JP5332434B2 - Lens cap and imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lens cap used in an imaging apparatus such as various cameras and an imaging apparatus including the lens cap.

  There are some imaging devices such as various cameras that cover the front of the lens with a lens cap because the front of the photographic lens is exposed when not in use and the lens is scratched or dirty. Or there is one with a barrier. Many compact cameras having a retractable lens barrel that have been widely used in recent years are designed to protect the lens by closing the barrier in conjunction with the retracting of the lens barrel.

In the recent camera market, while miniaturization of the camera is required, there are demands such as a high zoom magnification and a wide angle of view. There is a tendency to increase in size. Portability is also an important requirement, and it is also required that a protective member for protecting a finger from touching the front surface of the lens when not in use can be attached. In order to satisfy these requirements, a lens barrier and a lens cap exist. However, when a lens barrier is incorporated in the lens unit, the diameter of the front end of the lens becomes large in the case of a wide angle of view lens, so that the barrier itself becomes large, and the driving mechanism of the barrier becomes large, which makes the lens unit bulky. In that respect, an external lens cap can avoid an increase in the size of the lens unit, but the lens cap is mostly detachable by the user and is inferior in operability.
As described above, various devices have been made for the lens barrier or the lens cap. However, as is apparent from the invention described in the patent document described below, there is room for improvement.

  As an example of a camera with a lens barrier provided with a retractable lens barrel, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. In the invention described in Patent Document 1, a lens cap type lens barrier is attached to a front end outer peripheral portion of a lens barrel to which a lens is fixed so as to be rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the optical axis. . A lens frame that moves forward and backward along the lens barrel and incorporates a lens is incorporated on the inner peripheral side of the lens barrel, and in a state where the lens frame is retracted and stored in the lens barrel, the barrier is When the front end of the lens frame is covered and the lens frame advances from the lens barrel, the barrier is pushed and rotated by the front end of the lens frame to open the front end of the lens frame. In a mode in which the barrier covers the front end of the lens frame and a mode in which the front end of the lens frame is opened, a so-called click mechanism works to temporarily hold each position.

  The invention described in Patent Document 1 is a one-blade type barrier, but Patent Document 2 describes a two-blade lens barrier device. The invention described in Patent Document 2 aims to enable the barrier and the outer surface of the camera to be flush with the barrier closed, and to be used as a lens hood with the barrier open. Each end of the two barriers is supported so as to be pivotable about the axis at the front upper and lower sides of the camera, and these barriers are biased in a direction to close the front surface of the photographing lens, The barrier is opened and closed by an interlocking member that moves in conjunction with a photographing stop operation. In the shooting preparation operation, the interlocking member interlocks with this to rotate the barrier against the biasing force to open the front of the shooting lens, and when shooting stops, the barrier is rotated by the biasing force to close the shooting lens front. ing.

JP 2001-21950 A JP 2002-148681 A

  According to the invention described in Patent Document 1, the driving force when the lens cap type barrier operates to the side that opens the lens front surface is obtained from the driving force of the lens unit, and the barrier is resisted against the biasing force. Need to drive. Therefore, the urging force of the barrier is constantly applied to the lens driving mechanism until the barrier is completely opened. Moreover, it is a lens frame that holds the lens at the extreme end of the lens driving mechanism that drives the barrier. This lens barrel is required to have high positional accuracy, and when the positional accuracy deteriorates, the captured image also deteriorates. However, in the configuration of the invention described in Patent Document 1 in which the barrier comes into contact with the lens barrel, the urging force of the barrier is always applied to the lens barrel as an external force when the lens barrel is in a position where photographing is possible. This is disadvantageous for increasing the positional accuracy of the lens barrel. Further, it is disadvantageous in terms of durability and reliability of the lens unit.

  The invention described in Patent Document 2 is different from the invention described in Patent Document 1 in that the barrier has two blades, but basically, as in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the barrier is closed. Energizing and moving the photographic lens from the retracted position to a position where it can be photographed, and also when it is in a position where it can be photographed, the urging force of the barrier is constantly applied to the lens barrel at the tip, so the lens barrel This is a disadvantageous configuration in order to increase the positional accuracy. Further, it is disadvantageous in terms of durability and reliability of the lens unit. Furthermore, in the case of the invention described in Patent Document 2, when the camera is used, the barrier that opens the front surface of the lens barrel does not block part of the illumination light during strobe light emission, It is necessary to prevent the barrier from blocking a part of the optical path for distance measurement, which is a limiting factor in camera design.

  The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art as described above. When the lens unit is in the shooting position, the front surface of the lens unit is opened, and when the lens unit is in the storage position, the lens unit is opened. A lens cap that closes the front of the lens, and when the lens unit is in the shooting position, the lens cap is designed so that the lens cap does not come into contact with the lens barrel that holds the lens. The main object is to provide a lens cap capable of increasing the positional accuracy of the cylinder.

  In addition to the main object described above, the present invention further provides a lens that simply unlocks the lens cap by the movement of the lens unit when the lens unit is extended from the main body of the imaging device in order to change the imaging device from a non-use state to a use state. An object of the present invention is to obtain a lens cap in which the cap opens the front surface of the lens unit so that the driving force for opening the lens cap is hardly applied to the lens unit driving mechanism.

The present invention includes a fixed cylinder fixed to the image pickup apparatus body, a first cylinder disposed inside the fixed cylinder, and a second cylinder disposed further inside than the first cylinder and holding a lens. a is disposed inside the fixed cylinder, the feed from the fixed cylinder to the photographing position at the time of shooting, when not in photographing detachable from the imaging apparatus and a lens unit which is accommodated in the accommodating position inside the fixed barrel a lens cap, and a base portion which is mounted on the fixed cylinder front outer periphery, and a barrier to the front end portion mounted to be opened and closed in the lens cap to the base portion, the barrier, the front end of the lens cap An urging member that urges in a closing direction, and when the lens unit is in the storage position, the barrier closes the front end of the lens cap by the urging force of the urging member; When the lens unit is extended from the storage position to the shooting position and when the lens unit is in the shooting position, the barrier and the second cylinder do not contact each other, and only the barrier and the first cylinder contact each other. The main feature of the barrier is that the front end of the lens cap is opened by being pushed by the first tube against the urging force of the urging member .

