JP2011100005A - Imaging apparatus having operation force varying mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the following problems: in the operating force of a driving-operation member in which rotary operation like a rocker seesaw is performed, the desired value is different according to individual photographers, the operating situation or the photographer's intent, accordingly, it is required that the operating force of the driving-operation member is variable, but in a conventional structure, an adjusting mechanism is complicated and large in size, accordingly, only the operation torque having a constant value is obtained. <P>SOLUTION: A imaging apparatus includes a structure, which is a mechanism constituted for generating the operation force of the driving-operation member, and in which a plurality of elastic members are disposed, and an operating member interlocking with the driving-operation member can vary a contact state between the operating member and the plurality of elastic members. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus having an electric drive means for a zoom lens.

  There are electric drive means that can manually and electrically drive a member for performing zoom lens aperture, zooming, and focus adjustment operations both manually and electrically, and also function as a grip for the photographer to hold the imaging system itself.

  The electric drive means is provided with drive operation members for performing the above-described various operations. In particular, a seesaw switch is laid on the electric drive means for the purpose of changing the zoom speed. Used in combination with the switch.

  There is an operation member called a thumb ring used as a member for driving a zoom lens from the outside in a structure similar to the structure of this seesaw switch.

JP 2003-57518 A

  Conventional drive operation members such as seesaw switches and thumb rings have a switch-specific operation force determined using a predetermined elastic member.

  According to Patent Document 1 described as the prior art, a structure for varying the midpoint return force of the thumb ring for the purpose of improving the photographer's operability is proposed.

  FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the structure in Patent Document 1 (FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1), and FIGS. 31 and 32 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the structure for varying the midpoint return force.

  30 to 32, by operating the return force setting means 13, the angle determining pin 14 can be varied up and down, and the contact state with the fixed end covers 7 and 8 is the first and second torsion coil springs 11. , 12 is adjusted so that the midpoint return force is adjusted.

  Here, FIG. 33 is a view showing the arrangement of a conventional seesaw switch in a zoom lens having electric drive means, FIG. 34 shows the internal structure of the conventional seesaw switch, and FIG. It is a view from the direction.

  As shown in FIG. 33, the zoom lens body 19 is integrally formed with an electric drive means 20, and a drive operation member 21 is laid on the electric drive means 20.

  As shown in FIG. 34, the drive operation member 21 is fixed to the switch body 22 by a shaft 23, and an elastic member 25 that generates an operation force of the drive operation member 21 is arranged on a bearing 24 to which the shaft 23 is engaged. Is done.

  The drive operation member 21 is integrally fixed with an end regulating member 26 for defining an operation angle, and rotates around the shaft 23 in accordance with the pushing amount of the drive operation member 21.

  The elastic member 25 is in contact with each of a fixing member 27 laid on the switch body 22 and an action member 28 laid on the end regulating member 26, and the drive operation member 21 is neutral when no load is applied. It is configured to be in position.

  Further, the end regulating member 26 is provided with a contact 29, and the contact 29 is provided with a variable resistance provided on the switch body 22 so that an output of a linear resistance value can be obtained according to the operation angle of the drive operation member. It is in contact with the body 30.

  A state in which the operation force of the drive operation member 21 is generated by the elastic member 25 at this time will be described with reference to FIGS. 35a and 35b.

  In FIG. 35 a, the drive operation member 21 shows a state in which the fixing member 27 and the action member 28 are held at the midpoint by the elastic member 25.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 35 b, the reaction force of the force that deforms the elastic member 25 by the operation angle α that the photographer operated the drive operation member 21 becomes the operation force of the drive operation member 21.

  As described above, the structure in which the operation force of the drive operation member is generated with a smaller number of components than the structure of Patent Document 1 is adopted.

  There are various postures in which the photographer holds the zoom lens at the time of photographing, and photographing with a system fixed to a tripod, photographing with a shoulder, and sometimes photographing the entire system with both hands are performed.

  Depending on the situation, the force applied to the driving operation means is naturally limited depending on the posture that the photographer takes at the time of photographing.

