JP2004325983A - Waterproof camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a waterproof camera with which pictures can be safely photographed even underwater. <P>SOLUTION: A volume expansion mechanism 15 is provided in a camera body 1a, and when the waterproof camera is brought into water for the purpose of photographing or the waterproof camera is dropped during underwater photographing, the volume of a bag which becomes the volume expansion mechanism when the waterproof camera reaches the prescribed water depth is expanded and the waterproof camera is floated to the water surface by controlling the specific gravity of the camera to <1.0. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a waterproof camera that can capture a subject even in water.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Some cameras also have waterproof cameras, which can also shoot underwater. This waterproof camera can shoot underwater or on land, but buoyancy works when shooting underwater and it is difficult to hold the camera, so when you shoot underwater, adjust the buoyancy to adjust the buoyancy. Some devices have been devised to make shooting easier by making it smaller than the camera's own weight, and to make shooting easier by making the buoyancy larger than the camera's own weight when shooting on land. Reference 1). However, in the camera of Patent Document 1, the buoyancy that acts on the camera is made smaller than the camera's own weight in consideration of the camera's handleability during underwater shooting, so if the camera is dropped, the camera sinks to the bottom of the water, It happens that the camera is lost. This makes it difficult for photographers to shoot underwater.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-5-158119 [0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In view of the circumstances described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof camera that can shoot with confidence in water.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The camera of the present invention that achieves the above object is a waterproof camera that captures and captures a subject.
During normal shooting, the waterproof camera as a whole has a specific gravity of 1.0 or more, and is provided with a volume expansion mechanism that expands the volume until the specific gravity of the camera as a whole is less than 1.0 when subjected to water pressure.
[0006]
Then, when performing normal shooting using this waterproof camera, the waterproof camera as a whole has a specific gravity of 1.0 or more in the same manner as before, regardless of whether it is underwater or on land, without using the volume expansion mechanism. You can take a picture. For example, considering that the above water pressure is taken in water, if you adjust the water pressure to a predetermined water depth, even if you take this waterproof camera underwater and drop it deeply underwater, A waterproof camera can be surfaced on the surface of the water. As a result, the photographer can easily collect the camera floating on the water surface, so that the photographer can shoot underwater with peace of mind.
[0007]
Here, the volume expansion mechanism includes a chamber in which compressed gas is sealed, a breaking mechanism that receives a water pressure and breaks a part of the chamber,
It is preferable to provide a bag that communicates with the room when the room breaks and inflates the volume of the gas flowing into the room.
[0008]
Then, even if this waterproof camera is dropped into the water, the specific gravity of the waterproof camera as a whole can be made less than 1.0 by operating the breaking mechanism when the waterproof camera reaches a predetermined depth. This waterproof camera can be floated on the surface of the water.
[0009]
In a waterproof camera that captures and shoots the subject,
The waterproof camera has a volume expansion member that can be freely changed in state between a contracted state with a specific gravity of 1.0 or more and an expanded state with a specific gravity of less than 1.0 as the entire waterproof camera. Features.
[0010]
If it is possible to change the volume expansion member between the expanded state and the contracted state by the above operation, the waterproof camera is operated when there is a high possibility that the waterproof camera will be dropped when shooting underwater. By realizing the above expansion state, the camera can float on the water surface when dropped.
[0011]
Here, it is preferable that the volume expansion member is a member that protrudes in a contractible manner. If the volume expansion member is a member that protrudes in a contractable manner, the operation can be performed with one touch. If the waterproof camera is about to be dropped, if the operation is performed on the bag, You can also float the camera on the surface of the water.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the structure of the waterproof camera which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a waterproof camera 1 according to this embodiment as viewed from the front.
[0014]
FIG. 1 (a) shows a state in which the slide switch 11 is slid inward inward and the volume of the camera is contracted, and FIG. 1 (b) shows the slide switch 11 outward in the lateral direction. A state in which the volume of the camera is expanded by the sliding operation is shown. The camera body 1a of the waterproof camera 1 is waterproofed, and in addition to the slide switch 11 provided integrally with the camera body 1a, the lens barrel 12 and the like have a gap between the camera body 1a. The structure is such that airtightness inside the camera is maintained so as not to be generated.
[0015]
The configuration of the waterproof camera 1 will be briefly described.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1A, a lens barrel 12 is provided at the center of the camera body 1a, and a flash emission window 13 is provided obliquely above the lens barrel 12. As described above, the flashlight emission window 13 is fitted with a protector 13a so as to maintain airtightness. Further, a release button 14 is provided on the upper surface of the camera body 1a, and the release button 14 is operated to perform photographing.
[0017]
When normal photography is performed underwater using this waterproof camera, the slide switch 11 is slid sideways inward to contract the volume as shown in FIG. When shooting is performed on land, the shooting is performed after the volume is expanded by sliding the slide switch 11 laterally outward as shown in FIG.
