JP2000137157A - Camera, lens position adjusting mechanism, optical image pickup device and method for adjusting lens position in camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an inexpensive constitution which does not require much space by realizing two kinds of operation, for example, focusing and film feeding by one motor and further to realize a bidirectional driving control such as a control that a photographing lens is appropriately advanced/retreated by a driving source whose driving direction is only one. SOLUTION: A lens holding member 2 holds the photographing lens 1. While the projection part 2a of the member 2 slides witin the range of a focus area A1 from the standby position P2 of the cam surface of a cam member 3, the cut part 4a of a ring 4 is engaged with the projection part 2a, so that the ring 4 is not turned through the member 3 is turned. During that, a spring 5 disposed between the member 3 and the ring 4 is energy-accumulated. When the member 3 is separated from the driving source, the member 3 is reversely rotated to the previous rotation by the force of the spring 5, and the projection part 2a is restored to a position corresponding to the standby position P2 of the cam surface.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly, to a driving mechanism for performing a plurality of operations of a camera by a single driving source, and positioning of a taking lens by a driving force in only one direction of the driving mechanism. The present invention relates to a camera having a lens position control mechanism for controlling, a lens position adjustment mechanism, an optical imaging device, and a method for adjusting a lens position in a camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a camera, a driving force from a driving source such as a motor is transmitted to each element to execute different operations. For example, in a single focus camera, each operation of (1) film feeding, (2) focus, and (3) shutter is executed by different motor driving forces. Further, in a zoom camera in which the relative position adjustment of a plurality of lens groups is performed, each operation of (1) zooming, (2) film feeding, (3) focus, and (4) shutter is performed by different driving forces of motors. Be executed.

Conventionally, two motors have been used to perform four operations, for example, film feeding (winding and rewinding) and focus (lens feeding and rewinding). In this case, each motor is, for example,
It is used for a single operation, such as rotating the motor in one direction to drive the lens to the extended position, and rotating the motor in the other direction to retract the lens. In such a conventional camera, the driving force of the motor is used such that the member is moved in both directions by rotating the motor in both forward and reverse directions. Here, bidirectional means a reciprocating operation, that is, a forward and backward operation.

In this example, the film is wound up by forward rotation of the first motor (for example, clockwise rotation) and rewound by reverse rotation, and the lens is moved to the initial position (home position) by forward rotation of the second motor. From the focus position to the initial position by reverse rotation. JP-A-5-18104
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8 (Kokai) No. 8 discloses a configuration of an optical device that drives a focus lens group in a forward / backward direction (bidirectional) by using one motor that can be switched between forward and reverse rotations. JP-A-5-1810
No. 48 discloses that one motor and one motor are used to perform the four operations of film winding / rewinding and lens moving forward / backward in order to reduce the cost and space of the motor.
Methods using individual plungers, such as solenoid plungers, have been proposed.

That is, if the plunger is switched on, that is, biased during normal rotation of the motor, the film is wound up, and the plunger is switched off, that is, deenergized, when the motor rotates normally. The lens is moved from the initial position to the focus position. If the plunger is urged during the reverse rotation of the motor, the film is rewound. If the plunger is deenergized during the reverse rotation of the motor, the lens moves from the focus position to the initial position. Will be

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-127236 discloses that two operations, for example, focusing and film feeding are performed by a single motor, and that a photographing lens is appropriately advanced and retracted by driving a driving source in only one direction. A gaining camera has been proposed. According to the inventor's knowledge, conventional devices and methods appear to require two actuating members, such as one motor and one plunger, to control a movable member in two directions. It is. Therefore, the solenoid plunger is used as a mechanical binary device that turns on a certain circuit and turns off another circuit according to the state of the driving force of the motor.

[0007] That is, the solenoid plunger equivalently functions as mechanical decision logic for controlling the bidirectional moving device in the forward and reverse directions by the motor. However, using the forward direction and the reverse direction of the motor in this way is nothing but enabling multiplexing of the driving force of the motor. The present inventor has recognized that by incorporating a motor and other power devices in a single camera, the camera increases cost, weight, and complexity, and the MTBF (mean time between f) of the device.
aileure to mean failure time). In addition, the present inventor has found that using two-directional driving force of a motor uses a logic circuit for controlling the direction of mechanical energy of a single motor, while using a conventional motor using a large number of motors. Recognizes that it has less cost, weight and complexity than the device.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and realizes two operations, for example, focusing and film feeding by one motor, and is inexpensive and takes up space. It is a main object to provide a camera, a lens position adjusting mechanism, a method, and an optical imaging device having no configuration. Another object of the present invention is to provide a camera, a lens position adjusting mechanism, a method, and an optical imaging device capable of realizing two-direction drive control such as appropriately moving the photographing lens forward and backward with a drive source having only one drive direction. Is to provide.

[0009]

The invention according to claim 1 is
In order to achieve the above-described object, a camera that controls the position of the photographing lens so as to change the distance between the photographing lens and the subject image forming member in accordance with the actual subject distance based on the distance measurement result. A photographing lens holding member that is provided so as to hold and fix the photographing lens, a lens interlocking member that operates integrally with the photographing lens holding member,
A cam member for regulating the forward / backward movement position of the lens interlocking member such that the position of the lens interlocking member follows a predetermined curve by a rotation operation, cam driving means for rotating the cam member only in a fixed direction, and the cam Cam drive unit switching means for bringing the drive unit into and out of contact with the cam member; and when the cam member is separated from the cam drive unit by the cam drive unit switching unit, the cam member is moved to a predetermined standby position. A cam returning means, wherein the taking lens reciprocates between a focus position and the standby position by a rotational driving force of the cam driving means only in a certain direction.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera for controlling a position of a photographic lens so as to change a distance between the photographic lens and a subject image forming member in accordance with a subject distance specified by a manual operation. A photographing lens holding member that is provided so as to be movable forward and backward, holds and fixes the photographing lens, a lens interlocking member that operates integrally with the photographing lens holding member, and a position of the lens interlocking member that is rotated by a predetermined curve. A cam member for regulating the forward / backward movement position of the lens interlocking member so as to follow, a cam drive means for rotating the cam member only in a fixed direction, and a cam drive for bringing the cam drive means into and out of contact with the cam member Unit switching means, and returning the cam member to a predetermined standby position when the cam member is separated from the cam driving means by the cam driving unit switching means. Comprising a cam return means, by the rotational driving force of a predetermined direction only of the cam drive means, the photographing lens between the standby position and the focus position is characterized by reciprocating.

The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the cam return means includes a spring which is energized by displacement of the cam member from the standby position. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the cam driving means includes a gear for transmitting a driving force by a motor to the cam member, and the cam driving unit switching means includes a gear for driving the motor between the gear and the cam member. A planetary gear that is inserted and removed by reverse rotation and intermittently transmits the driving force is included. The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the cam driving unit switching means includes a plunger that moves at least a part of the cam driving means to interrupt transmission of the driving force to the cam member. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the cam driving section switching means includes a switching motor for moving at least a part of the cam driving means to interrupt transmission of the driving force to the cam member. It is characterized by: The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the cam driving unit switching means has an operation mode in which the cam driving means is continuously connected to the cam member without disconnecting the cam driving means, and in the operation mode, rotation of the cam member is performed. Thus, the photographing lens interlocking member is alternately moved to a predetermined storage position and the standby position.

The invention according to claim 8 is to change the distance between the photographing lens comprising a plurality of lenses and the subject image forming member according to the actual subject distance based on the distance measurement result.
In a camera for controlling the position of the photographing lens, a plurality of photographing lens holding members are provided so as to be movable forward and backward, respectively, and hold and fix each lens group constituting the photographing lens on the same optical axis; A plurality of lens interlocking members, each of which operates integrally with the lens holding member, and a plurality of lens interlocking members are provided corresponding to the plurality of lens driving members, respectively, so that the position of each of the lens interlocking members follows a predetermined curve by a rotation operation. A plurality of cam members for regulating the advancing and retreating positions of the lens interlocking member; a cam driving unit for simultaneously rotating the plurality of cam members only in a fixed direction; and simultaneously driving the cam driving unit with respect to the plurality of cam members. A cam driving unit switching unit that comes in contact with and separates from the cam driving unit; A plurality of cam return means for returning the camera member to a predetermined standby position, wherein the photographing lens reciprocates between a focus position and the standby position by a rotational driving force of the cam driving means only in a certain direction. It is characterized by:

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the position of the photographing lens is changed so as to change the distance between the photographing lens comprising a plurality of lenses and the subject image forming member in accordance with the subject distance designated by manual operation. In the camera controlling the
A plurality of photographing lens holding members, each of which is provided to be movable forward and backward, and holds and fixes each lens group constituting the photographing lens on the same optical axis; Lens interlocking member,
A plurality of cam members provided corresponding to the plurality of lens driving members, each of which regulates the forward / backward movement position of the lens interlocking member such that the position of the lens interlocking member follows a predetermined curve by a rotation operation; A cam driving unit for simultaneously rotating the plurality of cam members only in a fixed direction, a cam driving unit switching unit for simultaneously contacting / separating the cam driving unit with respect to the plurality of cam members, and the plurality of cam members. A plurality of cam return means for returning each of the cam members to a predetermined standby position when the cam drive means is separated from the cam drive means by the cam drive unit switching means; Accordingly, the photographing lens reciprocates between a focus position and the standby position.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a motor, and a rotatable cam formed to operate the lens along its optical axis when rotated by the rotational force of the motor. The cam has a load receiving surface having a first inclined portion and a second inclined portion, and the direction of the first inclined portion is opposite to the direction of the second inclined portion; The length and angle of the inclined portion and the second inclined portion are a lens position adjusting mechanism that defines a moving range of the lens along the optical axis, and the lens is arranged along the first inclined portion. When fully driven, it is moved from one end of the movement range to the opposite end, and the lens is moved in the movement range when fully driven along the second slope. Moving from the opposite end to the one end. .

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the magnitude of the inclination of the first inclined portion is smaller than the magnitude of the inclination of the second inclined portion. According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the magnitude of the inclination of the first inclined portion is equal to the magnitude of the second inclined portion.
Is substantially the same as the degree of inclination of the inclined portion. In the invention according to claim 13, when it is determined that a focus operation should be performed, the lens is moved to an initial position at the one end of the movement range before the lens is moved to a predetermined focal length. It is further characterized by further comprising a control device for controlling to perform the control.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the lens is:
A camera lens configured for use in a camera,
The initial position is outside the operable focal length of the camera such that the cam moves the lens from the initial position within the operable focal length during the focusing operation. It is characterized by: Claim 1
The invention according to a fifth aspect is characterized by further comprising a geared ring having a gear portion formed to be driven by the motor, wherein the cam is arranged on the ring.

The invention according to claim 16 is characterized in that the ring further comprises another cam arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to the cam at a peripheral portion of the ring. The invention according to claim 17 is characterized in that, together with the cam and the other cam, a third cam arranged at an equal interval on a peripheral portion of the ring is further provided. In the invention according to claim 18, the cam, the other cam, and the third cam include:
It is characterized by having a common shape. Claim 19
The load receiving surface of the cam and the additional receiving surface of the other cam are formed in a periodic shape so that the lens moves in a periodic pattern during a single rotation of the ring. It is characterized by that.