  In such a case, the required operation force required for the drive operation means changes such that it is light when the tripod is fixed and heavy so that it does not move easily when it is lifted.

  Also, depending on the preference of each photographer, the demand for the operation force of the drive operation means varies from a photographer who desires a light operation feeling to a photographer who desires a heavy operation force.

  However, in the above-described conventional structure of the drive operation member, it is possible to individually respond to such a request, but it cannot respond on the spot according to the situation.

  Further, the application of the midpoint return force variable mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1 is limited in size of the electric drive means, and it is difficult to easily incorporate it.

  Accordingly, an exemplary object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus equipped with a switching mechanism for changing the operation force of a seesaw switch that a photographer obtains according to a shooting situation according to the situation.

As a technical feature of the image pickup apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the invention described in claim 1 includes an electric drive means for electrically driving a drive operation for zoom, diaphragm, and focus adjustment, and the operation described above. In an imaging apparatus having a drive operation member that varies the speed when electrically driven,
A plurality of elastic members for generating an operation force of the drive operation member; a fixing member for determining a midpoint of the drive member; an action member in contact with the elastic member; the elastic member and the action member; A switching member that varies the contact state of the drive operation member is laid on the drive operation member.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus that can be used by appropriately switching the operation force of the drive operation member required by the photographer.

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the plurality of elastic members are torsion coil springs.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the plurality of elastic members are leaf springs.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the plurality of elastic members are coil springs, a plurality of gripping members that grip the coil springs are laid, the gripping members abut against the action member, and abutment by the switching member The state is variable.

  According to the second to fourth aspects of the present invention, a stepwise variable mechanism of the operating force is realized without impairing the operability of the imaging apparatus by applying a known elastic member.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the fixing member for determining the midpoint of the drive operation member acts as an adjustment member that varies the contact state with the plurality of elastic members, and the adjustment member is the electric drive It is laid on the means.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the adjustment member forming the appearance of a known operation knob is arranged on the electric operation member, so that the photographer can easily change the operation force.

  The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the drive operation member functions as the switching member.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the operation force can be switched by directly sliding the drive operation member itself without arranging a special switch or knob for varying the operation force of the drive operation member.

  The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that an adjustment member that varies the action point with the plurality of elastic members is laid on the drive operation member, and the operation force of the drive operation member can be adjusted steplessly. To do.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the operation force desired by the photographer can be varied in a stepless manner, whereby finer adjustment of the operation force can be realized with respect to the photographer's request.

  Further objects and other features of the present invention will be made clear by the preferred embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  According to the present invention, by having a structure in which the operation force of the drive operation member according to the situation desired by the photographer is made variable, it is possible to appropriately switch to the operation force preferred by the photographer.

  Therefore, comfortable operability can be obtained by realizing the operation force desired by the photographer, and the effect of improving the operability of the imaging apparatus itself can be obtained.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is an upper view of a drive operation member. It is a switching state figure of a drive operation member. It is a figure which shows the contact state of an action member and an elastic member. It is principal part sectional drawing of the application of Example 1 which used the elastic member as the leaf | plate spring. FIG. 6 is a B view of FIG. 5. It is principal part sectional drawing combined with the rotation member using a coil spring for an elastic member. FIG. 8 is a C view of FIG. 7. It is a block diagram of a rotation member. 6 is an overhead view of an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 2. FIG. It is principal part sectional drawing of a drive operation member. It is a principal part block diagram around an adjustment member. It is a figure which shows the adjustment state of an adjustment member. It is a figure which shows the contact state of an end member and an elastic member. It is D view of FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an imaging apparatus according to a third embodiment. It is an upper view of an imaging device. It is a switching state figure of a switching member. It is a figure which shows the contact state of an action member and an elastic member. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of main parts of an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 4. It is an upper view of a drive operation member. It is E view of FIG. 20, and is a principal part block diagram of an adjustment member. FIG. 21 is a main part configuration diagram when the drive operation member is operated, as viewed from E in FIG. 20. It is principal part sectional drawing of the electrically-driven operation means of Example 5. FIG. FIG. 25 is a F view of FIG. 24. It is principal part sectional drawing around a switching member. It is a principal part block diagram of a switching mechanism. It is a switching state figure of a switching member. It is a figure which shows the contact state of an action member and an elastic member. FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1. FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1. FIG. 3 of Patent Document 1. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the electric drive means and drive operation member in an imaging device. It is principal part sectional drawing of the conventional drive operation member. It is a figure which shows the state at the time of operation of the conventional drive operation member.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a drive operation member according to a first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a view from above of the drive operation member, and FIGS. 3a to 3c and FIGS. It is a figure showing a position and an internal mechanism at that time.