Imaging device according to the present invention, the solid Teitsutsu, characterized in that it comprises a mounting portion of a lens cap according to the present invention.

According to the lens cap according to the present invention, when the lens unit is accommodated because the barrier is closed the front end of the lens unit, will not forget to close the lens cap. Further, when the lens unit is extended to the use position, the urging force of the barrier is not applied to the cylinder holding the lens, so that the positional accuracy of the lens holding cylinder at the time of photographing can be improved.

  According to the imaging apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus capable of obtaining the above-described effects by being able to attach the lens cap having the above-described configuration.

  Embodiments of a lens cap according to the present invention and an image pickup apparatus that can use the lens cap will be described below with reference to the drawings. The illustrated imaging apparatus is configured as a camera, for example, a digital camera. First, the configuration of the lens cap mounting portion of the camera capable of mounting the lens cap according to the present invention will be described mainly.

  30 and 31, the camera 1 incorporates a lens unit 2 on the front side of the body. The lens unit 2 holds the lens and the rotating cylinder 12 that advances and retreats in the axial direction on the inner peripheral side of the fixed cylinder 32 by being rotated around the axis with respect to the fixed cylinder 32 fixed to the body of the camera 1. The lens holding cylinder 30 is moved forward and backward in the axial direction on the inner peripheral side of the rotating cylinder 12 by the rotation of the rotating cylinder 12. The first group lens 3 is held on the inner peripheral side of the lens holding cylinder 30. The rotary cylinder 12 is driven to rotate around the axis by a motor, and is guided by, for example, a helicoid and advances and retreats in the axis direction. As the rotary cylinder 12 rotates and advances and retreats in the axial direction, the lens holding cylinder 30 advances and retreats in the axial direction, that is, the lens optical axis direction via, for example, a rectilinear cylinder and a cam groove. The rotating cylinder 12 itself does not have a lens holding frame, and therefore does not hold a lens. FIG. 30 shows a storage mode in which the lens unit 2 is retracted to the body side of the camera 1. FIG. 31 shows a mode in which the lens unit 2 can be taken out from the body of the camera 1 and photographed.

  A mounting portion 16 to which various accessories can be attached is provided at the outer peripheral front end portion of the fixed cylinder 32. As with the bayonet mount, the mount 16 is fitted in the axial direction with the accessory-side recess and claw aligned with the claw and recess of the mount 16, and the accessory is rotated relative to the mount within a certain angle range. It is the structure which couple | bonds both. As will be described later, the lens cap according to the present invention can be attached to the mount portion 16.

  When the accessory is not attached to the mount portion 16, as shown in FIGS. 32 to 34, a decorative ring 34 that hides the uneven shape of the mount portion can be attached. The decorative ring 34 also has a structure in which the inner peripheral side is adapted to the mount portion 16, and the outer peripheral surface is finished to a smooth and attractive surface. A cutout 36 is formed on the rear end surface in the axial direction of the decoration ring 34. When the decoration ring 34 is fitted to the mount portion 16 in the axial direction as described above and rotated around the axis by a predetermined angle, the lock pin 38 is fitted into the notch 36 and the decoration ring 34 is locked. Yes. The lock pin 38 is urged in a direction protruding forward in the mount portion 16. A release button 17 is provided near the lock pin 38 on the front surface of the camera 1. The release button 17 and the lock pin 38 are linked to each other. When the release button 17 is pushed in, the lock pin 38 is retracted against the urging force, and the lock of the decoration ring 34 can be released. By releasing this lock, the decorative ring 34 can be rotated in the direction opposite to that when the decorative ring 34 is mounted, and thereby the decorative ring 34 can be removed. The lock and unlock mechanism is also used for attaching and detaching a lens cap according to the present invention described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, a power button 13, a release button 14, a mode dial 15, a strobe button 24, and the like are disposed on the upper surface of the camera 1, and a strobe light emitter 23 is disposed above the mount unit 16. Is arranged. 30 and 31, the strobe light emitter 23 is closed, but when the strobe button 24 is pressed, the strobe light emitter 23 operates in a pop-up manner so that the light emitting unit is raised as shown in FIG. It has become. An auxiliary light exit window 26 for irradiating the subject with auxiliary light, an external distance measuring window (not shown), and the like are arranged on the upper front surface of the camera 1 main body so that the distance can be measured even in the dark. The main distance measurement is performed by processing the output signal of the image sensor in the camera body and searching for the position with the highest contrast. However, since distance measurement takes time, a triangulation method using the external distance measurement window 28 is used. Thus, quick and accurate distance measurement is performed by using the distance measurement result for the internal distance measurement.

  Next, the configuration and operation of the lens unit 2 will be schematically described with reference to FIGS. The configuration of the lens unit 2 is substantially the same as the configuration of the lens barrel described in the specification and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-251340. 35 to 40, a lens unit driving motor 90 is mounted in the vicinity of the lens unit 2 in the body of the camera, and the rotational force of the motor 90 is transmitted to the rotary cylinder 12 via the transmission gear train 92. Thus, the rotary cylinder 12 is reversibly driven to rotate. When the rotary cylinder 12 is driven to rotate, the rotary cylinder 12 moves forward and backward in the optical axis direction due to the fitting of the helicoid formed on the fixed cylinder 32 and the rotary cylinder 12. A rectilinear cylinder 94 is fitted on the inner peripheral side of the rotary cylinder 12. The rectilinear cylinder 94 moves together with the rotating cylinder 12 in the optical axis direction, but is relatively rotatable with respect to the rotating cylinder 12, and comes to advance straight by being guided by a rectilinear guide in the optical axis direction. ing.

