JPH01280708A - Operation switch and operation switch for motor-driven zoom lens camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To operate each switch by only changing the pressing position of a single operating member so as to improve the operability by respectively arranging the contacts of three switches at each vertex of a virtual triangle, and operating the operating member while the member is swung around swinging fulcrums provided at the middle of each side of the triangle. CONSTITUTION:The normally rotating switch A and reversely rotating switch B of a zoom motor and each normally-open contact 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b, 17a, and 17b of an electromagnetic release switch are arranged at each vertex part of a triangle on a base plate 14 in a camera main body and the operating member 30 is provided in a recessed section 26 for housing an upper camera plaque in a state where the member 30 can be swung around swinging fulcrums a1-c1 at the middle of each side of the triangle. Pressing leg section 31-33 protruded over each contact 15a-17b are provided to the operating member 30 and, when the three vertex sections of the operating member 30 are pressed, the normally and reversely rotating switches A and B and the electromagnetic release switch C can be closed alternately.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field] The present invention relates to an operation switch that selectively opens and closes three or more switches, and relates to an operation switch suitable for use in, for example, an electric zoom lens camera in which zooming is performed by a zooming motor. .

"Prior Art and its Problems" Cameras in which zooming is performed by a zoom motor are known not only in the lens shutter type zoom lens camera proposed by the present applicant, but also in an eye reflex camera. This electric zoom lens camera requires a forward rotation switch and a reverse rotation switch (zoom switch) for the zoom motor, and these are always provided regardless of the type of momentary switch, push button switch, etc. On the other hand, cameras have an electromagnetic release switch, but in the past, this release switch was provided independently of the zoom switch.

The zoom switch and release switch are located on the upper right side of the back of the camera body and on the right side of the top, as the thumb and index finger are usually the easiest fingers to use when holding the camera. However, the zoom switch, which is located on the upper right side of the back, is particularly difficult to operate when the viewfinder is removed because it gets in the way of your head. Alternatively, the viewfinder must be positioned to the left when viewed from the back, which reduces the degree of freedom in design.

This problem has come under increasing scrutiny, especially in the current situation where cameras are becoming smaller.

``Object of the Invention'' Based on the above-mentioned awareness of the problems related to the operation switch of an electric zoom lens camera, the present invention breaks the common sense that the zoom switch and release switch are provided separately, and provides a single operation for both switches. The purpose is to make it possible to operate with a member, improve operability, or obtain a good operational feeling.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to electric zoom lens cameras;
An object of the present invention is to obtain an operation switch that can open and close more than one switch with a single operation member.

"Summary of the Invention" In order to operate the zoom switch and release switch with a single operating member, the present invention provides contact points of a forward rotation switch, a reverse rotation switch, and an electromagnetic release switch of a zoom motor in a virtual triangle on a substrate. A swinging fulcrum is provided above the middle of the three sides of this virtual triangle, and the swinging operation is possible around these three swinging fulcrums, and the three swings can be rotated depending on the direction of the swinging operation The device is characterized by the provision of an operating member that opens and closes by pressing any one of the contacts.

The swing fulcrum can be provided on a fulcrum plate separate from the board,
This fulcrum plate is provided with passage holes for the pressing legs that correspond to the three contact points provided on the operating member, and the operating member and the fulcrum plate are moved in the direction in which they are in close contact with each other at the center of the imaginary triangle. The connection may be made by means of a spring biased against the spring.

The above operating switches can be expanded to include three or more switches that should be selectively closed. In other words, when there are three or more switches to be selectively opened and closed, these switches are placed at each vertex of a virtual polygon on the board, and a swing fulcrum is placed above the middle of each side of this virtual polygon. These switches can be selectively selected by providing an operating member that can be oscillated around these fulcrums and selectively opens or closes one of these switches depending on the direction of the oscillating operation. It can be opened and closed.

"Embodiments of the Invention" The present invention will be described below with reference to illustrated embodiments. FIG. 5 shows an example of the arrangement position with respect to the camera body 10 when the operation switch 11 according to the present invention is used in a zoom lens camera. It can be placed in a slightly enlarged form in the position of a conventional release switch, and there is no need to provide a zoom switch on the back of the camera body 10. The variable power lens group of the zoom lens 12 is moved in the optical axis direction by forward and reverse rotation of the zoom motor, thereby performing zooming. Such a zoom lens 12 is well known, and since the present invention does not concern the structure of the zoom lens 12, illustration thereof is omitted.

1 to 3 show embodiments of the operation switch 11. FIG. On the substrate 14 in the camera body 10, normally open contacts 15, 16 and 17 of the zoom motor forward rotation switch A, reverse rotation switch B, and electromagnetic release switch C are provided. These normally open contacts 15, 16 and 17 are fixed contacts 15a, 16a and 17a fixed on the substrate 14.
and elastic contacts 15b, 16b and 17b which are always separated from these fixed contacts due to their spring properties, and these elastic contacts 15b, 16b and ], 7
b is formed in a single Y-shaped contact member 18. This contact member 18 is fixed to the substrate 14 with a fixing screw 19 at its center and is grounded. Fixed contacts 15a and 16a are connected to the zoom motor control circuit 20, and fixed contact 17a is connected to the electromagnetic release control circuit 21.
It is connected to the.