  The drive operation member 32 is fixed to the switch body 33 by a shaft 34, and a plurality of elastic members 36a to 36c that generate an operation force of the drive operation member 32 are positioned on the bearing 35 to which the shaft 34 is engaged. ~ 35c.

  In the drive operation member 32, an end regulating member 37 that determines an end of an operation inclination angle is laid integrally with the switching position fixing member 38 and the switching member 39.

  In addition, in the vicinity of the switching member 39 of the driving operation member 32, indexes 32a to 32c serving as a guide for the operation force generated by the operation of the switching member are laid.

  The switching position of the switching member 39 and the end regulating member 37 is fixed by the switching position fixing member 38 coming into contact with the groove portions 32 d to 32 f laid on the drive operation member 32.

  An action member 40 is laid on the end regulating member 37 so as to contact the elastic member 36, and the elastic members 36 a to 36 c are also in contact with a fixing member 41 laid on the switch body 33 at the same time. Yes.

  The shaft 34 serving as the rotation center of the drive operation member 32, the fixing member 41, and the action member 40 are arranged in the same straight line, and the elastic operation member 36 causes the drive operation member 32 to be in a neutral position when not operated. Retained.

  The end regulating member 37 is provided with a contact member 43 that abuts on a variable resistor 42 that generates a predetermined resistance value in accordance with the operation amount of the drive operation member 32.

  In the first embodiment, the elastic members 36a to 36c are torsion coil springs, and the switching position fixing member 38 is a leaf spring.

  The spring specifications of the elastic member 36 at this time can be freely selected as appropriate even if they are all the same specification or each spring specification is changed.

  Next, the operation of the configuration of the first embodiment will be described in detail.

  When the switching member 39 is in the position shown in FIG. 3a (the display position L), as shown in FIG. 4a, only the elastic member 36a is in contact with the action member 40 and the elastic member 36.

  In this state, the operation force of the drive operation member 32 is generated by the reaction force generated from the deformation amount of the elastic member 36a according to the amount of the drive operation member 32 pushed from the neutral position. In the configuration of Example 1, this is the lightest operating force.

  Next, the switching member 39 is operated to the position shown in FIG. The adjustment member 39 is fixed by contacting a switching position fixing member 38 in a groove 32e laid in the drive operation member 32.

  The action member 40 and the elastic member 36 at this time are in contact with both the elastic members 36a and 36b as shown in FIG. 4b.

  Compared with the state of FIG. 3a, the operating force of the drive operating member 32 is generated by the reaction force generated from the deformation amount of both the elastic members 36a and 36b. It becomes operation power.

  Further, the switching member 39 is operated to the position shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4 c, the adjustment member 39 is fixed by contacting the switching position fixing member 38 at the position of the groove 32 f laid in the drive operation member 32.

  At this time, the action member 40 and the elastic member 36 are in contact with all the elastic members 36a, 36b, and 36c.

  Compared to the state of FIG. 3a, the operating force of the drive operating member 32 is generated by the reaction force generated from the deformation amount of all the elastic members 36a, 36b, 36c. Maximum operating force.

  In each of the states shown in FIGS. 3a to 3c, the contact member 43 has bending elasticity so as to be always urged by the variable resistor 42, and the elastic force required for urging is fixed at the switching position. The relationship is smaller than the elastic force required for urging the member 38.