  The lens holding cylinder 30 is fitted on the inner peripheral side of the rectilinear cylinder 94. A pin protrudes from the outer periphery of the lens holding cylinder 30 and passes through a rectilinear groove formed in the rectilinear cylinder 94 and further fits into a cam groove formed in the inner periphery of the rotating cylinder 12. waiting. Therefore, the rotating cylinder 12 advances and retreats while rotating, and the rectilinear cylinder 94 moves straight along with the rotating cylinder 12, and the crossing position of the rectilinear groove and the cam groove into which the pin is fitted moves in the optical axis direction. The lens holding cylinder 30 moves in the optical axis direction. The lens holding cylinder 30 holds the first group lens 3. A second group lens is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the rectilinear cylinder 94, and the second group lens moves in the optical axis direction in accordance with the movement of the rotary cylinder 12 and the rectilinear cylinder 94. Since the movement of the lens is not related to the present invention, a description thereof will be omitted. 35 to 38 show a state in which the lens unit 2 is retracted and housed in the camera body. FIG. 40 shows a state in which the lens unit 2 can be taken out from the camera body.

  Next, various embodiments of the lens cap according to the present invention used by mounting on the camera having the lens unit described above will be described. In each Example, the same code | symbol was attached | subjected to the same component.

  1 to 7 show a first embodiment of a lens cap. This embodiment is characterized in that the barrier of the lens cap is a single disk-shaped blade, and that the barrier is rotated and biased in a direction to open the front surface of the lens unit. 1 to 7, the base 9 of the lens cap 5 is attached to the mount portion 16 of the camera 1. The base 9 is formed in a ring shape, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the inner peripheral side is formed in the same manner as the inner peripheral side of the decorative ring 34, and is attached to and detached from the mount portion 16 by a mechanism similar to the bayonet mechanism. It is like that. Further, when the base 9 is removed from the mount portion 16, the release button 17 is pressed to release the lock, and the base 9 is rotated in the direction opposite to that at the time of mounting, as in the case of the decorative ring 34.

  A shaft 4 is supported on the lower portion of the front end of the outer peripheral portion of the base 9 in parallel with the front surface of the camera body in the lateral direction. The shaft 4 passes through a bearing portion integrally formed on the outer peripheral portion of a barrier 6 (see FIG. 2) made of a single disk-shaped blade, and the barrier 6 can rotate up and down around the shaft 4. It has become. As shown in FIG. 2, when the barrier 6 rotates upward about the shaft 4 in a state where the lens unit is housed in the camera body, the size of the barrier 6 is large enough to cover the front surface of the lens unit. Is set. A coil spring 7 is fitted on the outer periphery of the shaft 4, and both end portions of the spring 7 are hooked on the base 9 and the barrier 6, respectively, so that the barrier 6 rotates downward about the shaft 4 to move the front surface of the lens unit 2. It is energized in the opening direction. FIG. 2 shows this state, and the lens unit 2 can be taken out from the camera body and photographed.

  The operation in which the barrier 6 opens the front surface of the lens unit 2 as shown in FIG. 2 is performed by the extension operation of the lens unit 2. In order to perform such an operation, when the barrier 6 closes the front surface of the lens unit 2, a lock mechanism for maintaining the state and a mechanism for releasing the lock by the lock mechanism when the lens unit 2 is extended are provided. I have. These mechanisms will be described in detail below.

  On the back surface side of the barrier 6, as shown in FIG. 3, a cover 22 having substantially the same shape as the barrier 6 is disposed with an appropriate space between the back surface of the barrier 6, and the barrier 22 is formed by two screws 21. 6 is fixed. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, a lock member 8 is incorporated in a space formed by the barrier 6 and the cover 22. The lock member 8 is rotatably supported by a shaft 18 near the outer peripheral edge of the barrier 6. The rotation surface of the lock member 8 is perpendicular to the surface of the barrier 6. The lock member 8 includes a hook portion 10 that protrudes toward the back side of the barrier 6 near the shaft 18 and a protrusion 20 that protrudes toward the back side of the barrier 6 near the hook portion 10. The lock member 8 is fixed to an arm 19 made of an elastic plate. The arm 19 extends from the lock member 8 toward the center of the barrier 6 and is divided into two forks.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the hook portion 10 and the protrusion 20 protrude from the window hole provided in the cover 22 to the back side of the cover 22. The arm 19 has a contact portion 29 that protrudes while drawing a gentle arc on the back side of the barrier 6 near the protrusion 20 of the lock member 8. The contact portion 29 contacts the cover 22 and is pressed against the elastic force, thereby pressing the lock member 8 toward the barrier 6. By this pressing force, the tip end of the arm 19 is pressed against the back surface of the barrier 6, the arm 19 is bent, and the hook portion 10 and the protrusion 20 are biased in a direction to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. In addition, the rotation by the urging force is restricted by the cover 22. The lock member 8 and the arm 19 may be formed as an integral part by molding a plate made of an elastic body.

  5 and 7 show a state in which the barrier 6 closes the front surface of the lens unit 2 in a state where the lens unit 2 is housed. In this state, the engagement protrusion 11 formed inwardly on the inner peripheral portion of the front end of the base 9 of the lens cap 5 is located in front of the lock member 8 and engages with the hook portion 10 to have the lock member 8. The barrier 6 is maintained in the above state. The protrusion 20 is close to the front end surface of the rotating cylinder 12 of the lens unit 2.

