embodiment. The front view, the BB sectional view, and the CC sectional view of the flash unit in the first embodiment at the front light emitting position. The front view, the DD sectional view, and the EE sectional view of the flash unit in the first embodiment at the bounce light emitting position. The enlarged view including the 1st and 2nd link member in Example 1. FIG. A top view of the flash unit in the retracted position in the first embodiment, and an I-I cross-sectional view at the retracted position, the front light emitting position, and the bounce light emitting position. FIG. 5 is a side view when the flash unit in the camera of the first embodiment is in the retracted position, the front light emitting position, and the bounce light emitting position. The flowchart which shows the operation procedure of the flash imaging in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a flash unit provided in the camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention. A top view of the flash unit in the retracted position in the second embodiment, and a cross-sectional view taken along the line KK at the retracted position, the front light emitting position, and the bounce light emitting position. 2 is a side view when the flash unit in the second embodiment is in the retracted position, the front light emitting position, and the bounce light emitting position. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a flash unit provided in the camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention. A top view of the flash unit at the stored position in the third embodiment, and a cross-sectional view taken along the line KK at the stored position, the front light emitting position, and the bounce light emitting position. The side view when the flash unit in Example 3 is in the retracted position, the front light emitting position and the bounce light emitting position.

Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration of a digital single-lens reflex camera as an imaging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b). FIG. 1A shows a camera body 1 as an image pickup device body viewed from an oblique front. The image pickup lens unit 3 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is detachably attached to the camera body 1. FIG. 1B shows the camera body 1 as viewed from an oblique back surface.

In FIGS. 1A and 1B, the camera body 1 has a grip portion 1a for a user who is a photographer to hold the camera body 1. A shutter button 14 which is a switch for the user to instruct the start of imaging is provided on the upper part of the grip portion 1a.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a lens mount portion, and the above-mentioned imaging lens unit 3 is detachably mounted. The mount contact 21 electrically connects the camera body 1 and the image pickup lens unit 3, supplies power from the camera body 1 to the image pickup lens unit 3, and provides control signals between the camera body 1 and the image pickup lens unit 3. Enables communication of data, etc. When the image pickup lens unit 3 is removed from the camera body 1, the user can release the attachment of the image pickup lens unit 3 to the camera body 1 by pressing the lens lock release button 12.

Light from the imaging area (subject included in) that has passed through the imaging optical system in the imaging lens unit 3 is guided to the mirror box 5. A mirror unit 51 is provided inside the mirror box 5.

Further, above the mount portion 2 of the camera body 1, a flash unit 4 as a built-in light emitting unit that can rotate (move) between the storage position shown in the figure and the light emitting position described later with respect to the camera body 1 is provided. It is provided. The configuration and movement of the flash unit 4 will be described later.

Further, an accessory shoe 6 is provided on the upper part of the camera body 1. Accessories such as an external flash unit and a microphone can be attached to the accessory shoe 6. The accessory shoe 6 is provided with an accessory contact 61 for making an electrical connection with the mounted accessory.

A power switch 11 for starting and shutting down the camera is provided on the back surface portion 1b of the camera body 1. Further, a finder 8 is provided below the accessory shoe 6 on the back surface portion 1b, and the subject in the imaging area can be observed through the finder eyepiece window 81.

Next, the electrical configuration of the camera of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, the components shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. Reference numeral 100 denotes an MPU as an arithmetic processing unit built in the camera body 1. The MPU 100 performs various processes and controls related to the operation of the camera body 1. The MPU 100 has an EEPROM 100a and can store time information, various setting information, and the like by the time measurement circuit 108.

Further, the mirror drive circuit 101, the focus drive circuit 102, the shutter drive circuit 103, the switch sense circuit 104, the power supply circuit 105, the battery check circuit 106, and the time measurement circuit 108 described above are connected to the MPU 100. A video signal processing circuit 109 and a locking hook drive circuit 110 are also connected to the MPU 100. Further, the MPU 100 communicates with the lens control circuit 300 provided in the image pickup lens unit 3 via the mount contact 21. As a result, the MPU 100 can control the operation of the focus lens 31 and the electromagnetic aperture 32 via the AF drive circuit 301 and the aperture drive circuit 302. Although the focus lens 31 is schematically shown as one lens in FIG. 2, it is actually composed of a plurality of lenses. Further, the imaging optical system is also composed of a plurality of lenses including the focus lens 31.

The AF drive circuit 301 drives an actuator such as a stepping motor (not shown) to move the focus lens 31 in the direction in which the lens optical axis 3a extends (lens optical axis direction), and causes a focused subject image on the image pickup element 91. To form. The diaphragm drive circuit 302 adjusts the amount of light by driving the electromagnetic diaphragm 32 and changing the diaphragm aperture diameter (aperture value).

A main mirror 51 and a sub mirror 52 are arranged inside the mirror box 5. The main mirror 51 reflects a part of the light from the image pickup lens unit 3 and guides it to the pentaprism 82, and at the same time, transmits the other part. The sub mirror 52 reflects the light transmitted through the main mirror 51 and guides it to the focus detection sensor unit 53. The focus detection unit 53 performs focus detection by a phase difference detection method. The main mirror 51 and the sub mirror 52 are arranged in the imaging optical path before imaging by a motor (not shown) controlled by a mirror drive circuit 101, and imaged at the time of imaging. It is driven to evacuate from the optical path.

