JPH0980580A - Camera power supply - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [PROBLEMS] A power supply system having a higher power supply voltage and a higher output among a plurality of power supply systems can be automatically set, and a user can arbitrarily set the power supply system according to his or her preference. Camera power supply. SOLUTION: A voltage detecting means 11 for detecting the voltages of a plurality of power supply systems BAT1 and BAT2, a voltage comparing means 11 for comparing the detected power supply voltages, and one of the plurality of power supply systems are selectively selected. First switching means SW for switching a second mode in which one of the plurality of power supply systems is selectively automatically set based on the result of the first mode to be set and the voltage comparison means.
2 and second switching means SW3 for arbitrarily setting one of the power supply systems when the first mode is selected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power supply unit for a camera, and more particularly, to a power supply unit for a camera that allows a plurality of power supply systems to be used to expand the range of power supply selection.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the power supply of a camera is generally one system for one camera body, but there are known ones in which a plurality of power supply systems can be attached to the camera as a power supply accessory.

There is also one in which heterogeneous batteries such as an AA battery and a lithium battery are mounted at the same time so that any one of them can be selected and used.

Further, in a camera with interchangeable lenses, a camera in which a power source is mounted on each of the camera body side and the lens side and the power source is independently supplied is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-57 / 57.
-136927, JP-A-59-147329 and JP-A-63-116133.

[0005]

However, in this case, although a plurality of power supply systems are prepared, the change of the power supply voltage due to the change of the remaining amount of the power supply and the change of the power supply voltage due to the temperature change of the environment in which the camera is used. Therefore, there is a problem that the power supply device is not configured so that the power supply system can be used efficiently and rationally by switching. Further, even if it can be switched, it is left to the discretion of the user, and there is a problem that the power source is not optimally used.

Accordingly, an object of the invention described in claim 1 is:
In order to eliminate the need for the user to switch the power supply one by one, the power supply system with a higher power supply voltage and a higher output can be automatically set among the multiple power supply systems to reduce the power consumption. It is an object of the present invention to provide a power supply device for a camera that enables the power supply to be used up efficiently without any use and that the power supply to be used can be arbitrarily set according to the preference of the user.

Further, an object of the present invention as set forth in claim 2 is that when the power source is arbitrarily set according to the preference of the user, the power source voltage being set suddenly drops below a predetermined value. Another object of the present invention is to provide a power supply device for a camera that can prevent the inconvenience that the camera falls into an inoperative state.

Further, an object of the invention described in claim 3 is to provide a camera capable of appropriately coping with the result of the comprehensive battery check of the entire power supply system when the power supply is arbitrarily set according to the preference of the user. To provide a power supply device.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a camera, even if the power supply voltage being set suddenly drops below a predetermined value when the power supply is set automatically. It is an object of the present invention to provide a power supply device for a camera, which can prevent the inconvenience that the device becomes inoperative.

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a power supply device for a camera which can appropriately deal with the result of a comprehensive battery check of the entire power supply system when the power supply is automatically set. To provide.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a power supply device for a camera, wherein a plurality of power supply systems can be constituted by different power supplies having different discharge characteristics or temperature characteristics.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a power supply unit for a camera capable of using a plurality of power supply systems, wherein any one of the plurality of power supply systems is selectively used. A first mode permitting arbitrary setting, a power supply voltage detecting means for detecting a plurality of power supply voltages, and a voltage comparing means for comparing the high and low of the power supply voltage based on the result obtained from the power supply voltage detecting means, A first switching means for switching between the first and second modes, which has a second mode for selectively automatically setting any one of a plurality of power supply systems from the result of the comparing means. And a second switching means for arbitrarily setting any one of the plurality of power supply systems when the first mode is selected.

