JP2007093756A - Flash light emitting device and imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact flash light emitting device capable of varying the irradiation angle of flash light, and to provide an imaging apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus to photograph an object is equipped with: a viewing angle adjusting part to adjust a viewing angle in photography; a light emission part to emit flash light; a reflection part which reflects the flash light emitted by the light emission part, whose one side is widened and the other side is narrowed and which projects the flash light in a direction going toward one side from the other side; a polymer actuator elongated and contracted by the application of voltage and the release of the application thereof so as to deform the reflection part, thereby changing the spread of one side relative to the other in the reflection part; and a voltage control applying part to apply the voltage at a level in accordance with the viewing angle adjusted by the viewing angle adjusting part to the polymer actuator. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a flash light emitting device that emits flash light and an imaging device that photographs a subject.

  In recent years, imaging devices represented by digital cameras and the like and technologies relating to various elements constituting such imaging devices have been rapidly developed. For example, imaging devices that have a zoom function and have a function of adjusting the angle of view for shooting have existed in the past. An imaging device having a function of changing the irradiation angle of the flashlight emitted toward the camera has come to appear (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). By providing such a function, it is possible to concentrate the emitted flash light on the subject selected as the object to be photographed, and it is possible to suppress the unnecessary flash light emission as much as possible.

In many cases, the adjustment of the flash illumination angle changes the relative distance between the light emitter that emits the flash light and the lens that collects the emitted flash light, or reflects the emitted flash light. This is performed by changing the shape of the reflecting mirror, and a driving force by a small motor or the like is used as the driving force at this time.
JP 2000-214512 A JP 2004-53933 A

  In recent years, downsizing of imaging devices has been demanded, and it is necessary to promote downsizing of flashlight devices equipped with a mechanism for changing the flash irradiation angle while maintaining high precision performance. Sex is increasing. However, the drive system using a small motor as described above has already been miniaturized to a level close to the limit, and it is difficult in designing the apparatus to further reduce the size while maintaining the performance.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a compact flash light emitting device and an imaging device in which the flash irradiation angle is variable.

In order to achieve the above object, a first flash light emitting device of the present invention comprises:
A light emitting part emitting a flash of light;
Reflecting the flash emitted by the light emitting unit, one of which spreads and the other narrows, a reflecting unit emitting the flash in the direction from the other to the one;
A polymer actuator that expands and contracts by applying and releasing a voltage to deform the reflecting portion, and changes the spread of the one with respect to the other in the reflecting portion;
And a voltage applying unit that applies a voltage to the polymer actuator.

  The first flash light emitting device of the present invention can change the shape of the reflecting portion that reflects the flash light by a simple means of applying a voltage to the polymer actuator and releasing the voltage. It becomes possible to change the irradiation angle of the flash when emitting the flash through. Since the mechanism for changing the flash irradiation angle is very simple, the first flash light emitting device of the present invention is suitable for miniaturization.

  Further, in the first flash light emitting device of the present invention, it is provided with “a deforming portion other than the polymer actuator that applies a deforming force to the reflecting portion in a direction in which the one spread of the reflecting portion with respect to the other changes. "Is a preferred form.

  With such a configuration, it becomes easier to change the shape of the reflecting portion.

In order to achieve the above object, a second flash light emitting device of the present invention comprises:
A light emitting part emitting a flash of light;
A lens that collects the flash emitted by the light emitting unit;
A polymer actuator that expands and contracts by applying and releasing a voltage to change the relative distance between the light emitting unit and the lens;
And a voltage applying unit that applies a voltage to the polymer actuator.

The second flash light emitting device of the present invention can change the relative distance between the light emitting part and the lens by a simple means of applying a voltage to the polymer actuator and releasing the voltage.
Thus, it is possible to change the flash irradiation angle when the flash is emitted through the change in the relative distance. Since the mechanism for changing the flash irradiation angle is very simple, the second flash light emitting device of the present invention is also suitable for downsizing.

In order to achieve the above object, a first imaging device of the present invention provides:
In an imaging device for photographing a subject,
An angle-of-view adjustment unit that adjusts the angle of view for shooting,
A light emitting part emitting a flash of light;
Reflecting the flash emitted by the light emitting unit, one of which spreads and the other narrows, a reflecting unit emitting the flash in the direction from the other to the one;
A polymer actuator that expands and contracts by applying and releasing a voltage to deform the reflecting portion, and changes the spread of the one with respect to the other in the reflecting portion;
The polymer actuator includes a voltage control application unit that applies a voltage having a magnitude corresponding to the angle of view adjusted by the angle of view adjustment unit.

  The first imaging device of the present invention can change the shape of the reflecting portion that reflects the flash according to the angle of view by a simple means of controlling the magnitude of the voltage applied to the polymer actuator. Through the change in the shape of the reflecting portion, the flash irradiation angle when the flash is emitted can be changed according to the angle of view. Since the mechanism for changing the flash irradiation angle is very simple as described above, the first imaging device of the present invention is suitable for downsizing.

In order to achieve the above object, the second imaging device of the present invention provides:
In an imaging device for photographing a subject,
An angle-of-view adjustment unit that adjusts the angle of view for shooting,
A light emitting part emitting a flash of light;
A lens that collects the flash emitted by the light emitting unit;
A polymer actuator that expands and contracts by applying and releasing a voltage to change the relative distance between the light emitting unit and the lens;
The polymer actuator includes a voltage control application unit that applies a voltage having a magnitude corresponding to the angle of view adjusted by the angle of view adjustment unit.

The second imaging device of the present invention can change the relative distance between the light emitting unit and the lens by a simple means of controlling the magnitude of the voltage applied to the polymer actuator, and through the change of the relative distance. It becomes possible to change the irradiation angle of the flash when emitting the flash.
Since the mechanism for changing the flash irradiation angle is very simple as described above, the second imaging device of the present invention is also suitable for downsizing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a compact flash light emitting device and an imaging device with a variable flash irradiation angle.

[First Embodiment]
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  1 and 2 are external perspective views of a digital camera to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

  FIG. 1 shows the retracted state of the lens barrel 10 in which the photographing lens of the digital camera 1 is built, and FIG. 2 shows the extended state of the lens barrel 10. In this digital camera 1, when shooting is not performed, the lens barrel 10 is retracted as shown in FIG. 1, but when shooting is performed, the lens barrel 10 is moved as shown in FIG. 2. It has a configuration to pay out. A flash light emitting unit 12 that emits flash light by changing an irradiation angle in accordance with an angle of view at the time of photographing is arranged at the upper front of the digital camera 1 shown in FIGS. A finder objective window 13 is also provided near the flash light emitting unit 12, and a shutter button 14 is provided above the digital camera 1.