[0018]
Conventionally, when taking a picture underwater in the state shown in FIG. 1 (a), if the camera is dropped toward the bottom of the water, the waterproof camera sinks to the bottom of the water, making recovery difficult. . In the waterproof camera 1 of the present embodiment, the camera body has a volume expansion mechanism that expands the volume until the specific gravity of the camera as a whole is 1.0 or more and the specific gravity of the camera as a whole is less than 1.0 during normal shooting. Provided inside 1a, when the waterproof camera 1 is dropped during photographing in water, its volume expansion mechanism is activated so that the waterproof camera 1 can be easily collected.
[0019]
A volume expansion mechanism according to the present invention is provided inside the waterproof camera shown in FIG.
[0020]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the volume expansion mechanism 15 provided in the waterproof camera 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a breaking mechanism in the volume expansion mechanism 15.
[0021]
FIG. 2A shows a state in which the volume expansion mechanism 15 is not operated so as to keep the specific gravity at 1.0 or more during normal photographing, and FIG. 2B shows photographing in water. When the waterproof camera is dropped, the volume expansion mechanism 15 is acted upon when the waterproof camera is dropped, and the volume is expanded until the specific gravity is less than 1.0 as a whole. 3 (a) and 3 (b) show the operating state of the breaking mechanism for operating the volume expansion mechanism, corresponding to FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), respectively.
[0022]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the volume expansion mechanism 15 includes a chamber 151 in which compressed gas is sealed, a breaking mechanism 152 that breaks a part of the chamber under water pressure, and a breakage of the chamber 151. Sometimes it has a bag 153 communicating with the room. As shown in FIG. 3, the breaking mechanism includes a film 1521, a needle 1522, and a vertically movable cylinder 1523.
[0023]
When the waterproof camera 1 is dropped in water, the film 1521 is broken by the needle 1522 of the breaking mechanism 152, the compressed gas is communicated with the bag 151, and the compressed gas is put into the bag 153. By inflowing, the volume of the bag 153 is expanded. When the bag 153 is inflated, the waterproof camera as a whole has a specific gravity of 1.0 or more and a specific gravity of less than 1.0. FIG. 2B shows a state after the volume expansion mechanism 15 is activated to inflate the bag 153 and the bag 153 protrudes outside the camera body 1a.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 2B, the camera body 1a is provided with an opening / closing lid 154 that is pushed by the bag 153 and opens outward when the bag 153 is inflated. The open / close lid 154 is kept airtight when it is in water, but when the bag is inflated by the breaking mechanism 152, the open / close lid 154 has a structure that can be pushed open by contacting the surface of the bag 153. The opening / closing lid 154 also becomes a part of the volume expansion mechanism.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 2B, when the bag 153 is inflated and the volume of the camera 1 is expanded, and the camera 1 as a whole has a specific gravity of less than 1.0, the waterproof camera 1 can be floated on the water surface.
[0026]
The function of the cylinder 1523 serving as a part of the breaking mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0027]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a room is provided in the direction in which the cylinder 1523 rises, and the cylinder 1523 is inserted partway through the room. The cylinder 1523 is supported by a bearing 1511 and can be raised. When the cylinder 1523 is raised, the film 1521 is broken by the needle 1522 at the upper end of the cylinder 1523, and the compressed gas flows in so that the bag 153 is inflated. Normally, the cylinder 1523 is biased downward by a spring 1524 in order to prevent the needle 1522 at the upper end of the cylinder 1523 from reaching the film 1521. A through hole 10a is provided in a part of the camera body 1a below the cylinder 1523 biased downward by the spring 1524, and the through hole 10a is closed by the end of the cylinder 1523 during normal photographing. ing. Since the camera body 1a is provided with the through-hole 10a, water pressure is constantly applied to the end of the cylinder 1523 through the through-hole 10a during normal photographing in water. However, since the spring biasing force exceeds the water pressure, the cylinder 1523 remains lowered. When the camera is dropped into water, the cylinder 1523 can be raised against the biasing force of the spring 1524 when the water pressure exceeds the spring biasing force.
[0028]
In the waterproof camera 1 of the present embodiment, the biasing force of the spring 1524 is adjusted to be greater than the water pressure at a predetermined water depth, and the predetermined water depth is 5 m here. However, this value is not limited to 5 m and may be any number. Here, in order to enable normal photographing in water up to a depth of 5 m, the spring biasing force can withstand the water pressure up to a depth of 5 m.
[0029]
As described above, even if the waterproof camera 1 is dropped when shooting underwater, when the waterproof camera 1 reaches a depth of 5 m, the water pressure exceeds the spring biasing force and counters the spring biasing. 1523 rises and the needle 1522 at the upper end of the cylinder 1523 breaks the film 1521. Then, the chamber 151 in which the compressed gas is sealed communicates with the bag 153, the compressed gas flows into the bag 153, and the volume of the bag 153 expands. Thus, when the volume of the bag expands, the volume of the entire camera also expands, the specific gravity of the entire camera becomes less than 1.0, and the waterproof camera can be floated on the water surface.
