JP2008102225A - Observation optical system and optical apparatus equipped therewith, and observation method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an observation optical system capable of achieving display with high visibility with simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: The observation optical system for observing an image formed on an observation surface includes: a transparent display body 30 disposed near the observation surface and formed like a plate having parallel planes parallel with each other at both ends; and a condensing part 40 provided on the side surface 33 of the display body 30 and making light from a light source 45 incident on the inside of the display body 30 and condensing it. A reflection display part 50 reflecting the light condensed by the condensing part 40 to an eye point side so as to display predetermined shape is provided on either parallel plane 31 in the display body 30, and the image displayed by the reflection display part 50 is observed together with an image formed on the observation surface. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to in-field display of an observation optical system.

In an observation optical system for observing an image formed on a predetermined observation surface with an eyepiece, a parallel plate-shaped display body is disposed in the vicinity of the focal plane of the eyepiece, and the display body is illuminated and illuminated to increase the observation field. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 64-6626

  However, in the conventional display method as described above, since the light from the illumination is displayed by being diffused or the like, the visibility tends to be lowered when displayed on a bright observation image. Moreover, in order to improve visibility, there was a case where lighting was performed excessively.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an observation optical system and an observation method capable of performing a highly visible display with a simple configuration. Moreover, it aims at providing the optical instrument provided with such an observation optical system.

  In order to achieve such an object, the observation optical system according to the present invention is an observation optical system for observing an image formed on the observation surface, and is disposed in the vicinity of the observation surface and parallel to each other at both ends. A transparent or almost transparent display body formed in a flat plate shape having a parallel plane, and a light collecting unit that is provided on a side surface of the display body and makes light from a light source incident on the inside of the display body, At least one of the parallel planes at both ends of the display body is provided with a reflective display unit that reflects the light collected by the light collecting unit toward the eye point and displays a predetermined shape, and is displayed by the reflective display unit. The image is configured to be observed together with the image formed on the observation surface.

  In the above-described invention, it is preferable that the reflective display unit is composed of a plurality of microstructures.

  Furthermore, in the above-described invention, the microstructure is preferably formed in a wedge shape.

  In the above-described invention, it is preferable that a reflective surface that guides the light from the light source to the eye point side is formed on the microstructure of the reflective display portion.

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned invention, it is preferable that a surface opposite to the eye point side is a polished surface among parallel planes at both ends of the display body.

  Furthermore, in the above-mentioned invention, it is preferable that the surface on the eye point side of the parallel planes at both ends of the display body is a non-polished surface.

  In the above-described invention, it is more preferable that both parallel planes at both ends of the display body are polished surfaces.

  In the above-described invention, it is preferable that the holding member for holding the light source is formed integrally with the display body.

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned invention, it is preferable that a light collecting portion is provided on a side surface in the longitudinal direction of the display body.

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned invention, it is preferable that the condensing part has a cylindrical surface through which light from the light source can pass.

  The condensing unit may be configured to have a spherical surface through which light from the light source can pass.

  In the above invention, the display body is preferably formed using a resin material.

  The optical apparatus according to the present invention includes an observation optical system for observing an image formed on the observation surface, and the observation optical system is the observation optical system according to the present invention.

  The observation method according to the present invention is an observation method for observing an image formed on the observation surface, and is a transparent or substantially transparent display body formed in a flat plate shape having parallel planes parallel to each other at both ends. Is disposed in the vicinity of the observation surface, and a light collecting portion that collects light from the light source incident on the inside of the display body is provided on a side surface of the display body, and at least one of parallel planes at both ends of the display body, A reflection display unit that reflects the light collected by the light collection unit to the eye point side and displays a predetermined shape is provided, and the image displayed by the reflection display unit is observed together with the image formed on the observation surface. Features.

  According to the present invention, a highly visible display can be performed with a simple configuration.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The single-lens reflex camera 1 provided with the observation optical system 20 which concerns on this invention is shown by FIG. The single-lens reflex camera 1 includes an objective lens 11, a mirror 12, an imaging element 13 for photographing, and an observation optical system 20 that is a viewfinder. The observation optical system 20 includes a focusing screen 21, a display body 30, a pentaprism 23, and an eyepiece 25, which are arranged along the optical axis in order from the object side. An image formed (formed) on the focusing screen 21 can be observed by the eyepiece lens 25. An eye point EP is provided behind the eyepiece lens 25.

  The objective lens 11 forms an object image on the image sensor 13 or the focusing screen 21. The mirror 12 is inserted at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis passing through the objective lens 11, and in a normal state (in a shooting standby state), light from a subject (not shown) passing through the objective lens 11 is received. The light is reflected and imaged on the focusing screen 21, and in the shutter release, the mirror is raised and jumps up so that light from a subject (not shown) passing through the objective lens 11 is imaged on the image sensor 13. ing. That is, the image sensor 13 and the focusing screen 21 are disposed at optically conjugate positions.