  On the rear surface (not shown) of the digital camera 1, various switches such as a zoom operation switch and a cross key, and an LCD (liquid crystal display) for displaying images and menu screens are provided. Press and hold the zoom operation switch for a predetermined time to enter the zoom operation mode to adjust the shooting angle of view, and the photographic lens moves to the telephoto side (tele side) while pressing the “up” key of the cross key. Then, while the “down” key of the cross key is kept pressed, the photographing lens moves to the wide angle side (wide side).

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the digital camera 1 in a retracted lens barrel 10 taken along the optical axis. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the digital camera 1 in which the photographing lens is in a wide state. Is a cross-sectional view taken along the optical axis, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the optical axis of the lens barrel 10 of the digital camera 1 in which the photographing lens is in the telephoto state.

  In the inner space of the lens barrel 10, there are three groups of a front lens group (first lens group) 21, a rear lens group (second lens group) 22, and a focus lens (third lens group) 23 in order from the front. A photographic lens is arranged in which the optical axes are aligned. In the photographing lens, the focal length changes as the rear lens group 22 moves along the optical axis between the wide end shown in FIG. 4 and the telephoto end shown in FIG. 5, and the focus lens 23 moves along the optical axis. The focus adjustment is performed by moving. An aperture unit 30 for adjusting the amount of subject light is disposed between the front group lens 21 and the rear group lens 22, and a CCD 40 for reading the subject light is disposed behind the photographing lens.

  The irradiation angle at which the flash light emitting unit 12 shown in FIG. 1 emits flash light during shooting is maximized when the rear group lens 22 is at the wide end shown in FIG. 5, the flashlight to be irradiated is concentrated on the subject according to the angle of view determined by the focal length. The driving force that causes such a change in the irradiation angle is given by a polymer actuator (described later) that expands and contracts by applying / releasing voltage. This mechanism will be described in detail later.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the diaphragm unit 30 includes an aperture plate 32 having a hole surrounding the optical axis of the photographic lens, and an aperture for closing the aperture of the aperture plate 32 to adjust the aperture amount. Feather 31 is provided. The diaphragm unit 30 is also provided with a guide lot 24 protruding rearward from the back surface thereof and a stopper 24a for closing the rear end of the guide lot 24. The guide lot 24 holds the rear group lens 22. The rear group lens holding frame 25 is slidably penetrated in the optical axis direction. Further, a coil spring 26 is mounted between the diaphragm unit 30 and the rear group lens holding frame 25, and the diaphragm unit 30 includes a rear group composed of the rear group lens 22 and the rear group lens holding frame 25. The lens unit 27 is held so as to be movable along the optical axis in a manner in which the lens unit 27 is spring-biased forward. When the lens barrel 10 is retracted, the diaphragm blades 31 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are opened, and the diaphragm unit 30 moves toward the rear group lens unit 27 while compressing the coil spring 26. The rear lens group unit 27 enters. Thereby, thickness reduction of the digital camera 1 is achieved.

  The lens barrel 10 is provided with a fixed cylinder 50 fixed to the camera body and a drive cylinder 52 that is rotatable with respect to the fixed cylinder 50. The drive cylinder 52 has a protrusion 50 a formed in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder 50 and is engaged with a groove provided on the inner peripheral surface of the drive cylinder 52. Therefore, movement in the optical axis direction is restricted. A gear 51 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the driving cylinder 52, and a driving force from a motor (not shown) is transmitted to the gear 51 to rotate the driving cylinder 52.

  The drive cylinder 52 is further provided with a key groove 52a extending in the optical axis direction. In this key groove 52a, a pin-shaped cam follower 54 fixed to the rotationally movable cylinder 53 is connected to the key of the fixed cylinder 50. The rotation is restricted by engaging with the groove 50b. Accordingly, when the drive cylinder 52 rotates, the rotational movement cylinder 53 moves in the optical axis direction along the cam groove while rotating.

  A rectilinear movement frame 55 is provided inside the rotational movement cylinder 53. The rectilinearly moving frame 55 is engaged with the rotationally movable cylinder 53 so as to be freely rotatable relative thereto, and the rotation of the linearly moving frame 55 is restricted by engaging with the key groove 52 a of the drive cylinder 52. Therefore, when the rotationally movable cylinder 53 moves in the optical axis direction while rotating with the rotation of the drive cylinder 52, the rectilinear movement frame 55 moves linearly in the optical axis direction with the movement of the rotationally movable cylinder 53.

  A pin-shaped cam follower 63 is fixed to the rear group lens holding frame 25 that holds the rear group lens 22 described above. The cam follower 63 is engaged with the cam groove of the rotationally movable cylinder 53 and also is engaged with the key groove 55a extending in the optical axis direction of the rectilinearly moving frame 55, so that the drive cylinder 52 is rotated. When the rotationally moving barrel 53 rotates and moves in the optical axis direction, the rear lens group unit 27 moves straight in the optical axis direction along the shape of the cam groove of the rotationally movable barrel 53.

  Further, as described above, since the diaphragm unit 30 is attached to the lens unit 27 in a state of being biased forward by the coil spring 26, the diaphragm unit 30 moves in the optical axis direction together with the rear group lens unit 27. To do.

  Further, the lens barrel 10 is provided with a rectilinearly moving cylinder 56 that holds the front group lens 21. The straight movement cylinder 56 has a cam follower 57 fixed thereto engaged in a cam groove of the rotation movement cylinder 53 and also in a key groove 55a of the linear movement frame 55 extending in the optical axis direction. Yes. Accordingly, when the rotationally movable cylinder 53 moves in the optical axis direction as the drive cylinder 52 rotates, the rectilinearly movable cylinder 56 follows the shape of the cam groove of the rotationally movable cylinder 53 in which the cam follower 57 is engaged. And move straight in the direction of the optical axis.

  In this way, the lens barrel 10 is extended, and the lens barrel 10 is retracted by rotating the drive cylinder 52 in the reverse direction.

