JP2007325009A - Image pick-up device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that, in a conventional image pick-up device, it is difficult that a zoom operation is adjusted to a slow zoom speed, and it is not easy to photograph a subject within a range of a desired size, or to photograph the subject under the slow zoom-in or zoom-out condition. <P>SOLUTION: A digital video camera 1 which comprises a zoom function of enlarging and reducing an image consecutively is provided with a slide member 21 which is slidably attached to a sheathed case 2 and is operated to increase a zoom speed in accordance with a slide amount, a support member 22 for supporting the slide member 21 slidably, a compression spring 23 for urging the slide member 21 to a reference position of the support member 22, and a zoom speed adjusting mechanism 24 which can control a force of sliding the slide member 21 or the slide amount to adjust the zoom speed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that performs a zoom operation by sliding a slide member, and more particularly, to an imaging apparatus that can easily adjust a zoom speed that is increased in accordance with a slide amount of the slide member.

  As a conventional imaging apparatus of this type, there is an apparatus described in Patent Document 1, for example. Patent Document 1 describes a camera switch mechanism applied to a camera-integrated VTR or the like. The camera switch mechanism described in Patent Document 1 is characterized in that “a zoom lever mechanism that can be switched between a telephoto state and a wide-angle state by a slide operation in the vicinity of a grip portion of the camera body” is provided.

According to the switch mechanism of the camera described in Patent Document 1 having such a configuration, effects such as “the operability can be greatly improved (see paragraph [0036]”) are expected.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-090392

  However, in the camera switch mechanism described in Patent Document 1, when the zoom lever disposed in the middle of the guide groove is slid to one side along the guide groove, a zoom operation is performed to bring the zoom lever into a wide-angle state. When it is slid to the zoom position, the zoom operation for setting the telephoto state is executed. In order to slide the zoom lever, a linear force is applied to the zoom lever. In the zoom operation executed by such a switch mechanism, the zoom speed is generally increased in proportion to the slide amount of the zoom lever. For this reason, it is very difficult to adjust the zoom lever that has been slid by applying a linear force to a slow zoom speed by stopping it halfway through the stroke. As a result, it has not been possible to easily shoot in which the subject is slowly zoomed in or out, or in which the subject is captured in the desired size.

  The problem to be solved is that it is difficult for conventional imaging devices to make adjustments such as stopping the slide operation of the zoom lever halfway to decrease the zoom speed increase rate or maintaining a constant speed. In other words, it is difficult to perform shooting that slowly zooms in or out on the subject, or shooting that captures the subject in the desired size.

  The imaging apparatus of the present invention has a zoom function for continuously enlarging and reducing an image, and includes a slide member, a support member, a biasing member, and a zoom speed adjustment mechanism. The slide member is slidably attached to the apparatus housing of the imaging apparatus and performs an operation for increasing the zoom speed according to the slide amount. The support member slidably supports the slide member. The biasing member biases the slide member to the reference position of the support member. The zoom speed adjustment mechanism can adjust the zoom speed by controlling the sliding force or slide amount of the slide member. The main feature is that the imaging apparatus of the present application is configured by providing these.

  According to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to easily perform adjustments such as reducing the zoom speed increase rate or maintaining a constant speed by controlling the sliding force or sliding amount of the slide member. . As a result, it is possible to easily perform zooming in and out of the subject and to easily capture the subject in the desired size.

  By providing a speed adjusting mechanism for controlling the sliding force or sliding amount of the slide member, an imaging apparatus capable of easily adjusting the increase in zoom speed is realized with a simple configuration.

  FIGS. 1-18 demonstrates the example of embodiment of this invention. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention as viewed from the front side. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the slide member and the support member of the imaging apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the zoom switch, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the slide member as viewed from the side, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the slide plate of the slide member as viewed from below, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the support member, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the slide member is urged to the reference position of the support member by the urging member, and FIGS. FIG. 15 to FIG. 18 are explanatory views for explaining a second embodiment of the image pickup apparatus of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a digital video camera 1 showing a first embodiment of an imaging apparatus of the present invention. The digital video camera 1 converts an optical image into an electrical signal by an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS, and records it on a tape-like storage medium (for example, a tape cassette) that shows a specific example of an information storage medium. Or display on a display device having a display panel such as a liquid crystal display. However, the information storage medium is not limited to a tape-shaped storage medium, and it is needless to say that a disk-shaped storage medium such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a magnetic disk, a semiconductor storage medium, or the like can be used.

