JP3467091B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image pickup apparatus, when there are two or more actuating systems, such as an aperture variable mechanism and a focal length variable mechanism, which are driven by power from a drive system, a dedicated drive system is provided for each.

However, when a dedicated drive system is installed in each operating system, the number of parts increases, and the image pickup apparatus becomes large in order to secure the installation space for each drive system.
In addition, there is a problem that the cost becomes high.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image pickup apparatus capable of driving a first actuation system and a second actuation system with a single drive system.

[0005]

These objects are achieved by the present invention described in (1) to (5) below.

(1) An image pickup system, a drive system, a first operating system and a second operating system which are driven by power from the drive system, and power from the drive system to the first operating system and An image pickup apparatus comprising: a power transmission unit capable of transmitting to each of the second actuation systems; a solenoid; and an operation unit for operating the solenoid, wherein the power transmission unit is
It has a 1st axis | shaft which comprises the plunger of the said solenoid, The said 1st axis | shaft moves to the longitudinal direction by operation of the said operation part, and the said 1st operating system or the said 2nd operating system. An image pickup apparatus, which is configured to be connected to either one of the above.

(2) The image pickup apparatus according to (1), wherein the first operating system is a diaphragm variable mechanism, and the second operating system is a focal length variable mechanism.

(3) The image pickup apparatus according to (2), wherein the operation section is also used as a switch for activating the focal length varying mechanism.

(4) The diaphragm variable mechanism and the focal length variable mechanism respectively have a second shaft and a third shaft which are arranged coaxially with the first shaft at both ends of the first shaft. And at least the first shaft side end portions of the second shaft and the third shaft are each configured by a magnet,
By the magnetic coupling between the first shaft and the second shaft, the connection state between the power transmission means and the aperture variable mechanism is obtained, and the magnetic coupling between the first shaft and the third shaft. The imaging device according to (2) or (3) above, which is configured to obtain a connection state between the power transmission unit and the focal length varying mechanism.

(5) The rotational force is transmitted from the first shaft to the second shaft by the frictional force due to the attraction between the first shaft and the second shaft, and the friction force is transmitted from the first shaft to the second shaft. The imaging device according to (4) above, which is configured to transmit a rotational force from the first shaft to the third shaft by a frictional force caused by attraction with the third shaft.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image pickup apparatus of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a configuration example of a switching mechanism of the image pickup apparatus of the present invention.
10 and 10 are schematic views showing a state where the first shaft and the third shaft of the switching mechanism are connected, and a state where the first shaft and the second shaft of the switching mechanism are connected, respectively. It is a schematic diagram.

The image pickup apparatus of the present invention comprises a switching mechanism 1 shown in FIG. 1, an image pickup system, a drive system 5, a diaphragm variable mechanism 6, a focal length variable mechanism 7, a control means 18, and an automatic focus not shown. (Autofocus) mechanism, photometry unit, distance measurement unit,
It has a release switch and a recording system. The diaphragm variable mechanism 6 and the focal length variable mechanism 7 are a first operating system and a second operating system, which are driven by the power from the drive system 5, respectively.

The control means 18 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and controls the entire image pickup apparatus such as sequence control, execution of autofocus, and exposure calculation. The photometric unit measures the brightness of the subject and inputs the information to the control means 18. The distance measuring unit measures the distance from the imaging device to the subject by, for example, the active method or the passive method, and inputs the information to the control unit 18.

The release switch is a two-step switch. When the first step of the release switch is turned on, the distance measuring section and the photometric section are operated, and when the second step is turned on, the image pickup system is driven to take a picture.

The automatic focusing mechanism has a motor (not shown) for driving the focusing point. As described above, the distance measuring unit inputs the distance information from the image pickup device to the subject to the control unit 18, and the control unit 18 calculates the distance information based on the distance information.
A command for focusing is sent to the autofocus mechanism. And
In the automatic focusing mechanism, a motor for focusing driving is driven by a predetermined amount in response to this focusing command to drive the lens. Thereby, a focused state is obtained.

The switching mechanism 1 is a mechanism for selectively transmitting the power from the drive system 5 to either the diaphragm variable mechanism 6 or the focal length variable mechanism 7. As shown in FIG. 1, the switching mechanism 1 includes a power transmission means 2 for transmitting the power from the drive system 5 to each of the diaphragm variable mechanism 6 and the focal length variable mechanism 7, a solenoid 40, and an operating section 33. is doing.

The power transmission means 2 in the switching mechanism 1 has a first shaft (hereinafter referred to as shaft) 21 which is movable in the longitudinal direction.
And a gear 24 fixed to the shaft 21. Further, the shaft 21 is the support member 1 in the main body of the image pickup apparatus.
It is rotatably supported by 4 and 15 so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 21. The shaft 21 constitutes a plunger of the solenoid 40 described later. Further, the gear 24 meshes with the gear 51 of the drive system 5.

