JP2002250958A - Cover device and camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily change the setting of the operational feeling of a lens cover provided in a camera. SOLUTION: This camera is equipped with the cover device 18 for manually opening/closing the lens cover 16 by operating an operation part 15. The cover device 18 is equipped with 1st energizing means attaching parts 15k and 33e and a 2nd energizing means attaching part 15g. By attaching springs S1a and S1b to the attaching parts 15k and 33e, a clear click feeling is realized. By attaching the spring to the attaching part 15g, a smooth click feeling is realized. The operational feeling can be changed only by the change of the spring, and cost concerning design and trial manufacture is reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an openable / closable cover device for protecting a lens or a lens barrel of a camera when not in use, and a camera provided with the cover device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a camera with a so-called lens cover having an openable / closable cover device for protecting a lens or a lens barrel of the camera when not in use has been used. And
Generally, a camera with a lens cover is disclosed in
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011903, a driving mechanism for a lens cover, also called a barrier, which works in conjunction with turning on and off a power switch, is incorporated in a cover of a camera body or an internal mechanism to cover and protect the entire collapsed lens barrel. ,
Alternatively, there has been known a configuration in which a lens cover opening / closing mechanism is incorporated in a distal end portion of a lens barrel, and a driving mechanism operates by turning on / off a power supply device to open / close a lens cover that protects a front lens.

However, these lens cover opening / closing mechanisms are electrically operated by a drive mechanism that works in conjunction with turning on and off of a power switch, so that parts such as a motor and a reduction gear are required, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. Have difficult problems.

In this respect, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-30116
0, JP-A-5-216092 and JP-A-10-21092
No. 126660, or Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 62-1569.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 19-195, etc., a configuration for manually opening and closing a lens cover is known. For example, in the configuration described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-301160, one end of a V-shaped spring is attached to a pin that moves in an arc shape in conjunction with the lens cover, so that the fingertip senses or clicks when opening and closing the lens cover. Feeling is determined by the biasing force with which this spring is compressed.

[0005] In a camera in which the lens cover is manually opened and closed, opening and closing the lens cover is a part that the user first touches and moves in order for the user to consider purchasing the camera at a store. It is an important mechanism that is determined. That is, the feeling of opening and closing the lens cover
(Feeling) is an important point that, together with the design, triggers the purchase of a camera, and is a part that requires delicate settings.

[0006] However, at the stage of product trial production, although the operational feeling such as a click feeling can be roughly imagined, it is a delicate problem due to the sense of a fingertip. If it is not a product, the click feeling of the final product cannot be confirmed. If there is a difference in the click feeling between the prototype and the mold product, for example, by changing the strength of the spring, it is possible to quantitatively change the operation feeling such as the strength of the click feeling. However, to change the type of click feeling, that is, to qualitatively change the operation feeling, such as the state of change of the operation force when the operation force changes according to the operation, it is necessary to change the mold, etc. Have the problem of rising.

[0007]

As described above, in the conventional configuration, it is not possible to change the quantitative setting of the operational feeling such as the strength of the operation required by changing the strength of the spring. Although it is possible, there is a problem that it is difficult to change the qualitative setting of the operation feeling, such as a change state of the operation force.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cover device and a camera capable of easily changing the setting of the operational feeling.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cover device comprising: a cover body which can be opened and closed; and a drive mechanism for moving the cover body. A mounting portion and a biasing means selectively mounted on the biasing means mounting portion and biasing the operation portion are provided.

In this configuration, the operation feeling when the operating section is operated to open and close the cover is easily set by attaching the urging means to the urging means mounting section. There is no need to change the design of the drive mechanism to change the operational feeling, and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the cover device of the first aspect, the driving mechanism includes a first urging means mounting portion, a second urging means mounting portion, and a first urging means mounting portion. Biasing means mounted on at least one of the biasing means mounting section and the second biasing means mounting section.

In this configuration, the urging means is provided with the first
By selectively attaching to at least one of the urging means and the second urging means, different operational feelings when operating the operating unit to open and close the cover can be easily set.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera including the cover device according to the first or second aspect, and a lens constituting an object to be protected.

