JP4447987B2 - Strobe system and strobe device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a strobe system and a strobe device that can use an external power source.

  Regarding strobe systems that can be connected to an external power supply, when the external power supply is connected, the capacity of the built-in battery and the external power supply battery are determined in the strobe device, and whether to charge the main capacitor is determined according to the determination result. And a means for prohibiting the boosting operation by the built-in battery when it is determined that the external power supply is connected and the built-in battery of the strobe device is exhausted. (Patent Document 2) has been proposed.

In both Patent Documents 1 and 2, whether or not the strobe boosting operation is possible is determined by detecting the degree of consumption and capacity of the built-in battery. Moreover, in patent document 1, the capacity | capacitance of the battery of an external power supply is also measured.
JP 2001-215576 A JP 2003-098577 A

  However, both Patent Documents 1 and 2 have the effect that a battery with a built-in strobe and a battery with an external power source can be used. However, there are various types of batteries. There has been a demand for a strobe system and a strobe device that cannot effectively detect the energy of both a built-in strobe battery and an external power source battery.

In addition, for example, there is already an apparatus for detecting the degree of consumption or capacity of a battery with a built-in strobe and a battery of an external power source provided with means for energizing a predetermined load for a predetermined time and detecting a voltage drop at this time. not good detection accuracy, circuit configuration becomes complicated, and the cost becomes high.

(Object of invention)
An object of the present invention is to provide a strobe system and a strobe device that can efficiently use the energy of a built-in strobe battery and an external power supply battery without a complicated circuit configuration.

In order to achieve the above object, a strobe system according to the present invention includes a first boosting unit that charges a main capacitor, and a charging voltage of the main capacitor is set to a first predetermined voltage by the boosting operation of the first boosting unit. A strobe device having first control means for controlling to reach a range or a predetermined value, second boosting means for generating an output voltage as an external power source for charging the main capacitor, And a second control unit that controls the output voltage to reach a second predetermined range or a predetermined value by a boosting operation of the boosting unit, and a strobe system configured by an external power source connected to the strobe device a is, the first control means, when the charging capability of the first pressure-increasing means is higher than the charge capacity by the second boosting means, the main con den The first predetermined range or the predetermined value of the charging voltage is changed to a voltage lower than the second predetermined range or the predetermined value of the output voltage of the external power supply, and the charging capability by the first boosting means is the second When the charging capability is lower than the boosting means, the first predetermined range or predetermined value of the charging voltage of the main capacitor is changed to a voltage higher than the second predetermined range or predetermined value of the output voltage of the external power supply. It is characterized by that .

Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, the strobe device according to the present invention controls the boosting means for charging the main capacitor and the charging voltage of the main capacitor to reach a predetermined range or a predetermined value by the boosting operation of the boosting means. And a control unit that controls the boosting unit to charge more than the charging capability of the external power source when the charging capability of the boosting unit is higher than the charging capability of the external power source. as compared to the case is also low, and changes the predetermined range or a predetermined value of the charging voltage of the main capacitor to a lower voltage.

Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, a strobe system according to the present invention includes a first boosting unit that charges a main capacitor, and a charging voltage of the main capacitor is set to a first predetermined voltage by the boosting operation of the first boosting unit. A strobe device having first control means for controlling to reach a range or a predetermined value, second boosting means for generating an output voltage as an external power source for charging the main capacitor, And a second control unit that controls the output voltage to reach a second predetermined range or a predetermined value by a boosting operation of the boosting unit, and a strobe system configured by an external power source connected to the strobe device a by having a determining means for determining the type of power supply battery used in the flash device and the external power supply, said first control means, said determining means If the determined charging capacity of the power supply battery of the strobe device is higher than the charging capacity of the power supply battery of the external power supply, the first predetermined range or the predetermined value of the charging voltage of the main capacitor is set to the value of the external power supply. When the output voltage is changed to a voltage lower than a second predetermined range or a predetermined value and the charging capacity of the power supply battery of the strobe device is lower than the charging capacity of the power supply battery of the external power supply, the charging voltage of the main capacitor the first predetermined range or a predetermined value, and changes the second predetermined range or a voltage higher than a predetermined value of the output voltage of the external power supply.

Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, the strobe device according to the present invention controls the boosting means for charging the main capacitor and the charging voltage of the main capacitor to reach a predetermined range or a predetermined value by the boosting operation of the boosting means. And a control unit that includes a determination unit that determines a type of a power supply battery used for an external power source for charging the strobe device and the main capacitor, and the control unit includes the determination unit. If the charging capability of the power supply battery of the strobe device determined by the means is higher than the charging capability of the power supply battery of the external power supply, the charging capability of the power supply battery of the strobe device is charging capability of the power supply battery of the external power supply. as compared with the case lower than, to change the predetermined range or a predetermined value of the charging voltage of the main capacitor to a voltage It is characterized in.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a strobe system or a strobe device that can efficiently use the energy of a built-in strobe battery and an external power supply battery without using a complicated circuit configuration.

  As shown in Examples 1 to 3 below.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a strobe system comprising a strobe device and an external power supply according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the figure, the strobe device is shown below the dotted line, and the portion above the dotted line. Shows an external power supply connected to the strobe device.

  First, the circuit configuration on the strobe device side will be described.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a power battery, which is composed of four AA batteries connected in series. Reference numeral 2 denotes a power switch, one end of which is connected to the positive electrode of the power battery 1 and the other end is connected to an input terminal of a booster circuit 7 which will be described later. A capacitor 3 is connected in parallel to the series circuit of the power battery 1 and the power switch 2. Reference numeral 4 denotes a DC / DC converter, one end of which is connected to the other end of the power switch 2 and the other end is connected to a power supply terminal VDD of a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a strobe microcomputer) 8 on the strobe device side to be described later. Reference numeral 5 denotes a resistor, one end of which is connected to the port P4 of the stroboscopic microcomputer 8 and the other end is connected to an LED 6 described later. An LED (infrared light emitting diode) 6 has an anode connected to the resistor 5 and a cathode connected to the negative electrode of the battery 1. The LED 6 can be visually recognized by the user, and is generally called a pilot lamp. When the pilot lamp is lit, flash emission is possible. Reference numeral 7 denotes a booster circuit for charging a main capacitor 14 which will be described later. The input terminal is connected to the power switch 2, the output terminal is connected to the anode of a diode 9 which will be described later, and the control terminal is connected to the port P6 of the strobe microcomputer 8. ing.

