JP4164882B2 - Electronic flash device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic flash device, and more particularly, to an electronic flash device in which a plurality of operation members are arranged on a device main body.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, in an electronic flash device used by being mounted on a camera, various operation members are arranged to operate the electronic flash device under predetermined conditions.
FIG. 8 shows an electronic flash device of this type. In this electronic flash device, an upper portion of the back surface of the main body 1 is used for switching light emission modes such as TTL light control, external light control, and manual light control. A light emission mode changeover switch 2 is disposed.
[0003]
Further, an ISO changeover switch 3 for switching the ISO value is arranged at the left middle part on the rear surface, and a power switch 4 for controlling the power supply state is arranged at the lower left side.
A ready light display window 5 and a test light emission button 6 are arranged on the lower right side on the back.
[0004]
In such an electronic flash device, the light emission mode changeover switch 2, the ISO changeover switch 3 and the power switch 4 are constituted by slide switches, and the test light emission button 6 is constituted by a push switch. In the vicinity of each switch, Since the set values are described, the user can operate each switch correctly without looking at the instruction manual.
[0005]
On the other hand, recently, an electronic flash device incorporating a CPU has been developed. In such an electronic flash device, the operation switch tends to be a push switch instead of a conventional slide switch, and the number of switches is greatly increased. Has been increased.
FIG. 9 shows such an electronic flash device. In this electronic flash device, the apparatus main body is composed of an upper device main body 8 and a lower device main body 9.
[0006]
Various operation members for operating the electronic flash device are arranged on the back surface of the lower device main body 9.
That is, in this electronic flash device, a display unit 10 composed of an LCD or the like for displaying various information set by a built-in CPU (not shown) is disposed on the upper part of the back surface of the lower device body 9.
[0007]
A zoom switch 11, a light emission mode changeover switch 12, a select switch 13, an up switch 14, and a down switch 15, which are operation members, are arranged in this order from the left side below the display unit 10.
In addition, a test light emission button 16, an illumination switch 17, and a power switch 18 are disposed in the lower stage of these switches in order from the left side.
[0008]
Further, a ready light display window 19 is disposed below these switches.
In this electronic flash device, in order to prevent the number of switches 11 to 18 from increasing, a function that is rarely used once set is to operate two of the switches 11 to 18 at the same time. It can be set by.
[0009]
That is, for example, by simultaneously pressing the illumination switch 17 and the power switch 18, the dimmable distance display m (meter) and ft (feet) displayed on the display unit 10 can be switched.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such an electronic flash device, the function set by operating two of the switches 11 to 18 at the same time is a function that is rarely used once set. There was a problem that it was very difficult to set this function without a manual.
[0011]
Therefore, it is conceivable to simply describe the operation method of the switches 11 to 18 as the operation members on the side surface of the upper device main body 8 or the lower device main body 9, but in this case, the display always remains in the eyes of the user. Therefore, the display becomes annoying for the user.
The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic flash device capable of reliably displaying the operation method of the operation member so as not to obstruct the user. .
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The electronic flash device according to claim 1, wherein a light emitting unit is disposed in the device main body, and a plurality of operation members are disposed in the device main body, and the reflection plate that reflects the flash light from the light emitting unit is provided in the electronic flash device. An operation method that is arranged so as to be able to be pulled out in the apparatus main body and that is operated on two or more operation members at the same time among the plurality of operation members is described on the back surface of the reflection plate. .
[0013]
Electronic flash device according to claim 2, the operation method in an electronic flash device according to claim 1, wherein, as described in the reflector, the reflector plate when withdrawn from the apparatus main body, the same as the viewing direction of the operating member It is characterized by being visible from the direction.
[0015]
(Action)
In the electronic flash device according to claim 1, the reflection plate which is accommodated movably disposed in the apparatus main body, it is described the operation method of the operation member, the operation method of the only operating member when pulled out reflector is visible.
[0016]
Moreover, only the operation method which operates two or more operation members simultaneously among several operation members is described in a reflecting plate .
In the electronic flash device according to the second aspect, when the reflecting plate is pulled out from the device main body, the operation method described on the reflecting plate is visible from the same direction as the viewing direction of the operating member.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the electronic flash device of the present invention.
[0018]
In this embodiment, the device main body of the electronic flash device is composed of an upper device main body 31 and a lower device main body 33.
The upper device main body 31 is disposed so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction with respect to the lower device main body 33 via the rotation unit 35.
