JPH11295774A - Binoculars equipped with vibration-proof mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make binoculars compact, light in weight and inexpensive. SOLUTION: The binoculars are provided with a pair of objective optical systems and a pair of erect optical systems. A pair of erect optical systems is provided with 1st mirrors 3 and 3', 2nd mirrors 4 and 4', 3rd mirrors 5 and 5' and 4th mirrors 6 and 6'; and is equipped with a vibration-proof mechanism integrally rocking the 1st mirrors 3 and 3' with a 1st rotary shaft F as center and integrally rocking both the 1st mirrors 3 and 3' and the 2nd mirrors 4 and 4' with a 2nd rotary shaft H as center.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to binoculars, and more particularly to binoculars provided with a vibration-proof mechanism for alleviating image blur of an observation image caused by vibration caused by camera shake of an observer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as binoculars provided with a vibration damping mechanism, US Pat. No. 2,829,557 and US Pat.
No. 2, German Patent No. DE29701683U1, JP-A-54-23554, JP-A-9-230254 and the like are known.

In US Pat. No. 2,829,557, a pair of first mirrors, which constitute the erecting optical system, are swung in the left-right direction (hereinafter, yaw direction) by a mechanical link mechanism.
Binoculars have been disclosed in which the first mirror and a pair of second mirrors on the left and right sides are also integrally swung in a vertical direction (hereinafter, a pitch direction) to realize an anti-vibration mechanism.

US Pat. No. 4,542,962 and German DE
Japanese Patent No. 29701683U1 discloses a mechanism in which an objective lens and a mirror are integrated so that the optical axis of the objective lens does not shift even during image blur correction.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Sho 54-23554 discloses a pair of binoculars in which the entire erect prism optical system is integrated and balanced about two orthogonal rotation axes.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-230254, two erecting optical systems having four reflecting surfaces are adjacent to each other along an optical path.
It is disclosed that two reflecting surfaces are integrated and substantially shifted to maintain the inclination of the focal plane even during image blur correction.

[0007]

However, the first mirror of the binoculars disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,829,557 is configured to reflect left and right incident rays in directions away from each other. Therefore, the light beam incident on each objective lens passes through the erecting optical system, thereby increasing the distance between the light beams and entering the right and left eyepieces. Since the distance between the left and right eyepieces is substantially defined by the eye width of the observer, it is difficult to mount a large-diameter objective lens in the configuration disclosed in US Pat. No. 2,829,557. In addition, since the link mechanism is used, the number of parts is large, and since there are four rotation axes in the yaw direction, the accuracy cannot be maintained.

Further, in the binoculars disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,542,962 and German Patent No. DE29701683U1, a part for maintaining a posture by inertial force is obtained by integrating an objective lens and a part of a mirror. Since the lens must be held swingably, dust protection and suitability cannot be achieved unless the objective part is covered with an external member (at least a protective glass at the tip is required). In addition, a strong bearing structure that holds the weight including the objective lens is required, and it is difficult to reduce the weight and size and reduce the cost.

Further, in the binoculars disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-23554, the weight of the prism is increased and a strong bearing is used in order to integrate the entire prism erecting optical system and maintain the posture by inertia. Must be set.
For this reason, it is not suitable for reducing the weight of the entire apparatus, and the manufacturing cost increases.

In the telescope disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-230254, two reflective surfaces are integrated to perform image blur correction driving. When this is applied to binoculars, The configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-230254 requires a pair of right and left sides. For driving of image blur correction, a precise mechanism for performing parallel movement and a mechanism for driving an unbalanced mechanism around an offset rotation axis are used. Requires a powerful actuator. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the size and cost.

