JP2015200718A - lens device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lens device capable of preventing a user from causing electrical erroneous connection by limiting communication means at an interchangeable lens side depending on a type of camera side communication means in an interchangeable lens capable of multiple electrical communication means with a camera.SOLUTION: A lens device includes a movable optical element, a driving unit for electrically driving the movable optical element is detachable, and the lens device is detachable from a mount part of a camera. The lens device includes: a mount connector part that is able to electrically communicate with the camera via the mount part of the connected camera; a connector part that is able to electrically communicate with the mount connector part, and able to electrically communicate with the driving unit; and a connector fixing part for fixing the connector part to the lens device. The connector fixing part has a structure that allows the connector part to be fixed by selecting an exposed state in which the connector part is exposed to an exterior surface or a housed state in which the connector part is not exposed to the exterior surface.

Description

  The present invention relates to a lens device, and particularly to a lens device provided with an electric operation unit.

  A small lens device that is exchangeably mounted on a television camera or the like generally includes various operation rings such as a focus ring, a zoom ring, and an iris ring. A user (photographer) adjusts the focus position, zoom magnification, iris value, and the like by rotating these operation rings. The lens can be operated by a method in which the user directly grips and rotates the operation ring by hand (manual operation), or by electrically driving an electric operation unit that is detachably or fixedly attached to the lens. There is a method of rotating the ring (electric operation). The electric operation unit includes a drive motor that is gear-connected to the operation ring inside the unit. The electric operation unit is capable of rotating each operation ring of the lens by driving a drive motor by a predetermined amount by operating various switches provided outside and a control signal from the camera. In addition, the electric operation unit can communicate electrical signals with the camera, and exchanges electrical signals such as a power source for driving the motor, a control signal for automatic iris adjustment, and lens position information.

  The communication method between the electric operation unit and the camera is through a method of connecting a cable extending from the electric operation unit to a connector provided in the camera body, or via an electric contact portion provided in each of the camera and lens mount portions. A method of communicating with each other is known.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a lens device that includes a cable extending from the inside of the electric operation unit to the outside and that can communicate electrical signals between the electric operation unit and the camera by connecting the cable to a connector provided in the camera body. Is disclosed. As a conventional technique, a lens device capable of communicating an electric signal by connecting an electrical contact of a lens mount electrically connected to an electric operation unit to an electrical contact of a camera mount is widely known.

Japanese Patent No. 2773230

  In recent years, various types of cameras have appeared, and the number of cases in which the communication method with the lens apparatus differs depending on the camera specifications is increasing. Specifically, when communication is performed using electrical contacts provided on the lens and camera mounts, or when the electric operation unit cable is directly connected to the camera terminal without mounting electrical contacts, only that cable is used. There are cases where communication is performed using both the mount electrical contact and the cable.

  In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the above-described conventional lens device, since the communication means between the camera and the lens is limited to one specification, it cannot cope with cameras having different communication specifications.

  Therefore, recent interchangeable lenses are required to have a plurality of means of electrical communication with the camera in order to meet various camera specifications.

  However, when the interchangeable lens has connection means corresponding to a plurality of telecommunication means, the user mistakenly connects the telecommunication part on the lens side to the telecommunication means not supported on the camera side, and this is desired at the time of photographing. There is a problem that the electric operation of can not be performed. Specifically, there is a case where desired electrical performance on the lens side cannot be satisfied because the communication capacity of the telecommunication means provided on the camera side is small and not sufficient for electric operation.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an interchangeable lens corresponding to a plurality of electrical communication means with a camera, and to limit the electrical communication means on the interchangeable lens side in accordance with the type of the electrical communication means on the camera side. It is an object of the present invention to provide a lens device that can prevent erroneous connection.

  To achieve the above object, the lens apparatus of the present invention is a lens apparatus that includes a movable optical element, a drive unit that electrically drives the movable optical element is detachable, and is detachable from a camera mount part. A mount connector portion capable of electrical communication with the camera, a connector portion capable of electrical communication with the mount connector portion and capable of electrical communication with the drive portion, and a connector portion; A connector fixing portion that is fixed to the lens device, wherein the connector fixing portion selects an exposed state in which the connector portion is exposed on an exterior surface or a storage state in which the connector portion is not exposed on the exterior surface. It has the structure which can fix a connector part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the present invention, in an interchangeable lens corresponding to a plurality of telecommunications means with a camera, the telecommunications means on the interchangeable lens side is limited in accordance with the type of telecommunications means on the camera side, and the user's electrical error A lens device capable of preventing connection can be provided.