The upper device main body 31 is provided with a light emitting unit 37 that emits a flash during photographing.
[0019]
On the upper side of the light emitting unit 37 of the upper device body 31, a wide panel 39 and a reflection plate 41 are disposed so as to be housed in the upper device body 31.
The wide panel 39 diffuses flash light from the light emitting window 43 of the light emitting portion 37 and changes the irradiation angle. For example, a wide panel 39 having a large number of pyramidal protrusions on the surface of a transparent plate member is used. Is done.
[0020]
In addition, the reflector 41 is used to shoot the subject's eyes vividly at the time of bounce shooting, and has a milky white color, for example, which is not so strong against the bounce light and does not change the color temperature. A plate material such as polyester having a thickness of about 0.2 to 0.4 mm is used.
FIG. 2 shows the back surface of the electronic flash device of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, various operation members for operating the electronic flash device are arranged on the back surface of the lower device main body 33.
[0021]
That is, in this electronic flash device, a display unit 45 including an LCD or the like for displaying various set information by a built-in CPU (not shown) is disposed on the upper surface of the lower device body 33.
A zoom switch S1, a light emission mode changeover switch S2, a select switch S3, an up switch S4, and a down switch S5, which are operation members, are arranged in this order from the left side below the display unit 45.
[0022]
Further, a test light emission button S6, an illumination switch S7, and a power switch S8 are arranged in the lower part of these switches in order from the left side.
Further, a ready light display window 47 is arranged below these switches.
The zoom switch S1 is a switch for changing the irradiation angle of the flash light emitted from the light emitting unit 37, and the light emission mode switching switch S2 is a light emission such as TTL dimming, external dimming, manual dimming or the like. This is a switch for switching modes.
[0023]
Further, the select switch S3 is a switch for selectively setting inputs such as an ISO value and an aperture value, and the up switch S4 and the down switch S5 are for changing the contents selected by the select switch S3. It is a switch.
The test light emission button S6 is a switch for performing test light emission, the illumination switch S7 is a switch for illuminating the display unit 45, and the power switch S8 is a switch for controlling the power state.
[0024]
In this embodiment, the character M1 “SPEEDLIGHT” is printed on the upper portion of the display unit 45.
Further, a letter M2 “ZOOM” is printed on the zoom switch S1, a letter M3 “MODE” is printed on the light emission mode changeover switch S2, and a letter M4 “SEL” is printed on the select switch S3. .
[0025]
Further, a symbol K1 “+” is printed on the up switch S4, and a symbol K2 “−” is printed on the down switch S5.
A symbol K3 indicating illumination is printed under the illumination switch S7, and a character M5 "ON / OFF" is printed under the power switch S8.
[0026]
In this embodiment, the characters M1 to M5 and the symbols K1 to K3 described above are printed and displayed with a luminous paint.
This luminous paint has the property of storing energy that emits light while placed in a bright place and emitting light in the dark.
As such a phosphorescent paint, for example, there is N Luminova (trade name of Nemoto Special Chemical Co., Ltd.) using strontium aluminate as a material.
[0027]
This N-Luminous (Luminova) has many advantages such as being free of radioactive materials, having an afterglow time of about 10 times, and having excellent light resistance compared to conventional luminescent coatings made of zinc sulfide. is doing.
It is also possible to mold by mixing with acrylic, silicon rubber or the like. N nightlight is described in detail, for example, in the May 1996 issue of Nikkei Science.
[0028]
In this embodiment, a columnar protrusion S3a is integrally formed with the select switch S3 as shown in FIG.
Further, a plus sign is formed on the surface of the up switch S4, and a minus sign is formed on the surface of the down switch S5 by a convex character.
Therefore, the select switch S3, the up switch S4, and the down switch S5 can be identified not only by printing with the phosphorescent paint but also by touch.
[0029]
Furthermore, in this embodiment, each of the switches S1 to S8, which are operation members, is formed of a resin such as acrylic or silicon rubber mixed with the above-described luminous paint, and each of the switches S1 to S8 emits light in the dark. The
And in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the seal | sticker 49 is affixed on the back surface of the reflecting plate 41. As shown in FIG.
[0030]
FIG. 4 shows details of the seal 49. The seal 49 has a seal body 51 made of resin, paper or the like.
A reflective layer 53 is formed adjacent to the back side of the seal body 51, and an adhesive layer 55 is formed adjacent to the reflective layer 53.