  The digital video camera 1 has a zoom function for continuously enlarging and reducing images. An example of the zoom function is a so-called optical zoom in which the focal length is changed by moving the zoom lens in the optical axis direction. However, as a zoom function according to the present invention, a so-called digital zoom for electronically enlarging and reducing image data converted by a CCD (imaging device), or a combination of optical zoom and digital zoom can be applied. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a digital video camera 1 is an exterior case 2 showing a specific example of an apparatus housing, and a tape-shaped storage medium that is housed in the exterior case 2 and is detachably mounted. A tape drive device that records (writes) and reproduces (reads) information signals with respect to the tape cassette, a lens device 3 having an objective lens 4 arranged in front of the outer case 2, and a zoom that operates the zoom function A switch 5 and the like are provided.

  The outer case 2 is formed of a hollow casing having a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped, and is used in a state where the width direction is the front-rear direction of the digital video camera 1. A lens device 3 having a plurality of lens groups including the objective lens 4 is disposed at the front portion of the outer case 2. The lens device 3 is attached to the exterior case 2 with the optical axis of the lens system oriented in the horizontal direction. In the exterior case 2, a CCD is attached to the rear part of the lens device 3. A viewfinder device 6 is disposed behind the lens device 3.

  A flash device 7, a microphone 8, and an accessory shoe 9 are provided on the outer case 2 in order from the side closer to the objective lens 4. The flash device 7 is stored in the outer case 2 in a normal state, and is popped up when used to expose a light emitting unit (not shown). The accessory shoe 9 has an opening on the rear side, and accessories such as an external video light and an external microphone can be attached and detached.

  Although not shown in the figure, at the rear part of the outer case 2, there are provided a power switch that also serves as a mode selection switch and operation buttons such as a recording button that repeatedly starts and stops moving image shooting by pressing operation. In addition, a power storage unit to which a battery power supply is detachably mounted is provided on one side of the outer case 2, and a display device that also functions as a finder or a touch operation panel can be changed in posture from above. Is attached.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a grip portion 10 for gripping the exterior case 2 is provided on the other side portion of the exterior case 2. The grip portion 10 also serves as a cover member for a tape drive device housed therein and not shown in the drawing. By opening the lower part of the gripping part 10 outward, the cassette insertion slot of the built-in tape drive device is exposed, and the tape cassette can be attached and detached.

  Further, a hand belt 12 is attached to the grip portion 10 so as to be bridged in the front-rear direction, and a hand pad 13 is attached to the hand belt 12. The hand belt 12 and the hand pad 13 support the user's hand holding the grip 10 of the outer case 2 and prevent the digital video camera 1 from being removed.

  Above the grip 10, a zoom switch 5, a shutter button 15, and a dark place shooting switch 16 are provided in order from the side closer to the objective lens 4. The shutter button 15 is for taking a still image, and one still image is taken for each pressing operation. The dark place shooting switch 16 is a switch for switching the function of the digital video camera 1 so that shooting is performed using infrared rays as a medium. By turning on the dark place shooting changeover switch 16, the digital video camera 1 can take a picture even at night when the brightness of the subject is insufficient.

  The zoom switch 5 operates a zoom function provided in the digital video camera 1 to execute a zoom operation. That is, when a slide member 21 (to be described later) of the zoom switch 5 is slid in one direction, a zoom operation is performed to enlarge the image, and when the slide member 21 is slid in the other direction, a zoom operation is performed to reduce the image. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the zoom switch 5 includes a slide member 21 that passes through a slide groove 2 a provided in the exterior case 2, and a support that supports the slide member 21 so as to be slidable and is attached to the inside of the exterior case 2. A member 22, a compression spring 23 (see FIG. 5, etc.) showing a specific example of a biasing member that biases the slide member 21 to the reference position of the support member 22, and a zoom that controls the sliding force of the slide member 21. The speed adjustment mechanism 24 is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the slide member 21 is connected to the operation button 31 exposed on the surface of the exterior case 2, the operation button 31 and the support member 22 slidably. And a slide plate 32. The operation button 31 of the slide member 21 has an upper surface portion 33 whose planar shape is substantially rectangular, a side surface portion 34 that protrudes downward continuously from the outer peripheral edge of the upper surface portion 33, and a substantially vertical surface from the lower surface of the upper surface portion 33. And a connecting projection 35 projecting from the top.