Top view of the lens apparatus in the first embodiment Rear view of the lens apparatus in the first embodiment The fragmentary perspective view of the lens-barrel part in 1st Example The principal part rear surface enlarged view of the lens apparatus 1 at the time of removing the mechanical board in the case of the mount connection in 1st Example Side surface principal part enlarged view of the lens apparatus 1 in the case of the mount connection in a 1st Example The rear surface principal part enlarged view of the lens apparatus at the time of attaching the cable 31 to the connector 74 in the case of the mount connection in a 1st Example Rear surface principal part enlarged view of the lens apparatus when the mechanical plate 77 in the case of cable connection in the first embodiment is removed The side principal part enlarged view of the lens apparatus in the case of the cable connection in 1st Example The rear surface principal part enlarged view of the lens apparatus when the mechanical board 77 in the case of mount connection in the 2nd Example is removed. The rear surface principal part enlarged view of the lens apparatus at the time of removing the mechanical board 77 in the case of a cable connection in 2nd Example. The rear surface principal part enlarged view of the lens apparatus when the mechanical plate 77 in the case of mount connection is removed in the third embodiment. The rear surface principal part enlarged view of the lens apparatus at the time of removing the mechanical board 77 in the case of a cable connection in 3rd Example.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the lens apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a top view of the lens device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a rear view, and FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the lens barrel 73. For future explanation, the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 1 is defined as the optical axis.

First, the basic configuration of the lens apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The lens device 1 includes a lens body 2 including movable optical elements such as a focus lens, a zoom lens, and an iris, and an electric operation unit (drive unit) 3 for electrically driving various operation rings described later. The exterior of the lens body 2 is provided with various operation rings such as a focus ring 4, a zoom ring 5 and an iris ring 6, and a mount portion 7 that can be mechanically and electrically connected to the camera.

  The focus ring 4 and the zoom ring 5 are connected to a moving optical system (not shown) provided in the lens body 2, and the moving optical system is moved in the optical axis direction by rotating the ring, thereby adjusting the focal length and the object distance. Adjustment is possible. Similarly, the iris ring 6 is connected to a diaphragm adjusting mechanism inside the lens body 2 so that the diaphragm aperture diameter can be adjusted by rotating the ring. The focus ring 4, the zoom ring 5, and the iris ring 6 include gears 41, 51, 61 that can be coupled to the electric operation unit 3.

  The electric operation unit 3 is detachably fixed to the lens body 2 with a plurality of screws, and includes a focus, zoom, iris driving motor, and position detection means for detecting the rotation position of each operation ring. Each drive motor meshes with the gear 41 of the focus ring 4, the gear 51 of the zoom ring 5, and the gear 61 of the iris ring 6 via a gear transmission mechanism. Various types of switches are provided on the exterior portion of the electric operation unit 3, and by operating each switch, an internal motor can be driven and each operation ring of the lens body 2 can be rotationally driven. . The electric operation unit 3 includes a clutch mechanism for releasing the coupling between the driving motor and the gear transmission mechanism, an electric board on which a program necessary for control and control of the motor, etc., and a conversion board inside the lens body, which will be described later. Electrical contacts that can be electrically connected to each other are housed inside. A cable 31 electrically connected to an internal electric board extends from the electric operation unit 3 to the outside, and is electrically connected to the camera to receive the drive power of the electric operation unit and position information of the lens. In addition, electrical signals such as camera information can be communicated with each other.

  Next, the mount part 7 of the lens body 2 will be described. The mount unit 7 includes a lens mount 71 that can be attached to and detached from the camera mount unit, an electrical contact unit 72 (mount connector unit) provided in the lens mount 71, and a lens barrel unit 73 that includes an imaging optical system therein. ing.