In this configuration, the first or second aspect is provided.
Since the cover device described above is provided, the operational feeling when opening and closing the cover that covers the lens is easily set. There is no need to change the design of the drive mechanism to change the operational feeling, and the manufacturing cost of the camera is reduced.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a cover device and a camera according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIGS. 11 and 12, reference numeral 10 denotes a camera. The camera 10 is, for example, an electronic still camera, and forms a housing 11 and a protected object housed or attached to the housing 11. A photographing optical system having a lens barrel 12, a distance measuring optical system, a lens driving system, a control circuit, a slot for mounting a memory, a power supply housing for storing a battery, a monitor such as a liquid crystal monitor, an optical finder, a shutter, and an operation unit 15 And a cover device 18 including an operation switch and a lens cover 16 as a cover body.

Hereinafter, with respect to the camera 10, the subject side is the front side, the photographer side is the rear side or the back side, and as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the opening direction and the other side will be referred to as the left side or the closing direction, and one side intersecting the front-rear direction and both side directions will be described as an upper side and the other side will be described as a lower side.

The housing 11 has a front cover 21 which is a mold product integrally molded with a synthetic resin using a mold. The front cover 21 has a lens cover 16 located on the left side. A lens hole 23, which is a circular opening where the lens barrel 12 is opened and closed, is formed. Further, the front cover 21 is provided with an operation hole 24 which is an elliptical opening located at the lower right of the lens hole 23 and has a longitudinal direction in the left-right direction,
Through this operation hole 24, a power button 25, which is the operation section main body of the operation section 15, protrudes forward to be movable. A lens cover opening / closing mechanism mounting portion 26 including a rib, a screw hole, and the like is formed on a rear surface portion of the front cover 21 including a portion provided with the lens hole 23 and the operation hole 24.

The power button 25 has a function as an electric switch for turning on and off the power,
By moving the power button 25, an arm 28 as a connecting means included in the cover device 18 rotates, the lens cover 16 connected to the arm 28 moves, and the lens hole 23 is opened and closed.

The lens barrel 12 has a cylindrical shape that supports and expands and contracts the lens. As shown in FIG. 11, when the power is off and the lens cover 16 is closed (closed state), the lens barrel 12 is closed. It is retracted and stored in the housing 11, and as shown in FIG.
With the power on and the lens cover 16 open (open state),
It projects forward from the lens hole 23 and becomes ready for shooting.

Next, details of the cover device 18 will be described. In this embodiment, the first urging means S1 as the urging means and the lock spring S2 as the second urging means as the urging means are selectively used. As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 and FIG. 9, a first configuration (hereinafter, referred to as an A type) using a button spring S1a and a click spring S1b constituting the first biasing means S1 will be described.

That is, the cover device 18 includes an operating portion 15, a lens cover 16, a lens cover opening / closing mechanism attaching portion 26, an arm
28, a first main spring S1a and a first sub-spring S1b. Further, in the present embodiment, a plurality of screws 31 are used to attach and fix the lens cover opening / closing mechanism mounting portion 26 of the front cover 21 with four screws 31. An LC plate (lens cover plate) 33 as a member, an arm spring 35 as an urging means for urging the arm 28, and the like are provided. In addition,
The operation unit 15, the lens cover 16, and the LC plate 33 are mold products that are integrally molded with a synthetic resin using a mold.
The arm 28 and the screw 31 are made of metal, and the button spring S1a, the click spring S1b, and the arm spring 35 are metal coil springs.