  Further, even after the feeding of the lens barrel 10 is completed, the rotationally movable cylinder 53 can be further rotated while maintaining the position of the front group lens 21, and at this time, the rear group lens unit 27 is rotated. It moves along the cam groove 53 in the direction of the optical axis, thereby adjusting the shooting angle of view (ie, focal length). FIG. 4 shows a state in which the feeding of the lens barrel 10 is completed. At this time, the photographing lens 20 is in the wide state. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the rear moving lens unit 27 is moved until the rotation moving cylinder 53 is further rotated after the feeding is completed and the photographing lens 20 is in the telephoto state.

  Further, the focus lens 23 of the photographic lens has a lead screw 61 rotated by a motor (not shown), and a focus lens holding frame 62 holding the focus lens 23 is screwed into the lead screw 61. As the lead screw 61 rotates, the focus lens 23 moves in the optical axis direction, and focus adjustment is performed.

  Next, the internal configuration of the digital camera 1 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic internal configuration diagram of the digital camera 1 shown in FIG.

  In the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, all processes are controlled by the main CPU 110. The main CPU 110 includes various switches provided in the digital camera 1 (the various switches include the shutter button 14 shown in FIG. 1, the zoom operation switch, the cross key, and the like. Operation signals are supplied from the switch group 101). The main CPU 110 has an EEPROM 110a, and various programs necessary for executing various processes by the digital camera 1 are written in the EEPROM 110a. When a power switch (not shown) included in the switch group 101 is turned on, power is supplied from the power source 102 to various elements of the digital camera 1, and the digital camera 1 is programmed by the main CPU 110 according to the program procedure written in the EEPROM 110a. Overall operation is controlled centrally.

  First, the flow of an image signal will be described with reference to FIG.

  When a photographer instructs a shooting angle of view using a cross key (not shown) provided on the back of the digital camera 1, the specified shooting angle of view is transmitted from the switch group 101 to the main CPU 110, and further, the main image is displayed. This is transmitted to the optical control CPU 120 via the CPU 110. Note that data is not transmitted / received between the main CPU 110 and the optical control CPU 120 via the bus 140, but is transmitted / received at high speed by inter-CPU communication. The optical control CPU 120 controls a motor or the like (not shown) to extend the lens barrel 10 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and move the rear lens group 22 to a position corresponding to the transmitted shooting angle of view. The optical control CPU 150 corresponds to an example of an angle-of-view adjustment unit referred to in the second imaging device of the present invention. Further, the EEPROM 110a has a shooting field angle and a voltage value for adjusting the irradiation angle at which the flash light emitting unit 12 shown in FIG. 1 emits flash light when shooting to a size corresponding to the shooting field angle. A voltage value associated with the instructed shooting angle of view is also transmitted from the main CPU 110 to the optical control CPU 120. At this time, the optical control CPU 120 instructs the voltage application unit 12a to apply the voltage having the voltage value transmitted from the main CPU 110, and the flash irradiation angle is determined by this instruction. The optical control CPU 120 also functions to move the focus lens 23 shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 in the direction along the optical axis by controlling a motor or the like (not shown).

  The subject light is imaged on the CCD 40 through the photographing lens and the aperture unit, and the CCD 40 generates an image signal representing the subject image. The generated image signal is roughly read out by the A / D unit 131, the analog signal is converted into a digital signal, and low resolution through image data is generated. The generated through image data is subjected to image processing such as white balance correction and γ correction in a white balance / γ processing unit 133.

  Here, a timing signal is supplied from the clock generator 132 to the CCD 40, and an image signal is generated at predetermined intervals in synchronization with the timing signal. The clock generator 132 outputs a timing signal based on an instruction from the main CPU 110 transmitted via the optical CPU 120. The timing signal is output from the CCD 40, the A / D unit 131 in the subsequent stage, the white balance The γ processing unit 133 is also supplied. Therefore, the CCD 140, the A / D unit 131, and the white balance / γ processing unit 133 perform the processing of the image signals in order in synchronization with the timing signal generated from the clock generator 132.

  The image data subjected to the image processing in the white balance / γ processing unit 133 is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 134. The low-resolution through image data stored in the buffer memory 134 is supplied to the YC / RGB conversion unit 138 via the bus 140 first from the through image data stored at the old time. Since the through image data is an RGB signal, the YC / RGB conversion unit 138 does not perform processing, but directly transmits the image to the image display LCD 160 via the driver 139, and the through image represented by the through image data is displayed on the image display LCD 160. Is displayed. Here, in the CCD 140, since the subject light is read at every predetermined timing and an image signal is generated, the subject in the direction in which the photographing lens is directed is always displayed as a subject image on the image display LCD 160. .

  The through image data stored in the buffer memory 134 is also supplied to the main CPU 110. Based on the through image data, the main CPU 110 detects the contrast of the subject image represented by the image signal repeatedly obtained by the CCD 40 while the focus lens 23 is moved along the optical axis, and the luminance of the subject. The detected contrast and brightness are transmitted to the optical control CPU 120. The optical control CPU 120 moves the focus lens 23 to a lens position where the contrast peak transmitted from the main CPU 110 is obtained (AF processing), and adjusts the aperture value of the aperture unit according to the brightness transmitted from the main CPU 110. (AE treatment).

  Here, when the photographer presses the shutter button 14 shown in FIG. 1 while confirming the through image displayed on the image display LCD 160, the main CPU 110 is notified that the shutter button 14 has been pressed, and further optical control is performed. This is transmitted to the CPU 120. When the subject is dark, a light emission instruction is transmitted from the optical control CPU 120 to the flash light emitting unit 12, and a flash light is emitted from the flash light emitting unit 12 in synchronization with the pressing of the shutter button 14. Further, in accordance with an instruction from the optical control CPU 120, the image signal generated by the CCD 40 is finely read out by the A / D unit 131, and high-resolution captured image data is generated. The generated captured image data is subjected to image processing by the white balance / γ processing unit 133 and stored in the buffer memory 134.

  The captured image data stored in the buffer memory 134 is supplied to the YC processing unit 137 and converted from RGB signals to YC signals. The captured image data converted into the YC signal is subjected to compression processing in the compression / decompression unit 135, and the compressed captured image data is stored in the memory card 170 via the I / F 136.

  The captured image data stored in the memory card 170 is subjected to decompression processing in the compression / decompression unit 135, converted into RGB signals in the YC / RGB conversion unit 138, and then displayed on the image display LCD 160 via the driver 139. Reportedly. On the image display LCD 160, a captured image represented by the captured image data is displayed.

