JP2004246116A

JP2004246116A - Photographing device

Info

Publication number: JP2004246116A
Application number: JP2003036414A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Takayuki Hayashi; 孝行林
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 2003-02-14
Filing date: 2003-02-14
Publication date: 2004-09-02

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographing device which realizes the decrease of operation switches, and the decrease of motors and the reduction of cost when constituting the device so that a lens is driven manually, and is made compact and has good operability by constituting the device so that its operation (on/off operation of a power source switch), lens barrier opening/closing action, and lens moving action (zoom action) in an optical axis direction can be performed by one operation means. <P>SOLUTION: The photographing device consists of a photographic lens to photograph a subject, the barrier to cover the front of the photographic lens at the non-photographing time, a barrier opening/closing means to open/close the barrier, a driving means to drive the photographic lens in the optical axis direction and the operation means to operate the photographing device, and performs the operation of the device, the barrier opening/closing action and the action for moving the lens to a specified position in the optical axis direction by one operation means. By the constitution where the lens barrier opening/closing action at the photographing time is performed with the lens moving action in the optical axis direction such as zoom by one operation means, the number of operation means is reduced, so that the compact photographing device having good operability is obtained. In the constitution where the lens is moved manually, a new motor for driving a lens is not provided, so that the cost is reduced and the device is made small and lightweight by the portion of the size of the motor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、小型デジタルカメラ等の撮影装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
近年、デジタルカメラの普及とともに、携帯性に優れた超小型のカメラが望まれている。そこでレンズ鏡筒の小型化とともに、モータ等の駆動力を頼らずレンズバリアの開閉を行う装置が提案されている。例えば、レンズバリアの開閉装置である（特許文献１参照）。
【０００３】
図９、図１０、図１１を用いて、その構成を説明する。図９はレンズバリア開閉装置の斜視図、図１０はカメラの要部の断面図、図１１は図９のレンズバリアが閉じられた状態を矢印ＩＩＩ方向から見た様子を示す図である。
【０００４】
カメラ本体１０１に対して繰り出し及び繰り込みが可能な鏡筒ＬＢに装着され、鏡筒ＬＢに内蔵された撮影レンズ１０８の前面を覆う閉位置と前面を開放にする位置とに移動可能なレンズバリア１０１８，１０１９と、鏡筒ＬＢから離して設けられ、複数の位置に操作可能な操作部材１０１３と、鏡筒ＬＢがその移動範囲の少なくとも一部にあるとき、操作部材１０１３からレンズバリア１０１８，１０１９までの駆動力の伝達が可能となるように構成されている。また、伝達機構１０１６，１０１７，１０２０は、鏡筒ＬＢの移動範囲の全域で操作部材１０１３からレンズバリア１０１８，１０１９への駆動力の伝達が可能となるように構成されている。
【０００５】
上記構成により、鏡筒内のレンズバリアを鏡筒から離して設けられた操作部材からの駆動力で駆動するようにしたので、鏡筒の駆動力をレンズバリアの駆動力に振り分ける必要がないので鏡筒の駆動力をコンパクトに構成できるようにしているとともに、鏡筒の位置に関係なくレンズバリアの開閉を行うことができるようにしたものである。
【０００６】
【特許文献１】
特開平１０−１６１１８６号公報
【０００７】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、従来の装置においては、次のような問題点があった。
【０００８】
カメラの操作スイッチの動作とレンズバリアの動作を連動させ、レンズの光軸方向の位置には連動させない構成であるため、各種操作モード特にズーム操作などの操作を行うには、別途操作手段を設けねばならず、操作スイッチが多くなり、カメラに搭載するスイッチ類が多くなり、配置が困難になるとともに、操作性と小型化に課題があった。
【０００９】
また、ズーム動作とは、分離した構成になっているために、部品点数が増加するとともに、小型化に適さないという課題があった。
【００１０】
したがって、この発明の目的は、撮影装置の操作（電源スイッチのＯＮ／ＯＦＦ操作など）と、レンズバリアの開閉動作、レンズの光軸方向の移動動作（ズーム動作など）を１つの操作手段で行うことができる構成としているために、操作スイッチ等の削減および、手動で駆動可能に構成した場合には、モータの削減および、コスト低減を図ることができるとともに、装置の小型化や、操作性の良い撮影装置を提供することである。
【００１１】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１記載の撮影装置は、環状形状の操作手段と、前記操作手段の回転力を第１の駆動選択手段を介して電源スイッチ切り換え部に伝達するスイッチ駆動部と、前記操作手段の回転力を第２の駆動選択手段を介してレンズズーム部に伝達するレンズ駆動部と、前記操作手段の回転力を第３の駆動選択手段を介してレンズバリア開閉部に伝達するバリア駆動部とを備え、前記第１の駆動選択手段は、前記操作手段の回転方向での位置が第１の範囲内にある場合は、前記操作手段に加わる回転力をスイッチ駆動部に伝達し、かつ、前記操作手段の位置が第１の範囲外にある場合には前記操作手段に加わる回転力をスイッチ駆動部には伝達せず、前記第２の駆動選択手段は、前記操作手段の位置が第２の範囲内にある場合は、前記操作手段に加わる回転力を前記レンズ駆動部に伝達し、かつ、前記操作手段の位置が第２の範囲外にある場合には前記操作手段に加わる回転力をレンズ駆動部に伝達せず、前記第３の駆動選択手段は、前記操作手段の位置が第３の範囲内にある場合は、前記操作手段に加わる回転力を前記バリア駆動部に伝達し、かつ、前記操作手段の位置が第３の範囲外にある場合には前記操作手段に加わる回転力をバリア駆動部に伝達しない構成にしたものである。
【００１２】
請求項２記載の撮影装置は、前記第２の駆動選択手段は、円筒カムのカム溝であって、少なくとも第１の範囲内または第３の範囲内のいずれかの範囲内では、前記操作手段の回転する方向に溝を設けた構成にしたものである。
【００１３】
請求項３記載の撮影装置は、環状形状の操作手段と、前記操作手段の回転力を第１の駆動選択手段を介して電源スイッチ切り換え部に伝達するスイッチ駆動部と、前記操作手段の回転力を第２の駆動選択手段を介してレンズズーム部に伝達するレンズ駆動部とを備え、前記第１の駆動選択手段は、前記操作手段の回転方向での位置が第１の範囲内にある場合は、前記操作手段に加わる回転力をスイッチ駆動部に伝達し、かつ、前記操作手段の位置が第１の範囲外にある場合には前記操作手段に加わる回転力をスイッチ駆動部には伝達せず、前記第２の駆動選択手段は、前記操作手段の位置が第２の範囲内にある場合は、前記操作手段に加わる回転力を前記レンズ駆動部に伝達し、かつ、前記操作手段の位置が第２の範囲外にある場合には前記操作手段に加わる回転力をレンズ駆動部に伝達しない構成にしたものである。
【００１４】
請求項４記載の撮影装置は、前記第２の駆動選択手段は、円筒カムのカム溝であって、第１の範囲内では、前記操作手段の回転する方向に溝を設けた構成にしたものである。
【００１５】
請求項５記載の撮影装置は、環状形状の操作手段と、前記操作手段の回転力を第１の駆動選択手段を介して電源スイッチ切り換え部に伝達するスイッチ駆動部と、前記操作手段の回転力を第２の駆動選択手段を介してレンズバリア開閉部に伝達するバリア駆動部とを備え、前記第１の駆動選択手段は、前記操作手段の回転方向での位置が第１の範囲内にある場合は、前記操作手段に加わる回転力をスイッチ駆動部に伝達し、かつ、前記操作手段の位置が第１の範囲外にある場合には前記操作手段に加わる回転力をスイッチ駆動部には伝達せず、前記第２の駆動選択手段は、前記操作手段の位置が第２の範囲内にある場合は、前記操作手段に加わる回転力を前記バリア駆動部に伝達し、かつ、前記操作手段の位置が第２の範囲外にある場合には前記操作手段に加わる回転力をバリア駆動部に伝達しない構成にしたものである。
【００１６】
請求項６記載の撮影装置は、環状形状の操作手段と、前記操作手段の回転力を第１の駆動選択手段を介してレンズズーム部に伝達するレンズ駆動部と、前記操作手段の回転力を第２の駆動選択手段を介してレンズバリア開閉部に伝達するバリア駆動部とを備え、前記第１の駆動選択手段は、前記操作手段の位置が第１の範囲内にある場合は、前記操作手段に加わる回転力を前記レンズ駆動部に伝達し、かつ、前記操作手段の位置が第１の範囲外にある場合には前記操作手段に加わる回転力をレンズ駆動部に伝達せず、前記第２の駆動選択手段は、前記操作手段の位置が第２の範囲内にある場合は、前記操作手段に加わる回転力を前記バリア駆動部に伝達し、かつ、前記操作手段の位置が第２の範囲外にある場合には前記操作手段に加わる回転力をバリア駆動部に伝達しない構成にしたものである。
【００１７】
請求項７記載の撮影装置は、前記第１の駆動選択手段は、円筒カムのカム溝であって、第２の範囲内では、前記操作手段の回転する方向に溝を設けたものである。
【００１８】
請求項８記載の撮影装置は、前記操作手段は、レンズの光軸を中心軸とする環状形状としたものである。
【００１９】
請求項９記載の撮影装置は、スライド式の操作手段と、前記操作手段のスライドする方向への移動力を第１の駆動選択手段を介して電源スイッチ切り換え部に伝達するスイッチ駆動部と、前記操作手段のスライドする方向への移動力を第２の駆動選択手段を介してレンズズーム部に伝達するレンズ駆動部と、前記操作手段のスライドする方向への移動力を第３の駆動選択手段を介してレンズバリア開閉部に伝達するバリア駆動部とを備え、前記第１の駆動選択手段は、前記操作手段の回転方向での位置が第１の範囲内にある場合は、前記操作手段に加わるスライドする方向への移動力をスイッチ駆動部に伝達し、かつ、前記操作手段の位置が第１の範囲外にある場合には前記操作手段に加わるスライドする方向への移動力をスイッチ駆動部には伝達せず、前記第２の駆動選択手段は、前記操作手段の位置が第２の範囲内にある場合は、前記操作手段に加わるスライドする方向への移動力を前記レンズ駆動部に伝達し、かつ、前記操作手段の位置が第２の範囲外にある場合には前記操作手段に加わるスライドする方向への移動力をレンズ駆動部に伝達せず、前記第３の駆動選択手段は、前記操作手段の位置が第３の範囲内にある場合は、前記操作手段に加わるスライドする方向への移動力を前記バリア駆動部に伝達し、かつ、前記操作手段の位置が第３の範囲外にある場合には前記操作手段に加わるスライドする方向への移動力をバリア駆動部に伝達しない構成にしたものである。
【００２０】
請求項１０記載の撮影装置は、前記第２の駆動選択手段は、円筒カムのカム溝であって、少なくとも第１の範囲内または第３の範囲内のいずれかの範囲内では、前記操作手段の回転する方向に溝を設けた構成にしたものである。
【００２１】
請求項１１記載の撮影装置は、スライド式の操作手段と、前記操作手段のスライドする方向への移動力を第１の駆動選択手段を介して電源スイッチ切り換え部に伝達するスイッチ駆動部と、前記操作手段のスライドする方向への移動力を第２の駆動選択手段を介してレンズズーム部に伝達するレンズ駆動部とを備え、前記第１の駆動選択手段は、前記操作手段の回転方向での位置が第１の範囲内にある場合は、前記操作手段に加わるスライドする方向への移動力をスイッチ駆動部に伝達し、かつ、前記操作手段の位置が第１の範囲外にある場合には前記操作手段に加わるスライドする方向への移動力をスイッチ駆動部には伝達せず、前記第２の駆動選択手段は、前記操作手段の位置が第２の範囲内にある場合は、前記操作手段に加わるスライドする方向への移動力を前記レンズ駆動部に伝達し、かつ、前記操作手段の位置が第２の範囲外にある場合には前記操作手段に加わるスライドする方向への移動力をレンズ駆動部に伝達しない構成にしたものである。
【００２２】
請求項１２記載の撮影装置は、前記第２の駆動選択手段は、円筒カムのカム溝であって、第１の範囲内では、前記操作手段の回転する方向に溝を設けたものである。
【００２３】
請求項１３記載の撮影装置は、スライド式の操作手段と、前記操作手段のスライドする方向への移動力を第１の駆動選択手段を介して電源スイッチ切り換え部に伝達するスイッチ駆動部と、前記操作手段のスライドする方向への移動力を第２の駆動選択手段を介してレンズバリア開閉部に伝達するバリア駆動部とを備え、前記第１の駆動選択手段は、前記操作手段の回転方向での位置が第１の範囲内にある場合は、前記操作手段に加わるスライドする方向への移動力をスイッチ駆動部に伝達し、かつ、前記操作手段の位置が第１の範囲外にある場合には前記操作手段に加わるスライドする方向への移動力をスイッチ駆動部には伝達せず、前記第２の駆動選択手段は、前記操作手段の位置が第２の範囲内にある場合は、前記操作手段に加わるスライドする方向への移動力を前記バリア駆動部に伝達し、かつ、前記操作手段の位置が第２の範囲外にある場合には前記操作手段に加わるスライドする方向への移動力をバリア駆動部に伝達しない構成にしたものである。
【００２４】