The focus detection unit 53 forms a pair of subject images with a pair of light passing through different pupil regions from the light from the submirror 52, and converts the pair of subject images into electric signals by a photoelectric conversion sensor (line sensor). By doing so, a pair of phase difference image signals is generated. The focus detection circuit 102 performs a correlation calculation on a pair of phase difference image signals to calculate these phase differences, and outputs the phase difference information to the MPU 100.

The MPU 100 calculates the defocus amount (focus state) of the imaging optical system with respect to the subject using the phase difference information from the focus detection circuit 102, and drives the focus lens 31 to obtain the focus state from the defocus amount. Calculate the amount (including the drive direction). The MPU 100 transmits a focus control signal including the calculated drive amount information of the focus lens 31 to the lens control circuit 300. Based on the received focus control signal, the lens control circuit 300 moves the focus lens 31 to a focusing position where the focusing state with respect to the subject can be obtained via the AF drive circuit 301.

Reference numeral 82 denotes a pentaprism, which converts the light reflected by the main mirror 51 into an erect image. The user can observe the subject image as an upright image through the finder 8 described above.

Further, a part of the light reflected by the main mirror 51 is also guided to the photometric sensor 83. The photometric circuit 84 generates luminance information in the imaging area based on the output value from the photometric sensor 83 and outputs it to the MPU 100. The MPU 100 calculates an exposure value based on the luminance information, and drives the electromagnetic diaphragm 32 according to the exposure setting to set the diaphragm value.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a focal plane shutter, which is driven by the shutter drive circuit 103. The shutter drive circuit 103 closes the shutter 92 when the user is observing the subject through the finder 8. On the other hand, the shutter drive circuit 103 opens the shutter opening by traveling the front curtain of the focal plane shutter 10 (not shown) in response to the user pressing the shutter button 14, and the shutter opening is not shown as the predetermined exposure time elapses. Run the rear curtain and close the shutter opening. In this way, the exposure time of the image pickup element 91 is controlled.

The image pickup device 91 is a light source conversion element that is composed of a CMOS sensor, a CCD sensor, or the like and converts a subject image into an electric signal. Reference numeral 92 denotes an infrared cut filter, which removes unnecessary infrared light components from the light directed to the image sensor 91. Reference numeral 109 denotes a video signal processing circuit, which performs video signal processing such as filter processing and data compression processing on the electric signal (imaging signal) output from the image pickup element 91.

Reference numeral 104 denotes a switch sense circuit, which acquires the operation status of various operation interfaces that can be operated by the user and outputs the information to the MPU 100. Reference numeral 105 denotes a power supply circuit, which supplies power from the power supply 107 to each component in the camera body 1 and the image pickup lens unit 3. A battery check circuit 106 is connected to the power supply 107, and has a function of transmitting information such as the remaining amount of the power supply 107 to the MPU 100.

The flash unit 4 can rotate (pop-up) to a light emitting position to emit a flash when it is desired to add a light amount to the imaging environment for imaging. Reference numeral 401 denotes a light source, and a light emitting element such as a xenon tube or an LED is used. The charging circuit 112 stores an electric charge in the light emitting capacitor (main capacitor) 113, and when the light emitting circuit 111 applies a voltage to the light source 401, the electric charge of the capacitor 113 is released and the light source 401 emits light. In order to perform accurate dimming, it is also possible to perform preliminary light emission called pre-light emission before imaging and control the amount of light emission of the main light emission at the time of shooting. When the user presses the FE lock button 16 during the pop-up, the flash unit 4 performs pre-flash. At this time, the photometric circuit 84 measures the light through the photometric sensor 83, and the amount of light emitted in the main light emission is set according to the light measurement result.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a locking hook, which can be rotated by a motor (not shown). The locking hook 15 is urged by a spring (not shown) to lock the flash unit 4 in the retracted position. When the flash is fired, the MPU 100 drives the motor via the locking hook drive circuit 110 in response to the user pressing the flash button 13, and the locking hook 15 is rotated against the spring-loaded force to cause the flash. The lock at the retracted position of the unit 4 is released. The released flash unit 4 pops up at the light emitting position by the urging force of the pop-up spring described later. Even if the user does not press the flash button 13, the MPU 100 that detects insufficient light intensity in the imaging environment may automatically drive the motor to pop up the flash unit 4 to emit light.

The light emitting position of the flash unit 4 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG. 3A shows a state in which the flash unit 4 pops out from the storage position shown in FIG. 1A to a position where the light emitting surface 403 faces the front surface (lens optical axis direction), which is the direction of the subject. In the following description, this position is referred to as the front light emitting position. In FIG. 3B, the flash unit 4 faces upward from the front light emitting position with the light emitting surface 403 facing upward with respect to the lens optical axis 3a (direction different from the subject), that is, the front light emitting position is the direction of the light emitting unit 40. Indicates a state in which is rotated to a different position. In the following description, this position is referred to as a bounce light emitting position (second light emitting position).

