JP2007304191A - Lens barrier and camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lens barrier capable of maintaining good operability and having high durability; and to provide a camera with the lens barrier. <P>SOLUTION: The lens barrier is equipped with: an internal barrier engaged with the main body of an imaging apparatus which is equipped with a photographic lens to condense light to form an image, and capable of sliding in a predetermined direction; an external barrier attached to the surface of the internal barrier that is different from the surface engaged with the main body of the imaging apparatus, and having an aperture part piercing through in a thickness direction; and a grip member held between the internal barrier and the external barrier, and partially appearing to the outside from the surface of the external barrier through the aperture part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lens barrier that shields a photographic lens included in an imaging device such as a camera from the outside, and a camera including the lens barrier.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an imaging apparatus such as a camera equipped with a photographing lens that collects light to form an image to capture an image, the surface of the imaging apparatus body is predetermined to shield the photographing lens from the outside when not photographing. There is a case where a lens barrier that can slide in a direction is provided. In this case, a grip member having an anti-slip function at the time of photographing may be provided protruding from the surface of the lens barrier (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-215560 A

  The above-mentioned grip member is often formed using a material such as metal or synthetic resin, but in this case, it becomes slippery due to the user's own sweat or the like adhering thereto, and there is a problem in operability. It sometimes occurred.

  In addition, it is conceivable to attach a grip member having a material such as artificial leather on the surface of the lens barrier. In this case, the edge of the grip member may be turned or peeled off from the surface of the lens barrier. There was a problem in the durability of the grip member.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a lens barrier that can maintain good operability and has high durability, and a camera including the lens barrier.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, one aspect of the present invention is provided in an imaging device including a photographing lens that focuses light to form an image and shields the photographing lens from the outside. A barrier that is engaged with the body of the imaging device and is slidable in a predetermined direction; and a surface that is different from the surface of the inner barrier that is engaged with the body of the imaging device And an outer barrier having an opening penetrating in the thickness direction, a grip sandwiched between the inner barrier and the outer barrier, and a part of which is exposed to the outside through the opening from the surface of the outer barrier And a member.

  In the above description, “exposing to the outside” means not only a case where a part of the surface of the grip member protrudes outward from the surface of the outer barrier through the opening, but also a part of the grip member. The case where the surface is substantially flush with the surface of the outer barrier is also included.

  Further, in the above invention, the grip member is a base member that forms a base material and is held by the inner barrier and partially protrudes from the surface of the outer barrier through the opening, and the base member. A thin film that is interposed between the outer barrier and forms a surface of at least a portion that protrudes to the outside through the opening.

  In the above invention, the inner barrier partially protrudes from the surface of the outer barrier through the opening, and the grip member is interposed between the inner barrier and the outer barrier, A thin film forming the surface of a portion protruding to the outside through the opening may be provided.

  In the above invention, the outer barrier may have a protruding pin that protrudes from the surface on the side facing the inner barrier near the periphery of the opening and is press-fitted in the thickness direction of the grip member.

  In the above invention, the thin film may be made of a material including at least one of Japanese paper, woven fabric, and leather.

  In the above invention, the outer barrier may be detachable from the inner barrier.

  Furthermore, a camera according to another aspect of the present invention includes the lens barrier according to any one of the above-described inventions.

  According to the present invention, the inner barrier is slidable in a predetermined direction and is engaged with a main body of an imaging device including a photographic lens that collects light to form an image, and the imaging is a surface of the inner barrier. An outer barrier attached to a surface different from the surface engaged with the main body of the apparatus and having an opening penetrating in the thickness direction, and sandwiched between the inner barrier and the outer barrier, and a part of the outer barrier Provided with a grip member that is exposed from the surface to the outside through the opening, it is possible to maintain good operability and provide a highly durable lens barrier and a camera equipped with the lens barrier It becomes possible to do.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment”) will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
The camera according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention photoelectrically converts the light focused and imaged by the photographic lens, and applies image processing to the electrical signal obtained by the photoelectric conversion to obtain image data. It is a digital camera to generate. 1 and 2 are diagrams showing an outline of an external configuration of the digital camera 1 according to the first embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the photographing lens is exposed on the front side of the digital camera, which is a surface facing the subject, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the photographing lens is shielded on the front side of the digital camera. is there. The digital camera 1 shown in these drawings is configured such that an electronic member and an optical member for realizing various functions of the digital camera 1 are accommodated in an exterior member 2 having a casing shape.