  When the power button 13 is pressed to use the camera 1, the motor 90 shown in FIGS. 35, 37, and 39 is activated, and the rotary cylinder 12 is driven to rotate, as already described, and the rotary cylinder 12, lens The holding cylinder 30 is extended so that the lens unit 2 can be photographed. In the initial stage of the operation of the lens unit 2, the front end of the rotary cylinder 12 pushes the protrusion 20. With this pressing force, the lock member 8 resists the urging force of the arm 19 and rotates clockwise around the shaft 18 in FIG. 5, and the engagement of the engagement protrusion 11 by the hook portion 10 is released. 7 is rotated about the shaft 4 to open the front end of the base 9 and thus the front end of the lens unit 2. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the barrier 6 opens the front end of the lens unit 2. FIG. 1 also shows a state in which the lens unit 2 is extended to a position where photographing can be performed. Since the operation in which the barrier 6 opens the front end of the lens unit 2 is performed at the initial stage of the extension operation of the lens unit 2, the barrier 6 does not become an obstacle to the extension of the lens.

  In order to place the barrier 6 in the closed position in the state in which the lens unit 2 is housed, the user rotates the barrier 6 about the shaft 4 against the urging force of the spring 7. Immediately before the barrier 6 reaches the closed position, the hook portion 10 of the lock member 8 hits the engagement protrusion 11 of the base 9, and a component force obliquely downward acts on the hook portion 10, so that the lock member 8 is centered on the shaft 18. 5, a clockwise rotational force is generated. With this rotational force, the lock member 8 rotates against the urging force of the arm 19, and the engagement protrusion 11 of the base 9 gets over the hook portion 10. Thereafter, the lock member 8 is restored by the urging force, and the state in which the barrier 6 is closed on the front surface of the lens unit 2 as shown in FIG. 5 is maintained.

  According to the first embodiment, the user performs a closing operation to close the front surface of the lens unit 2 with the barrier 6. Without performing this operation, it is convenient to automatically move the barrier 6 to the closed position by moving the lens unit 2 to the retracted position, so that it is not forgotten to close the barrier. Example 2 is an improvement on this point. In the second embodiment, in addition to the above improvement, the barrier unit is prevented from coming into contact with the lens holding tube when the lens unit is extended, and the position accuracy of the lens holding tube is prevented from being adversely affected. ing.

  8 to 14, the lens cap base 9 can be attached to and detached from the mount portion 16 of the camera 1 by a bayonet mechanism in the same manner as the base in the first embodiment. Shafts 65 are supported in the vertical direction on the left and right sides of the base 9 by bearings. The barrier 64 is rotatably supported by these shafts 65. Each barrier 64 is formed in a semicircular shape obtained by dividing a circle into two equal parts, and an arc-shaped portion of each barrier 64 is supported by a shaft 65. When each barrier 64 is rotated around the axis 65 to close the front end surface of the base 9, the straight portions of both barriers 64 are in contact with each other so that they are as if they are circular barriers. Each barrier 64 is rotationally biased by a coil spring 70 provided on the shaft 65 in such a direction that the linear portions approach each other and close the front surface of the lens unit 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, ribs 66 are integrally formed on the back surface of each barrier 64 so as to extend in the horizontal direction from the vicinity of the shaft 65 toward the center of the barrier 64. On the back surface of each barrier 64, the free end portion, that is, the end portion having the largest turning radius around the shaft 65, and therefore in the illustrated example, the corner portion where the arcuate edge and the straight edge intersect, A boss 69 projecting from the boss is integrally formed. Magnets 67 are fixed to two locations on the back side of the base 9. When each barrier 64 is closed, a magnetic body 68 is fixed to the back surface of each barrier 64 facing the magnet 67, and the barrier 64 is closed by a magnetic attractive force generated between the magnet 67 and the magnetic body 68. A mode is maintained. When the lens unit 2 is extended to the photographing position, the front end edge portion of the rotating cylinder 12 abuts on the rib 66 of each barrier 64, and each barrier 64 is rotated against the urging force of the spring 70. The front of 2 is opened. In this open state, the barrier 64 and the lens unit 2 are designed so that there is a gap between the lens holding cylinder 30 of the lens unit 2 and each barrier 64 so that they are separated from each other.

  FIG. 11 shows a mode in which each barrier 64 is rotated by an urging force to close the front surface of the lens unit 2. In this closed mode, the magnetic body 68 of each barrier 64 is attracted by the magnet 67, and this magnetic attractive force is also a force that maintains the closed mode together with the spring 70. However, a slight gap is generated between the magnetic body 68 and the magnet 67 due to the boss 69 abutting against the front end of the rotating cylinder 12, and the barrier 64 in the initial stage of the operation in which each barrier 64 described later takes an open mode. The amount of power required to rotate 64 is reduced. In this embodiment, it is not essential to use the magnet 67, and thus to use the magnetic attractive force, and the barrier may be closed only by the urging force of the spring.

  From the aspect in which each barrier 64 closes the front surface of the lens unit 2, when the power is turned on by operating the power button 13, the lens unit 2 is driven, and the rotary cylinder 12 is driven to rotate in the optical axis direction. The lens holding cylinder 30 is also extended from the rotating cylinder 12. As can be seen from the above description, each of the barriers 64 is pushed by the rotating cylinder 12 and rotated against the urging force. The rotating mode as shown in FIG. 12 is followed to the opening mode as shown in FIG. Each barrier 64 abuts only on the rotary cylinder 12 and does not abut on the lens holding cylinder 30 in both the open mode and the process leading to the open mode. As is clear from the configuration of the lens unit 2 described above, the rotary cylinder 12 is a large cylinder that drives the lens holding cylinder 30 and other cylinders, and does not hold the lens. Therefore, even if the barrier 64 comes into contact with the rotating cylinder 12, no external force is applied to the lens system, and the lens is positioned with high accuracy, so that there is no cause for deterioration in image quality.