The operation section 15 is formed of a resin having both slidability and elasticity, for example, polyacetal (POM) or the like. As shown in FIG.
A power button 25 is provided so as to protrude from a substantially central portion of the substrate portion 15a to the front side. Further, ribs 15b are protruded vertically and horizontally on the rear surface side of the substrate portion 15a. Further, bosses 15c are provided on both sides of the power button 25 on the front side of the substrate portion 15a, respectively. Further, a rectangular plate-shaped protruding piece 15d protrudes rearward from the left end of the substrate 15a. A through hole 15e penetrating in the left-right direction is formed at a base portion, that is, a front side portion of the protruding piece portion 15d, and a first engaging portion which constitutes a first urging means mounting portion is formed in a peripheral portion of the through hole 15e. A receiving portion 15f is formed. Further, a second lock receiving portion 15g constituting a second urging means mounting portion is formed on the upper end edge of the protruding piece portion 15d. Further, on the lower left side of the substrate portion 15a, there is a click projection 15h directed downward.
Are formed. And this click projection 15h
Is supported on the substrate portion 15a side by a pair of thin rib-shaped support rib portions 15j, and is supported by the substrate portion 15a so as to be elastically movable up and down. Further, a click spring mounting portion 15k constituting a first urging means mounting portion is formed between the click projection 15h and the substrate portion 15a,
The click spring S1b is fitted and mounted on the click spring mounting portion 15k, and the click projection 15h is mounted.
Are constantly biased and deformed in a direction protruding downward.

The lens cover 16 includes a flat main body 16a that covers the lens hole 23 from the back, and a boss 16b protruding rearward from the right side of the main body 16a.

Further, the arm 28 is formed by punching and bending a metal plate, and has a shaft hole 28a at a lower end portion which is one end portion, an elongated hole 28b which is an action portion along the longitudinal direction near a tip end portion, and a longitudinal direction. An arm spring engaging portion 28c, which is an urging means attaching portion, is provided at an intermediate portion. Furthermore, this arm 28 has
An arm pin 28d as a link shaft is fixedly provided by caulking, etc., located between the shaft hole 28a and the arm spring locking portion 28c.
8e is provided.

The button spring S1a and the click spring S1b are compression coil springs, and the arm spring 35 is a tension coil spring.

Further, the LC plate 33 has a bearing portion 33a which is a screw hole located near the lower end portion, an arc-shaped groove portion 33b centered on the bearing portion 33a, and a guide receiving portion centered on the bearing portion 33a. 33c, and located on the upper left side of the bearing portion 33a,
An arm spring locking portion 33d is formed. Also,
The LC plate 33 has a guide shaft portion 33e extending in the left-right direction which forms a first biasing means mounting portion, and a base end which forms a first biasing device mounting portion and is a right end portion of the guide shaft portion 33e. A first locking receiving portion 33f located at the portion is provided. further,
The LC plate 33 is formed with a second lock receiving portion 33g constituting a second urging means mounting portion, a fixed receiving portion 33h to which the spring retaining screw 36 can be attached, and a support receiving portion 33m. I have. In the A method, the spring holding screw 36 is not used.

The lens cover opening / closing mechanism mounting portion 26 has a cylindrical rib 26a protruding from the back surface of the front cover 21 and is located below the rib 26a.
A pair of rib grooves 26b is formed on both sides as a range restricting portion extending in the left-right direction by a predetermined dimension. Further, the lens cover opening / closing mechanism mounting portion 26 has a peak portion 38a located near the lower end portion and facing upward, and a valley portion 38 located on the right side of the peak portion 38a.
and a click receiving section 38 provided with b.

A predetermined space is vertically formed between the screwed LC plate 33 and the front cover 21. In each of these spaces, the lens cover 16 and the operation unit 15 can move in the left-right direction. It is supported by. That is, the operation unit 15 and the lens cover 16 are sandwiched between the LC plate 33 and the front cover 21, and are supported so as to be movable in the left-right direction while maintaining an optimum interval (clearance) in the vertical and horizontal directions.

The operating portion 15 has a pair of bosses 15c fitted in the rib grooves 26b so as to be slidable in the left-right direction with a minimum allowance (clearance), so that the moving range of the operating portion 15 is restricted. Further, a button spring S1a is mounted between the first locking receiving portions 15f and 33f on both sides in a state of being wound around the guide shaft portion 33e.
The operation unit 15 is constantly urged to the left, which is the closing direction of the lens cover 16.

