JP3322158B2 - camera - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera provided with a reflection mirror in front of a taking lens.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Among conventional cameras, an electronic camera has a large degree of freedom in layout since an entire image pickup unit including a photographing optical system and a photoelectric conversion element as an image pickup means is small. However, at the time of photographing, the image pickup unit must face the direction of the subject, so that the degree of freedom cannot always be fully utilized. In particular, in the case of a camera whose shooting direction is the thinnest direction of the camera body, the distance between the shooting optical system and the photoelectric conversion element needs to be a certain distance or more. It cannot be thinner than a certain level. In view of this, there is a type in which a reflecting mirror that covers the angle of view is provided in front of the imaging optical system so as to bend the imaging light beam (see, for example, JP-A-55-631 and JP-A-3-227181). With such a configuration, the imaging unit does not always need to be oriented in the direction of the subject. For example, the imaging optical system and the photoelectric conversion element can be arranged perpendicularly to the imaging direction. Has a greater degree of freedom.

[0003]

However, in a camera provided with a reflection mirror that covers the angle of view in front of the above-described photographing optical system, the size of the mirror itself becomes large. There was a problem that would be.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and a reflecting mirror for bending a light beam incident on a photographing optical system at the time of photographing is housed during non-photographing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera capable of reducing the size of a camera body during non-shooting while utilizing the degree of freedom in arrangement.

[0005]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing optical system for forming an image of a subject, and an image pickup means for photographing an image formed through the photographing optical system. In a camera in which the thinnest direction of the camera body is oriented in the photographing direction, the photographing optical system and the photographing means are arranged substantially perpendicular to the photographing direction, and the photographing optical system is disposed on the object side of the photographing optical system. In addition to providing a reflecting mirror for bending the light beam incident on the system, the reflecting mirror is stored when the camera is not used, and is connected to the storing operation for storing the reflecting mirror.
Moving the imaging optical system or imaging means to the optical axis of the imaging optical system
It has driving means for driving in the direction .

In the above arrangement, at the time of photographing, the light beam incident on the photographing optical system is bent by the reflecting mirror, and light from the subject enters the photographing optical system and the image pickup means arranged substantially perpendicular to the photographing direction. For this reason, in a camera in which the thinnest direction of the camera body is oriented in the photographing direction, the necessary distance between the photographing optical system and the image pickup means can be set in the vertical direction, so that the photographing of the camera body can be performed. The thickness in the direction can be made smaller. Further, at the time of non-shooting (when the camera is not used), the reflecting mirror can be stored and the width in the vertical direction can be shortened .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the camera according to the first aspect, wherein the imaging means is a photoelectric conversion element.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the camera according to the first or second aspect, wherein the reflection mirror is housed so as to hide the photographing optical system. With this configuration, it is possible to protect the photographing optical system with a reflecting mirror when not photographing (when the camera is not used).

[0009]

An electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG.
(A), (b) and (c) are a perspective view of the electronic camera according to the present embodiment at the time of shooting, a non-photographing state (when not in use), and a right side view at the time of shooting. In these figures, the electronic camera 1
The camera body 2 has a flat shape with the thinnest direction of the camera body 2 facing the shooting direction, and includes an imaging unit 3 on the right side in front view. The camera body 2 has a power switch 4, a shutter button 5, a finder 6, and the like. The imaging unit 3 has a reflection mirror 7 on its upper part for bending a light beam from a subject and an opening / closing door 8 for holding the reflection mirror 7.
A photographing lens 9 for forming an image of the light reflected by the reflection mirror 7 and a lens holding tube 10 for holding the same are provided below the opening / closing lid 8. A CCD 11 (imaging) is provided below the lens holding tube 10. Block 1 having means)
2 are arranged. One end of the opening / closing door 8 is supported by the camera body 2 and is configured to be openable and closable up and down.
The CCD block 12 includes a CCD 11 that converts an image formed through the photographing lens 9 into an electric signal, a silicon base 12a, and a mount 12b that holds the silicon base.