Further, coaxially with the shaft 21, a second shaft (hereinafter referred to as shaft) 61 composed of a permanent magnet of the diaphragm variable mechanism 6 and a permanent magnet of a focal length variable mechanism 7 are composed. A third shaft (hereinafter, referred to as a shaft) 71 is rotatably supported by support members 16 and 17 inside the main body of the image pickup apparatus.

In this case, the shaft 61 is provided on the support member 15 side,
The shaft 21 is separated from the shaft 21 and, as shown in FIG.
The side is an S pole, and the side opposite to the shaft 21 is an N pole. Further, the shaft 71 is separated from the shaft 21 on the support member 14 side, and as shown in FIG. 9, the shaft 21 side is S-shaped.
The pole and the side opposite to the shaft 21 are arranged so as to be the N pole. Gears 63 and 73 are fixed to the shafts 61 and 71, respectively.

Further, the conical convex portion 22 and the conical concave portion (bottomed hole portion) 62, which are the first fitting portions which can be fitted to each other, are respectively provided on the end faces of the shaft 21 and the shaft 61 which face each other.
Are formed. In addition, a conical convex portion 23 and a conical concave portion (bottomed hole portion) 72, which are second fitting portions that can be fitted to each other, are formed on opposing end surfaces of the shaft 21 and the shaft 71, respectively. ing.

When the shaft 21 moves to the shaft 61 side and the first fitting portion is fitted, that is, as will be described later, the shaft 21
When the shaft 61 and the shaft 61 are magnetically coupled to each other, the power transmission means 2 and the diaphragm variable mechanism 6 are connected to each other. Also, the shaft 21
Is moved to the shaft 71 side and the second fitting portion is fitted, that is, when the shaft 21 and the shaft 71 are magnetically coupled to each other as described later, the power transmission means 2 and the focal length varying mechanism 7 are separated from each other. The connected state is obtained.

The solenoid 40 in the switching mechanism 1 is composed of a core (iron core) 42, a coil (copper wire) 41 wound around the outer circumference of the core 42, and a cover 43 covering the outer circumference of the coil 41. The shape of the core 42 is a hollow column having openings at both ends. The solenoid 40 is fixedly installed in a state in which the shaft 21 which is a plunger is inserted into a hole portion 44 at the center of the solenoid 40.

In this embodiment, the bidirectional solenoid (solenoid magnet) is constructed in this way, and when the coil 41 of the solenoid 40 is energized with a predetermined polarity to be described later, as shown in FIG. 21, the shaft 61 side is the S pole,
The shaft 71 side is magnetized so as to have an N pole, moves to the shaft 71 side, and is coupled to the shaft 71 by magnetic force. When the coil 41 of the solenoid 40 is energized with the opposite polarity to the above,
As shown in 0, the shaft 21 is magnetized so that the shaft 61 side is the N pole and the shaft 71 side is the S pole, and is moved to the shaft 61 side.
It couples with 1 by magnetic force.

The operating portion 33 of the switching mechanism 1 is a switch for operating the solenoid 40 and also serves as a zooming switch for operating the focal length varying mechanism 7.

That is, the operating section 33 is composed of a tele side switch 35 for activating the focal length variable mechanism 7 to the telephoto side and a wide side switch 37 for activating the focal length variable mechanism 7 to the wide angle side, and turns on the tele side switch 35. Then, the motor 52 is driven to rotate in a predetermined direction described later, the shaft 21 starts to rotate, and the solenoid 40 is energized with a predetermined polarity. When the wide side switch 37 is turned on,
The motor 52 is rotationally driven in the opposite direction to the above, the shaft 21 starts to rotate, and the solenoid 40 is energized with the same polarity as described above.

When the tele switch 35 and the wide switch 37 are turned off, the drive of the motor 52 is stopped and the rotation of the shaft 21 is stopped. In this case, when the diaphragm 8 is driven by the diaphragm variable mechanism 6 described later, the motor 52 is driven and the solenoid 40 is energized in the opposite polarity to the above.

When the tele side switch 35 and the wide side switch 37 are not pressed,
The switch is biased to turn off. That is,
Only when the photographer presses the switches 35 and 37, the switches 35 and 37 are turned on. The operation unit 33 is installed outside the imaging device.

As described above, in the image pickup apparatus of this embodiment,
Since the zooming operation and the switching operation by energizing the solenoid 40 can be performed at the same time by the operation, the operation is simplified as compared with the imaging device in which the zooming operation and the switching operation have to be performed separately. Further, since the switching mechanism 1 of the image pickup apparatus has a simple structure and the number of parts of the switching mechanism 1 is relatively small, there is an advantage that disassembling, assembling and testing can be easily performed.