Further, when the first mode is selected by the first switching means and the power supply voltage selected by the second switching means is lower than a predetermined value, the voltage is the highest among the other power supply systems. When the power is switched to the power supply system and the second mode is selected by the first switching means, the power supply system with the higher voltage is selected from the plurality of power supply systems and the power supply is controlled. It is configured.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION As a structure for achieving the object of the invention according to the present application, as described in claim 1, in a camera power supply device capable of using a plurality of power supply systems, the voltage of the plurality of power supply systems is used. A power supply voltage detecting means for detecting the power supply voltage, a voltage comparing means for comparing the high and low of the power supply voltage from the result obtained by the power supply voltage detecting means, and one of the plurality of power supply systems as an alternative. A first mode for permitting arbitrary setting and a second mode for switching automatically a second mode for selectively automatically setting any one of the plurality of power supply systems based on the comparison result of the voltage comparison means. And a second switching means for arbitrarily setting any one of the plurality of power supply systems when the first mode is selected.
The power supply device for a camera is characterized by having a switching means of

According to this structure, the first switching means automatically sets the first mode in which the power supply to be used is arbitrarily set according to the preference of the user and the high output power supply system in which the power supply voltage is high. It becomes possible to switch to the second mode, and the first
The selection of any one of the plurality of power supply systems that is arbitrarily set when the mode is selected can be performed by the second switching unit.

A specific configuration for achieving the object of the invention according to the present application is, as described in claim 2, in claim 1, when the first mode is selected by the first switching means. When the power supply voltage of the power supply system selected by the second switching means is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, power is supplied from the power supply system selected by the second switching means and the power supply voltage is equal to or lower than the predetermined value. In this case, the power supply device for the camera is characterized in that power is supplied from the power supply system having the highest power supply voltage in the power supply system other than the power supply set by the second switching means.

According to this configuration, the first setting which can be arbitrarily set
When the voltage of the power supply system arbitrarily selected by the second switching means is equal to or higher than a predetermined value when the mode is selected, the power is supplied from the power supply system as it is, and when the voltage is equal to or lower than the predetermined value, the other power supply system having the highest voltage. Since the power is selected and the power is supplied, it is possible to always supply power from the power supply system in which the power supply voltage is high and a higher output is obtained among the plurality of power supply systems in the state in which the first mode is selected.

Another specific configuration for achieving the object of the invention according to the present application is, as described in claim 3, in claim 2, a power supply system other than the power supply set by the second switching means. The power supply device for a camera is characterized in that power is not supplied to a load when the voltage of the power supply system having the highest power supply voltage is lower than a predetermined value.

According to this configuration, the first setting which can be arbitrarily set
If the voltage of the power supply system arbitrarily selected by the second switching means is less than or equal to the predetermined value in the mode of 1, the power supply system is switched to another power supply system with a higher voltage, and the switched higher voltage is also less than or equal to the predetermined value. Since the power supply to the load is stopped at the time of, it is possible to appropriately check the decrease in the remaining battery level of all the power supply systems when the first mode is selected.

As another specific configuration for achieving the object of the invention according to the present application, as described in claim 4, in claim 1, the second mode is selected by the first switching means. In this case, the power supply system for a camera is characterized in that power is supplied from a power supply system having a higher voltage among the plurality of power supply systems regardless of the power supply system set by the second switching means. .

According to this structure, even when the second mode for automatic setting is selected, power can always be supplied from the power supply system in which the power supply voltage is high and a higher output is obtained among the plurality of power supply systems. .

Another specific configuration for achieving the object of the invention according to the present application is, as described in claim 5, in claim 4, a power source system having a higher voltage among the plurality of power source systems. The power supply device for a camera is characterized in that power is not supplied to the load when the voltage is less than or equal to a predetermined value.

According to this configuration, when the second mode by automatic setting is selected, it is possible to check the remaining battery level of all power supply systems and take appropriate measures.

Another specific configuration for achieving the object of the invention according to the present application is, as described in claim 6, in claims 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of power supply systems have different discharge characteristics or temperature characteristics. The power supply device for a camera is characterized in that it is possible to mount different power supplies.

According to this structure, it is possible to construct a power supply unit for a camera by expanding the selection range of power supplies by combining a plurality of different power supplies having different discharge characteristics, temperature characteristics and the like.