  The electrical contact portion 72 is in electrical contact with the electrical contact portion on the camera side when the lens mount 71 is mechanically connected to the camera mount, and can communicate electrical signals between the lens and the camera in the same manner as the cable 31. It has become. In addition to having an optical system inside, the lens barrel portion 73 has a connector fixing portion 73A for fixing a connector 74, which will be described later, to the lens barrel portion 73 as shown in FIG. 3, and the connector fixing portion 73A. Has a hollow portion 731 and an opening 732 penetrating from the hollow portion 731 to the outside of the exterior surface. In addition, a plurality of bosses 733 formed with screw holes and holes 734 through which wiring from a connector 74 described later passes through the lens apparatus are provided. Screw holes are provided in the seating surfaces of the hollow portion 731 and the opening portion 732 respectively. The hollow portion 731 has a mechanical plate 77 (closing member), and the opening portion 732 has a connector fixing plate 75 or a mechanical plate 79 (described later). The closing member (FIG. 8) can be fixed with screws.

  In addition, the lens barrel 73 is provided with a wiring path (not shown) through which the wiring extending from the mount electrical contact 72 is passed, and a conversion board (not shown) that connects the wiring from the mount electrical contact 72 and converts it into various signals. A connector 74 that is electrically connected to the conversion board and connectable to the cable 31 of the electric operation unit 3 is fixed to the connector fixing sheet metal 75 (intermediate member).

  The above is the basic configuration of the lens apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.

  Next, the detailed structure of the lens apparatus 1 when it corresponds to various electrical specifications of the camera will be described.

  First, the lens device 1 when electrical communication between the lens device and the camera is satisfied only by the mount electrical contact (hereinafter referred to as “mount connection”) will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a state of the lens barrel portion 73 (connector fixing portion 73A) when the mechanical plate 77 of FIG. 2 is removed. FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the connector 74 is fixed to the connector fixing metal plate 75 with a nut 76, and the connector fixing metal plate 75 is fixed to the screw hole of the opening 732 of the connector fixing portion 73A with a plurality of screws, thereby The electrical contact portion is exposed outside the portion 73 (connector fixing portion 73A) (exposed state). A wiring 78 is provided from the connector 74 and is inserted into the lens body through a hole 734 penetrating into the lens barrel 73 and connected to a conversion board (not shown) so as to be electrically connected to the mount electrical contact 72. Yes. The above is the detailed structure of the lens device 1 in the mount connection.

  When the user performs an electric operation with the mount connection, first, as shown in FIG. 6, the cable connector portion 311 of the cable 31 extended from the electric operation unit 3 is connected to the connector 74 of the lens barrel portion 73 (connector fixing portion 73A). To do. Then, the electric operation unit 3 and the mount electric contact 72 are electrically connected, and the camera and the electric operation unit 3 are supplied with drive power via the mount electric contact 72, and electric signals such as lens and camera information are received. It becomes possible to communicate with each other.

  In actual use, the inside of the lens barrel portion 73 cannot be seen by fixing the mechanical plate 77 with screws so as to close the hollow portion 731 of the connector fixing portion 73A.

  With the above configuration, the electrical contact portion of the connector 74 is exposed to the outside of the lens body 2, so that the user can connect the cable 31 of the electric operation unit to the connector 74.

  In the case of the mount connection, the case where the cable 31 is connected to the connector 74 provided in the lens barrel portion has been described. However, when there is a telecommunication connector or an external power source provided separately in the camera body, the cable 31 is connected there. You can connect.

  Next, the lens apparatus 1 in the case where electrical communication between the lens apparatus and the camera is not sufficient with only the mount electrical contact (hereinafter referred to as “cable connection”) will be described with reference to FIGS. The cable connection corresponds to a case where there is no mount electrical contact on the camera side, or there is a mount electrical contact, but the power capacity of the electrical contact is small and power supply for driving the electric operation unit cannot be performed. If the user attempts to perform an electric operation through communication using only the mount electrical contact in this state, the desired electrical performance of the lens device cannot be satisfied. Therefore, in order for the user to perform an electric operation, it is necessary to perform electric communication by connecting the cable 31 of the electric operation unit 3 to another electric communication connector portion provided outside the mount electric contact of the camera or an external power source.

  FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view of the rear surface of the lens apparatus 1 with the mechanical plate 77 removed from the cable connection, and FIG. 8 is a side view of FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, in cable connection, the connector fixing sheet metal 75 is fixed to the boss 733 in the hollow portion 731 of the connector fixing portion 73A with screws (FIG. 4), and the inside of the lens barrel portion 73 (the hollow of the connector fixing portion 73A). In the portion 731) (completely stored). Similar to the mount connection, the wiring 78 is inserted into the lens body through a hole 734 provided in the lens barrel portion 73 (connector fixing portion 73A), and is connected to a conversion board (not shown). As shown in FIG. 8, a mechanical plate 79 is screwed into the opening 732 on the side surface of the lens barrel 73 to close the opening 732. Finally, the mechanism plate 77 is screwed to the hollow portion 731 so that the inside of the connector fixing portion 73A cannot be seen. The above is the detailed structure of the lens device 1 with cable connection.