  The digital camera 1 is configured as described above.

  The digital camera 1 can adjust the flash irradiation angle according to the angle of view at the time of shooting so that the flash emitted from the flash light emitting unit 12 shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 is concentrated on the subject. The digital camera 1 corresponds to an example of the imaging device according to the present invention, and the combination of the flash light emitting unit 12 and the voltage applying unit 12a shown in FIG. 6 in the digital camera 1 is a flash light emitting device according to the present invention. It corresponds to an example. Hereinafter, a mechanism for adjusting the irradiation angle will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the flash light emitting unit shown in FIGS. 1 and 6.

  7 includes a light source unit 402, a convex Fresnel lens 403, two gears 405a and 405b, and a rotational force applied to these two gears. And a spring. The light source unit 402 includes a frame body 421 whose surface toward the Fresnel lens 403 is open, a xenon tube 422 that emits flash light provided inside the frame body 421, and flash light emitted from the xenon tube 422. In order to reflect toward 403, it is comprised from the reflecting mirror 423 affixed on the inner wall of the frame 421, and two racks 404a and 404b which mesh with the teeth of the two gears 405a and 405b, respectively. The frame body 421 includes two protrusions 421a and 421b that engage with two guides 461 provided on the main body side (hereinafter, abbreviated as the camera main body) of the digital camera 1 excluding the flash light emitting unit 12, respectively. By this engagement, the two gears 405a and 405b rotate in conjunction with the optical zoom adjustment operation by the user, and the light source unit 402 is driven in the direction along the guide 461. Such driving of the light source unit 402 is performed by rotating the two gears 405a and 405b around the two rotation shafts 430a and 430b fixed to the camera body, and transmitting the rotation to the two racks 404, respectively. This is done by moving the part 402 along the guide 461. By driving the light source unit 402, the relative distance between the light source unit 402 and the Fresnel lens 403 changes, and the irradiation angle of the flash emitted from the light source unit 402 changes. Hereinafter, a mechanism for driving the light source unit 402 will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a mechanism for driving the light emitting unit when the flash light emitting unit shown in FIG. 7 is viewed from the bottom side.

  In FIG. 8, in order to clearly show the mechanism for changing the irradiation angle, the frame 421 and the like are omitted from the components of the light source unit 402 shown in FIG. 7, and the two gears 405 a and 405 b mesh with the respective teeth. Two racks 404a, 404b and a xenon tube 422 emitting a flash are shown extracted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a polymer actuator 500 and a spring 408 for applying a rotational force to the gear 405 are provided below the two gears 405a and 405b shown in FIG. The polymer actuator 500 is an electrostrictive polymer 501 that is a type of polymer material that expands and contracts in response to voltage application, and applies a voltage to the electrostrictive polymer 501 with the electrostrictive polymer 501 interposed therebetween 2. It has the electrode plate 502,503 of a sheet as a component. The two electrode plates 502 and 503 are connected to the anode and the cathode of the voltage application unit 12a shown in FIG. 6, respectively. The voltage applied to the electrostrictive polymer 501 is controlled by the user by adjusting the optical zoom. The optical control CPU 150 shown in FIG. 6 receives the information that the operation has been performed, and gives an instruction to the voltage application unit 12a.

  Here, the voltage application unit 12a corresponds to an example of the voltage application unit according to the present invention, and the combination of the voltage application unit 12a and the optical control CPU 150 corresponds to an example of the voltage control application unit according to the present invention. To do.

  When the electrostrictive polymer 501 is applied with a voltage, the electrostrictive polymer 501 expands in a direction along the electrode plates 502 and 503, and has a property that the amount of expansion increases as the applied voltage increases. The stretched electrostrictive polymer 501 contracts when the voltage decreases, and returns to its original length when the voltage becomes zero. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the terminal is not expanded because no voltage is applied. Both ends of the electrostrictive polymer 501 are fixed to the elastomer fixing bosses 432a and 432b of the two gears 405. Therefore, when the electrostrictive polymer 501 expands and contracts, the two are connected via the elastomer fixing bosses 432a and 432b. The two gears 405a and 405b are configured to rotate. Accordingly, the drive of the two gears 405a and 405b is controlled by controlling the amount of voltage applied to the electrostrictive polymer 501. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the two gears 405 a and 405 b are provided with a spring 408 in addition to the polymer actuator 500. Both ends of the spring 408 are fixed to spring fixing bosses 431a and 431b on the two gears 405a and 405b. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the spring 408 is in a natural length. The spring 408 plays a role as a buffer material for relieving rapid rotation of the two gears 405a and 405b accompanying the expansion and contraction of the electrostrictive polymer 501. For example, the electrostrictive polymer 501 is accompanied by application of a voltage. When the two gears 405a and 405b rotate in the directions of arrows A and B in the drawing, the spring 408 contracts from the natural length, so that the rapid rotation of the two gears 405a and 405b is moderated.

  When the two gears 405a and 405b are rotated, as shown in the figure, propulsive force in the vertical direction in the figure is transmitted to the two racks 404a and 404b respectively meshed with the teeth of the two gears 405a and 405b. For example, when the two gears 405a and 405b rotate in the directions indicated by the arrows A and B in the figure, the moving force in the directions indicated by the arrows X and Y is transmitted to the two racks 404a and 404b. In response to this force, the xenon tube 422 moves together with the two racks 404a and 404b toward the upper side of the figure, and as a result, the relative distance between the xenon tube 422 and the Fresnel lens 403 increases.

  The arrangement of the xenon tube 422 shown in FIG. 8 is such that the relative distance between the xenon tube 422 and the Fresnel lens 403 is the smallest, and is irradiated from the Fresnel lens 403 toward the lower side of the drawing as shown by the dotted line in the figure. This arrangement is such that the flash irradiation angle is maximized, and the maximum angle of view is selected by the user's operation. When the two gears 405a and 405b rotate in the directions of arrows A and B from the state of FIG. 8 and the xenon tube 422 moves toward the upper side of the drawing, the flash irradiation angle decreases.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the relative distance between the xenon tube and the Fresnel lens illustrated in FIG. 8 is maximized.