請求項１４記載の撮影装置は、スライド式の操作手段と、前記操作手段のスライドする方向への移動力を第１の駆動選択手段を介してレンズズーム部に伝達するレンズ駆動部と、前記操作手段のスライドする方向への移動力を第２の駆動選択手段を介してレンズバリア開閉部に伝達するバリア駆動部とを備え、前記第１の駆動選択手段は、前記操作手段の位置が第１の範囲内にある場合は、前記操作手段に加わるスライドする方向への移動力を前記レンズ駆動部に伝達し、かつ、前記操作手段の位置が第１の範囲外にある場合には前記操作手段に加わるスライドする方向への移動力をレンズ駆動部に伝達せず、前記第２の駆動選択手段は、前記操作手段の位置が第２の範囲内にある場合は、前記操作手段に加わるスライドする方向への移動力を前記バリア駆動部に伝達し、かつ、前記操作手段の位置が第２の範囲外にある場合には前記操作手段に加わるスライドする方向への移動力をバリア駆動部に伝達しない構成にしたものである。
【００２５】
請求項１５記載の撮影装置は、前記第１の駆動選択手段は、円筒カムのカム溝であって、第２の範囲内では、前記操作手段の回転する方向に溝を設けた構成にしたものである。
【００２６】
請求項１６記載の撮影装置は、前記操作手段は、レンズの光軸を中心軸とするスライド式の構成にしたものである。
【００２７】
請求項１７記載の撮影装置は、前記操作手段は前記操作手段の回転方向での位置にモータのＯＮ／ＯＦＦ切り換え部を備え、前記ＯＮ／ＯＦＦ切り換え部の位置により、少なくとも前記レンズ駆動部または前記バリア駆動部のいずれかにおける前記操作手段の回転力はモータにより得られる構成にしたものである。
【００２８】
請求項１８記載の撮影装置は、前記操作手段は前記操作手段の移動方向での位置にモータのＯＮ／ＯＦＦ切り換え部を備え、前記ＯＮ／ＯＦＦ切り換え部の位置により、少なくとも前記レンズ駆動部または前記バリア駆動部のいずれかにおける前記操作手段の移動力はモータにより得られる構成にしたものである。
【００２９】
【発明の実施の形態】
（第１の実施の形態）
この発明の第１の実施の形態について図１、図２、図３、図４を用いて説明する。
【００３０】
図１は、第１の実施の形態のデジタルカメラの外観図、図２はレンズ鏡筒部分の断面構成図、図３は、円筒カムの展開図、図４はＰ矢視のレンズバリア構成図である。
【００３１】
第１の実施の形態は請求項１、２及び８に対応しており、第１の実施の形態では操作手段はレンズの光軸を中心軸とした環状形状であるリング状の操作スイッチ１２、スイッチ駆動部は連結ピン１３、円筒カム３、円筒カム３の端面３ｆ及び３ｅ、及びスイッチ１５及び１６、レンズ駆動部は、連結ピン１３、円筒カム３、円筒カム３の溝３ａ及び３ｂ、及びカムピン４及び６、バリア駆動部は連結ピン１３、円筒カム３、円筒カムの傾斜部３ｃ、駆動ピン９を主として構成される。
【００３２】
ここで、第１の駆動選択手段は、スイッチ１５及び１６の突起部が円筒カムの端面３ｆ，３ｅの間の傾斜部（第１の範囲内）にある場合にはスイッチ１５及び１６の突起部が前記円筒カムの傾斜部により付勢されることにより操作手段１２の回転力が電源スイッチ切り換え部（１５及び１６）に伝達されるが、円筒カム３ｆ及び３ｅの間（傾斜部を除く）ではスイッチ１５及び１６の突起部が付勢されないため、操作手段１２の回転力を伝達しない。
【００３３】
第２の駆動選択手段は、カムピン４及び６が円筒カム溝３ａ及び３ｂについて図３のｙ方向に対し平行でない範囲（第２の範囲内）にある場合は、ｙ方向に対し角度を設けてあるので円筒カム溝３ａ及び３ｂに沿って円筒カム３が回転することによりレンズズーム部（Ｌ１，Ｌ２）に伝達されるが、ｙ方向に平行な部分では回転方向とカム溝３ａ及び３ｂが平行なことから操作手段１２の回転力を伝達しない。
【００３４】
第３の駆動選択手段は、駆動ピン９と円筒カム３の傾斜部３ｃが当接する範囲（第３の範囲内）にある場合には駆動ピン９と円筒カム３の傾斜部３ｃが当接し、駆動ピン９が回動することにより操作手段１２の回転力をバリアの開閉に伝達するが、当接しない範囲では駆動ピン９と円筒カム３の傾斜部３ｃが当接しないことから、操作手段１２の回転力を伝達しない。
【００３５】
なお、第２の駆動選択手段は、主として円筒カムのカム溝であって、少なくとも第１の範囲内または第３の範囲内のいずれかの範囲内では、前記操作手段の回転する方向（ｙ方向）に溝が設けられている。
【００３６】
このような構成により、カメラ本体の操作手段１２により撮影時のレンズバリアの開閉動作、ズーム等のレンズの光軸方向の移動動作、及びカメラ本体の電源のＯＮ／ＯＦＦ切り換え等を１つの操作手段で行うことができることから、操作スイッチの削減を通じてコストの削減、小型軽量の撮影装置を実現することができる。
【００３７】
なお、実施の形態１ではカメラ本体のＯＮ／ＯＦＦ、レンズのズーム、バリアの開閉の操作としているが、その他の操作をさらに組み合わせてものであったもよく、逆に請求項３から７に記載したように上記の３つの操作のいずれか２つを組み合わせたものであってもよい。
【００３８】
また、本実施の形態においては駆動選択手段は１つの操作手段により各種操作を行うことができれば、本実施の形態に限定されるものではない。
【００３９】
以下、本実施の形態１について更に詳細に説明する。
【００４０】
Ｌ１は第１レンズ群、Ｌ２は第２レンズ群、１はＬ１，Ｌ２のレンズ群を通して撮影された光学像を電気信号に変換する撮像素子（ＣＣＤ）である。
【００４１】
第１レンズ群Ｌ１を保持する第１レンズ保持枠２には、円筒カム３の溝３ａと嵌合するカムピン４を３つ設けている。第２レンズ群Ｌ２を保持する第２レンズ保持枠５には円筒カム３の溝３ｂと嵌合するカムピン６を３つ設けている。これにより、円筒カム３が光軸周りに回転すると、円筒カム３のカム溝３ａ，３ｂに沿って、第１レンズ群Ｌ１と第２レンズ群Ｌ２は光軸方向に移動する。
【００４２】
撮影レンズの前面を覆うレンズバリア７ａ，７ｂは、ギア７ｃ，７ｄで連結されており、回動ピン８ａ，８ｂを中心に回動する。レンズバリア７ａは、ばね（図示せず）により、常時閉状態になるように付勢されている。撮影時には、円筒カム３がｘ方向に回動し、レンズバリア７ａに設けた駆動ピン９と円筒カム３に設けた傾斜部３ｃが当接し、駆動ピン９が回動することによりレンズバリア７ａ，７ｂは破線に示すとおり開動作を行う。また、撮影時から非撮影時には、円筒カム３がｘ方向と反対方向に回動し、前述の逆の動作を行うことで閉動作を行い、撮影レンズの前面を遮蔽する。
【００４３】
カメラ本体１０には、レンズ本体１１が固定されており、このレンズ本体１１の外周にはカメラの各種モード（記録／再生、電源ＯＮ／ＯＦＦなど）を表示設定し、ズーム動作を行うリング状の操作スイッチ１２が設けてあり、この操作スイッチ１２は連結ピン１３にて円筒カム３と係合している。
【００４４】
操作スイッチ１２には、記録した画像を再生するモード、電源ＯＦＦモード、電源ＯＮ＆レンズバリア開モード、ズーム（ＷＩＤＥ）位置およびズーム（ＴＥＬＥ）位置の操作モードを設けている。これにより、操作スイッチ１２を矢印ｙ方向に回転させることにより、連結ピン１３を介して円筒カム３が回転し、再生モード設定位置に設けたスイッチ１５が円筒カム３ｅの面によりＯＮになり、本体は、電源ＯＮかつ再生モードに設定される。また、操作スイッチ１２が矢印ｙ方向と反対方向に回転させたときは、スイッチ１５がＯＦＦになり、電源もＯＦＦになる。さらに回転させると、電源スイッチ１６が円筒カム３の端面３ｆにより、ＯＮの状態になる。それと同時に、円筒カムの傾斜部３ｃにより、レンズバリア７ａに設けた駆動ピン９が駆動され、レンズバリアの開動作が行われるようにしている。
【００４５】
以上のように構成された撮影装置について、以下その動作を述べる。
【００４６】
レンズ鏡筒の光軸と同軸上に設けたリング状の操作スイッチ１２を、図１に示すように電源ＯＦＦの位置から電源ＯＮ＆バリア開の位置にすると、操作スイッチ１２の回転が連結ピン１３を介して円筒カム３に伝達され、円筒カム３の先端に設けた３ｃ部により、レンズバリア７ａに設けた駆動ピン９が回転し、レンズバリア７ａ，７ｂが回転軸８を中心に回動してオープン状態となる。
【００４７】
操作スイッチ１２がさらに回転してズーム位置（ＷＩＤＥ）に来たときには、円筒カム３に設けたレンズ駆動用のカム溝３ａ，３ｂにレンズＬ１，Ｌ２が移動案内されて、ＷＩＤＥ（広角）モードでの撮影可能な所定の位置に移動し、広角撮影ができるようになる。
【００４８】
さらに、ズーム（ＴＥＬＥ）位置に回転することにより、ＴＥＬＥ（望遠）での撮影ができる構成にしている。
【００４９】
以上のように本実施の形態によれば、被写体を撮影する撮影レンズと、非撮影時に前記撮影レンズの前面を被うバリアと、バリアを開閉するバリア開閉手段と、撮影レンズを光軸方向に駆動する駆動手段と、撮影装置の操作を行う操作手段とからなり、撮影装置の操作とバリアの開閉動作とレンズを光軸方向の所定の位置に移動させる動作を１つの操作手段で行う構成としたことにより、カメラ本体の操作手段（電源ＯＦＦ、再生モード設定（電源ＯＮ））により、撮影時のレンズバリアの開閉動作と、ズーム操作を合わせて行う構成にすることで、操作手段の数量削減を行うことができ、小型かつ操作性のよい撮影装置を構成できる。また、実施の形態では、手動でレンズの移動を行う構成にしているので、新たにレンズ駆動用のモータを設けることなく、コストの低減を図ることができるとともに、モータの大きさ分、小型軽量の撮影装置を構成することができる。
【００５０】
なお、レンズの駆動動作をズームとして説明したが、操作手段により、レンズ部がデジタルカメラ本体に収納および繰り出すいわゆる沈胴動作も行えることはいうまでもない。
【００５１】
なお、操作スイッチのモードは実施の形態のモードのみに限定するものではなく、例えば接写モード位置などが構成できる。
【００５２】
なお、操作スイッチは、カメラの前面（被写体側）の撮影レンズの光軸と同心円状に設けているが、前面に限定するものではなく、カメラ背面に構成しても良い。
【００５３】
（第２の実施の形態）
つぎに、第２の実施の形態について、図５、図６、図７を用いて構成及び動作を説明する。図５は、第２の実施の形態におけるデジタルカメラの背面から見たときの斜視図である。図６は第２の実施の形態におけるレンズ部分の断面構成図、図７は、円筒カムの展開および、連結部の概念図である。第１の実施の形態と同様の部品については、説明を割愛するとともに、同一機能部品は同一番号を付与する。
【００５４】
第２の実施の形態は、操作スイッチを、デジタルカメラ背面に配置した構成とした場合について説明する。
【００５５】
円筒カム３を回転駆動させるために、円筒カム３の像面側端部にはギア３ｇを設けている。カメラ本体１０の背面に設けたスライド操作スイッチ２０にはラック２１を一体に設けている。このラック２１は伝達ギア２２ａと噛合し、かつ円筒カムに設けたギア３ｇと噛合する伝達ギア２２ｂをシャフト２２を介して構成している。
【００５６】
以上のように構成された第２の実施の形態のデジタルカメラについて、以下その動作を述べる。
【００５７】
デジタルカメラ本体の背面に設けたスライドスイッチ２０を、図５に示すように電源ＯＦＦの位置から電源ＯＮ＆バリア開の位置にすると、スライドスイッチ２０の移動に伴い、ラック２１、および伝達ギア２２ａ，２２ｂを介して円筒カムギア３ｇに駆動力が伝達され円筒カム３が回転駆動する。これにより、実施の形態１と同様に、レンズバリア７の開閉動作、およびレンズ群Ｌ１，Ｌ２の光軸方向の移動がなされ所定の撮影モードに設定される。
【００５８】
以上のように第２の実施の形態によれば、カメラ本体の１つの操作スイッチによりレンズバリアの開閉動作および、レンズの光軸方向の移動動作（ズーム）を手動により行う構成にすることで、新たにバリア開閉用・レンズ駆動用のモータを設けることなく操作できるので、コストを低減できるとともに、モータの大きさ分、小型軽量の撮影装置を構成することができる。
【００５９】
なお、本実施の形態では、カメラ本体の背面にスライドスイッチを設けているが、背面に限定するものではなく天面に設けても良い。
【００６０】
また、本実施の形態では、スライドスイッチで構成しているが、操作スイッチの移動量が、円筒カムの回転力として伝達できる構成であればスライドスイッチの形式に限定されない。例えば、回転型のスイッチでも良い。
【００６１】
（第３の実施の形態）
つぎに、第３の実施の形態について、図８を用いて構成及び動作を説明する。図８は、第３の実施の形態におけるレンズ部分の断面構成図である。第１の実施の形態と同様の部品については、説明を割愛するとともに、同一機能部品は同一番号を付与する。
【００６２】
第３の実施の形態は、操作スイッチ１２の回転位置を検出して、その検出信号に応じて、モータ３２を駆動制御してレンズの移動制御を行う構成にしたものである。以下、その構成と動作について説明する。
【００６３】
操作スイッチ１２の回転位置を検出するロータリーエンコーダ３０は、操作スイッチ１２の内側に設けたギア１２ａとロータリーエンコーダ３０に設けたギア３０ａが噛合することで、操作スイッチ１２の回転位置を検出する。
【００６４】
レンズ移動動作は、円筒カム３の回動用（レンズ駆動用）モータ３２が円筒カムのギア３ｇと噛合して、それぞれのモータの駆動力により、レンズ移動動作を行う構成にしている。モータ３２の駆動制御は、制御回路３４により、ロータリーエンコーダ３０の検出信号に応じて、各駆動モータの回転を制御するとともに、カメラの操作モードを制御するために、カメラマイコン３５への指令を送る構成としている。
【００６５】
以上のようにこの実施の形態によれば、カメラ本体の１つの操作スイッチ（例えば電源スイッチ、モード切替スイッチなど）によりレンズバリアの開閉動作および、レンズの光軸方向の移動動作（ズーム）をモータにより行う構成にすることで、部品点数の低減を図るとともに、負荷の少ない操作で、各操作モードを実現できるため操作性のよい撮影装置を構成することができる。
【００６６】
なお、実施の形態では、ズーム動作にモータを用いているが、これに限定せず、バリア開閉動作をモータにより行い、レンズの光軸方向の移動動作を実施の形態１同様手動により行う等の構成でもよい。また、レンズ開閉動作及びレンズの光軸方向の移動動作のいずれもモータにより行う構成としてもよい。
【００６７】
【発明の効果】
カメラ本体の操作手段（例えば電源スイッチ、モード切替スイッチなど）により、撮影時のレンズバリアの開閉動作と、ズーム等のレンズの光軸方向の移動動作を合わせて行う構成にすることで、操作手段の数量削減を行うことができ、小型かつ操作性のよい撮影装置を構成できる。また、手動でレンズの移動を行う構成にした場合には、新たにレンズ駆動用のモータを設けることなく、コストの低減を図ることができるとともに、モータの大きさ分、小型軽量の撮影装置を構成することができる。
【００６８】
また、レンズズーム部に操作手段の回転力を伝達する際の駆動選択手段を円筒カムのカム溝を構成要素とし、レンズ駆動部に前記回転力を伝達しない範囲では、前記操作手段の回転する方向に円筒カムのカム溝を設けることで、レンズズームと電源スイッチのＯＮ／ＯＦＦ等の操作とを効率よく独立して操作することが可能となる。
【００６９】
さらに、操作手段をレンズの光軸を中心軸とする環状形状とすることで、操作手段の回転力を円筒カムに効率よく伝達することができ、複数の駆動部材をそれぞれの動作に応じて容易に駆動させる事ができる。また、操作手段と円筒カムを容易に連結できるため少ない部品点数で各駆動手段の駆動を行うことが容易に構成できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】この発明の第１の実施の形態によるデジタルカメラの外観図
【図２】第１の実施の形態によるデジタルカメラのレンズ鏡筒部分の断面構成図
【図３】第１の実施の形態における円筒カムの構成図
【図４】第１の実施の形態におけるＰ矢視構成図
【図５】第２の実施の形態におけるデジタルカメラの裏面外観図
【図６】第２の実施の形態におけるデジタルカメラのレンズ鏡筒部分の断面構成図
【図７】第２の実施の形態における円筒カムの構成図
【図８】第３の実施の形態におけるデジタルカメラのレンズの鏡筒部分の断面構成図
【図９】従来のレンズバリア開閉装置の斜視図
【図１０】従来のカメラの要部の断面図