  As an application of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 which is a view from the direction B in FIGS. 5 and 5, the elastic members 44 a to 44 c having plate springs as elastic members are also configured. It becomes possible to vary the operation force of the drive operation member 32.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8 which is a view from the direction C in FIG. 7 and FIG. 7, the coil spring 45 of the elastic member is attached to the pin 47 laid on the rotating member 46 which contacts and the switch body 48. A similar effect can be obtained even if the structure is held by the laid pins 49.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the rotating member 46 is composed of a pair of rotating members 46aL and 46aR for each combination of operating forces generated in stages. (The pin 47a on the rotating member 46a also forms a pair of 47aL and 47aR)
The combination of the rotating members 46 has the same configuration up to the rotating members 46a to 46c.

  According to the present embodiment, by operating the switching member laid on the drive operation member, the contact state can be changed according to the number of elastic members formed therein, thereby allowing stepwise operation force. Variable is possible.

  Accordingly, it is possible to change the operation force of the drive operation member in accordance with the photographer's request.

  FIG. 10 is a bird's-eye view of a drive operation member and an adjustment member to which the second embodiment is applied, and FIG.

  12 is a main configuration diagram of the adjustment member, and FIGS. 13 and 14 are diagrams for explaining respective states during adjustment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the adjustment member 50 is laid on the electric drive means 51 in the vicinity of the drive operation member 52 so that the photographer can easily operate it.

  Further, in the vicinity of the adjustment member 50 of the electric driving means 51, indexes 51a to 51c serving as a guide for the operation force that can be generated by operating the adjustment member are laid.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the drive operation member 52 is fixed to the switch body 53 with a shaft 54.

  A plurality of elastic members 36a to 36c that generate the operating force of the drive operating member 52 and that are the same as those described in detail in the first embodiment are arranged on the bearing 55 with which the shaft 54 is engaged by positioning portions 55a to 55c. ing.

  The drive operation member 52 is integrally provided with an end regulating member 56 that determines an end of an operation inclination angle.

  An action member 57 is laid on the end regulating member 56 so as to contact the elastic members 36 a to 36 c, and the elastic members 36 a to 36 c are also in contact with the end member 58 at the same time.

  The end member 58 is engaged with the adjustment member 50 and has a mechanism that expands and contracts according to the amount of rotation of the adjustment member 50.

  The adjusting member 50 is positioned at the groove 50a so as not to fall off the electric driving means 51 with a retaining member 59.

  The shaft 54 serving as the rotation center of the drive operation member 52, the end member 58 and the action member 57 are arranged in the same straight line, and the elastic operation member 36 causes the drive operation member 52 to be in a neutral position when not operated. Retained.

  In addition, the end regulating member 56 has a contact member 43 that contacts a variable resistor 42 that generates a predetermined resistance value according to the operation amount of the drive operation member 52, as described in detail in the first embodiment. Is laid.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the adjustment member 50 is laid with a cam 60 that generates a movement amount for a predetermined rotation angle, and the cam 60 is engaged with an interlocking member 61 laid on the end member 58. is doing.

  The end member 58 is provided with a groove 58a for restricting the moving direction, and a steady plate 62 fixed to the electric driving means 51 is engaged with the groove 58a.

  With the above-described structure, the rotational movement of the adjustment member 50 is converted into movement along the groove 58 a of the end member 58 by the cam 60.

  Next, the operation of the configuration of the second embodiment will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 13a, when the adjusting member 50 is at the position of the index 51a on the electric operation member (indicated as L), as shown in FIG. 14a, the end member 58 contacts only the elastic member 36c. They are in contact with each other.

  In this state, the operation force of the drive operation member 52 is generated by the reaction force generated from the deformation amount of only the elastic member 36c according to the amount of the drive operation member 52 pushed from the neutral position. This is the lightest operating force in the configuration of the second embodiment.