An object of the present invention is to reduce the size, weight,
Another object of the present invention is to provide binoculars having an anti-vibration mechanism for realizing a low price.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, a binocular according to the present invention comprises a pair of objective optical systems whose optical axes are parallel to each other, and each objective optical system which is arranged on the image side of the objective optical system. Binoculars having a pair of erecting optical systems corresponding to the pair of erecting optical systems, wherein the pair of erecting optical systems includes: a pair of first reflecting surfaces that reflect incident light beams in directions substantially opposite to each other; A pair of second reflecting surfaces that reflect light rays from the reflecting surface in a direction opposite to the direction of incidence on the first reflecting surface, and the incident light beams are orthogonal to a first plane including the optical axis of each objective optical system. A pair of third reflecting surfaces that reflect in the direction, and a pair of fourth reflecting surfaces that reflect light from the third reflecting surface in a direction opposite to a direction in which the light is incident on the third reflecting surface, respectively. Either one of the pair of first reflecting surfaces and the pair of second reflecting surfaces is extended in a direction orthogonal to the first plane. And a pair of the first reflecting surface and the pair of the second reflecting surfaces are both perpendicular to the first plane and parallel to the optical axes of the objective optical systems. The vibration control device is characterized in that a vibration isolating mechanism that integrally swings about a second rotation axis extending in a direction orthogonal to the second plane is provided.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIGS.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an optical system of binoculars provided with a vibration isolation mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of the optical system from below, FIG. 2 is a plan view, and FIG. 3 is a side view.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, reference numerals 1, 1 'denote front groups each constituting a part of a pair of objective optical systems and comprising a convergent lens in which a positive lens and a negative lens are adhered to each other.
Numeral 2 'denotes a rear group which constitutes a part of a pair of objective optical systems and comprises a divergent lens. A and A 'are optical axes of a pair of objective optical systems, respectively, and the optical axes A and A' are parallel to each other. In the present embodiment, the objective optical system has a two-group structure including a pair of front groups 1 and 1 'and a rear group 2 and 2', respectively. The objective optical system of the present invention is not limited to this because it is effective for shortening, and can be considered separately from the anti-vibration mechanism.

Next, an erecting optical system for converting an image formed by the objective optical system into an erecting erect image will be described.

Reference numerals 3 and 3 'correspond to the respective objective optical systems, and a pair of first mirrors (first reflection surfaces) constituting a part of the erecting optical system.
It is. The first mirror 3, 3 ′ is positioned at a position at which a light ray traveling along the optical axis A, A ′ of the objective optical system is incident at an incident angle of 45 degrees (a fixed position when the image stabilizing mechanism is not operated). Are arranged so as to reflect incident light rays along optical axes B and B ′ in directions facing each other. Further, the first mirrors 3 and 3 'are provided with optical axes A and A' (or optical axes C and A ') so that the incident angles of the optical axes A and A' are variable.
C 'and the optical axes E and E'), and swings integrally in the yaw direction about the first rotation axis F passing through the intersection of the normals G and G 'of the first mirrors 3 and 3'. It is movably held.

Strictly, the rotation axis in the yaw direction is desirably set at each surface position of the first mirror 3, 3 'for each mirror. However, when the anti-vibration correction angle is used in the range of 1 degree to several degrees, the normal G of the mirror at the point where the rays on the optical axes A and A 'are incident on the first mirrors 3 and 3', respectively. ,
If it is on G ', it can be set at any position in a practically wide range. In the present invention, the first rotation axis in the yaw direction is set so as to pass through the intersection of the normal lines G and G ′, thereby obtaining the first rotation axis.
The rotation axis F can be shared by the left and right optical systems, and as a result,
The yaw direction anti-vibration mechanism has been simplified.

The light beams 4 and 4 'reflect the light beams on the optical axes B and B', which are the light beams reflected by the first mirrors 3 and 3 ', respectively, and the optical axes A and A along the optical axes C and C', respectively. ′ Are a pair of second mirrors (second reflection surfaces) that are turned in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the light beam on the ′. The second mirrors 4, 4 'and the first mirrors 3, 3'
Perpendicular to the plane containing the optical axes A and A '(or the optical axes C and C' and the optical axes E and E ') and the optical axes A and A' (or the optical axes C and C 'and the optical axes E and E') Are held so as to be integrally swingable in the pitch direction about an axis orthogonal to a plane parallel to the axis, in particular, a second rotation axis H orthogonal to the first rotation axis F. At this time, the first
As the mirrors 3 and 3 'swing in the pitch direction, the first rotation axis F also swings.

The rotation axis in the pitch direction is a pair of optical axes A,
It is desirable to set the position perpendicular to A 'and passing through the intersection lines J and J' where the first mirrors 3 and 3 'and the second mirrors 4 and 4' intersect. However, for the same reason as in the case of the first rotation axis F, if it is orthogonal to the pair of optical axes A and A 'at the same time, it is possible to set the position slightly forward or backward.

Reference numerals 5 and 5 'denote a pair of third mirrors (third reflecting surfaces), and reference numerals 6 and 6' denote a pair of fourth mirrors (fourth reflecting surfaces), which are respectively integrated with the end faces of the right-angle prisms 7 and 7 '. Target 1
It is formed as one part. The third mirrors 5, 5 'reflect light rays traveling along the optical axes C, C' at right angles, respectively, and make the light rays traveling along the optical axes D, D 'enter the fourth mirrors 6, 6'. The fourth mirrors 6, 6 'fold the light rays incident along the optical axes D, D' in the direction opposite to the traveling directions of the light rays on the optical axes C, C 'along the optical axes E, E'. As a result, the traveling direction of the light beam traveling along the optical axes A and A 'and the traveling direction of the light beam traveling along the optical axes E and E' become the same direction.
An erect optical system that converts an inverted image formed by the objective optical system into an erect image is established.

