CN102385217B - Illuminating device for camera - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides an illuminating device for a camera, wherein the illuminating device is small in size, light in weight and simple in structure. The illuminating device comprises an assembling/disassembling part (16f) for performing assembling and disassembling operations on an accessory installing part (1e) on the camera; a flexible support unit (12) which is flexible and is configured in such a manner to be extended forwardly from the assembling/disassembling part; and an illuminating unit (11) which is disposed at the front end of the flexible support unit for illuminating a shot object.

Description

The lighting device of camera

Technical field

The present invention relates to the lighting device of camera, specifically, relate to and be detachably located at camera body top, for the lighting device of the camera of subject of throwing light on.

Background technology

Past, photography etc. of carrying out drawing a portrait camera and carry out in the photographic equipment (hereinafter referred to as camera etc.) such as video camera of dynamic image photography etc., the camera on the top of camera body with annex installation portion is generally actually applied.This annex installation portion is commonly used to installation example as accessory devices such as the lighting devices of description photography.

Such as, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 8-82853 publication etc. disclose the camera accessories support being releasably arranged at annex installation portion (annex boots).This camera accessories support is still for keeping the annex of other annex.About this annex, disclose the device having and easily mechanically can install merely the mechanism of the annex not needing electric power.

On the other hand, electric contact is set being located on the annex installation portion on camera body, when being installed to by annex on this annex installation portion, be subject to the supply of electric power by described electric contact from camera body side joint, the device so formed has obtained various practical application.

Such as, the lighting device on annex installation portion (hot shoe) is detachably located at by the disclosed lighting device such as Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 11-252424 publication, and this annex installation portion is located on camera body.This lighting device is configured to the electric contact by annex installation portion, is subject to the supply of electric power from camera body side joint.

In addition, such as in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2008-244676 publication etc., disclose a kind of electronic viewfinder (EVF), this electronic viewfinder is configured to have compact display apparatus, and is detachably arranged on the annex installation portion of camera side.This electronic viewfinder is configured to have the electric contact portion different from the electric contact of annex installation portion, for guaranteeing the electrical connection between camera body, is subject to the supply of signal of video signal and electric power by this electric contact portion from camera body side joint.

[prior art document]

[patent documentation]

[patent documentation 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 11-252424 publication

[patent documentation 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 8-82853 publication

[patent documentation 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2008-244676 publication

, the disclosed lighting device such as above-mentioned Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 11-252424 publication is fixed and is arranged to relative with subject, can not form the structure making illuminating part movement.Therefore, such as, during close-perspective recording under the situation of carrying out being positioned at as the subject of photography target the extremely near position of the front surface apart from the photographic optical system of camera, the emergent light that there is self-luminescent part reliably can not irradiate the problem of subject.

On the other hand, as lighting device when carrying out this close-perspective recording, such as have the special purpose device arranging illuminating part and obtain near phtographic lens leading section, this special purpose device such as comprises the device being called as microspur flashlamp, double flashing light, ring sudden strain of a muscle etc.But although this special lighting device light quantity is large, volume is also large, and weight also weighs, and exists and needs to prepare power supply in addition, can not the problem of light use.

Summary of the invention

The present invention proposes in view of the foregoing, its object is to, a kind of lighting device of camera is provided, this lighting device is arranged at camera body top in the mode that can load and unload, can supply from camera body side joint by electric power, and small-size light-weight and structure are simple, are particularly suitable for carrying out close-perspective recording.

In order to achieve the above object, the feature of the lighting device of camera of the present invention is, this lighting device has: handling part, and it can unload being located at the enterprising luggage of annex installation portion on camera; Flexible support unit, it has flexibility, arranges in the mode forwards extended from described handling part; And lighting unit, it is located at the front end of described flexible support unit, for subject of throwing light on.

According to the present invention, can provide a kind of lighting device of camera, this lighting device is located at camera body top in the mode that can load and unload, and can supply from camera body side joint by electric power, and small-size light-weight and structure are simple, are particularly suitable for carrying out close-perspective recording.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Fig. 1 represents the stereoscopic figure lighting device of an embodiment of the invention being installed state on cameras.

Fig. 2 is stereoscopic figure when observing the state after the connection of the lighting device of present embodiment and camera being removed from rear side.

Fig. 3 is the stereoscopic figure that the lighting device of only taking-up present embodiment carries out illustrating.

Fig. 4 is by the major part exploded perspective view shown in the amplification of the body of the lighting device of present embodiment.