  The upper surface portion 33 of the operation button 31 has a shape that is inclined so as to gradually increase from the central portion to both end portions in the longitudinal direction. A projecting strip 33 a extending in the width direction is provided at a substantially central portion of the upper surface portion 33. Further, concave and convex surfaces 33b and 33b are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the upper surface portion 33 which are both sides of the protruding strip 33a. The concavo-convex surfaces 33b and 33b are formed by arranging a plurality of protrusions extending in the width direction in the longitudinal direction in the same manner as the protrusions 33a. The uneven surfaces 33b and 33b and the protruding strip 33a are provided to make the finger difficult to slide by causing frictional resistance between the slide member 21 and the finger pressing the operation button 31 when the slide member 21 is slid. It is.

  The connection protrusion 35 of the operation button 31 is disposed at a substantially central portion of the lower surface of the upper surface portion 33. The connecting protrusion 35 is a horizontally long rectangular parallelepiped having a long side extending substantially parallel to the width direction of the upper surface portion 33, and a pair of fitting protrusions 35a and 35a (only one is shown in FIG. 4 and the like) at the tip. have. The fitting protrusions 35a and 35a are fitted into fitting holes 37 and 37 (to be described later) of the slide plate 32.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the slide plate 32 of the slide member 21 is formed of a substantially rectangular plate body, the upper surface thereof is opposed to the operation button 31, and the lower surface thereof is opposed to the support member 22. A pair of fitting holes 37, 37 penetrating the upper and lower surfaces are provided at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the slide plate 32 at an appropriate interval in the width direction. A pair of fitting projections 35a, 35a of the operation button 31 are detachably fitted in the pair of fitting holes 37, 37, whereby the operation button 31 and the slide plate 32 are integrally connected.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a slide groove 38 is provided on the lower surface of the slide plate 32. The sliding groove 38 is disposed substantially at the center in the width direction of the slide plate 32 and is continuously formed from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction. The sliding groove 38 is slidably engaged with a first rail portion 52 and a second rail portion 53 described later of the support member 22. Further, a pair of spring holding pieces 39, 39 are provided on both sides of the sliding groove 38 on the lower surface of the slide plate 32.

  The pair of spring holding pieces 39, 39 each have a U-shape in plan view, and are arranged so that the inner side surfaces thereof face each other. That is, the spring holding piece 39 has a side wall portion 39a extending substantially in parallel along the sliding groove 38, and an abutting portion extending to the both sides of the side wall portion 39a and extending toward the sliding groove 38. It is comprised from the part 39b, 39c. Thereby, between the pair of spring holding pieces 39, 39, a substantially rectangular spring accommodating portion 40 continuing to the sliding groove 38 is formed.

  A compression spring 23 showing a specific example of the urging member is stored in the spring storage portion 40 of the slide plate 32. The compression spring 23 is a so-called compression coil spring, and its length is set to be slightly longer than the length of the spring housing portion 30 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the compression spring 23 accommodated in the spring accommodating portion 40 is in a compressed state in which both ends abut against the abutting portions 39b and 39c of the pair of spring holding pieces 39 and 39.

  Further, a protruding elastic body 41 showing a specific example of an elastic body that can be elastically deformed is provided on one side in the longitudinal direction of the slide plate 32 so as to protrude downward. The protruding elastic body 41 is formed integrally with the slide plate 32 to form a frame, and connects the pair of deformed portions 42 and 42 that are continuous with the slide plate 32 and the pair of deformed portions 42 and 42. And a convex portion 43.