FIG. 3B shows one of the bounce light emitting positions. In reality, the light emitting surfaces 403 of the flash unit 4 face different directions (bounce angles) upward, that is, the directions of the light emitting units 40 are different from each other. It can be rotated and held at multiple bounce flash positions.

Next, a pop-up mechanism for popping up the flash unit 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 (a) to 9 (c). FIG. 9A shows the flash unit 4, the first link member 410, and the second link member 420 at the front light emitting position when viewed from the front. 9 (b) shows a BB cross section of FIG. 9 (a), and FIG. 9 (c) shows a CC cross section of FIG. 9 (a).

The flash unit 4 is connected to the camera body 1 via the first link member 410 and the second link member 420. The first link member 410 is rotatably connected to the flash unit 4 by the first rotation shaft 410a, and the second link member 420 is rotatably connected to the flash unit 4 by the second rotation shaft 420a. Further, the first link member 410 is rotatably connected to the camera body 1 by the first fixed shaft 410b, and the second link member 420 is rotatably connected to the camera body 1 by the second fixed shaft 420b.

In this embodiment, the camera body 1 is a fixed node, the first link member 410 is a driving node, the flash unit 4 is a first driven node, and the second link member 420 is a second driven node. The node link mechanism 7 is used as the moving mechanism of the flash unit 4. The flash unit 4 is rotated by the movement of the four-node link mechanism 7 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a four-node link). In addition, another member integrally provided in the camera body 1 and the flash unit 4 may be used as a fixed node or a first driven node, and such a configuration is described in "the camera body 1 is a fixed node" and "the flash unit". Let 4 be the first driven clause. " The four-section link 7 is urged in a direction in which the flash unit 4 rotates from the storage position to the front light emitting position by a pop-up spring 43 described later via the first link member 410.

The configuration of the flash unit 4 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 shows the flash unit 4 in an exploded manner. The flash unit 4 includes a light emitting unit 40, a flash case 41, a flash cover 42, a pop-up spring 43, and a click mechanism 44. The flash case 41 and the flash cover 42 are exterior members whose length in the lens optical axis direction (front-back direction) of the camera body 1 is longer than the length in the left-right direction, which is the direction orthogonal to the front-back direction, at the storage position.

The flash case 41 includes a hook hook portion 41a shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a stopper receiving portion 41b, a first bearing 41c for holding the first rotation shaft 410a, and a first bearing 41c. A second bearing 41d for holding the rotating shaft 420a of 2 is provided.

The light emitting unit 40 has a light source 401, a reflecting member 402, and a light emitting surface 403. At the time of flash emission, the light emitted from the light source 401 is reflected by the reflecting member 402 and collected toward the light emitting surface 403.

The pop-up spring 43 is arranged on (around) the first rotation shaft 410a. The fixed end of the pop-up spring 43 is hung on the flush case 41, and the movable end is hung on the first link member 410. In the drive mechanism configured by using the four-section link 7 and the pop-up spring 43 in this way, the pop-up spring 43 generates an urging force that urges the first link member 410 in the direction from the retracted position to the front light emitting position. do.

The click mechanism 44 includes a click board 441, a click pin 442, a click urging spring 443, and a click pin holder 444. The click board 441 is arranged around the first rotation shaft 410a and fixed to the first link member 410. The click pin 442 and the click urging spring 443 are held by the click pin holder 444 and attached to the flash case 41. The click pin 442 is movable with respect to the flash case 41 and is urged by the click urging spring 443 toward the center of the click board 441.

FIG. 5 shows the shape of the click board 441. The click board 441 has a free running portion 441a, a plurality of convex portions 441b, and a plurality of concave portions 441c in the circumferential direction thereof. The idle portion 441a has no unevenness in the radial direction and has a radius that does not come into contact with the click pin 442 urged toward the idling portion 441a. On the other hand, the plurality of convex portions 441b generate a click feeling due to the rotation of the flash unit 4 when the urged click pin 442 comes into contact with the urged click pin 442 and overcomes the urged click pin 443 while compressing the click urging spring 443. By inserting (fitting) the click pin 442 into the plurality of concave portions 441c formed between the plurality of convex portions 441b, the flash unit 4 can be stopped at a plurality of bounce light emitting positions having different bounce angles.

The click mechanism 44 of this embodiment is an example of a configuration for improving operability when changing the bounce angle, and does not limit the stop position of the flash unit 4.

Next, a detailed configuration of the second link member 420 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 shows the appearance of the second link member 420. The second link member 420 has a function of stopping the pop-up flash unit 4 at the front light emitting position in addition to the function as a link element of the section 4 link 7, and has a bounce button 421 which is a member for that purpose. FIG. 6A shows a state before the bounce button 421 is pressed, and FIG. 6B shows a state where the bounce button 421 is pressed. FIG. 7 shows the second link member 420 in an exploded manner.