  Some of the various members described above are provided so as to be exposed from the exterior member 2. Among these, on the front side of the digital camera 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a photographing lens 3 that collects light to form an image, a flash 4 that emits strobe light, and a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the exterior member 2. A lens barrier 5 engaged with the exterior member 2 is provided so as to slide. In addition, a shutter button 6 is provided on the side surface of the digital camera 1 that is positioned upward in FIG.

  In the case shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the surface of the lens barrier 5 has a shape in which the width in the vertical direction on the right side is larger than the width in the vertical direction on the left side in the figure. This is to shield the lens barrel that holds the lens 3 and the photographing lens 3. In other words, the surface shape of the lens barrier 5 is a design matter to be determined according to the design of the digital camera 1, and the surface shape shown in FIG. 1 and the like is merely an example.

  3 and 4 are diagrams showing a more detailed configuration of the lens barrier 5. Among these, FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a configuration in the vicinity of the lens barrier 5 in the cross section along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the lens barrier 5. The lens barrier 5 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is engaged with the main body of the digital camera 1, and can be slid in a predetermined direction, and can be engaged with the main body of the digital camera 1 on the surface of the inner barrier 51. The outer barrier 52 is attached to a different surface from the outer surface and has an opening 521 penetrating in the thickness direction, and is sandwiched between the inner barrier 51 and the outer barrier 52, and from the surface of the outer barrier 52 through the opening 521. And a protruding grip member 53.

  The inner barrier 51 is made of a magnetic metal and has engagement end portions 511 and 512 that are respectively engaged with groove portions 21 and 22 provided on the surface of the exterior member 2 and guided in the traveling direction by the groove portions 21 and 22. The engagement end portions 511 and 512 are formed along the longitudinal direction of the lens barrier 5. Further, the inner barrier 51 has a fitting recess 513 having a recessed shape on the outer surface (the surface facing the outer barrier 52) in order to fit and hold the grip member 53.

  The outer barrier 52 has an opening 521 having a shape corresponding to the shape of the edge of a portion protruding through the opening 521 of the grip member 53 (corresponding to a protrusion 531b of a base member 531 described later). A thin plate-like magnet 52m is provided on the surface of the portion of the outer barrier 52 that directly faces and faces the inner barrier 51.

  The outer edge of the inner barrier 51 is preferably configured to be the same as the outer edge of the outer barrier 52 or located on the inner peripheral side of the outer edge of the outer barrier 52. By adopting such a configuration, the outer barrier 52 does not receive much structural limitations from the slide mechanism, and thus the outer shape of the outer barrier 52 can be designed more freely.

  The grip member 53 is a base member 531 that is formed as a base material and is held by the inner barrier 51, and is interposed between the base member 531 and the outer barrier 52, and the surface of the portion that protrudes to the outside through at least the opening 521 And a thin film 532 forming the following.

  The pedestal member 531 includes a board portion 531a that is fitted and held in the fitting recess 513 of the inner barrier 51, a protruding portion 531b that protrudes from the substrate portion 531a, and has a surface like a rugby ball, and a pedestal member 531. And a thin plate-like magnet 531m provided over substantially the entire bottom surface side (the side opposite to the protruding portion 531b protruding). The base member 531 except for the magnet 531m is preferably formed using a material such as cork having elasticity. On the other hand, the thin film 532 is made of a material including at least one of Japanese paper, woven fabric (hemp, silk, cotton, wool, etc.), and leather (such as chamois leather). In FIG. 3, the thickness of the thin film 532 and the thickness of the magnet 52m provided on the outer barrier 52 are substantially equal, but this is merely an example.