  A strobe microcomputer 8 has six ports P1 to P6, one terminal group FL1, a power supply terminal VDD, and a ground terminal GND. Reference numeral 9 denotes a diode having an anode connected to the output terminal of the booster circuit 7 and a cathode connected to a positive electrode of a main capacitor 14 described later. An EEPROM 10 is connected to the terminal group FL1 of the stroboscopic microcomputer 8. The EEPROM 10 stores information on the voltage of the main capacitor 14 for controlling the voltage of the main capacitor 14 by the booster circuit 7. ing. Reference numerals 11 and 12 denote resistors connected in series, which are connected in parallel to a main capacitor 14 described later. The connection point between the resistors 11 and 12 is connected to the port P3 of the stroboscopic microcomputer 8, and the stroboscopic microcomputer 8 is configured to detect the voltage of the main capacitor 14.

  A diode 13 has an anode connected to a connection terminal TC4 for connection to an external power source, and a cathode connected to the positive electrode of the main capacitor 14. Reference numeral 14 denotes a main capacitor for supplying light emission energy to a flash discharge tube 17 described later. A known trigger circuit 15 has one end connected to one end of a switch 16 described later and the other end connected to a trigger electrode of a flash discharge tube 17 described later. Reference numeral 16 denotes a camera synchronization switch (not shown) having one end connected to one end of the trigger circuit 15 and the other end connected to the negative pole of the main capacitor 14. A flash discharge tube 17 is connected in parallel with the main capacitor 14, and when the sync switch 16 is turned on, the flash discharge tube 17 starts to emit light.

  Next, the circuit configuration on the external power supply side will be described.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 21 denotes a power battery, which is composed of eight AA batteries of the same type as the power battery 1 on the strobe device side connected in series. A diode 22 has an anode connected to a positive electrode of the power supply battery 21 and an input terminal of a booster circuit 30 described later. A capacitor 23 has a positive electrode connected to the cathode of the diode 22 and a negative electrode connected to the negative electrode of the power supply battery 21.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes a resistor, which is connected to the base and emitter of a transistor 25 described later. A PNP transistor 25 has an emitter connected to one end of the resistor 24, a base connected to one end of the resistor 26, and a collector connected to an input of a DC / DC converter 29 described later. A resistor 26 has one end connected to the emitter of the transistor 25 and the other end connected to the collector of a transistor 27 described later. An NPN transistor 27 has an emitter connected to the negative electrode of the power supply battery 21, a base connected to a strobe device connection terminal TG 1 via a resistor 38, and a collector connected to one end of the resistor 26. A resistor 28 is connected between the base and emitter of the transistor 27. A DC / DC converter 29 has an input terminal connected to the collector of the transistor 25 and an output terminal connected to the power supply terminal VDD of the flash microcomputer 8. A booster circuit 30 has an input terminal connected to the positive electrode of the power supply battery 21, an output terminal connected to a diode 33 described later, and a control terminal connected to a port P1 of an external power supply microcomputer 31 described later.

  Reference numeral 31 denotes an external power supply microcomputer, which has three ports P1 to P3, one terminal group GL, a power supply terminal VDD, and a ground terminal GND, and performs each control in the external power supply. An EEPROM 32 is connected to the terminal group GL of the external power supply microcomputer 31. In the EEPROM 32, information on the voltage of the capacitor 36 for controlling the voltage of the capacitor 36 described later by the booster circuit 30 is stored. Has been. Reference numeral 33 denotes a diode having an anode connected to the output terminal of the booster circuit 30 and a cathode connected to the capacitor 36. Reference numerals 34 and 35 denote resistors connected in series, and the series resistors are connected in parallel to a capacitor 36 described later. The connection point between the resistors 34 and 35 is connected to the port P2 of the external power supply microcomputer 31 so that the voltage of the capacitor 36 described later can be detected by the external power supply microcomputer 31. A capacitor 36 has one end connected to the cathode of the diode 33 and the other end connected to the negative electrode of the power supply battery 21. Reference numeral 37 denotes a diode having an anode connected to the cathode of the diode 33 and a cathode connected to the connection terminal TG4. Reference numeral 38 denotes a resistor having one end connected to the base of the transistor 27 and the other end connected to the connection terminal TG1.

  TG1, TG2, TG3, and TG4 are connection terminals on the external power supply side, and are connected to connection terminals TC1, TC2, TC3, and TC4 on the strobe device side, respectively. The connection terminals TG2 and TG3 are connected to the negative pole (ground) of the power supply battery 21.

  Next, the operations when the external power supply is connected to the strobe device having the above-described configuration and when it is not connected will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS.

  When the power switch 2 on the strobe device side is turned on, the DC / DC converter 4 is activated, a known reset circuit (not shown) is activated, and the strobe microcomputer 8 is in an operating state. The operation from step # 102 is started via step # 101.

  In step # 102, it is determined whether or not an external power source is connected based on the state of the port P2, and if the level is low, the external power source is connected and the process proceeds to step # 103. On the other hand, if the level is high, the process proceeds to step # 115. The port P2 is assumed to be at a high level when there is no load. Specifically, when the port P2 is at a low level, the port P2 is at a ground level that is the negative pole of the power supply battery 1 via the connection terminals TC2, TG2, TG3, and TC3, and is external as described above. It is determined that the power source is connected, and the process proceeds to step # 103. If the power level is high, it is determined that nothing is connected to the connection terminal TC2, and the external power source is not connected. Proceed to # 115.

  If the external power supply is connected and the process proceeds to step # 103, the port P1 is set to the high level. As a result, the transistor 27 of the external power supply is turned on and the transistor 25 is also turned on via the connection terminal TC1, the connection terminal TG1, and the resistor 38, the DC / DC converter 29 is activated, and the external power supply is activated. The operation of the external power supply will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The port P1 is normally at a low level.

