JP2005215152A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus of which waterproof performance is enhanced. <P>SOLUTION: A waterproof type digital camera (imaging apparatus) is provided with a lens barrel 30 which moves forward and backward at the time of zoom for changing a focal distance, a lens barrel cover 33 which is integrally formed with a front cover 32, projects in front and covers the lens barrel 30 with a predetermined gap, a cylindrical member 38 provided with a mounting part for mounting a converter lens 31 in front of the lens barrel cover 33, a cover glass 35 which covers the front of the lens barrel 30, a fixing member 39 which presses and fixes the cylindrical member 38 on the side of the cover glass 35, a first waterproof packing 36 held between the cover glass 35 and the lens barrel cover, a second waterproof packing 44 in front of a screw part (mounting part) 43 of the converter lens 31 to be mounted to the cylindrical member 38 and a third waterproof packing 42 between the cylindrical member 38 and the lens barrel cover 33. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention provides a lens barrel that moves forward and backward during zooming to change the focal length, a lens barrel cover that is formed integrally with the front cover and projects forward, and covers the lens barrel with a predetermined gap. A cylindrical member provided with a threaded portion for attaching the converter lens in front of the lens barrel cover, a fixing member for pressing the cylindrical member rearward and fixing, and a cover glass covering the front of the lens barrel The present invention relates to a waterproof packing sandwiched between a lens barrel cover and a cover glass, and an imaging apparatus such as a still camera or a digital camera provided with a waterproof packing in the back of a screw portion of a converter lens attached to a screw portion of a cylindrical member.

  Conventionally, as a camera provided with a waterproof structure, for example, in Patent Document 1, a waterproof camera body that can withstand underwater photography, a barrel outer tube that is integrally attached to the camera body, A zoom movement frame that is movable back and forth in the optical axis direction with respect to the cylinder, and a wide frame provided at the tip of the lens barrel outer cylinder so that the sliding portion between the lens barrel outer cylinder and the zoom movement frame is waterproofed A converter, a converter attachment detection switch for detecting that the zoom movement frame is attached to the barrel outer tube, and the zoom movement frame at a predetermined position based on an output of the converter attachment detection switch. A waterproof camera is disclosed that includes drive control means for driving and prohibiting driving of the zoom movement frame after driving the zoom movement frame to the predetermined position. According to this document, this waterproof camera achieves a waterproof function without increasing its size even when a converter lens is attached.

Japanese Patent No. 3174205

In Patent Document 1, a waterproof O-ring is bonded to a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel outer tube where the rear end surface of the wide converter abuts, and the lens barrel outer tube is in contact with the inner diameter of the O-ring. A zoom movement frame that is a second lens barrel that moves forward and backward in the direction of the photographing optical axis by zooming is provided inside the tube. As a result, water or the like is prevented from entering between the lens barrel outer cylinder and the zoom movement frame.
However, according to this configuration, when the zoom movement frame that is the second lens barrel advances and retreats in the direction of the photographing optical axis during zooming, the O-ring moves and comes into contact with the zoom movement frame. Since they are constantly rubbed together, there is a problem that a gap is formed in the O-ring due to deformation, water enters the space between the photographing lens and the converter lens, and sufficient waterproof performance is not exhibited.
In addition, when the zoom movement frame moves back and forth in the direction of the photographing optical axis, the atmospheric pressure inside the camera changes, and there is a possibility that water leaks from between the O-ring and the zoom movement frame, as described above. There is also a problem that performance cannot be maintained.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device with improved waterproof performance.