  The grip member 53 exhibits an anti-slip function by generating appropriate friction between the user's finger and the thin film 532 when the user holds the digital camera 1 during photographing. In particular, even when the user's sweat is attached, the thin film 532 is made of a material that does not reduce friction under the influence of the user's sweat, and therefore, it is possible to maintain good operability. Further, by applying the above-described material as the thin film 532 of the grip member 53, it is possible to provide an excellent tactile sensation and an unprecedented unique texture.

  In the lens barrier 5 having the above configuration, a material that easily penetrates adhesive such as Japanese paper or the like may be used as the thin film 532 forming the surface of the grip member 53. Therefore, when the outer barrier 52 is attached to the inner barrier 51. When an adhesive is used, it is necessary to prevent the thin film 532 from coming into contact with the adhesive.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, the inner barrier 51 is made of magnetic metal, and the magnets 52m and 531m are provided on the surfaces where the outer barrier 52 and the grip member 53 are in direct contact with the inner barrier 51, respectively. The outer barrier 52 is detachable from the inner barrier 51 without using an agent. In addition, it is good also as a structure which attaches / detaches the outer barrier 52 with respect to the inner barrier 51 by using a screw instead of using the magnet 52m. Similarly, the base member 531 may be configured to be screwed to the inner barrier 51.

  If the outer barrier 52 is made detachable from the inner barrier 51 as described above, not only can the concern that the adhesive penetrates into the thin film 532 can be solved, but the user can make his / her own desired shape and design. The outer barrier 52 and the grip member 53 possessed can be used properly by exchanging them according to the mood.

  In the lens barrier 5, the grip member 53 is configured to pass through the opening 521 of the outer barrier 52, thereby pressing the edge of the protruding portion of the grip member 53 at the periphery of the opening 521. As a result, even if the grip member 53 is formed by stacking the thin film 532 on the pedestal member 531, the thin film 532 is prevented from floating from the pedestal member 531 forming the base material at the edge of the protruding portion of the grip member 53. In other words, the thin film 532 and the base member 531 can be in close contact with each other over almost the entire area.

  Depending on the material of the thin film 532, the edge of the portion protruding from the outer barrier 52 may be deteriorated by use. In order to avoid such a situation, a thin film protective member that can reduce the stress applied to the thin film 532 and prevent the thin film 532 from deteriorating may be provided at the periphery of the opening 521.

  Next, the configuration of the digital camera 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the back side of the digital camera 1 that is the side facing the photographer when shooting. On the back side of the digital camera 1 shown in the figure, there are used an operation button group 7G for inputting operation signals and information relating to photographing, and a liquid crystal for displaying and outputting information collected by the photographing lens 3 and information including the taken image. The display unit 8 and the finder 9 realized in this manner are shown.

  Each electronic member and optical member for realizing various functions are housed inside the digital camera 1 (not shown). Specifically, a control circuit configured using a CPU or the like to perform drive control of the digital camera 1, a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD or CMOS that photoelectrically converts an image formed by the photographing lens 3, image information, A flash memory for storing various programs, a microphone and a speaker for inputting and outputting sound, and a drive circuit for driving each functional member under the control of the control circuit are housed. The digital camera 1 has a connection interface such as a USB connection terminal and a DC input terminal, and a configuration in which an auxiliary storage medium such as a memory card can be mounted (not shown).

  According to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the inner barrier that is engaged with the main body of the image pickup apparatus including the photographing lens that collects light to form an image and is slidable in a predetermined direction, A surface of the barrier that is attached to a surface different from the surface engaged with the main body of the imaging device and is sandwiched between the inner barrier and the outer barrier with an outer barrier having an opening penetrating in the thickness direction, and a part Provided with a grip member that protrudes to the outside from the surface of the outer barrier through the opening, it is possible to maintain good operability, and to provide a highly durable lens barrier and the lens barrier. A camera can be provided.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, the grip member surface is provided with a thin film made of a material including at least one of Japanese paper, woven fabric, and leather, which has been difficult to use conventionally. A lens barrier having a unique and unique texture that could not be achieved can be realized, and a camera excellent in design can be provided.

  Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in designing the outer barrier by making the outer barrier detachable from the inner barrier. In addition, since the outer barrier and the grip member can be exchanged, the user can use the outer barrier and the grip member according to occasional mood.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a lens barrier according to a modification of the first embodiment, and specifically, a partial cross-sectional view in which a grip member mounting structure in the vicinity of the periphery of the opening of the outer barrier is enlarged. It is. In FIG. 6, portions having the same configuration as the lens barrier 5 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The lens barrier 10 protrudes from the surface facing the inner barrier 51 in the vicinity of the periphery of the opening 521 of the outer barrier 52, and protruding pins 522 formed by press fitting in the thickness direction of the grip member 53 are provided at predetermined intervals. (Only one protruding pin 522 is shown in FIG. 6). The protruding pin 522 penetrates at least the thin film 532. Therefore, when the thin film 532 is likely to be misaligned by use, more specifically, even if the thin film 532 is made of a material with little friction or the thickness of the thin film 532 is extremely thin, Misalignment can be reliably prevented.

  If the magnetic force of the magnet 52m provided on the outer barrier 52 is sufficiently strong and there is no risk of misalignment with the inner barrier 51, the magnet 531m is not provided on the bottom surface side of the substrate portion 531a of the base member 531. May be.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure which implement | achieves an outer barrier with a magnetic metal and provides a magnet in the part which contacts the surface of an outer barrier directly among the surfaces of an inner barrier. In this case, a magnet may be provided on the surface of the base member 531 which is the surface of the substrate portion 531a where the protruding portion 531b is formed.

  Furthermore, the fitting recess 513 of the inner barrier 51 may not be formed. In this case, by increasing the thickness of the magnet 52m provided in the outer barrier 52, when the outer barrier 52 is attached to the inner barrier 51, the edge portion of the substrate portion 531a of the base member 531 is caused by the magnet 52m. What is necessary is just to make it the structure which is surrounded and does not produce a position shift.

(Embodiment 2)
The second embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that a portion corresponding to the base member of the grip member provided on the lens barrier in the first embodiment is integrally formed with the inner barrier. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the grip member is a thin film. In the following description, parts having the same configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the lens barrier according to the second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 3 illustrating the configuration of the lens barrier 5 according to the first embodiment. The lens barrier 11 shown in FIG. 7 is interposed between the outer barrier 52, the inner barrier 111 partially protruding outside through the opening 521 of the outer barrier 52, and the inner barrier 111 and the outer barrier 52. And a thin film 113 as a grip member that forms a surface of a portion protruding to the outside through the opening 521 of the outer barrier 52.

  The inner barrier 111 is made of a magnetic metal, and is engaged with groove portions 21 and 22 provided on the surface of the exterior member 2 of the digital camera configured using the lens barrier 11, and the traveling direction is guided by the groove portions 21 and 22. Engaging end portions 1111 and 1112. The engagement end portions 1111 and 1112 are formed along the longitudinal direction of the lens barrier 11. Further, the inner barrier 111 has a protruding portion 111 a that protrudes from the opening 521 of the outer barrier 52 to the outside.

  The lens barrier 11 having the above configuration is different from the first embodiment in that a portion corresponding to the pedestal of the thin film 113 that is a grip member is integrally formed with the inner barrier, but when attached to a digital camera. Is the same as the lens barrier 5 according to the first embodiment.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, a lens barrier having high durability and a camera having the lens barrier can be maintained while maintaining good operability, as in the first embodiment. It becomes possible to provide.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, since the pedestal portion of the grip member is integrally formed with the inner barrier, the number of parts can be reduced and the assembly is facilitated.