  The protruding portion 43 of the protruding elastic body 41 has a higher rigidity than the pair of deformed portions 42 and 42 by forming the tip in an arc shape having a small curvature radius. Therefore, when a force is applied to the convex portion 43 from below, the pair of deformable portions 42 and 42 are elastically deformed. That is, the protruding elastic body 41 can be elastically deformed so that the convex portion 43 is pushed upward. Such a protruding elastic body 41 has the support member 22 in a state in which the slide groove 38 of the slide plate 32 is slidably engaged with the first rail portion 52 and the second rail portion 53 of the support member 22. Is engaged with a speed adjusting unit 56 described later.

  As the material of the slide plate 32 and the operation buttons 31, ABS (acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene resin), POM (polyacetal), and other engineering plastics are suitable. The protruding elastic body 41 may be formed of an engineering plastic such as ABS, and other portions may be formed of an aluminum alloy or other metal.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the support member 22 has a substantially rectangular plate shape, and one long side is continuous with the shutter button member 26 constituting a part of the shutter button 15. On the upper surface of the support member 22, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, a holding piece recess 51 disposed in a substantially central portion in the width direction, and a first piece disposed in the holding piece recess 51. A rail portion 52 and a second rail portion 53 are provided. The holding piece recess 51 has a horizontally long, substantially rectangular shape, and its long side extends in a direction slightly inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the support member 22. A pair of spring holding pieces 39, 39 provided on the slide plate 32 are slidably accommodated in the holding piece recess 53.

  The first rail portion 52 and the second rail portion 53 are respectively formed continuously at the center of the two short sides of the holding piece recess 53 and extend in parallel with the long side of the holding piece recess 51. Be present. A predetermined interval is provided between the first rail portion 52 and the second rail portion 53, and the distance is substantially the same as the length in the longitudinal direction of the spring accommodating portion 40 provided on the slide plate 32. Is set. A sliding groove 38 of the slide plate 32 is slidably engaged with the first rail portion 52 and the second rail portion 53, whereby the slide member 21 is slidably supported by the support member 22. The

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the slide switch 5, and the slide groove 38 of the slide member 21 is slidably engaged with the first rail portion 52 and the second rail portion 53 of the support member 22. The state is shown. As shown in FIG. 9, when the slide groove 38 of the slide member 21 is engaged with the two rail portions 52 and 53 of the support member 22, the pair of spring holding pieces 39 and 39 of the slide member 21 are supported by the support member 22. The holding piece recess 51 is slidably accommodated. Thereby, the slidable range of the slide member 21 is determined. That is, the slidable range of the slide member 21 is such that the contact portions 39b, 39b of the pair of spring holding pieces 39, 39 are in contact with one short side 51a of the holding piece recess 51 from the position where the pair of spring holding pieces 39, 39 are in contact. The contact portions 39c, 39c of the pieces 39, 39 are set to a position where they come into contact with the other short side 51b of the holding piece recess 51.

  Further, when the sliding groove 38 is engaged with the two rail portions 52 and 53, both ends of the compression spring 23 housed in the spring housing portion 40 of the slide member 21 are brought into contact with the two rail portions 52 and 53, respectively. Touched. As a result, the slide member 21 is biased by the spring force of the compression spring 23, and the spring accommodating portion 40 is aligned with a reference position located between the two rail portions 52, 53 of the support member 22. Yes. As a result, the slide member 21 slides against the spring force of the compression spring 23 when pressed by a finger or the like, and returns to the reference position by the spring force of the compression spring 23 when the finger or the like is released to stop pressing. Yes. In this embodiment, a compression spring is used as the urging member. However, as the urging member according to the present invention, not only a spring member such as a tension spring and a leaf spring, but also a rubber member and other slide members 21 are used. Various members capable of biasing to the reference position can be applied.