[0026]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a power supply device for a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the power supply device of the camera shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a camera body and 2 is a power supply device, which can be attached to the camera body 1 as an accessory for expanding the power supply system. Reference numeral 3 denotes a mounting screw that fixes the power supply device 2 to the camera body 1. Reference numeral 4 is an on / off switch of the camera, and 5 is a battery of the first power supply system, which is housed in a position corresponding to the grip of the camera 1. Reference numeral 6 is a battery of the second power supply system, which is housed on the lower surface of the device. For example, the first power system 5 is a lithium battery,
The second power supply system 6 has a plurality of different types of batteries mounted in combination, such as an alkaline manganese AA battery.

Numeral 7 is a mode changeover switch which constitutes a first changeover means and which detects an electric voltage state of a plurality of power supply systems 5, 6 etc. and automatically sets a power supply system to be used, and an automatic setting (second) mode. It is possible to switch between two modes, an arbitrary setting (first) mode in which the user can arbitrarily set the power supply system to be used.

Reference numeral 8 is a power source selection switch which constitutes second switching means, and when the mode switching switch 7 is selecting the arbitrary setting (first) mode, the first power source system 5 or the second power source system 5 is selected. Any one of 6 is selected.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, BAT1 and BAT2
Is a power source and corresponds to the power source system 5 and the power source system 6 in FIG. 1, respectively. A control circuit 9 controls various operations of the camera. Reference numeral 10 denotes a constant voltage booster circuit which constantly boosts the power supply voltage. Reference numeral 11 denotes a voltage detection circuit and a voltage comparison circuit, which detects the voltages of the two power sources BAT1 and BAT2, compares the voltages of these power sources as necessary, and transmits the result to the control circuit 9.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a camera load such as a motor, which supplies a constant voltage from the constant voltage boosting circuit 10. Reference numeral 13 is a relay for switching the power source, which is a two-source power source BAT1 and BA.
Switching T2. In the switch group, SW1 is an on / off switch of the camera, SW2 is a mode changeover switch, SW3 is a power source selection switch, which corresponds to each of the switches 4, 7, and 8 in FIG.
It is connected to the.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the drawings. When the on / off switch SW1 of the camera is turned on, the camera checks the battery. First, the control circuit 9 operates the voltage detection circuit and the voltage comparison circuit 11 to determine whether the respective voltages of the two power supply systems BAT1 and BAT2 are equal to or more than a predetermined value, and further, BAT1 and BAT2.
Voltage comparison. The battery check in this case is
This is a comprehensive check of the entire power supply system, which is performed by software processing including voltage check of each battery of each power supply system, comparison of check voltages, and determination of each setting state. Subsequently, the control circuit 9 detects the states of the mode changeover switch SW2 and the power source selection switch SW3. In this state detection, the following three states are detected and determined.

State SW2 SW3 (1) ON ON (2) ON OFF (3) OFF-Here, ON of the mode changeover switch SW2 means selection of the optional (first) mode, and the power source selection switch SW
Turning on 3 means the selection of BAT1, so the state (1)
In this case, the power supply mode of the camera is the optional mode and BAT1 is set as the power supply.

In the state (1), if the voltage of BAT1 is equal to or higher than the predetermined value as a result of the battery check, the control circuit 9 activates the relay 13 to connect the constant voltage boosting circuit 10 to BAT1 to boost the constant voltage. The circuit 10 is set in an operable state. If the voltage of BAT1 is lower than the specified value, the battery check result shows that the other power supply BA
If the voltage of T2 is a predetermined value or more, the power source selection switch S
Ignoring the state of W3, the relay 13 is activated to connect the constant voltage booster circuit 10 to the BAT2 to enable the constant voltage booster circuit.

Further, when the voltage of BAT2 is also less than the predetermined value, the constant voltage booster circuit 10 is connected to BAT1, but the constant voltage booster circuit 10 is deactivated and the load 12 is not supplied with power. At the same time, as a result of comprehensive battery check, a warning display such as insufficient battery level will be displayed.

Next, in the state (2), since the mode changeover switch SW2 is on and the power supply selection switch SW3 is off, the power supply mode of the camera is the optional (first) mode and the power supply is This means that BAT2 has been set.

