JPH09113974A - Camera using interference between exposure actuator and measuring link mechanism of transport motor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To apply automatic film winding and measurement by a motor drive to an existing disposable camera. SOLUTION: The camera 10 is constituted of an exposure starting member 16 which is made movable between a press position and a return position, a film feeding motor, and a measuring link mechanism 46 for measuring the amount of feeding the continuous film frame to an exposing position. In this case, the film feeding motor is operated by the measuring link mechanism 46, and then, the exposure starting member 16 is pressed, then, the link mechanism 46 is interrupted so that the motor may no be energized, and the exposure starting member 16 is returned. Thus, the link mechanism 46 is released, and the motor is energized.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of photography and to cameras for exposing photographic film. Especially,
The present invention relates to a film winding and measuring mechanism in a camera that continuously advances individual film frames to an exposure position.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is applicable to many types of cameras, and in particular, the preferred embodiment of the present invention has utility for low cost and disposable cameras.

Disposable cameras are assembled from relatively inexpensive components and are sold in a film-embedded form. In the manufacturing process, a standard 35 mm size and format film cartridge is placed in the take-up chamber of the camera. Most of the film is then withdrawn from the cartridge, pre-wound across the exposure surface and into the film supply chamber.
When in use, the pre-wound film is stored in the cartridge in the winding chamber across the exposure surface from the supply chamber by the camera mechanism so that one frame corresponds to each image. It is sent continuously as is done. Usually, this feed mechanism is composed of a thumb wheel (finger wheel) that rotates a spool arranged in the cartridge. The film is wound on this spool, which pulls the film into the cartridge.

Although structurally simple, the single-use camera is provided with suitable mechanisms for measuring film position in order to properly position the individual frames at the exposure position. As the film is fed, perforations along the edges of the film engage and rotate the sprocket wheels. The sprocket wheel is provided with a measuring cam that rotates with the sprocket and that has a notch that makes one revolution for each film frame. When the film frame is properly positioned for exposure, the film metrology lever arm fits into the notch. This pivoting movement of the arm causes the other arm of the same film measuring lever to engage the teeth formed on the outer periphery of the thumbwheel, thereby preventing further film feed.

Exposure is initiated by pressing the activation button, which causes a high energy striker.
The latch that holds the gy striker is released. The striker drives the shutter blade that opens the exposure aperture, and the film is exposed. The striker also rotates the measuring lever from the notch of the cam, which releases the thumbwheel. The freewheeling of the thumbwheel advances the film for the next exposure, rotating the sprocket while engaging the perforation of the film, and the high energy striker for the next exposure. Will be reset.

Disposable cameras of the above type are disclosed, for example, in the United States Patent issued on August 10, 1993.
No. 5,235,366.

[0007]

Disposable cameras offer many advantages to amateur photographers, including features originally realized only in expensive cameras. However, at the same time, other functions provided by expensive cameras have proven difficult to achieve with single-use cameras. For example, motorized film auto-winding and metrology is not well applied to existing single-use cameras.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a photography camera with an improved film winding and measuring mechanism, particularly a mechanism driven by an electric motor. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the invention, the metrology linkage and the exposure initiation member are each provided with extensions, which extensions are: a) in one position of the exposure initiation member. , To actuate the link mechanism so as not to energize the film winding motor, and (b) act to release the link mechanism to energize the motor at other positions of the exposure start member. The first position (blocking position) corresponds to the position where the exposure start member is pressed to start exposure. Also, the second
The position (release position) corresponds to the position where the exposure start member returns to the unpressed state after the exposure is started.

According to a more detailed feature of the invention, the exposure initiating member has a first tab and the metrology linkage has a second tab. At the position where the exposure start member is pressed, the first tab and the second tab are engaged with each other to inhibit the operation of the link mechanism, thereby preventing the motor from being energized. Further, at the position where the exposure start member is not pressed, the first tab and the second tab are not engaged with each other, whereby the link mechanism is released and the motor is energized. Then, the film is fed by the motor, and the measurement link mechanism is reset. By resetting the link mechanism, the motor is de-energized and the film feed is interrupted at the completion of the measurement cycle.

According to a more detailed feature of the present invention,
The camera is continuous with a high energy striker, a shutter actuator that moves between a first position that locks the high energy striker and a second position that releases the high energy striker, and an electric motor that feeds the film. And a measurement link mechanism for measuring the feed of the film frame to the exposure position. The measurement link mechanism is biased to function as a switch that energizes the film feed motor. However, by pressing the shutter actuator, the link mechanism is blocked against the biasing force, and the motor is not energized until the shutter actuator is released. Then, when the shutter actuator is released, the link mechanism is freed, the switch is closed, and the motor is energized.