The second link member 420 is provided with a second rotating shaft 420a and a second fixed shaft 420b. The second link member 420 also includes a bounce button 421, a link cover 422, a link case 423, a shaft 424, and a bounce button urging spring 425. The bounce button 421 includes a stopper portion 421a and a pushing portion 421b as an operating portion, and the bounce button urging spring 425 exposes the pushing portion 421b to the outside of the link cover 422 as shown in FIG. 6A. Be urged to. When the user pushes the pushing portion 421b, the stopper portion 421a can be slid from the state shown in FIG. 6A to the state shown in FIG. 6B.

Further, the link case 423 has a link hollow portion 423a for passing a cable for electrically connecting the light emitting portion 40 of the flash unit 4 and the camera body 1 in the direction of the arrow in the drawing.

In this embodiment, a release mechanism for releasing the stop at the front light emitting position of the flash unit 4 by pushing the bounce button 421 provided on the second link member 420 is adopted. However, this is only an example, and other configurations such as providing a stopper mechanism inside the camera body 1 and the flash unit 4 may be adopted.

Next, the locking of the flash unit 4 at the storage position will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8C. FIG. 8A shows the flash unit 4 located at the storage position as viewed from the front. FIG. 8B shows a cross section taken along the line AA of the flash unit 4 shown in FIG. 8A. Further, FIG. 8C shows a cross section taken along the line AA when the flash unit 4 is unlocked at the retracted position by the locking hook 15.

When flash imaging is not performed, the user can store the flash unit 4 in the camera body 1 as shown in FIG. 1 (a). At this time, as shown in FIG. 8B, the locking hook 15 provided on the camera body 1 engages with the hook hook portion 41a provided on the flash unit 4, so that the pop-up spring shown in FIG. 4 is engaged. The flash unit 4 urged to 43 is locked (held) at the storage position.

FIG. 14 shows the flow of operations by the user, the operation of the flash unit 4, and the operation of the camera body 1 when performing flash imaging. S means a step. Further, FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b) show an enlarged view of the four-section link 7 including the first link member 410 and the second link member 420 shown in FIG. 9 (b). FIG. 11A shows a state in which a pop-up is in progress from the stored position to the front light emitting position, FIG. 11B shows a state in the front light emitting position, and FIG. 11C shows a state in which the bounce button 421 is pressed. FIG. 11D shows the state at the bounce light emitting position.

The user who turns on the power switch 11 of the camera body 1 in S11 and determines that the flash imaging is performed in S12 presses the flash button 13 shown in FIG. 1A in S13. When the MPU 100 receives a signal from the switch sense circuit 104 indicating that the flash button 13 has been pressed, it drives a motor (not shown) in S14 and engages with the locking hook 15 as shown in FIG. 8C. Rotate in the stop release direction. As a result, the flash unit 4 released from the lock pops up to the front light emitting position by the urging force of the pop-up spring 43. At this time, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 11A, the stopper portion 421a provided on the bounce button 421 and the stopper receiving portion 41b provided on the flash case 41 approach each other around the second rotation shaft 420a. Rotate in the direction.

After that, as shown in FIG. 11B, the stopper portion 421a comes into contact with the stopper receiving portion 41b (the contact portion is indicated by a thick line in the drawing), so that the flash unit 4 stops popping up. As a result, the flash unit 4 stops at the front light emitting position shown in FIG. 3A.

As described above, in this embodiment, the flash unit 4 is stopped at the front light emitting position by contact with the stopper portion 421a, and the flash unit 4 is allowed to rotate to the bounce light emitting position by the user operation of the bounce button 421. And adopt a release mechanism. With this configuration, it is possible to stop at the front light emitting position with high position accuracy.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, since the push-in portion 421b of the bounce button 421 is covered with the flash cover 42 and is not exposed at the retracted position, the user cannot push the push-in portion 421b. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9A, since the push-in portion 421b of the bounce button 421 is exposed at the front light emitting position, the user can push the push-in portion 421b. The bounce button 421 has a role after the flash unit 4 pops up and is not required at the storage position. Therefore, by adopting a configuration in which the bounce button 421 is exposed so that the user can operate by pop-up of the flash unit 4, it is possible to prevent the user from being confused.

Further, in the click mechanism 44, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9 (c), an idle portion 441a is provided on the click board 441 so that the click board 441 and the click pin 442 do not come into contact with each other at the front light emitting position. ing. No click feeling is required during the pop-up from the storage position to the front light emitting position. Therefore, by providing the idle running portion 441a, it is possible to prevent resistance due to the contact between the click pin 442 and the convex portion 441b with respect to the pop-up drive by the urging force of the pop-up spring 43. Thereby, the spring force of the pop-up spring 43 can be set to an optimum value for pop-up driving the flash unit 4 without considering the influence of the click mechanism 44.

Subsequently, the operation by the user and the operation of the flash unit 4 when performing bounce imaging will be described. FIG. 10A shows the flash unit 4, the first link member 410, and the second link member 420 at the bounce light emitting position when viewed from the front. 10 (b) shows the DD cross section of FIG. 10 (a), and FIG. 10 (c) shows the EE cross section of FIG. 10 (a).