The invention according to claim 20 is characterized in that the load pressure receiving surface of the cam is formed in at least one of a sinusoidal shape, a sawtooth shape, and a clipped sawtooth shape. In the invention according to claim 21, the shape of the first inclined portion of the load pressure receiving surface of the cam is partially curved,
The other part is characterized by being linearly inclined. The invention according to claim 22 is characterized in that the shape of the first inclined portion of the load pressure receiving surface of the cam is different from the shape of other cams. The invention according to claim 23, wherein the shape of the first inclined portion of the load pressure receiving surface of the cam is a small inclined portion formed for use in a focus operation, and a steeper inclined portion formed for use in a storage mode operation. And a portion of

The invention according to claim 24 is characterized in that at least one of the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion has two portions having different inclination angles. The invention according to claim 25 is a lens holding mechanism configured to hold a taking lens, having a linking member, a motor that generates a rotational driving force in a predetermined direction in response to a driving signal, and the motor of the motor A gear ring having a gear portion for rotating via a rotational driving force, and a connecting surface provided on the gear ring and slidingly contacting a connecting member of the lens holding member,
The connecting surface is connected to a cam having an inclined surface, and one end is connected to one of the cam and the gear ring, and the other end is connected to a movable body separated from the cam, and the motor drives the gear ring. A biasing member configured to bias the potential energy when the connecting surface of the cam operates the connecting member of the lens holding member in a predetermined direction along the optical axis of the taking lens; and And a clutch configured to control the cam to be disengaged from the gear ring, and the biasing member moves the cam in a direction opposite to a direction in which the cam was moved when driven by the rotational force of the motor. Consuming the energized potential energy to move the lens holding mechanism in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction along the optical axis. There.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, the connecting surface of the cam has a smaller inclined portion and a larger inclined portion, and the small inclined portion has a first speed during a focusing operation. The large inclined portion is configured to move the connecting member of the lens holding mechanism in the predetermined direction,
During the focusing operation, the connecting member of the lens holding mechanism is moved at a second speed.

According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing device configured to generate a drive signal, and a film feeding operation, a focus operation, a lens zoom operation, and a shutter operation when executed by the processing device. Wherein the processing device further comprises a memory encoded with computer readable instructions for generating drive signals for controlling a motor operation amount and a motor rotation direction to control at least one of the following. I have.

The invention according to claim 28 is characterized by further comprising a camera housing configured so that the processing device generates a drive signal for accommodating the lens within the front edge for a predetermined time. . The invention according to claim 29 is characterized by further comprising a film feeding mechanism for moving a film in accordance with a film feeding operation under the control of the motor.

The invention according to claim 30 is characterized by further comprising an electronic image sensor for generating a digital image, and a memory for holding the digital image.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, the cam is operated by a two-mode camera using a film in a first mode of operation and using an electronic image sensor in a second mode of operation. It is characterized by:

The invention according to claim 32 further comprises a manual focus control unit for setting a fixed focal length by setting a predetermined moving distance between the initial position of the lens and a fixed focal length. Features. The invention according to claim 33 is configured to generate a drive signal for determining a drive amount of the motor corresponding to a predetermined focal length necessary for focusing an observed object on an image recording medium. And an automatic focusing mechanism.

The invention according to claim 34 is a lens holding mechanism configured to hold a lens and adjust the position of the lens with respect to an image recording medium, a motor that generates a driving force in a first predetermined direction, and the motor. And coupled to the lens holding mechanism, configured to adjust the position of the lens holding mechanism in a predetermined direction along the optical axis of the lens when driven in the first predetermined direction by the motor,
A focus mechanism having a cam for actuating the lens holding mechanism along the optical axis when driven by the motor; and a ring and a biasing device, the biasing device having the cam at one end and the cam at the other end. The biasing device is configured to exert a predetermined amount of potential energy when the motor moves the cam relative to the ring, and when the motor disengages mechanically from the cam. A lens position adjusting mechanism including a biasing mechanism for releasing the potential energy by moving the cam in a direction opposite to a moving direction of the motor, and a clutch configured to control the motor to be separated from the cam. Are provided.

The invention according to claim 35 is provided with a film spool, a detector and a switch, wherein the film spool is driven by the motor when the motor is driven in a direction opposite to the first predetermined direction. When driven, the detector is configured to detect when an amount of the film wound on the film spool reaches a predetermined amount, and the switch is configured to detect the amount of the film reaching the predetermined amount. It is further characterized by further comprising a film feeding mechanism configured to switch the moving direction of the film when the detector detects this.

According to a thirty-sixth aspect, the detector comprises:
The film tension sensor is configured to generate a detection signal after detecting when the film is sufficiently pulled out of the film holding container and wound on the film spool. The invention according to claim 37 is
A lens zoom mechanism configured to adjust a relative distance between the lens groups in the lens, wherein the relative distance between the lens groups is adjusted by the operation of the motor only in a single direction. I have.
The invention according to claim 38, further comprising a shutter driving mechanism driven by at least one of the motor and the plunger mechanism so as to open the shutter in the first operation mode and close the shutter in the second operation mode. Features.

According to a thirty-ninth aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a lens storage mechanism configured to perform both the lens storage operation mode and the lens extension operation mode by the driving force of the motor in the first predetermined direction. It is characterized by having. The invention according to claim 40 is characterized in that the distance to at least one of the photographing film and the electronic image sensor is adjustable, and a lens holding mechanism that holds the lens; a motor that generates a driving force in a first predetermined direction; A motor and a positioning member mechanically connected to the lens holding member are provided, and the bidirectional movement of the positioning member is mechanically controlled by the predetermined direction of the motor.

The invention according to claim 41 is provided with a spring having one end connected to the positioning member and the other end fixed to a movable body, and a motor disconnecting device, and the spring is configured such that the motor is connected to the positioning member. When the motor is driven in the drive direction, the amount of potential energy is increased, and when the motor disconnecting device releases the mechanical connection of the motor to the positioning member, the motor is moved in the second direction opposite to the drive direction. The potential energy is released by moving the conductor for the entire period.

The invention according to claim 42 is that the positioning member includes a cam ring having a first cam and a second cam, and the cam ring is driven to rotate by the motor, and the first and second cams are rotated by the motor. Comprising a first portion having a positive slope and a second portion having a negative slope, wherein the motor occupies the first cam from a first cam position up to and including a second cam. And a second cam position.

The invention according to claim 43 further comprises a biasing member coupled to the cam ring and operating the cam ring in a second direction opposite to the driving direction, wherein the cam is moved to a predetermined position during a focus operation. The motor and the biasing member are associated with each other to move to the focus position, and the cam ring is advanced to a new position during the lens storing operation. The invention according to claim 44 is characterized in that the positioning member includes a cam ring, a film moving member, a shutter, and a lens group.

According to a forty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the motor is
It is characterized in that it is configured to operate in a second predetermined direction to perform bidirectional movement control of another member.

The invention according to claim 46 has a lens holding mechanism having a connecting member and configured to hold a taking lens, a motor for generating a rotational driving force in a predetermined direction, and an inclined surface, A lens holding mechanism configured to move the lens by a predetermined amount along an optical axis direction of the lens in accordance with a controlled operation amount of the motor when a cam is driven by a rotational driving force of the motor; A cam configured such that a connecting member of the member slides on the inclined surface, and a clutch configured to control the motor to be separated from the cam, and the cam is provided on the lens holding member. A slot formed to receive the linking member, the slot being restricted on one side by the inclined surface of the cam and on the other side by a side wall of the cam. It is.

According to a forty-seventh aspect of the present invention, the connecting member includes a projecting portion, and when the cam is driven by the rotational driving force of the motor, the projecting portion moves between the inclined surface and the guide side wall. It is characterized by being guided by.
In the invention according to claim 48, the inclined surface and the side wall form a groove for receiving the protrusion, and the groove is
It is a continuous groove extending over the inner peripheral surface of the cam so that the movement of the protrusion by the groove is continued over 360 °.

According to a fifty-ninth aspect of the present invention, the cam has another inclined surface arranged at a predetermined angle position with respect to the inclined surface, and the protrusion is formed during the rotation of the cam by 360 °. Are formed so as to move along the inclined surface and the other inclined surface. An invention according to claim 50, further comprising: a rotatable spool configured to wind a film around the rotatable spool; and a motor that rotates in a first predetermined direction to apply a rotational driving force to the rotatable spool. Coupled to the rotatable spool and a motor, and controlled by the direction of rotation of the motor for mechanical relocation control, the motor driving the first spool and winding the film around the rotatable spool. A transmission mechanism that is initially in a first position when rotated in the first predetermined direction to cause the rotation of the rotatable spool, and a detector that detects when a predetermined amount of film has been wound on the rotatable spool; A relocation mechanism for relocating the transmission mechanism to a second position after the detector detects that a predetermined amount of film has been wound by the rotatable spool. It is characterized in that.

According to a fifty-first aspect of the present invention, in the second position, the transmission mechanism no longer drives the rotatable spool, but drives a film set spool, and the transmission mechanism forms the first photographing frame. The film set spool is driven by an amount for setting the first frame of the film. The invention according to claim 52 is based on
The motor is configured to switch a rotation direction to a second predetermined direction, and the transmission mechanism is configured to move to a third position in response to the operation in the second predetermined direction,
In the third position, the transmission mechanism is configured to bidirectionally adjust a focal length of the camera to a predetermined value corresponding to at least one of a manually adjusted fixed focus area and an automatically adjusted focus area. It is characterized by being mechanically coupled to the mechanism.

According to a fifty-third aspect of the present invention, when the driving force from the motor receives a zoom request interpreted that the lens zoom operation should be performed, the transmission mechanism is moved to the fourth position in response to the request. It is characterized by further comprising a lens zoom control means configured to perform the control. The invention according to claim 54 is characterized in that the zoom control means includes a solenoid plunger for selectively directing the transmission mechanism to the fourth position.

A thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the zoom control means has a gear coupled to the motor, and includes a solenoid plunger for applying a driving force from the motor to a lens zoom operation. .

The invention according to claim 56 is means for holding a lens at a predetermined distance from an image recording medium, means for generating a rotational driving force in a predetermined direction from a single drive source, and wherein said holding means Means for coupling driving force, and means for bidirectionally moving the lens to a predetermined position along the optical axis of the lens by coupling the rotational driving force in a predetermined direction from the coupling means. It is characterized by. The invention according to claim 57, comprising holding the lens at a predetermined distance from the image recording medium, generating a rotational driving force in a predetermined direction from a single driving source, combining the generated rotational driving force, and Each step of bidirectionally moving the lens to a predetermined position along the optical axis of the lens by combining the rotational driving force in a predetermined direction, instead of applying a rotational driving force opposite to a predetermined direction. It is characterized by:

[0042]

That is, in the camera, the lens position adjusting mechanism, the method and the optical image pickup apparatus according to the present invention, the moving position of the lens holding member for holding and fixing the photographing lens with the rotation of the cam member driven to rotate only in a fixed direction. When the cam member is separated from the lens holding member by a ring that contacts and separates the lens holding member from the cam member, the cam member is moved to a predetermined standby position. Return to Therefore, for example, two operations such as focus and film feeding can be realized by one motor, and the camera can be configured to be inexpensive and take up little space. In addition, it is possible to realize two-way drive control such as appropriately controlling the advancing and retreating of the photographing lens.