【図１１】図９のレンズバリアが閉じられた状態を矢印ＩＩＩ方向から見た様子を示す図
【符号の説明】
Ｌ１第１レンズ群
Ｌ２第２レンズ群
１ＣＣＤ
２第１レンズ保持枠
３円筒カム
５第２レンズ保持枠
７レンズバリア
１０カメラ本体
１２，２０操作スイッチ
３０ロータリーエンコーダ
３２モータ
３４制御回路
３５カメラマイコン[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a photographing device such as a small digital camera.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the spread of digital cameras, ultra-small cameras with excellent portability have been desired. Therefore, there has been proposed an apparatus that opens and closes a lens barrier without relying on a driving force of a motor or the like as well as downsizing the lens barrel. An example is a lens barrier opening / closing device (see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
The configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, 10, and 11. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the lens barrier opening / closing device, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the camera, and FIG. 11 is a view showing a state where the lens barrier of FIG.
[0004]
A lens barrier 1018 mounted on a lens barrel LB that can be extended and retracted with respect to the camera body 101, and is movable between a closed position that covers the front surface of the taking lens 108 built in the lens tube LB and a position that opens the front surface. , 1019, an operating member 1013 provided apart from the lens barrel LB and operable at a plurality of positions, and when the lens barrel LB is in at least a part of its moving range, the operating member 1013 to the lens barriers 1018, 1019 Is configured to be able to transmit the driving force. The transmission mechanisms 1016, 1017, and 1020 are configured to be able to transmit the driving force from the operation member 1013 to the lens barriers 1018 and 1019 over the entire movement range of the lens barrel LB.
[0005]
With the above configuration, the lens barrier in the lens barrel is driven by the driving force from the operating member provided separately from the lens barrel, so that it is not necessary to divide the driving force of the lens barrel into the driving force of the lens barrier. The driving force of the lens barrel can be made compact, and the lens barrier can be opened and closed regardless of the position of the lens barrel.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-161186
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional apparatus has the following problems.
[0008]
Since the operation of the camera's operation switch and the operation of the lens barrier are linked and not linked to the position of the lens in the optical axis direction, separate operation means are provided to perform various operation modes, especially operations such as zoom operation. In addition, the number of operation switches increases, the number of switches mounted on the camera increases, the arrangement becomes difficult, and there are problems in operability and miniaturization.
[0009]
In addition, since the zoom operation is separated from the zoom operation, the number of components is increased, and the zoom operation is not suitable for miniaturization.
[0010]
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to perform an operation of the photographing apparatus (ON / OFF operation of a power switch, etc.), an opening / closing operation of a lens barrier, and a movement operation (a zoom operation, etc.) of a lens in an optical axis direction by one operation means. In the case of a configuration in which the number of operation switches and the like can be reduced and the device can be driven manually, it is possible to reduce the number of motors and cost, as well as to reduce the size of the device and improve operability. It is to provide a good photographing device.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit has an annular shape, a switch driving unit that transmits a torque of the operation unit to a power switch switching unit via a first drive selection unit, and a rotation force of the operation unit. And a barrier drive unit that transmits the rotational force of the operation unit to the lens barrier opening / closing unit via the third drive selection unit. The first drive selecting means transmits a rotational force applied to the operating means to a switch driving unit when a position of the operating means in the rotational direction is within a first range, and When the position of the operating means is outside the first range, the rotational force applied to the operating means is not transmitted to the switch driving unit, and the second drive selecting means sets the position of the operating means within the second range. If it is in Transmitting the rotational force to the lens driving unit, and when the position of the operating unit is outside the second range, transmitting the rotational force applied to the operating unit to the lens driving unit; When the position of the operation unit is within the third range, the selection unit transmits the rotational force applied to the operation unit to the barrier driving unit, and the position of the operation unit is out of the third range. In some cases, the rotational force applied to the operating means is not transmitted to the barrier drive unit.
[0012]
3. The photographing device according to claim 2, wherein the second drive selecting means is a cam groove of a cylindrical cam, and the operating means is provided at least within a first range or a third range. Are provided with grooves in the direction of rotation.
[0013]
4. The photographing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the operation unit has an annular shape, a switch driving unit that transmits a rotational force of the operation unit to a power switch switching unit via a first drive selection unit, and a rotational force of the operation unit. And a lens drive unit for transmitting the second drive selection unit to a lens zoom unit via a second drive selection unit, wherein the first drive selection unit is provided when the position of the operation unit in the rotation direction is within a first range. Transmitting the rotational force applied to the operating means to the switch driving section, and transmitting the rotational force applied to the operating means to the switch driving section when the position of the operating means is outside the first range. When the position of the operating means is within the second range, the second drive selecting means transmits the rotational force applied to the operating means to the lens driving unit, and the position of the operating means Is outside the second range, It is obtained by the configuration that does not transmit the rotational force applied to the work unit to the lens driving unit.
[0014]
5. The photographing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said second drive selecting means is a cam groove of a cylindrical cam, and a groove is provided in a rotating direction of said operating means within a first range. It is.
[0015]