Next, the operation of the switching mechanism 1 described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, when both the tele-side switch 35 and the wide-side switch 37 of the operation unit 33 are in the off state, normally, the shaft 21 and the shaft 61 are in a state of being connected at the first fitting portion. ing.

However, when either one of the telescopic side switch 35 and the wide side switch 37 has been operated and the photographing is not performed (the aperture 8 is not driven), the shaft 21 and the shaft 21 are rotated. 71 is connected to the second fitting portion.

The photographer operates the tele-side switch 35 of the operation unit 33.
When turned on, the motor 52 is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction described later, and the shaft 21 starts to rotate. At the same time, the solenoid 40 is energized with a predetermined polarity to be described later, and the solenoid 40 operates in response to the electrification.
Moves to the shaft 71 side, the connection between the shaft 21 and the shaft 61 is released, and the shaft 21 and the shaft 71 are connected. That is, the protrusion 23 of the shaft 21 and the recess 72 of the shaft 71 are fitted to each other, and the shaft 21 and the shaft 71 are attracted to each other by the magnetic force, so that the power transmission means 2 and the focal length varying mechanism 7 are connected to each other. Is obtained. In this case, the attraction due to the magnetic force causes a frictional force between the convex portion 23 of the shaft 21 and the concave portion 72 of the shaft 71, and the rotational force is transmitted from the shaft 21 to the shaft 71 by this frictional force.

When the photographer turns on the wide side switch 37 of the operation unit 33, the motor 52 is rotationally driven in the opposite direction to the above, and the shaft 21 starts to rotate. Then, as in the case where the tele switch 35 is turned on, the solenoid 4
0 is energized with the same polarity as described above, the solenoid 40 is operated accordingly, the shaft 21 moves to the shaft 71 side, the connection between the shaft 21 and the shaft 61 is disconnected, and the shaft 21 and the shaft 71 are disconnected. Are connected. That is, the protrusion 23 of the shaft 21 and the recess 72 of the shaft 71 are fitted to each other, and the shaft 21 and the shaft 71 are attracted to each other by the magnetic force, so that the power transmission means 2 and the focal length varying mechanism 7 are connected to each other. Is obtained. In this case as well, similarly to the above, the rotational force is transmitted from the shaft 21 to the shaft 71 by the frictional force.

As described above, after the zooming operation is performed by the photographer, the shaft 21 and the shaft 71 are in a state of being connected at the second fitting portion. In this state, when the diaphragm 8 is driven by the diaphragm variable mechanism 6 described later, the motor 52 drives and the shaft 21 starts to rotate.

At the same time, the solenoid 40 is energized with the opposite polarity to that described above, the solenoid 40 is activated accordingly, and the shaft 21 moves to the shaft 61 side.
The shaft 1 and the shaft 71 are disconnected, and the shaft 21 and the shaft 61 are connected. That is, the convex portion 22 of the shaft 21 and the concave portion 62 of the shaft 61 are fitted to each other, and the shaft 21 and the shaft 61 are attracted to each other by the magnetic force, so that the connected state of the power transmission means 2 and the diaphragm variable mechanism 6 is changed. can get. In this case, due to the attraction by the magnetic force, a frictional force is generated between the convex portion 22 of the shaft 21 and the concave portion 62 of the shaft 61, and the rotational force is transmitted from the shaft 21 to the shaft 61 by this frictional force.

Thus, in this embodiment, the solenoid 4
When the shaft 21 moves by 0, the power transmission means 2 and the focal length variable mechanism 7 are connected to each other and the power transmission means 2 and the diaphragm variable mechanism 6 are connected to each other. In comparison with the case of obtaining these connected states,
This has the advantage that the connection switching operation can be performed easily and with good reproducibility.

Further, the surface of the convex portion 22 of the shaft 21 and the surface of the concave portion 62 of the shaft 61 (or the surface of the convex portion 23 of the shaft 21 and the axis of the shaft 21 are attracted by magnetic attraction between the shaft 21 and the shaft 61 (or the shaft 71). A frictional force is generated between the concave portion 71 and the surface of the concave portion 72, and the rotational force is transmitted from the shaft 21 to the shaft 61 (or the shaft 71) by this frictional force. When an overload is applied, the convex portion 22 and the concave portion 62
(Or the contact surfaces of the convex portion 23 and the concave portion 72) slip,
As a result, torque exceeding the allowable range is not transmitted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage and deterioration of gears and the like due to overload.

Further, since the shaft 61 and the shaft 71 are composed of magnets, the current flowing to the coil 41 of the solenoid 40 may be smaller than that of the device in which the shafts 61 and 71 are composed of other than magnets. It is possible to reduce power consumption.