[0043]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a camera according to the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show a configuration of a main part of a single focus camera (hereinafter, simply referred to as “camera”) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration around a main optical system of a camera related to a photographing lens system and a driving unit thereof. FIG. FIG. 2B is a schematic development view showing the surface, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the portion shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the side.

FIG. 3 shows an operation state different from that of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 (a) is a schematic development view showing a cam surface of the cam member of the portion shown in FIG. FIG.
FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the portion illustrated in FIG. 1 when viewed from a side. In particular, FIG. 2 shows the state of the optical system when the lens is in the retracted position, that is, the storage position, in the camera, and FIG. 3 shows when the lens is in the photographing standby position (details will be described later) in the camera. The state of the optical system is shown.

The camera shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a taking lens 1, a lens holding member 2, a cam member 3, a ring 4, a spring 5, a drive mechanism 6 (FIG. 1 shows a part of the drive mechanism), and a gear. 7 (FIG. 1). Note that FIG.
(And FIG. 3) shows the film surface F. In this embodiment, a film is used as a recording medium, but in another embodiment, an image sensor such as a CCD (solid-state imaging device) is used to capture a digital image. Furthermore, an analog (film) and digital hybrid camera, which allows the user to arbitrarily select whether to record an image on a film or use a digital recording element, can also be used. At this time, analog film can provide better resolution than digital images. Therefore, the hybrid camera is useful when the film has been used up or when the photographer wants to preserve the film for high-resolution shooting thereafter.

One or more photographing lenses 1 (in the case of FIG. 1,
(Three) lenses, and converges a subject light beam composed of reflected light or transmitted light from the subject, and forms a subject image on a subject image forming member such as a film or CSd.
The lens holding member 2 fixedly supports the photographing lens 1 and is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward along the optical axis direction of the photographing lens 1 with respect to the camera housing. That is, the lens moves in both directions. A direction in which the lens holding member 2 protrudes from the camera housing by a pressing member 10 such as a spring (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and will be described in detail later) not shown. That is, it is urged toward the left in the figure. The lens holding member 2 includes
Projecting portions 2a that are in sliding contact with the cam surface of the cam member 3 are provided at three locations on the outer peripheral surface, for example, at equal angular intervals as shown in the figure.

Alternatively, the cam may be mounted on the holding cylinder by an appropriate means, and the cam may be rotated by a driving device, that is, a motor meshing with a gear portion of the cam. In the preferred embodiment, three protrusions are used which cooperate with the three cam members 3, but at least one as long as the interaction between the cam and the protrusions is sufficiently stable. The individual cams and the protruding portions may be used in pairs. Similarly, two or more cams may be used with a corresponding number of protrusions. It is also desirable, but not necessary, that the number of cams and protrusions be equal to each other.

The cam member 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and has an integrated outer cylinder and a cam cylinder. The cam cylinder is
It has a portion protruding from its base, and in one embodiment, is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape at three equal angular intervals on the circumference of one side edge surface. The three protruding portions are arranged at positions relatively inward toward the center of the cam cylinder at a relatively base portion of the cam cylinder. An inclined surface is formed on the side surface of the base of the cam barrel between the positions where the edges of the protrusion are arranged. The end of the inclined surface is connected to the end of the protrusion on both sides of the inclined surface. Hereinafter, the above-described inclined edge surface and the edge surface of the protrusion are collectively referred to as a cam surface of the cam member 3, that is, a boundary surface with the protrusion. For clarity, the cam surface of the cam member 3 is shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 3 (a).
Is indicated by the line 3b.

At the base of the cam cylinder, a slot is formed below the protrusion extending in the circumferential direction of the cam member 3 so that the length dimension is equal to the length of the bottom of the protrusion. The slot extends through both the outside and the cam barrel.
Further, a stopper is formed integrally with the cam cylinder once near the slot. The detailed function of the stopper will be described later. In FIGS. 1, 2A and 3A, the rotation of the cam member 3 in the direction indicated by arrow D4 (hereinafter referred to as "D4 direction") causes the lens holding member 2 to rotate.
Slides while sliding on the cam surface,
The lens holding member 2 is moved forward and backward in the optical axis direction of the taking lens 1.

In particular, when the projecting portion 2a of the lens holding member 2 is in contact with the lens storage position P1 on the cam surface of the cam member 3, the taking lens 1 is mounted on the camera housing as shown in FIG. It is housed inside. When the projection 2a is in contact with the lens standby position P2, the taking lens 1
As shown in (a), the camera is on standby for a focus operation. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, the cam surface of the cam member 3 is provided between the lens retracted position P1 and the lens standby position P2.
3 of lens storage area A2 and lens extension area A3
One region is formed.

The focus area A1 is a cam surface area used during focusing, and the storage area A2 is a cam surface area used when the photographic lens 1 is moved to and stored in the lens storage position P1 after focusing, and an extension area. A3 is a cam surface area used when the photographing lens 1 is extended from the lens storage position P1 to the photographing standby position P2. In each of the areas A1, A2, and A3, the photographing lens 1 is moved by the protruding portion 2a that slides on the working surface (load receiving surface) of the cam member 3 in the different areas A1, A2, and A3 as described above. The ring 4 also has a cylindrical shape and is inscribed in the cam member 3. Further, at one edge of the ring 4 at three equal angular intervals, a protrusion 2 a slides along the lens focus area A1 on the cam surface. The notch 4a is formed so as to engage with the protrusion 2a when moving (the details will be described later).

FIG. 3A shows a state in which the protrusion 2a is located at the lens standby position on the cam surface and is engaged with the notch 4a. Other notches are also notches 4a of the ring 4.
Are formed at equal angular intervals so as to correspond to each of the three slots of the cam member 3. A spring 5, which is a biasing member capable of accumulating and releasing potential energy, extends in a circumferential direction of the cam member 3 in a slot of the cam member 3. In the slot, one end of the spring 5 is connected to the cam member 3 and the other end is connected to the ring 4.
When the relative position between the cam member 3 and the ring 4 changes due to the rotation of the cam member 3 driven by the driving mechanism 6,
The spring 5 is compressed in the slot, thereby obtaining a biasing force for subsequent extension. Spring 5
Is used to return the cam member 3 and the ring 4 to the initial position (that is, the home position).

Although the detailed operation of the spring 5 will be described later,
For the sake of clarity, the description will be made based on the case where the biasing force of the compression of the spring 5 is used to return the cam member 3 and the ring 4 to the initial positions. The drive mechanism 6 (a part of the drive mechanism 6 is shown in FIG. 1) is for performing operations such as a motor 30 (not shown) serving as a drive source and lens movement and film feeding in a camera. Motor 3
It has a gear that transmits zero driving force. The detailed configuration and operation of the drive mechanism 6 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

The gear 7 meshes with a gear surface formed on the circumferential surface of the cam member 3 and is connected to the drive mechanism 6. The gear 7 rotates in a direction indicated by an arrow D5 in FIG. 1 (hereinafter, referred to as a “D5 direction”) by the driving force transmitted from the driving mechanism 6, and as a result, FIGS. 1, 2A and 3 The cam member 3 rotates in the direction D4 in FIG.

Next, the driving mechanism 6 in the camera of the present invention.
Will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 10. 5 to 10 are bottom views for explaining the configuration of the driving mechanism 6 and different operation states. In this embodiment, the camera uses a prewinding method (prewind method). In the preliminary winding method,
Unexposed film is pulled out of a film cartridge (patrone) and pre-wound on a film spool, and the exposed film is
The film is pulled back from the film spool to the film cartridge one frame at a time (ie, rewinded). Therefore, in the following description, the word "wind" means that the film is fed from the film cartridge to the film spool, and the word "rewind" means that the frame of the film is It means that the film is fed from the film spool to the film cartridge. The present invention can be applied to a camera of a type in which a film is not pre-wound.

That is, the drive mechanism 6 includes a motor 30 (not shown in FIGS. 4 to 10), a transmission mechanism, first / second / third drive mechanisms, and a switch mechanism.
The transmission mechanism includes a motor gear 11 interlocking with the rotation shaft of the motor 30, gears 12, 13A, 13B meshing with each other sequentially.
14A and 14B. Each pair of gears 13A / 1
3B and 14A / 14B constitute a planetary gear set, gears 13A and 14A are sun gears, and gears 13B and 14B are planetary gears. Planetary gears 13B and 1
4B moves around sun gears 13A and 14A, respectively, about the axes of sun gears 13A and 14A. In the transmission mechanism, the driving force of the motor 30 is controlled by the motor gear 11, the gears 12, 13A / 13B, and 14A.
/ 14B to the first / second / third drive mechanism.

The first drive mechanism has a gear 15 coupled to the gear 7 via a transmission gear mechanism (not shown). The gear 7 meshes with the gear surface of the cam member 3 as shown in FIG. The gear 15 is driven by meshing with the planetary gear 14 </ b> B, and transmits the driving force of the motor 30 to the gear 7 to rotate the cam member 3. The second drive mechanism has a pair of a sun gear 16A and a planetary gear 16B. The planet gear 16B moves around the sun gear 16A about the axis of the sun gear 16A. The sun gear 16A is connected to the film cartridge gear 20 via a transmission gear (not shown).
Is joined to. The planetary gear 16B is a planetary gear 14B.
The driving force of the motor 30 is transmitted to the film cartridge gear 20, and the film is rewound from a film spool (not shown) to a film cartridge (not shown).

The third drive mechanism is a gear 1 meshing with each other.
7 and 18. The gear 18 meshes with the film spool gear 19. The gear 17 is a planetary gear 14B
The driving force of the motor 30 is transmitted to the film spool gear 19, and the unexposed film is preliminarily wound from the film cartridge to the film spool. The switch mechanism sets the transmission mechanism to the first / second / third.
Levers 21 for switching connection to each of the drive mechanisms of
22 and 23 and claws 24. The sun gear 13A and the planetary gear 13B are provided on a lever 21, and the lever 21 rotates around the axis of the sun gear 13A. The spring 25 is coupled to one end 21 a of the lever 21 and applies a clockwise biasing force to the lever 21.

The sun gear 14A and the planetary gear 14B are
Provided on the lever 22, the lever 22
It rotates around the axis of A. The sun gear 16A and the planetary gear 16B are provided on the lever 23,
Rotates about the axis of the sun gear 16A. Claws 24
Is provided on the sun gear 14A and rotates about the axis of the sun gear 14A. The sun gear 14A is the sun gear 14
It is sandwiched between the lever 22 and the claw 24 on the axis of A.