  In the next step # 104, the flash microcomputer 8 sets the port P6 to the high level. As a result, the booster circuit 7 starts a boosting operation, and charging of the main capacitor 14 via the diode 9 is started. Note that the port P6 is normally at a low level. In the subsequent step # 105, the voltage of the capacitor 3 (denoted as C3 in the flow of FIG. 2), that is, the voltage of the power supply battery 1, is determined. If it is higher than 2V, the process proceeds to step # 106. Proceed to step # 112 and subsequent operations.

  When the voltage of the power supply battery 1 is higher than 2V and the process proceeds to step # 106, the flash microcomputer 8 maintains the high level of the port P6. As a result, the boosting operation is continued. In the next step # 107, the charging voltage of the main capacitor 14 (denoted as C14 in the flow of FIG. 2) is determined via the port P3, and the flash discharge tube 17 is caused to emit an amount of light necessary for photographing. When it does not reach 270 V, which is the light emission permission voltage that can be generated, it remains in this step # 107. Thereafter, when the charging voltage of the main capacitor 14 reaches 270 V, the process proceeds to Step # 108, and the port P4 is set to the high level. As a result, the LED 6 is turned on, and as described above, the user can recognize that the flash can be emitted. In the subsequent step # 109, the charging voltage of the main capacitor 14 is detected via the port P3, and it is determined whether it has reached 320V. As a result, if it has not reached, it stays at this step # 109 until it reaches, and when it reaches 320V, it proceeds to step # 110 and sets the port P6 to the low level. As a result, the boosting operation is stopped.

  In the next step # 111, the stroboscopic microcomputer 8 determines whether or not the charging voltage of the main capacitor 14 has dropped and becomes lower than 317V by detecting the voltage at the port P3. As a result, if the voltage is lower than 317 V, the process returns to step # 108. If not, the process stays at step # 111.

  The drop in the charging voltage of the main capacitor 14 is caused by the leakage current of the resistors 11 and 12 and the main capacitor 14. However, since the booster circuit 7 on the strobe device side and the booster circuit 30 on the external power supply side charge the main capacitor 14 at the same time, and the charging voltage to the main capacitor 14 by the external power supply is higher, in general use Step # 111 does not return to Step # 108. However, there is a possibility that the process returns to step # 108 when a battery consumed by an external power supply is used as the power supply battery 21 as an exception.

  As described above, when the voltage (C3) of the capacitor 3 is 2 V or less at step # 105, the flash microcomputer 8 proceeds to step # 112. In step # 112, the port P6 is set to a low level. As a result, the booster circuit 7 stops operating. Since the current of the power battery 1 is reduced by this operation stop, the voltage of the power battery 1 is increased. In the next step # 113, the capacitor 3, that is, the power supply battery voltage 1, is determined through the port P5. When the voltage is 2V or less, the process stays at step # 113. When the voltage is higher than 2V, the process returns to step # 104. Repeat the operation. The loop of steps # 105 → # 112 → # 113 → # 104 is provided to monitor the voltage of the power supply battery 1 so that the operating voltage of the DC / DC converter 4 does not fall below the operating voltage. .

  If it is determined in step # 102 that the port P2 is at the high level, that is, the external power source is not connected as described above, the flash microcomputer 8 proceeds to step # 115. In step # 115, the port P6 is set to the high level. As a result, the booster circuit 7 starts a boosting operation, and charging of the main capacitor 14 via the diode 9 is started. The operation after step # 115 is an operation when the external power supply is not connected.

  In the next step # 116, the stroboscopic microcomputer 8 determines the voltage of the capacitor 3, that is, the voltage of the power supply battery 1 via the port P5. When the voltage is higher than 2V, the process proceeds to step # 117. Proceed to step # 122 and subsequent operations.

  When the power supply battery voltage 1 is higher than 2V and the process proceeds to step # 117, the flash microcomputer 8 determines the voltage of the main capacitor 14 via the port P3, and when the voltage of the main capacitor 14 has not reached 270V, Stay in step # 117. Thereafter, when it is determined that the voltage has reached 270 V, the process proceeds to step # 118, and the port P4 is set to the high level. Thereby, as described above, the LED 6 is turned on, and the user can recognize that the strobe can emit light.

  In the next step # 119, the stroboscopic microcomputer 8 detects the charging voltage of the main capacitor 14 at the port P3, and determines whether it has reached 330V. If not reached, the process stays at step # 119, and if it is determined that it has been reached, the process proceeds to step # 120. The level (330V) of the charging voltage to the main capacitor 14 is written in the EEPROM 10, and can be changed by rewriting the contents of the EEPROM 10. In the first embodiment, the voltage is set to 320 V in step # 109 when the external power source is connected, but other values may be adopted. When proceeding to the next step # 120, the port P6 is set to the low level. Thereby, the boosting operation of the booster circuit 7 is stopped. In the subsequent step # 121, it is determined whether the main capacitor 14 has become lower than 327V by detecting the voltage of the port P3. If the voltage is lower than 327V, the process returns to step # 118. Stay on. As described above, the drop in the charging voltage of the main capacitor 14 is caused by the leakage current of the resistors 11 and 12 and the main capacitor 14.

  As described above, when the voltage of the capacitor 3 is 2 V or less at step # 116, the flash microcomputer 8 proceeds to step # 122. In step # 122, the port P6 is set to a low level. As a result, the booster circuit 7 stops operating. Since the current of the power supply battery 1 decreases due to this operation stop, the voltage of the power supply battery 1 rises. In the next step # 123, the voltage of the capacitor 3, that is, the power supply battery 1 is determined via the port P5. When the voltage is 2V or less, the voltage stays at step # 123. When the voltage is higher than 2V, the process returns to step # 115. The same operation is repeated. The loop of steps # 116 → # 122 → # 123 → # 115 is provided to monitor the voltage of the power supply battery 1 and prevent the operating voltage of the DC / DC converter 4 from being lower than the operating voltage. .

  As can be seen from the description of the flowchart of FIG. 2 above, when the external power supply is connected to the strobe device, the main capacitor 14 is charged to 320V (# 109), and when the external power supply is not connected, 330V. (# 119).