  When the lens unit 2 is driven toward the storage position, each barrier 64 rotates in a direction to close the front surface of the lens unit 2 by the biasing force of the spring 70 as the rotary cylinder 12 moves backward. In the final stage of the lens housing process, the magnetic attraction force of the magnetic body 68 by the magnet 67 works, and each barrier 64 reaches a closed state as shown in FIG. 11 by this magnetic attraction force and the urging force of the spring 70. In the final stage of the lens storage process, the urging force of the spring 70 is weakened, and therefore, the magnetic attraction force of the magnetic body 68 by the magnet 67 is applied so that the closed state can be reliably maintained. Further, when the magnetic body 68 comes into contact with the magnet 67, the amount of force required to separate them increases, and a large load is applied to the rotating cylinder 12 when the barrier 64 is opened. Therefore, the boss 69 is brought into contact with the front surface of the rotary cylinder 12 to create a slight gap between the magnetic body 68 and the magnet 67, thereby reducing the amount of force required to pull the magnetic body 68 and the magnet 67 apart.

  If only the urging force of the spring 70 is used to maintain the closing mode by the barrier 64, the elastic force of the spring 70 is set to a certain level or more so that the urging force of the spring 70 acts more than a certain level even in the closing mode. I have to be strong. However, if the elastic force of the spring 70 is strong, there is a problem that a large load is applied to the rotating cylinder 12 that opens the barrier 64 against this, the durability of the mechanism is deteriorated, and the power supply battery is exhausted. In addition, since the urging force of the spring 70 increases as the barrier 64 is opened, the load applied to the rotary cylinder 12 becomes larger. In that respect, according to the above-described embodiment, since the magnetic attraction force is used together to maintain the barrier 64 in the closed mode, the urging force of the spring 70 can be reduced, and the rotary cylinder 12 and this are driven. The addition applied to the motor 90 can be reduced.

  If the shape of the barrier is a shape obtained by dividing the disc into two as in the second embodiment, the camera design may be limited for the following reason. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the strobe light emitter 23 may be mounted on the camera, or the external distance measuring window 28 may be incorporated. The illumination light emitted from the light emitting unit 25 of the strobe light emitter 23 needs to have a certain spread angle, and the external distance measuring window 28 measures the distance by a triangulation method or the like, so that a light path having a certain spread is secured. There is a need. However, the two barriers 64 in the second embodiment are located on the side of the lens unit 2 extended to the photographing position, and the corner where the arc portion and the straight portion intersect is at the side upper and lower positions of the lens unit 2. And it advances to a position some distance away from the camera body. Therefore, the arrangement position of the strobe light emitter 23 and the external distance measuring window 28 is set so that the corner portion of the barrier 64 does not enter the light distribution range of the strobe light emitter 23 and the optical path range necessary for the external distance measuring window 28. This is a design limiting factor.

  The third embodiment is an embodiment of a lens cap that can eliminate the design limiting factors as described above. 15 and 16 show a lens cap according to the third embodiment. In FIGS. 15 and 16, reference numerals 61, 62, and 63 all indicate barriers. The barriers 61, 62, and 63 are formed in a shape obtained by dividing the disc into three equal parts, that is, in a shape divided into three in a sector shape having an opening angle of 120 degrees with respect to the center point of the disc. The barriers 61, 62, and 63 are supported by shafts 41, 42, and 43, and are urged to rotate so as to close the front end opening of the base 9 by a spring (not shown). In a state in which the barriers 61, 62, 63 are rotated by the urging force and the front end opening of the base 9 is closed, the three barriers 61, 62, 63 are combined to form a disk-like barrier. become.

  The barriers 61, 62, 63 are also pushed by the outer peripheral portion of the front end of the rotating cylinder 12 when the lens unit 2 is extended from the storage position to the use position, and are rotated against the urging force to open the front end opening of the base 9. However, it is separated from the lens holding cylinder 30. The present embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the barrier is equally divided into a circle as described above and formed into a fan shape having an opening angle of 120 degrees with respect to the center point. The configuration is the same as that of the second embodiment. That is, each barrier 61, 62, 63 has a rib, a magnet, a magnetic body, and a boss that function in the same manner as each barrier 64 in the second embodiment. In this embodiment, it is not essential to use the magnet 67, that is, to use the magnetic attractive force, and the barrier may be closed only by the urging force of the spring.

  FIGS. 15 and 16 both show a mode in which the lens unit 2 is extended from the camera body, and the barriers 61, 62, and 63 open the front surface of the lens unit 2. FIG. The barriers 61, 62, and 63 are all supported so that the arc-shaped edges are rotatable at positions close to the body of the camera 1, and the width is narrowed toward the front side of the lens unit 2. The light distribution range and the optical path range necessary for the external distance measuring window 28 are not entered, and the limiting factor in camera design is reduced. In the case of a barrier in which a circular plate is divided into two, each barrier has a semicircular shape. When the front end of the base is opened, the width increases toward the outside of the camera and is acute. The corner of the barrier protrudes. For this reason, the operator's fingers and clothes are easily caught on the corners of the barrier, and the barrier is easily damaged. In that respect, if the circular plate is divided into three or more barriers as in this embodiment, each barrier becomes a tapered fan shape, and the operator is placed at the corner of the barrier. The fingers and clothes are not caught and the barrier is not damaged.

  Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the barrier is a disc-shaped single blade, and is rotated and biased in a direction to open the front surface of the lens unit. A function is added. 17 to 20 show a state in which the lens cap according to the fourth embodiment is attached to the camera, and there is no significant difference in appearance from the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts as those of the first embodiment. 17 and 19 show a state in which the lens barrel is housed in the camera body and the barrier 6 closes the front surface of the lens unit 2. In FIGS. 17 and 19, the barrier around the lens barrel is shown. The rotational position of 6 is different. FIGS. 18 and 20 show a mode in which the lens barrel is extended from the camera body and the barrier 6 can be photographed with the front surface of the lens unit 2 opened. In FIGS. The rotational position of the barrier 6 is different.