Further, a screw 40 is screwed and attached to the bearing portion 33a of the LC plate 33. The screw 40 allows a circular shaft hole 28a serving as a rotation axis of the arm 28 to be rotatable. Supported by. Also, the long hole of the arm 28
The boss 16b of the lens cover 16 is inserted and connected to 28b. Furthermore, the arm spring locking portion of the arm 28
The arm spring engagement portion 33d of the LC plate 33 is connected to the arm spring 28c by an arm spring 35, and constantly urges the arm 28 to the left, which is the closing direction of the lens cover 16.

Next, the operation of the system A will be described.

First, the closed state of the lens cover 16 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 11, the lens cover 16 has moved to the left and has covered the lens hole 23. That is,
The main body 16a of the lens cover 16 is sandwiched between the LC plate 33 and the front cover 21, and its movement is restricted by a rib 26a extending around the entire circumference of the lens cover opening / closing mechanism mounting portion 26 of the front cover 21. The lens cover 16 is pressed in the closing direction by the load of the arm spring 35 applied to the arm 28 to stop the movement. In this state,
The lens barrel 12 is protected by a lens cover 16.

In this closed state, the operating section 15 is also sandwiched between the LC plate 33 and the front cover 21 similarly to the lens cover 16, and the bosses 15c are fitted into the respective rib grooves 26b to move. Is regulated. And, by the button spring S1a passed through the guide shaft portion 33e of the LC plate 33,
The lens cover 16 is pressed in the closing direction to stop the movement.

Here, the operator moves the power button 25 to the right, that is, the operation unit 15 is moved to the button spring S1a.
When the arm 15 is moved against the urging force, the rib 15b of the operation section 15 contacts the arm pin 28d of the arm 28. Operation unit 1
When 5 is moved, the rib 15b of the operation section 15 pushes the arm pin 28d of the arm 28, and the arm 28 is rotated around the shaft hole 28a against the urging force of the arm spring 35. At the same time, the boss 16b of the lens cover 16 is pushed to the left while moving in the long hole 28b of the arm 28, and eventually the pushing operation of the operation unit 15 causes the lens cover 16 to move in the opening direction as well. I do. Further, the leading end of the arm 28 is guided by the sliding contact portion 28e slidingly contacting the guide receiving portion 33c.

Then, by continuing this operation, the lens cover 16 is opened as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 12. That is, in the process of pushing the operation unit 15, the click projection 15 h of the operation unit 15 is attached to the ridge 38 of the click receiving unit 38 of the lens cover opening / closing mechanism attachment unit 26 of the front cover 21.
Touch a. Then, the click projection 15h formed of a resin having excellent elasticity and slidability is pressed against the inclined surface of the peak portion 38a of the click receiving portion 38, and slides on the inclined surface while being elastically deformed to bend. Further, when the user climbs over the peak of the peak 38a, it returns to the valley 38b due to the elasticity of the operation portion 15 itself and the urging force of the click spring S1b. In this state, the click projection 15h is locked to the click receiving portion 38, and the operation portion 15, that is, the lens cover 16 is opened against the urging force of the arm spring 35 and the button spring S1a applied to the arm 28. Keep in state
(Locked). Furthermore, in this state, the lens cover 16
Is held at a position sufficiently retracted from the lens barrel 12, and at the same time, a power switch of an electric system (not shown) is pushed by the operation unit 15 to turn on the power of the camera.
Is projected forward through the lens hole 23.

It should be noted that even if the operation unit 15 is moved in the opening direction beyond the open state of the lens cover 16, the operation unit 15
The boss 15c abuts on the end of the rib groove 26b to stop the movement.

On the other hand, from the opened state of the lens cover 16,
To close the lens cover 16, a reverse operation is performed. That is, when the operator moves the power button 25 to the left, that is, moves the operation unit 15 in the closing direction, the click projection formed of resin having excellent elasticity and slidability is provided.
15h is pressed against the inclined surface of the peak portion 38a of the click receiving portion 38,
When it comes into sliding contact with this inclined surface while being elastically deformed so as to bend, and further over the top of the peak portion 38a, it is returned and deformed by the elasticity of the operation portion 15 itself and the urging force of the click spring S1b. At the same time, a power switch of an electric system (not shown) is turned off, and the lens barrel 12 enters a retracting operation, that is, a retracting operation.