First, FIG. 4 shows the state of the drive mechanism when the camera back cover (not shown) is open. When the back cover is opened, the lever 23 is pulled by a mechanism (not shown), and the lever 23 rotates clockwise. Then, the lever 23 is moved to the end 23a of the lever 23.
Stops rotating at a predetermined position locked and held by the pawl 24. The lever 23 maintains this position while the back cover is open. Further, when the camera back cover is opened, the planetary gear 14B and the lever 22
B is arranged at an initial position where it meshes with the gear 15.

Next, the operation of the drive mechanism 6 after the back cover is closed will be described with reference to FIG. Before closing the back cover, the film cartridge is installed in the camera housing,
It is assumed that the leading end of the film is pulled out of the film cartridge and is preset on the film spool. When the back cover is closed, the lever 23 is biased counterclockwise by a biasing mechanism (not shown) so that the end 23a is locked and held by the claw 24. When the back cover is closed, the motor gear 11 is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow M2 in FIG. 5 (hereinafter, referred to as “M2 direction”). Gears 12, 13A / 13B and 14A / 14B are shown in FIG.
Then, the planetary gear 14B and the lever 22 move from the initial position to the position of the gear 17 around the axis of the sun gear 14A. Then, the planetary gear 14B meshes with a third drive mechanism having the gears 17 and 18 (hereinafter, referred to as a “third position”). Then, the gears 17 and 18 are rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 5, and the film spool gear 19 rotates counterclockwise. As a result, the leading end of the film preset on the film spool is driven up,
The film is pulled out of the film cartridge and pre-wound on a film spool.

When the end of the film is stretched between the film cartridge and the film spool, the gear 1
3A, 14A / 14B, 17, 18 and the spool gear 19 are locked by stopping the film winding. The motor 30 is still rotating in the M2 direction even after the preliminary winding of the film is completed and the tension of the film is increased. Thus, the gear 12 is rotated clockwise, and the planetary gear 13B is rotated counterclockwise. Then, the planetary gear 13B moves counterclockwise around the sun gear 13A, whereby the lever 21 rotates counterclockwise about the axis of the sun gear 13A. The counterclockwise movement of the lever 21 presses the left end portion 21b of the lever 21 against the claw 24, and rotates the claw 24 counterclockwise about the axis of the sun gear 14A. Thereby, lever 2
The third end 23a is locked by the claw 24 and released from the held state.

FIG. 6 shows that the end 23a of the lever 23 is
4 shows a state in which it is locked and released from the held state. Further, as shown in FIG.
When a detecting device (not shown) such as a contact sensor or an optical sensor detects the protruding portion 21c at the intermediate portion of the lever 21 while the device 1 is rotating counterclockwise about the axis of the sun gear 13A, the motor The gear 11 is switched so as to rotate in a direction indicated by an arrow M1 in FIG. 7 (hereinafter, referred to as “M1 direction”). Thereby, the sun gear 14A rotates clockwise, and the planetary gear 14B and the lever 22 move toward the gear 15 around the axis of the sun gear 14A.
The motor gear 11 rotates in the M1 direction by a predetermined rotation amount, and the planetary gear 14B moves to a predetermined position immediately before the gear 15. When the planetary gear 14B moves to the predetermined position,
The motor gear 11 stops rotating.

On the other hand, after being released from the pawl 24, the lever 2
3, the lever 23 is urged in the counterclockwise direction by the biasing device (not shown, for example, an elastic member or the like) as described above, so that the lever 23 moves counterclockwise around the axis of the sun gear 16A. Rotate. The lever 23 stops rotating by a mechanism (not shown) that is appropriate at a predetermined position, whereby the planetary gear 16B is arranged at a predetermined position near the planetary gear 14B. FIG. 7 shows a state where the planetary gear 14B is located at a predetermined position in front of the gear 15 and the planetary gear 16B is also located at a predetermined position close to the planetary gear 14B.

Next, referring to FIG. 8, after the above-described state shown in FIG. 7, the sun gear 14A rotates counterclockwise,
As a result, the planetary gear 14B and the gear 22
The motor gear 11 is switched to rotate in the M2 direction to move the planetary gear 16B about the axis of the planetary gear 16B toward the planetary gear 16B.
Mesh with a second drive mechanism having The position where the planetary gear 14B meshes with the second drive mechanism is shown in FIG. 8 and is hereinafter referred to as a “second position”. After meshing with the planetary gear 14B, the planetary gear 16B rotates, which causes the film cartridge gear 20 to rotate clockwise so that the base end of the film is rewound into the film cartridge and the first frame of the film is rotated. Is set at a predetermined position. With the above-described operation, the setting of the first frame is completed.

In FIG. 9, after the first frame is set, the motor gear 11 is switched to rotate in the M1 direction, and the sun gear 14A rotates clockwise. Thereby, the planet gear 14B and the lever 22 move toward the gear 15 around the axis of the sun gear 14A, and the planet gear 14B meshes with the first drive mechanism having the gear 15 coupled to the gear 7. . The position where the planetary gear 14B meshes with the first drive mechanism is shown in FIG. 9 and is hereinafter referred to as “first position”. After meshing with the planetary gear 14B,
The gear 15 rotates, whereby the gear 7 rotates in the direction D5, and the cam member 3 rotates in the direction D4. The detailed operation of the cam member 3 will be described later. Until the camera shutter is released, the planet gears 14B and the lever 22 remain in the "first position".

After the shutter of the camera is released, the motor gear 11 is switched to rotate again in the M2 direction, as shown in FIG. 10, the sun gear 14A rotates counterclockwise, and the lever 22 changes to " To the "second position".
Further, the film cartridge gear 20 rotates clockwise to rewind the film cartridge one frame at a time. Until the film is rewound from the film spool to the film cartridge one frame at a time, the motor gear 11 repeatedly switches the rotation direction between the M1 direction and the M2 direction, whereby the planetary gear 14B and the lever 22 It moves between a first position and a second position so as to mesh with the first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism, respectively. When the back cover is opened, the state of the drive mechanism 6 changes to the state shown in FIG.

According to the configuration and operation of the drive mechanism 6 described above, one motor operates (1) a lens position control operation including a focus (details will be described later) via the first drive mechanism, and (2) The film feeding operation such as film winding and rewinding through the third and second drive mechanisms is performed by changing the rotation direction of the motor by M for operation (1).
It can be implemented by switching between one direction and the M2 direction for operation (2). As mentioned earlier, this camera uses a pre-winding method,
The film is rewound to the film cartridge via a second drive mechanism having a sun gear 16A and a planetary gear 16B.

During photographing, the planetary gear 14B and the lever 2
2 is a gear 15 in which the planetary gear 14B is connected to the gear 7
A "first position" meshing with a first drive mechanism having
The planetary gear 14B is switched by moving between a “second position” where the planetary gear 14B meshes with the second drive mechanism. Alternatively, the camera may employ a method in which the film is wound one frame at a time from the film cartridge to the film spool, and the exposed film is rewound from the film spool to the film cartridge at one time. In this method, during shooting, the planetary gear 14B and the lever 22 move between a "first position" and a "third position" where the planetary gear 14B meshes with a third drive mechanism having gears 17 and 18. You can switch between them.

Next, a detailed operation of the lens positioning mechanism of the camera according to the first to ninth embodiments of the present invention will be described. As described above, in order to clearly understand the lens positioning mechanism, the spring 5 is used.
A description will be made based on the case where the biasing force for contracting the cam member 3 is used to return the cam member 3 and the ring 4 to the initial positions.
The biasing force for extending the spring 5 is applied to the cam member 3 and the ring 4.
May be used to return to the initial position.
In both cases, the effect of using the spring 5 is similar.

FIG. 11A and FIG. 12A show the first
11B is a top view of the lens positioning mechanism according to the embodiment, and FIG. 11B and FIG. 12B are corresponding side views of the lens positioning mechanism. The lens positioning mechanism includes a protrusion 2 a of the lens holding member 2, a cam member 3, a ring 4, a notch 4 a of the ring 4, a spring 5, a stopper 8, and a pressing member 10. As shown in FIGS. 11B and 12B, the lens positioning mechanism includes a planetary gear set 14A / 14B, a gear 15 (first drive mechanism in FIGS. 4 to 10), and a motor 30 (configuration and The driving mechanism 6 includes the operation described above).
Driven by The stopper 8 is provided on the ring 4 in order to stabilize the relative position between the cam member 3 and the ring 4, and holds a predetermined initial position between the cam member 3 and the ring 4. For example, a pressing member 10 such as a spring connects the projection 2a of the lens holding member 2 to the camera housing.
Is provided to press the cam surface of the cam member 3 along the optical axis direction. Reference numeral A1 in FIGS. 11B and 12B indicates the “lens focus area” shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A.

FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b) show that the projection 2a of the lens holding member 2 is located within the notch 4a of the ring 4 and the cam surface of the cam member 3 is at the lens standby position P2 (ie, the initial position). Is shown, and this state corresponds to the lens standby state shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. When the driving force of the motor 30 is transmitted to the cam member 3 via the sun and the planetary gears 14A / 14B and the gear 15, the cam member 3 rotates in the right direction (D4 direction) in FIG. Driven. Cam member 3
In this driving state, even if the ring 4 is coupled to the cam member 3 via the spring 5, since the projection 2 a of the lens holding member 2 is located within the cutout 4 a of the ring 4, the ring 4 Cannot move together with the cam member 3 in the direction D4.

A predetermined amount of rotation corresponding to the subject distance D
While the cam member rotates in the four directions, the protruding portion 2a slides while contacting the cam surface of the cam member 3, and the spring 5 moves in the D4 direction as shown in FIGS. Elongate. Thereby, the protruding portion 2a of the lens holding member 2
Moves from the lens standby position P2 to a predetermined focus position corresponding to the subject distance, as shown in FIG. While the protruding portion 2a of the lens holding member 2 moves from the lens standby position P2 to the predetermined focus position, the photographing lens 1 held by the lens holding member 2 is obtained by developing the cam surface shown in FIG. As is clear, taking lens 1
Move in the return direction along the optical axis direction of. Focusing is performed by the above-described operation of the lens positioning mechanism.

The above object distance is generally 2
It is measured in two ways. In an autofocus camera, the subject distance is automatically measured by a distance measuring device, and the subject is automatically focused on the measured subject distance. On the other hand, in a manual focus camera (manual focus camera), the subject distance is determined by visual observation or distance measurement, and the focus setting dial (distance dial) of the camera is manually set according to the determined distance. After the focus adjustment is completed, for example, if a stepping motor is used, no further pulse is sent to the motor 30 so that the motor 30 stops.

