JP4069671B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus in which a lens housing and a finder opening are provided in a main body casing.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a mechanism for simultaneously protecting the lens unit and the viewfinder objective unit, a mechanism has been proposed in which the mode changes in conjunction with the opening and closing of the lens cover (see, for example, JP-A-2001-255571). In addition, a mechanism has been proposed in which a cover covers and protects the entire lens and the operation system (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-230464). Further, as a mechanism that does not hide the monitor and operation system buttons, a mechanism has been proposed in which a cover on the front of the camera is slid to cover and protect the optical system (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-321621).
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the imaging apparatuses described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2001-255571 and 9-230464, the cover covers the entire camera, and when a playback display is performed with a digital still camera or the like, a monitor or operation system is used. There is a problem that the button is hidden. In addition, since the cover comes out to the front, there is a problem that the strength is insufficient to conceal the mechanism part and the degree of freedom in design is lacking. Further, many mechanisms for electrically opening and closing the cover (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-47310, etc.) have been proposed. However, there is a problem in that the mechanism itself becomes complicated and the number of parts increases when it is electrically operated.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made to solve such problems. That is, the present invention includes a plurality of covers that slide inside the main body housing having a shutter button on the upper surface and cover each of the plurality of optical openings, and the plurality of covers rotate about an axis to rotate the cover. In an imaging apparatus in which a plurality of covers are interlocked to open and close a plurality of optical openings , a lever that is formed on the same plane as the cover and interlocks with the cover is located above the plurality of optical openings. It extends from the end of the opening cover, and is provided so as to protrude from the upper surface having the arc shape of the main body casing.
[0005]
In the present invention, since the lens cover that covers the lens opening and the finder cover that covers the finder opening slide inside the main body housing, a sliding mechanism is provided inside the main body housing. Therefore, the strength and design of the mechanism are not impaired. Further, since the lens cover and the finder cover are interlocked by a link or the like, the lens opening and the finder opening can be opened and closed with a simple operation.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of an imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. That is, the imaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a lens housing 4 and a finder aperture 5 in a main body housing 9 and captures an image from the lens aperture 4 when the shutter button 8 is pressed. The lens cover and the finder cover slide in conjunction with each other inside the housing 9 so that both openings can be opened and closed simultaneously.
[0007]
A lever 2 for interlocking the lens cover and the viewfinder cover protrudes from the upper surface of the main body housing 9, and the lens cover is moved inside the main body housing 9 by moving the lever 2 left and right. And the viewfinder cover can be opened and closed in conjunction with each other.
[0008]
2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an opening / closing mechanism of the imaging apparatus, in which FIG. 2A is a perspective view and FIG. 2B is a front view of the mechanism unit. As shown in FIG. 2A, the lens cover 12 for covering the lens opening 4 of the main body housing 9 and the finder cover 11 for covering the finder opening 5 are both inside the main body housing 9. It can be rotated about the shaft 3.
[0009]
In other words, a lens cover 12 is provided on one arm around the shaft 3, and a finder cover 11 is provided on the other arm, and the lever 2 extends further from the upper surface of the main body housing 9 beyond the finder cover 11. Protrusions are provided. Therefore, when the lever 2 is moved, the lens cover 12 and the finder cover 11 can rotate about the shaft 3 to cover or expose the lens opening 4 and the finder opening 5, respectively. It becomes like this.
[0010]
One end of a toggle spring 6 is attached to the tip of the lens cover 12, and the other end of the toggle spring 6 is attached to a pin 7 fixed to the main body housing 9. Thereby, a predetermined rotational torque can be applied to the sliding operation of the lens cover 12 and the finder cover 11.
[0011]
That is, the toggle spring 6 provides the strongest rotational torque at the approximate center of the movable range of the lever 2 (the operating range of the lens cover 12 and the finder cover 11), and beyond the approximate center, the lens cover 12 and the finder use. The rotational torque becomes weaker in the direction in which the cover 11 is opened or closed. As a result, the operational feeling of opening and closing the lens cover 12 and the finder cover 11 by operating the lever 2 is emphasized, the position of opening and closing is easily determined, and the cover is stabilized when closed and opened. It is possible to prevent the cover from rattling when the main body vibrates.
[0012]
FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating the opening and closing of each cover, in which FIG. 3A is a perspective view, and FIG. 3B is a front view of a mechanism unit. As described above, the lens cover 12 and the finder cover 11 can be rotated about the shaft 3 and are biased by the toggle spring 6.
[0013]
When the lever 2 is slid upward from the main body housing 9 when the lens cover 12 and the finder cover 11 shown in FIG. 2 are open, the toggle spring 6 is contracted as shown in FIG. Will start.
[0014]
4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a state in which each cover is closed, in which FIG. 4A is a perspective view, and FIG. 4B is a front view of a mechanism unit. When the lever 2 is further slid from the state shown in FIG. 3 and tilted to the left in the figure, the finder cover 11 covers the finder opening 5 around the shaft 3 and the lens cover 12 becomes the lens opening 4. Will be covered.