Next, the drive system 5, the diaphragm variable mechanism 6, the focal length variable mechanism 7 and the image pickup system of the image pickup apparatus will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the power transmission means, the drive system, the diaphragm variable mechanism, and the focal length variable mechanism of the image pickup apparatus of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the drive system 5 includes a motor 5
2 and a gear 51 fixed to the shaft 53 of the motor 52. The gear 51 meshes with the gear 24 fixed to the shaft 21 of the power transmission means 2. The gear 5
The width of 1 is wide enough to cover the movement range of the gear 24 accompanying the movement of the shaft 21.

The diaphragm variable mechanism 6 has a shaft 61, a gear 63 fixed to the shaft 61, a gear 64, a second guide bar 66, and a gear 65 fixed to the second guide bar 66. The gear 63 meshes with the gear 64, and the gear 64 meshes with the gear 65.

The second guide bar 66 is rotatably supported inside a cam ring 77 described later. With such a configuration, when the shaft 21 and the shaft 61 are connected to each other, when the motor 52 is driven, the second guide bar 66 rotates in either the forward or reverse direction according to the rotation direction of the motor 52. To do.

The variable focal length mechanism 7 includes a shaft 71, a gear 73 fixed to the shaft 71, a gear 74, a gear 75, and a gear 7.
6 and a cam ring 77. In this case, the gear 7
On the sides of 4, 75 and 76 are gears 74, respectively.
Gears 741, 751 and 761 which rotate coaxially with 75 and 76 and have a smaller diameter than these are joined.

A gear 76 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rear end of the cam ring 77.
A gear 771 meshing with 1 is formed. Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the cam ring 77, a cam groove 772 is formed obliquely with respect to the circumferential direction. The cam ring 77 is rotatably installed.

The gear 73 meshes with the gear 74, the gear 741 meshes with the gear 75, and the gear 751
The gear 761 meshes with the gear 761, and the gear 761 meshes with the gear 771 of the cam ring 77.

With this structure, when the shaft 21 and the shaft 71 are connected to each other, when the motor 52 is driven, the cam ring 77 moves in either forward or reverse direction according to the rotating direction of the motor 52. , And is decelerated and rotated.

As described above, in the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, by installing the switching mechanism 1, it is possible to drive the diaphragm variable mechanism 6 and the focal length variable mechanism 7 with one drive system. Variable mechanism 6 and focal length variable mechanism 7
As compared with an image pickup apparatus in which a dedicated drive system is installed in each of the above, there are advantages that the number of parts is reduced, the entire image pickup apparatus is downsized, and the cost is further reduced.

FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are a plan view, a side view, a rear view and a rear view, respectively, showing examples of the configuration inside and near the cam ring 77. As shown in FIG. 5, the diaphragm (iris stop) 8 includes a plurality of diaphragm blades 81 and a diaphragm drive plate 82 for driving the diaphragm blades 81.
And an initial switch 84, which are installed in the cam ring 77.

A gear (not shown) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the diaphragm drive plate 82, and a projection 83 is formed on the edge of the diaphragm drive plate 82. This diaphragm drive board 82
Is rotated, the aperture blade 81 is driven to change the aperture diameter, and the aperture is set to a predetermined aperture.

The initial switch 84 has a structure in which contacts are contacted by pressing to obtain a signal, and when the aperture is completely closed by the diaphragm blade 81 (hereinafter, the diaphragm is closed). , The projection 8 of the diaphragm drive panel 82
3 is installed at a position where the initial switch 84 can be pressed.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the diaphragm is closed, the initial switch 84 is pressed by the projection 83 of the diaphragm drive plate 82 to turn on. In this case, a signal indicating the ON state is input from the initial switch 84 to the control means 18.

Further, any one of a state in which the aperture is not completely closed by the diaphragm blade 81 and is slightly opened, to a state in which the aperture is completely opened by the diaphragm blade 81 as shown in FIG. In that state (the aperture is open), the initial switch 84 is off.

As shown in FIG. 3, a gear 67 is fixed to the second guide bar 66 installed inside the cam ring 77. The gear 67 meshes with the gear 68. On the side surface of the gear 68, a gear 6 having a smaller diameter than the gear 68 is provided.
81 is coaxially joined. The gear 681 meshes with a gear on the outer circumference of the diaphragm drive plate 82.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the second
The gear 65 fixed to the guide bar 66 meshes with the gear of an encoder 85 having a gear (not shown) on the outer peripheral surface. A photo interrupter 86 that detects the number of rotations (rotation amount) of the encoder 85 is installed near the encoder 85. The encoder 85 is composed of a disk having slits formed at predetermined angular intervals.

With this structure, the second guide bar 6
When 6 rotates, the diaphragm drive plate 82 rotates accordingly, and the diaphragm blades 81 are driven. In this case, the encoder 85, the photo interrupter 86, and the initial switch 84 set a predetermined aperture value. The aperture value is determined by the control unit 18 by performing a predetermined calculation process based on the brightness information of the subject input from the photometric unit.

