JPH09113795A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To build a finder unit and an automatic focusing mechanism into a camera body so as to miniaturize a camera and to assure the distance measurement accuracy of the automatic focusing mechanism. SOLUTION: The finder unit 10 by a real image type finder mechanism is disposed into the camera body 2 in such a manner that the optical axis of a lens barrel 3 and a finder optical path 12 are paralleled. The lower side of the housing 11 of the finder unit 10 is provided with sloped parts 14a, 14b consisting of left and light reflection surfaces to be formed as a reflection member 13 for curving subject light in mid-way of the finder optical path. Either of a light projecting part 16 or light receiving part 17 constituting the automatic focusing mechanism for measuring the distance to the subject is arranged into the space part D between these sloped parts 14a, 14b and the other constituting member 4 in the camera body 2 in such a manner that its optical axis exists in the longitudinal direction of the camera body 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera including, for example, a real image type finder mechanism and an active type autofocus mechanism, and more particularly to a structure for incorporating the finder mechanism and the autofocus mechanism into a camera body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-67633 discloses a finder unit consisting of a real image type finder mechanism, and a light receiving portion or a light emitting portion constituting an autofocus mechanism as a distance measuring portion for measuring the distance to a subject. There is disclosed a built-in structure of and in the camera body.

That is, in this conventional example, in the real image type finder mechanism, in order to shorten the length of the entire mechanism from the objective lens constituting the finder optical system to the eyepiece, a reflecting mirror or the like is provided in the middle of the optical system. Is provided. Then, the finder unit having such a structure is arranged above the lens barrel arranged along the front-rear direction in the camera body so that the finder optical path is parallel to the optical axis of the lens barrel. There is.

Further, in the finder unit constituting the finder mechanism, a light receiving portion or a light emitting portion constituting an active type autofocus mechanism is arranged in a space formed in front of the reflecting portion, whereby a camera is provided. We are trying to effectively use the internal space.

[0005]

In the conventional camera having the above-described structure, in the space formed in front of the reflecting portion of the finder unit in the real image type finder mechanism,
Since you have to arrange an autofocus mechanism,
The following problems occur.

That is, the space formed between the front side of the reflection section of the finder unit and the front cover is extremely narrow. Therefore, when it is attempted to arrange the light projecting section of the active autofocus mechanism in such a space section, the distance between the light projecting lens and the light projecting member constituting this light projecting section must be reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to use a light projecting lens having a short focal length.
However, when a projection lens with a short focal length is used, the projection image obtained by the projection unit of the autofocus mechanism becomes larger than the object to be measured, and many different distances are included in this projection image. Since there is a part in, accurate distance measurement cannot be performed.

Further, when the light receiving portion of the autofocus mechanism is to be arranged in the space portion in front of the reflecting portion of the above-mentioned finder unit, the distance between the light receiving lens and the light receiving member constituting this light receiving portion is set. Since it must be small, it is necessary to use a light receiving lens having a short focal length. However, if a light-receiving lens having a short focal length is used, the amount of movement of the received image in the light-receiving unit becomes small with respect to the change in the object distance, which requires high detection capability and causes a cost increase.

Further, in order to solve such a problem, if an attempt is made to use a lens having a long focal length without changing the arrangement of the light projecting section or the light receiving section of the autofocus mechanism with respect to the finder unit, the front and rear of the camera will be used. There is a problem that the thickness in the direction must be increased, and it is not possible to downsize the camera. Of course, it is conceivable to dispose a light projecting section or a light receiving section that configures the autofocus mechanism at a position unrelated to the finder unit, and use a lens with a long focal length for each, but the camera section has another configuration. Since the space that can be arranged in relation to the parts is small, the camera must be made large in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and the camera cannot be downsized.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the viewfinder unit is efficiently incorporated and arranged in the camera body to reduce the size of the camera.
The projector or receiver that composes the autofocus mechanism can be installed in a space that can secure a longitudinal dimension in the camera body while satisfying the downsizing of the camera. The purpose is to obtain a camera that can perform distance measurement by a focus mechanism in a required state.