  Next, the operation on the external power supply side will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  When a high level signal is input from the port P1 of the stroboscopic microcomputer 8 to the connection terminal TG1 of the external power supply, the transistor 27 is turned on and the transistor 25 is also turned on, the DC / DC converter 29 is activated, and the external power supply microcomputer 31 is turned on. A voltage is applied to the power supply terminal VDD. Then, the external power supply microcomputer 31 starts the operation from step # 202 via step # 201 of FIG.

  In step # 202, the external power supply microcomputer 31 sets the port P1 to the high level, starts the operation of the booster circuit 30, and starts charging the capacitor 36. At the same time, charging of the main capacitor 14 via the diodes 37 and 13 is started. Then, in the next step # 203, the voltage of the capacitor 23 (denoted as C23 in the flow of FIG. 3) is determined via the port P3. When the voltage is higher than 2V, the process proceeds to step # 204. The operations after step # 208 described later are performed.

  If the voltage of the capacitor C23 is higher than 2V and the process proceeds to step # 204, the external power supply microcomputer 31 maintains the high level of the port P1. Thereby, the boosting operation is continued. At this time, the main capacitor 14 is charged via the diodes 37 and 13. Therefore, since the main capacitor 14 is charged by both the booster circuit 7 on the strobe device side and the booster circuit 30 on the external power supply side, charging is performed at a higher speed than charging by the booster circuit 7 alone. In the next step # 205, the voltage of the capacitor 36 (denoted as C36 in the flow of FIG. 3) is detected via the port P2, and it is determined whether it has reached 330V. As a result, if it has not reached 330V, it stays at this step # 205, and if it reaches 330V after that, it will progress to step # 206. The voltage level (330V) of the capacitor 36 is written in the EEPROM 32. By rewriting the contents of the EEPROM 32, the voltage level is 330V in the first embodiment, but other values may be adopted.

  In step # 206, the external power supply microcomputer 31 sets the port P1 to the low level. As a result, the boosting operation is stopped. Then, in the next step # 207, it is determined by detecting the voltage at the port P3 whether the capacitor 36 is lower than 327V. As a result, if it is lower than 327 V, the process returns to step # 204, and if not lower, the process returns to step # 207. The voltage drop of the capacitor 36 is caused by leakage currents of the resistors 34 and 35 and the capacitor 36.

  As described above, when the voltage of the capacitor 23 (C23) is 2 V or less in step # 203, the external power supply microcomputer 31 proceeds to step # 208. In step # 208, the port P1 is set to the low level. As a result, the booster circuit 30 stops operating. Since the current of the power supply battery 21 decreases due to this operation stop, the voltage of the power supply battery 21 rises and the voltage of the capacitor 36 also rises. In the next step # 209, the voltage of the capacitor 36 is determined via the port P3. When the voltage is higher than 2V, the process returns to step # 202. When the voltage is 2V or lower, the process stays at this step # 209. The loop of step # 203 → # 208 → # 209 → # 202 is provided to monitor the voltage of the capacitor 23 so that the operating voltage of the DC / DC converter 29 does not become lower than the operating voltage.

  When the flash discharge tube 17 of the strobe device is turned on and the trigger circuit 15 is driven by turning on the synchro switch 16 of the camera to cause the flash discharge tube 17 to emit light, the process proceeds to step # 102 in the flowchart of FIG. Return.

  As described above, when the strobe device is operated alone, the main capacitor 14 is stabilized at 330 V (hysteresis voltage 3 V), and when an external power supply is connected to the strobe device, the booster circuit 7 of the strobe device is up to 320 V. Charges the main capacitor 14, but the main capacitor 14 is charged by the external power supply up to about 330 V (hysteresis 3 V). Here, the reason why the voltage is set to about 330 V is that there is a voltage drop of about 1 V due to the voltage drop of the diodes 37 and 13.

  Here, the determination voltages described in steps # 109, # 119, and # 205 are hereinafter referred to as regulator voltages. The reason why the regulator voltage of the strobe device when the external power supply is connected is changed to the regulator voltage when the external power supply is not connected will be described.

  When strobe light emission is repeated, it is ideal that the power source battery of the strobe device and the power source battery of the external power source are almost eliminated at the same time, but the following phenomenon may occur. In the case of repeated flash firing, if the charging capability of the booster circuit on the strobe device is high, when the external power supply is used, if the regulator voltage is the same, the power supply battery of the strobe device will wear out. May be faster than exhausted. In this case, since the power source battery of the strobe device is consumed first, the strobe operation stops. When the stroboscopic operation is stopped, the stroboscopic microcomputer 8 is also stopped. Therefore, the transistor 27 of the external power supply is turned off by a signal from the stroboscopic device, and the boosting operation of the external power supply is stopped. In this case, energy remains in the external power source battery, and the external power source battery cannot be used effectively. That is, the number of times that light can be emitted is reduced. In this case, it is only necessary to reduce the energy at the time of charging the strobe device when the external power source is used.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, the regulator voltage of the strobe device when the external power source is used is set lower than the regulator voltage when the external power source is not used, thereby reducing power consumption. As a result, the power supply battery of the strobe device and the power supply battery of the external power supply are almost eliminated at the same time, so that the energy of both can be used effectively.

  Contrary to the above, when the charging capability of the strobe device is low and the charging capability of the external power source is high, the power source battery of the external power source is quickly consumed. In this case, since the main capacitor 14 is charged mainly by the power source battery of the strobe device, the charging time of the main capacitor 14 is abruptly delayed. Even in this case, it is ideal that the strobe device and the power source battery of the external power source are almost eliminated at the same time. Therefore, in this case, the regulator voltage of the strobe device when the external power supply is used may be set higher than when the external power supply is not used.

  The method for determining the regulator voltage when the strobe device is connected to the external power source may be determined experimentally depending on the type of the power source battery of the strobe device and the power source battery of the external power source. In Example 1 of FIG. 1, the regulator voltage when the external power supply of the strobe device is used is set to be lower than the regulator voltage of the external power supply by 10V. If the same type of battery is used for the power supply battery of the strobe device and the power supply battery of the external power supply, there is almost no need to change the difference between the regulator voltage of the strobe device and the regulator voltage of the external power supply.