Fig. 5 is the exploded perspective view of the body of lighting device from the viewing point present embodiment different from Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is by the major part exploded perspective view shown in the amplification of the Lighting Division of the lighting device of present embodiment.

Fig. 7 is the structured flowchart that the structure be associated with lighting device in the lighting device and camera body of present embodiment is only shown.

Fig. 8 represents the figure lighting device of present embodiment being installed state when using on cameras.

Label declaration

1 camera body; 1d attachment port (gynetype connector); 1e annex installation portion; 2 photographing lens barrels; 2a optical lens; 3 lighting devices; 11 Lighting Divisions; 12 flexing arms; 12a wire; 12b cardinal extremity centring ring portion; Centring ring portion, 12c front end; 13 bodies; 14 upper covers; 14a opening; 15 lower covers; 15a opening; 16 connector covers; 16a opening; 16f handling holding section; 17 the 1st substrates; 17a connector; 17c connects rubber; 18 the 2nd substrates; 18a wire; 18b switch element; 19 boots plates; 20 locking springs; 21 locking pins; 25 light emitting diodes (LED); 26 arm cover bodies; 26a locking pawl; 27 arm cover body rings; 28 light source frames; The engaged hole of 28a; 29 smooth illumination window; 41 control circuits; 42 power-supply batterys; 43 voltage stabilizers; 44 protection circuits (output limiter).

Embodiment

Below, according to illustrated embodiment, the present invention is described.

Fig. 1 ~ Fig. 7 of the present invention is the figure representing an embodiment of the invention.First, Fig. 1, Fig. 2 is used the lighting device of an embodiment of the invention to be described and the structure in general of camera of this lighting device has been installed.

The camera adopting the lighting device of an embodiment of the invention is so-called digital camera, consist of and use solid-state imager to carry out light-to-current inversion to the optical image such as formed by optical lens, it is the Digital Image Data representing still image or dynamic image by the image signal transformation obtained thus, by the numerical data record that generates thus in the recording medium, according to the Digital Image Data recorded in the recording medium, display still image or dynamic image can be reproduced on the display apparatus.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the face relative with subject when using camera is called the front surface of camera.The user when using camera faced by face call the back side of camera.Further, the face of the shutter release button be provided with in functional unit is called upper surface.Further, the face relative with the upper surface of camera is called bottom surface.In addition, the face being configured at both sides under the common using state of camera is called left surface and right flank.The differentiation of left and right during this situation is that left side when observing from object side towards the front surface of camera or right side are divided into a left side or the right side respectively.

In addition, in each accompanying drawing used in the following description, each inscape is set to the size can carrying out the degree identified in the accompanying drawings, thus exists and the situation shown in different engineer's scales is used respectively to each inscape.Therefore, the relative position relation of the quantity of the inscape described in the drawings of the present invention, the shape of inscape, the size of inscape and each inscape is not limited to illustrated state.

The digital camera (hereinafter referred to as camera) of the lighting device 3 of present embodiment is adopted to be made up of camera body 1 and photographing lens barrel 2.

At the front surface of camera body 1, photographing lens barrel 2 is installed.The annex installation portion 1e (with reference to Fig. 1, Fig. 2) being provided with the functional units such as such as shutter release button 1a at the upper surface of camera body 1 and be same form with so-called hot shoe etc.Further, be provided with the multiple functional units selecting knob 1b to be representative at the back side of camera body 1, be provided with the display part 1c of display device simultaneously.

In addition, at the back side of camera body 1, be provided with attachment port 1d (gynetype connector) in substantially central portion near the position of upper surface.This attachment port 1d is the various accessory devices for installing on the top of camera body 1 and annex installation portion 1e, such as, with the lighting device 3 exterior electronic viewfinder, microphone etc. that are representative and the fuselage side connecting connector be electrically connected between camera body 1 of present embodiment.Other structure of camera body 1 has the identical structure of the digital camera general with the past, so detailed.In addition, about the structure of part related to the present invention in the inner structure of camera body 1, will be described hereinafter (with reference to Fig. 7).

Photographing lens barrel 2 is arranged on the front surface of camera body 1 in mode outstanding toward the front.Photographing lens barrel 2 is by multiple optical lens 2a, keep multiple cartridge unit of these optical lenses 2a and the driving mechanism etc. that drives these cartridge units freely to retreat to form respectively.This photographing lens barrel 2 also can be configured to can load and unload at the front surface of camera body 1, also can adopt the various modes such as the mode of the front surface being fixed on camera body 1.About the structure of photographing lens barrel 2 self, owing to not being the part directly related with the present invention, so omit its detailed construction.