As shown in FIG. 4, a first guide bar 91 is fixedly installed inside the cam ring 77 in parallel with the second guide bar 66. Further, inside the cam ring 77, a lens group 92 installed in the lens frame 95 and a lens group 93 installed in the lens frame 97 are provided as an imaging system.
The lens group 92 is arranged so as to be on the body side (right side in FIG. 4) of the imaging device.

In this case, the lens frame 95 is movably attached to the second guide bar 66 and the first guide bar 91 so that the second guide bar 66 can rotate.
Further, the lens frame 97 includes the second guide bar 66 and the first guide bar 9 so that the second guide bar 66 can rotate.
1 is movably attached.

A projection 95 is provided on the upper end of the lens frame 95.
1 is formed, and the protrusion 951 is inserted into the cam groove 772 from the inside of the cam ring 77. A projection 971 is formed on the upper end of the lens frame 97, and the projection 971 extends from the inside of the cam ring 77 to the cam groove 7.
It is inserted at 72.

As shown, the diaphragm blades 81,
The diaphragm 8 having the diaphragm drive plate 82 and the initial switch 84 includes the first guide bar 91 and the second guide bar 6.
6 is movably attached and connected to the lens frame 97.

With this structure, when the cam ring 77 rotates, the lens groups 92 and 93 move along the first guide bar 91 and the second guide bar 66, respectively.
The focal length of the image pickup optical system including the lens groups 92 and 93 is set to a predetermined value. Then, the diaphragm 8 and the gear 68 move integrally with the movement of the lens group 93.

As described above, the gear 67 that does not move
Since the gear 68 meshing with the gear moves along with the lens group 93, the width of the gear 68 is wide enough to cover the movement range of the gear 68 due to the movement of the lens group 93.

Here, when the tele switch 35 is turned on, the lens groups 92 and 93 move so that the lens group 92 and the lens group 93 approach each other. When the wide side switch 37 is turned on, the lens groups 92 and 93 move so that the lens group 92 and the lens group 93 are separated from each other. When both the tele-side switch 35 and the wide-side switch 37 are off, the lens groups 92 and 93 do not move and the predetermined focal length is maintained.

The image pickup system is composed of a lens group 92, a lens group 93, a diaphragm 8, a solid-state image pickup device (CCD) 98, a drive circuit (not shown) for driving the CCD 98, etc. shown in FIG.

In such an image pickup system, the image of the subject is passed through the lens group 93, the aperture of the diaphragm 8, the lens group 92, etc.
Image on CD98. In this case, when the release switch is pressed to complete the accumulation of charges in the CCD 98, thereafter, the image signal from the CCD 98 is recorded in a memory, a magnetic disk (magnetic recording medium) or the like by a recording system (not shown).

Next, the drive circuit for driving the motor 52 of the drive system 5 of the image pickup device and the solenoid 40 of the switching device 1.
A drive circuit for operating the will be described. FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of a drive circuit for the motor 52 and the solenoid 40. As shown in the figure, the drive circuit of the motor 52 includes PNP-type transistors 101 and 102,
It has NPN type transistors 103 and 104.

Each of the transistors 101 to 104 is connected to the grounded emitter, the collector of the transistor 101 is connected to the collector of the transistor 103, and the collector of the transistor 102 is connected to the collector of the transistor 104. Has been done. In this case, both terminals of the motor 52 are connected to the nodes 111 and 112, respectively.

The power supply voltage V _CC is applied to the emitters of the transistors 101 and 102, respectively. The emitters of the transistors 103 and 104 are grounded to the body of the image pickup device.

The bases of the transistors 101 to 104 are connected to the control circuit 18 by lines A, B, C and D, respectively. On the other hand, the drive circuit of the solenoid 40 includes PNP type transistors 105 and 106 and NPN type transistors 107 and 10.
8 and.

Each of the transistors 105 to 108 is connected to the grounded emitter, and the collector of the transistor 105 and the collector of the transistor 107 are connected to each other, and the collector of the transistor 106 and the collector of the transistor 108 are connected to each other. Has been done. In this case, both terminals of the coil 41 of the solenoid 40 are connected to the nodes 113 and 114, respectively.

The power supply voltage V _CC is applied to the emitters of the transistors 105 and 106, respectively. The emitters of the transistors 107 and 108 are grounded to the body of the image pickup device. The bases of the transistors 105 to 108 are connected to the control circuit 18 by lines E, F, G and H, respectively.
It is connected to the.

Next, the operation of this drive circuit will be described. The following Table 1 shows that when the diaphragm variable mechanism 6 and the focal length variable mechanism 7 are driven, the transistors 101 to 1 are transmitted from the control means 18 via the lines A to H of the drive circuit.
The signal input between the base and the emitter of No. 08 is shown.

