JP3994811B2 - Rotation operation mechanism, imaging device, and lens driving device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a rotation operation mechanism, an imaging device, and a lens driving device that perform a desired operation by operating a ring-shaped rotation operation unit and detecting an operation amount thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, the following cameras have been proposed as having a torque variable ring. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-148748 proposes a variable torque ring that can set the focus ring operating torque to an optimum value and can increase the operating torque in a strong focus range. .
[0003]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-32479 proposes an imaging apparatus that can set operation torques for manual operation and electric operation separately. Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-101605 proposes a method using two annular resistors and two sliders for an angle detection device using a potentiometer.
[0004]
In addition, the present applicant has proposed a ring-shaped operation member that can change the operation torque of the operation ring at the time of zooming operation and at the time of focusing when the ring-shaped operation member is switched between zooming and focusing. (See Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-118940).
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the operation amount of the ring-shaped operation member is to be detected using a potentiometer, the gear ratio is small, that is, the rotation speed of the potentiometer with respect to the rotation of the ring-shaped operation member depends on the gear ratio between the ring-shaped operation member and the potentiometer. When the number is small, the operation amount becomes too small with respect to the variation of the resistance value detected by the potentiometer, and there is a problem that the delicate rotation of the ring-shaped operation member cannot be detected well by the potentiometer.
[0006]
In addition, when the gear ratio is large, the number of rotations of the potentiometer becomes too large with respect to the rotation of the ring-shaped operation member, and the detection angle of the potentiometer per sampling frequency is limited. . Further, in order to prevent this, it is necessary to increase the sampling period. However, if the sampling period is increased, the processing takes time, causing a problem that the system is loaded.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made to solve such problems. That is, the present invention
A ring-shaped rotation operation member; detection means for detecting an operation amount of the rotation operation member; speed increasing means for increasing the operation amount of the rotation operation member and transmitting the operation amount to the detection means; and the rotation operation member in the thrust direction Speed increasing ratio switching means for switching the speed increasing ratio of the speed increasing means by switching gear engagement between one end and the other end within the moving range, and one end within the range in which the rotary operation member moves in the thrust direction Torque switching means for switching the torque of the rotation operation by the rotation operation member with the other end, and switching the speed increase ratio by the speed increase ratio switching means in conjunction with the torque switching by the torque switching means , When the rotation operation member is at an intermediate position within the range of movement in the thrust direction, the rotation operation mechanism releases the engagement of the gear between the rotation operation member and the speed increasing means . Moreover, it is also an imaging device provided with this rotation operation mechanism. Further, it is a lens driving device in which the rotation operation mechanism is applied to a lens barrel in which a lens is incorporated.
[0008]
In the present invention, since the speed increasing ratio of the operation amount of the rotary operation member is switched by the speed increase ratio switching means, the speed increasing ratio at which the operation amount can be easily detected by the detecting means according to the operation amount of the rotation operating member. Can be set, and the operation amount can be accurately detected.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a front perspective view of an imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. That is, the imaging apparatus 1 is a digital still camera including a lens 40, an operation member (25 to 28), a microphone 12, a speaker 19, a display LCD 17, a strobe unit 21, and the like.
[0010]
The operation members (25 to 28) include a ring-shaped rotation operation unit 25 provided around the lens 40, an adjustment button 26 for performing exposure fixation and white balance adjustment, a shutter button, an exposure adjustment dial, and the like. A shooting button group 27 and a display switching button 28 for switching display contents of the display LCD 17 are provided.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 3, the block configuration of the imaging apparatus 1 is centered on an MPU (central processing unit) 11, a microphone 12, a VIDEO amplifier 13, a CCD (solid-state imaging device) 14, a signal processing circuit 15, and an RGB driver 16. The display LCD 17, the VIDEO amplifier 18, the speaker 19, the controller 20, the strobe unit 24, the storage medium 22, the external terminal 23, the operation members (25 to 28), the lens 40, and the potentiometer 57 are controlled. These units are driven by a power supply system (not shown).
[0012]
Further, inside the lens 40, an aperture control motor 41, a zoom motor 42, a focus motor 43, a shutter 44, and a driver 45 for operating them are provided.