  The elastic members 36a and 36b remaining at this time are, together with the action member 52 and the shaft, as shown in FIG. 15 which is a view in the direction D in FIG. It is turning around 54.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 13b, when the adjusting member 50 is operated to the position of the index 51b on the electric operation member (the position indicated by M), the end member 58 is moved to the elastic member 36b as shown in FIG. 14b. , 36c are in contact with each other.

  Compared to the state shown in FIG. 13a, the operation force of the drive operation member 52 is generated by the reaction force generated from the deformation amount of both the elastic members 36b and 36c. It becomes operation power.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13c, when the adjusting member 50 is operated to the position of the index 51c on the electric operation member (the position indicated by H), the end member 58 is moved to the elastic member as shown in FIG. 14c. There is a relationship in contact with all of 36a, 36b, and 36c.

  Compared to the state of FIG. 13a, the operating force of the drive operating member 52 is generated by the reaction force generated from the deformation amount of all the elastic members 36a, 36b, 36c. Maximum operating force.

  As described in detail in the first embodiment, the same effect can be obtained by combining the elastic member 44 (plate spring) or the elastic member 45 (coil spring) with the rotating member 46 as a configuration replacing the elastic member 36. Can be obtained.

  According to the present embodiment, a stepwise operating force is achieved by a structure in which the contact state is varied according to the number of elastic members formed inside by operating the adjustment member laid on the electric drive member. Can be changed.

  Accordingly, it is possible to change the operation force of the drive operation member in accordance with the photographer's request.

  FIG. 16 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the main mechanisms of the drive operation member and the adjustment member to which the third embodiment is applied, and FIG. 17 is a view from above of the imaging apparatus to which the third embodiment is applied.

  FIGS. 18a to 18c and FIGS. 19a to 19c are diagrams showing the switching position where the driving operation member forms the switching means and the internal mechanism at that time.

  The drive operation member 63 is fixed to the switch body 64 by a shaft 65, and a plurality of bearings 66 engaged with the shaft 65 generate the operation force of the drive operation member 63 as in the first or second embodiment. Elastic members 36a to 36c are arranged by positioning portions 66a to 66c.

  A switching position fixing mechanism 67 using a known ball plunger is laid on the shaft 65, and is brought into contact with the groove portions 68 a to 68 c laid on the bearing 66, so that the position of the driving operation member 63 is fixed. The

  The driving operation member 63 is integrally provided with an end regulating member 69 that determines an end of an operation inclination angle.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 17, indicators 71 a to 71 c that serve as guidelines for the operation force generated by the switching operation of the drive operation member 63 are provided on the electric drive member 71 of the zoom lens 70 in the vicinity of the drive operation member 63. It is laid.

  In FIG. 16, an action member 72 is laid on the end regulating member 69 so as to contact the elastic member 36, and the elastic members 36 a to 36 c are simultaneously fixed members 73 laid on the switch body 64. Both are in contact.

  The shaft 65 serving as the rotation center of the drive operation member 63, the fixing member 73, and the action member 72 are arranged on the same straight line, and the drive operation member 63 is in a neutral position when not operated by the elastic member 36. Retained.

  Similar to the first or second embodiment, the end regulating member 69 is provided with a contact member 43 that abuts on the variable resistor 42 that generates a predetermined resistance value according to the operation amount of the drive operation member 63.

  Next, the operation of the configuration of the third embodiment will be described in detail.

  As in the first or second embodiment, the elastic members 36a to 36c are torsion coil springs, and the spring specifications of the elastic members 36 at this time can be selected as appropriate regardless of whether the spring specifications are all the same or the respective spring specifications are changed. Can be done.

  When the drive operation member 63 is at the position shown in FIG. 18a (the position of L display of 71a), as shown in FIG. 19a, the action member 72 and the elastic member 36 are in contact with only the elastic member 36a. Yes.

  In this state, the operation force of the drive operation member 63 is generated by the reaction force generated from the deformation amount of the elastic member 36a according to the amount of the drive operation member 63 pushed from the neutral position. In the configuration of Example 3, the lightest operating force is obtained.

  Next, the drive operation member 63 is slid to the position shown in FIG. 18b (the position indicated by M in 71b).