  As described above, the fourth embodiment is configured such that the rotational position of the barrier 6 can be changed. The reason for this configuration is as follows. The camera may be used on a tripod. In this case, as shown in FIG. 18, when the barrier having the cover 22 hangs down around the shaft 4 disposed at the lower part of the lens unit 2, the camera is mounted on a tripod. When trying to attach to the tripod, the barrier may become a hindrance and may interfere with the tripod mounting operation. Also, as shown in FIG. 20, when the axis 4 serving as the center of rotation when opening and closing the barrier is on the right side when viewed from the front of the camera as shown in FIG. 20, the barrier protrudes outward from the rear side of the camera. It becomes a form. In this form, when the user tries to hold the right side of the camera with the left hand, the finger hits the barrier, making it difficult to hold the camera. Assuming that the shaft 4 is fixed at the position shown in FIG. 20, it becomes an obstacle factor in camera operation as described above. In that respect, according to the fourth embodiment, since the opening / closing direction of the barrier can be changed by changing the position of the shaft 4, there is no problem when the opening / closing direction of the barrier causes an operation problem. What is necessary is just to change and use for an opening-and-closing direction.

  Note that, as in the example shown in FIG. 20, there is a camera in which a right hand grip is formed by inflating the left front as viewed from the front of the camera body. According to the camera provided with the grip 40, when the shaft 4 serving as the center of rotation of the barrier is disposed on the grip 40 side, a finger gripping the grip 40 hits the barrier that opens the front surface of the lens, and this obstructs the gripping of the camera. Become. Therefore, it is desirable to arrange the shaft 4 serving as the center of rotation of the barrier at a position other than the side where the grip 40 is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, the base constituting a part of the lens cap 5 is divided into a fixed base 91 and a rotating base 92, and the rotating base 92 is rotatably coupled to the fixed base 91. Yes. The fixed base 91 can be attached to the mount portion 16 formed on the outer peripheral portion of the front end of the fixed cylinder 32 of the lens unit 2 by the aforementioned bayonet mechanism. The barrier 6 is connected to the rotation base 92 so as to be rotatable about the shaft 4. 22 to 24 show the appearance of the lens cap according to the present embodiment. The appearance is not much different from the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and the base portion is the fixed base 91 and the rotating base. The main difference is that it is divided into 92. The lock mechanism of the barrier 6 including the lock member 8, the hook portion 10, the arm 19, the protrusion 20 and the like has the same configuration as the lock mechanism in the first embodiment, and the barrier 6 is released when the lens unit is extended. Since the operation of rotating the lens unit and opening the front of the lens unit is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Hereinafter, a configuration in which the rotation base 92 is attached to the fixed base 91 so as to be relatively rotatable will be described. 25 to 28, the outer diameter of the front end portion of the fixed base 91 is reduced to form a step portion, and the step portions 251, 252, 253 is formed. The raised portions may be provided at two or three or more locations. A small convex portion 27 is integrally formed on each of the raised portions 251, 252, 253 toward the outside in the radial direction. As shown in FIG. 21, an inward flange 922 is formed on the inner periphery of the rear end side of the rotation base 92. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 25, the flange 922 has notches 261, 262, and 263 formed at three locations in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 21, the width of the raised portions 251, 252, 253 and the convex portion 27 of the fixed base 91 in the front-rear direction is narrower than the width of the stepped portions in the front-rear direction. A space is formed between the rear end surface of H.253 and the convex portion 27 and the wall surface forming the stepped portion of the fixed base 91 facing the rear end surface so that the flange 922 of the rotary base 92 can be fitted. .

  The raised portions 251, 252, 253 of the fixed base 91 and the notches 261, 262, 263 of the rotating base 92 can be fitted to each other by aligning the mutual positions and relatively moving them in the central axis direction. Further, by rotating the fixed base 91 and the rotating base 92 relative to each other around the central axis in this state, the flange 922 of the rotating base 92 is moved to the raised portions 251, 252 and 253 of the fixed base 91 as described above. It can be fitted between the rear end surface and the wall surface forming the stepped portion of the fixed base 91. In the longitudinal section shown in FIG. 21, the flange 922 and the raised portions 251, 252, 253 (only the raised portion 251 is shown in FIG. 21) are engaged in a hook shape. Thus, the rotary base 92 is coupled to the fixed base 91 so as to be relatively rotatable around the central axis, but not to be relatively movable in the direction of the central axis.

  When the rotating base 92 is assembled to the fixed base 91, the positions of the raised portions 251, 252, 253 of the fixed base 91 and the notches 261, 262, 263 of the rotating base 92 are aligned with each other as described above. On the other hand, the rotation base 92 is pushed in the direction of the central axis. Next, when the rotation base 92 is rotated relative to the fixed base 91 clockwise in FIGS. 25 and 26 (counterclockwise in FIG. 27), the rotation base 92 is connected to the fixed base 91 as described above. When the fixed base 91 and the rotating base 92 are connected, the inclined protrusion 50 provided adjacent to the notch 261 of the inward flange 922 of the rotating base 92 is fixed to the protrusion 27 of the fixed base 91. The base 91 and the rotating base 92 are deformed by the elasticity provided and are overcome. The inclined protrusion 50 functions as a wedge. Once the protrusion 27 gets over the inclined protrusion 50, the side surface of the raised portion 251 contacts the side surface of the inclined protrusion 50 even if the rotation base 92 is rotated in the opposite direction. The reverse rotation of the rotation base 92 is limited. Thus, the rotation base 92 cannot be detached from the fixed base 91, and the rotation base 92 is rotatably connected to the fixed base 91.