After the flash unit 4 pops up to the front flash position, the user who determines to perform bounce imaging in S15 presses the push-in portion 421b of the bounce button 421 in S21. As a result, in S22, as shown in FIG. 11C, the stopper portion 421a slides in the direction of the arrow in the drawing, and the stopper portion 421a and the stopper receiving portion 41b come into contact with each other (at the front light emitting position of the flash unit 4). Stop) is released. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 11D and 10B, the flash unit 4 can be rotated to the bounce light emitting position. The flash unit 4 moves in the direction of the bounce light emitting position by the urging force of the pop-up spring 43. The flash unit 4 is rotated in the direction of the bounce light emitting position (that is, toward a plurality of bounce light emitting positions) by the urging force of the pop-up spring 43.

When the click pin 442 comes into contact with the side surface of the convex portion 441b closest to the idle portion 441a among the plurality of convex portions 441b of the click board 441, the rotation of the flash unit 4 is stopped. This position is the first bounce light emitting position among the plurality of bounce light emitting positions.

Subsequently, the operation for changing the bounce angle in S23 and the operation of the flash unit 4 will be described. When changing the bounce angle from the state in which the flash unit 4 is stopped at any of the bounce light emitting positions among the plurality of bounce positions, the user manually adjusts the flash unit 4 as shown by an arrow in FIG. 10 (c). Rotate by operation. As a result, the click pin 442 overcomes the convex portion 441b adjacent to the concave portion 441c that has entered so far while compressing the click urging spring 443 and enters the next concave portion 441c, and the flash unit 4 moves to the next bounce light emitting position. Be retained. Every time the click pin 442 gets over the convex portion 441b, a click feeling is generated. In this way, when the user changes the bounce angle, the flash unit 4 can be stopped at the bounce light emitting position by manually operating the flash unit 4 so as to rotate it to an arbitrary bounce light emitting position while receiving a click feeling. can.

In this state, when the flash unit 4 is stopped at the front light emitting position or an arbitrary bounce light emitting position, the user who determines that the flash unit 4 is to perform the pre-flash in S16 is the FE shown in FIG. 1 (b) in S24. Press the lock button 16. In response to this, the MPU 100 causes the flash unit 4 to perform pre-flash in S25, and causes the photometric sensor 83 and the photometric circuit 84 to perform photometric measurement. Then, the MPU 100 calculates the amount of light emitted from the main light emission based on the photometric result for the pre-light emission.

A user who determines that flash imaging is not performed in S12, a user who determines that pre-flash is not performed in S16, or a user who determines that pre-flash is performed in S16 and waits for pre-flash in S25 is set to S30. And press the shutter button 14. When the MPU 100 receives a signal from the switch sense circuit 104 indicating that the shutter button 14 has been pressed, the MPU 100 performs imaging in S31. At this time, the MPU 100 causes the flash unit 4 to perform the main light emission at the same time as the image pickup, except when the user determines that the flash image is not performed in S12.

With reference to FIGS. 12 (a) to 12 (d) and 13 (a) to 13 (c), the positional relationship between the flash unit 4 and the first rotating shaft 410a at the storage position, the front light emitting position and the bounce light emitting position. Will be described. In FIGS. 12 (a) to 12 (d) and 13 (a) to 13 (c), a lens mount portion 2 is provided in the camera body 1, and the front side facing the subject (hereinafter referred to as the front side) is indicated by F. , The rear side (rear side) on which the back surface portion 1b opposite to the front surface is provided is indicated by R.

FIG. 12A shows the flash unit 4 located at the storage position as viewed from above. FIG. 12 (b) represents an I-I cross section in FIG. 12 (a). 12 (c) and 12 (d) show the I-I cross sections of the flash units 4 located at the front light emitting position and the bounce light emitting position, respectively. Further, P1, P2, and P3 in the drawing indicate changes in the position of the first rotation axis (rotation center axis) 410a in the lens optical axis direction (front-back direction). S1 in the figure indicates the position of the first fixed shaft 410b which is the rotation center of the first link member 410. 13 (a) shows the camera body 1 when the flash unit 4 is located at the retracted position as shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b) when viewed from the side surface. 13 (b) shows the camera body 1 when the flash unit 4 is located at the front light emitting position as shown in FIG. 12 (c) when viewed from the side surface. FIG. 13 (c) shows the camera body 1 when the flash unit 4 is located at the bounce light emitting position as shown in FIG. 12 (d) when viewed from the side surface.

As shown in FIGS. 12 (a), 12 (b) and 13 (a), when the flash unit 4 is in the retracted position, the light emitting surface 403 faces diagonally downward on the front side, and the first rotating shaft 410a It is located on the front side F. The position of the first rotation shaft 410a at this time is P1 (first position).

As shown in FIGS. 12 (c) and 13 (b), when the flash unit 4 pops up at the front light emitting position, the light emitting surface 403 faces the lens optical axis direction. At this time, the first link member 410 rotates about the first fixed shaft 410b, so that the first rotating shaft 410a moves from P1 to P2 to the front side F with respect to the camera body 1. As a result, the light emitting surface 403 moves to the front side F as compared with the case where the flash unit 4 is popped up without moving the first rotation shaft 410a with respect to the camera body 1. Therefore, the light emitted toward the subject is less likely to be blocked by the image pickup lens unit 3.