[0071]

[Table 1]

As shown in Table 1, when the tele-side switch 35 of the operation unit 33 is turned on, the control means 18
From each of the lines A to H, a high level signal (hereinafter, referred to as H signal) and a low level signal (hereinafter, referred to as L signal).
Signal), H signal, L signal, H signal, L signal, H signal and L signal are input.

With each of these signals, the transistor 10
1 is off, 102 is on, 103 is on, 104 is off, 105 is off, 106 is on, 107 is on, 10
8 turns off. As a result, the node 11 is connected to the motor 52.
The electric current is supplied from 2 to 111, and the motor 52 rotates in the above-described predetermined direction.

Further, the solenoid 40 is energized in the direction from the node 114 to the direction 113, and as shown in FIG.
Is magnetized so that the shaft 61 side is the S pole and the shaft 71 side is the N pole, moves to the shaft 71 side, and is coupled to the shaft 71 by magnetic force.

When the wide side switch 37 of the operating section 33 is turned on, the lines A to H from the control means 18 are controlled.
To the L signal, the H signal, the L signal, the H signal, the H signal, the L signal, the H signal, and the L signal, respectively.

With each of these signals, the transistor 10
1 is on, 102 is off, 103 is off, 104 is on, 105 is off, 106 is on, 107 is on, 10
8 turns off. As a result, the node 11 is connected to the motor 52.
Power is supplied in the 1 to 112 direction, and the motor 52 rotates in the opposite direction.

Further, the solenoid 40 is energized in the direction from the node 114 to the direction 113, and as shown in FIG.
Is magnetized so that the shaft 61 side is the S pole and the shaft 71 side is the N pole, moves to the shaft 71 side, and is coupled to the shaft 71 by magnetic force.

When the diaphragm blades 81 of the diaphragm 8 are driven in the closing direction, the H signal, the L signal, the H signal, the L signal, the L signal, and the H signal are supplied from the control means 18 to the lines A to H, respectively. , L signal and H signal are input. With these signals, the transistor 101 is turned off, 102 is turned on, and 1
03 is on, 104 is off, 105 is on, 106 is off, 107 is off, and 108 is on. As a result, the motor 52 is energized in the direction from the node 112 to the direction 111.
The motor 52 rotates in the same direction as when the tele switch 35 is turned on.

Further, the solenoid 40 is energized in the direction from the node 113 to 114, and as shown in FIG.
Is magnetized so that the shaft 61 side is the N pole and the shaft 71 side is the S pole, moves to the shaft 61 side, and is coupled to the shaft 61 by magnetic force.

When the diaphragm blades 81 of the diaphragm 8 are driven in the opening direction, the control means 18 supplies L signals, H signals, L signals, H signals, L signals, and H signals to the lines A to H, respectively. , L signal and H signal are input.

With each of these signals, the transistor 10
1 is on, 102 is off, 103 is off, 104 is on, 105 is on, 106 is off, 107 is off, 10
8 turns on. As a result, the node 11 is connected to the motor 52.
Power is supplied in the 1 to 112 direction, and the motor 52 rotates in the opposite direction.

Further, the solenoid 40 is energized in the direction from the node 113 to 114, and as shown in FIG.
Is magnetized so that the shaft 61 side is the N pole and the shaft 71 side is the S pole, moves to the shaft 61 side, and is coupled to the shaft 61 by magnetic force.

Next, the operation of the above-described image pickup apparatus at the time of shooting will be described. When driving the variable focal length mechanism 7 to the telephoto side, the photographer turns on the tele switch 35 of the operation unit 33. As a result, the shaft 21 and the shaft 7
1, the motor 52 of the drive system 5 is driven, the shaft 53 of the motor 52 rotates in a predetermined direction, and the lens groups 92 and 93 move to the telephoto side.

When the variable focal length mechanism 7 is driven to the wide angle side, the photographer turns on the wide side switch 37 of the operation unit 33. As a result, the shaft 21 and the shaft 71 are connected to each other, the motor 52 of the drive system 5 is driven, and the shaft 53 of the motor 52 rotates in the direction opposite to that when the tele switch 35 is turned on. 92 and 93 move to the wide-angle side.

When the switches 35 and 37 of the operating section 33 are released, the switches 35 and 37 are turned off. As a result, the motor 52 of the drive system 5
Is stopped, and the movement of the lens groups 92 and 93 is stopped.

After the focal length is determined in this way, when the photographer turns on the first step of the release switch, the distance measuring unit and the photometric unit are driven. Then, the aperture value is determined by calculation.

Then, when the second stage of the release switch is turned on, the motor 52 of the drive system 5 is driven and the shaft 2
1 and the shaft 61 are connected, whereby the diaphragm variable mechanism 6 is driven, and the diaphragm 8 is set to a predetermined diaphragm.

