JP2000330175A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make miniaturizable a camera without impairing its portability by protruding a release switch operation part from a camera main body at the time of photographing when the release switch operation part is used and housing it when it is not used. SOLUTION: An operation member 6 is constituted to be held in a 1st state where it is projected with respect to the camera main body 1 and a 2nd state where it is housed. A release button 2 is movably fit and held on a release member A6 while putting a release spring 5 in between. A release flexible board 7 is fixed to a release plate 8 by an adhesion means such as a double coated adhesive tape and the release plate 8 is fixed on the member A6. The member A6 is movably fitted in a hole 1a formed on a camera housing 1. Furthermore, two bosses formed on the member A6 are movably fit to be held in two cam holes formed on a release member B.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, with the trend of miniaturization, a camera which is usually placed in a pocket or the like and which emphasizes portability that can be easily carried to a travel destination or a park has been gaining popularity. In particular, the release button and the like are arranged so as to be flush with the surface of the camera body or as a slightly protruding surface, and the camera power button and the like are often arranged on the front surface of the lens.

FIG. 19 is an external view of a conventional camera.
101 is a camera housing, 102 is a release button, 103
Denotes a camera power button, and 104 denotes a lens unit.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-295047 has a dial operating member movable in the vertical direction of the camera body. The camera has a camera operation member that selects various functions of the camera, such as returning to the neutral position when the finger is released from the dial operation, returning to the neutral position, and pressing it down to activate the release switch so that shooting can be performed. Proposed.

[0005]

However, in the above conventional example, no matter how small the size of the camera body, the basic position of the release switch 102 is to dispose it near the camera grip. Although the size of the button 102 itself is reduced in size of the camera body, it cannot be practically reduced in view of operability.
Furthermore, even if the camera is at a position where the user can actually operate the camera, the operator may inadvertently touch the release switch due to a difference in the size of the finger (the index finger) to be operated, thereby performing an unintended photographing operation. There was a problem.

Further, in the camera described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-295047, a camera capable of performing various operations with one operation member is disclosed, and a first direction in which a dial as an operation member is rotated, and the dial are described. Can be moved in a second operation direction, which is a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of. However, since the release button itself is a dial and protrudes from the camera body surface as much as the dial, there is a problem that there is a high possibility that the release button will accidentally touch and malfunction.

Therefore, the present invention prevents the erroneous operation by making the release switch protrude from the camera body when taking a picture and storing it in the camera body when not taking a picture.
An object of the present invention is to provide a camera that can be easily operated by reducing the size and portability of the camera.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera having an operation member in a camera body, wherein the operation member is provided with respect to the camera body. A camera is characterized in that it can be held in a protruding first state and a stored second state.

According to this configuration, the operation member can be operated by projecting from the camera main body at the time of photographing, and is stored when carried, so that the size can be reduced without impairing portability.

[0010] A specific configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application is as follows.
2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera is a release switch.

According to this configuration, the release switch is
When used, the camera can be projected out of the camera body to perform shooting operations. When not in use, the camera is stored, so that portability can be reduced without impairing portability.

According to another specific configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application, the first state and the second state of the operation member are controlled by a power supply operation of a camera. 3. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera is switched in an interlocked manner.

According to this configuration, the on / off state of the camera power supply can be determined based on the appearance or hand-held feeling.

According to another specific configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application, an operation member movably held on an outer periphery of the operation member is provided. 4. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the angle of view is switched by rotating the operation member.

According to this configuration, when the release member is protruded during photographing, the release operation and the zoom operation can be operated with the same index finger.

According to another specific configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application, the operation member and the lens barrier are interlocked as described in claim 5. 4.

According to this configuration, erroneous operation can be prevented and the lens surface can be protected when the camera is carried.

According to another specific configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application, the operating member is interlocked with a manual lens barrier that can be operated from an external appearance of a camera. 5. The camera according to claim 1, wherein:

According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation of the manual barrier type camera and protect the lens when carrying the camera.

According to another specific structure for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application, the operating member is formed by a cam mechanism of the operating member which is linked to a slide of a camera power button. 4. The camera according to claim 3, wherein the camera is projected or housed.

According to this configuration, the release switch can be made to protrude in synchronization with the turning on of the camera power supply.