As shown in FIGS. 12 (d) and 13 (c), when the flash unit 4 rotates to the bounce light emitting position, the first link member 410 further rotates from the position at the front light emitting position. As a result, the first rotation shaft 410a moves from P2 to P3 on the front side F. Due to this movement, at the bounce light emitting position, the first rotating shaft 410a is located on the front side F of the light emitting surface 403. The tip of the flash unit 4 including the light emitting surface 403 rotates to the rear R, and the first rotation shaft 410a moves to the front, so that the rear R of the tip of the flash unit 4 with respect to the camera body 1 The amount of movement to can be reduced. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 13 (a) to 13 (c), the finder (eyepiece window) in which the flash unit 4 is located at the rearmost end of the rear portion 1b not only in the stored storage position and the front light emitting position but also in the bounce light emitting position. ) It can be located on the front side F of 8. Therefore, when the user brings the camera body 1 close to the face and looks into the viewfinder 8, the flash unit 4 is positioned at the bounce light emitting position to prevent the flash unit 4 from interfering with (contacting) the user's face. Can be done.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the storage position of the flash unit 4, the light emitting unit 40 is positioned on the front side F of the first rotation shaft 410a located on P1 with respect to the camera body 1. Further, in the bounce light emitting position, the first rotation shaft 410a is positioned at P3 on the front side F of P1, and the light emitting portion 40 is positioned at the rear side R of the first rotation shaft 410a. As a result, it is possible to prevent the flash unit 4 (light emitting unit 40) from protruding rearward from the back surface portion 1b of the camera body 1 and interfering with the user's face.

Then, in the front light emitting position, the first rotation shaft 410a is positioned on the front side F of P1 and on the rear side R of P3. As a result, the position of the light emitting unit 40 can be moved to the front side F so that the light of the light emitting unit 40 is not blocked by the image pickup lens unit 3.

In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which the flash unit 4 is popped up at the front light emitting position by using the four-section link mechanism as the moving mechanism, and can be further rotated to a plurality of bounce light emitting positions. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the slider link mechanism is used as the moving mechanism instead of the four-section link mechanism. In this embodiment, the components common to those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be replaced with the description.

The configuration of the slider link mechanism in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16 (b) to 16 (d). FIG. 15 shows the appearance of the flash unit 4 at the front light emitting position, and FIGS. 16 (b) to 16 (d) show the cross sections of the flash unit 4 at the stored position, the front light emitting position, and the bounce light emitting position. .. The cross section is a KK cross section of the flash unit 4 shown in FIG. 16A when viewed from above.

In these figures, 1c shows the upper part of the camera body 1, 510 is a slider link member, and 520 is a slide rail. The flash unit 4 includes a light emitting unit 40, a flash case 41, and a flash cover 42, as in the first embodiment. Further, the light emitting unit 40 is composed of a light source 401, a reflection member 402 (not shown), and a light emitting surface 403. The flash case 41 has a hook hook portion 41a and a slide rotation shaft 530.

The flash unit 4 is connected to the camera body 1 via the slider link member 510 and the slide rail 520. The slider link member 510 is rotatably connected to the flash unit 4 by a rotating shaft 510a, and rotatably connected to the camera body 1 by a fixed shaft 510b.

The slide rail 520 is fixed to the camera body 1. The slide rotation shaft 530 provided in the flash case 41 is inserted into the rail groove portion of the slide rail 520, and is guided by the slide rail 520 so that it can slide in the lens optical axis direction (front-back direction). The slider link mechanism is composed of the slider link member 510, the slide rail 520, and the slide rotation shaft 530.

When the slide rotation shaft 530 slides in the front-rear direction along the slide rail 520, the flash unit 4 connected to the slider link member 510 by the rotation shaft 510a causes the slide rotation shaft (rotation center axis) 530 to move. It rotates as a center. As a result, the flash unit 4 is popped up from the stored position to the front light emitting position and rotated to the bounce light emitting position.

In this embodiment, the slide rail 520 is fixed to the camera body 1 as a separate part, but it may be provided on the camera body 1 itself.

With reference to FIGS. 16 (b) to 16 (d) and FIGS. 17 (a) to 17 (c), the positional relationship between the light emitting unit 40 and the slide rotation shaft 530 at the storage position, the front light emitting position, and the bounce light emitting position will be described. do. In FIGS. 16 (b) to 16 (d) and FIGS. 17 (a) to 17 (c), the front side (hereinafter referred to as the front side) in which the lens mount portion 2 is provided in the camera body 1 is indicated by F, and the back portion 1b is designated by F. The rear side (back side) provided is indicated by R. Further, Q1, Q2, and Q3 indicate changes in the position of the slide rotation shaft 530 with respect to the lens optical axis direction, and T1 indicates the position of the fixed shaft 510b.

In the storage positions shown in FIGS. 16B and 17A, the light emitting surface 403 faces diagonally downward on the front side and is located on the front side F with respect to the slide rotation shaft 530. The position of the slide rotation shaft 530 at this time is Q1 (first position).