  When the user performs an electric operation by cable connection, the cable connector portion 311 of the cable 31 extended from the electric operation unit 3 is connected to another telecommunication connector portion provided outside the mount electric contact of the camera or an external power source. . Then, since it becomes possible to receive electric power for driving the electric operation unit 3 from other than the mount electric contact 72, a desired electric operation can be performed. In the cable connection, since the opening 732 of the connector fixing portion 73A is closed by the mechanical plate 77 and the connector 74 is not disposed, the user mistakenly connects the cable connector portion 311 to the connector 74, and the desired connection is achieved. The danger of not being able to drive can be eliminated beforehand. On the other hand, the mount electrical contact 72 connected to the camera by the mount unit can communicate with an electrical contact unit (not shown) separately provided in the electric operation unit via a conversion board (not shown), and the position of the lens. It communicates information and electrical signals such as control signals from the camera. Therefore, even when an external power source other than the camera is used, the specification ensures electrical communication with the camera.

  With the above-described configuration, the connector 74 is housed inside the lens device 2, and thus it is impossible to connect the cable 31 of the electric operation unit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an erroneous connection in which the user tries to receive the driving power of the electric operation unit from the mount electric contact.

  Finally, a case where the electrical specifications of the lens apparatus 1 are modified from the mount connection to the cable connection in accordance with the camera specifications will be described. Although the detailed explanation is omitted for the reverse case, it can be similarly modified by following the reverse procedure of the method described below.

  First, a plurality of screws fixing the connector fixing sheet metal 75 are removed. Next, the connector fixing sheet metal 75 is moved into the hollow portion 731 of the connector fixing portion 73A and stored in the connector fixing portion 73A. Thereafter, the connector fixing sheet metal 75 is screwed to the boss 733. Finally, the mechanical plates 77 and 79 are screwed to the hollow portion 731 and the opening 732, respectively, and the hollow portion 731 and the opening 732 are closed.

  As described above, the connector fixing sheet metal 75 can be fixed to the connector fixing portion 73A (lens barrel portion 73) by selecting a fixing posture (fixed position) from a plurality of postures without affecting the lens performance. By doing so, it is possible to change the electrical specifications of the lens device 1 without changing the electrical connection of the connector portion.

  As described above in the present embodiment, the connector 74 configured in the lens body 2 can be configured to be exposed to the outside or housed in accordance with the specifications of the mount electrical contact on the camera side. The electrical connection method of the electric operation unit is clarified. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from erroneously connecting the cable of the electric operation unit to the electric communication unit that cannot be electrically operated. Moreover, since the change of the telecommunication specification of the lens device can be easily changed by simply changing the fixing position of the connector fixing sheet metal, the serviceability at the time of remodeling is excellent.

Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the rear surface of the connector fixing portion 73A in the mount connection in the present embodiment when the mechanical plate 77 is removed, and FIG. It is the rear surface partial enlarged view at the time of doing.

  In the present embodiment, only the parts different from the first example will be described, and the same parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

  The connector fixing sheet metal 8 (intermediate member) in the present embodiment has an L shape, and one flat surface portion 81 of the L shape is the boss of the lens barrel portion 73 on the opening portion 732 side and the other flat surface portion 82 side. It is bent so as to be parallel to the seating surface of 733. A connector 74 can be fixed to the flat portion 81, and a long hole 83 is formed in the flat portion 82 in the screw fastening portion. Therefore, the connector fixing sheet metal 8 can be slid along the elongated hole 83 in a state in which the screw fixing the connector fixing sheet metal 8 to the connector fixing portion 73A is loosened.

  In the case of mount connection (when performing electrical communication using only the mount electrical contact), the connector fixing sheet metal 8 is placed in the elongated hole 83 so that the electrical contact portion of the connector 74 is exposed to the outside of the lens barrel portion 73 (connector fixing portion 73A). Slide to fix.

  On the other hand, in the case of cable connection (when electrical communication is performed other than mounted electrical contacts), the connector fixing sheet metal 8 is slid and fixed in the elongated hole 83 in the direction away from the opening 732. Thereafter, after fixing the connector fixing plate 8, the mechanical plate 79 is screwed to the opening 732.