According to another specific structure for realizing the object of the invention according to the present invention, the operating member is driven by a lens barrier motor to be protruded or housed. The camera according to claim 5, wherein

According to this configuration, the release switch can be projected in synchronization with the opening on the lens surface by using the lens barrier opening / closing motor.

According to another specific configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application, the operating member is projected or housed by the opening / closing force of a manual lens barrier. 7. The camera according to claim 6, wherein

According to this configuration, the release switch can be made to protrude simultaneously with the lens opening by the manual force.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 to 7 are diagrams according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a state where the release member shown in FIG. 1 is stored. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a state where the release member shown in FIG. 2 is projected. FIG. 4 is a view as viewed from an arrow A in FIG. FIG. 5 is a view seen from an arrow A in FIG. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line BB shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line BB shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a camera housing, 2 denotes a release button, 3 denotes a power button of the camera 1, 5 denotes a release spring for biasing the release button 2, and 6 denotes release members A and 7 that hold the release button 2. Is a release flexure on which a switch for operating the release is formed, and a release flexure is provided with a switch for operating the release, and a release member A6 is provided with a release flexure 7 interposed therebetween. Release plate,
A release member 9 slidably holds a release member A6, a release flexible 7 and a release plate 8, and a release member B which also forms a portion for holding a camera power button. A camera power lock member movably fitted to the camera power button 3, and a lock spring 12 for urging the camera power lock member 11 are integrally formed.

Next, a specific configuration will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the release button 2 is movably fitted to and held by the release member A6 with the release spring 5 interposed therebetween. The release flexible 7 is fixed to the release plate 8 by an adhesive means such as a double-sided tape, and the release plate 8 is fixed to the release member A6. Release member A
Reference numeral 6 denotes a fitting that is movable in a hole 1a formed in the camera housing 1. Further, two bosses 6a formed on the release member A6 are held in two cam holes 9a formed on the release member B9 by movable fitting.

The release member B9 is a release member B
The cam hole 9b formed on the upper surface 9 and the boss 10a formed in the main body 10 are movably fitted to each other, and are fixed to the main body 10 by locking means such as screws (not shown). At this time, a part of the release flexible 7 is fixed to the main body 10 by an adhesive means such as a double-sided tape.

Next, in the camera power button 3, the claw 3a formed in the camera power button 3 is inserted into the counterbore surface 1b and the hole 1c formed in the camera housing 1, and is movably placed. . Boss 9 formed on release member B9
The camera power lock member 11 is placed on the lock spring 12 from above, and the camera power lock member 11 is formed with the camera housing 1 sandwiched in the hole 3b formed on the camera power button 3 above. The boss 11a is inserted by movably fitting, and the claw 3a of the camera power button 3 is held in the hole 9d formed on the release member B9. Further, the brush section 13 is fixed to the boss 9c formed on the release member B9 by means such as welding.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, in FIGS. 6 and 7, the claw portion formed on the camera power lock member 11 is locked by the groove 1d formed on the camera housing 1 and is urged by the lock spring 12. At this time, the boss 11a of the camera power lock member 11 is depressed in the direction of arrow B against the spring force of the lock spring 12, so that the claw of the camera power lock member 11 is disengaged from the groove 1d, and the camera power button 3 is moved in the direction of arrow C. Slide in the direction.

At the end of the slide, the load is removed from the boss 11a of the camera power lock member 11, and the lock is held by the spring force of the lock spring 12 in the groove 1e of the camera housing 1 at the position shown in FIG.

By this operation, the brush section 13 fixed on the release member B9 traces the pattern of the release flexible 7, and reads ON / OFF of the camera power.

Next, the operation of the release operation section in conjunction with
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, when the camera is turned off, a boss 6a formed on the release member A6 is fitted in a cam hole 9a (see FIG. 1) formed on the release member B9 by a movable fit. In response to the slide of the camera power button 3, the release member B9 moves in the direction of arrow D (see FIG. 4), and the release member A6 moves upward, so that the release button 2 is protruded. The camera power is turned on, and the camera is ready for shooting.

As described above, the release button 2 is housed in the main body 1 when the camera is carried, and protrudes in conjunction with the camera power button 3 during shooting, and can be pressed down to enable shooting.