When the click projection 15h is manually moved over the click receiving portion 38 and moves in the closing direction, the arm 28, that is, the lens cover 16 is also moved while the arm pin 28d is in contact with the rib 15b of the operation portion 15, and It moves in the closing direction by the urging force of 35. However, at a predetermined position, the end surface of the lens cover 16 is in a retracted state.
Abuts the side of the, and stops once. From this state, the collapsing operation of the lens barrel 12 continues while sliding on the lens cover 16, and when the contact between the lens barrel 12 and the lens cover 16 is released, the lens cover 16 is closed by the urging force of the arm spring 35. Moves in the direction and is fixed in place. That is,
The lens barrel 12 is protected by the lens cover 16.

On the other hand, the click projection 15h is
When the lock is released after getting over 8, the operation unit 15
Independent of the movement of the arm 28, i.e. the lens cover 16,
It moves in the closing direction by the urging force of the button spring S1a,
It is fixed in place before the lens cover 16.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 8 and FIG. 10, a second configuration (hereinafter referred to as a B system) using a lock spring S2 as a second urging means will be described.

The configuration of the B system does not use the button spring S1a and the click spring S1b of the A system, but uses the lock spring S2 and the lock spring S2.
All have the same configuration as the A type except that a spring retaining screw 36 which is a fixing means for fixing is used.

As shown in FIG. 9, the lock spring S2 is a so-called torsion coil spring obtained by bending a linear spring material into a predetermined shape, and comprises a wound portion 51 and a straight line from one end of the wound portion 51. Mounting arm 52 extending in the shape of a lock arm 53 extending from the other end of the winding portion 51 and bent into a predetermined shape.
And The lock arm 53 is provided so as to protrude downward in a so-called mountain shape, so as to be inclined downward from the tip end toward the winding part 51, and an inclined line 53a.
And a lock line portion 53b that is inclined upward from the tip end toward the winding portion 51.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the lock spring S2 has the winding portion 51 fixed to the fixing receiving portion 33h of the LC plate 33 by the spring retaining screw 36, and
It is arranged on the rear side of the C plate 33. The mounting arm 52 is locked from below to the support receiving portion 33m of the LC plate 33 located on the upper left side of the fixed receiving portion 33h, and the locking arm 5
Reference numeral 3 is slidably locked to a second lock receiving portion 15g of the operation portion 15. Then, in a state where the inclined line portion 53a of the lock arm portion 53 of the lock spring S2 is in contact with the second lock receiving portion 15g, the operating portion 15 is moved leftward by the urging force of the lock spring S2. The lens cover 16 is biased in the closing direction. On the other hand, the operation unit 15 moves rightward,
When the lock wire 53b of the lock arm 53 of the lock spring S2 is in contact with the second lock receiving portion 15g, the operation portion 15 is prevented from moving in the left direction, that is, in the direction to close the lens cover 16. Is done.

Next, the operation of the B system will be described.

First, the closed state of the lens cover 16 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 11, the lens cover 16 has moved to the left and has covered the lens hole 23. That is,
The main body 16a of the lens cover 16 is sandwiched between the LC plate 33 and the front cover 21, and its movement is restricted by a rib 26a extending around the entire circumference of the lens cover opening / closing mechanism mounting portion 26 of the front cover 21. Then, the lens cover 16 is pressed in the closing direction by the load of the arm spring 35 applied to the arm 28 to stop the movement. In this state,
The lens barrel 12 is protected by a lens cover 16.

In this closed state, the operation section 15 is also sandwiched between the LC plate 33 and the front cover 21 similarly to the lens cover 16, and the bosses 15c are fitted into the respective rib grooves 26b to move. Is regulated. The second locking receiving portion 15g is elastically moved in the closing direction of the lens cover 16 by the inclined line portion 53a of the lock arm portion 53 which is the movable arm of the lock spring S2 attached to the LC plate 33 with the spring holding screw 36. The movement is stopped.