  The flange 922 of the rotation base 92 is formed with two recesses 281A and 281B with which the protrusions 27 provided on the fixed base 91 can engage with each other at a central angle of approximately 90 degrees. In a state where the hinge portion 31 provided with the shaft 4 is positioned on the lower side as shown in FIG. 27, the concave portion 281A of the rotating base 92 and the convex portion 27 of the fixed base 91 are matched and fitted. In addition, the rotation base 92 can be temporarily fixed in the rotation direction with respect to the fixed base 91. In addition, when the rotary base 92 is rotated and the hinge portion 31 is positioned beside the lens unit as shown in FIG. 28, the concave portion 281B of the rotary base 92 and the convex portion 27 of the fixed base 91 are one. By fitting together, the rotation base 92 can be temporarily fixed in the rotation direction. In this way, in the embodiment, the position of the rotating shaft 4 of the barrier 6 can be temporarily fixed at two locations on the lower side and the lateral side of the lens unit. When the camera is in the normal upright position, when the rotation shaft 4 is on the lower side of the lens unit, the rotation shaft 4 faces in the horizontal direction, and the rotation shaft 4 is on the side of the lens unit. The rotating shaft 4 faces in the vertical direction.

  When the rotating shaft 4 of the barrier 6 tries to rotate 90 ° or more together with the rotating base 92, as shown in FIG. 28, on the side surface of one of the three protruding portions provided on the fixed base 91. The rotation stopper 291 provided on the rotation base 92 comes into contact with the rotation base 92 so that the rotation is restricted. 27 and 28 are cross-sectional views of the lens cap according to the fourth embodiment as seen from the front side. The rotation direction of the rotary base 92 when the rotary base 92 is assembled to the fixed base 91 is shown in FIG. The counterclockwise rotation limit is the rotation position shown in FIG.

  FIG. 27 shows a state in which the hinge part 31 is located on the lower side. In a state where the fixed base 91 and the rotating base 92 are connected, the hinge portion 31 of the barrier 6 is positioned on the lower side, and the rotating shaft 4 faces the horizontal direction. The rotation base 92 engages with the protrusions 27 of the raised portions 251, 252, 253 and the recesses 281A, 282A, 283A, so-called “click” works, and the rotation base 92 itself cannot rotate. When the user intentionally applies a rotational force to the rotation base 92, the protrusions 27 and the recesses 281A, 282A, 283A are detached, whereby the rotation base 92 can be rotated. In the present embodiment, the protrusions 27 and the recesses 281A, 282A, and 283A are equally disposed at three locations, but may be disposed at two locations or at four or more locations.

  FIG. 28 shows a mode in which the rotation base 92 of the lens cap in the present embodiment is rotated 90 degrees from the mode shown in FIG. The fixed base 91 is fixed to the camera body. The rotation base 92 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise from the mode shown in FIG. 27 to the mode shown in FIG. In the embodiment of the rotary base 92 shown in FIG. 28, the three concave portions 281B, 282B, 283B of the rotary base 92 and the three convex portions 27 of the fixed base 91 are respectively fitted, and the rotary base 92 is temporarily fixed to the fixed base 91. Has been. In this embodiment, the rotation base 92 cannot be rotated further counterclockwise by the rotation stopper 291 provided on the rotation base 92.

  According to the fourth embodiment, in a state where the front surface of the lens unit is opened by the barrier, for example, when the camera is attached to a tripod, the lens cap becomes an obstacle to the attachment, or the lens cap is attached to the camera by the camera holding posture at the time of shooting. The lens cap can be rotated to a position where such a hindrance can be avoided when the holding is hindered, thereby improving the operability.

  In the illustrated fourth embodiment, the rotation base 92 is temporarily fixed by engaging the concave portions 281A, 282A, 283A with the convex portions 27, and engaging the concave portions 281B, 282B, 283B with the convex portions 27. Another temporary fixing mechanism may be employed. FIG. 29 shows an example of this, and shows a temporary fixing mechanism by screwing. In FIG. 29, the rotation base 92 is provided with a tap 52 in a hole penetrating the rotation base 92 in the radial direction, and a screw 54 having the tap 52 and a knob 58 integrally therewith is screwed. By tightening the screw 54, the tip can be brought into pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the fixed base 91, and the rotating base 92 can be temporarily fixed to the fixed base 91. When the screw 54 is loosened, the tip of the screw 54 is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the fixed base 91. Therefore, the rotary base 92 can be temporarily fixed by rotating the rotary base 92 and tightening the screw 54 at an arbitrary rotational position.

  In the fourth embodiment shown in the figure, the barrier is composed of a single circular barrier. However, the circular plate may be divided into two as in the second embodiment, A circular plate as in the embodiment may be divided into three.

  The lens cap according to the present invention can be sold and used together with the camera as a part of a part mounted on the camera as the imaging device or as a part of the camera. It may be sold and used by attaching to a camera.