  This figure shows a state in which the xenon tube 422 has moved to the maximum in FIG. 8 from the arrangement of the xenon tube 422 shown in FIG. 8, and at this time, as shown by a dotted line in FIG. The irradiation angle of the flash light emitted from the lens 403 toward the lower side of the figure is minimized. The arrangement of the xenon tube 422 shown in FIG. 9 is an arrangement when the minimum angle of view is selected by a user operation. The state shown in FIG. 9 is a state in which the maximum voltage is applied to the electrostrictive polymer 501 and the electrostrictive polymer 501 is expanded to the maximum, and the spring 408 correspondingly corresponds to the most from the natural length. It is in a contracted state. When the voltage applied gradually from this state decreases, the amount of expansion of the electrostrictive polymer 501 gradually decreases, and accordingly, the two gears 405a and 405b rotate in the directions indicated by arrows C and D in FIG. Thus, the two racks 404a and 404b move in the directions indicated by the arrows Z and W. Then, when the xenon tube 422 approaches the Fresnel lens 403 again and the applied voltage becomes zero, the state shown in FIG. 8 is restored.

  The above is the description of the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As described above, in this digital camera 1, the flash light irradiation angle is controlled by the polymer actuator 500 having a simple configuration using the property of the electrostrictive polymer 501 that contracts according to the applied voltage. Compared with the conventional variable mechanism of the irradiation angle by a small motor or the like, the size can be further reduced.

  In the first embodiment described above, the flash irradiation angle is controlled by controlling the relative distance between the xenon tube 422 and the Fresnel lens 403. The irradiation angle is controlled by a light source such as a xenon tube. It is also possible to change the shape of the reflecting mirror that reflects the flash light from. In the following, an embodiment in which an irradiation angle variable mechanism using such a mechanism is adopted will be described. The second embodiment to the fifth embodiment described below are different from the first embodiment in that the flash light emitting unit of this embodiment controls the irradiation angle of the flash by changing the shape of the reflecting mirror. It is in the point provided with the control mechanism different from the control mechanism of the irradiation angle of 1st Embodiment, About the external appearance and structure of imaging devices other than this point, the external appearance and structure of the imaging device demonstrated in FIGS. Is the same. In addition, the flash light emitting units in the second to fifth embodiments described below also use the polymer actuator 500 described in the first embodiment as a driving force when changing the shape of the reflecting mirror. Therefore, the description of the appearance and configuration of the imaging device and the polymer actuator 500 will not be repeated, and the following description will focus on the irradiation angle control mechanism of the flash light emitting unit 12 other than the overlapping portion. .

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flash light emitting unit provided with a mechanism for changing the shape of the reflecting mirror.

  This figure schematically shows a cross section of the flash light emitting unit 551 when the flash light emitting unit 551 of the second embodiment is viewed from the side of the digital camera. As shown in this figure, a reflection mirror 511 is provided so as to surround the xenon tube 512 (cross section) from the remaining three directions other than the left direction in the drawing, and the flash emitted from the xenon tube 512 is shown in FIG. The light is reflected by the reflecting mirror 511 that opens toward the left side of FIG. The reflecting mirror 511 can be flexibly deformed to change the size of the opening except for the portion fixed to the reflecting mirror fixing portion 513. At this time, the irradiation angle of the flash light to be irradiated is determined according to the size of the opening of the reflecting mirror 511. The irradiation angle is larger as the opening is larger, and the irradiation angle is smaller as the opening is smaller. Inner walls near the opening of the reflecting mirror 511 are provided with inner wall connecting portions 507a and 507b on the upper side and the lower side of the drawing, respectively, and the inner wall connecting portions 507a and 507b are connected to the polymer actuator 500. An electrostrictive polymer 501 is connected via wires 506a and 506b. Further, on the outer wall of the reflecting mirror 511, outer wall connection portions 509a and 509b to which one ends of the two springs 508a and 508b are fixed are located at positions opposite to the inner wall connection portions 507a and 507b. The other ends of these two springs 508a and 508b are fixed to the spring fixing portions 510a and 510b, respectively.

  FIG. 10 shows a state where the electrostrictive polymer 501 of the polymer actuator 500 is not expanded because no voltage is applied from the voltage application unit 12a. The springs 508a and 508b are extended from the natural length. At this time, the elastic force of both springs is balanced with each other via the polymer actuator 500, the two wires 506a and 506b, and the reflecting mirror 511, thereby realizing a state where the forces are balanced as a whole. The shape of the reflecting mirror 511 at this time is a shape that minimizes the size of the opening of the reflecting mirror 511. When the reflecting mirror 511 has this shape, the flash reflected by the reflecting mirror 511 is on the left side of the figure. The irradiation angle at the time of irradiation is minimized. The shape of the reflecting mirror 511 is the shape of the reflecting mirror 511 when the minimum angle of view is selected by the user's operation.

  When a voltage is applied from the state shown in FIG. 10, both ends of the electrostrictive polymer 501 of the polymer actuator 500 expand in the A direction and the B direction in the drawing, respectively. Then, the two springs 508a and 508b are respectively shown on the upper side and the lower side of the reflecting mirror 511 by the respective elastic forces so that the distance between the two inner wall connecting portions 507a and 507b is extended with the extension. While being pulled in the C direction and the D direction, it shrinks more than the state shown in FIG. As a result, the opening of the reflecting mirror 511 greatly expands as the voltage is applied. When the applied voltage increases to a predetermined voltage which is the maximum voltage, the size of the opening of the reflecting mirror 511 is maximized and the flash irradiation angle is maximized. The shape of the reflecting mirror 511 at this time is the shape of the reflecting mirror 511 when the maximum angle of view is selected by a user operation. When the applied voltage decreases from this state, the stretched electrostrictive polymer 501 shrinks, and the two springs 508a and 508b stretch with it, and finally the applied voltage. When the value becomes zero, the state returns to the state of FIG.

  Here, the two springs 508a and 508b correspond to an example of the deformed portion according to the present invention.

  In this way, by controlling the shape of the reflecting mirror 511 through the voltage applied to the polymer actuator 500, the flash irradiation angle can be changed according to the angle of view selected by the user. With such a simple mechanism, the size can be further reduced as compared with a conventional mechanism for changing the irradiation angle by a small motor.

[Third Embodiment]
In the second embodiment described above, the two springs 508a and 508b are attached to the outer wall of the reflecting mirror 511, and the polymer actuator 500 is attached to the inner wall of the reflecting mirror 511. A flash light emitting unit having a configuration in which two polymer actuators 500 are attached to the outer wall of 511 and a spring is attached to the inner wall of the reflecting mirror 511 will be described as a third embodiment.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flash light emitting unit having a configuration in which two polymer actuators are attached to the outer wall of the reflecting mirror and a spring is attached to the inner wall of the reflecting mirror.