The invention according to claim 1 includes a lens barrel that moves back and forth during zooming to change a focal length;
A lens barrel cover that is formed integrally with the front cover and projects forward, and covers the lens barrel with a predetermined gap;
A cylindrical member provided at the tip of the lens barrel cover and having a mounting portion for mounting a converter lens;
A cover glass that covers the front of the lens barrel and is provided at the tip of the mirror copper cover;
A fixing member that presses and fixes the cylindrical member to the cover glass side;
A first waterproof packing sandwiched between the cover glass and the lens barrel cover;
In the imaging device provided with the second waterproof packing in front of the attachment portion of the converter lens attached to the cylindrical member,
A third waterproof packing is provided between the cylindrical member and the lens barrel cover.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the third waterproof packing is provided between the cylindrical member and the lens barrel cover, it is possible to completely waterproof between the converter lens and the cover glass.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the imaging device according to the first aspect, at least one of the first waterproof packing and the third waterproof packing is an O-ring.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since at least one of the first waterproof packing to the third waterproof packing is an O-ring, the use of a highly versatile O-ring makes it easy to ensure quality and provide waterproof performance. It is easier to guarantee.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the imaging device according to the first or second aspect, at least one of the first waterproof packing and the second waterproof packing is formed of a double-sided tape.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since at least one of the first waterproof packing and the second waterproof packing is formed of a double-sided tape, the thickness can be reduced compared to a rubber packing or the like, and a compact imaging device. Can be provided.

The invention according to claim 4 is a lens barrel that moves back and forth during zooming to change the focal length;
A lens barrel cover that is formed integrally with the front cover and projects forward, and covers the lens barrel with a predetermined gap;
A cylindrical member provided at the tip of the lens barrel cover and having a mounting portion for mounting a converter lens;
A fixing member that presses and fixes the cylindrical member toward the front;
A cover glass that covers the front of the lens barrel and is provided at the tip of the mirror copper cover;
A first waterproof packing sandwiched between the cover glass and the lens barrel cover;
In the imaging device provided with the second waterproof packing in front of the attachment portion of the converter lens attached to the cylindrical member,
A fourth waterproof packing is provided between the cylindrical member and the cover glass.

  According to the invention of claim 4, since the fourth waterproof packing is provided between the cylindrical member and the cover glass, it is possible to completely waterproof the converter lens and the cover glass.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging device according to the fourth aspect, at least one of the first waterproof packing, the second waterproof packing, and the fourth waterproof packing is an O-ring.

  According to the invention of claim 5, since at least one of the first waterproof packing, the second waterproof packing, and the fourth waterproof packing is an O-ring, the quality can be ensured by using a highly versatile O-ring. Easy to guarantee waterproof performance.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging device according to the fourth or fifth aspect, at least one of the first waterproof packing, the second waterproof packing, and the fourth waterproof packing is formed of a double-sided tape. Features.

  According to the invention of claim 6, since any one of the first waterproof packing, the second waterproof packing, and the fourth waterproof packing is formed of double-sided tape, the thickness can be reduced compared to the rubber packing or the like. It is possible to provide a compact imaging device.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the imaging device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the cylindrical member is made of metal.

  According to the invention of claim 7, since the cylindrical member is made of metal, the rigidity of the cylindrical member is increased, and even when an external force is applied to the weight of the converter lens or the converter lens, deformation of each waterproof packing is prevented. Reduce to ensure waterproof performance.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the elastic member provided outside the cylindrical member is attached to the cylindrical member before the converter lens is attached. It projects slightly forward.

  According to the invention of claim 8, before attaching the converter lens, the elastic member provided outside the cylindrical member protrudes slightly forward from the cylindrical member. When an impact is applied, the impact can be absorbed. When the converter lens is mounted, the elastic member is contracted by the tightening force of the mounting portion, the converter lens is attached to the cylindrical member, and the converter lens is securely attached to the imaging device.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the third waterproof packing is provided between the cylindrical member and the lens barrel cover, it is possible to completely waterproof between the converter lens and the cover glass. Therefore, it is possible to provide an imaging device with improved waterproof performance.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since at least one of the first waterproof packing to the third waterproof packing is an O-ring, it is easy to ensure quality by using a highly versatile O-ring. This makes it easier to guarantee performance.