[0010]

In order to meet such demands, a camera according to the present invention is a real image type finder arranged in a camera body such that an optical axis of a lens barrel and a finder optical path are parallel to each other. A viewfinder unit including a mechanism and the like, and an autofocus mechanism that is arranged in the camera body together with the viewfinder unit to measure the distance to the subject.A part of the housing of the viewfinder unit is provided with light from the subject in the middle of the viewfinder optical path. A slope portion is formed by a reflection surface that constitutes a reflection member such as a reflection mirror for bending, and an autofocus mechanism is formed in a space portion between the slope portion and other constituent members in the camera body. Either the light emitting unit or the light receiving unit is arranged.

Further, in the camera according to the present invention, the optical axis of the light projecting portion or the light receiving portion constituting the autofocus mechanism is in the front-back direction of the camera body, and either one of these light projecting portion or light receiving portion is It is arranged along the slope of the finder unit housing, and these slopes are provided on the left and right sides of the lower side of the finder unit housing.The left and right slopes of these slopes face downward from above the camera body. It is formed so as to be narrow.

According to the present invention, the finder unit formed by the real-image finder mechanism or the like naturally occurs due to the shape of the reflecting member that bends the finder optical path necessary for disposing the finder unit within the thickness dimension in the front-back direction of the camera. Since the space formed by the slopes of the left and right reflecting surfaces is used, it is possible to efficiently arrange the members inside the camera body.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to secure an arrangement length of the light projecting section or the light receiving section which constitutes the autofocus mechanism in the camera body, whereby the light projecting lens or the light receiving section in the light projecting section can be secured. Since the focal length of the light receiving lens can be made long, it is possible to perform highly accurate distance measurement by the autofocus mechanism.

The camera body includes a cover that covers the outer surface of the camera. Further, as the reflecting member constituting the finder unit, for example, one having a combined structure of a plurality of reflecting mirrors or one using a reflecting prism may be used, but it may be implemented by an appropriate reflecting means or a combination thereof. Here, the position where such a reflecting member is incorporated into the housing of the finder unit is the lower side of the housing, but the position is not limited to this, and it may be provided at an appropriate position according to the bending direction in the finder optical path. Also,
The reflecting member has left and right reflecting surfaces, and thereby the left and right slope portions are provided on the lower side of the housing, but the present invention is not limited to this. Further, the light projecting portion or the light receiving portion that constitutes the above-described autofocus mechanism is formed by a combination of a light projecting lens and a light projecting member and a combination of a light receiving lens and a light receiving member.

[0015]

1 (a) and 1 (b) show one embodiment of a camera according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 (a) is a front view showing the internal structure of the camera according to the present invention, FIG. 1B is a plan view showing the main part of the camera in section. In this embodiment, a so-called compact type still camera is illustrated as the camera 1.

In these figures, reference numeral 2 is a cover which constitutes the camera body of the camera 1, and 3 is provided inside and outside so as to project from the opening 4 at the center of the front surface of the cover 2 to the front of the camera 1. It is a lens barrel composed of double cylinders 3a and 3b. The lens barrel 3 has a photographing optical axis extending in the front-rear direction of the cover 2 which is the camera body, and is arranged inside and outside the cover 2. In addition, the inner cylindrical body 3a
Is held in a slidable state for zooming with respect to the outer cylindrical body 3b along the optical axis direction.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a film winding spool chamber having an axis extending vertically on one side of the cover 2, and a space S is arranged inside the cover 2 in the radial direction of the lens barrel 3 (right side in the drawing). It is set up. 5 is a stroboscopic light emitting portion for flash photography which is disposed above the spool chamber 4 and faces the front surface of the cover 2, and 6 is opposed to the spool chamber 4 on the left side of the lens barrel 3 in the drawing in the cover 2. It is a film cartridge room that is arranged as a unit.

Further, in the space between the film cartridge chamber 6 and the cover 2, a strobe capacitor 7 is provided.
And a battery 8 are arranged. Reference numeral 9 in the figure denotes an aperture portion provided on the back side of the lens barrel 3.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a finder unit which constitutes a real image type finder mechanism which is disposed in a portion near the spool chamber 4 above the lens barrel 3 in the cover 2 as the camera body. The finder unit 10 is arranged in the cover 2 such that the optical axis of the lens barrel 3 and the finder optical path 12 are parallel to each other.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the finder optical path 12 of the finder unit 10 is parallel to the photographing optical axis of the lens barrel 3 in the front-back direction of the camera. And a first optical path 12a extending rearward from the front surface of the camera and the first optical path 12a.
A second optical path 12b for bending the lens in the left-right direction of the camera and then guiding it backward, and a third optical path 1 that is bent from the second optical path 12b to the rear side of the camera and is parallel to the photographing optical axis.
2c.

