JP3839312B2 - Pop-up flash - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pop-up flash mounted on a camera.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When shooting with a camera, if the field brightness does not reach a predetermined value, a flash is emitted, and a sufficient amount of light is given to the film by illuminating the field. Some flashes equipped with a flash light emitting unit that emits such flash light are built into the camera and the flash light emitting unit pops up from the main body or the camera only when performing flash light emission. This is called pop-up flash. This pop-up flash is used in a pop-up state, otherwise it is stored in the main body or the camera.
[0003]
Some of such pop-up flashes are provided with a biasing member that automatically shifts the flash light emitting section from the housed state to the pop-up state. That is, in the housed state, the biasing force of the biasing member for automatically shifting to the pop-up state is locked, and the posture is changed to the pop-up state by releasing this lock. However, in such a pop-up flash, the flash light emitting unit pops up from the main body or the camera, and when the posture changes to the pop-up state, the urging force is not completely absorbed in the pop-up state, and the flash light unit shakes. The feeling of use may be worsened.
[0004]
In order to deal with such a situation, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-48712 discloses a camera with a built-in strobe that allows a smooth transition to a pop-up state.
[0005]
This camera with built-in strobe suggests that the operating resistance is applied except for the initial region where the flash light emitting unit starts moving when the posture changes to the pop-up state.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, there is a problem that the pop-up operation becomes slow when the operating resistance is applied except in the initial region where the flash light emitting unit starts moving. In addition, since it is difficult to make the operating resistance uniform, there is a problem that the user feels a heavy feeling when moving the flash light emitting unit from the pop-up state to the stowed state, and it is caught when shifting to the stowing state due to the operating resistance. There is a problem that the feeling of use is worsened. Furthermore, if the operating resistance means is arranged uniformly except for the initial region where the flash light emitting unit moves, there is also a problem that assembly takes time.
[0007]
In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a pop-up flash that can be smoothly and easily assembled when the user shifts the flash light emitting unit to the pop-up state or when the user moves from the pop-up state to the retracted state. The purpose is to do.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The pop-up flash of the present invention that achieves the above object is pivotally supported by the rear part so as to be pivotable to the base, and takes a posture in a stored state in contact with the base and a pop-up state opened by a predetermined angle with respect to the base. The flash light emitting unit is changed, and the flash light emitting unit is energized in the direction of changing the posture to the pop-up state and locked in the retracted state, and the lock is released by the operation, and the energizing force shifts to the pop-up state. In pop-up flash,
One end is pivotally supported by the base and the other end is slidably locked to the flash light emitting unit, and the posture is changed according to the change of the flash light emitting unit. The flash light emitting unit is in a pop-up state. An arm portion that regulates an opening angle from the base by contacting the other end of the flash light emitting portion when the other end is moved,
The flash light emitting part slides the other end of the arm part moved immediately before the transition to the pop-up state in the middle of the transition from the housed state to the pop-up state, and the momentum of the flash light emitting part transitioning to the pop-up state It is characterized by comprising an elastic member that weakens.
[0009]
According to the pop-up flash of the present invention, by providing the elastic member, the force of rotating the other end of the arm portion by the urging force is weakened by the elastic member, and the flash light emitting portion at the time of pop-up Bound is suppressed.
[0010]
Preferably, the elastic member is provided immediately before the flash light emitting unit completes the transition. In this way, the operating resistance acts only immediately before the other end of the arm comes into contact with a part of the flash light emitting portion, and the user can smoothly move the flash light emitting portion popped up. It is possible to shift the flash emission part.
[0011]
Here, in the pop-up flash of the present invention, it is preferable that the elastic member is a hard rubber. Since this elastic member is high-hardness rubber, when the other end of the arm portion is slid on the elastic member, a large operating resistance can be applied to the other end.
[0012]
In the pop-up flash according to the present invention, it is preferable that the flash light emitting portion is provided with a cover covering from above, and the elastic member is fixed to the cover. When the elastic member is fixed to the cover, assembly is simplified.
[0013]
Moreover, the pop-up flash of the present invention preferably includes a second elastic member having a lower hardness than the elastic member with which the other end of the arm abuts when the flash light emitting portion is in the pop-up state.