The third mirrors 5 and 5 'and the fourth mirrors 6 and 6' may be arranged as one original mirror, but are integrally formed as right-angle prisms 7 and 7 '. By doing so, it is easy to obtain the accuracy of component placement,
If an appropriate anti-reflection treatment is applied to the entrance / exit surface, it is possible to easily suppress a decrease in the amount of light. The left and right prisms 7,
7 'can be further shared by one long prism. In such a configuration, of the left and right optical axis shift components of the binoculars, it is caused by the arrangement of the third and fourth mirrors. No shift will occur.

Further, the prisms 7 and 7 ', and thus the third mirror 5 and the fourth mirror 6 and / or the third mirror 5' and the fourth mirror 6 'are integrally moved back and forth in the directions of the optical axes A and A'. Thus, focus adjustment and left and right diopter correction can be performed. With such a configuration, the eyepiece optical system can be fixed and the structure can be simplified, and since the movable portion does not appear in the appearance, it is more advantageous in terms of strength when sealed.

Reference numerals 8 and 8 'denote rhombic prisms.
It has two reflecting surfaces to shift E 'in parallel. Reference numerals 9, 9 'denote eyepiece optical systems on which light from the rhombic prisms 8, 8' is incident. The eyepiece optical systems 9, 9 'have fields of view 10, 10', respectively. The rhombic prisms 8, 8 'and the eyepiece optical systems 9, 9' are integrally rotated about the optical axes E, E 'to change the distance between the optical axes of the eyepiece optical systems 9, 9' to correspond to the observer. Interpupillary distance adjustment can be performed.

Next, an anti-vibration mechanism in the binoculars having the above configuration will be described.

Since the blurring (vibration) of the binoculars can be considered by being decomposed into the yaw direction and the pitch direction, the anti-vibration operation in the yaw direction will be described first with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 2, it is now assumed that the entire binoculars are slightly rotated clockwise in the yaw direction due to blur. Without the anti-vibration mechanism (when the entire optical system is integrated), the image in the field of view is located to the left as compared to before blurring, and the observer sees to the right. However, as described above, the first mirrors 3 and 3 'are held swingably about the first rotation axis F, and when the first mirrors 3 and 3' are not rotated with respect to the absolute space (in an inertia-free state), the first mirrors 3 and 3 'are not rotated. , 3 'are incident on the optical axes A, A'. On the other hand, when considering in the observation state, the case where the optical axis B, B 'to the optical axis E, E' are maintained while fixing the case viewed from the eyepiece optical system 9, 9 'side is considered. The light beam observed by 3 'changes into a light beam incident from the left of the object field with respect to the optical axes A and A' of the fixed objective optical systems 1 and 1 '. This means that the original direction can be observed even though the entire binoculars are slightly turned rightward, and the operation of the integrated pair of first mirrors 3, 3 'in the inertia-free state is blurred. Acts in a direction to reduce the vibration, and a vibration proof mechanism is established in the yaw direction.

Next, the vibration proof operation in the pitch direction will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 3, consider a state in which the entire binoculars are slightly rotated upward in the pitch direction due to blur. Without anti-vibration mechanism (when the entire optical system is integrated)
The image of the field of view is located lower than before the camera shakes, and the observer looks upward. However, in the pitch direction, as described above, the first mirrors 3, 3 'and the second mirrors 4, 4' are integrally held so as to be swingable about the second rotation axis H. Are kept together (in an inertia-free state) so as not to rotate with respect to the absolute space. On the other hand, the positions where the optical axes A and A 'are reflected are, when viewed from the horizontal direction, the positions of the second mirrors 4 and 4' and the first mirror.
The position is optically equivalent to the case where there is one reflection surface including the intersection lines J and J 'shown in FIG. 3 where the mirrors 3 and 3' intersect. Therefore, in the state of the side view of FIG.
Since A 'and the optical axes C and C' extend to the position of the intersection line J and J ', and the optical axes B and B' do not need to be considered, the anti-vibration effect can be considered as in the yaw direction. When considering the observation state, the case where the optical axes C and C 'are maintained while fixing the case when viewed from the eyepiece optical systems 9 and 9' is considered.
Since J 'is maintained with respect to the absolute space, the observation light beam incident on the intersection line J, J' changes into a light beam incident from below the pair of fixed optical axes A, A ', respectively. Become. This means that the original direction is observed even though the entire binoculars are slightly upward, and the intersection lines J and J '
Or the operation in the inertia-free state around the second rotation axis H acts in the direction to reduce the blur, and the vibration isolating mechanism is established also in the pitch direction.