  The drive operation member 63 is fixed in contact with a groove 68b laid on the bearing 66 by a switching position fixing mechanism 67 laid on the shaft 65 integral with the drive operation component 63.

  At this time, the action member 72 and the elastic member 36 are in contact with both the elastic members 36a and 36b.

  Compared with the state of FIG. 18a, the operation force of the drive operation member 63 is generated by the reaction force generated from the deformation amount of both the elastic members 36a, 36b. It becomes operation power.

  Further, the drive operation member 63 is slid to the position shown in FIG. 18c (the position indicated by H in 71c).

  The drive operation member 63 is fixed in contact with a groove 68c laid in the bearing 66 by a switching position fixing mechanism 67 laid on the shaft 65 integral with the drive operation component 63.

  At this time, the action member 72 and the elastic member 36 are in contact with all of the elastic members 36a, 36b, and 36c.

  Compared with the state of FIG. 18a, the operating force of the drive operating member 63 is generated by the reaction force generated from the deformation amount of all the elastic members 36a, 36b, 36c. Maximum operating force.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the contact member 43 has bending elasticity so as to be constantly urged by the variable resistor 42 in each of the above-described FIGS. 19a to 19c, and is required for urging. The elastic force has a smaller relationship than the elastic force required for urging the switching position fixing mechanism 67.

  As described in detail in the first or second embodiment, the elastic member 36 can be replaced by the elastic member 44 (plate spring) or the elastic member 45 (coil spring) and the rotation member 46. It is possible to obtain the effect of.

  According to this embodiment, the operation force can be changed stepwise by the structure in which the abutting state is changed according to the number of elastic members formed inside by directly operating the drive operation member as an adjustment member. Is possible.

  Accordingly, it is possible to change the operation force of the drive operation member in accordance with the photographer's request.

  FIG. 20 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the main part of the mechanism to which this embodiment is applied, and FIG. 21 is an overhead view from above of the drive operation member.

  The drive operation member 74 is engaged with a first shaft 76 laid on the switch body 75 and a second shaft 77 laid coaxially with the first shaft 76, and the second shaft 77. Is integrally fixed to the switch body 75.

  In the switch body 75, elastic members 78a and 78b for generating an operation force of the drive operation member 74 are laid at elastic member fixing shafts 79a and 79b.

  An adjustment member 80 is fixed to the drive operation member 74 with a stopper 81 and can be rotated by a bearing portion 74 a on the drive operation member 74.

  A screw portion 82 such as a screw or a multi-threaded screw is laid at the tip of the adjustment member 80 to generate an axial variation with respect to a predetermined rotation angle, and the action member 83 is engaged with the screw portion 82. Yes.

  The elastic members 78 a and 78 b are in contact with both the fixing members 84 a and 84 b laid on the switch body 75 and the action member 83.

  Further, the shafts 76 and 77, the fixing members 84a and 84b, and the action member 83, which are the rotation centers of the drive operation member 74, are arranged in the same straight line, so that the drive operation member 74 is neutral when not operated. Held in position.

  The action member 83 is engaged with a steady rest 85 laid integrally with the drive operation member 74.

  The drive operation member 74 is integrally laid with an end regulating member 86 that defines an end of an operation inclination angle.

  The end regulating member 86 has a contact member 88 that abuts on a variable resistor 87 that generates a predetermined resistance value in accordance with the operation amount of the drive operation member 74 in the same manner as described in the first to third embodiments. Laid.

  As shown in FIG. 21, in the vicinity of the adjustment member 80 on the drive operation member 74, an index 74 b serving as a guide for the operation force that can be generated by the operation of the adjustment member 80 is laid.

  Next, the operation of the configuration of the fourth embodiment will be described in detail.

  FIGS. 22 and 23 are views from the E viewing direction in FIG. 20, respectively. FIG. 22 shows how the position of the action member is adjusted by the adjustment mechanism, and FIG. 23 shows when the drive operation member is operated. A state in which the acting member deforms the elastic member is shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 22a and 22b, when the adjustment member 80 is rotated within the range shown by the display 74b on the drive operation member 74 (H⇔L display of 74b), 83 moves the range of X shown in the figure.