[0014]
In the pop-up flash of the present invention, when the elastic member sliding with the arm portion as described above weakens the momentum of the flash light emitting portion to the pop-up state, and further includes the second elastic member with low hardness, the arm portion Can abut against the low-hardness elastic member and reliably stop without bouncing.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A configuration perspective view of a pop-up flash according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 is a structural perspective view showing a storage state in which a pop-up flash according to an embodiment of the present invention is stored in a base. FIG. 2 is a structural perspective view showing a pop-up state in which the pop-up flash according to the embodiment of the present invention is popped up.
[0016]
The pop-up flash of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0017]
FIG. 1 shows a camera equipped with a pop-up flash. The camera includes a finder unit 100, a main body unit 200, a magazine unit 300 in which a film is loaded, and a lens unit 400, which are detachable. In the case of this camera, the above-described pop-up flash is housed in the finder unit 100. The finder unit 100 is provided with a flashing light emitting unit 101 that pops up. When using a flash, the flashing light emitting unit 101 is held in a state where the flashing light emitting unit 101 is opened at a predetermined angle α as shown in FIG. This state is called a pop-up state. Further, an insertion portion 104 for enabling use of another flash is provided at the rear portion of the finder 100.
[0018]
In the storage state as shown in FIG. 1, the flash light emitting unit 101 and the base 102 are locked, and when the operation is performed by an operator (not shown), the locking is released and the flash issuing unit 101 pops up. Is done. This pattern is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, when shifting to the pop-up state, the biasing force by the torsion spring provided at the rear portion of the flash light emitting unit 101 and the opening angle of the flash light emitting unit when the transition to the pop-up state is completed. It works by interacting with the arm to regulate.
[0019]
The urging portion and the arm portion will be described with reference to FIG.
[0020]
FIG. 3 is an assembly view of a finder unit 100 having an urging unit and an arm unit provided to realize the storage state shown in FIG. 1 and the pop-up state shown in FIG.
[0021]
An insertion portion 104 is provided behind the base cover 103 so that another electrical component such as an external flash can be mounted. The insertion portion 104 is provided with a wiring terminal block 105, and power can be supplied to another electrical component inserted through the wiring terminal block 105. A leaf spring 106 is inserted into the insertion portion 104, and the insertion portion 104 is attached to the base cover 103 together with the leaf spring 106 with four screws 107. The base cover 103 assembled in this way is attached to the base 102 with the fixture 108, and the exterior as a finder part is formed.
[0022]
On the other hand, a substantially rectangular hole 109 for attaching the flash light emitting unit 101 is formed in the base cover 103, and the flash light emitting unit 101 is inserted therein. A recessed portion 110 for receiving the flash light emitting unit 101 is provided at a portion where the flash light emitting unit 101 on the base 102 side is inserted, and the flash light emitting unit 101 is embedded therein. Two torsion springs 111 a and 111 b for applying a biasing force to the flash light emitting unit 101 are mounted on the rear part of the flash light emitting unit 101. The torsion springs 111a and 111b are inserted so that the flash shaft 112 serves as an axis, and a turning lever 113 is disposed adjacent to both the torsion springs 111a and 111b. One of the rotating levers 113 is pivotally supported on the flash shaft 112 side and the other is fixed to the flash light emitting unit 101 so that the rotating lever 113 is rotated by the biasing force of these torsion springs 111a and 111b. Yes. In addition, in order to reliably transmit the urging forces of both torsion springs 111a and 111b to the turning lever 113, one ends of the torsion springs 111a and 111b are locked to the turning lever 113 side. The end is securely locked to the base 102. Therefore, when the urging force is applied by the torsion springs 111a and 111b, the turning lever 113 that is locked at one end of the torsion spring is urged and turned, so that the flash light emitting unit 101 fixed to the turning lever 113 is also provided. Both will be rotated.
[0023]
The end of the turning lever 113 is provided with a perforation into which the flash shaft 112 is inserted, and the turning lever 113 is pivotally supported by inserting the flash shaft 112 into the perforation. . In order to securely fix the rotation lever 113 to the flash shaft 112, fitting insertion rings 114 a and 114 b for fixing the rotation lever 113 are provided at both ends of the flash shaft 112. The flash shaft is firmly fixed to the base 102 by a fixing tool. FIG. 4 shows the situation after all the members described so far have been assembled. FIG. 4 is a view of the urging portion and the arm portion assembled in the flash light emitting portion as viewed from above. The above-described members are respectively disposed as shown in FIG. 4, and an elastic member 1 and a second elastic member 150 described later are also disposed.