  According to invention of Claim 3, since at least 1 of the said 1st waterproof packing and the 2nd waterproof packing is formed with the double-sided tape, thickness can be made thin compared with rubber packing etc., and it is compact. An imaging device can be provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the fourth waterproof packing is provided between the cylindrical member and the cover glass, the space between the converter lens and the cover glass can be completely waterproofed. Therefore, it is possible to provide an imaging device with improved waterproof performance.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, since at least one of the first waterproof packing, the second waterproof packing, and the fourth waterproof packing is an O-ring, quality is ensured by using a highly versatile O-ring. It is easy to remove and it is easy to guarantee the waterproof performance.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since at least one of the first waterproof packing, the second waterproof packing, and the fourth waterproof packing is formed of double-sided tape, the thickness is reduced compared to rubber packing or the like. Therefore, a compact imaging device can be provided.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, since the cylindrical member is made of metal, the rigidity of the cylindrical member is increased, and even when an external force is applied to the weight of the converter lens or the converter lens, The deformation can be reduced and the waterproof performance can be reliably ensured.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, before attaching the converter lens, the elastic member provided outside the cylindrical member protrudes slightly forward from the cylindrical member. When an impact is applied from the front, the impact can be absorbed. Further, when the converter lens is mounted, the elastic member can be contracted by the tightening force of the mounting portion, the converter lens can be mounted on the cylindrical member, and the converter lens can be securely mounted on the imaging device.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a waterproof digital camera according to an imaging apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view.
The digital camera body 1 is a right hand grip portion 2 made of an elastic member on the left side when viewed from the front, and a card slot portion (with a memory card (not shown) and a battery (not shown) attached to the rear thereof. A battery lid 12 is provided to cover a battery chamber (not shown) and a battery chamber (not shown).

A photographing lens 3 is attached at the center, and an optical viewfinder 5 for allowing the user to visually confirm the photographing range and the like, and a strobe 6 for emitting auxiliary light when photographing at low illuminance. Is provided.
On the top surface of the digital camera body 1 is a rotary mode dial 7 for selecting various modes of the digital camera, and a power switch 8 for turning on / off the camera, a shutter button 9 and an accessory shoe for attaching an external strobe to the center. 10 is provided, and a left-hand grip portion 14 made of an elastic member on the right side when viewed from the front of the digital camera body 1, and a terminal lid 11 covering an external output terminal (not shown) behind the left-hand grip portion 14. Is provided.

  On the rear surface of the digital camera body 1, there are an LCD monitor 21 for displaying a photographed image and a photographing mode, a finder eyepiece 22, a finder LED window 23, a zoom button 24, and a plurality of mode switches 25. Is provided.

3 is a cross-sectional view of the vertical exterior cover and the converter lens 31 at the center of the lens barrel 30 of the waterproof digital camera, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part A thereof.
The lens barrel 30 that moves back and forth during zooming is formed integrally with the front cover 32, has a lens barrel cover portion 33 that projects forward and covers the lens barrel 30 with a predetermined gap, and the lens barrel cover. A packing (first packing) 36 is sandwiched between the tip 33 of the portion 33 and a cover glass 35 disposed in front of the lens barrel 30, and a screw portion (attachment portion) 37 for attaching the converter lens 31 is provided. The cylindrical member 38 is pressed rearward by a front outer cover (fixing member) 39 screwed to the front cover 32, and the cover glass 35 is also pressed rearward.
A packing (third packing) 42 is sandwiched between the rear end 40 of the cylindrical member 38 and the step 41 in the middle of the lens barrel cover 33.

  When the waterproof packing 44 is provided in front of the screw portion (attachment portion) 43 of the converter lens 31 and attached to the screw portion 37 of the cylindrical member 38, the packing (second packing) 44 provided on the converter lens 31 is provided. The space 45 between the cover glass 35 and the converter lens 31 is airtight as a result of being pressed against the cylindrical member 38.