  By adopting the configuration as described above, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the electrical specification of the lens device 1 can be more easily modified as compared with the first embodiment. Yes.

Hereinafter, a detailed description of the third embodiment of the present invention will be given with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the rear surface of the connector fixing portion 73A in the mount connection in the present embodiment when the mechanical plate 77 is removed, and FIG. It is the rear surface partial enlarged view at the time of doing.

  In the present embodiment, only the parts different from the first and second examples will be described, and the same parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

  The connector fixing sheet metal 9 (intermediate member) in the present embodiment has an L shape, and the connector 74 can be fixed to one flat surface portion 91 of the L shape. In addition, the L-shaped flat portions 91 and 92 of the connector fixing sheet metal 9 are provided with screw holes corresponding to the screw fixing of the opening 732 of the lens barrel portion 73 (connector fixing portion 73A). Since the flat surface portion 92 is a flat plate surface that does not have a structure to which the connector can be fixed, when the flat surface portion 92 is screwed to the opening 732, it functions as a lid that closes the opening 732.

  In the case of mount connection (when performing electrical communication using only the mount electrical contact), screws are fixed in a state where the flat portion 91 to which the connector 74 is fixed is abutted against the opening 732 of the connector fixing portion 73A. The electrical contact portion is exposed on the exterior surface of the lens barrel portion 73 (connector fixing portion 73A).

  On the other hand, in the case of cable connection (when performing electrical communication other than mounted electrical contacts), screws are fixed in a state where the flat portion 92 is abutted against the opening 732 of the connector fixing portion 73A, and the connector 74 is placed inside the hollow portion 731. Store in. In the present embodiment, in the case of cable connection, the opening 732 is closed by the flat portion 92 of the connector fixing sheet metal (L-shaped sheet metal) 9.

  By adopting the configuration as described above, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and a mechanism for closing the opening 732 when the electrical specification of the interchangeable lens is changed as compared with the first embodiment. Since it is not necessary to configure the plate 79, the number of components can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary.

1: Lens device 2: Lens body 7: Mount part 71: Lens mount 72: Electrical contact part 73A: Connector fixing part 74: Connector

Claims (7)

A lens unit that includes a movable optical element and that is detachable from a drive unit that electrically drives the movable optical element, and is detachable from a camera mount unit,
A mount connector portion capable of electrical communication with the camera via a mount portion of the camera to be connected;
A connector part capable of electrical communication with the mount connector part and capable of electrical communication with the drive part;
A connector fixing portion for fixing the connector portion to the lens device;
Have
The connector fixing portion has a structure capable of fixing the connector portion by selecting an exposed state in which the connector portion is exposed on an exterior surface or a storage state in which the connector portion is not exposed on the exterior surface.
A lens device. The camera mount and the detachable lens device
A lens barrel having a movable optical element;
A drive unit detachably attached to the lens barrel, and having a drive means for driving the movable optical element;
Have
The lens barrel portion can be in electrical communication with the mount connector portion, the mount connector portion capable of electrical communication with the camera, and can be in electrical communication with the drive portion via the mount portion of the camera to be connected. A connector part, and a connector fixing part for fixing the connector part to the lens barrel part,
The connector fixing portion has a structure capable of fixing the connector portion by selecting an exposed state in which the connector portion is exposed on the exterior surface or a storage state in which the connector portion is not exposed on the exterior surface.
A lens device.   The lens device according to claim 1, wherein the connector fixing portion has a configuration capable of fixing the connector in a plurality of postures.   The lens device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connector portion is capable of changing a fixing position to the lens barrel portion.   The said connector part is fixed to an intermediate member, This intermediate member has a structure which can be fixed by changing a position with respect to the said connector fixing part, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Lens device. The connector fixing part has a hollow part, an opening part penetrating from the hollow part to the outside of the exterior surface, and a fixing part fixed to the hollow part through a long hole provided in the intermediate member,
In the exposed state, the connector portion is fixed to the fixing portion in a state where the connector portion is exposed to the outside of the exterior surface from the opening portion. In the storage state, the connector portion is stored in the hollow portion from the opening portion. While fixing to the fixing portion, the opening is closed by a closing member,
The lens device according to claim 5, wherein:   The lens apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the intermediate member has a configuration that also serves as a member that closes the opening in the storage state.

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