[0013]
Signals from the microphone 12 and the CCD (solid-state imaging device) 14 are processed by the VIDEO amplifier 13 and the signal processing circuit 15 and sent to the MPU 11. The aperture control motor 41, zoom motor 42, focus motor 43, and shutter 44 are controlled by the MPU 11 via a driver 45.
[0014]
The image captured by the CCD 14 is displayed on the display LCD 17 by the RGB driver 16 from the MPU 11. The speaker 19 generates sound by the VIDEO amplifier 18.
[0015]
Further, the MPU 11 controls the flash unit 21 via the controller 20 to control the flash emission. The MPU 11 performs writing / reading to / from the storage medium 22 such as a Memory Stick (trademark of Sony Corporation), and communication and output through the external terminal 23. Also, shooting conditions are set by the operation members (26 to 28).
[0016]
The rotation of the ring-shaped rotation operation unit 25 is transmitted to the potentiometer 57. The potentiometer 57 is detection means having an annular resistance and a slider inside. In the MPU 11, the resistance value inside the potentiometer 57 is A / D (analog / digital) converted and taken in at regular intervals. The MPU 11 calculates the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit 25 by comparing the acquired resistance value with the previous resistance value.
[0017]
4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining a main part of the rotation operation mechanism according to the present embodiment, in which FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view when the ring-shaped operation member is at the zoom position, and FIG. 4B is a ring-shaped operation member. FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view when is at the focus adjustment position, and FIG.
[0018]
The ring-shaped rotation operation unit 25 is rotatably supported by the slide member 52. The slide member 52 is supported so as to be slidable with respect to the main body 51 in the lens optical axis direction.
[0019]
The slide member 52 is urged forward by a toggle spring (not shown) in the forward direction in FIG. 4 (a) and backward in FIG. 4 (b).
[0020]
A movable gear 53, which is a speed increasing ratio switching means, is rotatably supported by the slide member 52, and a rack portion 24z formed on the circumference of the rotation operation portion 25 so as to rotate in accordance with the rotation of the rotation operation portion 25. It is contracted with.
[0021]
Depending on whether the movable gear 53 is engaged with the small gear 57a of the potentiometer 57 or the gear 56y of the connecting gear 56, the speed increasing ratio of the rotation of the potentiometer 57 with respect to the rotation of the rotary operation unit 25 is changed.
[0022]
The potentiometer 57 has a small gear 57a and an outer peripheral gear 57b. When the potentiometer 57 rotates, a resistance value formed in the base portion is read by a brush that rotates integrally with the small gear 57a and the outer peripheral gear 57b. The amount of operation of the rotary operation unit 25 is detected by A / D converting this resistance value at a constant sampling period.
[0023]
In the state shown in FIG. 4A, the rotation operation unit 25 is in the zoom position, and the rotation of the rotation operation unit 25 rotates the small gear 57 a of the potentiometer 57 via the movable gear 53.
[0024]
In this embodiment, the number of teeth of the rack portion 24z of the rotary operation unit 25 is 120, the number of teeth of the movable gear 53 is 8 teeth for the gear 53z, 8 teeth for the gear 53x, and 8 teeth for the small gear 57a of the potentiometer. Speed increase ratio is (120/8) × (8/8) = 15
It becomes. Therefore, when the rotation operation unit 25 is rotated once, the potentiometer is rotated 15 times.
[0025]
The pin 54 is urged by the spring 55 in the outer peripheral direction of the rotation operation unit 25 to apply pressure to the rotation operation unit 25. When the rotation operation unit 25 is in the zoom position, the structure is such that a higher pressure is applied than when the rotation operation unit 25 is in the focus adjustment position. Therefore, the operation torque of the rotation operation unit 25 is higher when the rotation operation unit 25 is at the zoom position (FIG. 4A) than when the rotation operation unit 25 is at the focus adjustment position (FIG. 4B).
[0026]
When the rotation operation unit 25 is operated in the thrust direction, the rotation operation unit 25, the slide member 52, and the movable gear 53 are integrally moved in the thrust direction, and the switch 59 is turned off. The zoom mode and the focus mode are switched according to ON / OFF of the switch 59.