[0031]
In this embodiment, the reflective layer 53 is formed of a metal foil such as aluminum or silver.
In this embodiment, an explanatory diagram of the operation method of the switches S1 to S8 made of the operation member described above is printed on the surface of the seal body 51.
In this embodiment, the seal body 51 is printed with functions that are rarely used once set.
[0032]
FIG. 5 shows an explanatory diagram of an operation method printed on the surface of the seal body 51, which describes a switch operation in which two switches are operated at the same time in order to exhibit a function that is rarely used. Yes.
In FIG. 5, members in which characters are blacked out and correspond to the switches S <b> 1 to S <b> 8 shown in FIG. 2, and the same members as those in the switches S <b> 1 to S <b> 8 in FIG. Yes.
[0033]
Here, “M ZOOM ONLY” is a function that is set when the zoom switch S1 and the up switch S4 are pressed simultaneously, and the irradiation angle can be automatically changed when the zoom switch S1 is attached to a camera capable of data communication (not shown). This is a switch operation used when canceling a function that can be performed.
The broken picture of the wide panel 39 is a function that is set when the zoom switch S1 and the select switch S3 are pressed simultaneously. The wide panel 39 shown in FIG. It is a switch operation used when it has come off.
[0034]
“NO AF ILL” is a function set when the light emission mode changeover switch S2 and the down switch S5 are pressed at the same time, and an AF auxiliary light (not shown) for irradiating the electronic flash device to assist the autofocus operation. This is a switch operation used to forcibly turn off the lamp.
[0035]
“ON / STBY” is a function that is set when the light emission mode changeover switch S2 and the power switch S8 are pressed at the same time. When ON, the power is always on. During STBY, the power is on for a predetermined time. If no operation is performed, the power is temporarily turned off to save energy.
In this STBY state, unlike the OFF set by the power switch S8, the X contact is closed, or a signal is output from the camera to a leg contact that is electrically connected to a camera (not shown). In this mode, the power supply is turned on without operating the power switch S8.
[0036]
“(M) / (ft)” is a function set when the illumination switch S7 and the power switch S8 are pressed at the same time. The distance unit of the dimmable distance range displayed on the display unit 45 is m (meters). ) Or ft (feet).
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the bounce shooting using the electronic flash device described above is performed by positioning the light emission window 43 toward the ceiling 57 in a state where the reflection plate 41 is pulled out from the upper device body 31. This is done by flashing the part 37.
[0037]
In such bounce shooting, the flash light from the light emitting unit 37 is reliably reflected by the reflecting plate 41 and irradiated to the subject 59, so that a vivid eye catching effect can be obtained in the eyes of the subject 59. .
In the electronic flash device configured as described above, the operation method of the switches S1 to S8, which are operation members, is described on the reflection plate 41, which is a plate member that can be accommodated in the upper device body 31, so that reflection is possible. Only when the plate 41 is pulled out, the operation method of the switches S1 to S8 can be visually confirmed. As a result, the operation method of the switches S1 to S8 can be reliably displayed so as not to obstruct the user.
[0038]
Further, in the above-described electronic flash device, only the operation method for simultaneously operating two or more switches among the plurality of switches S1 to S8 is described in the reflector 41. Therefore, a function that is rarely used once set, It can be set easily and reliably based on the description of the reflector 41.
[0039]
Further, in the above-described electronic flash device, as shown in FIG. 6, when the upper device body 31 and the lower device body 33 are linearly arranged and the reflecting plate 41 is pulled out from the upper device body 31, the reflecting plate 41. Since the operation method described in Fig. 2 is made visible from the same direction as the viewing direction of the switches S1 to S8, the switches S1 to S8 are easily and reliably operated while viewing the operation method described on the reflector 41. be able to.
[0040]
In the electronic flash device described above, since the operation method of the switches S1 to S8 is described on the reflection plate 41 that reflects the flash light from the light emitting unit 37, the operation method can be described easily and reliably without providing a separate plate member. can do.
Further, in the above-described electronic flash device, a part of the light transmitted through the reflection plate 41 is reflected by the reflection layer 53 of the seal 49 attached to the back surface of the reflection plate 41, and thus the reflectance of the reflection plate 41. Can be significantly improved as compared with the prior art.
[0041]
Further, in the electronic flash device described above, the characters M1 to M5 and the symbols K1 to K3 are displayed on the lower device main body 33 by the phosphorescent paint, so that the lower device main body 33 is not used without using special parts. The characters M1 to M5 and the symbols K1 to K3 displayed on the screen can be reliably recognized in the dark.
