JPH03240373A - Electronic still camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain forming of a unit comprising components arranged in a daring way while taking a camera function and assembly and arrangement into account and to make the camera small by using a lens unit as a support base and mounting each other unit and components thereto. CONSTITUTION:A zoom lens unit 11 is placed in front, a flash unit 18 is arranged to above, signal processing boards 32-36 are placed to the lower side and the left and right sides, a CCD15 and signal processing boards 16,17 are arranged to the rear side to form the basic building block of the camera. Moreover, a finder unit 14, a VFDD unit 24 and a battery box unit 29 are arranged respectively to be upper, middle and lower stages and they are covered by a cover 40 comprising a left cover 40a, a right cover 40b, a front cover 40c, a rear cover 40d and a lower cover 40e. A zooming operation section, a pickup mode display section, a lens barrier mechanism, a video floppy disk, a battery box, and a shutter plate or the like are provided respectively to the cover member. Thus, the longitudinal design is adopted for the camera.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION "Field of Industrial Application" The present invention relates to an electronic still camera configured to record image information on an information recording medium such as a two-video floppy disk or card memory.

"Prior Art" A conventional general electronic still camera is configured to convert subject light passing through a photographing lens into an image information signal, and record this image information signal on a video floppy disk.

Therefore, this type of camera is equipped with a solid-state image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) at the rear of the photographic lens unit, and a video floppy disk drive (hereinafter referred to as CCD) for reading the image information signal outputted by the CCD onto a video floppy disk. (VFDD).

In addition, the above-mentioned cameras are equipped with a finder unit for checking the photographing range, a battery, a signal processing board, a white balance device, etc., and some are further equipped with a flashlight emitting device for flash photography.

``Problems to be Solved by the Invention'' In the electronic still camera as described above, each unit such as the photographic lens unit, finder unit, VFDDI unit, and each component such as the CCD, battery box, and signal processing board supports the camera frame. It is assembled as. This type of configuration for assembling to a camera frame is difficult because the number of parts that can be made into units is limited due to the location of the attachment to the frame and the assembly space partitioned by the frame. As a result, this poses a problem in increasing the efficiency of the built-in space and downsizing the camera.

In addition, in the above-mentioned camera configuration that is assembled into a five-camera frame, the camera configuration has protrusions in the vertical or horizontal directions, and the weight distribution of the camera is uneven, causing problems in operability and portability. Also, this type of camera did not have a good appearance in terms of design.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention has a structure that allows each unit and component to be assembled without using a camera frame, creates unit components that are separated by function as much as possible, and increases the degree of freedom in the arrangement and configuration of units and components. The purpose of this project is to develop an electronic still camera that improves installation space efficiency and production efficiency.

"Means for Solving the Problems" In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a lens unit, a finder unit, an information storage unit, a battery box, a photoelectric conversion element, and other signal processing boards necessary for an electronic still camera. An electronic still camera characterized in that each of the units and parts is prepared separately in advance, the other units and parts are assembled using the lens unit as a support base, and this assembled structure is covered with a camera cover. propose.

"Function" In the electronic still camera described above, the lens unit is used as a supporting base to which other units and parts are assembled, so it overcomes the limitations on unitization of parts and restrictions on assembly arrangement caused by the camera frame of conventional cameras. I don't accept it.

This makes it possible to unitize parts that are boldly divided in consideration of camera functions and installation placement, increasing the degree of freedom in installing each unit and parts and increasing the installation space efficiency. By using the unitized parts as described above, it is possible to reduce the number of assembly steps and facilitate the assembly, thereby improving production efficiency.

"Example" Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing each unit and parts constituting the internal structure of an electronic still camera.

In this figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a zoom lens unit, which has a photographic lens provided in a lens barrel case lla, and is configured to perform zooming and focusing by moving the lens within the case.

In addition, this lens barrel case lla has a flange indicated by reference numeral 11b screwed to the front part indicated by reference numeral 11a to integrally connect the rear part.
This will be explained as a trunk case lla.