Here, the operator moves the power button 25 to the right, that is, the operation unit 15 is moved to the lock spring S2.
When the arm 15 is moved against the urging force, the rib 15b of the operation section 15 contacts the arm pin 28d of the arm 28. Operation unit 1
When 5 is moved, the rib 15b of the operation section 15 pushes the arm pin 28d of the arm 28, and the arm 28 is rotated around the shaft hole 28a against the urging force of the arm spring 35. At the same time, the boss 16b of the lens cover 16 is pushed to the left while moving in the long hole 28b of the arm 28, and eventually the pushing operation of the operation unit 15 causes the lens cover 16 to move in the opening direction as well. I do. Further, the leading end of the arm 28 is guided by the sliding contact portion 28e slidingly contacting the guide receiving portion 33c.

Then, by continuing this operation, the lens cover 16 is opened as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 12. That is, in the process of pushing the operating portion 15, the second locking receiving portion 15 g of the operating portion 15 always always comes into sliding contact with the lock arm portion 53 of the lock spring S 2, so that the lock spring S 2 is twisted. While moving. Then, in a state where the second lock receiving portion 15g has passed over the peak of the bent portion of the lock arm portion 53, the lock spring S2 is returned and deformed, and the second lock receiving portion 15g becomes a lock line on the valley side. Part 53b
It abuts on the side and is locked. And in this state, the arm
The operating part 15 is locked by the lock spring S2 against the constant urging force of the arm spring 35 applied to the operating spring 28, and the operating part 15, that is, the lens cover 16 is held in an open state.
(Locked). Further, in this state, the lens cover 16
Is held at a position sufficiently retracted from the lens barrel 12, and at the same time, a power switch (not shown) of an electric system is pushed by the operation unit 15 to turn on the power of the camera.
Is projected forward through the lens hole 23.

In the B system, since the click spring S1b used in the A system is not mounted, the operation unit
The 15 click projections 15h are not bent and protruded downward, do not interfere with the click receiving portions 38 of the front cover 21, and do not affect the click feeling.

Incidentally, even if the operation section 15 is moved in the opening direction beyond the open state of the lens cover 16, the operation section
The boss 15c abuts on the end of the rib groove 26b to stop the movement.

When the lens cover 16 is opened, the lock spring S2 has a shape shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 10, and is slightly deformed from the closed shape shown by a solid line in FIG. ing.

On the other hand, from the opened state of the lens cover 16,
To close the lens cover 16, a reverse operation is performed. That is, when the operator moves the power button 25 to the left, that is, moves the operation unit 15 in the closing direction, the second
The lock receiving portion 15g is pressed against the lock wire portion 53b to elastically deform the lock spring S2 and to go over the top of the mountain portion, at the same time, the power switch of the electric system (not shown) is turned off, and the lens barrel 12 is retracted, that is, collapsed. Enter the operation.

When the second lock receiving portion 15g is manually moved in the closing direction over the bending ridge of the lock spring S2, the arm 28, that is, the lens cover 16, is also moved by the arm pin 28d to the rib 15b of the operation portion 15. While abutting, the arm spring 35 moves in the closing direction by the urging force of the arm spring 35. However, at a predetermined position, the end surface of the lens cover 16 contacts the side surface of the lens barrel 12 during the retracting operation, and the movement is temporarily stopped. From this state, the lens barrel is kept in sliding contact with the lens cover 16.
The collapsing operation of the lens 12 continues, and when the contact between the lens barrel 12 and the lens cover 16 is released, the lens cover 16 is moved to the arm spring.
It moves in the closing direction by the urging force of 35 and is fixed in place. That is, the lens barrel 12 is protected by the lens cover 16.

On the other hand, when the second lock receiving portion 15g has passed over the bent ridge of the lock spring S2 and the lock has been released, the operating portion 15 is moved independently of the movement of the arm 28, that is, the lens cover 16. Then, the lock spring S2 moves in the closing direction due to the urging force of the return deformation thereof, and is fixed at a fixed position before the lens cover 16.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operation of the operation unit 15 for opening and closing the lens cover 16 is the same between the two methods, the A method and the B method, which have different operational feelings, ie, click feelings. It can be operated, examined, and confirmed on the aircraft.