Further, it is possible to judge whether the power of the camera is on or off by the appearance or the hand-held feeling based on the stored / projected state of the button.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 8 to 1
0 is a diagram according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a top view of the release zoom switch of the camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a sectional view when the release zoom switch shown in FIG. 8 is stored. FIG. 10 shows FIG.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the switch shown in FIG.

Here, the basic operation of the release operation part is the same as that of the first embodiment, so that the overlapping description will be omitted, and the zoom operation will be described.

First, the groove formed in the zoom knob 14 is rotatably fitted to a rib formed on the release member A6 and is urged by an unillustrated urging spring or the like.
It switches the zoom operation (tele / wide) and is usually placed at the neutral position.

Next, the zoom knob 14 is fixed by the zoom member 15 with the release member A6 interposed therebetween.

Further, the zoom member 15 and the zoom brush section 16 are fixed by locking means (not shown).

The zoom brush section 16 switches the zoom operation by tracing a pattern on the release flexible 7 by a zoom operation (tele-wide) of the zoom knob 14.

As described above, since the zoom knob 14 is arranged as a ring-shaped knob around the release button 2, the zoom operation can be performed when the release button 2 is in the protruding state during photographing as shown in FIG. .

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic layout diagram of the storage state when the release switch of the camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention is linked with the lens barrier. FIG. 12 is a schematic layout of the release switch shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a top view showing a main part of the camera shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a top view showing a main part of the camera shown in FIG.

Since the third embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the description of the overlapping portions will be omitted. The feature of the operation of this embodiment is that the projection of the lens barrier and the release button are driven by a motor in conjunction with each other, and the camera power supply operation and the release member are not linked as in the first embodiment.

First, the shape of the camera power supply portion of the release member B9 is deformed, a flexible metal disk is mounted on the surface thereof, and the camera power supply flexible 18 which is fixed by a flexible cover film to perform a switch operation is bonded with a double-sided tape or the like. The camera power button 3 inserted into the hole 1c of the camera housing 1 is fixed by means, and is held by a vertically movable fitting. The switch on 18 is turned on.

Next, a motor 17 is disposed on the main body 10 by a not-shown locking means, and a rotation transmission system (gear train) 19 is connected to the motor output shaft, and one of the output destinations is a release member B.
9 and a screw bar 21 movably inserted into a hinge 10a formed in the main body 10.
It is connected to a part of the gear train 19. One is connected to a gear 20 a formed on the barrier member 20.

Then, there is a hole 1f in the lens opening of the camera housing 1, and a barrier member 20 which covers the hole 1f when the camera power supply is turned off is slid by a locking means (not shown) on the camera housing 1. It is kept possible.

Next, the operation will be described.

First, in the state of FIG. 11, the camera power switch is turned on by depressing the button 3 and turning on the switch on the camera power flexible 18. And the barrier member 20 is operated in a direction to open the lens by one driving force.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, the rotation of the screw bar 21 causes the release member B9 to move in the direction of arrow D. At this time, the motor 17 is stopped at the position where the release switch shown in FIG. 14 is protruded by tracing the pattern of the release flexure 7 with the brush section 13 locked on the release member B9. Let it.

In this way, the barrier 20 is opened and the release button 2 is projected and the photographing is possible, as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when the photographing is to be ended, the camera 17 is controlled by pressing the camera power button 3 so that the motor 17 is rotated in the reverse direction. Then, the release button 2 is stored in the main body 1 and the state returns to the state shown in FIG.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
FIG. 18 is a diagram according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a schematic layout diagram of the stored state when the release switch of the camera according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is linked with the manual lens barrier. FIG. 16 is a schematic layout of the release switch shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is a top view showing a main part of FIG. FIG. 18 is a top view showing a main part of FIG.

Here, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

This embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that the release switch is protruded and housed by the barrier motor in conjunction with the barrier, but is driven by the manual force of the manual barrier.

First, the gear 9g is formed by deforming the shape of the camera power supply section of the release member B9. Next, the rotation transmission system gear 22 is arranged on the main body 10 by a not-shown locking means, and the output destination is the gear 2 formed on the barrier member 23.
3a.