Then, the first mirrors 3, 3 'and the second mirrors 4, 4' are arranged at appropriate positions on the optical path along the optical axes E, E 'from the pair of optical axes A, A' of the objective optical system. If it is set to be effective, an effective anti-vibration mechanism can be formed only in the inertia-free state, and at the same time, a low-cost, compact, more complete anti-vibration system using mechanical or electric braking devices. A binocular with a mechanism is realized.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a plan view of an anti-vibration mirror section of an optical system of binoculars provided with an anti-vibration mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The binoculars of the second embodiment of the present invention are almost the same as those of the first embodiment and will not be described below.
With J 'as the center of rotation, the angle between the first mirrors 13, 13' and the second mirrors 14, 14 'is 90 degrees without breaking the relationship between the optical axes A, A' and the optical axes C, C '. 4, the first mirrors 13, 13 'and the second mirrors 14, 14' at the reference position are rotated inward by the same amount as shown in FIG.

That is, in the present embodiment, at the reference position, the first mirror 13 of the light beam traveling along the optical axes A and A '
The angle of incidence on 13 'is set to be larger than 45 degrees.
For this reason, each normal G1, G of the first mirror 13, 13 '
The first rotation axis F1 in the yaw direction passing through the intersection of 1 'is shifted to the observation side (rear) than in the first embodiment.

Also in this embodiment, the binoculars having the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be realized. In addition, as apparent from a comparison between FIG. 4 and FIG. It is possible to shift to the observation side (rearward), and it is possible to further reduce the size and the weight of the balance weight.

(Third Embodiment) FIGS. 5 to 7 show binoculars provided with an anti-vibration mechanism according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a perspective view from above of the optical system of the binoculars, FIG. 6 is a plan view of the optical system, and FIG. 7 is a side view of the optical system.

Also in this embodiment, members having the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have the same functions, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted for simplification. The most different point between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is the configuration of the erecting optical system having the anti-vibration function, which will be described below.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, a pair of right and left erecting optical systems according to the present embodiment comprises right-angle prisms 27 and 27 'having third mirrors 25 and 25' and fourth mirrors 26 and 26 'and a pair of right-angle prisms 27 and 27'. It is composed of one mirror 23, 23 'and a second mirror 24, 24'.

Light rays from the objective optical systems 1, 1 'first enter the right-angle prisms 27, 27'. Light rays traveling along the optical axes A and A 'are reflected by the third mirrors 25 and 25' perpendicularly to a plane including the optical axes A and A ', and are reflected by the optical axes B2 and B'.
The light enters the fourth mirrors 26 and 26 'along 2'. 4th
The mirrors 26 and 26 'fold light rays incident along the optical axes B2 and B2' in directions opposite to the traveling directions of the light rays on the optical axes A and A 'along the optical axes C2 and C2'.

Next, light rays traveling along the optical axes C2 and C2 'are incident on the first mirrors 23 and 23', and are reflected in directions facing each other along the optical axes D2 and D2 '. Optical axis D2, D
The light rays incident on the second mirrors 24 and 24 'along 2' are turned back along the optical axes E2 and E2 'in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the light rays on the optical axes C2 and C2'.

In this embodiment, the second mirror 24,
The first mirror 23, 23 'and the second mirrors 24, 24' are integrally held so as to be swingable in the pitch direction. The rotation axis in the yaw direction (first rotation axis F2) is perpendicular to a plane including the optical axes A and A '(or the optical axes C2 and C2' and the optical axes E2 and E2 '), and as shown in FIG. The rays on axes D2 and D2 '
Mirror normal G at the point of incidence on mirrors 24, 24 '
2 and G2 '. The rotation axis (second rotation axis H2) in the pitch direction does not intersect with the first rotation axis F2 but is orthogonal to a plane including the optical axes A and A '(or the optical axes C2 and C2' and the optical axes E2 and E2 '). The axis extends in a direction orthogonal to a plane parallel to the optical axes A and A '(or the optical axes C2 and C2' and the optical axes E2 and E2 ').

The specific anti-vibration mechanism of the binoculars according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as that described in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description is omitted. So that the first mirror 23, 23 'and the second mirror 24,
In order to prevent the 24 'from rotating in the pitch direction, an anti-vibration mechanism is realized by setting an inertia-free state around the first rotation axis F2 and the second rotation axis H2.