The slide rotation shaft 530 is urged in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 16B by a pop-up spring (not shown). When the locking by the locking hook 15 described in the first embodiment is released, the flash unit 4 pops up from the storage position toward the front light emitting position. Further, by the same operation, the flash unit 4 rotates to the bounce light emitting position.

When the flash unit 4 pops up at the front light emitting position as shown in FIGS. 16 (c) and 17 (b), the light emitting surface 403 faces the lens optical axis direction. At the time of pop-up, the slide rotation shaft 530 moves from Q1 to Q2 along the slide rail 520 to the front side F. Similar to the first embodiment, the light emitting surface 403 moves to the front side F as compared with the case where the flash unit 4 is popped up without moving the slide rotation shaft 530. Therefore, the light emitted toward the subject is less likely to be blocked by the image pickup lens unit 3.

As shown in FIG. 16D, when the flash unit 4 rotates toward the bounce light emitting position, the slide rotation shaft 530 moves further from Q2 to Q3 along the slide rail 520 to the front side F. Due to this movement, the slide rotation shaft 530 is located on the front side F of the light emitting surface 403 at the bounce light emitting position. Similar to the first embodiment, the tip of the flash unit 4 including the light emitting surface 403 rotates to the rear side R and the slide rotation shaft 530 moves to the front side F, so that the flash unit 4 with respect to the camera body 1 The amount of movement of the tip to the rear R can be reduced.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 17 (a) to 17 (c), the flash unit 4 is located at the rearmost end of the back surface portion 1b of the camera body 1 not only at the stored storage position and the front light emitting position but also at the bounce light emitting position. It can be located on the front side F of the finder (eyepiece window) 8. Therefore, when the user brings the camera body 1 close to the face and looks into the viewfinder 8, the flash unit 4 is positioned at the bounce light emitting position to prevent the flash unit 4 from interfering with (contacting) the user's face. Can be done.

Next, Example 3 of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the planetary gear mechanism is used as the moving mechanism. In this embodiment, the components common to those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be replaced with the description.

The configuration of the planetary gear mechanism in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19 (b) to 19 (d). FIG. 18 shows the appearance of the flash unit 4 at the front light emitting position, and FIGS. 19 (b) to 19 (d) show the cross sections of the flash unit 4 at the stored position, the front light emitting position, and the bounce light emitting position. .. The cross section is an LL cross section of the flash unit 4 shown in FIG. 19A when viewed from above.

In these figures, 1c shows the upper part of the camera body 1, 610 is a planetary carrier arm, 620 is a sun gear (first gear), 631 is a first planetary gear (second gear), and 632 is a second gear. Planetary gear. The flash unit 4 includes a light emitting unit 40, a flash case 41, and a flash cover 42, as in the first embodiment. The light emitting unit 40 is composed of a light source 401, a reflecting member 402, and a light emitting surface 403. The flash case 41 has a hook hook portion 41a.

The flash unit 4 is connected to the camera body 1 via a planetary carrier arm 610 which is a support member. The planetary carrier arm 610 is rotatably connected to the flash unit 4 by a rotation shaft (rotation center shaft) 610a, and rotatably connected to the camera body 1 by a fixed shaft 610b. The sun gear 620 is arranged (around) on the fixed shaft 610b and is fixed to the camera body 1. The second planetary gear 632 is arranged (rotated) on the rotation shaft 610a and fixed to the flash unit 4.

In this embodiment, the second planetary gear 632 is provided as a separate component from the flash unit 4, but the shape of the second planetary gear 632 may be provided in the flash case 41.

The first planetary gear 631 is rotatably held by the planetary carrier arm 610 and meshes with the sun gear 620 and the second planetary gear 632. In this embodiment, two planetary gears are used, but if the number is even, the rotation direction does not change, so the number is not limited.

When the planetary carrier arm 610 connecting the camera body 1 and the flash unit 4 rotates in the lens optical axis direction (front-back direction) around the fixed shaft 610b, the first planetary gear 631 rotates around the sun gear 620. Revolve. Along with this, the rotation shaft 610a connecting the carrier arm 610 and the flash unit 4 moves in the direction of the optical axis of the lens. Then, when the second planetary gear 632 is rotated by the rotation of the first planetary gear 631, the flash unit 4 rotates about the rotation shaft 610a. As a result, the flash unit 4 is popped up from the stored position to the front light emitting position and rotated to the bounce light emitting position.

The positional relationship between the light emitting unit 40 and the rotation shaft 610a at the storage position, the front light emitting position, and the bounce light emitting position will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 (b) to 19 (d) and FIGS. 20 (a) to 20 (c). .. In FIGS. 19 (b) to 19 (d) and FIGS. 20 (a) to 20 (c), the front side (hereinafter referred to as the front side) in which the lens mount portion 2 is provided in the camera body 1 is indicated by F, and the back portion 1b is designated by F. The rear side (back side) provided is indicated by R. Further, L1, L2, and L3 indicate changes in the position of the slide rotation shaft 530 with respect to the lens optical axis direction, and K1 indicates the position of the fixed shaft 610b.