6. The photographing device according to claim 5, wherein the operation unit has an annular shape, a switch driving unit that transmits a rotational force of the operation unit to a power switch switching unit via a first drive selection unit, and a rotational force of the operation unit. To the lens barrier opening / closing unit via a second drive selection unit, wherein the first drive selection unit has a position in the rotation direction of the operation unit within a first range. In this case, the rotational force applied to the operating means is transmitted to the switch driving unit, and when the position of the operating means is out of the first range, the rotational force applied to the operating means is transmitted to the switch driving unit. When the position of the operating means is within the second range, the second drive selecting means transmits the rotational force applied to the operating means to the barrier drive unit, and If the position is outside the second range The rotational force applied to the serial operating means is obtained by a configuration not transmitted to the barrier driver.
[0016]
7. The photographing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the operating unit has an annular shape, a lens driving unit that transmits a rotational force of the operating unit to a lens zoom unit via a first drive selection unit, and a rotational force of the operating unit. A barrier drive unit for transmitting the lens drive to the lens barrier opening / closing unit via a second drive selection unit, wherein the first drive selection unit performs the operation when the position of the operation unit is within a first range. Transmitting the rotational force applied to the means to the lens driving section, and transmitting the rotational force applied to the operating means to the lens driving section when the position of the operating means is outside the first range; When the position of the operation unit is within the second range, the drive selection unit transmits the rotational force applied to the operation unit to the barrier drive unit, and the position of the operation unit is set to the second position. If it is outside the range, the rotation applied to the operating means The is obtained by a configuration not transmitted to the barrier driver.
[0017]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the first drive selecting means is a cam groove of a cylindrical cam, and a groove is provided in a rotation direction of the operating means within a second range.
[0018]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the operating means has an annular shape with the optical axis of the lens as a central axis.
[0019]
10. The photographing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: a slide-type operation unit; a switch driving unit that transmits a moving force of the operation unit in a sliding direction to a power switch switching unit via a first drive selection unit; A lens driving unit that transmits the moving force of the operating unit in the sliding direction to the lens zoom unit via the second drive selecting unit; and a third driving selecting unit that transfers the moving force of the operating unit in the sliding direction to the lens zoom unit. And a barrier drive unit for transmitting the lens drive to the lens barrier opening / closing unit via the first drive selection unit, wherein the first drive selection unit is added to the operation unit when a position of the operation unit in the rotation direction is within a first range. The moving force in the sliding direction is transmitted to the switch driving unit, and when the position of the operating means is outside the first range, the moving force in the sliding direction applied to the operating means is transmitted to the switch driving unit. Not transmitting, the second drive selecting means, when the position of the operating means is within the second range, transmitting the moving force in the sliding direction applied to the operating means to the lens driving unit, Further, when the position of the operating means is outside the second range, the moving force in the sliding direction applied to the operating means is not transmitted to the lens driving unit, and the third drive selecting means performs the operation. When the position of the means is within the third range, the moving force in the sliding direction applied to the operation means is transmitted to the barrier drive unit, and the position of the operation means is outside the third range. In such a case, the moving force in the sliding direction applied to the operation means is not transmitted to the barrier drive unit.
[0020]
11. The photographing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the second drive selecting means is a cam groove of a cylindrical cam, and the operating means is provided at least within one of a first range and a third range. Are provided with grooves in the direction of rotation.
[0021]
12. The photographing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: a slide-type operation unit; a switch driving unit that transmits a moving force of the operation unit in a sliding direction to a power switch switching unit via a first drive selection unit; A lens driving unit that transmits a moving force of the operating unit in a sliding direction to a lens zoom unit via a second driving selecting unit, wherein the first driving selecting unit is configured to rotate the operating unit in a rotational direction. When the position is within the first range, the moving force in the sliding direction applied to the operating means is transmitted to the switch driving unit, and when the position of the operating means is out of the first range, The moving force in the sliding direction applied to the operating means is not transmitted to the switch drive unit, and the second drive selecting means sets the operating means when the position of the operating means is within a second range. Sly joins To the lens drive unit, and when the position of the operation means is outside the second range, the movement force in the sliding direction applied to the operation means is transmitted to the lens drive unit. It does not transmit.
[0022]
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the second drive selecting means is a cam groove of a cylindrical cam, and a groove is provided in a rotation direction of the operating means within a first range.
[0023]