[0024]
Returning to FIG.
[0025]
On the other hand, two U-shaped arms 120 a and 120 b for restricting the opening angle of the flash light emitting unit 101 when popped up are arranged below the flash light emitting unit 101 on the upper surface of the base 102. Yes. These arm portions 120 a and 120 b are fixed to the base 102 by a fixture 117. The attachment 117 is disposed near the center of the recess 110 and is fixed from the inside of the base 102 with screws 102c and 102d. A perforation 117e is provided in the center of the attachment 117, and the attachment 117 is positioned by being fitted to a guide pin 102e provided on the base 102.
[0026]
Further, holes 120c and 120d are formed in both ends of the U-shaped arm portions 120a and 120b so that the pins 116a and 116b can be inserted therethrough. These holes 120c and 120d and the holes 117a and 117b of the attachment 117 are combined to determine the position where the arm 120 is disposed. Once the holes are aligned and positioned, the pins 116a, 116b are inserted through the holes. By doing so, the respective arm portions 120a and 120b are fixed to be rotatable with respect to the base. In addition, pins 120e and 120f are fitted and inserted into end portions of the two arm portions 120a and 120b on the side to be rotated, respectively. The role of these pins 120e and 120f will be described later.
[0027]
Here, the movement of the arm portions 120a and 120b will be described with reference to FIG.
[0028]
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the flash light emitting unit 101 and the base 102 taken along the arms 120a and 120b. The solid line indicates the housed state of the flash light emitting unit 101, and the virtual line indicates the pop-up state of the flash light emitting unit 101. Since the two torsion springs 111a and 111b are arranged at a predetermined interval in the flash light emitting unit 101 as shown in FIG. 4, here, one torsion spring 111a will be described as an example.
[0029]
When the storage state is indicated by a solid line, the flash light emitting unit 101 is stored in contact with the base 102 because it is locked by a locking unit (not shown). At this time, the urging force of the torsion spring 111a is locked and suppressed. The flash light emitting unit 101 is provided with a xenon tube for performing flash light emission and a reflecting mirror 130 toward the opening 121, and when the operation is unlocked and popped up, the opening together with the flash light emitting unit is opened. The part 121 is rotated to a position where a flash can be emitted toward the subject. Although not shown, the opening 121 is provided with a transmission plate that can transmit light.
[0030]
Further, the arm part 120a slides along the long hole 140 formed in the middle while the flashing part 101 is rotated by the urging force of the torsion spring 111a after being unlocked by the operation. The long hole 140 is provided on the support surface where the flash light emitting portion 101 is in contact with the base, and the central portion of the arm portion 120 a that is rotatably fixed to the base 102 is inserted into the long hole 140. Yes. Therefore, the end portion 121 a on the rotating side is housed in the flash light emitting unit 101. When the flash light emitting portion 101 is shifted from the housed state to the pop-up state, the rotatable end portion 121 a is gradually slid along the edge of the long hole 140. When the opening angle of the flash light emitting unit 101 approaches the vicinity of the predetermined angle α, the momentum at which the sliding end 121a is slid by the elastic member 1 provided at the edge of the long hole is weakened. Further, the end portion 121a whose strength is weakened contacts the elastic member 150. Then, the momentum of the end 121a is stopped and the flash light emitting unit 101 is popped up while maintaining a predetermined opening angle. As described above, the opening angle α of the flash light emitting unit 101 is regulated by the end 121a of the arm portion being brought into contact with and locked.
[0031]
Here, the elastic member 1 which is a characteristic part of the present application will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 5, the elastic member 1 is disposed so as to be substantially parallel to the direction in which the end 121a of the arm 120a is rotated. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the elastic member 1 is provided on the bottom surface side of the flash light emitting unit cover 101a indicated by a two-dot chain line, and the ends of the arm portions 120a and 120b are rotated. The upper ends of the pivoted ends of these arm portions 120a and 120b come into contact with the elastic member 1 and slide. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, pins 120e and 120f are provided at the rotating end portions, so that these pins 120e and 120f are slid on the elastic member 1. It is preferable that the material of the elastic member 1 is of high hardness. Desirably, an elastic member having a hardness of 50 or more is preferable. Among these is, for example, neoprene rubber (trade name of DuPont) having a hardness of 50 or more. If an elastic member having high hardness is used here, a large operating resistance can be applied to the end of the arm. Although not shown, the high-hardness elastic member is attached to a portion formed integrally with the flashlight cover 101a.