  As a result of experiments conducted by connecting a general strobe device and an external power source, the difference between the regulator voltage of the external power source and the regulator voltage of the strobe device is usually within 30V.

  According to the first embodiment, the booster circuit 7 that charges the main capacitor 14 and the charging voltage of the main capacitor 14 are controlled to reach the first predetermined range (for example, 320 V to 317 V) by the boost operation of the booster circuit 7. A strobe device having a strobe microcomputer 8, a booster circuit 30 for generating an output voltage (voltage of the capacitor 36) as an external power source for charging the main capacitor 14, and the output voltage by the boost operation of the booster circuit 30. Is a strobe system including an external power supply having an external power supply microcomputer 31 that controls to reach a second predetermined range (for example, 320 V to 317 V), and the strobe device has an external power supply to the strobe device. Has a detecting means (step # 102 in FIG. 2) for detecting whether or not the flash is connected. When the icon 8 detects that the external power source is connected to the strobe device by the detection means, the third predetermined voltage or the predetermined value of the charging voltage of the main capacitor 14 is higher than the emission permission voltage. To a predetermined range or a predetermined value (steps # 108 to # 111 in FIG. 2).

  Specifically, the stroboscopic microcomputer 8 changes the first predetermined range or predetermined value of the charging voltage of the main capacitor 14 from the second predetermined range or predetermined value of the output voltage of the external power source according to the charging capability of the booster circuit 8. Processing for changing to a low preset voltage, and a first predetermined range or predetermined value of the charging voltage of the main capacitor 14 is set to a preset voltage higher than a second predetermined range or predetermined value of the output voltage of the external power supply The process to change to is switched.

  By adopting the above configuration, the power supply battery 1 of the strobe device and the power supply battery 21 of the external power supply can be almost eliminated at the same time without using a complicated circuit configuration as in the prior art, and both energy can be effectively used. Use. Therefore, the number of strobe flashes can be increased.

  Next, a strobe system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment including the circuit configuration of FIG. 1 except that the flowchart of FIG. 2 in the first embodiment is changed to the flowchart of FIG.

  4 is different from FIG. 2 only in that step # 111 in FIG. 2 is not provided. Thus, when the voltage of the main capacitor 14 becomes the regulator voltage, the boosting operation of the booster circuit 7 is stopped, and the subsequent boosting operation is not performed. However, since the main capacitor 14 is charged from the external power supply, the operation is the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the stroboscopic microcomputer 8 performs control (steps # 108 to # 110 in FIG. 4) so that the charging voltage of the main capacitor 14 reaches a predetermined value (for example, 320 V).

  In the second embodiment, since the operation of step # 111 is eliminated, the operation can be simplified.

  Next, a strobe system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a strobe system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the strobe device is shown below the dotted line and connected to the strobe device above the dotted line. Indicates an external power supply.

  First, the circuit configuration on the strobe device side will be described.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 101 denotes a power supply battery, which is configured by connecting four AA batteries in series. A switch 102 has one end connected to the positive electrode of the power supply battery 101 and the other end connected to an input terminal of a booster circuit 107 described later. A capacitor 103 is connected in parallel to the series circuit of the power battery 101 and the switch 102. A DC / DC converter 104 has one end connected to the other end of the switch 102 and the other end connected to a power supply terminal VDD of a strobe microcomputer 108 described later. Reference numeral 105 denotes a resistor, one end of which is connected to the port P4 of the stroboscopic microcomputer 108 and the other end is connected to the anode of the LED 106 described later. Reference numeral 106 denotes an LED, the anode is connected to the resistor 5, and the cathode is connected to the negative electrode of the power supply battery 101. The LED 106 can be visually recognized by the user and is generally called a pilot lamp. When the pilot lamp is lit, flash emission is possible. Reference numeral 107 denotes a booster circuit for charging a main capacitor 114, which will be described later. The input terminal is connected to the switch 102, the output terminal is connected to the anode of a diode 109, which will be described later, and the control terminal is connected to the port P5 of the strobe microcomputer 108. Yes. A strobe microcomputer 108 includes five ports P1 to P5, three terminal groups FL1 to FL3, a power supply terminal VDD, and a ground terminal GND.

  Reference numeral 109 denotes a diode having an anode connected to the output terminal of the booster circuit 107 and a cathode connected to the positive electrode of the main capacitor 114. An EEPROM 110 is connected to the terminal group FL1 of the flash microcomputer 108. Reference numerals 111 and 112 denote resistors connected in series, and are connected in parallel to the main capacitor 114. Reference numeral 113 denotes a diode having an anode connected to a connection terminal TC4 for connection to an external power source and a cathode connected to the positive electrode of the main capacitor 114. Reference numeral 114 denotes a main capacitor. 115 is a known trigger circuit, one end of which is connected to one end of a synchro switch 116 described later and the other end is connected to a trigger electrode of a flash discharge tube 117 described later. Reference numeral 116 denotes a camera synchronization switch (not shown) having one end connected to one end of the trigger circuit 115 and the other end connected to the negative pole of the main capacitor 114. A flash discharge tube 117 is connected in parallel with the main capacitor 114. A battery selection unit 118 is connected to the terminal group FL2 of the flash microcomputer 108 via a plurality of lines.

  Next, the external power supply side will be described.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 121 denotes a power supply battery, which is composed of eight AA batteries connected in series. A capacitor 122 has a positive electrode connected to the positive electrode of the power supply battery 121 and a negative electrode connected to the negative electrode of the power supply battery 21. A diode 123 has an anode connected to the positive electrode of the power supply battery 121 and a cathode connected to an input of a voltage stabilizing circuit 125 described later. A DC / DC converter 124 has an input terminal connected to the power supply battery 121 plus pole, an output terminal connected to the cathode of the diode 123, and a control terminal connected to a port P4 of the external power supply microcomputer 129 described later. A voltage stabilizing circuit 125 has an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the DC / DC converter and an output terminal connected to the power supply terminal VDD of the external power supply microcomputer 129. A resistor 126 has one end connected to the port P3 of the external power supply microcomputer 129 and the other end connected to the anode of a diode 127 described later. Reference numeral 127 denotes an operation display LED of an external power supply, and an anode is connected to one end of the resistor 126 and a cathode is connected to the negative terminal of the power supply battery 121. With this LED 127, the user can confirm whether the external power supply is operating.