14. The photographing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein: a slide-type operation unit; a switch driving unit that transmits a moving force of the operation unit in a sliding direction to a power switch switching unit via a first drive selection unit; A barrier driving unit that transmits a moving force of the operation unit in a sliding direction to the lens barrier opening / closing unit via a second drive selection unit, wherein the first drive selection unit is configured to rotate in a rotation direction of the operation unit. When the position of the operating means is within the first range, the moving force in the sliding direction applied to the operating means is transmitted to the switch driving unit, and when the position of the operating means is out of the first range, Does not transmit the moving force in the sliding direction applied to the operating means to the switch driving section, and the second drive selecting means performs the operation when the position of the operating means is within the second range. A participant in the means The moving force in the sliding direction is transmitted to the barrier driving unit, and when the position of the operating means is outside the second range, the moving force in the sliding direction applied to the operating means is transmitted to the barrier driving unit. Is not transmitted to
[0024]
15. The photographing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein: a slide-type operation unit; a lens drive unit that transmits a moving force of the operation unit in a sliding direction to a lens zoom unit via a first drive selection unit; A barrier drive unit for transmitting a moving force of the unit in the sliding direction to the lens barrier opening / closing unit via a second drive selection unit, wherein the first drive selection unit is configured such that the position of the operation unit is the first. When the position is within the range, the moving force in the sliding direction applied to the operation means is transmitted to the lens driving unit, and when the position of the operation means is outside the first range, the operation means The second driving selecting means does not transmit the moving force in the sliding direction applied to the lens driving unit to the lens driving unit, and the second driving selecting means slides on the operating means when the position of the operating means is within the second range. Moving force in direction It is configured to transmit the moving force in the sliding direction applied to the operating means to the barrier driving part when the position is transmitted to the barrier driving part and the position of the operating means is outside the second range. is there.
[0025]
16. The photographing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the first drive selecting means is a cam groove of a cylindrical cam, and a groove is provided in a rotating direction of the operating means within a second range. It is.
[0026]
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging device, the operation means is of a slide type having an optical axis of a lens as a central axis.
[0027]
18. The photographing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the operation unit includes an ON / OFF switching unit for a motor at a position in the rotation direction of the operation unit, and at least the lens driving unit or the lens driving unit depends on a position of the ON / OFF switching unit. The rotational force of the operating means in any of the barrier drive units is obtained by a motor.
[0028]
19. The photographing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the operation unit includes an ON / OFF switching unit for a motor at a position in a movement direction of the operation unit, and at least the lens driving unit or the lens driving unit depends on the position of the ON / OFF switching unit. The moving force of the operation means in any of the barrier driving units is obtained by a motor.
[0029]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(First Embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4. FIG.
[0030]
1 is an external view of the digital camera according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional configuration view of a lens barrel portion, FIG. 3 is a development view of a cylindrical cam, and FIG. It is.
[0031]
The first embodiment corresponds to claims 1, 2 and 8, and in the first embodiment, the operating means is a ring-shaped operation switch 12 having a ring shape with the optical axis of the lens as the central axis. The switch driving unit is the connecting pin 13, the cylindrical cam 3, the end faces 3f and 3e of the cylindrical cam 3, and the switches 15 and 16, and the lens driving unit is the connecting pin 13, the cylindrical cam 3, the grooves 3a and 3b of the cylindrical cam 3, and The cam pins 4 and 6 and the barrier driving section mainly include the connecting pin 13, the cylindrical cam 3, the inclined section 3c of the cylindrical cam, and the driving pin 9.
[0032]
In this case, the first drive selecting means is configured such that when the projections of the switches 15 and 16 are located on the inclined portion (within a first range) between the end faces 3f and 3e of the cylindrical cam, the projections of the switches 15 and 16 are provided. Is rotated by the inclined portion of the cylindrical cam so that the rotational force of the operating means 12 is transmitted to the power switch switching portions (15 and 16), but between the cylindrical cams 3f and 3e (excluding the inclined portion). Since the projections of the switches 15 and 16 are not biased, the rotational force of the operating means 12 is not transmitted.
[0033]
When the cam pins 4 and 6 are in a range (in a second range) that is not parallel to the y direction in FIG. 3 with respect to the cylindrical cam grooves 3a and 3b, the second drive selecting means forms an angle with respect to the y direction. As the cylindrical cam 3 rotates along the cylindrical cam grooves 3a and 3b, it is transmitted to the lens zoom units (L1, L2). However, in the part parallel to the y direction, the rotation direction and the cam grooves 3a and 3b are parallel. Therefore, the rotational force of the operating means 12 is not transmitted.
[0034]
When the drive pin 9 and the inclined portion 3c of the cylindrical cam 3 are in a contact range (within the third range), the drive pin 9 contacts the inclined portion 3c of the cylindrical cam 3, When the drive pin 9 rotates, the rotational force of the operation means 12 is transmitted to the opening and closing of the barrier. However, the drive pin 9 and the inclined portion 3c of the cylindrical cam 3 do not come into contact in a range where they do not come into contact with each other. Does not transmit torque.
[0035]
The second drive selecting means is mainly a cam groove of the cylindrical cam, and in at least one of the first range and the third range, the direction in which the operating means rotates (the y direction). ) Is provided with a groove.
[0036]
With such a configuration, one operation unit performs opening / closing operation of the lens barrier at the time of photographing, movement of the lens in the optical axis direction such as zooming, ON / OFF switching of the power supply of the camera body, and the like by the operation unit 12 of the camera body. Therefore, the cost can be reduced through the reduction of the number of operation switches, and a small and lightweight imaging device can be realized.
[0037]
In the first embodiment, ON / OFF of the camera body, zooming of the lens, and opening / closing of the barrier are performed. However, other operations may be further combined. As described above, any one of the above three operations may be combined.