It is a perspective view showing the 1st example of the lens cap concerning the present invention with an imaging device. It is a perspective view which shows the different operation | movement aspect of the said Example with an imaging device. It is the perspective view which looked at the lens cap concerning the 1st example from the back side. It is the perspective view which looked at the lens cap concerning the 1st example from the back side with the cover removed. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the different operation | movement aspect of the said Example with an imaging device. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the lock mechanism part integrated in the said Example. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which expands and shows the locking mechanism part of the said 1st Example with an imaging device. It is a perspective view which shows the 2nd Example of the lens cap concerning this invention with an imaging device. It is a perspective view of the said 2nd Example. It is a top view which shows the open aspect of the said 2nd Example. It is a top view which shows the closure aspect of the said 2nd Example. It is a top view which shows the aspect of the intermediate | middle of the open mode and closed mode of the said 2nd Example. It is a perspective view which shows the open aspect of the said 2nd Example. It is a perspective view which shows the closing aspect of the said 2nd Example from the back side. It is a perspective view which shows the 3rd Example of the lens cap concerning this invention with an imaging device. It is a front view of the said 3rd Example. It is a perspective view which shows the 4th Example of the lens cap concerning this invention with an imaging device. It is a perspective view which shows the open aspect of the said 4th Example. It is a perspective view which shows the closed aspect of the said 4th Example, and the aspect which the barrier rotated to a different rotation position. It is a perspective view which shows the open aspect of a 4th Example, and the aspect which the barrier rotated to a different rotation position. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the closing aspect of a 4th Example. It is the perspective view which looked at the lens cap concerning a 4th Example from the back side. It is the perspective view which looked at the lens cap concerning a 4th example from the back side with the cover removed. It is a perspective view which shows the closing aspect of a 4th Example from the back side. It is a disassembled perspective view which isolate | separates a fixed base and a rotation base, and shows a 4th Example from the back side. It is a disassembled perspective view which isolate | separates a fixed base and a rotation base, and shows a 4th Example from the front side. It is sectional drawing seen from the front of a 4th Example. It is sectional drawing seen from the front which shows a 4th Example in the aspect from which the rotation position of the rotation base differed. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the temporary fixing structure of the rotation base applicable to a 4th Example. It is a perspective view which shows the example of the camera which mounts | wears with the lens cap concerning this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the different operation | movement aspect of the said camera. It is a perspective view which shows the relationship between the said camera and the decoration ring with which this is mounted | worn. It is a perspective view which shows the relationship between the said camera and the decoration ring with which this is mounted | worn from a different angle. It is a perspective view which shows the said decoration ring from a different angle. It is a perspective view which shows the lens unit which can be applied to this invention with a drive mechanism and a part of camera body. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the said lens unit. It is a perspective view which shows a lens unit with a drive mechanism. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the different operation | movement aspect of the said lens unit. It is a perspective view which shows the different operation | movement aspect of a lens unit with a drive mechanism. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the further different operation | movement aspect of the said lens unit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera 2 Lens unit 3 1st group lens 4 Rotating shaft 5 Lens cap 6 Barrier 7 Spring 8 Lock member 9 Base 10 Hook part 11 Engagement protrusion 12 Rotating cylinder 13 Power button 14 Release button 15 Mode dial 16 Mount part 17 Release button 18 Axis 19 Arm 20 Protruding part 21 Screw 22 Cover 23 Strobe light emitter 24 Strobe button 25 Light emitting part 26 Auxiliary light emitting window 28 External distance measuring window 29 Abutting part 30 Lens holding cylinder 32 Fixed cylinder 34 Decoration ring 36 Notch 38 Lock Pin 40 Grip 50 Lock part 64 Barrier 65 Shaft 66 Rib 67 Magnet 68 Magnetic body 69 Boss 70 Spring 91 Fixed base 92 Rotating base

Claims (9)

A fixed cylinder fixed to the imaging apparatus main body, a first cylinder arranged inside the fixed cylinder, and a second cylinder arranged further inside than the first cylinder to hold the lens, A lens cap that is disposed inside the fixed tube and that is detachable from the image pickup apparatus, and includes a lens unit that extends from the fixed tube to a shooting position during shooting and is stored in a storage position inside the fixed tube when not shooting. And
A base part mounted on the outer periphery of the front end of the fixed cylinder;
A barrier attached to the base portion so that the front end of the lens cap can be opened and closed;
A biasing member that biases the barrier in a direction to close the front end of the lens cap;
When the lens unit is in the storage position, the barrier closes the front end of the lens cap by the urging force of the urging member,
When the lens unit is extended from the storage position to the shooting position and when the lens unit is at the shooting position, the barrier and the second cylinder are not in contact with each other, and only the barrier and the first cylinder are in contact with each other. The lens cap is characterized in that the front end of the lens cap is opened by being pushed by the first tube against the urging force of the urging member.   2. The first cylinder according to claim 1, wherein the first cylinder is a rotating cylinder that is driven to rotate about the optical axis with respect to the fixed cylinder, and advances and retreats in the optical axis direction on the inner peripheral side of the fixed cylinder. The lens cap described.   3. The lens cap according to claim 2, wherein the second cylinder moves forward and backward in the axial direction on the inner peripheral side of the first cylinder by the rotation of the first cylinder.   The barrier has one of a magnet and a magnetic body for maintaining the state in which the barrier closes the front end portion of the lens cap, and the base has the other of the magnet and the magnetic body. The lens cap according to 2 or 3. The barrier is formed in a shape in which the front end portion of the lens cap is divided into a plurality of parts by at least one line segment including the center of the lens cap and extending toward the periphery.
Ribs extending from the peripheral part of each barrier toward the center of the lens cap are formed on the rear surface of each of the divided barriers,
When the lens unit is extended from the storage position to the photographing position and at the photographing position, the rib of each barrier and the first tube are in contact with each other, and the front end portion of the lens cap is opened. The lens cap according to claim 1 . The barrier has one of a magnet and a magnetic body,
The base has the other of a magnet and a magnetic body,
Each barrier is formed with a boss protruding on the back side of each barrier,
6. The lens according to claim 5, wherein when the lens unit is in the storage position, the boss and the first cylinder are in contact with each other, and a gap is formed between the magnet and the magnetic body. cap. An imaging apparatus comprising the lens cap mounting portion according to any one of claims 1 to 6 in the fixed cylinder . The imaging device according to claim 7, wherein the lens cap mounting portion has a bayonet structure . 9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a decoration ring can be attached to the lens cap mounting portion having the bayonet structure instead of the lens cap .

Images