In the state (2), if the voltage of BAT2 is equal to or higher than the predetermined value as a result of the battery check, the control circuit 9 activates the relay 13 to turn the constant voltage boosting circuit 10 on.
By connecting to T2, the constant voltage booster circuit 10 is made operable. If the voltage of BAT2 is lower than the predetermined value and the voltage of the other BAT1 is higher than the predetermined value from the result of the battery check, the state of the power source selection switch SW3 is ignored and the relay 13 is activated to set the voltage. Set the voltage booster circuit 10 to B
The constant voltage booster circuit 10 is connected to AT1 to make it operable.

When the voltage of BAT1 is less than the predetermined value, the constant voltage booster circuit 10 is connected to BAT2, but the constant voltage booster circuit 10 is deactivated and the load 12 is not supplied with power. In this case, as a result of the comprehensive battery check, the processing of the remaining battery level is insufficient.

Finally, in the state (3), since the mode changeover switch SW2 is off, the power source mode of the camera is automatically selected (first mode) regardless of the on / off state of the power source selection switch SW3. 2) mode.

In the state (3), the control circuit 9 sets the power supply system having the higher power supply voltage among the plurality of power supply systems according to the result of the battery check.

If the voltage of BAT1 is higher than the voltage of BAT2, the constant voltage booster circuit 10 is connected to BAT1.

If the voltage of BAT2 is higher than the voltage of BAT1, the constant voltage booster circuit 10 is connected to BAT2.

In either case, when the higher voltage is above the predetermined value, the constant voltage booster circuit 10 is in the operable state, but when both BAT1 and BAT2 are below the predetermined value,
The constant voltage booster circuit 10 is deactivated and the load 12 is not fed. In this case, as a result of the comprehensive battery check, the processing of the remaining battery level is insufficient.

As described above, according to this embodiment, a power supply system having a higher power supply voltage and a higher output is selected from a plurality of power supply systems, so that the battery can be used efficiently. it can.

Further, as a plurality of power supply systems, a first battery is a lithium battery, and a second battery is an AA alkaline manganese battery, which is composed of a combination of different kinds of batteries having different discharge characteristics or temperature characteristics. Because I did
Depending on how exhausted the battery is and the temperature of the environment in which it is used, it is possible to make efficient use of the features of the power supply system. For example, according to temperature characteristics, an AA alkaline manganese dry battery is used at room temperature, and a lithium battery having excellent low temperature characteristics is used at low temperature.

In addition, due to temperature changes in the operating environment,
Even if the voltage of the power supply system that is being set suddenly drops, the power supply that is being connected immediately switches to a higher power supply system, so avoiding the inconvenience of suddenly becoming inactive. be able to.

In this embodiment, FIG. 1 illustrates a combination of one 3V lithium battery as the first battery and two AA alkaline manganese dry batteries as the second battery. , But is not limited to this, one 6V lithium battery is used for the first battery, and an AA battery is used for the second battery.
A combination of four alkaline manganese dry batteries may be used, or a combination of a larger number of power supply systems may be used.