  A booster 128 has an input terminal connected to the positive electrode of the power supply battery 121, an output terminal connected to an anode of a diode 130 described later, and a control terminal connected to a port P1 of an external power supply microcomputer 129 described later. Reference numeral 129 denotes an external power supply microcomputer 129 which performs each control in the external power supply and has five ports P1 to P5 and three terminal groups GL1 to GL3. An EEPROM 131 is connected to the terminal group GL1 of the external power supply microcomputer 129. Reference numeral 132 denotes battery selection means that can manually set the type of battery to be used, and is connected to the terminal group GL2 of the external power supply microcomputer 129. 133 and 134 are resistors connected in series, and this series resistor is connected in parallel to a capacitor 135 described later. The connection point between the resistors 133 and 134 is connected to the port P2 of the external power supply microcomputer 129. A capacitor 135 has one end connected to the cathode of the diode 130 and the other end connected to the negative electrode of the power supply battery 121. Reference numeral 136 denotes a diode having an anode connected to the cathode of the diode 130 and a cathode connected to the connection terminal TG4.

  TG1, TG2, TG3, and TG4 are connection terminals on the external power supply side, and are connected to connection terminals TC1, TC2, TC3, and TC4 on the strobe device side, respectively.

  Next, the operation when an external power supply is connected to the strobe device and when it is not connected will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  When the power switch 102 is turned on, the DC / DC converter 104 is activated, a known reset circuit (not shown) is activated, and the strobe microcomputer 108 is activated. The strobe microcomputer 108 performs step # 301 in FIG. Then, the operation from step # 302 is started.

  In step # 302, the flash microcomputer 108 determines whether or not an external power source is connected based on the state of the port P1, and if the level is low, proceeds to step # 303 assuming that the external power source is connected. If the external power source is not connected, the process proceeds to step # 314. The port P1 is normally at a high level. Specifically, when the port P1 is at a low level, the strobe microcomputer 108 is at the ground level that is the negative pole of the power supply battery 101 via the connection terminals TC1, TG1, TG3, and TC3, and an external power supply is connected. Proceeding to step # 303, if the level is high, it means that nothing is connected to the connection terminal TC1, and the external power supply is not connected, and the process proceeds to step # 314. The strobe microcomputer 108 starts communication with the external power supply microcomputer 129 via the terminal group FL3, the connection terminals TC2 and TG2, and the terminal group GL3 when it is determined that the external power supply is connected.

  When the process proceeds to step # 303 assuming that the external power source is connected, the strobe microcomputer 108 communicates with the external power supply microcomputer 129. As a result, both the power supply battery 101 on the strobe device side and the power supply battery 121 on the external power supply side When it is determined that the battery is LR6 (alkaline battery) or Ni-MH (nickel metal hydride battery) type, the process proceeds to step # 304. When it is determined that the power supply battery 101 on the strobe device side is LR6 and the power supply battery 121 on the external power supply side is Ni-MH, the process proceeds to step # 314. If it is determined that the power supply battery 101 on the strobe device side is Ni-MH and the power supply battery 121 on the external power supply side is LR6 (alkaline battery), the process proceeds to step # 324. The type of the power supply battery is determined by the user manually setting the type of the battery to be inserted together. The battery selection means 118 is set on the strobe device side, and the battery selection means 132 is set on the external power supply side. The type of battery shall be determined according to

In step # 303, the battery set as the external power supply is recognized by communication with the external power supply microcomputer 129. As a result, when both the power supply battery 101 on the strobe device side and the power supply battery 121 on the external power supply side are both LR6 (alkaline battery) or Ni-MH (nickel metal hydride battery), the process proceeds to step # 304. 108 sets the port P5 to the high level. As a result, the booster circuit 107 starts a boosting operation, and charging of the main capacitor 114 via the diode 109 is started. The port P5 is normally at a low level. In the next step # 305, the voltage of the capacitor 103 (denoted as C103 in the flow of FIG. 6) at port P3 (denoted as C103 in the flow of FIG. 6), that is, the voltage of the power supply battery 101 is determined. If so, the process proceeds to step # 306. If the voltage is 2V or less, the process proceeds to an operation after step # 312 described later.

When the voltage of the power supply battery 101 is higher than 2V and the process proceeds to step # 306, the flash microcomputer 108 maintains the high level of the port P5. Thereby, a boosting operation is performed. Then, in the next step # 307, the charging voltage of the main capacitor 14 (denoted as C114 in the flow of FIG. 6) is determined through the port P2, and the flash discharge tube 117 emits a light amount necessary for photographing. If it has not reached 270 V, which is the light emission enabling voltage that can be generated, it remains in this step # 307. Thereafter, when the voltage exceeds 270 V, the process proceeds to step # 308 to set the port P4 to the high level. Thereby, the LED 106 is turned on, and the user can recognize that the flash can be emitted. In the next step # 309, the voltage of the main capacitor 114 is detected at the port P2, and it is determined whether it exceeds 320V. As a result, if it is 320V or less, it stays at this step # 309, and after that, when it reaches 320V, it proceeds to step # 310. Level of the main capacitor voltage (320 V) is written into the EEPROM 110, by rewriting the contents of the EEPROM 110, it is a In Example 3 320 V, can also be employed other values.

  In the next step # 310, the flash microcomputer 108 sets the port P5 to the low level. As a result, the boosting operation is stopped. In the subsequent step # 311, it is determined by detecting the voltage of the port P2 whether the charging voltage of the main capacitor 114 has dropped to 317 V or less. If it has fallen below 317V, it will return to Step # 308, and if it has not fallen, it will return to Step # 311. The voltage drop of the main capacitor 114 is caused by leakage currents of the resistors 111 and 112 and the main capacitor 114. However, as will be described later, the booster circuit 107 on the strobe device side and the booster circuit 128 on the external power supply side charge the main capacitor 114 at the same time. However, since the charging voltage of the main capacitor 114 by the external power supply is higher, In use, the process does not return from step # 311 to step # 308. However, if a battery that has been exhausted by an external power supply is used as the power battery 121, there is a possibility of returning to step # 308.