  In the present embodiment, the slide member 21 is moved in a direction in which the contact portions 39b, 39b of the pair of spring holding pieces 39, 39 approach one short side 51a of the holding piece recess 51 (X direction in FIG. 9 and the like). ), A zoom operation for continuously enlarging the image is performed. On the contrary, the slide member 21 is moved in the direction in which the contact portions 39c, 39c of the pair of spring holding pieces 39, 39 approach the other short side 51b of the holding piece concave portion 51 (Y direction in FIG. 9 and the like). ), A zoom operation for continuously reducing the image is performed. The zoom operation for continuously enlarging and reducing the image is set such that the zoom speed is increased (increased) according to the slide amount from the reference position of the slide member 21 (in proportion).

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and the like, a guide groove 55 penetrating the upper and lower surfaces is provided on one side in the longitudinal direction of the support member 22. The guide groove 55 extends in parallel with the two rail portions 52 and 53, and the length thereof is set to be equal to the long side of the holding piece recess 51. A speed adjusting unit 56 is provided on the lower surface of the support member 22 so as to cover a substantially central portion of the guide groove 55.

  As shown in FIG. 10 and the like, the speed adjusting unit 56 of the support member 22 is a substantially rectangular hollow casing having an opening on the upper surface facing the lower surface of the support member 22. The long side of the speed adjusting unit 56 extends along the guide groove 55, and two short sides continuous with both ends of the long side have a plurality of protrusions whose height positions are changed stepwise. A receiving part is provided. In the present embodiment, two convex receiving portions are provided on each short side.

  That is, an enlargement-side first convex receiving portion 57 and an enlargement-side second convex receiving portion 58 are provided on one short side of the speed adjusting unit 56, and a reduction-side first convex is provided on the other short side. A receiving part 59 and a reduction-side second convex receiving part 60 are provided. These four convex receiving portions 57, 58, 59, 60 are substantially perpendicular to the lower surfaces of the support member 22 and vertical surfaces 57 a, 58 a, 59 a, 60 a extending substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of the support member 22. Horizontal planes 57b, 58b, 59b and 60b extending in parallel are provided.

  On the four convex receiving portions 57 to 60 of the speed adjusting portion 56, when the slide member 21 slides to each predetermined position on the support member 22, the convex portions 43 of the protruding elastic body 41 provided on the slide member 21 are provided. Abutted. Thereby, the resistance force with respect to the force which slides the slide member 21 is increased. As a result, the user can easily stop the slide operation of the slide member 21 at each predetermined position, and can easily adjust the zoom speed. That is, the zoom speed adjustment mechanism 24 that can adjust the zoom speed by controlling the sliding force of the slide member 21 by the protruding elastic body 41 provided on the slide member 21 and the speed adjustment unit 56 provided on the support member 22 is configured. Has been.

  The digital video camera 1 having the above-described configuration can adjust the zoom speed of the zoom operation as follows, for example. As shown in FIG. 9, when the zoom operation is not executed, the slide member 21 of the zoom switch 5 is urged to the reference position of the support member 22 by the spring force of the compression spring 23. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the zoom switch 5 in a state where the slide member 21 is biased to the reference position. As shown in FIG. 10, in the state where the slide member 21 is biased to the reference position, the convex portion 43 of the protruding elastic body 41 provided on the slide plate 32 of the slide member 21 adjusts the speed provided on the support member 22. It is located between the two convex receiving portions 57 and 58 of the portion 56.

  In order to perform zooming so as to enlarge the captured image from this state, so-called zooming in, first, the operation button 31 of the slide member 21 is pressed in the X direction. As a result, the slide plate 32 of the slide member 21 slides along the first rail portion 52 and the second rail portion 53 of the support member 22, and the slide member 21 is slid in the X direction. At this time, the zoom speed is gradually increased according to the slide amount of the slide member 21. At this time, the resistance force of the slide member 21 to the slide is only the spring force of the compression spring 23.

  When the slide member 21 is slid by a predetermined distance, as shown in FIG. 11, the convex portion 43 of the protruding elastic body 41 provided on the slide plate 32 contacts the vertical surface 57 a of the enlarged first convex receiving portion 57. Is done. Thereby, the resistance force with respect to the force which slides the slide member 21 is increased. As a result, the user can easily stop the slide member 21 at the first position where the slide amount is small, and easily adjust the zoom speed of the zoom operation for enlarging the image to the slow zoom speed of the first stage. Can do.