In the above configuration, in the non-photographing state, FIG.
As shown in (b), the opening and closing door 8 is in a closed state, and the light beam from the subject does not enter the photographing lens 9. When switching from the non-shooting state to the shooting state, FIG.
As shown in (c), the opening and closing door 8 is opened upward. With this operation, the light flux from the subject enters the reflection mirror 7,
This light beam is reflected by the reflection mirror 7, bends downward, enters the imaging lens 9, and forms an image on the CCD 11.
For this reason, the required distance between the photographing lens 9 and the CCD 11 can be set in the vertical direction, so that the thickness of the camera body 2 in the photographing direction can be reduced, and the imaging unit using the reflection mirror 7 can be used. 3. The degree of freedom in configuration can be utilized. Conversely, when switching from the shooting state to the non-shooting state, the opening and closing door 8 is closed downward. By this operation, the opening / closing door 8 including the reflection mirror 7 is housed inside the camera body 2, and the reflection mirror 7, the photographing lens 9 and the CCD 11
The luminous flux from the subject does not enter the camera.

As described above, in the electronic camera 1 according to the present embodiment, the opening / closing door 8 having the reflecting mirror 7 for bending the light beam from the subject at the time of shooting is switched from the shooting state to the non-shooting state. , The size of the camera body 2 during non-shooting can be reduced, and the opening / closing door 8 can protect the shooting lens 9.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the electronic camera 1. The electronic camera 1 includes a control CPU 13. The CPU 13 detects a signal from the release switch 5a that is turned on when the shutter button 5 is pressed when the power switch 4 is turned on and the photographing is enabled,
The information of the image formed on the CCD 11 is received as an electric signal and recorded on the storage device 14.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are a rear perspective view and a front perspective view of the electronic camera 1 according to the second embodiment during non-photographing and non-photographing, respectively. FIG. FIGS. 5A and 5B are vertical cross-sectional views of the imaging unit 3 during non-shooting and shooting. In these drawings, members equivalent to those described above are given the same reference numerals. The electronic camera 1 according to the second embodiment has a liquid crystal finder 21 on the back side of the camera body 2 instead of the finder 6 of the first embodiment. Further, by moving the reflection mirror 7 housed on the back surface of the imaging unit 3 upward during photographing, the guide bars 22 and 23 provided on the left and right sides of the imaging unit 3 rotate counterclockwise in FIG. The lens holding cylinder 25 moves upward, and the lens holding cylinder 25 protrudes upward.

In the image pickup unit 3, the lens holding tube 25 has a rectangular tube shape and holds the photographing lens 9 in the center of the front surface. The case 26 of the unit 3 has a rectangular tube shape, and slides the lens holding tube 25 up and down by fitting a slide piece 25a of the lens holding tube 25 into a slide groove 26c provided as a pair on the inner wall thereof. The CCD is held in a free state, and includes a CCD 11 on the inner wall of the bottom plate.
The package 12 is fixed. A side plate 27 is joined to one side opening surface of the case 26.

The pair of guide bars 22 and 23 have the hooks 22b of the guide bar 22 fitted into holes 27a provided in the side plate 27, and the hooks 23b of the guide bar 23 are provided in the case 26. By fitting into the hole 26a,
It is connected to the case 26 and the side plate 27. The reflection mirror 7 and the lens holding tube 25 can be linked via the guide bars 22 and 23 and the pins 28 and 29. Specifically, hooking pieces 7c provided on the left and right ends of the reflection mirror 7,
7b are inserted into the holes 22a of the guide bar 22 and the holes 23a of the guide bar 23, respectively.
The pin 29 is slidably fitted into the guide hole 26b of the case 26 with the pin 29 inserted into the hole 23c of the guide bar 23. Thus, when the reflection mirror 7 is moved upward, the pins 28 and 29
b and 27b are slid upward, and the lens holding cylinder 25 is slid.
The lens holding cylinder 25 is lifted up in contact with the lower surface of the lens holder.

In the above configuration, in the non-photographing state shown in FIG. 5A, the lens holding cylinder 25 is housed in the case 26, the reflection mirror 7 is housed in the concave portion 26d of the case 26, and the photographing lens 9 and the CCD 11 have the front object. In this state, the light beam from the camera does not enter, and the distance between the photographing lens 9 and the CCD 11 is less than the required distance. When switching from the non-shooting state to the shooting state, the reflection mirror 7 is rotated in the illustrated counterclockwise direction. By this operation, the guide bars 22 and 23 also rotate counterclockwise, and accordingly, the pins 28 and 29 slide in the guide holes 27b and 26b in the same direction. At this time, the pins 28 and 29 slide on the lower surface of the lens holding
5 is lifted upward, the slide piece 25a of the lens holding tube 25 moves upward in the slide groove 26c, and the lens holding tube 25 is protruded above the case 26. In the photographing state shown in FIG. 5B, the light beam from the subject is reflected by the mirror surface 7a and is bent, enters the photographing lens 9, and forms an image on the CCD 11. Further, since the photographing lens 9 protrudes upward, the distance between the photographing lens 9 and the CCD 11 satisfies the required distance. The cut surface 25b at the upper rear end of the lens holding cylinder 25 is provided to stabilize the mirror surface 7a at an angle at which a light beam from an object is bent at a substantially right angle during photographing. 25b
By moving the camera in the range up to contact with the camera, the photographing range can be finely adjusted up and down.