  In the pentaprism 23, the light beam from the subject image (inverted image) on the focusing screen 21 formed by the objective lens 11 sequentially passes through the incident surface 23a, the first reflecting surface 23b, the final reflecting surface 23c, and the exit surface 23d. The object image is inverted vertically and horizontally to make an erect image. As a result, the pentaprism 23 enables the observer to observe the subject image as an erect image, and allows the observation optical system 20 to be configured in a compact manner.

  A simplified configuration of the observation optical system 20 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, the pentaprism 23 is not shown, and for the focusing screen 21, the observation image formed on the observation surface 26 of the present invention is an object image formed on the focal plane of the focusing screen 21. 27. As described above, the observation optical system 20 can observe the image formed on the focal plane of the focusing screen 21 by the objective lens 11, that is, the observation image 27 formed on the observation plane 26 with the eyepiece lens 25. Yes.

  A display body 30 is disposed in the vicinity of the observation image 27 (observation surface 26) on the eye point EP side (actually, between the focusing screen 21 and the pentaprism 23 in FIG. 5). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the display body 30 is formed into a transparent flat plate having parallel planes 31 and 32 parallel to each other at both ends by performing injection molding using a glass material. The display light beam from the reflective display unit 50 (see FIG. 2) formed on the first parallel plane 31 located on the side (observation surface 26 side) is emitted to the eye point EP side, and the image of the reflective display unit 50 is observed. The image 27 is displayed so as to overlap.

  On the lower side surface 33 of the display body 30 in FIG. 1 (and FIG. 2), a light collecting portion 40 protruding downward (in FIG. 1) of the display body 30 is formed integrally with the display body 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the light collector 40 is formed in a flat plate shape having a cylindrical surface 41 on the side surface, and efficiently displays light from a light source 45 disposed facing the cylindrical surface 41. It is made to enter inside 30 and to condense. Then, the light incident from the cylindrical surface 41 of the light collecting unit 40 is efficiently refracted by the cylindrical surface 41 and transmitted through the inside of the display body 2 as shown by the broken line in FIG. Reflected toward the EP side, display by the reflective display unit 50 is thereby performed.

  Further, on the first parallel plane 31 of the display body 30, three reflective display portions 50 are formed side by side in the longitudinal direction of the display body 30, and three light collecting portions corresponding to each reflective display portion 50. 40 is formed side by side on the side surface 33 in the longitudinal direction of the display body 30. Thereby, since the condensing part 40 is formed in the side surface 33 of the longitudinal direction in the display body 30, since the distance between the condensing part 40 and the reflective display part 50 becomes short, improving condensing efficiency. Can do.

  As the light source 45, it is desirable to use a single wavelength light source such as an LED. Since the LED or the like has strong directivity of light, the effect of reflection display by the reflection display unit 50 can be sufficiently obtained. Moreover, the efficiency can be maximized by setting the angle of the reflection surface of the reflection display unit in accordance with the specific wavelength.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the reflective display unit 50 includes a plurality of microstructures 51, 51,... Formed in a cross-sectional wedge shape, and the plurality of microstructures 51, 51,. Constitutes a display shape in parentheses ([]). As shown in FIG. 3B, when the cross section of the reflective display unit 50 (in the direction in which the light from the light source 45 is incident) is viewed, the wedge-shaped microstructures 51, 51,... Have the same cross-sectional shape. The light is incident on the display body 30 from the cylindrical surface 41 of the light collecting unit 40 and is regularly reflected by the reflection surface 52 formed on the microstructure 51. 30 is injected. With this configuration, the light from the light source 45 can be efficiently guided to the reflective display unit 50 and reflected by the reflective display unit 50 to display the display shape ([] shape). High-quality display is realized.

  In addition, as described above, it is desirable that the reflective display unit 50 of the display body 30 includes a plurality of microstructures 51. In this way, as described above, the microstructure 51 is formed in a wedge shape, so that the (total) area of the reflecting surface can be increased, and light from the light source 45 is efficiently used for display. be able to.

  Moreover, the 1st and 2nd parallel planes 31 and 32 of the display body 30 can obtain the smooth surface equivalent to a normal grinding | polishing surface by performing injection molding using a glass material. By configuring the first and second parallel planes 31 and 32 with such polished surfaces (smooth surfaces), the light incident on the inside of the display body 30 from the cylindrical surface 41 of the light collecting unit 40 can be directly reflected and displayed. In addition to the light that reaches the unit 50, there are some that repeat total reflection on the parallel planes 31 and 32 to reach the reflective display unit 50, thereby improving the illumination efficiency. In addition, since the non-polished surface is not present, the scattering of illumination light inside the display body 30 can be reduced. If scattering occurs inside the display body 30, light from the light source 45 is emitted from the display body 30 in the direction other than the eye point EP and enters the observation field of view. If it does so, the fall of the contrast in an observation visual field and the fall of the visibility of a display will be caused. Therefore, the visibility of display can be improved by suppressing scattering on the display body 30.