  From this state, when a further force is applied to press the operation button 31 in the X direction, as shown in FIG. 12, the pair of deformed portions 42 and 42 of the protruding elastic body 41 are elastically deformed, and the convex portion 43 is enlarged. The first convex receiving portion 57 gets over the vertical surface 57a and comes into contact with the horizontal surface 57b. And the convex part 43 of the protrusion elastic body 41 slides on the horizontal surface 57b of the expansion side 1st convex receiving part 57. FIG. At this time, the zoom speed is gradually increased according to the slide amount of the slide member 21. At this time, since the tip of the convex portion 43 of the projecting elastic body 41 is formed in an arc shape, the area where the convex portion 43 and the horizontal surface 57b contact can be reduced. Thereby, the frictional resistance between the convex part 43 and the horizontal surface 57b can be made small, and the slide member 21 can be slid smoothly.

  When the slide member 21 is slid by a predetermined distance, the convex portion 43 of the protruding elastic body 41 is brought into contact with the vertical surface 58a of the enlarged second convex receiving portion 58 as shown in FIG. Thereby, the resistance force with respect to the force which slides the slide member 21 is increased. As a result, the user can easily stop the slide member 21 at the second position where the slide amount is slightly larger than the first position, and the zoom speed of the zoom operation for enlarging the image is reduced to the slow zoom speed at the first stage. It is possible to easily adjust the zoom speed of the second stage slightly faster than that.

  From this state, when a further force is applied to press the operation button 31 in the X direction, as shown in FIG. 14, the pair of deformed portions 42 and 42 of the projecting elastic body 41 are elastically deformed, and the convex portion 43 is enlarged. The second convex receiving portion 58 gets over the vertical surface 58a and comes into contact with the horizontal surface 58b. And the convex part 43 of the protrusion elastic body 41 slides on the horizontal surface 58b of the expansion side 2nd convex receiving part 58. FIG. At this time, the zoom speed is gradually increased according to the slide amount of the slide member 21. Thereafter, the contact portions 39b, 39b of the pair of spring holding pieces 39, 39 provided on the slide plate 32 are in contact with one short side 51a of the holding piece recess 51 provided on the support member 22 (FIG. 9), the zoom speed can be adjusted to the fastest zoom speed in the third stage, which is faster than the zoom speed in the second stage.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, by sliding the slide member 21 biased to the reference position in the Y direction, a zoom operation for reducing an image, so-called zoom out, is executed. In this case, the zoom speed can be adjusted as in the zoom operation for enlarging the image.

  That is, the convex portion 43 of the protruding elastic body 41 abuts on the vertical surface 59a of the reduction-side first convex receiving portion 59, so that the zoom speed of the zoom operation for reducing the image is easily adjusted to the slow zoom speed of the first stage. can do. Subsequently, the convex portion 43 gets over the vertical surface 59a of the reduction-side first convex receiving portion 59 and comes into contact with the vertical surface 60a of the reduction-side second convex receiving portion 60, thereby making the zoom speed slower than the slow zoom speed of the first step. It can be easily adjusted to a slightly faster second stage zoom speed. Then, in a state where the respective contact portions 39c, 39c of the slide plate 32 are in contact with the other short side 51b of the holding piece recess 51 (see FIG. 9), a third speed that is higher than the zoom speed of the second stage. It can be adjusted to the fastest zoom speed of the stage.

  When the subject is captured at a desired size during the zoom operation as described above, the finger is released from the operation button 31 of the slide member 21 to stop pressing. Thereby, the slide member 21 returns to the reference position shown in FIG. 10 by the spring force of the compression spring 23, and the execution of the zoom operation is ended.