This camera uses the zoom lens unit 11 as a supporting base to assemble each unit and component.

Therefore, an autofocus motor 12 and a zooming motor 13 are attached to the rear upper part of the lens barrel case lla, and a finder unit 14 having a TTL configuration is connected to the rear upper part, which guides light through the photographic lens. .

Note that the finder unit 14 is connected to both upright parts 14a that are integral with the lens barrel case 11a, so that its viewing window faces the back side of the camera.

Further, a CCD 15 which is a solid-state imaging device is provided at the rear of the zoom lens unit 11, and a camera imager device board 16 and a camera timing generator board 17 are attached behind this CC015.

Further, a flashlight unit 18 is fixed to the upper front end of the zoom lens unit 71-11.

This flashlight unit 18 has components such as a light emitting section 19, a circuit board 20, and a capacitor 21 assembled into a unit in advance, and a light receiving section 22 for white balance, its circuit board 23, etc. are integrally assembled into this unit. It is attached.

On the other hand, directly below the finder unit 14 is a VFDD.
The unit 24 is arranged and fixed by a support plate 25 fixed to the rear upper part of the lens barrel case lla.

The VFDD unit 24 includes a disk drive 26 that can store a video floppy disk horizontally, a video modulator board 27, and a video interface board 2.
8 etc. are made into units in advance.

Further, a battery box unit 29 is arranged below the VFDD unit 24, and this is fixed to a camera cover, which will be described later.

This pantry box unit 29 has a battery box 30, a battery board 31, etc. that are integrally configured.

In addition, a camera system interface board 32, a camera delay board 33, and a camera process board 34 are fixed to the lower side of the lens barrel case lla, and a system control board 35 is fixed to the left and right sides of the lens barrel case lla. and camera control interface board 3
Fix 6.

Further, the system control board 35 is provided with a display section 35a for counting the number of photographed images, photographing mode, etc.

Note that the various circuit boards (signal processing boards) 16.
17.2o, 23.27.28.31.32.33-3
Regarding No. 6, electrical connections between boards that require connection are made using connectors.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the mounted state of the electronic still camera in which the respective units and parts are assembled as described above.

As can be seen from this figure, the basic configuration of this camera is that a zoom lens unit 11 is located on the front side, a flashlight unit h18 is placed on the top of this lens unit 11, and signal processing boards 32 to 36 are placed below and on the left and right sides. However, there is a CC on the rear part.
D15 and signal processing boards 16 and 17 are respectively arranged.

Also, on the rear side, there is a finder unit 14 in the upper stage, a VF
DD unit 24 is in the middle, battery box unit 2
9 is placed at the bottom.

The new reference numeral 37 shown in this figure represents a video floppy disk housed in the disk drive 26, 38 a battery housed in the battery box 30, and 39 an eject button for the video floppy disk 37.

A camera cover 40 shown in FIG. 3 is placed over the outer periphery of the assembled structure of the camera in which the units and parts are assembled as described above.

This camera cover 40 includes a left cover 40a and a right cover 4.
0b, front cover 40c, rear cover 40d, lower cover 40
It is formed from one part of five covers of e.

These cover sections are equipped with the necessary parts before installation.

For example, a release button 41 is located at the rear upper part of the left cover 40a.
In addition to attaching the zooming operation section 42 and the protective plate 43
to fix.

The right cover 40b has a main switch button installed in the hole 44 and an eject button 39 installed in the hole 45.
6.47.48 has a shooting mode switching button, a date setting button,
At the same time as attaching the set button, a transparent plate 50 is fixed to the window hole 49 exposing the display section 35a.

A window hole 51 of the front cover 40c exposes a photographing lens, and a lens barrier mechanism is installed inside this window hole 51. Note that the holes 52 and 53 provided in this cover 40c
The white balance light receiving section 22 and the cell timer display section are fitted together.

The rear cover 40ci is formed with an insertion slot that communicates with the disk drive 26, so that a video floppy disk 37 can be stored from the rear of the camera. Further, the cylindrical portion 54 formed on the rear cover 40d forms a viewing window for the finder, into which an ice piece rubber is fitted. establish.