Conversely, when switching from the photographing state to the non-photographing state, the reflecting mirror 7 is rotated clockwise in the drawing. With this operation, the lens holding cylinder 25 moves in the opposite direction to that described above, and the reflection mirror 7 is placed in the case 26.
Of the photographing lens 9 and the CCD 11
Is in a state where the light flux from the front subject does not enter.

As described above, in the second embodiment,
The lens holding barrel 25 is housed inside the imaging unit 3 from outside in conjunction with the housing of the reflection mirror 7 in the recess 26d, so that the thickness of the camera body 2 in the shooting direction during non-shooting can be reduced. Since the width in the vertical direction can be reduced, it is easy to reduce the size of the camera body 2 during non-shooting.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are a rear perspective view and a front perspective view of the electronic camera 1 according to the third embodiment at the time of non-photographing and non-photographing. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the image pickup unit 3 of the electronic camera 1. FIGS. 8A and 8B are vertical cross-sectional views of the imaging unit 3 during non-shooting and shooting. In these drawings, members equivalent to those described above are given the same reference numerals. In the electronic camera 1 according to the third embodiment, the guide mirrors 31 and 32 provided on the left and right sides of the imaging unit 3 are moved by moving the reflection mirror 7 housed on the back surface of the imaging unit 3 upward during shooting. Rotates counterclockwise in FIG.
In conjunction with this, the CCD holding cylinder 33 is structured to protrude downward.

In the image pickup unit 3, the side plate 34 and the case 35 constitute a housing of the image pickup unit 3, and a lens holding tube 10 for holding the photographing lens 9 is accommodated therein. CCD holding cylinder 33 holding CCD package 12
Is stored inside the case 35 when not photographing, and protrudes below the case 35 when photographing. Reflection mirror 7
Has a mirror surface 7a, and engages engaging pieces 7c and 7b provided on left and right ends thereof with holes 31a of the guide bar 31 and holes 32a of the guide bar 32, respectively. By fitting the piece 31b into the hole 34a of the side plate 34 and the locking piece 32b of the guide bar 32 into the hole 35a of the case 35, the reflection mirror 7 can be connected to the side plate 34 and the case 35 via the guide bars 31 and 32. To be freely rotatable. The reflection mirror 7 is housed inside the case 35 when not photographing, and is used by being rotated above the imaging unit 3 when photographing.

The reflection mirror 7 is provided on the guide bar 3.
1, 32 and guide bars 36, 37 connected to them,
It is connected to the CCD holding cylinder 33 via 38 and 39.
That is, the engaging piece 36a of the guide bar 36 is engaged from the inside of the side plate 34 with the engaging piece 31b of the guide bar 31 fitted from the outside into the hole 34a of the side plate 34, and then provided on the guide bar 36. Insert the pin 36b into the hole 3 of the guide bar 37
7a, and a pin 37b of the guide bar 37.
Into a hole 33b provided on the inner side wall of the CCD holding cylinder 33. A guide bar 38 is attached to a hook 32b of the guide bar 32 fitted into the hole 35a of the case 35 from the outside.
Is engaged from the inside of the case 35, and a pin 38b provided on the guide bar 38 is fitted into a hole 39a of the guide bar 39.
The pin 39b is fitted into a hole 33a provided on the inner side wall of the CCD holding cylinder 33.

In the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 8A, in the non-photographing state, the CCD holding cylinder 33 is
5, the reflection mirror 7 is housed in the concave portion 35 b of the case 35, and the luminous flux from the front subject does not enter the photographic lens 9 and the CCD 11.
The distance between the CDs 11 is less than the required distance. When switching from the non-shooting state to the shooting state, the reflection mirror 7 is rotated in the illustrated counterclockwise direction. By this operation, the guide bars 31 and 36 are moved to
6b, the pin 36b of the guide bar 36 and the hole 37a of the guide bar 37 move downward.
The CCD holding tube 33 connected to the case 35 protrudes below the case 35. At this time, the guide bars 32, 38, and 39 have the same function on the opposite sides of the guide bars 31, 36, and 37, and move the CCD holding cylinder 33 to the lower side of the case 35.