[0011]

These and other features of the invention,
And advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood upon reviewing the detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the following drawings and the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a partial front perspective view of a camera with an improved film advance and metrology mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a rear perspective view of the camera of FIG. 1 with some components removed to show the film feed and measurement mechanism in detail. FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the front showing a part of the film feeding and measuring mechanism of the preferred embodiment before the exposure is started. FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view from the rear showing a part of the film feeding and measuring mechanism in the state corresponding to FIG. FIG. 5 is a front perspective view showing a part of the film feeding and measuring mechanism of the preferred embodiment after the exposure is started and before the exposure start member is released. FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view from the rear showing a part of the film feeding and measuring mechanism in the state corresponding to FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view from the front showing a part of the film feeding and measuring mechanism of the preferred embodiment in a state after the exposure is started and the exposure actuator is released. FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view from the rear showing a part of the film feeding and measuring mechanism in the state corresponding to FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing components of the film feeding and measuring mechanism.
FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a film winding motor and an energizing switch used in the preferred embodiment.

First, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 10, the disposable camera 10 has a film feed and measurement mechanism 12, an exposure mechanism 14 driven by an exposure start member 16, and a viewfinder 18. All of these mechanisms are housed in the camera casing 20.

The preferred camera 10 is manufactured to accommodate standard film formats, such as 35 mm film 22, housed in a standard cartridge 23. A row of perforations 24 is formed on at least one edge of the film 22, and adjacent perforations are separated by a predetermined distance. Of course, for other film formats, other embodiments of the invention can be applied.

The film feeding and measuring mechanism 12 is configured to have a driving component and a measuring component. These components work together, but typically the drive components move the film,
The metrology component, on the other hand, controls the movement of the film to position each individual frame at the proper exposure position. The drive component is a housing 28
An electric motor 26 (FIG. 10) housed in (FIG. 1),
And a gear train 30 having a top gear 32. When the motor 26 is energized, this causes the gear train 30 to rotate and the film to be fed from the supply chamber 34 across the exposure position and into the winding chamber 36. Cartridge 23 housed in the winding chamber
Has a spool having a slot formed so as to engage with a dog (turning screw) provided on the gear train, whereby the gear train rotates to rotate the spool as well. The film is wound and drawn into the cartridge.

The electric motor 26 has a battery 38 connected to the motor via a switch 40 and a circuit 42.
The electric power is supplied by (FIG. 10). Then, by referring to the following description, the film feeding and measuring mechanism 1
2 measurement components include a switch 40 and a circuit 4
It will be clear that it operates via two and feeds the film at the appropriate time between exposures and by the appropriate distance depending on the pitch between adjacent exposure frames.

The film metrology component comprises a sprocket 44 (FIG. 3), a metrology lever 46, and a cam 48. The sprocket 44 has a perforation 24 formed along the edge of the film 22.
The hub 50 is provided with a protrusion 52 that extends inward and engages. The perforations are arranged according to the standard 35 mm format, and the sprocket projections 5
No. 2 is formed such that the circumferential distance is equal to the distance between the perforations. When the film is fed from the supply chamber 34 to the cartridge by the film feeding and measuring mechanism 12, the perforations 24 and the protrusions 52 of the sprocket engage with each other, so that as shown in FIG. It is rotated counterclockwise. One complete rotation of the sprocket corresponds to the pitch between adjacent film frames, or the distance traveled by the film during each successive exposure.

The cam 48 is fixed to the sprocket 44 and rotates together with the sprocket 44. At this time, one rotation of the cam corresponds to the pitch between the frames of the film or the moving distance of the film between successive exposures. And, the cam 48 is notched in the portion 54 for the purposes described below.

The measuring lever 46 is rotatably arranged and is urged clockwise. Hook 5 provided on the arm or extension 58 of the measuring lever 46
6 follows and engages with the outer peripheral surface of the cam 48.
When the notch 54 of the cam 48 is aligned with the hook 56, the hook fits within the notch 54 and the lever is rotated clockwise. When the measuring lever 46 rotates in the clockwise direction, the extension member 60 that is an arm extending in the opposite direction.
Is moved to engage the contact lever 61 of the switch 40, thereby opening the switch and deactivating the motor 26.

The exposure mechanism 14 includes an exposure starting member 16, a high energy lever or striker 62, and a shutter 6.
4 and an exposure aperture 66.