[0030]
As described above, since the waterproof camera can be floated on the surface of the water, the user can easily collect the waterproof camera 1 that has floated on the surface of the water.
[0031]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second embodiment.
[0032]
FIG. 4 shows an external view of the waterproof camera 2 according to the second embodiment as viewed obliquely from above. The configuration is the same as that of FIG. 1 except that there is no slide switch and a cylinder 21 which is a volume expansion member according to the present invention is provided. The waterproof camera 2 is a volume expansion member whose state can be freely changed by an operation between a contracted state where the specific gravity of the waterproof camera as a whole is 1.0 or more and an expanded state where the specific gravity of the waterproof camera as a whole is less than 1.0. The cylinder 21 is provided.
[0033]
FIG. 5 is a rear view showing the configuration of the back surface of the waterproof camera 2.
[0034]
The configuration of the rear surface of the camera body will be described with reference to the rear view of FIG.
[0035]
On the rear surface of the waterproof camera 2, an operator 22 and an LCD panel 23 serving as a finder, a cross key 24 for selecting a menu screen displayed on the LCD panel, a decision button 25, and the like are provided.
[0036]
The cylinder 21 shown in FIG. 4 is a member that protrudes in a contractable manner, and protrudes outside the camera body 1a when the operation element 22 is operated.
[0037]
The relationship between the operator 22 and the cylinder 21 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0038]
FIG. 6 is an AA arrow view when a portion including the operation element 22 of FIG. 5 is cut along AA and viewed from a direction indicated by an arrow.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 6, the cylinder 21 is disposed so as to include a cylinder receiving portion 211, and a spring 212 for making the cylinder 21 contractible is wound around the cylinder receiving portion 211. Therefore, when the spring 212 is contracted by pushing the cylinder, the lock lever 213 can be engaged with the cylinder 21, and the cylinder 21 can be locked and housed in the camera body 1a. When the operating element 22 is operated with the cylinder 21 retractably housed in the camera body in this way, the lock lever 213 is rotated, and the engagement between the lock lever 213 and the cylinder 21 is released. The cylinder 21 is spring-biased and protrudes outside the camera body 1a.
[0040]
In this way, the photographer operates the operation element 22 so that the retractable cylinder 21 can be protruded outside the camera body 1a according to the photographing environment, or the cylinder can be accommodated inside the camera body 1a. When moving underwater with a waterproof camera, the cylinder can be protruded by operation, and the specific gravity of the camera as a whole can be less than 1.0. If you drop this waterproof camera when you are looking for it, you can float the waterproof camera on the surface of the water.
[0041]
Also, since it is a simple operation to push the control, you can shoot underwater, push the cylinder in, put the cylinder inside the camera, and even if you are about to drop the waterproof camera during shooting If the child can be pushed, the waterproof camera can be lifted to the surface. Similarly to the first embodiment, if the operation element is operated when it receives a predetermined water pressure, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. You can shoot underwater with peace of mind.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the waterproof camera of the present invention, it is possible to provide a waterproof camera that can shoot safely in water.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a waterproof camera 1 according to a first embodiment as viewed from the front.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a volume expansion mechanism 15 provided inside the waterproof camera 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal configuration in a compartment 151;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a rear view showing the configuration of the back surface of the waterproof camera 2;
6 is a view taken along the line AA when a portion including the operation element 22 in FIG. 5 is cut along AA and viewed from a direction indicated by an arrow.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Waterproof camera 1a Camera body 10a Through-hole 11 Slide switch 12 Shooting lens 13 Flash light emission window 13a Protector 14 Release button 15 Volume expansion mechanism 151 Room 1511 Bearing part 152 Breaking mechanism 1521 Film 1522 Needle 1523 Cylinder 1524 Spring 153 Bag 154 Opening lid 2 Waterproof camera 21 cylinder (volume expansion member)
211 Cylinder receiving part 212 Spring 213 Lock lever 22 Operator

Claims (4)

In a waterproof camera that captures and captures the subject,
A camera having a volume expansion mechanism that expands the volume until the specific gravity of the waterproof camera as a whole is 1.0 or more during normal shooting and receives water pressure until the specific gravity is less than 1.0 as a whole. . The volume expansion mechanism includes a chamber in which compressed gas is sealed, and a breaking mechanism that breaks a part of the chamber under water pressure,
The waterproof camera according to claim 1, further comprising a bag that communicates with the room when the room is broken to inflate the volume of the room to expand the volume. In a waterproof camera that captures and captures the subject,
A volume expansion member is provided that can be freely changed in state between a contracted state in which the specific gravity of the waterproof camera as a whole is 1.0 or more and an expanded state in which the specific gravity of the waterproof camera as a whole is less than 1.0. Features a waterproof camera. The camera according to claim 3, wherein the volume expansion member is a member that protrudes in a contractible manner.

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