[0033]
Then, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a second elastic member is disposed behind these elastic members 1 so as to face the moving direction of the pin 120e of the end portion 121a to which the arm portion 120a is rotated. 150 is arranged. The elastic member 150 preferably has a low hardness. Desirably, an elastic member having a hardness of less than 50 is preferable. Among these is, for example, neoprene rubber (trade name of DuPont) having a hardness of less than 50. This is because the moment of the end 121a being rotated is received from the front, and the momentum of the end is weakened. Therefore, the momentum of the end portion 121a weakened by the elastic member 1 is further weakened by the second elastic member 150 and is securely locked at this portion. The same applies to the other arm 120b.
[0034]
This not only weakens the momentum of the pivoted ends of the arms 120a and 120b, but also absorbs the impact force caused by the contact, so that the conventional problem that the flash light emitting unit 101 bounces at the time of contact is eliminated.
[0035]
Further, even if the end portion is bounced back by the second elastic member 150, the elastic member 1 further reduces the momentum when returning to the direction in which the end portion has moved, so that a large bounce repeatedly occurs. Disappear.
[0036]
Further, since the elastic member 1 is provided on the flash light emitting unit cover 101a, even if the fixing position of the elastic member 1 is changed, the mounting position can be changed immediately and the adjustment becomes easy.
[0037]
Further, when the flash light emitting unit 101 is shifted from the pop-up state to the stowed state, the pin 120e at the end 121a of the arm portion 120a provided for restricting the pop-up state is brought into contact with the second elastic member 150 and engaged. Since the elastic member 1a is provided only immediately before the portion to be stopped (see FIG. 5), the elastic member 1a affects the transition operation of the flash light emitting unit 101 when the flash light emitting unit 101 is moved to the storage state. Smooth storage is possible.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pop-up flash that can prevent a bounce that occurs when shifting to a pop-up state only by providing an elastic member. Moreover, since it is only necessary to stick an elastic member at the time of assembling, an assembling is easy and an inexpensive pop-up flash can be provided. Further, it is possible to provide a pop-up flash that can be stored smoothly without giving the user a feeling of weight or catching.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a structural perspective view showing a storage state in which a pop-up flash according to an embodiment of the present invention is stored in a base.
FIG. 2 is a structural perspective view showing a pop-up state in which a pop-up flash according to an embodiment of the present invention is popped up.
3 is an assembly view of a finder portion 100 having an urging portion and an arm portion provided in order to realize the storage state shown in FIG. 1 and the pop-up state shown in FIG. 2. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a top view of a pop-up flash arm according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a flash light emitting portion of a pop-up flash according to an embodiment of the present invention cut along an arm portion.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Elastic member 100 Finder part 101 Flash light emission part 101a Flash light emission part cover 102 Base 110 Recessed part 111a Torsion spring 111b Torsion spring 112 Flash shaft 113 Rotating lever 120a Arm part 120b Arm part 150 Second elastic member

Claims (4)

The rear portion is pivotally supported by the base, and includes a flash light-emitting unit that changes its posture between a storage state in contact with the base and a pop-up state that is opened at a predetermined angle with respect to the base. In the pop-up flash that is urged in the direction of changing the posture to the pop-up state and is locked in the stored state, the lock is released by an operation, and the urging force shifts to the pop-up state.
One end of the flashlight is pivotally supported by the base and the other end is slidably engaged with the flashlight emitting section, and the flashlight emitting section changes its posture in accordance with the change of the posture of the flashlight emitting section. An arm portion that regulates an opening angle from the base by contacting the other end of the flash light emitting portion when the other end is in the pop-up state,
The flash light emitting part slides the other end of the arm part that has moved immediately before the transition to the pop-up state is completed during the transition from the housed state to the pop-up state, and the flash light emitting part A pop-up flash comprising an elastic member that weakens the momentum of transition to a pop-up state. 2. The pop-up flash according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a high hardness rubber. The pop-up flash according to claim 1, wherein the flash light emitting unit is provided with a cover covering from above, and the elastic member is fixed to the cover. 2. The second elastic member having a lower hardness than the elastic member with which the other end of the arm abuts when the flash light emitting portion is in the pop-up state. Pop-up flash.

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