[0048]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a power supply unit for a camera which can use a plurality of power supply systems, a power supply voltage detecting means for detecting the voltages of the plurality of power supply systems and a power supply of the detection result. Based on the comparison result of the first mode and the voltage comparison means for permitting the optional setting of one of the plurality of power supply systems and the voltage comparison means for comparing the high and low voltages, It has a first switching means for selectively switching the second mode to be automatically set, and a second switching means for arbitrarily setting one system when the first mode is selected. Therefore, in order to eliminate the need for the user to switch the power supply one by one, the power supply system that has higher power supply voltage and higher output among multiple power supply systems is automatically set. Eliminates uneven consumption and uses up power efficiently It becomes possible. At the same time, it becomes possible for the user to arbitrarily set the power supply to be used according to his preference.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when the first mode is selected by the first switching means, the second mode is selected.
When the voltage of the power supply selected by the switching means is above a predetermined value, power is supplied from the power supply system selected by the second switching means, and when the voltage of the power supply is below the predetermined value, in the other power supply systems. Since it is configured to supply power by switching to the power supply system with the highest voltage, when setting the power supply arbitrarily according to the user's preference, the power supply voltage being set suddenly falls below the specified value due to temperature changes in the operating environment. Even if a decrease occurs, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the camera is abruptly inactivated by switching to a higher voltage power supply system to supply power.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the first mode, when switching to the power supply system having the highest power supply voltage in the power supply system other than the power supply set by the second switching means, When the voltage of the power supply system is also below the specified value, it is configured not to supply power to the load, so when setting the power supply arbitrarily according to the user's preference, as a result of comprehensive battery check When it is determined that the power consumption has dropped, it is possible to take appropriate measures so that power is not supplied.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the second mode of automatic setting is selected by the first switching means, regardless of the power supply system set by the second switching means. The power supply is configured to be supplied from the power supply system with the higher voltage among the multiple power supply systems, so when the power supply is automatically set, the power supply voltage being set suddenly reaches a specified value due to temperature changes in the operating environment. Even if a decrease occurs below, it is possible to prevent inconvenience that the camera is abruptly inactivated by switching to a higher voltage power supply system to supply power.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, in the second mode, when the power supply system with the higher voltage of the plurality of selected power supply systems is below a predetermined value, the power is supplied to the load. Since it is configured not to perform power supply, when power is automatically set, appropriate measures can be taken so that power is not supplied when all batteries are determined to be low as a result of comprehensive battery check. it can.

According to the invention described in claim 6, since different power sources having different discharge characteristics or temperature characteristics can be mounted as a plurality of power source systems, the power sources are consumed by combining different power sources in combination. Depending on the condition or the temperature of the operating environment, it is possible to use the power efficiently by making the most of the characteristics of each power source.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a power supply device of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a power supply device of the camera shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 camera body 2 power supply device 3 mounting screw 4 SW1 on / off switch 5 BAT1 first power supply system 6 BAT2 second power supply system 7 SW2 mode selection switch 8 SW3 power supply selection switch 9 control circuit 10 constant voltage booster circuit 11 voltage detection Circuit and voltage comparison circuit 12 Load 13 Power switching relay

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A power supply device for a camera capable of using a plurality of power supply systems, wherein a power supply voltage detecting means for detecting a voltage of each of the plurality of power supply systems, and a power supply voltage from a result obtained by the power supply voltage detecting means. A voltage comparing means for comparing high and low, a first mode permitting any one of the plurality of power supply systems to be arbitrarily set, and the plurality of voltage comparing means based on a comparison result of the voltage comparing means. A first switching means for switching a second mode in which one of the power supply systems is automatically set, and a plurality of power supply systems in the plurality of power supply systems when the first mode is selected. A power supply device for a camera, comprising a second switching means for arbitrarily setting any one of the above. 2. The power supply voltage of the power supply system selected by the second switching means is a predetermined value or more when the first mode is selected by the first switching means according to claim 1. In this case, power is supplied from the power supply system selected by the second switching means, and when the power supply voltage is below a predetermined value, the most power supply in the power supply system other than the power supply set by the second switching means. A power supply device for a camera, characterized in that power is supplied from a power supply system with a high voltage. 3. The power supply system according to claim 2, wherein when the voltage of the power supply system having the highest power supply voltage among the power supply systems other than the power supply set by the second switching means is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, no power is supplied to the load. A power supply device for a camera, characterized in that 4. The plurality of power supply systems according to claim 1, when the second mode is selected by the first switching means, regardless of the power supply system set by the second switching means. The power supply unit for the camera is characterized in that the power is supplied from the power supply system with the higher voltage. 5. The power supply device for a camera according to claim 4, wherein when the voltage of a power supply system having a higher voltage of the plurality of power supply systems is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, power is not supplied to the load. . 6. The power supply device for a camera according to claim 1, wherein different power supplies having different discharge characteristics or temperature characteristics can be mounted as the plurality of power supply systems.