The lighting device 3 of present embodiment is the accessory device according to being arranged on described in above on the annex installation portion 1e of camera body 1.

Annex installation portion 1e is formed as (passage (C) shape) of " コ " shape holding member by section is formed.In addition, about the material forming this holding member, the main metal parts adopting electric conductivity.At the upper surface of camera body 1, be provided with the engaged hole portion etc. of the installment state of maintenance equipment at the position surrounded by the holding member of annex installation portion 1e, engage with the holding section of the accessory device side be arranged on this annex installation portion 1e for multiple electric contact portion.Above-mentioned multiple electric contact portion is for providing electric power from camera body 1 side to the accessory device be arranged on this annex installation portion 1e, or the signal carried out between this accessory device with camera body 1 communicates.In addition, although eliminate the diagram of the detailed construction of this annex installation portion 1e, annex installation portion 1e has the structure identical with the annex installation portion of the general camera in past.

In addition, the state representation shown in Fig. 1 under the state that the lighting device 3 of present embodiment is arranged on the annex installation portion 1e of the upper surface of camera body 1, state when observing from the front-surface side of camera.On the other hand, Fig. 2 represents state when observing from the rear side of camera.Further, figure 2 illustrates the state connection status of annex installation portion 1e and lighting device 3 cut off.

Below, use Fig. 1 ~ Fig. 6 that the detailed construction of the lighting device 3 of present embodiment is described.

The lighting device 3 of present embodiment is formed primarily of a pair Lighting Division 11, a pair flexing arm 12 (flexible support unit) and a body 13.

The framework that body 13 is formed as L shape by entirety is formed with the electric component etc. being located at this framework inside.The framework of body 13 is formed primarily of upper cover 14, lower cover 15 and connector cover 16.Lower cover 15 and connector cover 16 are utilized two screws 23 to be integrally fixed by the inner side from lower cover 15.Specifically, two screws 23 are inserted the hole portion of the hub portion 15e of lower cover 15 and are screwed to (with reference to Fig. 5) in the threaded hole of the hub portion 16e of connector cover 16.In addition, upper cover 14 is made up of with the sagging frame sagging along the plane vertical with optical axis the parallel frame body parallel with the optical axis of photographing lens barrel, and has the opening 14a of substantially rectangular shape at upper surface.Lower cover 15 is also made up of with the sagging frame sagging along the plane vertical with optical axis the parallel frame body parallel with the optical axis of photographing lens barrel, and has the opening 15a of substantially rectangular shape at sagging frame.Connector cover 16 is also made up of with the sagging frame sagging along the plane vertical with optical axis the parallel frame body parallel with the optical axis of photographing lens barrel, and has the opening 16a of substantially rectangular shape at sagging frame.

Under the state that this state, i.e. lower cover 15 and 16 one-tenth, connector cover are integrated, upper cover 14 is utilized two screws 22 from its rear side through lower cover 15 and is fixed on connector cover 16 and becomes to be integrated with it.Specifically, two screws 22 insert the hole portion 14d of upper cover 14, the hole of hub portion 14c, the hole 17b of through 1st substrate 17 (describing below) again, and insert the opening 15a of lower cover 15, be then screwed to (with reference to Fig. 4, Fig. 5) in the threaded hole of the hub portion 16c of connector cover 16.Like this, the framework of body 13 is formed as overall in L-shaped shape.In addition, dull and stereotyped 25 are pasted with in the rear side of upper cover 14.Thus, the head of the screw 22 of upper cover 14 be exposed to outside situation be blocked.

Be provided with in the framework inside of body 13: the 1st substrate 17 having installed connector 17a (male connector); 2nd substrate 18 of switch element 18b has been installed; Boots plate 19; Locking spring 22; Component parts such as locking pin 21 grade.

1st substrate 17 is by with when under the mounted state on cameras of this lighting device 3, and the base plan mode parallel with the back side of camera is fixedly arranged on the substrate in the framework of body 13.On the 1st substrate 17, to be configured with connector 17a when mode outstanding toward the front under the mounted state on cameras of this lighting device 3 on the direction (with photographing lens barrel optical axis almost parallel) vertical with base plan, connector 17a has for accepting the input contact supplied from the electric power of camera body 1 side.This connector 17a inserts the opening 15a of lower cover 15, the opening 16a of connector cover 16, and a part for its front is in as shown in Figure 3 forwards gives prominence to and is exposed to outside state.In addition, connector 17a also can be configured to not only to have electric power input contact, and has the signal input contact etc. such as accepting control signal from the control circuit 41 of camera body 1 side (with reference to Fig. 7, after describe) etc. in the lump.