  The outer periphery (outside) of the cylindrical member 38 and the lens barrel cover 33 is covered with an elastic member 46, and the elastic member 46 protrudes slightly forward from the cylindrical member 38, but when the converter lens 31 is mounted, The elastic member 46 contracts rearward due to the tightening force of the screw, and the converter lens 31 contacts the cylindrical member 38.

  That is, the waterproof digital camera (imaging device) is formed integrally with a lens barrel 30 that moves back and forth during zooming to change the focal length and a front cover 32, protrudes forward, and has a predetermined gap. Covering the front of the lens barrel 30, a lens barrel cover 33 covering the lens barrel 30, a cylindrical member 38 having an attachment portion 37 for attaching the converter lens 31 provided at the tip of the lens barrel cover 38, A cover glass 35 provided at the tip of the mirror copper cover 33, a fixing member 39 for pressing and fixing the cylindrical member 38 against the cover glass 35 side, and a first waterproof packing sandwiched between the cover glass 35 and the lens barrel cover 36, a second waterproof packing 44, a cylindrical member 38, and a lens barrel cover 33 in front of a screw portion (attachment portion) 43 included in the converter lens 31 attached to the cylindrical member 38. A third waterproof packing 42 in between.

The first waterproof packing 36, the second waterproof packing 44, and the third waterproof packing 42 may be O-rings.
Moreover, the 1st waterproof packing 36 and the 2nd waterproof packing 44 may be formed with a double-sided tape.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vertical exterior cover and the converter lens 31 at the center of the lens barrel 30 of the waterproof digital camera, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part B thereof. Note that an external perspective view is the same as that of the first embodiment, and is omitted.
The lens barrel 30 that moves back and forth during zooming is formed integrally with the front cover 32, has a lens barrel cover portion 33 that projects forward and covers the lens barrel 30 with a predetermined gap, and the lens barrel cover. A packing (first packing) 36 is sandwiched between the tip 33 of the portion 33 and a cover glass 35 disposed in front of the lens barrel 30, and a screw portion (attachment portion) 37 for attaching the converter lens 31 is provided. The cylindrical member 38 is pressed rearward by a front outer cover (fixing member) 39 screwed to the front cover 32, and the cover glass 35 is also pressed rearward.
In this embodiment, no packing is sandwiched between the rear end 40 of the cylindrical member 38 and the stepped portion 41 in the middle of the lens barrel cover 33, and the packing is interposed between the cover glass 35 and the cylindrical member 38. (Fourth packing) 47 is sandwiched.

  When the waterproof packing 44 is provided in front of the screw portion (attachment portion) 43 of the converter lens 31 and attached to the screw portion 37 of the cylindrical member 38, the packing (second packing) 44 provided on the converter lens 31 is provided. The space 45 between the cover glass 35 and the converter lens 31 is airtight as a result of being pressed against the cylindrical member 38.

  The outer periphery (outside) of the cylindrical member 38 and the lens barrel cover 33 is covered with an elastic member 46, and the elastic member 46 protrudes slightly forward from the cylindrical member 38, but when the converter lens 31 is mounted, The elastic member 46 contracts rearward due to the tightening force of the screw, and the converter lens 31 contacts the cylindrical member 38.

  That is, the waterproof digital camera (imaging device) is formed integrally with a lens barrel 30 that moves back and forth during zooming to change the focal length and a front cover 32, protrudes forward, and has a predetermined gap. A lens barrel cover 33 that covers the lens barrel 30, a cylindrical member 38 that is provided at the tip of the lens barrel cover 33 and has a mounting portion 37 for mounting the converter lens 31, and the cylindrical member 38 is pressed forward. A fixing member 39 for fixing the lens barrel 30, a cover glass 35 covering the front of the lens barrel 30 and provided at the tip of the mirror copper cover 33, and a first waterproof packing 36 sandwiched between the cover glass 35 and the barrel cover. And a second waterproof packing 44 in front of a threaded portion (attachment portion) 43 of the converter lens 31 attached to the cylindrical member 38, and the cylindrical member 38 and the cover glass 35. A fourth waterproof packing 47 between.