After the aperture setting is completed, the CCD of the image pickup system
98 is driven to take an image. During this shoot,
An electric charge is accumulated in the CCD 98 only for a predetermined time by the driving circuit of the CCD 98. That is, a so-called electronic shutter operates.

After the charge accumulation (exposure) to the CCD 98 is completed, the image signal from the CCD 98 is recorded by the recording system. Then, the motor 52 of the drive system 5 is driven again, and thereby the diaphragm variable mechanism 6 is driven, and the diaphragm 8 is closed.

Next, of the operations of the image pickup apparatus at the time of shooting, the operation of the diaphragm 8 will be described in detail.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the diaphragm during shooting. Hereinafter, description will be given based on this flowchart. When the second step of the release switch is turned on during shooting (step 201), the initial switch 8 of the diaphragm 8
It is determined whether or not 4 is turned on (step 20).
2).

When it is determined in step 202 that the initial switch 84 is on, the motor 52 of the drive system 5 is driven in the opening direction of the diaphragm 8. In this case, from the time when the initial switch 84 is turned off, the number of pulses input from the photo interrupter 86 is counted, and when the N pulses are counted, the driving of the motor 52 is stopped (step 204). The N is a value corresponding to an appropriate aperture value and is an arbitrary natural number.

If it is determined in step 202 that the initial switch 84 is off, the motor 52 of the drive system 5 is driven in the closing direction of the aperture 8 until the initial switch 84 is turned on (step). 20
3).

After the initial switch 84 is turned on, the motor 52 is driven in the opening direction of the diaphragm 8. In this case, similarly to the above, from the time when the initial switch 84 is turned off, the number of pulses input from the photo interrupter 86 is counted, and when N pulses are counted, the driving of the motor 52 is stopped (step 204).

After step 204, that is, when the aperture setting is completed (step 205), the CCD 98 of the image pickup system
Accumulation of electric charge on the After the charge accumulation in the CCD 98 is completed (step 206), the diaphragm 8 is closed.
The motor 52 of the drive system 5 is driven. In this case, the drive of the motor 52 is stopped when the initial switch 84 is turned on (step 207). Thus, the program related to the diaphragm 8 is completed.

In the present embodiment, the first operating system is the diaphragm variable mechanism 6 and the second operating system is the focal length variable mechanism 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other than this, for example,
The first operating system may be configured as an automatic focusing mechanism and the second operating system may be configured as a focal length varying mechanism.

Further, in this embodiment, the switching mechanism 1 is the same as that shown in FIG.
Power transmission means 2, solenoid 40, and operation unit 3 shown in FIG.
However, the switching mechanism of the image pickup apparatus of the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, in the present embodiment, the operation section 33 is composed of button type switches 35 and 37 which are pressed, but in the present invention, an operation lever for sliding operation or an operation lever for rotating operation is installed. The operation unit may be configured such that the tele-side switch and the wide-side switch can be switched on / off respectively via this lever.

Further, in this embodiment, the shaft 21 of the power transmission means 2 is configured to be selectively connected to either the shaft 61 of the diaphragm variable mechanism 6 or the shaft 71 of the focal length variable mechanism 7. However, in the present invention, in addition to the state where the shaft 21 is connected to the shaft 61 and the state where the shaft 21 is connected to the shaft 71, the shaft 21 is not connected to either the shaft 61 or the shaft 71. It may be configured to be in a state (neutral state).

In this case, for example, when the photographer turns on either the tele side switch 35 or the wide side switch 37, the shaft 21 is connected to the shaft 71, and both switches 35 and 37 are connected. When turned off, the shaft 21 is configured to be located at a position (neutral position) in which neither the shaft 61 nor the shaft 71 is coupled. Similarly, when the diaphragm 8 is driven, the diaphragm 8
The shaft 21 is connected to the shaft 61 when driving, and the shaft 21 is configured to be in the neutral position after the driving of the diaphragm 8 is completed.

Further, in this embodiment, the switching mechanism 1 is constructed by using the bidirectional solenoid, but in the present invention,
The switching mechanism may be configured by using various solenoids such as a unidirectional solenoid and a rotary solenoid in addition to the bidirectional solenoid.

The image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes, for example, a compact camera, a single-lens reflex camera, a video camera, a still video camera and the like, and a first operation system and a second operation system such as an aperture variable mechanism and a focal length variable mechanism. As long as it has it, it may be applied to any imaging device. The image pickup apparatus of the present invention has been described above based on the illustrated configuration example, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0102]

As described above, according to the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, one driving system drives the first operating system and the second operating system that are driven by the power from the driving system. Therefore, as compared with the case where a dedicated drive system is installed in each operating system, the number of parts such as a motor is reduced, the image pickup apparatus is downsized, and the cost can be reduced.