In other words, the A system is a system that gives a click feeling by using the spring pressure of the compression coil spring and the elastic force of the operation button itself, and the B system is a system that uses the spring pressure of the torsion coil spring to generate the click feeling. It is a method to issue. More specifically, in the system A, the operation unit 15 as the operation button is constantly biased in the closing direction of the lens cover 16 by the button spring S1a as the compression coil spring. At the same time, in the A method, since the operation unit 15 is formed of a deformable material such as plastic, the operation unit 15 is deformed by the click spring S1b so that the click projection 15h projects. Therefore, when the operation unit 15 is moved by the opening operation of the lens cover 16, the elastic force of the operation unit 15 itself and the spring pressure of the click spring S1b, which is a compression coil spring, cause the rib formed on the front cover 21 constituting the camera body to move. The operation part 15 is locked to a certain click receiving part 38, but the click projection 15
When h passes through the peak portion 38a of the click receiving portion 38, FIG.
As shown in (a), a short, large, and steep change in force can be caused. When the click spring S1b is not used, the operation force is short and small due to only the elastic deformation of the operation unit 15, as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, in the B method, the click spring S
Since the operation unit 15 is not bent or deformed due to the use of the first cover 1b, the click projection 15h does not protrude.
Does not substantially interfere with the click receiving portion 38 of the first embodiment and does not substantially affect the click feeling. In the B system, the operation portion 15 as an operation button is constantly urged in the closing direction of the lens cover 16 by a lock spring S2 as a torsion coil spring. When the operation portion 15 is moved by the opening operation of the lens cover 16, the second lock receiving portion 15g of the operation portion 15 climbs over the bent portion of the lock arm portion 53 of the lock spring S2 while elastically deforming, and locks. Operation part 15 by spring S2
Is locked. That is, the change in the operating force is as shown in FIG.
As shown in (c), smoothing is performed over a longer period of time than in the A method. Here, in the case where the click spring S1b is further provided in the B system, FIG.
As shown in (1), it changes smoothly from the beginning, and further, a steep change in the force occurs.

In each of FIGS. 13A and 13B, the hatched portion indicates an increase in the amount of force due to the contact of the click projection 15h with the click receiving portion 38.

Accordingly, in the case of the system A, the operation feeling of the opening and closing operation of the lens cover 16, ie, the button operation feeling, is as shown in FIG. At the moment when is turned on, the force required for the operation changes greatly, and the operation unit 15 is locked with a clear click feeling, that is, a response. Also,
As for the operation at the time of closing the lens cover 16, similarly to the operation at the time of opening, the lock is released with a clear click feeling. On the other hand, in the case of the B method, as shown in FIG.
Until the lens cover 16 is opened, the electric system switch is turned on, and the operation unit 15 is locked, the change in the force required for the operation is small, so that a smooth click feeling can be obtained. Similarly, for the operation when closing the lens cover 16,
As with opening, the lock comes off with a smooth click.

As described above, the present invention relates to a lens cover opening / closing mechanism and a camera of a retractable camera with a zoom lens for protecting a lens and a lens barrel of the camera when the camera is not in use. For the camera with a lens cover, the operation feeling of the cover opening / closing button of the manual lens cover 16, that is, the click feeling, can be selected from two different types of lock mechanisms. Part 15, LC
By using the plate 33 and the like, it is possible to select and confirm different methods in the same aircraft, so that a subtle click feeling that cannot be understood only by a prototype can be confirmed. Therefore, after the mold product is completed, any one of the mechanisms can be selected, and the design time and the design cost can be reduced. Furthermore, at the final stage of the design or at a later stage such as after the start of product supply, the click feeling can be changed only by replacing the spring, and there is no need to change the mold. And costs for prototypes can be reduced.