[0027]
In the state shown in FIG. 4B, the operation member 25 is in the focus adjustment position. In this case, the rotation of the rotation operation unit 25 is transmitted to the movable gear 53, and the outer peripheral gear 57 b of the potentiometer 57 is rotated via the connecting gear 56.
[0028]
In the present embodiment, the rack portion 24z of the rotary operation unit 25 has 120 teeth, the movable gear 53 has 8 teeth, the gear 53z has 8 teeth, the gear 53x has 8 teeth, and the coupling gear 56 has 10 teeth in the gear 56y. Since the teeth and gear 56w are 16 teeth and the potentiometer outer peripheral gear 57b is 28 teeth, the gear speed increase ratio is (120/8) × (8/10) × (16/28) = about 6.9.
It becomes. Therefore, when the rotation operation unit 25 is rotated once, the potentiometer 57 is rotated about 6.9 times.
[0029]
Therefore, when the rotation operation unit 25 is in the focus adjustment position, the operating torque of the rotation operation unit 25 is lighter than when the rotation operation unit 25 is in the zoom position, and at the same time, the potentiometer 57 rotates with respect to the rotation operation of the rotation operation unit 25. The speed increase ratio to be reduced can be reduced.
[0030]
With this configuration, in the present embodiment, when the ring-shaped operation member 25 is used by switching between zooming and focusing, the operation torque of the operation rotating operation unit 25 is reduced during focusing than when zooming. At the same time, the speed increasing ratio of the potentiometer 57 that detects the operation amount of the rotation operation unit 25 can be lowered, so that a minute rotation of the ring can be detected at the time of zooming operation, and at the same time, the operation can be performed at the time of focusing. The effect is obtained that the ring with reduced torque is rotated quickly and does not exceed the detection capability of the potentiometer.
[0031]
Furthermore, since switching between zooming and focusing can be performed by the movement of the ring-shaped rotary operation unit 25 in the thrust direction, the operator can freely zoom and focus while holding the rotary operation unit 25. The effect that it can be performed is also acquired.
[0032]
Next, another embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part for explaining another embodiment of the rotation operation mechanism. In this rotation operation mechanism, three positions (positions) shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C can be selected as positions along the thrust direction of the rotation operation unit 25.
[0033]
In order to be able to select these three positions, at least two recesses are formed in a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the rotation operation unit 25 where the pin 54 abuts. The rotation operation unit 25 is semi-fixed at each position by the pin 54 entering the recess.
[0034]
Further, by changing the depth of each recess, the urging force of the rotation operation unit 25 by the spring 55 of the pin 54 changes, and the operation torque can be changed for each position.
[0035]
In the state shown in FIG. 5A, the rotation operation unit 25 is moved to the leftmost in the drawing in the thrust direction (hereinafter referred to as A position). In this case, the pin 54 comes into a state of being pushed most in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the rotation operation unit 25, and the maximum urging force is applied from the spring 55 to the rotation operation unit 25. Accordingly, the operation torque of the rotary operation unit 25 is the highest at the A position.
[0036]
When the rotation operation unit 25 is in the A position, the two switches 59 are pushed in by the slide member 52 and are turned on. When the two switches 59 are turned on, it can be seen that the rotation operation unit 25 is in the A position, and the operation mode by the rotation operation unit 25 can be set.
[0037]
Further, when the rotation operation unit 25 is in the A position, the rotation of the rotation operation unit 25 rotates the small gear 57 a portion of the potentiometer 57 via the movable gear 53. The gear speed increase ratio at this time is “15”, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, and the potentiometer is rotated 15 times by one rotation of the rotation operation unit 25.
[0038]
Next, in the state shown in FIG. 5B, the rotation operation unit 25 is in a position (hereinafter referred to as a B position) in which the rotation operation unit 25 is moved to the most right in the drawing. In this case, the pin 54 enters the right side in the drawing in the recess provided in the inner peripheral surface of the rotation operation unit 25. Here, since this concave portion is formed deepest, the pin 54 enters in the state where it protrudes most. As a result, the minimum urging force is applied from the spring 55 to the rotation operation unit 25. That is, at this B position, the operation torque of the rotation operation unit 25 is the lowest.