[0038]
Further, in the present embodiment, the drive selecting unit is not limited to the present embodiment as long as various operations can be performed by one operating unit.
[0039]
Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described in more detail.
[0040]
L1 is a first lens group, L2 is a second lens group, and 1 is an image sensor (CCD) that converts an optical image taken through the L1 and L2 lens groups into an electric signal.
[0041]
The first lens holding frame 2 that holds the first lens group L1 is provided with three cam pins 4 that fit into the grooves 3a of the cylindrical cam 3. The second lens holding frame 5 that holds the second lens group L2 is provided with three cam pins 6 that fit into the grooves 3b of the cylindrical cam 3. Thus, when the cylindrical cam 3 rotates around the optical axis, the first lens unit L1 and the second lens unit L2 move along the cam grooves 3a and 3b of the cylindrical cam 3 in the optical axis direction.
[0042]
Lens barriers 7a and 7b that cover the front surface of the taking lens are connected by gears 7c and 7d, and rotate around rotation pins 8a and 8b. The lens barrier 7a is urged by a spring (not shown) so as to be always closed. At the time of photographing, the cylindrical cam 3 rotates in the x direction, the drive pin 9 provided on the lens barrier 7a comes into contact with the inclined portion 3c provided on the cylindrical cam 3, and the drive pin 9 rotates, so that the lens barrier 7a, 7b performs an opening operation as shown by a broken line. Further, from the time of photographing to the time of non-photographing, the cylindrical cam 3 rotates in the direction opposite to the x direction, and performs the above-described reverse operation to perform the closing operation, thereby shielding the front surface of the photographing lens.
[0043]
A lens main body 11 is fixed to the camera main body 10. Various modes (recording / reproduction, power ON / OFF, etc.) of the camera are displayed and set on the outer periphery of the lens main body 11, and a ring-shaped zoom operation is performed. An operation switch 12 is provided, and the operation switch 12 is engaged with the cylindrical cam 3 by a connecting pin 13.
[0044]
The operation switch 12 is provided with a mode for reproducing a recorded image, a power OFF mode, a power ON & lens barrier open mode, a zoom (WIDE) position and a zoom (TELE) position operation mode. Thus, by rotating the operation switch 12 in the direction of the arrow y, the cylindrical cam 3 is rotated via the connecting pin 13, and the switch 15 provided at the reproduction mode setting position is turned ON by the surface of the cylindrical cam 3e. Is set to the power ON and the reproduction mode. When the operation switch 12 is rotated in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow y, the switch 15 is turned off and the power is also turned off. When further rotated, the power switch 16 is turned ON by the end face 3f of the cylindrical cam 3. At the same time, the drive pin 9 provided on the lens barrier 7a is driven by the inclined portion 3c of the cylindrical cam, and the opening operation of the lens barrier is performed.
[0045]
The operation of the photographing apparatus configured as described above will be described below.
[0046]
When the ring-shaped operation switch 12 provided coaxially with the optical axis of the lens barrel is moved from the power OFF position to the power ON & barrier open position as shown in FIG. 1, the rotation of the operation switch 12 causes the connection pin 13 to rotate. The driving pin 9 provided on the lens barrier 7a is rotated by the 3c portion provided at the tip of the cylindrical cam 3, and the lens barriers 7a and 7b are rotated around the rotation shaft 8. It becomes open.
[0047]
When the operation switch 12 further rotates and comes to the zoom position (WIDE), the lenses L1 and L2 are guided by the lens driving cam grooves 3a and 3b provided in the cylindrical cam 3, and are moved in the WIDE (wide angle) mode. Is moved to a predetermined position where the photographing can be performed, and wide-angle photographing can be performed.
[0048]
Furthermore, by rotating to a zoom (TELE) position, it is possible to take a picture in TELE (telephoto).
[0049]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, a shooting lens for shooting a subject, a barrier covering the front surface of the shooting lens when not shooting, barrier opening / closing means for opening and closing the barrier, and a shooting lens in the optical axis direction. A driving means for driving, and an operating means for operating the photographing apparatus, wherein the operation of the photographing apparatus, the opening / closing operation of the barrier, and the operation of moving the lens to a predetermined position in the optical axis direction are performed by one operating means. As a result, the operation of the camera body (power OFF, playback mode setting (power ON)) allows the lens barrier to be opened and closed at the time of shooting and the zoom operation to be performed together, thereby reducing the number of operation units. Can be performed, and a small and operable imaging device can be configured. In the embodiment, since the lens is manually moved, the cost can be reduced without newly providing a motor for driving the lens, and the size and weight of the motor can be reduced. Can be configured.
[0050]
Although the lens driving operation has been described as zooming, it is needless to say that the operation unit can also perform a so-called collapsing operation in which the lens unit is stored and extended in the digital camera body.
[0051]
The mode of the operation switch is not limited to the mode of the embodiment, but may be, for example, a close-up mode position.
[0052]
Although the operation switch is provided concentrically with the optical axis of the photographing lens on the front side (subject side) of the camera, the operation switch is not limited to the front side and may be provided on the back side of the camera.
[0053]
(Second embodiment)
Next, the configuration and operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the digital camera according to the second embodiment as viewed from the back. FIG. 6 is a sectional configuration diagram of a lens portion according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a development of a cylindrical cam and a connecting portion. The description of the same components as in the first embodiment is omitted, and the same functional components are given the same numbers.
[0054]
In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which an operation switch is arranged on the back of a digital camera.
[0055]
To rotate the cylindrical cam 3, a gear 3 g is provided at the end of the cylindrical cam 3 on the image side. A rack 21 is provided integrally with a slide operation switch 20 provided on the back of the camera body 10. In the rack 21, a transmission gear 22 b meshing with a transmission gear 22 a and meshing with a gear 3 g provided on a cylindrical cam is formed via a shaft 22.