The exposure starting member is formed as an elastic member connected to the camera housing and has a button 68 and a latch 70 provided on a flexible arm. The button can be pressed against the elastic biasing force of the arm, which allows the latch 70 to move from the locked position to the released position.

1 to 4 show various camera mechanisms before exposure is started. At this time, the exposure starting member 16 is in the non-pressing position or the locking position. The switch 40 is maintained in the open state by the measuring lever 46, whereby the film feed motor 26
(Fig. 10) is not energized. In addition, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show that the exposure start member 16 is used to start the exposure cycle.
The same camera mechanism is shown after being pressed. Further, FIGS. 7 and 8 show the camera mechanism in a state where the exposure start member is released in the latter half of the cycle and returned to the non-pressed position.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the high energy lever 62 is pressed by pressing the exposure start member 16.
Is released and rotates at high speed around the vertical axis under the relatively strong biasing force of the high-energy spring 72. Then, the high-energy lever moves the shutter surface 7 of the shutter at high speed.
4 is shockingly engaged, which causes the shutter to rotate clockwise and the exposure aperture 66 to open, exposing the film. FIG. 5 shows the open position of the high energy lever and the open position of the shutter. The exposure cycle is completed when the shutter returns to its original position under the influence of the spring 76 (FIG. 5).

As shown in FIG. 5, when the high-energy lever rotates counterclockwise, the leg 78 connected to the high-energy spring 72 causes the notch 80 and the leg formed in the measuring lever 46. The measurement lever 46 is biased counterclockwise through the engagement with 78. The counterclockwise biasing force of the high-energy spring is greater than the clockwise biasing force acting on the measuring lever 46, which causes the cam 48 to move.
From the notch 54 formed in the
6 is released. The spring legs 78 also urge the extension or arm 60 counterclockwise away from the contact lever 61 of the switch 40, thereby causing the switch 4 to move.
0 is closed and motor 26 is energized to advance the film for the next successive exposure. However, the tab 82 on the exposure starting member 16 and the tab 84 on the measuring lever 46 are
Due to the engagement between and, the complete rotation of the measuring lever is delayed. As long as the exposure starting member is in the lower part or in the pressing position, the tab 82 and the tab 84 are formed and arranged to engage with each other in order to block the counterclockwise rotation of the measuring lever. There is. And
When the exposure start member is released, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the tabs are separated from each other, and the measurement lever can be rotated counterclockwise, whereby the switch 40 is closed and the motor 26 is operated. It is energized and the film is sent. Then, as the film moves, the sprocket 4 again.
4 and a second cam 86 which is fixed to the sprocket coaxially with the cam 48 are rotated. The second cam engages the high energy lever extension 88 (FIG. 3), which causes the high energy lever to rotate and return the high energy lever to the latched position behind the latch 70. At the same time, the high-energy lever engages with the measuring lever 46 and at the same time returns the measuring lever 46 to its original position, whereby the extension portion 60 engages again with the contact lever 61 of the switch, which When the next successive film frame reaches the exposure position, the switch 40 is opened and the motor 26 is de-energized.

From the above description, it is possible to move from a first position to a second position to initiate a film exposure cycle, and from the second position to initiate a camera set or reset cycle. It will be apparent that an improved camera is disclosed with an actuator that is movable to the position. The set or reset cycle includes a film movement measurement step to position successive film frames for exposure.
The actuator operates the measurement link mechanism and the film feed motor. By pressing the actuator, the exposure cycle is started, and at the same time, the measurement link mechanism is cut off and the motor is not energized. Only when the actuator returns to its original position, the measurement link mechanism is opened, the motor is energized, and the film is fed. Then, the measurement cycle enters the final stage, various camera mechanisms are set for the next exposure, and the motor is de-energized.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will devise other modifications and applications. The claims are intended to cover all such modifications and applications within the scope of the invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial front perspective view of a camera with an improved film feed and metrology mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a rear perspective view of the camera of FIG. 1 with some components removed to show the film feed and measurement mechanism in detail.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the front showing a part of the film feeding and measuring mechanism of the preferred embodiment in a state before exposure is started.

4 is a partial perspective view from the rear showing a part of the film feeding and measuring mechanism in a state corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view from the front showing a part of the film feeding and measuring mechanism of the preferred embodiment after the exposure is started and before the exposure start member is released.