[0039]
Further, when the rotation operation unit 25 is in the B position, neither of the two switches 59 comes into contact with the slide member 52 and is turned off. When the two switches 59 are in the OFF state, it can be seen that the rotation operation unit 25 is in the B position, and the operation mode by the rotation operation unit 25 can be set.
[0040]
Further, when the rotation operation unit 25 is in the B position, the rotation of the rotation operation unit 25 is transmitted to the movable gear 53 and the outer peripheral gear 57 b of the potentiometer 57 is rotated via the connection gear 56. The gear speed increase ratio at this time is “about 6.9” as in the case shown in FIG. 4B, for example, and the potentiometer is rotated about 6.9 by one rotation of the rotary operation unit 25.
[0041]
Therefore, when the rotation operation unit 25 is in the B position, the operating torque is lighter than when the rotation operation unit 25 is in the A position, and at the same time, the speed increasing ratio at which the potentiometer 57 rotates with respect to the rotation operation of the rotation operation unit 25 can be reduced. become.
[0042]
Next, in the state shown in FIG. 5C, the rotation operation unit 25 is moved to a position near the middle of the movable range in the thrust direction (hereinafter referred to as C position). In this case, the pin 54 enters the left side in the drawing in the recess provided in the inner peripheral surface of the rotation operation unit 25.
[0043]
Here, since the concave portion is formed shallower than the right concave portion, the pin 54 enters in a depressed state as compared with the case of entering the right concave portion. As a result, an urging force that is larger than that in the B position and smaller than that in the A position is applied from the spring 55 to the rotation operation unit 25. That is, at the C position, the operation torque of the rotation operation unit 25 is between the A position and the B position.
[0044]
When the rotation operation unit 25 is in the C position, one of the two switches 59 is pushed in by the slide member 52 and is turned on, and the other is not in contact with the slide member 52 and is turned off. It can be seen from the ON / OFF states of the two switches 59 that the rotation operation unit 25 is in the C position, and the operation mode by the rotation operation unit 25 can be set.
[0045]
Further, when the rotation operation unit 25 is in the C position, the movable gear 53 that transmits the rotation of the rotation operation unit 25 is in a free state in which neither the small gear 57a of the potentiometer 57 nor the gear 56y of the connection gear 56 is engaged. . Therefore, even if the rotation operation unit 25 is rotated, detection by the potentiometer 57 is not performed.
[0046]
Thus, when three positions can be selected as the position of the rotation operation unit 25, for example, the zoom mode (large operation torque, large gear speed increase ratio) is set at the A position, and the focus mode (small operation torque, gear is set at the B position). It is possible to use a fixed mode at the C position.
[0047]
That is, after the rotation operation unit 25 is set to the B position and focused, the A position is set to set the lens magnification, and then the C position is set to fix the focus and zoom that have been adjusted in advance. Is possible. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the focused focus and zoom from being moved by mistake.
[0048]
In any of the above-described embodiments, if the sampling of the potentiometer 57 is started when the switch 59 is turned on, the operation amount of the rotation operation unit 25 can be detected quickly.
[0049]
In the above-described embodiment, the detection accuracy for the rotation operation unit 25 is changed by changing the gear ratio. However, for example, if the operation torque of the rotation operation unit 25 is reduced, the A / D conversion sampling of the potentiometer 57 is performed. You may comprise so that a period may become quick.
[0050]
When configured in this manner, if the operating torque of the ring is heavy and there is no fear of being rotated quickly, the sampling cycle is delayed and the load on the system is reduced.