These normally open contacts 15, 16 and 17 are located at each vertex of a virtual triangle, and the normally open contacts 15 of the forward rotation switch A and the normally open contacts 16 of the reverse rotation switch B are aligned in the left and right direction, and the electromagnetic The normally open contact 17 of the electromagnetic release switch C of the release switch is located in front of it.

An upper knob plate 25 of the camera is located on the substrate 14, and a housing recess 26 for the operating member 30 is formed in the upper knob plate 25. The bottom of the housing recess 26 constitutes a fulcrum plate 27. There is. The fulcrum plate 27 includes normally open contacts 15 and 16, normally open contacts 16 and 17, and a swing fulcrum a1 located above the normally open contacts 17 and 15 (midway between the sides of the virtual triangle). , bl and cl are provided, and pressure leg passage holes a2, b2 and c2 located above the normally open contacts 15, 16 and 17 are bored. Furthermore, a spring insertion hole 28 is bored in the center of the triangle formed by these pressing leg passage holes a2, b2, and c2.

The substantially triangular operating member 30 passes through the passage holes a2, b2, and c2 at its apex, and has normally open contacts 15, 16.
and pressing legs 31, 32 and 33 facing above 17, and recesses a3, b3 and c3 that engage with the pivoting supports a1, bl and cl, respectively, are formed in corresponding portions of the swinging fulcrums a1, bl and cl. There is. Furthermore, a spring insertion hole 34 is bored in the center thereof.

A tension spring 35 is inserted through the spring insertion hole 34 and the spring insertion hole 28 of the fulcrum plate 27, and hooks 36 and 37 at both ends thereof are inserted.
Removal stopper pins 38 and 39 are respectively inserted into the openings, and the operating member 30 is coupled to the operating member 30 with its center portion urged in a direction toward the fulcrum plate 27. 40 is a decorative plate of the operating member 30.

Therefore, the main operation switch with the above configuration has the operation member 30
By pressing the three vertices of the forward rotation switch A
1. The reversing switch B or the electromagnetic release switch C can be selectively closed. That is, when the rear right vertex is pressed when viewed from the rear, the operating member 30 moves to the swinging fulcrum a1.
The pressing leg 31 swings around the elastic contacts 1 and cl.
5b to be elastically displaced and brought into contact with the fixed contact 15a. Therefore, the zoom motor rotates normally via the zoom motor control circuit 20, and the zoom lens 12 moves, for example, to the long focal point side.

On the other hand, when the rear left vertex is pressed, the operating member 30 swings around the swinging fulcrums a1 and bl, and the pressing leg 32 pushes the elastic contact 16b to elastically deform it and comes into contact with the fixed contact 16a. let Therefore, the zoom motor is reversed through the zoom motor control circuit 20, and the zoom lens 12
For example, moves to the short focus side.

Once the focal length (composition) is determined by the above two operations, the user moves his or her finger to the front of the operating member 30 and presses it at a photo opportunity. Then, the operating member 30 moves to the swing fulcrum b1
and cl, the pressing leg portion 33 elastically deforms the elastic contact 17b and brings it into contact with the fixed contact 17a.

Therefore, the shutter is released via the electromagnetic release control circuit 21.

In any of the above operations, the tension spring 35 is stretched as shown in FIG. 3 and exerts a tensile force. Therefore, when the operating force is released, the force of this tension spring 35 causes
The operating member 30 returns to the non-operating position shown in FIG. 2, where its recesses a3, b3 and c3 are evenly in contact with the pivot points a1, bl and cl.

In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the operating switch of an electric zoom lens camera, but the present invention is applicable to all cases where three switches are selectively opened and closed using a single operating member. be.

Part or all of the switch may be normally closed, in which case the push leg 31, 32, 33 may be configured to open these normally closed contacts.

Furthermore, the above operation switch mechanism can be expanded to general operation switches that selectively close four or more contacts. In other words, the operating member is a polygon with the same number of vertices as the number of switches, and contacts are provided at the bottom of the polygon, and the number of swing supports is the same as the number of contacts, and these are placed at intermediate positions between each side of the polygon. All you have to do is set it up.