When the motor 30 stops, all the gears connecting the cam member 3 to the motor 30 are locked, so that the projection 2a of the lens holding member 2 holds the focus position. Thereby, when the shutter of a camera (not shown) is released, as shown in FIG.
1 is switched to rotate in the M2 direction, and the planetary gear 1 is rotated.
4B is disconnected from the gear 15 and moves from the “first position” to the “second position”. As a result, the cam member 3
Due to the contraction biasing force of the spring 5, the left direction (hereinafter, “D6”) indicated by an arrow D6 in FIG.
Direction)). While the cam member 3 is rotating in the direction D6, the protrusion 2a of the lens holding member 2
A lens focus area A1 along the cam surface of the cam member 3
Slides downward. Then, the rotation of the cam member 3 in the direction D6 is stopped by the stopper 8, and the notch 4
a of the lens holding member 2 in FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b), the lens returns to the lens standby position P2. At the lens standby position P2, the taking lens 1
As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, it is arranged at the forefront position of the housing of the camera. In the first embodiment, the focus operation is performed each time a picture is taken by repeating the above-described reciprocating movement of the protrusion 2a of the lens holding member 2 between the above-described lens standby position P2 and the lens focus position. Done.

FIGS. 13 and 14 correspond to FIGS.
9 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, which is a modification of the second embodiment. 13 (a), 13 (b), 14
11A and FIG. 1 in FIGS.
1 (b), FIG. 12 (a) and FIG. 12 (b), is that the spring, that is, the biasing member 5, is arranged on the opposite side of the stopper 8. As a result, when the inclined surface presses the protrusion 2a upward, the spring 5 is compressed without being extended. Therefore, once the driving force is removed from the cam member 3, the spring 5 releases the stored potential energy and pushes the cam member 3 back to the stopper 8 side.

Next, the operation of the lens positioning mechanism of the camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 15 (a) and FIG.
15A is a top view of the lens positioning mechanism, and FIG.
(B) and FIG. 16 (b) are corresponding side views of the lens positioning mechanism. In FIGS. 15 and 16, the same parts as those in FIGS. 11 and 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the third embodiment, a long slot 3 a is formed in the cam member 3 in a direction parallel to the cam surface of the cam member 3. Further, the protrusion 2a of the lens holding member 2 is slidably engaged with the slot 3a, and moves from the lens standby position P2 to the lens focus position.

FIGS. 15A and 15B show that the projection 2a of the lens holding member 2 is located within the notch 4a of the ring 4 and the lens standby position P2 is located within the slot 3a of the cam member 3.
Is shown. The operation of the lens positioning mechanism according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and will be described in a simplified manner. The driving force of the motor 30 is controlled by the sun and the planetary gears 14A / 14B and the gear 15
The cam member 3 is driven to rotate in the direction D4 in FIG. 15B.
In this driving state of the cam member 3, even if the ring 4 is coupled to the cam member 3 via the spring 5, the projection 2 a of the lens holding member 2 is located within the cutout 4 a of the ring 4. The ring 4 cannot move in the direction D4 together with the cam member 3.

A predetermined amount of rotation corresponding to the subject distance D
While the cam member rotates in the four directions, the protrusion 2a slides guided by the longitudinal surface of the slot 3a, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b), the spring 5
Stretch in the direction. As a result, the projection 2a of the lens holding member 2 moves from the lens standby position P2 to a predetermined focus position corresponding to the subject distance, as shown in FIG. The focusing operation is performed by the above-described operation of the lens positioning mechanism according to the third embodiment. During photographing, the above-described reciprocating motion between the lens standby position P2 and the lens focus position in the slot 3a of the protrusion 2a is repeated.

Further, the operation of the lens positioning mechanism of the camera according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 17, 18, 19 and 20. FIG.
(A), FIG. 18 (a), FIG. 19 (a) and FIG.
FIG. 17A is a top view of the lens positioning mechanism, and FIG.
(B), FIG. 18 (b), FIG. 19 (b) and FIG.
(B) is a corresponding side view of the lens positioning mechanism. 17 to 20, the same parts as those in FIGS. 11 to 16 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the fourth embodiment, a lens barrel member 9 is provided in a camera housing. The lens barrel member 9 is provided with three guide slits extending in the optical axis direction of the photographing lens 1 at equal angular intervals. The projecting portion 2a of the lens holding member 2 is guided to move forward and backward in the optical axis direction of the photographing lens 1 along a corresponding guide slit for lens positioning. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, A1 indicates a “lens focus area”, A2 indicates a “lens storage area”, and A3 indicates a “lens extension area”.

FIGS. 17A and 17B show a state in which the projection 2a of the lens holding member 2 is located at the lens standby position P2 on the cam surface of the cam member 3 within the notch 4a of the ring 4. FIG. ing. FIGS. 18A and 18B show a state in which the protrusion 2a of the lens holding member 2 is located at the focus position. The operation of the protrusion 2a of the lens holding member 2 from the lens standby position to the focus position is described with reference to FIG.
1 (a) and 1 (b).
The description of the above operation in FIG. 18 is omitted.

In FIG. 18B, after focusing is performed, the cam member 3 is still driven by the motor 30 to further rotate in the direction D4.
The projecting portion 2a of the lens holding member 2 slides along a cam surface inclined upward. Then, the protrusion 2a slides out of the notch 4a, and enters the lens housing area A2 from the focus area A1 as shown in FIG. 19B. When the protrusion 2a slides out of the notch 4a, the ring 4 is released from engagement with the protrusion 2a and the length of the spring 5 is reduced to the cam shown in FIGS. 17 (a) and (b). It is pulled in the direction D4 by the extension biasing force of the spring 5 so as to return to the original length between the member 3 and the ring 4.

The cam member 3 and the ring 4
20B, the protruding portion 2a slides to the lens storage position P1 on the cam surface of the cam member 3 as shown in FIG. 20B. At this time, the motor 30 stops rotating,
The protrusion 2a of the lens holding member 2 remains at the lens storage position P1. In the lens storage position P1, the photographing lens 1
Is located at the rearmost position in the camera housing as shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). According to the above-described operation, the photographing lens 1 moves after the focus and the photographing operation.
It is stored in the camera housing.

When the cam member 3 is driven to rotate in the direction D4 by the motor 30 in a state where the projection 2a of the lens holding member 2 is located at the lens storage position, the projection 2a is moved to the lens extension region A3 (FIG. 2). ((A), FIG. 3 (a) and FIG. 20 (b)), it slides along the cam surface of the cam member 3 and returns to the lens standby position P2 again. Thus, in the fourth embodiment, one of the motors 30
Using the driving forces in the two driving directions, the projecting portion 2a of the lens holding member 2 moves the cam member 3 in the lens focus area A1, the lens storage area A2, and the lens extension area A3.
Slides along the cam surface. According to the configuration and operation of the lens positioning mechanism according to the first to fourth embodiments described above, the photographing lens 1 of the camera is moved on the cam surface of the cam member 3 by the driving force of the motor 30 in one direction. It is extended and returned and stored.

Further, in the lens focus area A1, the photographic lens 1 of the camera is moved from the lens standby position P2 to the focus position by one-way driving force of the motor 30, and the photographic lens 1 The lens returns from the focus position to the lens standby position P2 by the biasing force of the spring 5 without using a driving force. Thereby, a bidirectional focus operation can be achieved by one-way rotation of the motor, that is, rotation of the motor gear 11 in the drive mechanism 6 in the M1 direction. As described above in relation to the subject distance, the camera of the present invention can be applied to both an autofocus camera and a manual focus camera.

FIGS. 21 (a), 21 (b), 22
(A), FIG. 22 (b), FIG. 23 (a), FIG.
FIGS. 24 (a) and 24 (b) show a lens positioning mechanism of a camera according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 17 (a), 17 (b), and 18 (a), FIG. 18 (b), FIG. 19 (a), FIG.
(B), FIG. 20 (a) and FIG. 20 (b), respectively. The difference is that in the configuration of FIGS. 21 to 24, the spring 5 and the stopper 8 are provided in the slots of the ring 4 as shown. On the other hand, FIGS.
The principle operation in FIG. 24 corresponds to what has already been described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 20, and further description will be omitted.

FIGS. 25 (a), 25 (b), 26
(A), FIG. 26 (b), FIG. 27 (a), FIG. 27 (b),
FIGS. 28 (a) and 28 (b) show a lens positioning mechanism of a camera according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In this case, FIGS.
(B), FIG. 18 (a), FIG. 18 (b), FIG. 19 (a),
19 (b), FIG. 20 (a) and FIG. 20 (b). The difference is that in the configuration of FIGS. 25 to 28, instead of using the pressing member 10 together with the protruding portion 2a as shown in FIGS.
Is formed to guide the protrusion 2a between the respective side surfaces of the groove 3c. In this case, since the protrusion 2a is guided in the groove 3c, it is not necessary to provide a spring for applying a compressive force to the protrusion 2a. On the other hand, the operation in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 25 to 28 is similar to that already described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 20, and further description will be omitted.

Further, in the camera driving mechanism of the present invention, the same zooming operation can be performed by using a plunger as the driving mechanism. FIGS. 29 and 30 show two examples. FIG. 29 is a bottom view of a part of the drive mechanism 6 of the first example, and FIG. 30 is a bottom view of a part of the drive mechanism 6 of the second example. 29 and FIG.
The same parts as those in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 29, reference numeral 40 denotes a zoom gear, and 41 denotes a solenoid plunger. In the first example, plunger 41 connects gear 18 to spool gear 1
Press 9 When the planetary gear 14B meshes with the gear 17, the driving force of the motor 30 (not shown) is transmitted from the gear 18 to the spool gear 19 by energizing the plunger 41 to turn on the plunger 41. By turning off the power, the driving force is transmitted from the gear 18 to the zoom gear 40.

As described above, in the first example, by switching the positions of the planetary gear 14B and the lever 22, the drive mechanism can execute the following four operations. In the "first position" (when the planetary gear 14B meshes with the gear 15), (1) a lens positioning operation including focus control is performed. In the "second position" (when the planetary gear 14B meshes with the planetary gear 16B), (2) the film rewinding operation is performed. In the “third position” (when the planetary gear 14B meshes with the gear 17), by turning on the plunger 41,
(3) The film winding operation is performed, and the plunger 41
Is turned off, (4) the zooming operation is performed.

In the second example, the plunger 41 is provided with a zoom gear 40, and the plunger 41 is turned on to move the zoom gear 40 to the planetary gear 14B, and the plunger 41 is turned off. To retract the zoom gear 40. Also in the second example, by switching the positions of the planetary gear 14B and the lever 22, the driving mechanism can execute the following four operations. "First position" (the planetary gear 14B
), (1) a lens positioning operation including focus control is performed. "Second position"
In (when the planetary gear 14B meshes with the planetary gear 16B), (2) the film rewinding operation is performed. In the "third position" (when the planetary gear 14B meshes with the gear 17), the plunger 41 is turned on to perform (3) film winding operation. By turning off the plunger 41 at the position where the planetary gear 14B meshes with the zoom gear 40, (4) the zooming operation is performed.

FIG. 31 shows a computer-based control mechanism of the present invention. The controller has a bus 1000 that interconnects a number of components including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1002. The CPU 1002 is connected to the bus 10
00, the stored program is taken out from the memory 1004, and the temporary value and the threshold value are stored in the memory 1004.
To be stored. Based on whether the CPU 1002 decides to perform a film feeding operation, a zooming operation, a focus operation, a standby operation, or a shutter operation mechanism,
The CPU 1002 sends a control signal for driving the motor in the first predetermined direction or the second predetermined direction,
The motor 1006 is operated. CPU 1002 is based, in part, on the information provided by shutter switch 1022 indicating whether the user has pressed the switch.
Based on the activation of the various contact and tension sensors 1016, such as when the back cover is opened or closed, it determines which action to take.