A hole 1f is formed in the lens opening of the camera housing 1, and a barrier cover 24 that covers the hole 1f when the camera is turned off is slid on the camera housing 1 by locking means (not shown). It is kept possible. Further, the barrier cover 24 and the barrier member 23 are fixed by locking means (not shown).

Next, the operation will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 15, when the barrier cover 24 is slid in the direction of arrow F to enable the photographing operation, the gear 23a formed on the barrier member 23 operates and is disposed on the main body 10. When the rotation transmission system 22 is rotated, the gear 9g on the release member B9 is operated, and the release switch is driven in the direction E to protrude as shown in FIGS.

At this time, the position detection is performed by tracing the pattern of the release flexible 7 with the brush piece 13 locked on the release member B9, as shown in FIG. 16, the barrier cover 24 is opened, and the release switch is turned on. It is set in a state where it can project and project.

On the other hand, when photographing is to be ended, the barrier cover 24 is slid in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow F to cover the lens and house the release switch.

Thus, miniaturization according to the function can be realized.

[0065]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The camera is projected out of the camera body at the time of shooting using the release switch operation unit, and is stored when not in use.

Further, since the release switch operating portion is configured to be able to be switched from the camera power-off state to the on-state by projecting from the camera body, the camera power-on / off state can be determined visually or by hand feeling. Therefore, there is an effect that turning on and off of the power supply and erroneous operation can be prevented.

Further, it is rotatably held on the outer periphery of the release switch operation section, and is operated by pressing force in the left-right rotation direction.
By configuring the operation member for performing the zoom operation, the release operation and the zoom operation can be operated in the same manner with the forefinger when the release switch is protruded at the time of photographing, so that the operability is improved.

The release switch operation section projects from the camera body so that the lens barrier can be switched from a closed state to an open state. This has the effect of preventing contamination of the lens surface by fingerprints, dust and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the release member shown in FIG. 1 in a stored state.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the release member shown in FIG. 2 in a protruding state.

FIG. 4 is a view as viewed from an arrow A in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view as viewed from an arrow A in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a top view of a release zoom switch of a camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the release zoom switch shown in FIG. 8 in a housed state.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the release zoom switch shown in FIG. 9 in a protruding state.

FIG. 11 is a schematic layout diagram of a stored state when a release switch of a camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention is linked with a lens barrier.

FIG. 12 is a schematic layout diagram of the release switch shown in FIG. 11 in a protruding state.

FIG. 13 is a top view of a main part of the camera shown in FIG. 11;

14 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the camera shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a schematic layout diagram of a storage state when a release switch according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is interlocked with a manual lens barrier.

FIG. 16 is a schematic layout diagram of the release switch shown in FIG. 15 in a protruding state.

FIG. 17 is a top view showing a main part of the camera shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a top view showing a main part of the camera shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 is an external perspective view of a conventional camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 camera housing 2 release button 3 camera power button 5 release spring 6 release member A 7 release flexible 8 release plate 9 release member B 10 body 11 power lock member 12 lock spring 13 brush section 14 zoom knob 15 zoom member 16 zoom brush section 17 motor 18 Camera power flexible 19 Gear train 20 Barrier member 21 Screw bar 22 Rotation transmission gear 23 Barrier member 24 Barrier cover

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A camera having an operation member on a camera body, wherein the operation member is configured to be held in a first state protruding from the camera body and a second state housed therein. And the camera. 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the operation member is a release switch. 3. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the first state and the second state of the operation member are switched in conjunction with a power operation of the camera. 4. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation member rotatably held on an outer periphery of said operation member, wherein a photographing angle of view is switched by a rotation operation of said operation member.
2. The camera according to claim 1. 5. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the operation member and the lens barrier are linked. 6. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the operation member is linked to a manual lens barrier that can be operated from the outside of the camera. 7. The camera according to claim 3, wherein the operation member is protruded or housed by a cam mechanism of the operation member interlocked with a slide of a camera power button. 8. The camera according to claim 5, wherein the operation member is driven by a lens barrier motor to be projected or housed. 9. The camera according to claim 6, wherein the operation member projects or is housed by an opening / closing force of a manual lens barrier.