Further, in the erecting optical system as in this embodiment, as shown in the second embodiment, the first mirrors 23 and 23 'and the second mirror 2 are set around the intersection lines J and J' as the center of rotation.
The first mirror 23, 23 'and the second mirror 24,
24 'may be rotated inward or outward by the same amount. Thus, the first mirrors 23, 23 'and the second mirrors 24, 2
When 4 'is rotated inward or outward, the normal G2
The first rotation axis F2 passing through the intersection of G2 'can be shifted back and forth, and compactness and balance weight can be optimized.

In the case of normally used binoculars, if the correction angle to be subjected to image blur correction functions effectively at about 1 to 2 degrees, the anti-shake effect can be satisfied in many use environments. In consideration of this point, in the first to third embodiments, the size and weight of the binoculars having a substantial anti-vibration mechanism are reduced,
In addition, lower prices can be realized. In particular, the binoculars disclosed in the first to third embodiments can achieve an excellent anti-vibration effect even for high-frequency shake vibration, with almost no need for a driving force for anti-vibration control.

Also, by integrating a mirror not used for image stabilization operation by a prism or the like, or by using a focus adjustment (diopter adjustment) to combine parts requiring precision, a compact and hermetic seal can be obtained while facilitating assembly. Structuralization can be easily realized.

Further, since the objective optical system is composed of a converging lens and a diverging lens, the whole can be more compactly assembled. Then, by appropriately using and applying the configurations disclosed in the first to third embodiments as necessary, it is possible to realize binoculars having a small- to large-diameter anti-vibration mechanism.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The binoculars provided with the anti-vibration mechanism can be made compact, light, and low-priced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical system of binoculars according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view of an optical system of the binoculars according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of an optical system of the binoculars according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan sectional view of an anti-vibration mirror unit of the optical system of the binoculars according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an optical system of binoculars according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan sectional view of an optical system of binoculars according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of binoculars according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,1 'front group 2,2' rear group 3,3 'first mirror 4,4' second mirror 5,5 'third mirror 6,6' fourth mirror 7,7 'right angle prism 8,8' Diamond prism 9, 9 'Eyepiece optical system 10, 10' Field of view F First rotation axis H Second rotation axis

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A pair of binoculars comprising: a pair of objective optical systems whose optical axes are substantially parallel to each other; and a pair of erect optical systems arranged on the image side of the objective optical systems and corresponding to each objective optical system. ,
The pair of erecting optical systems includes a pair of first reflecting surfaces that reflect incident light beams in directions substantially opposed to each other, and a direction in which light beams from the first reflecting surfaces are incident on the first reflecting surfaces. A pair of second reflecting surfaces that reflect in opposite directions, a pair of third reflecting surfaces that reflect incident light in a direction orthogonal to a first plane including the optical axis of each objective optical system, and the third reflecting surface Light from the third
A pair of fourth reflecting surfaces that reflect in a direction opposite to the direction of incidence on the reflecting surface, wherein one of the pair of first reflecting surfaces and the pair of second reflecting surfaces is connected to the first plane; In addition to swinging integrally about a first rotation axis extending in a direction orthogonal to the first plane, both the pair of first reflecting surfaces and the pair of second reflecting surfaces are orthogonal to the first plane, and the light of each objective optical system is A pair of binoculars including a vibration-proof mechanism that integrally swings about a second rotation axis extending in a direction orthogonal to a second plane parallel to the axis. 2. The binoculars according to claim 1, wherein the first rotation axis includes an intersection of a normal line of a pair of reflection surfaces swinging about the first rotation axis. 3. The normal line at a position where a ray on the optical axis of the objective optical system intersects with a reflecting surface that swings about the first rotation axis. Binoculars as described. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein light emitted from the objective optical system is sequentially incident on the first, second, third, and fourth reflecting surfaces. binoculars. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein light emitted from the objective optical system is sequentially incident on the third reflecting surface, the fourth reflecting surface, the first reflecting surface, and the second reflecting surface. binoculars. 6. The binoculars according to claim 1, wherein the third reflection surface and the fourth reflection surface are formed on an end surface of a prism member. 7. The binoculars according to claim 1, wherein the erecting optical system is arranged on an optical path between a rear principal point of the objective optical system and a focal plane. 8. The binoculars according to claim 1, wherein the third reflecting surface and the fourth reflecting surface are simultaneously movable in an optical axis direction. 9. The binoculars according to claim 1, wherein the objective optical system has a converging group and a diverging group. 10. The binoculars according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of rhombic prisms for adjusting an interpupillary distance corresponding to the pair of objective optical systems.