  However, when the display body 30 is manufactured by resin molding or the like, if it is necessary to provide a non-polishing surface on the display body 30 for the sake of manufacturing, the non-polishing surface is provided on the eyepoint EP side (the eyepiece 25) It is desirable to provide on the 2nd parallel plane 32 located in the side. This is because when the non-polished surface shines by scattering of light from the light source 45, it is not desirable that the non-polished surface is close to the observation image 27 (observation surface 26). At this time, the first parallel plane 31 which is the opposite surface is constituted by a polished surface (smooth surface), which is not necessary when both the parallel planes 31 and 32 are constituted by polished surfaces. The effect which raises such illumination efficiency can be acquired. In addition, when the display body 30 is formed using a resin material, the processing is easy, and it is possible to perform high-precision processing that provides desired optical performance.

  In the present embodiment, it is also desirable to reduce the thickness of the display body 30. By reducing the thickness of the display body 30, the number of total reflections that occur on the parallel planes 31 and 32 of the light incident on the inside of the display body 30 from the cylindrical surface 41 of the light collecting section 40 increases, and the reflection display section This is because the probability of light reaching 50 increases.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, it is desirable to dispose the reflective surface 52 of the reflective display unit 50 (microstructure 51) in the direction facing the light source 45. In the present embodiment, the ridge line of the microstructure 51 formed in a wedge shape is configured to be substantially perpendicular to the direction of the light source 45. In this way, the reflecting surface 52 becomes a surface that reflects and guides the light from the light source 45 toward the eye point EP, and can directly reflect the direct light from the light source 45 toward the eye point EP. become. Further, by setting the reflective surface 52 to an optimal position with respect to the light that directly reaches the reflective surface 52 of the reflective display unit 50 from the light source 45, the positional deviation of the light source 45 in the reflected light from the reflective display unit 50 can be reduced. It is also possible to suppress the influence of unevenness due to variations in the irradiation range.

  In the single-lens reflex camera 1 having such a configuration, light from a subject (not shown) passes through the objective lens 11, is reflected by the mirror 12 toward the focusing screen 21, and a subject image is formed on the focusing screen 21. The In the observation optical system 20, the light beam from the subject image on the focusing screen 21 passes through the display body 30, the pentaprism 23, and the eyepiece lens 25, and is guided to the eye point EP. Can observe a real image of a subject (not shown). At the time of shutter release, light from a subject (not shown) that has passed through the objective lens 11 is imaged on the image sensor 13 because the mirror 12 is in a mirror-up state.

  In the observation optical system 20, an image of the reflective display unit 50, that is, a bracketed display shape ([] shape) is displayed on the display body 30 so as to overlap the subject image (observation image 27). At this time, light from the light source 45 is incident on the inside of the display body 30 through the cylindrical surface 41 of the light collecting section 40 and is condensed toward the reflective display section 50, and as shown by a broken line in FIG. By being transmitted through the inside and reflected by the reflective display unit 50 toward the eye point EP, display by the reflective display unit 50 is performed.

  As a result, according to the observation optical system 20 and the observation method of the present embodiment, the light from the light source 45 is incident on the inside of the display body 30 by the condensing unit 40 and is condensed toward the reflective display unit 50 to collect the light. Since the reflected light is reflected to the eye point EP side by the reflective display unit 50, the light from the light source 45 can be efficiently used for display (illumination). It is possible to perform display with high visibility with a simple configuration. In addition, according to the single-lens reflex camera 1 provided with such an observation optical system 20, a highly visible display (an image displayed by the reflection display unit 50) together with a subject image (an observation image 27) has a simple configuration. It becomes possible to observe.

  At this time, the condensing unit 40 is preferably configured to have a cylindrical surface 41 through which the light from the light source 45 can pass. In this way, the light from the light source 45 is efficiently transmitted in the left-right direction. Can be condensed.

  Note that the observation optical system according to the present embodiment is not limited to the observation optical system used as a finder of a single-lens reflex camera, but can also be used as an observation optical system widely used in a real image optical system. Further, the above-described embodiment is merely an example, and is not limited to the above-described configuration and shape, and can be appropriately modified and changed within the scope of the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the holding member 60 that holds the light source 45 may be formed integrally with the display body 30. In this way, by making the holding member 60 integral with the display body 30, the relative position between the light source 45 and the reflective display unit 50 can be ensured, and unevenness in display brightness due to position variation can be ensured. It becomes possible to reduce. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the holding member 60 is formed in a box shape integrally with the display body 30, and the light source 45 is connected to the cylindrical surface 41 of the light collecting unit 40 through the holding hole 61 formed in the center of the holding member 60. Is held so as to face.