  In this figure, the same components as those shown in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description of the components is omitted. As shown in this figure, unlike FIG. 10, a spring 508 having both ends fixed to the inner wall connecting portions 507a and 507b is provided inside the reflecting mirror 511, while each of the two polymer actuators 500 and The other ends of the two connected wires 506b are connected to outer wall connecting portions 509a and 509b, respectively. In addition to these two wires 506b, two wires 506a connected to the two electrostrictive polymers 501 are provided, and the other end thereof is an actuator fixing portion 510a ′ and an actuator fixing portion. It is fixed at the portion 510b ′.

  FIG. 11 shows a state in which the electrostrictive polymer 501 of the polymer actuator 500 is not expanded because no voltage is applied from the voltage application unit 12a. In this state, the spring 508 is , It is in a state extended from the natural length. At this time, the elastic force to be contracted by the spring 508 balances with the tension of the two wires 506b connected to the outer wall connecting portions 509a and 509b, thereby realizing the shape of the reflecting mirror 511 as shown in the figure. The Contrary to FIG. 10, the shape of the reflecting mirror 511 when the applied voltage is zero is the shape in which the size of the opening of the reflecting mirror 511 is the maximum, and when the reflecting mirror 511 has this shape. The irradiation angle of the flashlight reflected by the reflecting mirror 511 is maximized. The shape of the reflecting mirror 511 is the shape of the reflecting mirror 511 when the maximum angle of view is selected by a user operation.

  When a voltage is applied from the state shown in FIG. 11, the electrostrictive polymers 501 included in the two polymer actuators 500 respectively expand in the A direction and the B direction in the drawing. For this extension, the distance between the outer wall connecting portion 509a and the actuator fixing portion 510a ′ sandwiched between the upper polymer actuator 500 and the lower polymer actuator 500 interposed therebetween. The state shown in FIG. 11 while the spring 508 pulls the upper and lower sides of the reflecting mirror 511 in the C direction and D direction of the drawing so that the distance between the outer wall connecting portion 509b and the actuator fixing portion 510b ′ is increased. It will shrink more. As a result, the opening of the reflecting mirror 511 becomes smaller as the voltage is applied.

  When the applied voltage increases to a predetermined voltage that is the maximum voltage, the size of the opening of the reflecting mirror 511 is minimized, and the flash irradiation angle is minimized. The shape of the reflecting mirror 511 at this time is the shape of the reflecting mirror 511 when the minimum field angle is selected by the user's operation. If the voltage applied by the two voltage application units 12a decreases from this state, the two electrostrictive polymers 501 that have been stretched contract, and the two springs 508a and 508b stretch. Then, when the finally applied voltage becomes zero, the state of FIG. 11 is restored.

  As described above, also in the flash light emitting unit 552, similarly to the flash light emitting unit 551 of the first embodiment, the shape of the reflecting mirror 511 is controlled through the voltage applied to the polymer actuator 500, so that the flash light irradiation angle is obtained. Can be changed according to the angle of view selected by the user.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the flash light emitting unit 552 is provided with two voltage application units 12a for applying voltages to the two polymer actuators 500, respectively. Application to the polymer actuator 500 is possible. Therefore, in the flash light emitting unit 552, the shape of the reflecting mirror 511 can be asymmetrical in the vertical direction in the figure, and by providing such a mechanism, the flash light emitting unit 552 can emit flash light at the time of shooting. It is possible to correct the angle of view (parallax) with respect to the subject, which is generated by intentionally making the irradiation range asymmetrical, or when the flash emission unit 552 and the photographing lens are located at different positions on the digital camera. It becomes.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the flash light emitting unit 552 of the third embodiment described above, the irradiation angle of the 506 flash light is changed via the wires 506a and 506b using two polymer actuators 500. A flash light emitting unit that uses only one and changes the flash irradiation angle via a string instead of a wire will be described as a fourth embodiment.

  FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flash light emitting unit that changes the flash irradiation angle by using one spring and one polymer actuator.

  In this figure, the same components as those shown in FIG. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description of the components is omitted. This figure is different from FIG. 11 in that only one polymer actuator 500 is used in the flash light emitting unit 553, and two strings 506a ′ and 506b ′ are used instead of wires. The driving force is transmitted by connecting the electrostrictive polymer 501 of the polymer actuator 500 and the outer wall connecting portions 509a and 509b via the two rolls 514a and 514b. In the flash light emitting unit 553, the shape of the reflecting mirror 511 changes according to the expansion and contraction of the electrostrictive polymer 501 of the polymer actuator 500, as in FIG. The process when the shape changes is the same as the process described with reference to FIG. 11, and the description thereof is omitted here.

  In this flash light emitting unit 553, since there is one polymer actuator 500, only one voltage applying unit 12a is required, and the flash light emitting unit 553 as a whole has fewer parts than the flash light emitting unit 552 of the third embodiment. It ’s a simpler configuration. Moreover, since the string is used instead of the wire, the movement when the driving force is transmitted via the two rolls 514a and 514b is smooth.

[Fifth Embodiment]
In the flash light emitting units of the second to fourth embodiments described above, a spring, a wire, and a string are used. However, in the following, the polymer actuator 500 is used without using a spring, a wire, and a string. A flash light emitting unit that changes the shape of the direct reflecting mirror 511 will be described as a fifth embodiment. Furthermore, unlike the flash light emitting units of the second to fourth embodiments, the flash light emitting unit described here not only changes the shape of the reflecting mirror 511 in the vertical direction, but also the lateral direction of the reflecting mirror 511 ( It has a mechanism that changes the shape in the horizontal direction. First, the change in the shape of the reflecting mirror 511 in the vertical direction will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view in the vertical direction showing the state before the voltage is applied and the state when the maximum voltage is applied, of the flash light emitting unit that directly changes the shape of the reflecting mirror by the polymer actuator. FIG.

  In this figure, the same components as those shown in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description of the components is omitted.