As an example, FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which there are four contacts. The operating member 30A has a substantially rectangular shape, and has pressing legs 31, 32, 33, 34 on the lower surface near each vertex.
are integrally formed in a protruding manner, and these pressing legs 31-
Recesses a3 and b3 for engaging the rocking fulcrum, respectively, in the middle of 34.
, C3, and d3 are provided. - Passage holes a2, b2, c2, d2 for the press legs 31 to 34 are bored in the full intersection plate 27A at positions corresponding to the press legs 31 to 34, and recesses a
Swing fulcrums a1, bl, cl, and dl corresponding to 3 to d3 are formed in a protruding manner. Each pressing leg 31 is provided on the substrate 14A.
Switches 15.16.17.
18 are arranged. The rest of the structure is the same as that of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and the same elements are given the same reference numerals.

In the above-mentioned operation switch, when part A of each vertex of the decorative plate 40A integrated with the operation member 30A is pressed, the operation member 30A swings around the swing supports a1 and dl, and its pressing legs 31 presses the switch 15. Similarly, when the B part is pressed, the operation member 30A swings around the swing fulcrums a1 and bl, when the 0 part is pressed, the operation member 30A swings around the swing fulcrums b1 and cl, and when the D part is pressed, the operation member 30A swings. Each of the pressing legs 32, 33, 34 presses the switch 16, 17, 18 by swinging about the dynamic fulcrums c1, dl. Therefore, the switches 16 to 18 can be selectively opened or closed.

Although the present invention does not limit specific examples of the switches 16 to 18, for example, in addition to the forward/reverse switch for the zoom motor and the release switch described above, it is possible to include, for example, a shooting mode changeover switch (for example, auto and manual). Alternatively, switches such as a photographing mode changeover switch, a shutter mode switch (for example, continuous photographing and single photographing), etc. can be operated using the above operation switches.

"Effects of the Invention" As described above, according to the present invention, by simply changing the pressing position of a single operating member, zooming operations to the long focus side and short focus side and shirt release can be performed. ,
Operability is improved and there is no need to provide a zoom switch on the back of the camera body. In particular, the forward and reverse zooming switches on the left and right sides and the electromagnetic release switch in the front provide a natural operating feel.

Further, the operation switch of the present invention can be applied to all cases where three or more switches are selectively opened and closed, and a good operation feeling can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of the operation switch for an electric zoom lens camera according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled state, FIG. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the operation switch of the invention, and FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of a camera having this operation switch. A...Forward rotation switch, B...Reverse rotation switch, C...
・Release switch, 10...Camera body, 11...
・Operation switch, 12...Zoom lens, 14...
Board, 15a, 15b, 15c...Fixed contact, 1
5b, 16b, 17b... Elastic contact, 18... Switch, 20... Zoom motor control circuit, 21... Electromagnetic release control circuit, 26... Storage recess, 27.27
A...Fullin plate, 28.34...Spring insertion hole, 30.
30A...operation member, 31.32.33.34...
Pressing leg, 40.40 A-... Decorative board, al, bl,
cl, dl...swing fulcrum, a2, b2, c2, d2...
・・Press leg passage hole, a3, b3, c3, d 3-・・・
recess. Patent applicant Asahi Optical Co., Ltd. Agent Kuni Miura Q

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) In an electric zoom lens camera having a zoom lens, a zoom motor that drives the zoom lens in forward and reverse directions, a forward rotation switch and a reverse rotation switch for the zoom motor, and an electromagnetic release switch, the zoom motor is rotated in the forward direction. The contacts of the switch, reversing switch, and electromagnetic release switch are arranged at each vertex of a virtual triangle on the board, and swinging fulcrums are provided in the middle of the three sides of this virtual triangle, and these three swinging fulcrums An operation switch for an electric zoom lens camera, characterized in that it is provided with an operation member that can be oscillated around the center and that can be opened and closed by pressing one of three contacts depending on the direction of the oscillation operation. (2) In claim 1, the three swing fulcrums are provided on another fulcrum plate located on the board having contacts, and the three swing fulcrums are provided on this fulcrum plate, and the three swing fulcrums are provided on the three contacts provided on the operating member. An electric zoom lens camera is provided with a corresponding passage hole for the pressing leg, and the operating member and the fulcrum plate are connected at the center of a virtual triangle by a spring means that urges the two to come into close contact with each other. operation switch. (3) In claim 1 or 2, two of the three contacts
One is the forward rotation switch and the reverse rotation switch located on the left and right sides of the top of the camera body, and the other is the electromagnetic release switch located in front of these two, which is the operating switch for zoom lens cameras. (4) Three or more switches are arranged at each vertex of a virtual polygon corresponding to the number of switches on the board, and swinging fulcrums are provided in the middle of each side of this virtual polygon, and these swinging An operation switch characterized by being provided with an operation member that is swingable about a fulcrum and selectively opens or closes one of the switches according to the direction of the swing operation. (5) In claim 4, the swing fulcrum is provided on another fulcrum plate located on a board having three or more switches, and the fulcrum plate is provided with a number of switches corresponding to the number of switches provided on the operating member. The operating switch is provided with a passage hole for the pressing leg, and the operating member and the fulcrum plate are connected at the center of a virtual polygon by a spring means that urges the two to come into close contact with each other.