The CPU 1002 sends a drive signal to the motor 10
When it is determined that it should be supplied to the CPU 06, the CPU instruction drive signal mechanism 1010 sends a drive signal to the motor 1006.
The amount of movement by the pulse supplied to the motor 1006 is set in part by a focus adjustment 1018 provided by manual or automatic focusing. Further, when a zooming operation is to be performed, the zoom sensor 1
020 is activated. If a zooming operation is to be performed, the CPU 1002 determines the number of steps required to move the motor 1006 and requests to move the position of the taking lens 1 with respect to the film or the CCD in the case of a digital camera. Determine the number of steps to be performed.

[0093] Once the motor 1006 is energized by the CPU 1002, the unidirectional operation of the motor causes the transmission system 1008 for a bidirectional moving member 1012 such as a lens holding member, a film spool, a shutter mechanism, and the like.
Is transmitted to The transmission system 1008 has already been described in FIG.
10 to several gears shown in FIG. The plunger 1014 performs another operation of time-divisionally multiplexing the motor driving force to perform a zooming operation or a multiplexing operation, as described above with reference to FIGS. 29 and 30. Work for. In the case of a digital camera, the image device 1024 supplies the received digital image to the memory 1004 and thereafter supplies the digital image to the input / output device.

FIG. 32 shows the distance / time curve of a set of four lenses. An axis indicating the rotation angle of the ring 4 is shown at the bottom of FIG. In a preferred embodiment, three cams are arranged on the ring 4, each of which is 120 ° apart. As shown at the bottom of FIG. 32, the movement of the cam returns to the initial position when rotated by 120 °. Each of the four curves shown in FIG. 32 shows a different possibility of the cam shape and the one-way movement of the lens holding member when driven in one direction by the corresponding motor. First curve labeled HP ₁ as the home position (initial position) 1 is attached is in the operating of the sinusoidal type.

That is, the uniform speed for moving the lens away from the camera is substantially equal to the speed for returning the lens in the direction toward the camera. Second curve HP ₂ is in the focus area of the movement (the first third part of the first period), the size of the gradient (Fig. 3
2, which is smaller than the second one-third curve portion corresponding to the lens retracting operation. The last 1/1 of the first period in the _second curve HP2
The curved part 3 has a relatively steep descending steep slope (movement from the storage position to the focus area). Third curve HP
₃ shows a sawtooth waveform, showing a more gradual slope during the focus and lens storage period as shown, and a sharp change in the storage position.

The last curve HP ₄ is the second third of the waveform.
After the portion, a waveform similar to that shown in the _third curve HP3 is shown, except that it presents a short flat to provide a stable position in which the lens is housed. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation according to the present invention. The process starts in this embodiment in step S1 where the film is pre-wound. Then, the process proceeds to step S2 for determining whether or not the film tension is equal to or higher than a predetermined film tension. This determination can be made by the release of a pawl biased or biased by a sensor or spring. If the answer to the determination in step S2 is negative, the process returns to step S1. However, step S2
If the answer to the determination in is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S3 where the motor direction is reversed.

Next, the processing shifts to step S4 for determining whether or not the number of motor drive pulses is equal to the preset value. If the determination in step S4 is negative, the process returns to step S3 to cause an additional motor driving operation. However, if the determination in step S4 is affirmative, the direction of the motor driving force is reversed, and the film is set on a predetermined frame. Next, the process proceeds to step S6 where it is determined whether or not the shutter button has been pressed.
If the answer to the determination in step S6 is negative,
The process returns to the determination. However, if the answer to the determination in step S6 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S7 where the motor is reversed and the focus is adjusted by the preset or automatic focus setting. The process then proceeds to step S8 where the motor is reversed after the image is captured on film (or in digital memory) and the next film frame is set. Then, in the processing, a photograph in which the film roll remains is taken, the process proceeds to step S9, and the process ends.

[0098]

As described above, according to the present invention, two operations such as focus and film feeding are performed by one.
It is possible to provide a camera, a lens position adjusting mechanism, a method, and an optical imaging device which are realized by two motors and are inexpensive and take up little space. Further, according to the present invention, a camera, a lens position adjusting mechanism, a method, and an optical imaging device capable of realizing two-direction drive control such as appropriately controlling the advance / retreat of a photographing lens by a drive source having only one drive direction Can be provided.

More specifically, according to the present invention, there is provided a camera which controls the position of the taking lens in accordance with the actual subject distance based on the result of distance measurement to vary the distance from the subject image forming member. In accordance with the rotation of the cam member, which is rotationally driven only in a certain direction by the cam driving means, the moving position of the lens interlocking member that moves forward and backward integrally with the taking lens fixing member that holds and fixes the taking lens follows a predetermined curve. When the cam member is separated from the cam driving unit by a cam driving unit switching unit that moves the cam driving unit toward and away from the cam member, the cam returning unit sets the cam member to a predetermined position. The reciprocating movement of the taking lens between the focus position and the standby position by a driving source having a rotational force in one direction mainly by returning to the standby position. It can, therefore be able to share the driving source to drive the other functional unit, without requiring expensive drive source,
With a simple and inexpensive configuration, it is possible to appropriately drive the photographing lens between the standby position and the focus position. In particular, the driving direction of the main driving source related to the movement control of the photographing lens is set to a certain direction, and It is possible to provide an automatic focusing camera that can appropriately control the advance and retreat of the taking lens with only the driving source.

According to the present invention, there is provided a camera for controlling the position of a photographing lens in accordance with a subject distance designated by a manual operation to vary the distance between the subject lens and a subject image forming member, wherein the camera is controlled by a cam driving means. With the rotation of the cam member that is driven to rotate only in the direction, the movement position of the lens interlocking member that moves forward and backward integrally with the taking lens fixing member that holds and fixes the taking lens is regulated so as to follow a predetermined curve,
When the cam member is separated from the cam drive unit by a cam drive unit switching unit that moves the cam drive unit toward and away from the cam member, the cam return unit returns the cam member to a predetermined standby position. Accordingly, the photographing lens can be reciprocated between the focus position and the standby position by a driving source having mainly one-direction rotational force, and therefore, the driving source can be used for driving other functional units, and the cost is high. A simple and inexpensive configuration enables the photographing lens to be appropriately driven between the standby position and the focus position without requiring a simple driving source, and in particular, the driving of the main driving source related to the movement control of the photographing lens It is possible to provide a manual focus type camera in which the direction is set to a fixed direction and the photographing lens can be appropriately advanced and retracted by a driving source in only one direction. That.

According to the camera of the present invention, the cam return means includes a spring which is charged by the displacement of the cam member from the standby position, thereby moving the lens from the focus position to the standby position. By using a spring for this purpose, it is possible to simplify a configuration for obtaining a driving force for controlling the movement of the photographing lens in the reverse direction.

According to the camera of the present invention, the forward and reverse rotation of the motor is provided between the cam member and the gear of the cam driving means including the gear for transmitting the driving force from the driving source such as a motor to the cam member. By using the planetary gear which is inserted and removed by and intermittently transmits the driving force, the cam driving unit switching means is used, so that a planetary gear which responds to the forward / reverse rotation of the cam driving means such as a driving source motor is used. As the cam driving unit switching means, an operation of disconnecting the cam member from the cam driving means when returning from the focus position to the predetermined standby position can be performed. In particular, switching control of the driving direction of the photographing lens is easy.

According to the camera of the present invention, at least a part of the cam driving means is moved and operated by the plunger.
By configuring the cam driving unit switching means for intermittently transmitting the driving force to the cam member, a plunger is used to separate the cam member from the cam driving means when returning from the focus position to a predetermined standby position. In particular, switching control of the driving direction of the photographing lens can be reliably and easily performed. According to the camera of the present invention, at least a part of the cam driving unit is moved by the switching motor, and the cam driving unit switching unit for intermittently transmitting the driving force to the cam member is configured. The operation of disconnecting the cam member from the cam driving means when returning from the focus position to the predetermined standby position uses a considerably small motor, and in particular, the switching control of the driving direction of the photographing lens can be performed more inexpensively and easily. .

According to the camera of the present invention, the cam driving section switching means has an operation mode in which the cam driving means is continuously connected to the cam member without disconnecting the cam driving means. By rotating the member, the photographing lens interlocking member is alternately moved to a predetermined storage position and the standby position, and thereby driven in a single direction,
The taking lens can be moved between a focus position, a standby position, and a storage position.

According to the camera of the present invention, there is provided a camera for controlling the position of the taking lens in accordance with the actual subject distance based on the result of distance measurement to vary the distance between the subject and the image forming member. With the rotation of the plurality of cam members that are driven to rotate only in a certain direction, the moving position of the lens interlocking member that moves forward and backward integrally with the taking lens fixing member that holds and fixes the plurality of lens groups of the taking lens is predetermined. When the cam members are separated from the cam driving unit by a cam driving unit switching unit that restricts the curve so as to follow the cam driving unit and moves the cam driving unit toward and away from the cam members, the cam returning unit causes The configuration in which the cam member is returned to a predetermined standby position is particularly effective when applied to a camera that requires zooming, and mainly applies a rotational force in one direction. One drive source a plurality of lens groups of the photographing lens between the standby position and the focus position can be reciprocated by not require an expensive drive source,
With a simple and inexpensive configuration, the photographing lens can be appropriately driven between the standby position and the focus position,
Cost reduction can be achieved.

According to the camera of the present invention, there is provided a camera for controlling the position of the taking lens in accordance with the subject distance designated by a manual operation to vary the distance between the subject and the image forming member. With the rotation of the plurality of cam members that are driven to rotate only in a certain direction, the moving position of the lens interlocking member that moves forward and backward integrally with the taking lens fixing member that holds and fixes the plurality of lens groups of the taking lens is predetermined. When the cam members are separated from the cam driving unit by a cam driving unit switching unit that regulates the curve so as to follow the cam member and moves the cam driving unit toward and away from each of the cam members, the cam returning unit causes The configuration in which the cam member is returned to the predetermined standby position is particularly effective when applied to a camera that requires zooming, and is mainly effective in rotating in one direction. A plurality of lens groups of the photographing lens can be reciprocated between the focus position and the standby position by a driving source having a force, and a standby position is provided by a simple and inexpensive configuration without an expensive driving source. In addition, the photographing lens can be appropriately driven between the focus positions and the cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a main part of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a schematic development view of a cam surface which is a main component of the camera of FIG. 1, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the configuration of FIG. 1 as viewed from the side.