In the photographing state shown in FIG. 8B, the reflection mirror 7 is rotated to a position above the image pickup unit 3, and the light beam from the subject is reflected and bent by the mirror surface 7a. Incident, CCD11
It comes to form an image on top. Further, since the CCD holding cylinder 33 projects downward, the distance between the photographing lens 9 and the CCD 11 satisfies the required distance. The cut surface 35c at the upper rear edge of the case 35 is provided for the same purpose as the cut surface 25b of the lens holding cylinder 25 according to the second embodiment, and the mirror surface 7a is cut to the cut surface 35.
By moving within the range up to contact with c, the shooting range can be finely adjusted up and down.

Conversely, when switching from the photographing state to the non-photographing state, the reflecting mirror 7 is rotated in the illustrated counterclockwise direction. By this operation, the CCD holding cylinder 33 moves in the opposite direction to the above, and the reflection mirror 7 is placed in the case 35.
Of the photographic lens 9 and the CCD 11
Is in a state where the light flux from the front subject does not enter.

As described above, in the third embodiment,
In conjunction with the storage of the reflection mirror 7 in the recess 35b, the CCD
Since the holding cylinder 33 is housed inside the imaging unit 3 from the outside, the thickness of the camera body 2 in the shooting direction during non-shooting can be reduced, and the width in the vertical direction can be shortened. It is easy to reduce the size of the camera body 2 at the time.

The present invention is not limited to the above three embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the electronic camera 1 according to the above-described second and third embodiments, shooting is performed by moving the mirror surface 7a in a range until the mirror surface 7a comes into contact with the cut surface 25b of the lens holding cylinder 25 or the cut surface 35c of the case 35. Although the range has been finely adjusted up and down, the mirror surface 7a may be in contact with the cut surface 25b or 35c, and the photographing may be performed only when the mirror surface 7a is placed on the case 35.

[0027]

As described above, according to the camera according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the reflecting mirror for bending the light beam from the subject at the time of photographing is housed inside the camera body at the time of non-photographing. And store the reflection mirror.
The photographing optical system or photographing means is photographed in conjunction with the
To have a driving means for driving the optical axis of the projection optical system. For this reason, at the time of photographing, it is possible to use a reflecting mirror to bend the light beam incident on the photographing optical system, and to take the necessary distance between the photographing optical system and the imaging means in the vertical direction,
The thickness of the camera body in the shooting direction can be reduced,
Further, at the time of non-photographing, the reflecting mirror can be housed and the width in the vertical direction can be shortened, so that the size of the camera body at the time of non-photographing can be reduced.

According to the camera of the third aspect of the present invention, the reflecting mirror is stored so as to hide the photographing optical system during non-photographing. It becomes possible to protect by the member.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1A and 1B show an appearance of an electronic camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG.
(C) is a front view right side view at the time of non-shooting (when not in use) and during shooting, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the electronic camera.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show an electronic camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 3A is a rear perspective view during non-photographing, and FIG.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an imaging unit of the electronic camera.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are longitudinal sectional views of the image pickup unit of the electronic camera at the time of non-photographing and at the time of photographing, respectively.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show an electronic camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 6A is a rear perspective view during non-shooting, and FIG. 6B is a front perspective view during shooting.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an imaging unit of the electronic camera.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are vertical cross-sectional views of the imaging unit during non-shooting and shooting, respectively.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic camera 2 Camera body (camera body) 7 Reflection mirror 9 Photographing lens (photographing optical system) 11 CCD (photoelectric conversion element)

Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Matsumoto 2-3-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-3-153174 (JP, A) JP-A-Hei 6-95006 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03B 17/04 G03B 11/04 G03B 19/00

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An imaging system for imaging a subject, and imaging means for imaging an image formed through the imaging optical system, wherein a direction in which the thickness of the camera body is thinnest is the imaging direction. In the camera, the photographing optical system and the imaging means are disposed substantially perpendicular to the photographing direction, and a reflecting mirror that bends a light beam incident on the photographing optical system is provided on the object side of the photographing optical system, and when the camera is not used. the reflection mirror is accommodated, the reflection Mi
Optics or a photographic optical system linked to the storage operation
Is driving means for driving the imaging means in the optical axis direction of the photographing optical system.
Camera, characterized in that it comprises a. 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein said imaging means is a photoelectric conversion element. 3. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the reflection mirror is housed so as to hide the photographing optical system.