Further, connection rubber 17c is provided with at the base portion of connector 17a.This connection rubber 17c is arranged on the position stability of the connector 17a on the 1st substrate 17 and the parts configured in order to make by soldering.Further, connect rubber 17c between the 1st substrate 17 and the internal face of connector cover 16, the effect that the installation playing absorption the 1st substrate 17 loosens simultaneously.

In addition, the 1st substrate 17, under the state being sandwiched between upper cover 14 and connector cover 16 by screw 22, is fixed relative to body 13.

2nd substrate 18 is by with the upper surface of face, the i.e. camera with the base plan perpendicular to described 1st substrate 17 parallel (almost parallel with photographing lens barrel optical axis), and edge, one end mode that is positioned at the vicinity of the upper end-face edge of described 1st substrate 17 is fixedly arranged on the substrate of the framework of body 13.At the upper surface of the 2nd substrate 18, switch element 18b is installed.This switch element 18b plays a role as brightness alternation switch, for changing and the luminosity of the light source (LED25) of the Lighting Division 11 described after switching.For this reason, switch element 18b is configured to surface thereon and has multiple switch block SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4 (showing the example arranging 4 switch blocks in the present embodiment).Further, switch element 18b is configured in the mode fastened with the opening 14a of upper cover 14, and the part of its upper surface side, the part being namely configured with above-mentioned SW1 ~ SW4 are in as shown in Figure 3 and are exposed to outside state.In addition, by being screwed to by screw 24 in the threaded hole of the hub portion 15c of lower cover 15, thus the 2nd substrate 18 is fixed relative to body 13.

Further, wire 18a is utilized to be electrically connected by one end margin of the upper end-face edge of described 1st substrate 17 and described 2nd substrate 18.

When utilizing above-mentioned screw 23 lower cover 15 and connector cover 16 to be fixed as one, boots plate 19 is fixed together by this screw 23.Screw 23 according to running through shown in Fig. 4, Fig. 5 in the hole portion of hub portion 15e of the inside being arranged on lower cover 15, and is screwed in the threaded hole of hub portion 16e of connector cover 16.Therefore, screw 23 described above lower cover 15 and connector cover 16 are fixed as one while, boots plate 19 is fixed relative to lower cover 15.

In this state, the cardinal extremity centring ring portion 12b (with reference to Fig. 4, Fig. 5) of flexing arm 12 is fastened on the hub portion 15e of lower cover 15.Therefore, utilize the head of boots plate 19 and screw 23 from the cardinal extremity centring ring portion 12b of upside restriction flexing arm 12, the base end part of a pair thus (two) flexing arm 12 is fixed by relative to body 13.Further, at the framework front surface of body 13, be formed with breach 14b, breach 15b, under making the state near the base end part being configured with above-mentioned flexing arm 12, can upper cover 14 and lower cover 15 combined fixing.Therefore, under upper cover 14 and lower cover 15 and connector cover 16 are combined the state being assembled with the framework of body 13, circular hole is formed by breach 14b, breach 15b.Further, this circular hole part is configured near the base end part of flexing arm 12.Thus, flexing arm 12 can be configured with the state extended toward the front from the inside of body 13.

In addition, under the state utilizing screw 23 lower cover 15 and connector cover 16 to be fixed as one, between boots plate 19 and the interior plate face of lower cover 15, locking spring 20 and locking pin 21 is got involved.Locking pin 21 be configured to have base end side axle portion, be formed at the flange part of the centre in this axle portion and be formed at the hemispheric locking projection of front end in described axle portion.Described locking spring 20 is wrapped around in the axle portion of locking pin 21.Further, this locking spring 20 is in the state between the flange part being compressed in boots plate 19 and locking pin 21.Further, front end and the hemispherical locking projection of locking pin 21 are inserted in the circular hole 15d be formed on the interior plate face of lower cover 15, and are entrenched in the hole portion 16d of connector cover 16.And, now hemispherical locking projection is configured as follows, namely, the front end of hemispherical locking projection from the lower surface of connector cover 16, namely under the mounted state on cameras of this lighting device 3 along the face of the upper surface of this camera, slightly outstanding downward, and when resisting the force of locking spring 20 and pressing, submerge the inside of connector cover 16 in this front end.That is, locking pin 21 is configured to the force by locking spring 20, freely dashes forward not along the direction vertical with this lower surface at the lower surface of the framework of body 13.