A portion of the housing 11 of the finder unit 10 is bent from the first optical path 12a to the second optical path 12b, the second optical path 12b, and the second optical path 12b to the third optical path. As the reflecting member 13 for forming the bent portion in the optical path 12c, two left and right reflecting mirrors are incorporated and arranged as shown in FIG.

In the reflecting member 13 having such left and right reflecting mirrors, the left and right reflecting surfaces formed by the reflecting mirrors forming the second optical path 12b are the finder unit 1 described above.
Left and right slopes 14 formed on the underside of the housing 11 of 0
It is formed inside a and 14b. The left and right slopes 14a and 14b are formed so as to become narrower from the upper side to the lower side of the camera body.

Reference numerals 16 and 17 in FIG. 1 denote an AF light projecting portion and an AF light receiving portion, which constitute an active autofocus mechanism. These AF light projecting portion 16 and AF light receiving portion 17 are provided.
Although not shown in detail, each is composed of a light projecting lens and a light projecting member, and a light receiving lens and a light receiving member, respectively, and is assembled into a unit having a substantially cylindrical housing as a whole. Here, each lens is a camera cover 2.
Is arranged so as to face the front surface of the lens, and the respective members are arranged coaxially with the respective lenses at positions as far apart as possible. In addition, the AF light projecting unit 16 and the AF light receiving unit 17 are also provided.
Has its optical axis in the front-back direction of the camera cover 2.

Reference numeral 18 is an AE light receiving portion for performing automatic exposure control, and 19 is a strobe light emitting portion 5, an AF light emitting portion 16 and an AF light receiving portion 17, A including the finder unit 10.
An E light receiving unit 18 is a control circuit board that is disposed in an upper end portion of the camera cover 2 on which the light receiving unit 18 is mounted or electrically connected so as to extend in the left-right direction.

Here, the arrangement state of the optical components constituting the real image type finder mechanism incorporated in the housing 11 of the finder unit 10 will be described below with reference to FIG. That is, the first optical path 12a in the finder optical path 12 passes through the window 21 and the objective lenses 22 to 25, which are provided in the camera cover 2 and serves as a finder field frame, and further, the dustproof flat plate 26, and the second optical path formed by the reflecting member 13. It is bent in the optical path 12b.

The reflecting member 13 includes two reflecting mirrors 27, 28, 29, 3 each of left and right constituting a left and right reflecting surface.
0 is provided. Incidentally, 31 is an objective lens. The second optical path 12b formed by the reflecting member 13 is bent toward the rear of the camera by the reflection mirror 30 so that the third optical path 12c is formed.
The finder optical system is configured so as to reach the eyepiece 32 provided on the back side of the camera cover 2 and to visually recognize a subject image when the photographer looks into the eyepiece lens 32.

Here, such a finder unit 1
In 0, the reflection member 13 formed by combining the reflection mirrors 27 to 30 is used to secure the optical path length of the entire finder optical path 12 while shortening the dimension thereof, so that the real image type within the thickness of the camera 1 in the front-rear direction. The finder mechanism is built in and arranged.

In the above-mentioned reflection member 13, the reflection mirrors 27 to 30 constitute a Porro mirror, and the reflection mirrors 28 and 29 of this Porro mirror are the housing 1 described above.
Left and right side wall surface of 1 (slope surface) 14a, 1
It is installed in the part corresponding to 4b. The line where these reflection mirrors 28 and 29 intersect under the unit 10 is parallel to the photographing optical axis of the lens barrel 3.

In the finder optical system described above,
The light from the subject passes through the first optical path 12a and enters the window 21
The light reaches the mirror 27 via the lenses 22 and 25 and the like, and is reflected downward by the mirror 27. Then, the light is reflected laterally by the mirror 28, passes through the second optical path 12b, and is reflected upward by the mirror 29. Further, the light is reflected backward by the mirror 30 and emitted from the cover 2 of the camera body via the eyepiece lens 32. Here, the light is bent by 90 ° at each of the mirrors 27 to 30, and the incident optical axis to the window 21 which becomes the field frame and the outgoing optical axis from the eyepiece 32 are parallel.