  15 to 17 are explanatory diagrams for describing a second embodiment of the imaging apparatus of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the zoom speed adjustment range is changed by changing the slidable range (stroke) of the slide member 21. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the zoom speed adjustment mechanism 71 that controls the slide amount of the slide member 21. Therefore, in the configuration of the second embodiment, parts common to the configuration of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the zoom speed adjustment mechanism 71 includes a first slide groove 72 provided in the exterior case 2 and a second slide member 73 continuous with the first slide groove 72. Have. The connection projection 35 of the slide member 21 is passed through the first slide groove 72 and the second slide groove 73. The first slide groove 72 of the zoom speed adjustment mechanism 71 has an elongated, substantially rectangular shape, and the long side extends in the slide direction of the slide member 21. In addition, the short side of the first slide groove 72 is set to a size corresponding to the connecting protrusion 35 of the slide member 21.

  The second slide groove 73 of the zoom speed adjusting mechanism 71 has a substantially rectangular shape, and one long side is formed continuously with one long side of the first slide groove 72. The length of the short side of the second slide groove 73 is set substantially the same as the length of the short side of the first slide groove 72, and the length of the long side is the long side of the first slide groove 72. It is set shorter than the length. The central part of the long side of the second slide groove 73 is set to coincide with the central part of the long side of the first slide groove 72.

  The connecting projection 35 of the slide member 21 is passed through the substantially central portion of the first slide groove 72 while being biased to the reference position. The connecting projection 35 of the slide member 21 is formed so as to be able to bend and deform in a direction orthogonal to the slide direction, and can be displaced between the first slide groove 72 and the second slide groove 73. Yes. In other words, by bending and deforming the connecting projection 35, the connecting projection 35 is selectively slid in the first slide groove 72 and the second slide groove 73.

  According to the zoom speed adjustment mechanism 71 having the above-described configuration, for example, the zoom speed can be adjusted as follows. First, in order to execute the zoom operation at a high zoom speed, the slide member 21 is slid along the first slide groove 72 as shown in FIG. As a result, the connecting projection 35 of the slide member 21 is brought into contact with the short side of the first slide groove 72. As a result, the slide amount of the slide member 21 is maximized, and the zoom operation can be executed at a high zoom speed.

  In order to execute the zoom operation at a slow zoom speed, as shown in FIG. 17, the connecting projection 35 of the slide member 21 is displaced toward the second slide groove 72, and the slide member 21 is moved to the second slide groove. Slide along 72. As a result, the connecting projection 35 of the slide member 21 is brought into contact with the short side of the second slide groove 73. As a result, the slide amount of the slide member 21 becomes small, and the zoom speed of the zoom operation can be easily adjusted to a slow zoom speed.

  FIG. 18 shows another example of the zoom speed adjustment mechanism 71 according to the second embodiment of the imaging apparatus of the present invention. The zoom speed adjustment mechanism 71A is obtained by reversing the positions of the first slide groove 72 and the second slide member 73 of the zoom adjustment mechanism 71. That is, the connecting protrusion 35 of the slide member 21 biased to the reference position is penetrated through the substantially central portion of the second slide groove 72.

  Even with such a zoom speed adjustment mechanism 71A, as with the zoom speed adjustment mechanism 71, the zoom speed can be easily adjusted. In addition, if the connecting protrusion 35 is not displaced, the slide member 21 will not slide along the first slide groove 72 having a long stroke, so that the zoom speed is erroneously adjusted during shooting. Can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to capture an easy-to-view image without capturing an unstable image.

  As described above, according to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the zoom speed adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the zoom speed by controlling the sliding force or the slide amount of the slide member is provided. Adjustments such as decreasing or maintaining a constant speed can be easily performed. In addition, the zoom speed can be adjusted without being distracted by the operation of the slide member in order to adjust the zoom speed by increasing the resistance to the sliding force of the slide member or changing the stroke amount of the slide member. And operability can be improved. Furthermore, since the zoom speed adjustment mechanism is realized with a small number of parts and a simple configuration, an imaging apparatus capable of easily adjusting the zoom speed can be produced at low cost.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which a digital video camera is applied as an imaging device has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a digital still camera, a personal computer with a camera, a mobile phone with a camera, and other imaging devices.