Therefore, the switches S1 to S8, which are operation members, can be easily and reliably operated even in the dark.
[0042]
FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the electronic flash device of the present invention. In this embodiment, the panel plate 61 of the display unit 45 of the lower device body 33 shown in FIG. The light guide plate is made of resin.
On the back surface of the panel board 61, for example, a letter M1 “SPEEDLIGHT” is printed and displayed with a phosphorescent paint.
[0043]
One end of the optical fiber 63 is positioned on the end face of the panel plate 61, and the other end of the optical fiber 63 extends in the vicinity of the xenon tube 65 disposed in the light emitting unit 37.
In this embodiment, the flash light from the xenon tube 65 of the light emitting unit 37 is guided to the panel plate 61 which is a light guide plate by the optical fiber 63 for each light emission, and is displayed on the character M1 displayed by the phosphorescent paint through the panel plate 61. Irradiated.
[0044]
Accordingly, it is possible to maintain the light emission characteristics even when used in the dark, and the user can easily and reliably recognize the character M1 displayed on the panel board 61 with the eyes 67.
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the operation method of the switches S1 to S8 is described on the back surface of the reflecting plate 41 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and for example, the upper device main body 31. Alternatively, a separate plate member may be accommodated in the lower apparatus body 33, and a switch operation method may be described on the plate member.
[0045]
In the above-described embodiment, the operation method for setting a predetermined function by simultaneously pressing two switches has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and, for example, three switches. A predetermined function may be set by pressing simultaneously.
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the apparatus main body is configured by the upper apparatus main body 31 and the lower apparatus main body 33 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and the upper apparatus main body and the lower apparatus main body. And may be integrated.
[0046]
Moreover, although embodiment mentioned above demonstrated the example which printed and displayed the characters M1-M5 and the symbols K1-K3 itself with the luminous paint, this invention is not limited to this embodiment, A character or a symbol The outer portion may be printed and displayed with phosphorescent paint, and characters or symbols may be displayed in white.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the electronic flash device according to the first aspect, since the operation method of the operation member is described on the reflection plate that can be accommodated in the apparatus main body, the operation member operation is performed only when the reflection plate is pulled out. The method becomes visible, and as a result, the operation method of the operation member can be surely displayed so as not to obstruct the user.
[0048]
In addition, since only the operation method for operating two or more operation members at the same time among the plurality of operation members is described on the reflection plate , a function that is rarely used once set can be easily based on the description of the reflection plate . It can be set reliably.
Furthermore, since the operation method of the operation member is described on the reflection plate that reflects the flash from the light emitting unit, the operation method can be described easily and reliably without providing a separate plate member.
In the electronic flash device according to claim 2, when pulling out the reflector from the apparatus main body, the operation methods described reflector, since the viewing direction in the same direction of the operating member and the visible, is described reflector The operating member can be easily and reliably operated while visually checking the operating method.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of an electronic flash device of the present invention.
2 is a rear view showing the electronic flash device of FIG. 1. FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view showing a select switch of the electronic flash device of FIG. 1. FIG.
4 is a cross-sectional view showing a reflecting plate of the electronic flash device of FIG. 1. FIG.
5 is an explanatory diagram showing a diagram printed on a sticker of a reflector of the electronic flash device of FIG. 1; FIG.
6 is an explanatory view showing a method of using a reflector of the electronic flash device of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a second embodiment of the electronic flash device of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a rear view showing an example of a conventional electronic flash device.
FIG. 9 is a rear view showing another example of a conventional electronic flash device.
[Explanation of symbols]
31 Upper device body 33 Lower device body 37 Light emitting part 41 Reflector plate 49 Seals S1 to S8 Switch

Claims (2)

In the electronic flash device in which the light emitting unit is arranged in the apparatus main body and a plurality of operation members are arranged in the apparatus main body,
A reflection plate that reflects flash light from the light emitting unit is disposed in the apparatus main body so that the reflection plate can be pulled out , and the use frequency of simultaneously operating two or more operation members among the plurality of operation members on the back surface of the reflection plate is high. An electronic flash device comprising a low operating method. The electronic flash device according to claim 1, wherein
The operating method described reflector, the reflector plate when withdrawn from the apparatus main body, an electronic flash device, characterized in that there is a visible from the viewing direction in the same direction of the operating member.

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