Moreover, the switching mechanism of the image pickup device includes the first shaft (plunger), the gear fixed to the first shaft, the solenoid installed around the first shaft, and the operating section. Since it is configured with, the configuration of the switching mechanism is simple,
Moreover, the switching mechanism itself is compact. As a result, in the present invention, the space for installing the switching mechanism is small, which is very advantageous for downsizing the entire image pickup apparatus.

In addition, since the structure of the switching mechanism is simple and the number of parts of the switching mechanism is relatively small, it is possible to easily perform assembly and testing. Further, according to the present invention, the photographer only operates the operation section to operate the solenoid, and the first shaft of the power transmission means operates in the first operation system or the second operation system.
Since it is connected to either one of the operating systems described above, the connection switching operation can be performed easily and with good reproducibility, as compared with a case where a human force is mechanically applied to obtain these connected states.

In the case where the first operating system is the variable aperture mechanism and the second operating system is the variable focal length mechanism, the operating portion of the switching mechanism also serves as a switch for activating the variable focal length mechanism. In such a case, the zooming operation and the switching operation can be performed by one operation, so that the operations are simplified as compared with the image pickup apparatus in which the zooming operation and the switching operation have to be performed separately.

Further, the first shaft and the third shaft of the power transmission means are connected to each other by the magnetic force to connect the power transmission means and the first operating system. In the configuration in which the power transmission means and the second actuation system are connected by magnetic force coupling with and the rotational force is transmitted by frictional force, even if an overload is applied to the driving side and the driven side, Only slippage will occur, which can prevent damage and deterioration of gears.

Further, in this case, as compared with a device in which the second shaft and the third shaft are composed of other than magnets, a smaller amount of current may be passed through the coil of the solenoid, and power can be reduced accordingly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a configuration example of a switching mechanism of an image pickup apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a power transmission unit, a drive system, a diaphragm variable mechanism, and a focal length variable mechanism of the image pickup apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration example of the inside of the cam ring and the vicinity of the cam ring in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a configuration example of the inside and the vicinity of the cam ring in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a rear view showing a configuration example of the inside and the vicinity of the cam ring in the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a rear view showing a configuration example of the inside and the vicinity of the cam ring in the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of a drive circuit of a drive system motor and a solenoid in the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the diaphragm during shooting according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the first shaft and the third shaft of the switching mechanism according to the present invention are connected.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the first shaft and the second shaft of the switching mechanism of the present invention are connected.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Switching mechanism 2 power transmission means 21 First axis 22, 23 convex 24 gears 33 Operation part 35 Tele switch 37 Wide switch 40 solenoid 41 coils 42 core 43 cover 44 hole 5 drive system 51 gears 52 motor 53 axes 6 Aperture variable mechanism 61 Second axis 62 recess 63-65 gears 66 Second guide bar 7 Variable focal length mechanism 71 Third axis 72 recess 73, 74, 741 gears 75, 751, 76, 761 Gears 77 Cam ring 771 gear 772 cam groove 8 apertures 81 diaphragm blades 82 Aperture drive board 83 protrusions 84 initial switch 85 encoder 86 Photointerrupter 91 First guide bar 92, 93 lens group 95, 97 lens frame 951, 971 protrusion 98 Solid-state image sensor (CCD) 14 to 17 support member 18 Control means 101-108 transistors 111-114 nodes 201-207 steps

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 5/225 G02B 7/04 G02B 7/08 G02B 7/09 G03B 9/02

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An imaging system, a drive system, a first operating system and a second operating system that are driven by power from the drive system, and power from the drive system to the first operating system and the An image pickup apparatus comprising: a power transmission unit capable of transmitting to each of the second actuation systems; a solenoid; and an operation unit for operating the solenoid, wherein the power transmission unit constitutes a plunger of the solenoid. A first shaft, and the first shaft moves in the longitudinal direction thereof by the operation of the operation unit, and is connected to either the first operation system or the second operation system. An imaging device characterized by being provided. 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first operating system is a diaphragm variable mechanism, and the second operating system is a focal length variable mechanism. 3. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the operation unit also serves as a switch for activating the focal length variable mechanism. 4. The diaphragm variable mechanism and the focal length variable mechanism are respectively provided at both ends of the first shaft with the first
A second shaft and a third shaft arranged coaxially with the first shaft, and at least the first shaft of the second shaft and the third shaft.
Each of the shaft-side end portions thereof is formed of a magnet, and a coupling state between the power transmission means and the diaphragm variable mechanism is obtained by the magnetic coupling between the first shaft and the second shaft, 4. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the power transmission means and the focal length varying mechanism are connected to each other by a magnetic coupling between the first shaft and the third shaft. 5. A rotational force is transmitted from the first shaft to the second shaft by a frictional force generated by adsorption of the first shaft and the second shaft, and the first shaft and the second shaft are transmitted. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the rotational force is transmitted from the first shaft to the third shaft by a frictional force caused by attraction with the third shaft.