Connector cover 16 is formed the handling holding section 16f as handling part, and handling holding section 16f is fastened on the holding member of annex installation portion 1e of camera, can load and unload this lighting device 3 for portion on cameras.When the body 13 of lighting device 3 is arranged on the upper surface of camera body 1, handling holding section 16f is fastened on the holding member of annex installation portion 1e, guides the action that the upper surface along camera body 1 slides toward the front from the rear side of camera simultaneously.And, now the hemispherical locking projection in the front end of locking pin 21 is engaging in the inboard portion that is formed at annex installation portion 1e and in concavity hole portion (not shown) for the upper surface of camera body 1, keeps the installment state of lighting device 3 on camera body 1 thus according to predetermined strength (the force strength of locking spring 20).

Further, boots plate 19 is configured to have arm 19a, and arm 19a has elasticity, and moves freely towards side.Boots plate 19 be in be fixed on the state on connector cover 16 by screw 23 across lower cover 15 time, the arm 19a of boots plate 19 is arranged on the top of the handling holding section 16f of connector cover 16 by the through hole 15f be located in lower cover 15.Therefore, as mentioned above, when the body 13 of lighting device 3 is arranged on the upper surface of camera body 1, the holding member being fastened on annex installation portion 1e making handling holding section 16f is gone forward side by side line slip time, the arm 19a of boots plate 19 has and flexibly abuts with the internal face of the holding member of annex installation portion 1e.As hereinafter described, be electrically connected between boots plate 19 and above-mentioned 2nd substrate 18.Therefore, under the state being arranged on camera body 1 by lighting device 3, the arm 19a of boots plate 19 is in the state (ground state) contacted with the holding member (metal parts) of annex installation portion 1e all the time.

Flexing arm 12 is can the free folding flexible support unit that forms of hollow rod-shape parts (or tubular part) of being out of shape by having flexibility and being formed as entirety.This flexing arm 12 adopts the parts being called as so-called coiled pipe, flexible tubing etc.Wire 12a inserts the empty internal at this flexing arm 12.The base end part of this wire 12a is connected with the 2nd substrate 18 in described body 13.Further, the leading section of wire 12a is connected with the portion of terminal of the light source (light emitting diode 25) of the Lighting Division 11 (lighting unit) described below.

Centring ring portion 12b, 12c is formed respectively at the both ends of flexing arm 12.At this, the centring ring portion of base end side is called cardinal extremity centring ring portion 12b, the centring ring portion of front is called centring ring portion, front end 12c.As mentioned above, cardinal extremity centring ring portion 12b is fixed in described body 13.On the other hand, as hereinafter described, centring ring portion 12c in front end is fixed in Lighting Division 11.

Lighting Division 11 as lighting unit is located at the front end of flexing arm 12 (flexible support unit), is the component parts of the function with illumination subject.This Lighting Division 11 is as shown in Figure 6 primarily of arm cover body 26, arm cover body ring 27, light source frame 28, light illumination window 29, the formation such as light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as LED) 25 as light source.

Arm cover body 26 is the frameworks of the body forming Lighting Division 11.Two parts that arm cover body 26 is formed by the drum of hollow is divided into two parts are formed.Near the leading section of receiving flexing arm 12 in the inside of arm cover body 26 and be located at the LED25 etc. of this leading section.

One side of the semicircular cylinder parts in two parts forming arm cover body 26 has hub portion 26b, hub portion 26b is namely inner projecting towards the direction vertical with the axis under the assembled state of this arm cover body 26, there is the hub bore (not shown) formed in the position relative with described hub portion 26b, for chimeric this hub portion 26b the opposing party of the semicircular cylinder parts of arm cover body 26.Further, by under the state of two components bonding, when making hub portion 26b be entrenched in hub bore, the arm cover body 26 of drum is formed.In this case, centring ring portion, the front end 12c of flexing arm 12 is fastened on hub portion 26b.Therefore, when making arm cover body 26 become assembled state, centring ring portion, the front end 12c of flexing arm 12 is fixed relative on Lighting Division 11.

Arm 26c is formed respectively at the base end side of two parts of arm cover body 26.This arm 26c is located near the leading section of flexing arm 12, and the axis along flexing arm 12 is pressed in the inner peripheral portion of the arm cover body ring 27 being formed as ring-type.Thus, the base end part of arm cover body 26 is fixed near the leading section of flexing arm 12.