[0056]
The operation of the digital camera according to the second embodiment configured as described above will be described below.
[0057]
When the slide switch 20 provided on the back of the digital camera body is moved from the power OFF position to the power ON & barrier open position as shown in FIG. 5, the rack 21 and the transmission gears 22a, 22b are moved with the movement of the slide switch 20. The driving force is transmitted to the cylindrical cam gear 3g via the shaft 3 and the cylindrical cam 3 is driven to rotate. Thus, similarly to the first embodiment, the opening / closing operation of the lens barrier 7 and the movement of the lens groups L1 and L2 in the optical axis direction are performed, and the mode is set to a predetermined photographing mode.
[0058]
As described above, according to the second embodiment, the opening and closing operation of the lens barrier and the moving operation (zoom) of the lens in the optical axis direction are manually performed by one operation switch of the camera body. Since the operation can be performed without providing a new motor for opening and closing the barrier and for driving the lens, the cost can be reduced, and a small and lightweight photographing apparatus can be configured by the size of the motor.
[0059]
In the present embodiment, the slide switch is provided on the rear surface of the camera body. However, the slide switch is not limited to the rear surface and may be provided on the top surface.
[0060]
In the present embodiment, the slide switch is used. However, the present invention is not limited to a slide switch as long as the movement amount of the operation switch can be transmitted as the rotational force of the cylindrical cam. For example, a rotary switch may be used.
[0061]
(Third embodiment)
Next, the configuration and operation of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a sectional configuration diagram of a lens portion according to the third embodiment. The description of the same components as in the first embodiment is omitted, and the same functional components are given the same numbers.
[0062]
In the third embodiment, the rotational position of the operation switch 12 is detected, and the movement of the lens is controlled by driving the motor 32 in accordance with the detection signal. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation will be described.
[0063]
The rotary encoder 30 that detects the rotation position of the operation switch 12 detects the rotation position of the operation switch 12 by meshing a gear 12 a provided inside the operation switch 12 with a gear 30 a provided on the rotary encoder 30.
[0064]
The lens moving operation is such that the motor 32 for rotating the cylindrical cam 3 (for driving the lens) is engaged with the gear 3g of the cylindrical cam, and the lens moving operation is performed by the driving force of each motor. The drive control of the motor 32 is controlled by the control circuit 34 in accordance with the detection signal of the rotary encoder 30 and controls the rotation of each drive motor and sends a command to the camera microcomputer 35 to control the operation mode of the camera. It has a configuration.
[0065]
As described above, according to this embodiment, the opening / closing operation of the lens barrier and the moving operation (zoom) of the lens in the optical axis direction are performed by one operation switch (for example, a power switch, a mode switch, etc.) of the camera body. With this configuration, the number of components can be reduced, and each operation mode can be realized with an operation with a small load, so that an imaging device with good operability can be configured.
[0066]
In the embodiment, the motor is used for the zoom operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the barrier opening / closing operation is performed by the motor, and the movement of the lens in the optical axis direction is performed manually as in the first embodiment. A configuration may be used. Further, both the lens opening / closing operation and the movement operation of the lens in the optical axis direction may be performed by a motor.
[0067]
【The invention's effect】
By using a configuration in which the operation of opening and closing the lens barrier at the time of shooting and the operation of moving the lens in the optical axis direction such as zooming are performed by operating means (for example, a power switch, a mode changeover switch, etc.) of the camera body, Can be reduced, and a small and easy-to-operate imaging device can be configured. When the lens is manually moved, the cost can be reduced without providing a new lens driving motor. Can be configured.
[0068]
Further, the drive selecting means for transmitting the rotational force of the operating means to the lens zoom unit includes a cam groove of a cylindrical cam as a component, and the rotational direction of the operating means is limited as long as the rotational force is not transmitted to the lens driving unit. By providing the cam groove of the cylindrical cam, it becomes possible to efficiently and independently operate the lens zoom and the ON / OFF operation of the power switch.
[0069]
Furthermore, by making the operating means an annular shape centered on the optical axis of the lens, the rotational force of the operating means can be efficiently transmitted to the cylindrical cam, and the plurality of driving members can be easily operated in accordance with the respective operations. Can be driven. Further, since the operating means and the cylindrical cam can be easily connected, each driving means can be easily driven with a small number of parts.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional configuration diagram of a lens barrel portion of the digital camera according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a cylindrical cam according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram viewed from an arrow P in the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a rear view of a digital camera according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a lens barrel portion of a digital camera according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a cylindrical cam according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a sectional configuration diagram of a lens barrel of a digital camera according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a conventional lens barrier opening / closing device.
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a main part of a conventional camera.
11 is a diagram showing a state in which the lens barrier of FIG. 9 is closed as viewed from the direction of arrow III.
[Explanation of symbols]
L1 First lens group
L2 Second lens group
1 CCD
2 First lens holding frame
3 Cylindrical cam
5 Second lens holding frame
7 Lens barrier
10 Camera body
12,20 operation switch
30 Rotary encoder
32 motor
34 control circuit
35 Camera microcomputer