  At this time, the distance Y from the shaft 76 (or 77) where the elastic members 78a and 78b and the action member 83 abut is varied from Y1 to Y2 as shown in FIG.

  Accordingly, even when the drive operation member 74 has the same operation angle β, the operating position of the elastic member 76 (or 77) is different, so that different operation forces can be generated.

  Further, since the rotation operation of the adjusting member 80 is arbitrary, the position of the action member 83 can be positioned in a stepless manner within the range X.

  Therefore, the operation force of the drive operation member 74 can be generated steplessly.

  According to this embodiment, the mechanism for steplessly determining the position of the action member by the adjusting member is operated by forming a structure in which the contact state of the distance from the rotation position of the elastic member to the action position is variable. The power can be varied steplessly.

  Therefore, the operation force of the drive operation member can be changed according to the request of the photographer.

  24 is a cross-sectional view of a main part around a drive operation member in an external drive operation device for a zoom lens to which Example 5 is applied, FIG. 25 is a view from the direction F in FIG. 24, and FIG. FIG. 27 is an explanatory view of the structure around the elastic member.

  The driving operation member laid on the electric driving means integrated with the zoom lens described in detail in the first to fourth embodiments is also used as a driving operation member called zoom demand thumbling, which is known as an external driving device due to its operating method. Can function well.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the drive operation member 90 laid on the zoom demand main body 89 is fixed to a shaft member 92 integrated with a detection means 91 (a potentiometer in the embodiment) that generates an output corresponding to the rotation operation amount. .

  The shaft member 92 is supported by the zoom demand main body 89 with bearings 93a and 93b. The shaft member 92 (described later in FIG. 27) includes a plurality of elastic members 94a to 94c and end regulating members 95aL and 95aR to 95cL. 95 cR.

  The end regulating member 95 is supported by a retaining member 96 rigidly fixed to the shaft member 92 and a fixing member 97 laid on the zoom demand main body 89.

  The end regulating member 95 is in contact with an action member 99 laid on an action plate 98 that rotates in conjunction with the operation of the drive operation member 90, and the action plate 98 is in contact with the slide shaft 100. The switching operation interlocking member 101 and the retaining member 102 are integrally configured.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the switching member 103 laid on the zoom demand main body 89 is configured integrally with the switching operation interlocking member 101 via a switching position fixing member 104 (shown in FIG. 26).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 26, the switching position fixing member 104 is brought into contact with the positioning grooves 89a to 89c laid in the zoom demand main body 89, whereby the switching member 103 is positioned. .

  FIG. 27 shows the configuration of the main part of the switching member applied to the fifth embodiment.

  The shaft member 92 is provided with elastic members 94a to 94c that are in contact with the end regulating members 95aL, 95aR to 95cL, and 95cR, and is urged by a retaining member 96.

  At this time, the posture of the end regulating member 95 is maintained at the neutral (middle point) position of the drive operation member 90 by the fixing member 97 laid on the zoom demand main body 89.

  The shaft member 92 has a polygonal (in the figure, quadrilateral) sliding shaft 100 for restricting rotation, and the switching operation interlocking member 101 engaged with the action plate 98 is fixed by a retaining member 102. Is laid.

  At this time, with respect to the movement of the shaft member 92 interlocked with the rotation operation of the drive operation member 90, the posture of the switching operation interlocking member 101 is restricted because the shaft member 92 rotates inside. Has been.

  In the zoom demand main body 89, in the vicinity of the switching member 103, indexes 89d to 89f serving as a guide for the operation force generated by the switching operation of the switching member 103 are laid.

  Next, the operation of the fifth embodiment will be described in detail.

  As described in detail in the first to fourth embodiments, the elastic members 94a to 94c are torsion coil springs, and the spring specifications of the elastic member 94 at this time are all the same specifications or appropriately selected regardless of the spring specifications. Can be done freely.