At the storage positions shown in FIGS. 19B and 20A, the light emitting surface 403 faces diagonally downward on the front side and is located on the front side F with respect to the rotation shaft 610a. The position of the rotation shaft 610a at this time is L1 (first position).

The planet carrier arm 610 is urged in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 19B by a pop-up spring (not shown). By releasing the locking by the locking hook 15 described in the first embodiment, the flash unit 4 can pop up from the storage position toward the front light emitting position. When the planetary carrier arm 610 rotates in the front side F (clockwise in the figure) due to the urging force of the pop-up spring, the first planetary gear 631 revolves in the same direction while rotating clockwise around the sun gear 620. .. The rotation of the first planetary gear 631 is transmitted to the second planetary gear 632 so as to rotate it counterclockwise. Since the second planetary gear 632 is fixed to the flash unit 4, the flash unit 4 rotates counterclockwise in the direction opposite to that of the planetary carrier arm 610 and pops up at the front light emitting position. Further, by the same operation, the flash unit 4 rotates to the bounce light emitting position.

When the flash unit 4 pops up at the front light emitting position as shown in FIGS. 19 (c) and 20 (b), the light emitting surface 403 faces the lens optical axis direction. At the time of pop-up, the rotation shaft 610a moves from L1 to L2 to the front side F. Similar to the first embodiment, the light emitting surface 403 moves to the front side F as compared with the case where the flash unit 4 is popped up without moving the rotation shaft 610a. Therefore, the light emitted toward the subject is less likely to be blocked by the image pickup lens unit 3.

As shown in FIG. 19D, when the flash unit 4 rotates toward the bounce light emitting position, the rotation shaft 610a further moves from L2 to L3 and further to the front side F. Due to this movement, the rotation shaft 610a is located on the front side F of the light emitting surface 403 at the bounce light emitting position. Similar to the first embodiment, the tip of the flash unit 4 including the light emitting surface 403 rotates to the rear side R and the rotation shaft 610a moves to the front side F, so that the tip of the flash unit 4 with respect to the camera body 1 The amount of movement of the portion to the rear side R can be reduced.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 20 (a) to 20 (c), the flash unit 4 is located at the rearmost end of the back surface portion 1b of the camera body 1 not only at the stored storage position and the front light emitting position but also at the bounce light emitting position. It can be located on the front side F of the finder (eyepiece window) 8. Therefore, when the user brings the camera body 1 close to the face and looks into the viewfinder 8, the flash unit 4 is positioned at the bounce light emitting position to prevent the flash unit 4 from interfering with (contacting) the user's face. Can be done.

Each of the above-described examples is only a representative example, and various modifications and changes can be made to each of the examples in carrying out the present invention.

1 Camera body 4 Flash unit 7 Section 4 Link mechanism 40 Light emitting unit 410a First rotation axis (rotation center axis)

Claims (9)

An image pickup device body having a front surface facing the subject and a back surface on the opposite side,
A light emitting unit having a light emitting unit and capable of moving to a storage position and a bounce light emitting position in which the light emitting unit faces a direction different from that of the subject with respect to the image pickup apparatus main body.
It has a moving mechanism that rotates the light emitting unit around a rotation center axis to move it between the storage position and the bounce light emitting position.
The moving mechanism
In the storage position, the light emitting portion is positioned on the front side of the rotation center axis at the first position with respect to the image pickup apparatus main body.
In the bounce light emitting position, the rotation center axis is positioned at a second position on the front side of the first position, and the light emitting portion is positioned on the back side of the rotation center axis.
The have a stop which can stop the rotation center axis to said second position,
The light emitting unit is an imaging device characterized in that the light emitting unit can be moved to a front light emitting position in which the light emitting unit faces the direction of the subject between the storage position and the bounce light emitting position. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit is located at a position that does not protrude from the back surface at the bounce light emitting position. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the back surface includes a finder eyepiece window. According to claim 1, the light emitting unit has an exterior member whose length in the front-rear direction in which the front surface and the back surface are arranged is longer than the length in the direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction at the storage position. The imaging apparatus according to any one of 3. Before Symbol moving mechanism, in the front light emitting position, said rotation center axis A wherein the front side of the first position, characterized in that is positioned on the rear side of the second position The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The moving mechanism is configured by using a four-node link mechanism in which the image pickup device main body is a fixed node and the light emitting unit is a driven node.
6. Imaging device. The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein the four-section link mechanism includes a link member in which a cable for electrically connecting the light emitting unit and the imaging device main body is arranged. The moving mechanism includes a link member rotatably connected to the light emitting unit and the image pickup apparatus main body, and a rail that slidably guides the rotation center axis in the front-rear direction in which the front surface and the back surface are arranged. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the image pickup apparatus is configured by using a slider link mechanism including the above. The moving mechanism includes a first gear, a support member that is rotatable around the central axis of the first gear, and a second gear that is rotatably held by the support member and meshes with the first gear. Constructed using a planetary gear mechanism that includes gears,
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an axis that rotatably connects the support member and the light emitting unit is the rotation center axis.

Images