The base end part of LED25 is fixed and held the position of the close front end at arm cover body 26.In this case, the illuminating part of LED25 becomes the state of the outside being exposed to arm cover body 26.Further, the light source frame 28 utilizing the drum of hollow to be formed is connected with the leading section of arm cover body 26 in the mode covering the illuminating part of LED25.At this, be formed with locking pawl 26a respectively at the position of the close front end of two parts of arm cover body 26.Correspondingly, be provided with in the position break-through of the close cardinal extremity of light source frame 28, from medial surface, locking engaged hole 28a carried out to described locking pawl 26a.Further, by being engaging in engaged hole 28a by described locking pawl 26a, thus arm cover body 26 and light source frame 28 are connected.In addition, the engaged hole 28a of light source frame 28 is pasted with seal member 30 in the mode covering exterior side.Thus, engaged hole 28a is hidden, and thus can suppress the situation impairing appearance design.

Light illumination window 29 adopts the means such as press-in to be fixed and held on the front end face of light source frame 28.Light illumination window 29 can make from the light transmissive transparent component of the illumination of LED25 outgoing, and be the transparent optical diffuser plate being implemented surface treatment for making transmitted light spread etc.

The lighting device 3 of present embodiment is formed according to the above.In addition, in the explanation of above-mentioned embodiment, about the form of lighting device 3, show the example of form of two flexing arms 12 that to extend out from a body 13, but the magnitude setting of flexing arm 12 is not limited to this example.Such as, can be the form only arranging a flexing arm 12, also can be the form of the flexing arm 12 arranging more than three.

Further, in the lighting device 3 of above-mentioned embodiment, the example that a light source (LED25) is set relative to a flexing arm 12 is shown.But, be not limited to this example about the quantity of the light source that can arrange on a flexing arm 12, also multiple light source can be set relative to a flexing arm 12.

Below, about the overview of the electrical structure formed between the lighting device 3 and the camera body 1 installing this lighting device 3 of present embodiment, Fig. 7 is used to be described.

When the lighting device 3 being in the state shown in Fig. 1, i.e. present embodiment is installed in the state of the upper surface of camera body 1, between lighting device 3 and camera body 1, be formed with electric circuit as shown in Figure 7.

Wherein, camera body 1 has control circuit (CPU) 41, power-supply battery 42, voltage stabilizer 43, protection circuit (output limiter) 44, annex installment state detecting unit 45 etc.In addition, camera body 1 has various electric Component units etc. in addition to the above-mentioned parts, about these Component units etc., owing to being the part not having direct relation with the present invention, so omit its diagram and describe in detail.

Control circuit 41 is circuit camera body 1 entirety being carried out to electrical control, such as, adopt CPU etc.

Power-supply battery 42 is the control according to described control circuit 41 grade, as required each Component units of camera body 1 is provided to the electric power source of necessary electric power.

Voltage stabilizer 43 is the circuit parts of the stable process carrying out supply voltage.Protection circuit (output limiter) 44 accepts to be provided by power-supply battery 42 and by the electric power after voltage stabilizer 43, monitors and carry out the circuit part of the output adjustment of electric power to its output voltage etc.Thus, the output power of the accessory device be connected with the attachment port 1d of camera body 1 (referring to lighting device 3 in the present embodiment) is adjusted, and play the effect of this equipment of protection.The output port 44a of this protection circuit 44 is configured in attachment port 1d, and after attachment port 1d is connected with the connector 17a of lighting device 3, the output port 44a of protection circuit is connected with the input port 18c of the switch element described below.

In the native system be made up of camera body 1 and accessory device (referring to lighting device 3 in the present embodiment), have annex installment state detecting unit 45, whether the connector (referring to the connector 17a of lighting device 3 in the present embodiment) for detection accessory equipment is connected with the attachment port 1d of camera body 1.Namely, in attachment port 1d, except above-mentioned output port 44a, also be configured with the input port 41a from CPU, in the connector 17a side of accessory device (referring to lighting device 3 in the present embodiment), there is the port 41b being set to electrical grounding (ground connection), when attachment port 1d is connected with connector 17a, input port 41a is connected with port 41b, CPU detection accessory installment state.Further, have the port 42a as electrical grounding in attachment port 1d and connector 17a respectively, when attachment port 1d is connected with connector 17a, these ports 42a connects.

On the other hand, lighting device 3 is configured to have the connector 17a be arranged on the 1st substrate 17, is arranged on the switch element 18b on the 2nd the substrate 18 and LED25 etc. as illuminating part.

Switch element 18b is configured to have such as four SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4 in the example shown in present embodiment.Each SW (1 ~ 4) accepts to supply from the electric power of camera body 1 by resistance R1, R2, R3, R4.