3 shows an operation position state different from that in FIG. 2. FIG. 3A is a schematic development view of a cam surface which is a main component of the camera in FIG. FIG. 3 (b)
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the configuration of FIG. 1 as viewed from the side.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a driving mechanism in the camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the drive mechanism showing an operation direction of each unit based on an operation by the drive mechanism in the camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the drive mechanism showing an operation direction of each unit based on another operation by the drive mechanism in the camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the drive mechanism showing an operation direction of each unit based on another operation by the drive mechanism in the camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the drive mechanism showing an operation direction of each unit based on still another operation by the drive mechanism in the camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the drive mechanism showing an operation direction of each unit based on still another operation by the drive mechanism in the camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the drive mechanism showing an operation direction of each unit based on still another operation by the drive mechanism in the camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a lens position control mechanism in the camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11A is a top view of the lens position control mechanism, and FIG.
(B) is a side view of the lens position control mechanism.

FIG. 12 shows another state of the lens position control mechanism in the camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
2A is a top view of the lens position control mechanism, FIG.
FIG. 12B is a side view of the lens position control mechanism.

FIG. 13 shows a lens position control mechanism in a camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13A is a top view of the lens position control mechanism, and FIG.
(B) is a side view of the lens position control mechanism.

FIG. 14 shows another state of the lens position control mechanism in the camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
4A is a top view of the lens position control mechanism, FIG.
FIG. 14B is a side view of the lens position control mechanism.

15 shows a lens position control mechanism in a camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15A is a top view of the lens position control mechanism, and FIG.
(B) is a side view of the lens position control mechanism.

FIG. 16 shows another state of the lens position control mechanism in the camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
6, FIG. 16A is a top view of a lens position control mechanism,
FIG. 16B is a side view of the lens position control mechanism.

FIG. 17 shows a lens position control mechanism in a camera according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 (a) is a top view of the lens position control mechanism, and FIG.
(B) is a side view of the lens position control mechanism.

FIG. 18 shows another state of the lens position control mechanism in the camera according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
8A is a top view of the lens position control mechanism, FIG.
FIG. 18B is a side view of the lens position control mechanism.

FIG. 19 shows another state of the lens position control mechanism in the camera according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;
19A is a top view of the lens position control mechanism, and FIG. 19B is a side view of the lens position control mechanism.

20 shows still another state of the lens position control mechanism in the camera according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 (a) is a top view of the lens position control mechanism and FIG. FIG. 20B is a side view of the lens position control mechanism.

21 shows a lens position control mechanism in a camera according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 (a) is a top view of the lens position control mechanism, FIG.
(B) is a side view of the lens position control mechanism.

FIG. 22 shows another state of the lens position control mechanism in the camera according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
2A is a top view of the lens position control mechanism, FIG.
FIG. 22B is a side view of the lens position control mechanism.

FIG. 23 shows another state of the lens position control mechanism in the camera according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention,
23A is a top view of the lens position control mechanism, and FIG. 23B is a side view of the lens position control mechanism.

24 shows still another state of the lens position control mechanism in the camera according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 24 (a) is a top view of the lens position control mechanism and FIG. FIG. 24B is a side view of the lens position control mechanism.

25 shows a lens position control mechanism in a camera according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 25 (a) is a top view of the lens position control mechanism, and FIG.
(B) is a side view of the lens position control mechanism.

FIG. 26 shows another state of the lens position control mechanism in the camera according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
6, FIG. 26 (a) is a top view of the lens position control mechanism,
FIG. 26B is a side view of the lens position control mechanism.

FIG. 27 illustrates another state of the lens position control mechanism in the camera according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;
27A is a top view of the lens position control mechanism, and FIG. 27B is a side view of the lens position control mechanism.

28 shows still another state of the lens position control mechanism in the camera according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 28 (a) is a top view of the lens position control mechanism and FIG. FIG. 28B is a side view of the lens position control mechanism.

FIG. 29 is a bottom view of a main part of the first example of the drive mechanism in the camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a bottom view of a main part of a second example of the drive mechanism in the camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a computer control device in the camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a lens drive diagram showing a lens movement distance with respect to a lapse of time when a drive motor in a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention is driven in a fixed direction.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart of a process in the camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 shooting lens 2 lens holding member 2a projecting portion 3 cam member 3a slot 3b cam surface 3c groove portion 4 ring 4a cutout portion 5 spring 6 drive mechanism 7 gear 8 stopper 9 lens barrel member 10 pressing member 11 motor gear 12 Gear 13A Sun gear 13B Planetary gear 14A Sun gear 14B Planet gear 15 Gear 16A Sun gear 16B Planet gear 17 Gear 18 Gear 19 Spool gear 20 Film gear 21 Lever 21a End 21b End 21c Projection 22 Lever 23B 23A Lever 24 Claw 25 Spring 30 Motor 40 Zoom gear 41 Plunger

Claims (57)