As described above, when the voltage of the power supply battery 101 is 2 V or less in step # 305 and the process proceeds to step # 312, the flash microcomputer 108 sets the port P5 to the low level. As a result, the booster circuit 107 stops operating. Consumption current of the power supply battery 101 is reduced by the operation stop, the voltage of the power supply battery 101 is increased. In the next step # 313, the voltage of the capacitor 103, that is, the voltage of the power supply battery 101 is determined via the port P3. When the voltage is higher than 2V, the process returns to step # 304, and when the voltage is 2V or less, the process returns to step # 313. The loop of step # 305 → step # 312 → # 313 → # 304 is provided in order to monitor the voltage of the power supply battery 101 and prevent the operating voltage of the DC / DC converter 104 from dropping below the operating voltage. Yes.

As described above, when the power supply battery 101 on the strobe device side is LR6 and the power supply battery 121 on the external power supply side is Ni-MH in step # 303, the strobe microcomputer 108 performs steps # 314 to # 322. Perform the action. Since the operations in steps # 314 to # 322 are the same as those in steps # 304 to # 313, the description thereof is omitted. However, the determination voltages at steps # 319 and # 321 are 330V and 327V.

  Further, as described above, when the power supply battery 101 on the strobe device side is Ni-MH and the power supply battery 121 on the external power supply side is LR6 in step # 303, the operation proceeds to step # 324 and subsequent steps. Although the operations after Step # 324 are not shown, they are almost the same as Steps # 304 to # 313, except that the determination voltage at Step # 309 is 310 V, and Step # 311. The only difference is that the determination voltage at 307V is 307V, so further explanation will be omitted.

  Next, the operation on the external power supply side will be described using the flowchart of FIG. When the battery is attached to the external power supply, the external power supply microcomputer 129 enters a standby state and starts the operation from step # 402 via step # 401 in FIG.

  First, in step # 402, when the external power supply microcomputer 129 determines that an external power supply is connected to the strobe device, it communicates with the strobe microcomputer 108 via the terminal group FL3, the connection terminals TC2 and TG2, and the terminal group GL3. Start. By starting this communication, the port P4 is set to the high level to activate the DC / DC converter 124 and start the operation in the normal mode. At the same time, the port 127 is set to high level and the LED 127 is turned on. When the user visually recognizes this lighting, it can be confirmed that the external power supply is operating. When it is removed from the strobe device, it returns to the standby mode again.

  In the next step # 403, the external power supply microcomputer 129 determines the power supply battery of the strobe device and the external power supply. As a result of communication with the strobe microcomputer 108, when both the power supply battery 101 on the strobe device side and the power supply battery 121 on the external power supply are LR6 or Ni-MH, and when the power supply battery 101 on the strobe device side is Ni-MH, When the external power source battery 121 is LR6, the process proceeds to step # 404. On the other hand, when the power supply battery 101 on the strobe device side is LR6 and the power supply battery 121 on the external power supply side is Ni-MH, the process proceeds to step # 412.

  In the next step # 404, the external power supply microcomputer 129 sets the port P1 to the high level. As a result, the booster circuit 128 starts the boosting operation, and the capacitor 135 is charged via the diode 130. At the same time, the main capacitor 114 is also charged via the diodes 136 and 113. The port P1 is normally at a low level. In the subsequent step # 405, the voltage of the capacitor 122 (denoted as C122 in FIG. 7) via the port P4 (denoted as C122 in FIG. 7), that is, the voltage of the power supply battery 121 is determined. Proceed to # 406, and if it is 2V or less, proceed to step # 410.

  If the voltage of the power supply battery 121 is higher than 2V and the process proceeds to step # 406, the external power supply microcomputer 129 maintains the high level of the port P1. Thereby, a boosting operation is performed. In the next step # 407, it is determined by detecting the voltage of the port P2 whether the voltage of the capacitor 135 (denoted as C135 in FIG. 7) has reached 330V. As a result, if it does not reach 330V, it stays at this step # 407, and then reaches 330V and proceeds to step # 408. The voltage level (330 V) is written in the EEPROM 131.

  In the next step # 408, the external power supply microcomputer 129 sets the port P1 to the low level. As a result, the boosting operation is stopped. Then, in the next step # 409, it is determined by detecting the voltage of the port P2 whether the voltage of the capacitor 135 has dropped and becomes lower than 327V. As a result, if the voltage is lower than 327 V, the process returns to step # 406, and if not, the process returns to step # 409. The voltage drop of the capacitor 135 is caused by the leakage current of the resistors 133 and 134 and the capacitor 135.

  If it is determined in step 405 that the voltage of the power supply battery 121 is 2 V or less and the process proceeds to step # 410, the port P1 is set to a low level. As a result, the booster circuit 128 stops operating. By stopping the operation, the current consumption of the power supply battery is reduced and the voltage of the power supply battery 121 is increased. In the subsequent step # 411, the voltage of the capacitor 122, that is, the voltage of the power supply battery 121 is determined at the port P5. When the voltage is higher than 2V, the process returns to step # 404, and when it is 2V or less, the process returns to step # 411. The loop of steps # 405 → # 410 → # 411 → # 404 is provided to monitor the voltage of the power supply battery 121 so that the operating voltage of the DC / DC converter 124 does not fall below the operating voltage. .

  In step # 403, when the power supply battery 101 on the strobe device side is LR6 and the power supply battery 121 on the external power supply side is Ni-MH, the process proceeds to step # 412. Here, steps # 412 to # 418 are performed. Perform the action. The operations in steps # 412 to # 418 are the same as those in steps # 404 to # 411 except for the points described below, and thus the description other than the points described below is omitted.