  In the above-described embodiment, the light collecting unit 40 is not limited to the cylindrical surface 41 and may be configured to have a spherical surface through which light from the light source 45 can pass. In this way, the light from the light source 45 can be efficiently condensed in the vertical and horizontal directions.

  In the above-described embodiment, the three reflective display units 50 are formed in the first parallel plane 31 of the display body 30 side by side in the longitudinal direction of the display body 30, but the present invention is not limited to this. The number of the display units 50 may be one or five, and an arbitrary number can be provided. Further, the reflective display portion can be provided at a desired position on the parallel plane without being formed side by side in the longitudinal direction.

  In the above-described embodiment, the reflective display unit 50 is formed on the first parallel plane 31 of the display body 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reflective display unit 50 is provided on the second parallel plane 32. It may be.

  In the above-described embodiment, the reflective display unit 50 has a display shape in a bracket shape ([] shape), but is not limited thereto, and may be formed in a round shape, for example. Any shape can be used.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the microstructure 51 of the reflective display unit 50 is formed in a wedge shape in sectional view, but is not limited to this, and may be formed in a trapezoidal shape in sectional view.

  In the above-described embodiment, the display body 30 is transparent. However, the display body 30 is not limited to this, and a portion that does not affect the observation of the subject image (observation image 27) or the display by the reflection display unit 50 is not transparent. (That is, it may be almost transparent).

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the 1st and 2nd parallel planes 31 and 32 of the display body 30 seem to be able to obtain the smooth surface equivalent to a normal grinding | polishing surface by performing injection molding using a glass material. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a polished surface may be formed by actually polishing.

It is a schematic block diagram of an observation optical system. It is a front view of a display body. (A) is a perspective view (perspective view) of a reflective display part, (b) is a sectional side view of a reflective display part. It is a front view of a reflective display part. It is a schematic block diagram of a single-lens reflex camera. It is a front view which shows the modification of a display body.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Single-lens reflex camera (optical apparatus) 20 Observation optical system 26 Observation surface 27 Observation image 30 Display body 31 1st parallel plane 32 2nd parallel plane 33 Side surface 40 Condensing part 41 Cylindrical surface 45 Light source 50 Reflective display part 51 Microstructure 52 Reflecting surface 60 Holding member 61 Holding hole

Claims (14)

An observation optical system for observing an image formed on an observation surface,
A transparent or substantially transparent display body disposed in the vicinity of the observation surface and formed in a flat plate shape having parallel planes parallel to each other at both ends;
A light collecting unit that is provided on a side surface of the display body and collects light from a light source incident on the display body;
At least one of the parallel planes at both ends of the display body is provided with a reflective display unit that reflects the light collected by the light collecting unit toward the eye point and displays a predetermined shape,
An observation optical system characterized in that an image displayed by the reflection display unit is observed together with an image formed on the observation surface.   The observation optical system according to claim 1, wherein the reflective display unit includes a plurality of microstructures.   The observation optical system according to claim 2, wherein the microstructure is formed in a wedge shape.   4. The observation optical system according to claim 2, wherein a reflection surface that reflects and guides light from the light source toward an eye point is formed on the microstructure of the reflective display unit. 5.   The observation optical system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, of the parallel planes at both ends of the display body, a surface opposite to the eyepoint side is a polished surface.   6. The observation optical system according to claim 5, wherein, of the parallel planes at both ends of the display body, a surface on the eye point side is a non-polished surface.   The observation optical system according to claim 1, wherein both parallel planes at both ends of the display body are polished surfaces.   The observation optical system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a holding member that holds the light source is formed integrally with the display body.   The observation optical system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the light collecting unit is provided on a side surface in a longitudinal direction of the display body.   The observation optical system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the condensing unit includes a cylindrical surface through which light from the light source can pass.   The observation optical system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the condensing unit has a spherical surface through which light from the light source can pass.   The observation optical system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the display body is formed using a resin material. Equipped with an observation optical system for observing the image formed on the observation surface,
An optical apparatus, wherein the observation optical system is the observation optical system according to any one of claims 1 to 12. An observation method for observing an image formed on an observation surface,
A transparent or substantially transparent display body formed in a flat plate shape having parallel planes parallel to each other at both ends is disposed in the vicinity of the observation surface,
A light collecting part for condensing the light from the light source to enter the display body is provided on the side surface of the display body,
At least one of the parallel planes at both ends of the display body is provided with a reflective display unit that reflects the light collected by the light collecting unit toward the eye point and displays a predetermined shape,
An observation method comprising observing an image displayed by the reflection display unit together with an image formed on the observation surface.

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