It is the perspective view which looked at 1st Embodiment of the imaging device of this invention from the front side. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a slide member and a support member of the imaging device illustrated in FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the slide member and support member of the imaging device shown in FIG. 1 from diagonally upward. It is the perspective view which looked at the slide member and support member of the imaging device shown in FIG. 1 from diagonally downward. It is the perspective view which looked at the slide member of the imaging device shown in FIG. 1 from the side. It is the perspective view which looked at the slide board of the imaging device shown in FIG. 1 from the downward direction. It is the perspective view which looked at the supporting member of the imaging device shown in FIG. 1 from diagonally upward. It is a top view of the supporting member which concerns on the imaging device shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a state in which the slide member of the imaging apparatus shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing showing the state which has the slide member of the imaging device shown in FIG. 1 in a reference position. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the slide member is slid a predetermined distance from the state illustrated in FIG. 10 and the convex portion of the elastic body is in contact with the enlarged first convex receiving portion of the speed adjustment unit. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the slide member is further slid from the state illustrated in FIG. 11 and the convex portion of the elastic body has climbed over the enlarged first convex receiving portion of the speed adjustment unit. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the slide member is further slid from the state illustrated in FIG. 12 and the convex portion of the elastic body is in contact with the enlarged second convex receiving portion of the speed adjustment unit. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the slide member is further slid from the state illustrated in FIG. 13 and the convex portion of the elastic body has climbed over the enlarged second convex receiving portion of the speed adjusting unit. It is explanatory drawing explaining 2nd Embodiment of the imaging device of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the state which made the slide member shown in FIG. 15 slide along the 1st slide groove. It is explanatory drawing of the state which slid the slide member shown in FIG. 15 along the 2nd slide groove. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of the zoom speed adjustment mechanism shown in FIG. 15.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital video camera (imaging device), 2 ... Exterior case (device housing), 3 ... Lens device, 4 ... Objective lens, 5 ... Zoom switch, 21 ... Slide member, 22 ... Support member, 23 ... Compression spring ( Urging member), 24, 71, 71A ... zoom speed adjusting mechanism, 31 ... operation button, 32 ... slide plate, 33 ... upper surface portion, 34 ... side surface portion, 35 ... connecting projection, 35a ... fitting projection, 37 ... Fitting hole 38 ... sliding groove 39 ... spring holding piece 39a ... side wall portion 39b, 39c ... contact portion 40 ... spring storage portion 41 ... projecting elastic body (elastic body) 42 ... deformation portion 43 ... convex portion, 51 ... concave portion for holding piece, 52 ... first rail portion, 53 ... second rail portion, 55 ... guide groove, 56 ... speed adjusting portion, 57 ... first convex receiving portion on the enlarged side, 58 ... Enlargement side second convex receiving portion, 59... Reduction side first convex receiving portion 60 ... second convex receiving portions reduction side, 57a, 58a, 59a, 60a ... vertical surface, 57 b, 58b, 59b, 60b ... horizontal surface, 72 ... first slide groove, 73 ... second slide groove

Claims (4)

An imaging device having a zoom function for continuously enlarging and reducing an image,
A slide member that is slidably attached to the apparatus housing of the imaging apparatus and that performs an operation of increasing a zoom speed in accordance with a slide amount;
A support member for slidably supporting the slide member;
A biasing member that biases the slide member to a reference position of the support member;
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a zoom speed adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the zoom speed by controlling a force or a slide amount for sliding the slide member. The zoom speed adjusting mechanism is provided on one of the slide member and the support member, and extends in the slide direction of the slide member, and has an elastically deformable elastic body having a convex portion formed in the middle. A speed adjusting portion provided on the other of the slide member and the support member and engaged with the convex portion so as to be detachable.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the slide member moves to a predetermined position, a resistance force by the elastic body is increased to suppress an increase in the zoom speed.   The speed adjustment unit is disposed on both sides of the elastic body in the moving direction, and the height position is changed in a stepped manner to increase the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic body and increase the resistance force when the convex portions abut. The imaging device according to claim 2, comprising a plurality of convex receiving portions. The zoom speed adjustment mechanism has a second slide groove extending in parallel with the first slide groove on which the slide member is slid and having a different length.
The zoom speed adjustment range can be changed by displacing the slide member between the first slide groove and the second slide groove to change the stroke amount of the slide member. The imaging device according to claim 1.

Images