Further, since the lens cover 16 is manually opened and closed, the lens cover 16 of a camera with a zoom lens or a collapsible camera is incorporated at the tip of the lens barrel and automatically opens and closes when the power is turned on and off. compared to,
The configuration can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, in the structure of the present embodiment, it is only necessary to provide a plurality of elastic body mounting portions, so that the mechanism can be simplified and the increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

In the above embodiment, the lens cover 16 is opened and closed manually to protect not only the lens but also the lens barrel, that is, the zoom lens which protects the moving barrel. Although the camera with a retractable camera or the retractable camera has been described, the present invention can be applied to lens covers (barriers) of various configurations provided at the tip of a lens barrel or the front of a housing to protect a lens.

Further, the biasing means is not limited to a coil spring, a torsion spring or the like, and various elastic bodies can be used.

The present invention is not limited to the two types, and it is possible to set three or more types by providing a plurality of biasing means mounting portions.

In the above embodiment, the camera has been described as an electronic still camera. However, the camera can be applied to various cameras such as a camera using a film and a video camera, or a lens other than a camera such as a projector. It can also be used to protect a lens or a lens barrel. Further, as the cover device, a device other than the lens and the lens barrel can be opened and closed as a protected object to protect it.

[0068]

According to the cover device of the first aspect, by attaching the urging means to the urging means mounting part, it is possible to easily set the operational feeling when the operating unit is operated to open and close the cover.
There is no need to change the design of the drive mechanism to change the operational feeling,
Manufacturing costs can be reduced.

According to the cover device of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the urging means is selectively attached to at least one of the first urging means and the second urging means. This makes it possible to easily set different operational feelings when the cover is opened and closed by operating the operation unit.

According to the camera of the third aspect, the first aspect is provided.
Alternatively, since the cover device described in 2 is provided, the operational feeling when opening and closing the cover that covers the lens can be easily set. There is no need to change the design of the drive mechanism to change the operational feeling, and the manufacturing cost of the camera is reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial rear view showing a closed state of an embodiment of a cover device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the closed state of the above cover device as viewed from below.

FIG. 3 is a partial rear view showing an open state of the cover device.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the open state of the cover device as viewed from below.

FIG. 5 is a partial rear view showing the closed state of the cover device.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the closed state of the cover device, viewed from below.

FIG. 7 is a partial rear view showing an open state of the cover device.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the open state of the cover device as viewed from below.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation unit of the cover device. (A) is a rear view. (B) is a perspective view seen from below.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a second urging means of the cover device.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of a closed state showing an outline of a camera provided with the above cover device. (A) is a front view. (B) is a partial cross-sectional view.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an open state schematically showing the camera. (A) is a front view. (B) is a partial cross-sectional view.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing a relationship between a force required for operating the cover device and a position of an operation unit. (A) A method (b) A method without click spring (c) B method (d) B method with click spring

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Camera 15 Operating part 16 Lens cover as cover body 18 Cover device 15f First locking receiving part 15g forming first urging means mounting part 15g Second member forming second urging means mounting part Stopper 15k Click spring mounting part 33e constituting the first urging means mounting part 33e Guide shaft part 33f forming the first urging means mounting part 33f First member forming the first urging means mounting part Stop receiving part 33g Second locking receiving part 33h constituting the second urging means attaching part 33h Fixed receiving part constituting the second urging means attaching part 33m Support constituting the second urging means attaching part Receiving portion S1 First biasing means as biasing means S1a Button spring constituting first biasing means S1b Click spring constituting first biasing means S2 Second biasing means as biasing means Lock spring

Claims (3)

[Claims] An openable and closable cover body, and a drive mechanism for moving the cover body, the drive mechanism being selectively operated by an operation unit, an urging means mounting unit, and the urging unit mounting unit. And a biasing means mounted on the device for biasing the operation unit. 2. A driving mechanism comprising: a first urging means mounting part; a second urging means mounting part; and at least one of the first urging means mounting part and the second urging means mounting part. 2. A cover device according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing means selectively mounted on said cover. 3. A camera comprising: the cover device according to claim 1; and a lens forming a protected object.