According to the present invention, below the housing 11 of the finder unit 10 of the real-image type finder mechanism, the reflection mirror 27 for guiding the light from the subject once in the middle of the finder optical path 12 and guiding it backward. Thirty
The left and right reflecting surfaces constituting the reflecting member 13 made of, that is, the slope portions 14a and 14b by the reflection mirrors 28 and 29 are provided, and the slope portions 14a and 14b (the slope portion 14b in this embodiment) and the camera cover 2 are provided. An AF light projecting unit 16 or A that constitutes an autofocus mechanism for measuring the distance to a subject in a space D formed between other constituent members inside the film winding spool chamber 4, for example.
Either one of the F light receiving portions 17 (light receiving portion 17 in this embodiment) is arranged.

That is, according to the present invention, the space D formed in the cover 2 is effectively utilized by the slope 14b formed by the reflection mirror 29 in the reflection member 13 of the finder unit 10 to configure the autofocus mechanism A.
Since either the F light projecting unit 16 or the AF light receiving unit 17 is arranged, the AF light projecting unit 16 or the AF light receiving unit 17 is provided.
Can be arranged together with the finder unit 10 by making maximum use of the thickness of the camera 1 in the front-back direction.

Therefore, in such a configuration, the AF light projecting portion 16 or the AF light receiving portion 17 constituting the autofocus mechanism is provided in the front-back direction of the camera within the cover 2 without increasing the cost or the size of the camera 1. It is possible to dispose in a space portion where the disposition length can be secured, so that highly accurate distance measurement can be performed by the autofocus mechanism.
In other words, in the camera 1 in which the viewfinder unit 10 is incorporated in the cover 2 with the minimum length dimension, and the size of the camera 1 is reduced, the position of the AF light projecting unit 16 or the AF light receiving unit 17 forming the autofocus mechanism is arranged. Since the installation length can be sufficiently secured, a large distance can be provided between the light projecting lens and the light projecting member (not shown) in the AF light projecting unit 16 or the light receiving lens and the light receiving member in the AF light receiving unit 17, respectively. Since the focal length of the lens can be long, it is possible to measure the distance with high accuracy by the autofocus mechanism.

Here, in the above-mentioned configuration, the AF light projecting portion 16 or the AF light receiving portion 17 which constitutes the autofocus mechanism has its optical axis in the front-back direction of the camera cover 2 and these AF light projecting portions 16 are arranged. And AF receiver 17
Is disposed along the lower slope portions 14a and 14b of the housing 11 of the finder unit 10,
Lower left and right slope portions 14a and 14b in the housing 11 of the finder unit 10 are formed in the cover 2 so as to become narrower from the upper side to the lower side. With this configuration, the finder unit 10 and the autofocus mechanism can be arranged in the cover 2 more appropriately in a required state while ensuring the downsizing of the camera 1.

In the above-described embodiment, the case of a still camera called a compact camera is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this.
Further, as the finder unit 10, the case of the real image type finder mechanism has been exemplified, but it goes without saying that it is not limited to this. Further, the shape of the cover 2 as the camera body in the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and an appropriate modification can be considered.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the left and right slope portions 14a and 14b are provided on the lower side of the housing 11 of the finder unit 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a part of the housing 11 has a reflecting surface. Any structure having a slope portion can be applied. The point is A along this slope
The F light projecting unit 16 or the AF light receiving unit 17 may be appropriately provided. In addition, the slope portion 14 of the finder unit 10
Although the case where the AF light receiving unit 17 is arranged close to b will be described, the AF light projecting unit 16 may be arranged. Further, the other AF projecting unit 1 is brought closer to the other slope 14a.
6 or the AF light receiving unit 17 may be arranged.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the reflecting member 13 constituting the finder unit 10 is exemplified by one having a combined structure of four reflecting mirrors 27 to 30, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a reflecting prism. You may use what used. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and an appropriate reflecting means or a combination thereof may be used.