  The only difference from the above is that the determination voltage in step # 415 is 320V and the determination voltage in step # 317 is 317V.

  As is apparent from the above description, the third embodiment determines the types of the power supply battery for the strobe device and the power supply battery for the external power supply, and changes the regulator voltage.

  For example, when the power source battery of the strobe device and the external power source is the same type, the regulator voltage when the strobe device uses the external power source is 320 V, and the regulator voltage when the external power source is not used is 330 V. The regulator voltage of the external power supply is also 330V.

  When the power supply battery of the strobe device is LR6 (alkaline battery) and the power supply battery of the external power supply is Ni-MH (nickel metal hydride battery), the regulator voltage of the strobe device is set to 330 V, and the regulator voltage of the external power supply is set to 320V. This is because the nickel-metal hydride battery generally has a high charging capacity, and the regulator voltage of the external power supply is set lower in order to prevent the battery from being consumed before the power supply battery of the strobe device.

  Also, when the power supply battery of the strobe device is a nickel metal hydride battery and the power supply battery of the external power supply battery is an alkaline battery, as described above, the charge capacity of the nickel metal hydride battery is higher, so the power supply battery of the strobe device Therefore, the regulator voltage of the strobe device is set to 310V, and the regulator voltage of the external power supply is set to 330V.

  As described above, when the stroboscopic light emitting operation is repeated, the power source battery of the stroboscopic device and the external power source is consumed almost at the same time.

  Currently, Ni-cd batteries, nickel batteries, lithium batteries, etc. other than those mentioned above are on the market, but the optimum strobe device for each battery combination and the regulator voltage of the external power supply are experimentally determined and stored in the EEPROM. By storing these values, the regulators are optimally used when the strobe device and the external power supply are used in combination by reading out those values based on the selection results by the battery selection means provided in the strobe device and the external power supply. A voltage can be obtained.

  Although not shown, it is also possible to determine the battery type by automatically measuring the battery's no-load voltage and internal resistance, and to set the optimum strobe device and regulator voltage for the external power supply. It is.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the present invention is applied to a full-flash type strobe device, but it is also possible to apply to a strobe device that controls light emission.

It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the strobe system concerning Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the strobe device of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the external power supply of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the strobe device concerning Example 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the flash system concerning Example 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the strobe device of FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the external power supply of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Power Supply Battery on Strobe Device 7 Booster Circuit 8 Strobe Microcomputer 10 EEPROM
14 Main Capacitor 17 Flash Discharge Tube 21 Power Supply Battery on External Power Supply 30 Booster Circuit 31 External Power Supply Microcomputer 32 EEPROM
36 Capacitor 101 Power supply battery on strobe side 107 Booster circuit 108 Strobe microcomputer 110 EEPROM
118 Battery Selection Means 114 Main Capacitor 117 Flash Discharge Tube 121 Power Supply Battery on the External Power Supply Side 128 Booster Circuit 129 External Power Supply Microcomputer 131 EEPROM
132 battery selection means 135 capacitor

Claims (4)

First boosting means for charging the main capacitor, and first control means for controlling the charging voltage of the main capacitor to reach a first predetermined range or a predetermined value by the boosting operation of the first boosting means. A strobe device having
Second boosting means for generating an output voltage as an external power source for charging the main capacitor, and the output voltage reaches a second predetermined range or a predetermined value by the boosting operation of the second boosting means. A strobe system comprising a second control means for controlling and an external power source connected to the strobe device ,
The first control unit sets a first predetermined range or a predetermined value of the charging voltage of the main capacitor when the charging capability by the first boosting unit is higher than the charging capability by the second boosting unit. The output voltage of the external power supply is changed to a voltage lower than a second predetermined range or a predetermined value, and when the charging capability by the first boosting means is lower than the charging capability by the second boosting means, A strobe system , wherein a first predetermined range or a predetermined value of the charging voltage of the main capacitor is changed to a voltage higher than a second predetermined range or a predetermined value of the output voltage of the external power supply . A strobe device comprising boosting means for charging a main capacitor, and control means for controlling the charging voltage of the main capacitor to reach a predetermined range or a predetermined value by boosting operation of the boosting means ,
When the charging capability by the boosting means is higher than the charging capability by the external power supply for charging the main capacitor, the control means is when the charging capability by the boosting means is lower than the charging capability by the external power supply. In comparison, the strobe device is characterized in that a predetermined range or a predetermined value of the charging voltage of the main capacitor is changed to a lower voltage . First boosting means for charging the main capacitor, and first control means for controlling the charging voltage of the main capacitor to reach a first predetermined range or a predetermined value by the boosting operation of the first boosting means. A strobe device having
Second boosting means for generating an output voltage as an external power source for charging the main capacitor, and the output voltage reaches a second predetermined range or a predetermined value by the boosting operation of the second boosting means. A strobe system comprising a second control means for controlling and an external power source connected to the strobe device,
Determining means for determining the type of power supply battery used for the strobe device and the external power supply;
When the charging capability of the power supply battery of the strobe device determined by the determination unit is higher than the charging capability of the power supply battery of the external power source, the first control unit determines the first charging voltage of the main capacitor. Is changed to a voltage lower than a second predetermined range or a predetermined value of the output voltage of the external power supply, and the charging capacity of the strobe device by the power supply battery is more than the charging capacity of the power supply battery of the external power supply. If also low, strobe and changes the first predetermined range or a predetermined value of the charging voltage of the main capacitor, the second predetermined range or a voltage higher than a predetermined value of the output voltage of the external power supply System . A strobe device comprising boosting means for charging a main capacitor, and control means for controlling the charging voltage of the main capacitor to reach a predetermined range or a predetermined value by boosting operation of the boosting means,
A determination means for determining a type of a power battery used as an external power source for charging the strobe device and the main capacitor;
When the charging capability of the strobe device determined by the determination unit is higher than the charging capability of the power source battery of the external power source, the control unit determines that the charging capability of the strobe device by the power source battery is the external power source. A strobe device , wherein a predetermined range or a predetermined value of the charging voltage of the main capacitor is changed to a lower voltage as compared with a case where the charging capacity of the power source is lower than that of a power source battery .

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