Claims

An annular operating means, a switch drive for transmitting the rotational force of the operating means to a power switch switching unit via a first drive selecting means, and a rotational force of the operating means via a second drive selecting means A lens drive unit for transmitting the rotational force of the operation unit to the lens barrier opening / closing unit via a third drive selection unit; and the first drive selection unit includes: When the position of the operating means in the rotational direction is within the first range, the rotational force applied to the operating means is transmitted to the switch driving unit, and the position of the operating means is out of the first range. In some cases, the rotational force applied to the operation means is not transmitted to the switch drive unit, and the second drive selection means transmits the rotation force to the operation means when the position of the operation means is within the second range. The rotational force applied to the lens drive unit Transmitting, and when the position of the operation means is outside the second range, the rotational force applied to the operation means is not transmitted to the lens driving unit, and the third drive selection means is provided with When the position is within the third range, the rotational force applied to the operating means is transmitted to the barrier drive unit, and when the position of the operating means is outside the third range, the rotational force is transmitted to the operating means. An imaging device, wherein an applied rotational force is not transmitted to a barrier drive unit.

The second drive selecting means is a cam groove of a cylindrical cam, and a groove is provided in a rotating direction of the operating means at least in any one of a first range and a third range. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein:

An annular operating means, a switch drive for transmitting the rotational force of the operating means to a power switch switching unit via a first drive selecting means, and a rotational force of the operating means via a second drive selecting means A lens driving unit that transmits the operating force to the lens zoom unit, wherein the first drive selecting unit includes a rotating force applied to the operating unit when a position of the operating unit in the rotation direction is within a first range. Is transmitted to the switch drive unit, and when the position of the operation unit is out of the first range, the rotational force applied to the operation unit is not transmitted to the switch drive unit, and the second drive selection unit is not transmitted. When the position of the operating means is within the second range, the rotational force applied to the operating means is transmitted to the lens driving unit, and when the position of the operating means is outside the second range. The rotational force applied to the operating means. Imaging apparatus characterized by not transmitted to's driver.

4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second drive selection means is a cam groove of a cylindrical cam, and a groove is provided in a rotation direction of the operation means within a first range. apparatus.

An annular operating means, a switch drive for transmitting the rotational force of the operating means to a power switch switching unit via a first drive selecting means, and a rotational force of the operating means via a second drive selecting means And a barrier drive unit that transmits the rotation to the lens barrier opening / closing unit, wherein the first drive selection unit is configured to rotate the operation unit when the position in the rotation direction of the operation unit is within a first range. Transmitting the force to the switch drive unit, and when the position of the operation means is out of the first range, does not transmit the rotational force applied to the operation means to the switch drive unit; The means, when the position of the operation means is within the second range, transmits the rotational force applied to the operation means to the barrier drive unit, and the position of the operation means is outside the second range. Rotation force applied to the operating means Imaging apparatus characterized by not transmitted to the barrier driver.

An annular operating unit, a lens driving unit that transmits the rotational force of the operating unit to the lens zoom unit via a first drive selecting unit, and a rotational force of the operating unit via a second driving selecting unit A barrier driving unit that transmits the lens driving unit to the lens barrier opening / closing unit, wherein the first drive selecting unit transmits the rotational force applied to the operating unit to the lens driving unit when the position of the operating unit is within a first range. And when the position of the operating means is outside the first range, the rotational force applied to the operating means is not transmitted to the lens driving unit, and the second drive selecting means performs the operation. When the position of the means is within the second range, the rotational force applied to the operation means is transmitted to the barrier drive unit, and when the position of the operation means is out of the second range, the operation is performed. Do not transmit the rotational force applied to the means to the barrier drive. Imaging device, characterized in that.

7. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first drive selection means is a cam groove of a cylindrical cam, and a groove is provided in a rotation direction of the operation means within a second range. apparatus.

The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit has an annular shape with an optical axis of a lens as a central axis.

A sliding-type operating unit, a switch driving unit for transmitting a moving force of the operating unit in a sliding direction to a power switch switching unit via a first drive selecting unit, and a moving of the operating unit in a sliding direction A lens driving unit for transmitting a force to a lens zoom unit via a second drive selecting unit; and a moving force of the operating unit in a sliding direction to a lens barrier opening / closing unit via a third drive selecting unit. A barrier drive unit, wherein the first drive selection unit switches a moving force applied to the operation unit in a sliding direction when a position of the operation unit in a rotation direction is within a first range. When the position of the operating means is outside the first range, the moving force in the sliding direction applied to the operating means is not transmitted to the switch driving unit, and Drive When the position of the operating means is within the second range, the selecting means transmits a moving force applied to the operating means in a sliding direction to the lens driving unit, and the position of the operating means is in the second range. When the position is outside the range, the moving force in the sliding direction applied to the operating means is not transmitted to the lens driving unit, and the third drive selecting means sets the position of the operating means within the third range. In this case, the moving force in the sliding direction applied to the operation means is transmitted to the barrier drive unit, and when the position of the operation means is outside the third range, the slide applied to the operation means An imaging apparatus characterized in that a moving force in a moving direction is not transmitted to a barrier driving unit.

A sliding-type operating unit, a switch driving unit for transmitting a moving force of the operating unit in a sliding direction to a power switch switching unit via a first drive selecting unit, and a moving of the operating unit in a sliding direction A lens drive unit for transmitting a force to a lens zoom unit via a second drive selection unit, wherein the first drive selection unit has a position in the rotation direction of the operation unit within a first range. In the case, the moving force in the sliding direction applied to the operating means is transmitted to the switch driving unit, and when the position of the operating means is out of the first range, the moving force is applied in the sliding direction applied to the operating means. Is not transmitted to the switch drive unit, and the second drive selecting unit is configured to move the operating unit in the sliding direction when the position of the operating unit is within the second range. The above The moving force in the sliding direction applied to the operating means is not transmitted to the lens driving unit when the position of the operating means is outside the second range. apparatus.

A sliding-type operating unit, a switch driving unit for transmitting a moving force of the operating unit in a sliding direction to a power switch switching unit via a first drive selecting unit, and a moving of the operating unit in a sliding direction A barrier drive unit for transmitting a force to a lens barrier opening / closing unit via a second drive selection unit, wherein the first drive selection unit is configured such that a position of the operation unit in a rotation direction is within a first range. In some cases, the moving force in the sliding direction applied to the operating means is transmitted to the switch drive unit, and when the position of the operating means is outside the first range, the sliding direction applied to the operating means When the position of the operating means is within the second range, the second drive selecting means does not transmit the moving force to the switch driving unit, and the moving in the sliding direction applied to the operating means. Before the power The image pickup apparatus is characterized in that, when the position of the operating means is outside the second range, the moving force applied to the operating means in the sliding direction is not transmitted to the barrier driving unit. apparatus.

A sliding-type operating unit, a lens driving unit that transmits a moving force of the operating unit in a sliding direction to a lens zoom unit via a first drive selecting unit, and a moving force of the operating unit in a sliding direction To a lens barrier opening / closing unit via a second drive selection unit, wherein the first drive selection unit is configured to: when the position of the operation unit is within a first range, The moving force in the sliding direction applied to the operating means is transmitted to the lens driving unit, and the moving force in the sliding direction applied to the operating means when the position of the operating means is outside the first range. Is not transmitted to the lens driving unit, and the second drive selection unit uses the barrier drive to move the moving force applied to the operation unit in the sliding direction when the position of the operation unit is within the second range. To the department, One imaging apparatus, characterized in that the position of the operating means is not the case that is outside the second range to transmit a moving force in the direction of sliding applied to the operation means to the barrier driver.

The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is of a slide type having an optical axis of a lens as a central axis.

The operation means includes a motor ON / OFF switching unit at a position in the rotation direction of the operation means, and the operation of at least one of the lens driving unit and the barrier driving unit depends on the position of the ON / OFF switching unit. 9. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation force of the means is obtained by a motor.

The operating means includes a motor ON / OFF switching unit at a position in the movement direction of the operating means, and the operation of at least one of the lens driving unit and the barrier driving unit depends on the position of the ON / OFF switching unit. 17. The imaging apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the moving force of the means is obtained by a motor.