SW1, SW2 in four SW (1 ~ 4) of switch element 18b are corresponding with a light source (LED25), and SW3, SW4 are corresponding with another light source (another LED25).At this, SW1, SW2 are connected in parallel, and when two SW1,2 are in connection status and when any one party is in connection status in SW1,2, two stages can be divided to adjust the outgoing light quantity of a LED25.In addition, SW3, SW4 are also identical structures, by switching connection status, two stages can be divided to adjust the outgoing light quantity of another LED25.

Below, use Fig. 8 etc. that the effect of the upper surface lighting device 3 of the present embodiment formed like this being arranged on camera body 1 enterprising enforcement used time is described.

First, the lighting device 3 of present embodiment is arranged on the annex installation portion 1e of the upper surface being located at camera body 1.In this case, first make the handling holding section 16f of the body 13 of lighting device 3 be engaged to the annex installation portion 1e of camera body 1 from the rear (rear side) of this camera body 1, the body 13 of lighting device 3 is slided toward the front.In this sliding process, the connector 17a of the body 13 of lighting device 3 is fitted in the attachment port 1d of camera body 1.Further, the hemispherical locking projection in the front end of the locking pin 21 of the body 13 of lighting device 3 finally drops in the concavity hole portion (not shown) of the upper surface of the camera body 1 in the annex installation portion 1e inboard portion of camera body 1.Now, the force strength of locking spring 20 is relied on to keep the locking state in the hemispherical locking projection in the front end of locking pin 21 and this concavity hole portion.Therefore, lighting device 3 is in the state engaged relative to camera body 1, completes the installation of lighting device 3 thus.

In this condition, the power switch (not shown) of user's operate camera fuselage 1, makes this camera be in the state that can use.Then, the control circuit 41 of camera body 1 accepts the signal from annex installment state detecting unit 45, and detection accessory equipment (lighting device 3) is installed in the situation on annex installation portion 1e.Thus, control circuit 41 controls power-supply battery 42, voltage stabilizer 43 etc., and the electric power supply starting illumination apparatus 3 controls.

At this, four switch blocks (SW1 ~ SW4) of the switch element 18b of any operating lighting means 3 of user, the light quantity of independently carrying out for a pair light source (LED25) adjusts.Further, user makes flexing arm 12 Free Transform to carry out the adjustment of illumination light, to carry out suitable illumination to the subject 100 (with reference to Fig. 8) as photography target of placing in photographing lens barrel 2 front of this camera.

By carrying out arbitrarily this series of operation, such as, there is the situation shown in Fig. 8.Further, in this condition, user carries out the common shooting operation of camera body 1 and photographs.

On the other hand, when being unloaded by the lighting device 3 be arranged on the annex installation portion 1e of camera body 1, make the body 13 of lighting device 3 towards rear slide.By this slide, the hemispherical locking projection in front end of locking pin 21 is resisted the force strength of locking spring 20 and deviates from from the concavity hole portion (not shown) of the upper surface of camera body 1, and both locking states are removed.Further, in the operating process that lighting device 3 rearward slides, the chimerism of connector 17a and attachment port 1d is also removed.Finally, when the handling of the body 13 of lighting device 3 depart from by the fastening state of holding section 16f and annex installation portion 1e, lighting device 3 is in the state departing from camera body 1 completely.Like this, the lighting device 3 be arranged on camera body 1 is removed.

And, the lighting device of present embodiment is configured to when being mounted on cameras, in the width range of the inner side of the left and right end of the profile of annex installation portion (hot shoe), extending toward the front about two flexing arms on the centrosymmetric position parallel with the optical axis of annex installation portion (hot shoe).

Further, two flexing arms are being configured about the centrosymmetric position of annex installation portion (hot shoe) and the position close with the upper surface of camera upper surface and annex installation portion (hot shoe).

In addition, when the chimeric disengaging of connector 17a and attachment port 1d, electrical connection between lighting device 3 and camera body 1 is removed, thereupon, by annex installment state detecting unit 45, control circuit 41 detects that accessory device (lighting device 3) is unloaded by from annex installation portion 1e.Therefore, control circuit 41 stops the electric power supply of illumination apparatus 3 to control.

According to an above-mentioned embodiment described above, under the installment state on top lighting device 3 being arranged on camera body 1, attachment port 1d and connector 17a is fitting to connection, and sets up the electrical connection between lighting device 3 and camera body 1.Thus, lighting device 3 accepts electric power supply under the control of the control circuit 41 of camera body 1, can outgoing illumination light.Therefore, do not need to arrange power-supply battery in lighting device 3 side, the electric component relevant to Energy control can be omitted, can inner structure be simplified, thus miniaturization and the lightweight of lighting device 3 self be can contribute to, the simplification of manufacturing step and the reduction of manufacturing cost also contributed to simultaneously.