[0051]
Further, position information and corresponding mode information may be displayed on the display LCD 17 or the like according to the position of the rotation operation unit 25. As a result, the position and mode can be accurately grasped visually together with the operational feeling of the rotary operation unit 25.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention has the following effects. That is, since the speed increase ratio of the operation amount of the rotary operation member is switched by the speed increase ratio switching means, it is possible to set the speed increase ratio at which the operation amount can be easily detected by the detection means according to the operation amount of the rotation operation member. This makes it possible to accurately detect the operation amount. In addition, by providing this rotation operation mechanism in the imaging apparatus, it is possible to accurately detect the operation amount in each operation mode such as lens focusing and zoom operation, and it is possible to perform an operation that matches the sense of the user.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a rotation operation mechanism according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example of the rotation operation mechanism according to the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Imaging device, 11 ... MPU, 12 ... Microphone, 14 ... CCD, 17 ... Display LCD, 19 ... Speaker, 21 ... Strobe unit, 25 ... Rotation operation part, 27 ... Shooting button group, 40 ... Lens, 57 ... Potentiometer

Claims (5)

A ring-shaped rotary operation member;
Detecting means for detecting an operation amount of the rotary operation member;
A speed increasing means for speeding up an operation amount of the rotation operating member and transmitting the speed to the detecting means;
Speed increasing ratio switching means for switching the speed increasing ratio of the speed increasing means by switching the engagement of the gears by one end and the other end within the range in which the rotation operation member moves in the thrust direction ;
Torque switching means for switching torque of the rotation operation by the rotation operation member by one end and the other end within the range in which the rotation operation member moves in the thrust direction ;
When the speed change ratio is switched by the speed change ratio switching means in conjunction with torque switching by the torque switching means , and the rotation operation member is at an intermediate position within the range of movement in the thrust direction, the rotation operation is performed. A rotation operation mechanism that releases engagement of a gear between a member and the speed increasing means . In an imaging apparatus provided with a rotation operation mechanism,
The rotation operation mechanism is
A ring-shaped rotary operation member;
Detecting means for detecting an operation amount of the rotary operation member;
A speed increasing means for speeding up an operation amount of the rotation operating member and transmitting the speed to the detecting means;
Speed increasing ratio switching means for switching the speed increasing ratio of the speed increasing means by switching the engagement of the gears by one end and the other end within the range in which the rotation operation member moves in the thrust direction ;
Torque switching means for switching torque of the rotation operation by the rotation operation member by one end and the other end within the range in which the rotation operation member moves in the thrust direction ;
When the speed change ratio is switched by the speed change ratio switching means in conjunction with torque switching by the torque switching means , and the rotation operation member is at an intermediate position within the range of movement in the thrust direction, the rotation operation is performed. An image pickup apparatus for releasing engagement of a gear between a member and the speed increasing means . A lens built into the lens barrel;
A rotation operation member that is provided so as to be movable in the thrust direction of the lens barrel around the lens in the lens barrel, and that performs a predetermined operation on the lens by driving a motor by a rotation operation;
A detection unit that is incorporated in the lens barrel and detects an operation amount of the rotation operation member;
The speed increasing ratio of the operation amount of the rotation operation member is switched by switching the engagement of the gear between one end and the other end within the range in which the rotation operation member moves in the thrust direction. Speed increasing means for transmitting the manipulated variable to the detecting means,
Torque switching means that is incorporated inside the lens barrel and switches the torque of the rotation operation by the rotation operation member according to the position in the thrust direction of the rotation operation member ;
The rotation operation member also serves as mode switching means for switching a predetermined operation mode for the lens performed by the rotation operation member giving an instruction to the motor at one end and the other end within a range moving in the thrust direction. With
A lens driving device comprising: a mechanism for releasing engagement of a gear between the rotation operation member and the speed increasing means when the rotation operation member is at an intermediate position within a range of movement in the thrust direction . A focusing mode for adjusting the focal point of the lens according to the rotation of the rotation operation member; and a magnification adjustment mode for adjusting the magnification of the lens according to the rotation of the rotation operation member. The lens driving device according to claim 3. When the mode switching unit that is also used by the rotation operation member is switched to the focusing mode, the torque of the rotation operation by the rotation operation member is set smaller than when the mode is switched to the magnification adjustment mode. The lens driving device according to claim 3, wherein a speed increasing ratio by the speed increasing means is set to be small.

Images