  Part (a) of FIG. 13 shows a state before voltage application of the flash light emitting unit 554 in which the shape of the reflecting mirror is directly changed by the polymer actuator. As can be seen from this figure, in the flash light emitting portion 554, the electrostrictive polymer 501 included in each of the two polymer actuators 500 has one end on the upper outer wall and the lower outer wall of the direct reflector 511, respectively. When the electrostrictive polymer 501 expands with application of voltage, the opening of the reflecting mirror 511 is pushed by pushing the outer wall of the reflecting mirror 511 inward as shown by arrows A and B in the figure. It gets smaller.

  Part (b) of FIG. 13 shows the state of the polymer actuator 500 when the applied voltage increases to a predetermined voltage that is the maximum voltage. As can be seen from this figure, as a result of the expansion of the electrostrictive polymer 501, the reflecting mirror 511 is crushed inward and the opening becomes smaller compared to the shape of the reflecting mirror 511 in the case of part (a) in FIG. 13.

  From the state shown in part (b) of FIG. 13, when the voltage applied by the two voltage application units 12 a is lowered, the two electrostrictive polymers 501 that have been stretched are contracted so that the reflecting mirror 511 is illustrated. When pulled in the direction indicated by arrows C and D, the state shown in part (a) of FIG. 13 is restored again when the finally applied voltage becomes zero.

  Subsequently, a change in shape of the reflecting mirror 511 in the left-right direction will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view in the left-right direction showing the state before the voltage application and the state when the maximum voltage is applied, of the flash light emitting unit that directly changes the shape of the reflecting mirror by the polymer actuator. FIG.

  In addition to the pair of polymer actuators 500 in the up and down direction shown in FIG. 13, the flash light emitting unit 554 is provided with another pair of polymer actuators 500 in the left and right direction as shown in FIG. The size of the opening is changed by a mechanism similar to that in the vertical direction indicated by 13.

  Part (a) of FIG. 14 shows a state before voltage application of the flash light emitting unit 554 in which the shape of the reflecting mirror is directly changed by the polymer actuator. As can be seen from this figure, in the flash light emitting section 554, one end of the electrostrictive polymer 501 of the two polymer actuators 500 shown in part (a) of FIG. 14 is on the left side of the direct reflecting mirror 511 (FIG. 14). Are fixed to the outer wall on the upper side (corresponding to the upper outer wall in FIG. 14) and the outer wall on the right side (corresponding to the lower outer wall in FIG. 14), and when the electrostrictive polymer 501 expands as a voltage is applied, the reflecting mirror 511 By pushing the outer wall inward as shown by arrows E and F in the figure, the opening of the reflecting mirror 511 is reduced.

  Part (b) of FIG. 14 shows the state of the polymer actuator 500 when the applied voltage increases to a predetermined voltage that is the maximum voltage. As can be seen from this figure, as a result of the expansion of the electrostrictive polymer 501, the reflecting mirror 511 is crushed inward and the opening becomes smaller than the shape of the reflecting mirror 511 in the case of part (a) in FIG.

  From the state shown in part (b) of FIG. 14, when the voltage applied by the two voltage application units 12a is lowered, the two electrostrictive polymers 501 that have been stretched are contracted, and finally applied. When the applied voltage becomes zero, the state again returns to the state shown in part (a) of FIG.

  In the description of FIGS. 13 and 14, the shape of the reflecting mirror 511 shown in part (a) of FIG. 13 and part (a) of FIG. 14 when the applied voltage is zero is the reflecting mirror. When the reflecting mirror 511 is in this shape, the irradiation angle in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the flashlight reflected by the reflecting mirror 511 is maximized. The shape of the reflecting mirror 511 is the shape of the reflecting mirror 511 when the maximum angle of view is selected by a user operation.

  Further, when the applied voltage reaches the maximum voltage, the shape of the reflecting mirror 511 shown in part (b) of FIG. 13 and part (b) of FIG. When the reflecting mirror 511 is in this shape, the irradiation angle in the vertical and horizontal directions of the flash reflected by the reflecting mirror 511 is minimized. The shape of the reflecting mirror 511 is the shape of the reflecting mirror 511 when the minimum angle of view is selected by the user's operation.

  As described above, the flash light emitting unit 554 is provided with a pair of polymer actuators 500 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and voltages of different magnitudes are applied to the total of four polymer actuators 500, respectively. As a result, the shape of the reflecting mirror 511 can be asymmetrical in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and flashing light with various irradiation angles can be emitted.

  In the flash light emitting units of the first to fifth embodiments described above, the electrostrictive polymer 501 that is a polymer material that expands and contracts in response to voltage application is used as a constituent element of the polymer actuator 500. In addition to the strained polymer, a flash light emitting part that exhibits the same function can be realized even if a liquid crystal elastomer having the same properties is used.

  The embodiment using the liquid crystal elastomer is different from the first embodiment to the fifth embodiment in that the liquid crystal elastomer is used instead of the electrostrictive polymer 501 in the polymer actuator 500 of the flash light emitting unit. Since the points are the same, redundant description is omitted here.

  The above is the description of the embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a polymer actuator provided with an electrode is employed in the flash light emitting unit. Regarding polymer actuators, “Forefront of Soft Actuator Development-Aiming at Realization of Artificial Muscles” Editor-in-Chief Yoshihito Nagata NTS 2004, “Electroactive Polymers (EAP) Actuators as Artificial Muscles-Reality, Potential Challenges "Editor: Joseph Bar-Cohen SPIE PRESS Vol. 2001, “Electroactive Polymer (EAP) Actuators as Artificial Musles: Reality, Potential, and Challenges, Second Edition”, Editor (s): Yoseh, 200.
The polymer actuator used in the present invention includes a polymer gel, an ion conductive polymer, an electron conductive polymer, an electrostrictive polymer (dielectric elastomer, electrostatic elastomer), a piezoelectric polymer, a liquid crystal elastomer, and the like. Polymer gels, electrostrictive polymers, liquid crystal elastomers, and the like are preferable, and electrostrictive polymers, liquid crystal elastomers, and the like are particularly preferable.

  As for the electrostrictive polymer (dielectric elastomer), an electrostrictive polymer actuator in which electrodes are provided on both sides of a polymer (elastomer) that exhibits rubber-like viscoelastic behavior is known. For example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-506858, an electrode having the ability to deform together with a strain having a conformable portion at a contact portion is applied, and a high voltage is applied between the electrodes, thereby static electricity between the electrodes. An electrostrictive polymer actuator is disclosed that utilizes the property that a polymer film contracts in the direction of the electric field and expands in the direction orthogonal to the electric field due to the electric attractive force, and is considered to be used as a diaphragm or a linear actuator. Furthermore, Japanese translations of PCT publication No. 2003-526213 discloses a heel-grounding generator that is incorporated in a shoe heel and used to convert mechanical energy generated during biped walking of a person into electrical energy. It is disclosed.