  Also in the second embodiment, a protruding pin can be provided in the vicinity of the periphery of the opening 521 of the outer barrier 52. However, in the second embodiment, the protruding pin cannot be press-fitted into the inner barrier 111 made of magnetic metal, and is only pressed into the thin film 113, so the length of the protruding pin is larger than the thickness of the thin film 113. A thin degree is sufficient.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described in detail so far, but the present invention should not be limited only by the two embodiments described above. For example, in the present invention, since a thin film made of a material that does not slip easily is provided on the surface of the grip member, the surface of the grip member that is exposed through the opening of the outer barrier protrudes outward from the surface of the outer barrier. It does not have to be, and may be flush with the surface of the outer barrier. In this case, it is possible to reduce the size and thickness of the imaging device by suppressing the thickness of the lens barrier.

  The camera according to the present invention is not limited to the digital camera described above, and can be applied to a silver salt camera. In addition, the present invention can be applied to imaging devices such as various video cameras.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the shape of the grip member formed on the surface of the lens barrier and the protrusion amount of the grip member from the lens barrier surface are not limited to those described above.

  Moreover, you may comprise a grip member only from a base member. In this case, if the pedestal member is configured using various materials (for example, different types of wood, etc.), the user can replace the grip member according to his / her mood as in the first embodiment. Is possible.

  Thus, the present invention can include various embodiments and the like not described herein, and various design changes and the like can be made without departing from the technical idea specified by the claims. It is possible to apply.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of the front side at the time of photographing lens exposure of the camera (digital camera) which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of the front side at the time of photographing lens shielding of the camera (digital camera) which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the principal part of a lens barrier and a grip member. It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of the back side of the camera (digital camera) which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the structure of the principal part of the lens barrier which concerns on the modification of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the structure of the lens barrier which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 2 Exterior member 3 Shooting lens 4 Flash 5, 10, 11 Lens barrier 6 Shutter button 7G Operation button group 8 Display part 9 Finder 21, 22 Groove part 51, 111 Inner barrier 52 Outer barrier 52m, 531m Magnet 53 Grip member 111a 531b Protruding portion 113, 532 Thin film 511, 512, 1111, 1112 Engaging end portion 513 Fitting recess 521 Opening portion 522 Protruding pin 531 Base member 531a Substrate portion

Claims (7)

A lens barrier that is provided in an imaging device including a photographic lens that focuses and collects light to shield the photographic lens from the outside;
An inner barrier that is engaged with the body of the imaging device and is slidable in a predetermined direction;
An outer barrier attached to a surface different from the surface engaged with the body of the imaging device and having an opening penetrating in the thickness direction;
A grip member sandwiched between the inner barrier and the outer barrier, and a part of which is exposed to the outside through the opening from the surface of the outer barrier;
A lens barrier comprising: The grip member is
A base member that forms a base material and is held by the inner barrier and partially protrudes from the surface of the outer barrier through the opening;
A thin film interposed between the pedestal member and the outer barrier and forming a surface of a portion protruding to the outside through at least the opening;
The lens barrier according to claim 1, comprising: The inner barrier partially protrudes from the surface of the outer barrier to the outside through the opening,
The lens according to claim 1, wherein the grip member includes a thin film that is interposed between the inner barrier and the outer barrier and forms a surface of a portion that protrudes to the outside through at least the opening. barrier. The outer barrier is
4. The projection pin according to claim 1, further comprising a projecting pin that projects from a surface on the side facing the inner barrier near the periphery of the opening and is press-fitted in the thickness direction of the grip member. The lens barrier according to 1. The thin film is
The lens barrier according to any one of claims 2 to 4, comprising a material containing at least one of Japanese paper, woven fabric, and leather.   The lens barrier according to claim 1, wherein the outer barrier is detachable from the inner barrier.   A camera comprising the lens barrier according to claim 1.

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