[0015]
At this position, the toggle spring 6 opens more than the state shown in FIG. By this operation, the lens opening 4 and the finder opening 5 are simultaneously covered.
[0016]
By linking the lens cover 12 and the viewfinder cover 11 inside the main body housing 9 as in the present embodiment, the mechanism portion is not shown to the outside, and the appearance of the mechanism portion is not impaired without deteriorating the appearance of the imaging device 1. It becomes possible to give sufficient strength.
[0017]
Further, since the lens cover 12 and the finder cover 11 are interlocked, the image viewed through the finder 10 is the same as the image through the lens (photographing image). This makes it possible to prevent erroneous operations. Further, since the lens cover 12 and the finder cover 11 are housed inside the main body housing 9, unnecessary catches can be prevented outside the main body housing 9, preventing damage, and without causing the cover to be lost. It will be over.
[0018]
Next, the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view illustrating an imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment. In the imaging apparatus 1, a lens cover for covering the lens opening 4 and a finder cover for covering the finder opening 5 are disposed inside the main body housing 9, as in the first embodiment, and the lever 2 However, it is different in that each cover rotates about a separate shaft 3.
[0019]
Further, in the imaging device 1 of the present embodiment, the main body housing 9 is a horizontally long substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and the shutter button 8 is provided on the upper surface of the main body housing 9.
[0020]
6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating an opening / closing mechanism of the imaging apparatus, where FIG. 6A is a perspective view and FIG. 6B is a front view of the mechanism unit. That is, the lens cover 12 for covering the lens opening 4 and the finder cover 11 for covering the finder opening 5 are each attached to one end of a separate arm, and the other end of each arm is connected by a link. It has become.
[0021]
The link and each arm are connected by fitting a pin and a long hole (U-shaped groove) so that the lever 2 can be moved substantially in parallel along the upper surface of the main body housing 9 even if each arm rotates. It has become.
[0022]
Further, the approximate center of each arm is supported by a separate shaft 3, and each arm is centered on each shaft 3 by moving a lever 2 provided on the link and protruding from the upper surface of the main body housing 9 to the left and right. The lens cover 12 and the finder cover 11 are swung together.
[0023]
Further, one end of a torque 6 spring is attached to the tip of the lens cover 12, and the other end of the toggle spring 6 is attached to a pin 7 fixed to the main body housing 9. Thereby, a predetermined rotational torque can be applied to the sliding operation of the lens cover 12 and the finder cover 11.
[0024]
That is, the toggle spring 6 provides the strongest rotational torque at the approximate center of the movable range of the lever 2 (the operating range of the lens cover 12 and the finder cover 11), and beyond the approximate center, the lens cover 12 and the finder use. The rotational torque becomes weaker in the direction in which the cover 11 is opened or closed. As a result, the operational feeling of opening and closing the lens cover 12 and the finder cover 11 by operating the lever 2 is emphasized, the position of opening and closing is easily determined, and the cover is stabilized when closed and opened. It is possible to prevent the cover from rattling when the main body vibrates.
[0025]
FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating the opening and closing of each cover, in which FIG. 7A is a perspective view and FIG. 7B is a front view of a mechanism unit. As described above, the lens cover 12 and the finder cover 11 are each oscillated about separate shafts 3 and are biased by the toggle spring 6.
[0026]
That is, when the lever 2 is slid to the middle from the state where the lens cover 12 and the finder cover 11 shown in FIG. 6 are open, the toggle spring 6 is contracted as shown in FIG. It becomes like this.
[0027]
8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating a state in which each cover is closed, in which FIG. 8A is a perspective view, and FIG. 8B is a front view of a mechanism unit. When the lever 2 is further slid from the state shown in FIG. 7, the finder cover 11 covers the finder opening 5 around each axis 3, and the lens cover 12 covers the lens opening 4. .
[0028]
At this position, the toggle spring 6 is opened more weakly than the state shown in FIG. The lens opening 12 and the viewfinder opening 5 are simultaneously covered by the interlocking of the lens cover 12 and the viewfinder cover 11.
[0029]
In this embodiment as well, as in the first embodiment, the lens cover 12 and the finder cover 11 are housed inside the main body housing 9 and the mechanism portion is also provided inside, so that the cover and the mechanism portion can be seen outside. The appearance of the image pickup apparatus 1 is not impaired. In addition, since it is not necessary to show the mechanism portion, it is not necessary to consider the design of the mechanism portion, and it is possible to obtain a shape or the like for giving sufficient strength.
[0030]
Further, since the lens cover 12 and the finder cover 11 are interlocked, the image viewed through the finder 10 is the same as the image through the lens (photographing image). This makes it possible to prevent operational mistakes such as Further, since the lens cover 12 and the finder cover 11 are housed inside the main body housing 9, unnecessary catching on the outside of the main body housing 9 can be eliminated to prevent the cover from being damaged, and the cover can be lost. You will not have to.