And, lighting device 3 is provided as the LED25 of light source in the front end of the flexing arm 12 extended to form from the body 13 on the top being installed on camera body 1, and the subject 100 as photography target thus can placed to the front of the photographing lens barrel 2 at camera efficiently irradiates suitable illumination light.

In addition, when lighting device 3 is arranged on the top of camera body 1, lighting device 3 is forwards slided from camera rear, make attachment port 1d chimeric with connector 17a in the rear side of camera body 1.Therefore, when using lighting device 3, be located at when observing from annex installation portion 1e due to connector 17a and the bearing of trend of described flexing arm 12 forms the rightabout rear of 180 ° of angles, the strength towards above-below direction or left and right directions thus produced when making flexing arm 12 Free Transform is effectively absorbed by the telescoping part of attachment port 1d and connector 17a.Therefore, the lighting device 3 being installed in the top of camera body 1 can remain stable state.Therefore, this lighting device 3 can irradiate stable illumination light to the subject as photography target all the time.

And, in the width range of the inner side of the left and right end of the profile of annex installation portion (hot shoe), extending toward the front about two, the centrosymmetric position flexing arm parallel with the optical axis of annex installation portion (hot shoe), thus easily carry out the operation of camera, and the functional unit of the camera that can not configure with the position that usually hot shoe be avoided in left and right, eject the movable agencies such as flashlamp and disturb.Further, in many cameras, on the axle being centrally located at phtographic lens of annex installation portion (hot shoe), person is in the majority, thus easily symmetrical about camera coverage when carrying out photo illumination, easily realizes the illumination of balance.

Further, about annex installation portion (hot shoe) centrosymmetric position and the position close with camera upper surface configures two flexing arms, height reduction when thus installing, can realize miniaturization, and convenient in carrying.And, owing to forwards extending from this position, so the Lighting Division of arm front end can come close to subject with minimal length, arm lengths can be limited to Min., can small-size light-weight be realized.

In addition, in an above-mentioned embodiment, about the switch block of switch element 18b, show employing carries out turning on/off the forms such as the switching of switching and exposure example by slide, but be not limited to this example.About other form of switch block, such as, also easily can adopt the various switch blocks of rotary or push button etc.

And, show in the upper example of installing as the switch element 18b of electric component of the substrate (the 2nd substrate 18) of lighting device 3, but be not limited to this example, also can be configured to use the control circuit (CPU) 41 of camera body 1 side and the operating portion of camera body 1 side, illumination apparatus 3 carries out electrical control, and on/off control and the exposure of carrying out lighting device 3 thus control.Further, about the on/off control of lighting device 3, lighting/turning off the light of also can carrying out linking with photographing actions, such as shutter release movement controls.In addition, the adjustment of exposure also automatically can be carried out according to the monochrome information etc. of the subject obtained by imaging apparatus etc.These controls can be born primarily of the control circuit of camera body 1 side, also can arrange special sub-control circuit.

The invention is not restricted to above-mentioned embodiment, certainly can carry out various distortion and application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.In addition, comprise the invention in various stage in the above-described embodiment, various invention can be proposed according to the appropriately combined of disclosed multiple inscapes.Such as, even if when deleting several inscape from all inscapes shown in an above-mentioned embodiment, the problem described in the problematic portion that will solve is being invented if also can solve, and obtain the effect described in invention effect portion, then delete the structure after this inscape and also can propose as invention.

Claims (2)

1. a lighting device for camera, is characterized in that, this lighting device has:

Handling part, it can unload being located at the enterprising luggage of annex installation portion on camera, when being mounted to described camera, can slide toward the front along the upper surface of camera from the rear side of camera;

Flexible support unit, its by there is flexibility and be formed as entirety can free folding be out of shape hollow rod-shape parts form, arrange in the mode forwards extended from described handling part;

A pair lighting unit, it is located at the front end of described flexible support unit, for subject of throwing light on; And

Connector, it has the input contact accepting to supply from the electric power of described camera, when described handling part is mounted to described camera, chimeric with the attachment port of described camera.

2. the lighting device of camera according to claim 1, is characterized in that, described lighting device has brightness alternation switch, and this brightness alternation switch is for changing luminosity or the illumination of described lighting unit.