[0037]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As the finder unit 10, a real image type finder mechanism is used. Further, in this finder unit 10, a plurality of reflecting mirrors 27 are used as the reflecting member 13 for bending the finder optical path 12.
A combination of ~ 30 is used. In addition, an active type is used as the autofocus mechanism. Here, as the light projecting section 16 and the light receiving section 17 which constitute this autofocus mechanism, those configured by a combination of a light projecting lens and a light projecting member and a light receiving lens and a light receiving member are used.

[0038]

As described above, according to the camera of the present invention, the finder unit including the real image type finder mechanism arranged so that the optical axis of the lens barrel and the optical path of the finder are parallel in the camera body. On a part of the housing,
A slope portion is formed by a reflection surface that constitutes a reflection member such as a reflection mirror for bending light from the subject in the middle of the finder optical path, and between this slope portion and other components inside the camera body. Since either the light projecting unit or the light receiving unit constituting the autofocus mechanism for measuring the distance to the object is arranged, the following advantageous effects can be obtained despite the simple configuration.

That is, according to the present invention, the reflecting member for bending the finder optical path necessary for disposing the finder unit such as the real image finder mechanism within the thickness dimension in the front-rear direction of the camera, which is required to be downsized. By utilizing the space inside the camera body, which is inevitably generated by the shape of the left and right reflecting surfaces, the camera body of the light-emitting or light-receiving unit that constitutes the finder unit or autofocus mechanism. It is possible to efficiently arrange the members inside. In particular, in such a configuration,
The projector or receiver that composes the autofocus mechanism is installed in a space that can secure the maximum length of the camera in the front-rear direction in the camera body without increasing the cost or size of the camera. Therefore, the distance can be measured with high accuracy by the autofocus mechanism. This is clear from the fact that the projection distance of the light projecting lens in the light projecting section or the light receiving lens in the light receiving section can be made long.

Further, according to the camera of the present invention, the light projecting portion or the light receiving portion constituting the autofocus mechanism is arranged in the front-back direction of the camera body along the inclined surface portion provided in the housing of the finder unit. , The left and right slopes provided on the lower side of the housing of the finder unit are formed so as to become narrower from the upper part of the camera body to the lower part, so that the finder unit and the autofocus mechanism can be installed inside the camera. The arrangement can be more appropriately performed in a required state while ensuring downsizing of the camera.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a camera according to the present invention, (a) is a front view for explaining the internal structure, and (b) is a front view.
Is a plan view of the same.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view for explaining main optical components arranged in a finder unit that constitutes a real-image finder mechanism applied to the camera according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Camera, 2 ... Cover (camera main body), 3 ... Lens barrel, 4 ... Film winding spool chamber, 5 ... Strobe light emission part, 6 ... Film cartridge chamber, 10 ... Viewfinder unit used as a real image type finder mechanism, 11 ... Housing, 12 ... Finder optical path, 12a, 12b, 12c ...
First, second and third optical paths, 13 ... Reflecting member, 14a, 1
Reference numeral 4b ... Slope portion, 16, 17 ... AF light emitting portion and AF light receiving portion constituting an autofocus mechanism, 18 ... AE light receiving portion, 19 ... Control circuit board, 21 ... Window, 22-25 ... Objective lens, 27-30 ... Reflecting mirror, 31 ... Objective lens,
32 ... Eyepiece.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A finder unit arranged in a camera body such that an optical axis of a lens barrel and a finder optical path are parallel to each other, and an autofocus arranged in the camera body together with the finder unit to measure an object. In a camera provided with a mechanism, a part of the housing of the finder unit is provided with a sloped surface by a reflective surface that constitutes a reflective member for bending the light from the subject in the middle of the finder optical path. A camera characterized in that either one of a light projecting portion and a light receiving portion constituting the autofocus mechanism is arranged between the other constituent members in the camera body. 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the finder unit is constituted by a real image type finder mechanism. 3. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the optical axis of the light projecting portion or the light receiving portion forming the autofocus mechanism is in the front-back direction of the camera body, and A camera characterized in that either one of them is arranged along a slope portion provided on a housing of the finder unit. 4. The camera according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein slopes are provided on the left and right of the lower side of the housing in the finder unit, and the left and right slopes are located above the camera body. The camera is characterized in that it is formed so as to become narrower downward from.