6 is a partial perspective view from the rear showing a part of the film feeding and measuring mechanism in a state corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view from the front showing a part of the film feeding and measuring mechanism of the preferred embodiment in a state after exposure is started and the exposure actuator is released.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view from the rear showing a part of the film feeding and measuring mechanism in a state corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing components of the film feeding and measuring mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a film winding motor and an energizing switch used in a preferred embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 camera 12 film feeding and measuring mechanism 14 exposure mechanism 16 exposure starting member 18 viewfinder 20 camera casing 22 film 23 cartridge 24 measurement perforation 26 electric motor 28 motor housing 30 gear train 32 top gear 34 supply chamber 36 winding chamber 38 Battery 40 Switch 42 Circuit 44 Sprocket 46 Measuring lever 48 Measuring cam 50 Cam hub 52 Cam protrusion or tooth 54 Cam notch 56 Hook 58 Cam follower 60 Arm or extension 61 Switch contact lever 62 High energy lever 64 Shutter 66 Aperture 68 Drive button 70 Latch 72 Spring 74 Bearing surface 76 Spring 78 Spring leg 80 Notch 82 Tab 84 Tab 86 Second cam or Setting cam 88 cam follower part

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An exposure start member movable between a pressing position and a return position, a film feed motor, and a measurement link mechanism for measuring the feed of successive film frames to the exposure position. In the camera for photography configured as described above, by the measurement link mechanism, the film feed motor is operated and the exposure start member is pressed, so that the link mechanism is shut off so that the motor is not energized, A camera characterized in that the link mechanism is released and the motor is energized when the exposure start member returns. 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the exposure start member has a first tab, and the measurement link mechanism has a second tab, the first tab and the second tab. Means that when the exposure start member is pressed, the exposure start member is engaged with each other, whereby the measurement link mechanism is shut off and the motor is de-energized, and the first tab and the second tab are separated from each other. A camera characterized in that when the exposure starting member returns, they are separated from each other, whereby the measurement link mechanism is released, and the motor is energized. 3. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the film feed motor resets the measurement link mechanism, and the reset of the measurement link mechanism causes the motor to be de-energized and the film feed to be interrupted. A camera characterized by 4. A high energy lever and a shutter release moveable between a first position for locking the high energy lever and a second position for releasing the high energy lever.
In a camera for photography, which is configured to have a film feed electric motor and a measurement link mechanism for measuring the feed to successive exposure positions of film frames, the measurement link mechanism includes the film feed motor. Energized to operate a switch that is energized, in the second position, the shutter release blocks the measurement link mechanism against the biasing force, and in the first position, from the shutter release. The camera is characterized in that the measurement link mechanism is released, whereby the switch is closed and the motor is energized. 5. The camera according to claim 4, wherein the film feed motor resets the measurement link mechanism, and the reset of the measurement link mechanism causes the motor to be de-energized, and the film feed is interrupted. A camera characterized by 6. A film exposure cycle followed by a camera setting cycle, wherein a movable actuator is provided to initiate the cycles, the second
In a photography camera in which the film feed electric motor operates only in the second cycle, the film exposure cycle is started by moving the actuator from the first position to the second position, and the second position of the actuator is set. A camera characterized in that the camera setting cycle is started by moving from the first position to the first position. 7. The camera according to claim 6, wherein the camera starts the camera setting cycle via a measurement link mechanism urged by the actuator in a direction to open a switch for energizing the motor, The camera is characterized in that in the position 2 the actuator cuts off the link mechanism, and in the first position the actuator releases the link mechanism. 8. The camera according to claim 7, wherein the link mechanism controls the film feed in the setting cycle, and the next successive film frame is appropriately positioned for exposure. A camera characterized by being provided with a film measuring mechanism for interrupting energization of a motor. 9. The camera according to claim 8, wherein the motor is energized via a switch, and the film measuring mechanism is provided with a plate that rotates between the actuator and the switch. In the second position, the actuator prevents the plate from rotating, and in the first position of the actuator, the plate is released from the actuator to rotate. 10. A camera for exposing successive frames of photographic film in an exposure position, the high energy lever being releasable from a set position to open the shutter and expose the film, In order to continuously position the individual frames, a measuring link mechanism that measures the film feed and a driving member that is movable between a first position and a second position are provided. A drive member in the second position releases the high energy lever and shuts off a metrology link mechanism to prevent film advance during exposure, and the drive member in the first position A camera that releases the metrology linkage to feed the film after exposure. 11. The camera according to claim 10, wherein the camera is provided with a film feed motor, the measurement link mechanism is biased to operate a switch for energizing the feed motor, and the actuator is , In the second position, blocking the link mechanism against the biasing force, the actuator releases the link mechanism in the first position, thereby closing the switch, A camera characterized in that the motor is energized.