In addition, a shirt flap plate or the like, which is normally closed, is attached to the lower cover 40e in the hole 55 for connecting the reproduction adapter.

First, the left cover 40a is placed on the left side of the assembly structure shown in FIG. Fix it.

Subsequently, the rear cover 40d is attached to the back of the assembly structure. This cover 40d has rear tongue pieces (front tongue pieces 56 and 57) that protrude rearward from the left cover 40a that was previously fixed.
(similar to) and fit into the claw part.

Next, place the right cover 40b on the right side of the assembly structure,
Posterior tongue piece (same as front tongue piece 60.61) 58
, S9, the rear cover 40d is screwed and fitted into the claw portion.

The front cover 40c is the left cover 40a installed as described above.
front tongue pieces 56 and 57 of the right cover 40b and front tongue piece 60 of the right cover 40b.
．． 61 by screwing it and fitting it into the claw part to fix it.

Finally, attach the lower cover 40e to the left cover 40a and right cover 40.
Attach by screwing it to the bottom of b.

Note that the left cover 40a, right cover 40b, and front cover 40
c. The joint portion of the rear cover 40cl is formed with uneven stripes so as to overlap with each other with a small width.

The camera cover 40 configured as described above has sufficient durability because each cover has a portion bulging outward.

4 and 5 show the external shape of the electronic still camera assembled as described above, with FIG. 4 being a side view and FIG. 5 being a front view.

As shown in these figures, it is a so-called vertical electronic still camera, with a nearly rectangular shape that is long in the front and rear directions when viewed from the side, and a nearly rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction when viewed from the front.

An electronic still camera having such a shape has good operability and is convenient to carry.Furthermore, since the shape is not offset horizontally or vertically, it is an excellent camera in terms of aesthetics.

The new reference numeral 62 in these drawings is a main switch button, and when the main switch button 62 is turned on, the lens barrier 63 opens the front surface of the photographic lens and the light emitting section 19 protrudes upward. There is. In addition, 64 is eyepiece rubber, 65 is battery box 3
0 each shows the opening/closing lid.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, a single focus lens unit may be provided instead of the zoom lens unit 11, and a card memory or the like may be used as an information recording medium other than the video floppy disk 37. similarly includes other information recording units in place of the VFDD unit 24.

"Effects of the Invention" As described above, the electronic still camera according to the present invention can use the lens unit as a support base to assemble other units and parts, so it is possible to use a lens unit as a support base to assemble other units and parts. It becomes possible to unitize parts that have been divided into sections. As a result, the degree of freedom in assembling each unit and component is widened, so that the efficiency of assembling space is increased, making it suitable for downsizing of the camera.

Further, by unitizing each component as described above, the number of steps required to assemble the camera can be reduced, which is effective in improving the efficiency of camera production.

Furthermore, since there is a wide degree of freedom in assembling each unit and parts, there are few restrictions on the configuration of the camera shape.

An electronic still camera with excellent design, operability, and portability can be provided.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a simplified exploded perspective view of each unit and parts to be incorporated into an electronic still camera.
Fig. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the internal structure of the camera showing the mounted state in which each unit and parts are assembled, Fig. 3 is a simplified exploded perspective view showing the camera cover, and Figs. 4 and 5 are FIG. 4 is a side view of the camera, showing the external appearance of the electronic still camera. FIG. 5 is a front view of the camera. 11... Zoom lens unit 11a... Lens barrel case 12.13... Motor 14... Finder unit 15... C0D 18... Flashlight unit 24... VFDD unit 29... Battery box unit 37...Video floppy disk 40...Camera power Barleys button 2 Zooming operation section

Claims (1)

[Claims] Each unit and component necessary for an electronic still camera, such as a lens unit, finder unit, information recording unit, battery box, photoelectric conversion element, and other signal processing boards, is prepared separately in advance, and the lens unit is used as a supporting base to prepare all other units and parts. An electronic still camera characterized in that a unit and parts are assembled and the assembled structure is covered with a camera cover.