[0031]
In any of the above-described embodiments, the lens cover 12 and the finder cover 11 having a lens function may be used. That is, a lens (for example, a telephoto lens or a wide-angle lens) is provided on the lens cover 12 and the finder cover 11 so that the photographing with the lens attached and the photographing without the lens attached can be switched by the sliding operation of the lever 2. Further, a lens portion may be provided adjacent to the light shielding cover portion so that the cover function and the lens function can be switched at the position of the lever 2.
[0032]
Further, a filter function (for example, a polarizing filter) may be provided instead of the lens function or in combination with the lens function. Also in this case, the presence or absence of the filter function may be selected depending on the position of the lever 2, or a plurality of types of filters may be provided so that the type of filter can be selected depending on the position of the lever 2.
[0033]
Further, the operations of the lens cover 12 and the finder cover 11 described above may be linked with the power ON / OFF of the imaging apparatus 1. That is, when the lever 2 is moved so as to remove each cover from the state where each cover is covered, the image pickup apparatus 1 is automatically turned on, and on the contrary, the lever 2 is moved so as to cover each cover. Therefore, the image pickup apparatus 1 is controlled to be turned off. Thereby, both simplification of operation and prevention of malfunction can be achieved.
[0034]
In the case where the lens of the image pickup apparatus 1 is a retractable type and extends forward (subject side) from the main body housing 9, a lock pin (not shown) is protruded in the vicinity of the lever 2, and the lens is When each cover is to be closed in the extended state, the lock pin may contact the lever 2 or the link before the lens cover 12 contacts the lens. This prevents the lens cover 12 from hitting the lens and damaging the lens. In addition, by arranging the lock pin so that it hits the lever / link where the most force is applied, the link and each arm do not apply a large force to the fitting part between the pin and the long hole (U-shaped groove). Damage can be prevented. It should be noted that the lock pin does not hit when closing each cover if the protrusion is released when the lens is retracted.
[0035]
In each of the above-described embodiments, the imaging apparatus 1 having a function of covering the lens opening 4 and the finder opening 5 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of, for example, binoculars are used. In the image pickup apparatus having the optical openings, the cover that covers the plurality of optical openings is interlocked inside the main body housing so as to open and close the cover.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention has the following effects. That is, the lens cover and the finder cover are provided inside the main body housing, so that the appearance of the imaging apparatus is not impaired and the cover can be prevented from being lost. Further, since the mechanism can be housed inside, it is possible to give sufficient strength without worrying about the appearance with a simple configuration. In addition, since the lens cover and the finder cover are interlocked, both covers can be opened and closed by a single operation, and it is possible to prevent erroneous operations such as photographing with the cover closed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of an imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment.
2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an opening / closing mechanism of the imaging apparatus, in which FIG. 2A is a perspective view, and FIG. 2B is a front view of a mechanism unit.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating the opening and closing of each cover, in which FIG. 3A is a perspective view, and FIG. 3B is a front view of a mechanism unit;
4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a state in which each cover is closed, in which FIG. 4A is a perspective view, and FIG. 4B is a front view of a mechanism unit.
FIG. 5 is an external perspective view illustrating an imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment.
6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating an opening / closing mechanism of the imaging apparatus, where FIG. 6A is a perspective view, and FIG. 6B is a front view of the mechanism unit.
FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining the opening and closing of each cover; FIG. 7A is a perspective view, and FIG.
8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating a state in which each cover is closed, in which FIG. 8A is a perspective view, and FIG. 8B is a front view of a mechanism unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Imaging device, 2 ... Lever, 3 ... Axis, 4 ... Lens opening, 5 ... Viewfinder opening, 6 ... Toggle spring, 9 ... Body housing, 10 ... Viewfinder, 11 ... Viewfinder cover, 12 ... Lens use cover

Claims (8)

A plurality of covers that cover each of the plurality of optical openings by sliding inside the main body housing having a shutter button on the upper surface ,
In the imaging apparatus in which the plurality of covers are interlocked by rotating the plurality of covers around an axis, and the opening and closing operations of the plurality of optical openings are performed.
A lever that is formed on the same plane as the cover and that interlocks the cover extends from an upper surface of the main body housing that has an arc shape extending from an end of the opening cover that is positioned above the plurality of optical openings. An imaging apparatus, characterized by being provided to protrude. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of covers are a finder cover and a lens cover. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the shaft is provided between the finder cover and the lens cover. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a lens extends from the optical opening, a pin projects in the vicinity of the lever. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of covers have a lens function. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of covers have an optical filter function. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover is urged by an urging unit that has the strongest rotational torque at a substantially center of the movable range of the lever. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the lever is interlocked with power ON / OFF.

Images