Regarding the liquid crystal elastomer, Nature magazine, 410, 447 (2001) reported an attempt to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy using an elastomer of a ferroelectric liquid crystal and utilizing the change in orientation of the mesogen by the electric field. It is attracting attention as a new use of liquid crystals. In this example, a displacement of 4% is realized at an applied voltage of 1.5 MVm ⁻¹ . Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-20596 also discloses a liquid crystal actuator that is extended in the longitudinal direction and uses a liquid crystal elastomer. Furthermore, in Macromolecules magazine, 34, 5868 (2001), it is reported that a shape (volume) change based on a thermal phase change of liquid crystal is used as an actuator.

1 is an external perspective view of a digital camera to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the extended state of the lens barrel in which the imaging lens was incorporated of the digital camera shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the lens barrel in the retracted state along the optical axis of the digital camera shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the lens barrel in which the imaging lens of a digital camera shown in FIG. 1 is a wide state along the optical axis. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the lens barrel in which the imaging lens of a digital camera shown in FIG. 1 is in a tele state along the optical axis. It is a schematic internal block diagram of the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the flash light emission part shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. It is a figure showing the mechanism which drives a light emission part when the flash light emission part shown in FIG. 7 is seen from the bottom face side. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the relative distance between the xenon tube and the Fresnel lens illustrated in FIG. 8 is maximized. It is typical sectional drawing of the flash light emission part provided with the mechanism in which the shape of a reflective mirror is changed. It is typical sectional drawing of the flash light emission part which has the structure by which two polymer actuators were attached to the outer wall of a reflective mirror, and the spring was attached to the inner wall of a reflective mirror. It is typical sectional drawing of the flash light emission part which changes the irradiation angle of a flash light using one spring and one polymer actuator. It is a schematic cross section about the up-and-down direction showing the state before application of a voltage of the flash light emission part which changes the shape of a reflective mirror directly with a polymer actuator, and the state when application of the maximum voltage is performed. It is a schematic cross-sectional view in the left-right direction showing the state before the voltage application and the state when the maximum voltage is applied, of the flash light emitting unit that directly changes the shape of the reflecting mirror by the polymer actuator.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 10 Lens barrel 13 Finder objective window 14 Shutter button 21 Front group lens (1st lens group)
22 Rear lens group (second lens group)
23 Focus lens (third lens group)
30 Aperture unit 40 CCD
24 Guide lot 24a Stopper 25 Rear group lens holding frame 26 Coil spring 27 Rear group lens unit 31 Diaphragm blade 32 Opening plate 50 Fixed cylinder 52 Drive cylinder 50a Projection 51 Gear 52 Drive cylinder 52a, 50b Key groove 53 Rotating movable cylinder 54, 57, 63 Cam follower 55 Linear movement frame 56 Linear movement cylinder 61 Lead screw 62 Focus lens holding frame 110 Main CPU
101 Switch group 110a EEPROM
102 Power supply 120 Optical control CPU
140 bus 40 CCD
131 A / D unit 133 White balance / γ processing unit 132 Clock generator 134 Buffer memory 138 YC / RGB conversion unit driver 160 Image display LCD
137 YC processing part 136 I / F
170 Memory Card 12, 551, 552, 553, 554 Flash Light Emitting Unit 12a Voltage Application Unit 402 Light Source Unit 403 Fresnel Lens 404a, 404b Rack 405a, 405b Gear 421 Frame 422, 512 Xenon Tube 423 Reflector 431a, 431b For Spring Fixing Boss 432a, 432b Elastomer fixing boss 461 Guide 421a, 421b Protrusion 430a, 430b Rotating shaft 500 Polymer actuator 408, 508, 508a, 508b Spring 501 Electrostrictive polymer 502, 503 Electrode plate 506a, 506b Wire 506a ', 506b 'Strings 507a, 507b Inner wall connecting portions 509a, 509b Outer wall connecting portions 510a, 510b Spring fixing portions 510a', 510b 'Actuator fixing portion 511 Reflecting mirror 513 Reflecting mirror fixing portion 514a, 14b roll

Claims (5)

A light emitting part emitting a flash of light;
Reflecting the flash emitted by the light emitting unit, one of which is widened and the other is narrowed, a reflecting unit emitting the flash in the direction from the other to the one;
A polymer actuator that expands and contracts by applying and releasing a voltage to deform the reflecting portion, and changes the spread of the one with respect to the other in the reflecting portion;
A flash light emitting device comprising: a voltage applying unit that applies a voltage to the polymer actuator.   2. The flash light emitting device according to claim 1, further comprising a deforming portion other than the polymer actuator that applies a deforming force to the reflecting portion in a direction in which the one spread of the reflecting portion with respect to the other changes. A light emitting part emitting a flash of light;
A lens that condenses the flash emitted by the light emitting unit;
A polymer actuator that expands and contracts by applying and releasing a voltage to change a relative distance between the light emitting unit and the lens;
A flash light emitting device comprising: a voltage applying unit that applies a voltage to the polymer actuator. In an imaging device for photographing a subject,
An angle-of-view adjustment unit that adjusts the angle of view for shooting,
A light emitting part emitting a flash of light;
Reflecting the flash emitted by the light emitting unit, one of which is widened and the other is narrowed, a reflecting unit emitting the flash in the direction from the other to the one;
A polymer actuator that expands and contracts by applying and releasing a voltage to deform the reflecting portion, and changes the spread of the one with respect to the other in the reflecting portion;
An imaging apparatus comprising: a voltage control application unit that applies a voltage having a magnitude corresponding to an angle of view adjusted by the angle of view adjustment unit to the polymer actuator. In an imaging device for photographing a subject,
An angle-of-view adjustment unit that adjusts the angle of view for shooting,
A light emitting part emitting a flash of light;
A lens that condenses the flash emitted by the light emitting unit;
A polymer actuator that expands and contracts by applying and releasing a voltage to change a relative distance between the light emitting unit and the lens;
An imaging apparatus comprising: a voltage control application unit that applies a voltage having a magnitude corresponding to an angle of view adjusted by the angle of view adjustment unit to the polymer actuator.

Images