The first waterproof packing 36, the second waterproof packing 44, or the fourth waterproof packing 47 may be an O-ring.
Moreover, the 1st waterproof packing 36, the 2nd waterproof packing 44, and the 4th waterproof packing 47 may be formed with the double-sided tape.

  Furthermore, in the above-described two embodiments, the cylindrical member 38 may be made of metal, and the attachment portions 37 and 43 may be a combination of irregularities instead of screws.

1 is a front perspective view of a waterproof digital camera according to an imaging apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of FIG. 1. It is sectional drawing of a waterproof digital camera. It is an expanded sectional view of the principal part A of FIG. It is sectional drawing of another waterproof digital camera. It is an expanded sectional view of the principal part B of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera body 2 Right hand grip part 3 Shooting lens 5 Optical viewfinder 6 Strobe 7 Rotating mode dial 8 Power switch 9 Shutter button 10 Accessory shoe 11 Terminal cover 12 Battery cover 14 Left hand grip part 21 LCD monitor 22 Finder eyepiece part 23 Finder LED window 24 Zoom button 25 Mode switch 30 Lens mirror copper 31 Converter lens 32 Front cover 33 Mirror copper cover 34 Tip 35 Cover glass 36 Waterproof packing (first waterproof packing)
37 Screw part (mounting part)
38 Cylindrical member 39 Front outer cover (fixing member)
40 Rear end 41 Step portion 42 Waterproof packing (third waterproof packing)
43 Screw part (mounting part)
44 Waterproof packing (second waterproof packing)
45 Space 46 Elastic member 47 Waterproof packing (fourth waterproof packing)

Claims (8)

A lens barrel that moves back and forth during zooming to change the focal length;
A lens barrel cover that is formed integrally with the front cover and projects forward, and covers the lens barrel with a predetermined gap;
A cylindrical member provided at the tip of the lens barrel cover and having a mounting portion for mounting a converter lens;
A cover glass that covers the front of the lens barrel and is provided at the tip of the mirror copper cover;
A fixing member that presses and fixes the cylindrical member to the cover glass side;
A first waterproof packing sandwiched between the cover glass and the lens barrel cover;
In the imaging device provided with the second waterproof packing in front of the attachment portion of the converter lens attached to the cylindrical member,
An imaging apparatus comprising a third waterproof packing between the cylindrical member and the lens barrel cover.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first waterproof packing to the third waterproof packing is an O-ring.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first waterproof packing and the second waterproof packing is formed of a double-sided tape. A lens barrel that moves back and forth during zooming to change the focal length;
A lens barrel cover that is formed integrally with the front cover and projects forward, and covers the lens barrel with a predetermined gap;
A cylindrical member provided at the tip of the lens barrel cover and having a mounting portion for mounting a converter lens;
A fixing member that presses and fixes the cylindrical member toward the front;
A cover glass that covers the front of the lens barrel and is provided at the tip of the mirror copper cover;
A first waterproof packing sandwiched between the cover glass and the lens barrel cover;
In the imaging device provided with the second waterproof packing in front of the attachment portion of the converter lens attached to the cylindrical member,
An image pickup apparatus comprising a fourth waterproof packing between the cylindrical member and the cover glass.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the first waterproof packing, the second waterproof packing, and the fourth waterproof packing is an O-ring.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein at least one of the first waterproof packing, the second waterproof packing, and the fourth waterproof packing is formed of a double-sided tape.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical member is made of metal. The imaging according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an elastic member provided outside the cylindrical member projects slightly forward from the cylindrical member before the converter lens is attached. apparatus.

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