[Claims] 1. A camera for controlling the position of a taking lens so as to change the distance between the taking lens and a subject image forming member in accordance with an actual subject distance based on a distance measurement result. A photographing lens holding member for holding and fixing the photographing lens; a lens interlocking member operating integrally with the photographing lens holding member; and a lens such that the position of the lens interlocking member follows a predetermined curve by a rotation operation. A cam member that regulates the advance / retreat movement position of the interlocking member; a cam drive unit that rotates the cam member only in a fixed direction; a cam drive unit switching unit that contacts and separates the cam drive unit with the cam member; A cam return means for returning the cam member to a predetermined standby position when the cam member is separated from the cam drive means by the cam drive unit switching means. A camera that reciprocates between a focus position and the standby position by a rotational driving force of the cam driving means only in a certain direction. 2. A camera for controlling the position of a taking lens so as to change the distance between the taking lens and a subject image forming member in accordance with a subject distance designated by a manual operation. A photographing lens holding member for holding and fixing the photographing lens; a lens interlocking member operating integrally with the photographing lens holding member; and a lens such that the position of the lens interlocking member follows a predetermined curve by a rotation operation. A cam member that regulates the advance / retreat movement position of the interlocking member; a cam drive unit that rotates the cam member only in a fixed direction; a cam drive unit switching unit that contacts and separates the cam drive unit with the cam member; Cam return means for returning the cam member to a predetermined standby position when the cam member is separated from the cam drive means by the cam drive switching means. A camera, wherein the photographing lens reciprocates between a focus position and the standby position by a rotational driving force of the cam driving means only in a certain direction. 3. The camera according to claim 1, wherein said cam return means includes a spring which is charged by a displacement of said cam member from said standby position. 4. The cam driving means includes a gear for transmitting a driving force by a motor to the cam member, and the cam driving unit switching means includes a gear between the gear and the cam member by a forward / reverse rotation of a motor. 4. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising a planetary gear that is inserted and removed to interrupt the transmission of the driving force. 5. The cam driving unit switching means includes a plunger for moving at least a part of the cam driving means to interrupt transmission of the driving force to the cam member. The camera according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The switching unit according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit includes a switching motor for moving at least a part of the cam driving unit to interrupt the transmission of the driving force to the cam member. Item 5. The camera according to any one of Items 1 to 4. 7. The cam driving section switching means has an operation mode in which the cam driving means is kept connected to the cam member without disconnecting the cam driving means, and in the operation mode, the cam member is rotated by rotating the cam member. The camera according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the photographing lens interlocking member is alternately moved to a predetermined storage position and the standby position. 8. A camera for controlling the position of a photographic lens that varies a distance between a photographic lens composed of a plurality of lenses and a subject image forming member in accordance with an actual subject distance based on a distance measurement result, A plurality of photographing lens holding members, each of which is provided so as to be movable forward and backward, and holds and fixes each lens group constituting the photographing lens on the same optical axis; The lens interlocking member is provided corresponding to the plurality of lens driving members, and regulates the forward / backward movement position of the lens interlocking member such that the position of each lens interlocking member follows a predetermined curve by a rotation operation. A plurality of cam members, a cam driving unit for simultaneously rotating the plurality of cam members only in a fixed direction, and a cam driving unit for the plurality of cam members. A cam drive unit switching unit that is sometimes separated from the cam drive unit, and a plurality of cam return units that return the cam members to a predetermined standby position when the plurality of cam members are separated from the cam drive unit by the cam drive unit switching unit. A camera, wherein the photographing lens reciprocates between a focus position and the standby position by a rotational driving force of the cam driving unit only in a certain direction. 9. A camera for controlling a position of a photographic lens, which varies a distance between a photographic lens including a plurality of lens groups and a subject image forming member according to a subject distance designated by a manual operation, A plurality of photographing lens holding members, each of which is provided so as to be movable forward and backward, and holds and fixes each lens group constituting the photographing lens on the same optical axis; The lens interlocking member is provided corresponding to the plurality of lens driving members, and regulates the forward / backward movement position of the lens interlocking member such that the position of each lens interlocking member follows a predetermined curve by a rotation operation. A plurality of cam members, a cam driving unit for simultaneously rotating the plurality of cam members only in a fixed direction, and a cam driving unit for the plurality of cam members. And a plurality of cam drive unit switching means for simultaneously contacting and separating the plurality of cam members, and a plurality of cam members for returning each cam member to a predetermined standby position when the plurality of cam members are separated from the cam drive means by the cam drive unit switching means. A camera returning means, wherein the taking lens reciprocates between a focus position and the standby position by a rotational driving force of the cam driving means only in a certain direction. 10. A motor, and a rotatable cam formed to actuate a lens along its optical axis when rotated by the rotational force of the motor, wherein the cam is a A load receiving surface having a first inclined portion and a second inclined portion, wherein the direction of the first inclined portion is opposite to the direction of the second inclined portion; The length and angle of the second inclined portion define a moving range of the lens along the optical axis. The lens position adjusting mechanism, wherein the lens is completely driven along the first inclined portion. Moving from one end of the movement range to the opposite end, wherein the lens is fully driven along the second ramp when the opposite end of the movement range. A lens position adjusting mechanism, wherein the lens position adjusting mechanism is moved from the portion to the one end. 11. The magnitude of the inclination of the first inclined portion is as follows:
The lens position adjusting mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the inclination of the second inclined portion is smaller than the magnitude of the inclination. 12. The magnitude of the inclination of the first inclined portion is as follows:
The lens position adjusting mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the magnitude of the inclination of the second inclined portion is substantially the same. 13. When the focus operation is determined to be performed, control is performed to move the lens to an initial position at the one end of the movement range before moving the lens to a predetermined focal length. The lens position adjusting mechanism according to claim 10, further comprising a control device that performs control. 14. The lens of claim 1, wherein the lens is a camera lens configured for use in a camera, and wherein the initial position is a focal length at which the cam moves the lens from the initial position during the focusing operation. 14. The lens position adjusting mechanism according to claim 13, wherein the lens position adjusting mechanism is located outside the operable focal length of the camera so as to move the lens within the range. 15. The lens position adjusting mechanism according to claim 10, further comprising a geared ring having a gear portion formed to be driven by the motor, wherein the cam is disposed on the ring. . 16. The lens position adjusting mechanism according to claim 15, further comprising another cam arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to the cam at a peripheral portion of the ring. 17. With the cam and the other cam,
17. The lens position adjusting mechanism according to claim 16, further comprising third cams arranged at equal intervals on a peripheral portion of the ring. 18. The lens position adjusting mechanism according to claim 17, wherein the cam, the other cam, and the third cam have a common shape. 19. The load bearing surface of the cam and the additional bearing surface of the other cam are formed in a periodic shape such that the lens moves in a periodic pattern during a single rotation of the ring. The lens position adjusting mechanism according to claim 16, wherein: 20. The lens position adjusting mechanism according to claim 16, wherein the load pressure receiving surface of the cam is formed in at least one of a sinusoidal shape, a sawtooth shape, and a clipped sawtooth shape. 21. The lens according to claim 16, wherein the shape of the first inclined portion of the load pressure receiving surface of the cam is partially curved and the other portion is linearly inclined. Position adjustment mechanism. 22. The lens position adjusting mechanism according to claim 16, wherein the shape of the first inclined portion of the load pressure receiving surface of the cam is different from the shapes of the other cams. 23. The shape of the first inclined portion of the load pressure receiving surface of the cam includes a small inclined portion formed for use in a focusing operation and a steeper inclined portion formed for use in a storage mode operation. The lens position adjusting mechanism according to claim 16, comprising: 24. The lens position adjusting mechanism according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion has two portions having different inclination angles. 25. A lens holding mechanism having a linking member and configured to hold a taking lens; a motor for generating a rotational driving force in a predetermined direction in response to a driving signal; and the rotational driving force of the motor. A gear ring having a gear portion for rotating via a ring, a cam provided on the gear ring, having a connecting surface slidably in contact with a connecting member of the lens holding member, and the connecting surface having an inclined surface; The other end is connected to one of the cam and the gear ring, and the other end is connected to a movable body separated from the cam, the motor drives the gear ring, and the connecting surface of the cam is connected to the lens holding member. A biasing member configured to accumulate potential energy when the linking member is actuated in a predetermined direction along the optical axis of the taking lens; and separating the motor from the gear ring. And a biasing member for moving the cam in a direction opposite to the direction in which the cam was moved when driven by the rotational force of the motor. A camera configured to consume the generated potential energy and move the lens holding mechanism in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction along the optical axis. 26. The connecting surface of the cam having a smaller slope and a larger slope, wherein the smaller slope is provided at a first speed during the focusing operation in the predetermined direction with the lens. The connecting mechanism of the holding mechanism is configured to move, the large inclined portion, during the focus operation,
26. The camera according to claim 25, wherein the camera is configured to move the linking member of the lens holding mechanism at a second speed. 27. A processing device configured to generate a drive signal, and when executed by the processing device, controls at least one of a film feeding operation, a focus operation, a lens zoom operation, and a shutter operation operation. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the processing device further comprises a memory encoded with computer readable instructions for generating drive signals for controlling a motor operation amount and a motor rotation direction. Camera. 28. The camera of claim 27, wherein the processing device further comprises a camera housing configured to generate a drive signal for housing the lens within a leading edge for a predetermined time. camera. 29. The camera according to claim 25, further comprising a film feeding mechanism for moving the film according to a film feeding operation under the control of the motor. 30. The camera according to claim 25, further comprising: an electronic image sensor that generates a digital image; and a memory that stores the digital image. 31. The cam, wherein the cam is configured to operate with a two-mode camera using a film in a first mode of operation and using an electronic image sensor in a second mode of operation. Item 29. The camera according to item 25. 32. The apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising a manual focus control unit that sets a fixed focal length by setting a predetermined moving distance between an initial position of the lens and a fixed focal length. The camera according to. 33. An auto-focus device configured to generate a drive signal for determining a drive amount of the motor corresponding to a predetermined focal length necessary for focusing an observed object on an image recording medium. The camera according to claim 25, further comprising a mechanism. 34. A lens holding mechanism configured to hold a lens and adjust the position of the lens with respect to an image recording medium, a motor that generates a driving force in a first predetermined direction, the motor and the lens holding mechanism. Coupled, when driven by the motor in the first predetermined direction,
A focus mechanism configured to adjust the position of the lens holding mechanism in a predetermined direction along the optical axis of the lens, and having a cam that operates the lens holding mechanism along the optical axis when driven by the motor; And a ring and a biasing device, wherein the biasing device is coupled at one end to the ring at the other end to the cam, the biasing device having a predetermined amount when the motor moves the cam relative to the ring. A biasing mechanism that releases the potential energy by energizing the potential energy and moving the cam in a direction opposite to the direction of movement by the motor when the motor disengages mechanically from the cam; And a clutch configured to control the motor to be separated from the cam. Biological imaging device. 35. A film spool comprising: a film spool; a detector; and a switch, wherein the film spool is driven by the motor when the motor is driven in a direction opposite to the first predetermined direction. Is configured to detect when the amount of film wound on the film spool reaches a predetermined amount, the switch is,
35. The apparatus according to claim 34, further comprising a film feeding mechanism configured to switch a moving direction of the film when the detector detects that the amount of the film has reached a predetermined amount. Optical imaging device. 36. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the detector is a film tension sensor configured to generate a detection signal after detecting when the film is sufficiently withdrawn from the film holding container and wound on the film spool. 36. The optical imaging device according to claim 35, wherein: 37. A lens zoom mechanism configured to adjust a relative distance between each lens group in the lens, wherein the relative distance between each lens group is adjusted by an operation of the motor in only one direction. 35. The optical imaging device according to claim 34, wherein: 38. A shutter driving mechanism driven by at least one of the motor and the plunger mechanism to open the shutter in the first operation mode and close the shutter in the second operation mode. 35. The optical imaging device according to claim 34. 39. A lens storage mechanism further comprising a lens storage mechanism configured to perform both a lens storage operation mode and a lens extension operation mode by a driving force of the motor in the first predetermined direction. Claim 3
5. The optical imaging device according to 4. 40. A distance between at least one of a photographic film and an electronic image sensor is adjustable.
A lens holding mechanism for holding a lens; a motor for generating a driving force in a first predetermined direction; and a positioning member mechanically connected to the motor and the lens holding member. A camera, wherein bidirectional movement is mechanically controlled by the predetermined direction of the motor. 41. A spring having one end connected to the positioning member and the other end fixed to a movable body, and a motor separating device, wherein the motor drives the positioning member in a driving direction by the motor. Sometimes increasing the amount of potential energy, and when the motor disconnecting device releases the mechanical connection of the motor to the positioning member, moves the conductor for the entire period in the second direction opposite to the driving direction. 41. The camera of claim 40, wherein said potential energy is released. 42. The positioning member includes a cam ring having a first cam and a second cam, wherein the cam ring is driven to rotate by the motor, and the first and second cams have a positive inclination. A motor having a first portion and a second portion having a negative slope, wherein the motor moves the first cam from a first cam position;
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second cam is driven to rotate to a second cam position occupied by the second cam.
2. The camera according to 1. 43. A biasing member coupled to said cam ring for actuating said cam ring in a second direction opposite to said driving direction, for moving said cam to a predetermined focus position during a focus operation. 43. The camera of claim 42, wherein the motor and the biasing member are associated with each other, and the cam ring is advanced to a new position during a lens storage operation. 44. The camera according to claim 40, wherein the positioning member includes a cam ring, a film moving member, a shutter, and a lens group. 45. The camera according to claim 40, wherein the motor is configured to operate in a second predetermined direction to perform bidirectional movement control of another member. 46. A lens holding mechanism having a connecting member and configured to hold a taking lens; a motor for generating a rotational driving force in a predetermined direction; and an inclined surface, wherein the cam rotates the motor. When driven by a driving force, the linking member of the lens holding member configured to move the lens by a predetermined amount along the optical axis direction of the lens in accordance with the controlled operation amount of the motor includes a linking member. A cam configured to be in sliding contact with the inclined surface; and a clutch configured to control the motor to be separated from the cam, and the cam is formed to receive a linking member of the lens holding member. Wherein the slot is regulated on one side by the inclined surface of the cam and on the other side by the side wall of the cam. mechanism. 47. The connecting member includes a projecting portion, and the projecting portion is guided between the inclined surface and the guide side wall when the cam is driven by a rotational driving force of the motor. The lens position adjustment mechanism according to claim 46. 48. The inclined surface and the side wall form a groove for receiving the protrusion, and the groove is formed over the inner circumferential surface of the cam so that the movement of the protrusion by the groove is continued over 360 °. 48. The lens position adjusting mechanism according to claim 47, wherein the lens position adjusting mechanism is a continuous groove extending. 49. The cam has another inclined surface disposed at a predetermined angular position with respect to the inclined surface, and the protrusion is formed between the inclined surface and the inclined surface during rotation of the cam by 360 °. 49. The lens position adjusting mechanism according to claim 48, wherein the lens position adjusting mechanism is formed so as to move along another inclined surface. 50. A rotatable spool configured to wind a film thereon when rotated, a motor that rotates in a first predetermined direction to provide a rotational driving force to the rotatable spool, Coupled to a spool and a motor, the mechanical repositioning controllable by being controlled by the rotation direction of the motor, the motor driving the first spool to wind the film around the rotatable spool. When rotated in the first predetermined direction, the first state is the first state.
And a detector that detects when the predetermined amount of film has been wound on the rotatable spool, and that the detector has determined that the film has been wound by the rotatable spool. And a rearrangement mechanism for rearranging the transmission mechanism to a second position after the detection. 51. In the second position, the transmission mechanism no longer drives the rotatable spool, but drives a film set spool, wherein the transmission mechanism moves the first frame of film forming the first photographic frame. The camera according to claim 50, wherein the film set spool is driven by an amount to be set. 52. The motor, wherein the motor is configured to switch a rotation direction to a second predetermined direction, and the transmission mechanism moves to a third position in response to the operation in the second predetermined direction. And wherein in the third position, the transmission mechanism is configured to bi-directionally adjust a focal length of the camera to a predetermined value corresponding to at least one of a manually adjusted fixed focus area and an automatically adjusted focus area. 6. A mechanically coupled focusing mechanism.
2. The camera according to 1. 53. A lens configured to move the transmission mechanism to a fourth position in response to a zoom request interpreted by the driving force from the motor to operate a lens zoom operation. The camera according to claim 52, further comprising a zoom control unit. 54. The camera according to claim 53, wherein said zoom control means includes a solenoid plunger for selectively directing said transmission mechanism to said fourth position. 55. The apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the zoom control means includes a solenoid plunger having a gear coupled to the motor, and providing a driving force from the motor to a lens zoom operation. camera. 56. A unit for holding a lens at a predetermined distance from an image recording medium, a unit for generating a rotational driving force in a predetermined direction from a single driving source, and a unit for coupling the rotational driving force to the holding unit. And a unit for bidirectionally moving the lens to a predetermined position along the optical axis of the lens by coupling the rotational driving force in a predetermined direction from the coupling unit. Adjustment mechanism. 57. Holding a lens at a predetermined distance from an image recording medium, generating a rotational driving force in a predetermined direction from a single driving source, combining the generated rotational driving force, and Has a step of bidirectionally moving the lens to a predetermined position along the optical axis of the lens by combining the rotational driving force in a predetermined direction instead of giving an opposite rotational driving force. To adjust the lens position in a camera.