  When the switching member 103 is in the position shown in FIG. 28a (the L-displayed position of 89d), as shown in FIG. 29a, only the action member 99 and the end regulating member 95 are in contact with each other.

  In this state, the operation force of the drive operation member 90 is generated by the reaction force generated from the deformation amount of only the elastic member 94a according to the rotation amount of the drive operation member 90 tilted from the neutral position. This is the lightest operating force in the configuration of the fifth embodiment.

  Next, the drive operation member 103 is slid to the position shown in FIG. 28b (the M display position of 89e).

  The drive operation member 103 is fixed in contact with a groove 89 b laid on the zoom demand main body 89 by the switching position fixing member 104 integral with the drive operation component 103.

  At this time, the action member 99 and the end regulating member 95 are in contact with 95a and 95b.

  Compared with the state of FIG. 28a, the operation force of the drive operation member 103 is generated by the reaction force generated from the deformation amount of both the elastic members 94a and 94b. It becomes operation power.

  Further, the drive operation member 103 is slid to the position shown in FIG. 28c (the position of H display at 89f).

  The drive operation member 103 is fixed in contact with a groove 89 c laid on the zoom demand main body 89 by the switching position fixing member 104 integral with the drive operation component 103.

  At this time, the action member 99 and the end regulating member 95 are in contact with all members 95a to 95c.

  Compared with the state of FIG. 28a, the operating force of the drive operating member 103 is generated by the reaction force generated from the deformation amount of all the elastic members 94a, 94b, 94c. Maximum operating force.

  As described in detail in the first to fourth embodiments, the same effect can be obtained by using a torsion coil spring alone or a leaf spring as a configuration replacing the elastic member 94 as long as the switching mechanism as in this embodiment is provided. It is possible to demonstrate.

  According to the present embodiment, not only the zoom lens drive device but also the externally installed electric drive operation means (zoom demand in this embodiment) has a predetermined switching mechanism, so that the drive operation member It becomes possible to vary the operating force.

  In such an electric drive operation means, a known detection device is usually configured to detect the rotational position of the drive operation member, and therefore a structure for generating an operation force is arranged at a position away from the drive operation member. There are many things.

  Even in such a device, it is possible to vary the operation force stepwise as described above by eliminating the structure that varies the contact state in accordance with the number of elastic members formed inside.

  Accordingly, it is possible to change the operating force of the drive operation member in accordance with the photographer's request even in the externally arranged electric drive operation means.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist.

19, 70 Zoom lens body 20, 51, 71 Electric drive means 21, 32, 52, 63, 74, 90 Drive operation member 25, 36, 78, 94 Elastic member 27, 41, 73, 84, 97 Fixing member 28, 40, 57, 72, 83, 99 Action member 39, 103 Switching member 50, 80 Adjustment member

Claims (7)

Electric drive means for electrically driving zoom, aperture, and focus adjustment drive operations;
In an imaging apparatus having a drive operation member that varies a speed when the operation is electrically driven,
A plurality of elastic members for generating an operating force of the drive operating member;
A fixing member for determining a midpoint of the driving member;
An action member in contact with the elastic member;
A switching member that varies the contact state between the elastic member and the action member is laid on the drive operation member;
An imaging apparatus characterized by the above. The plurality of elastic members are torsion coil springs,
The imaging device according to claim 1. The plurality of elastic members are leaf springs,
The imaging device according to claim 1. The plurality of elastic members are coil springs,
A plurality of gripping members for gripping the coil spring are laid,
The gripping member abuts against the action member;
The contact state can be varied by the switching member,
The imaging device according to claim 1. A fixing member for determining the midpoint of the drive operation member is
Acts as an adjustment member that varies the contact state with the plurality of elastic members,
The adjustment member is laid on the electric drive means,
The imaging device according to claim 1. The drive operation member functions as the switching member,
The imaging device according to claim 1. An adjustment member that varies the point of action with the plurality of elastic members is laid on the drive operation member,
The imaging device according to claim 1.