JPS59174826A - Battery check mechanism of photographing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To check a battery when a rear cover is closed by providing a checking means which checks the capacity of the power source associatively with a rear cover opening/closing member that moves according to the opening/closing operation of the rear cover and is moved manually. CONSTITUTION:When the rear cover is closed with a cartridge loaded, the slanting surface 3b of an engagement pawl 3a presses down the slanting surface 20a of a rear cover lock lever 20, which is moved down under the guidance of pins 21a and 21b to close a switch 28 by its lower part 20c. At this time, a battery checking circuit 17 is powered on to check the capacity of the battery 4. When the capacity of the battery 4 is not sufficient, the circuit 17 does not energize a magnet 27, so a presser lever 24 engages a step part 20b at its lock part 24b through a spring 26, the lever 20 does not return to its original position, and the engagement pawl 3a does not engage the lock pawl 20, so the rear cover is not closed. Therefore, it is found whether the capacity of the battery 4 is deficient or not or that a battery is loaded in the camera or not.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a battery check mechanism linked to a back cover opening/closing member in a photographing device such as a camera.

In recent years, the role of built-in batteries in cameras has become extremely important as cameras, as an example of photographic equipment, have become increasingly electronic with exposure mechanisms, automatic focusing, automatic winding and rewinding, and built-in strobes. There is a mail.

Therefore, it is important to check the power supply battery, and a battery check circuit is usually provided in the control circuit of the camera. The checking operation of this battery check circuit is performed by closing the battery check switch, but at present, as a method for opening and closing this battery check switch, a separate battery check switch is provided, and the switch There is a method in which the photographer can operate the camera at any time, and a method in which the battery check switch is linked to the operation of the release button, and the switch can be operated with the first stroke of the release button.

On the other hand, it is useful to check the battery when loading film. In particular, in cameras that use electric power to rewind the film, it is necessary to check the battery when loading the film in order to check whether the built-in battery has sufficient capacity from the time of shooting to the time of rewinding.

In recent years, cameras have become fully automated, including automatic focusing, automatic film winding and rewinding, and automatic stopping, and their performance and functions have improved. However, since the cost of the camera has increased accordingly, the above points cannot be considered as an advantage. Therefore, it can be said that the commercial value of this camera will increase only if the performance and functions of the camera are improved and the cost of the camera is maintained or lowered. Although a battery is indispensable to operate the functions of the camera, the battery cover is not as indispensable as a release button or the like.

If you put the battery inside the back cover or other cover, the price of the battery cover will definitely go down, but cameras that only have the conventional battery check system have the following drawbacks: arise. That is, in the conventional battery check method, it is not always possible to perform a batch l)-check when loading film, so that the battery capacity runs out during the course of shooting. Therefore, placing the battery outlet in the opening of the camera back poses problems such as the necessity of making the camera back a double structure in order to be able to replace the battery with film loaded in the camera. Moreover, if you do not do this, if the battery runs out of capacity while shooting, the film that has been shot will be exposed to light when you open the back cover to replace the battery, and the film will be exposed while the film is being rewound. The same applies when replacing the battery due to insufficient battery capacity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points and to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks. To provide a battery check mechanism for a photographing device capable of checking the capacity of a battery used in the photographing device during operation of a member, and having a battery storage outlet provided in a back cover opening.

Embodiments of a battery check mechanism for a photographing device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of a battery check mechanism for a camera as a photographing device according to the present invention, where 1 is the camera body, and 2 is a shutter! / Leeds Button.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a back cover, and 4 a battery as a power source used for film winding and rewinding, exposure control, etc. A battery storage opening is provided in the back cover opening. 5 is a back cover opening/closing member for opening and closing the back cover 3; 6 is a hinge that movably connects the back cover 3 and the camera body 1; 7 is a member for exposing the film to the light from the -sb lens on the camera body 1; It is an opening that is meant to be used. 10 is a lamp for visually warning or informing the photographer when the capacity of the battery 4 is insufficient or sufficient; 11
2 is a warning buzzer that audibly warns or informs the photographer when the battery 4 has insufficient or sufficient capacity.
A back cover lock lever 119 (described later) is a cartridge chamber in the camera body 1. However, in the case of this embodiment, lamp 1
0 and the warning buzzer 11 are not necessarily required. The back cover lock lever 20 has a lock claw 20a portion with a slope 20d, a lower portion 20c, and a step 20b, and is guided by pins 21a and 21b fixed to the camera body 1 to move in the direction of arrow C.
Alternatively, it is provided so as to be slidable in the force direction of arrow C', and is always biased in the direction of arrow C by a spring 23. Note that a back cover opening/closing member 5 is provided on the back cover lock lever 20. Reference numeral 3a denotes an engaging claw provided on the back cover 3 of the camera, which has a slope 3b and moves in the direction of arrow d as the back cover 3 is closed. When the camera reaches the position indicated by , the battery 4 has sufficient capacity and the back cover 3 is completely closed. 24 is a back cover lock lever holding lever, and the lock lever locking portion 24
b and an adsorption part 24a of the magnet 27, and the shaft 25
The shaft 2 is rotatably supported by a spring 26 as a center of rotation.
It is biased clockwise around rotation center 5.

Note that when the back cover lock lever presser lever 24 is in the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 3, the capacity of the battery 4 is sufficient. The battery 4 is still connected to the terminals 17a and 17'a, and the coil of the Maguit 27 is connected to the terminals 17c and 1'7'c.
A switch 28 provided at the bottom of the back cover lock lever 20 is connected to the battery check circuit 17 via terminals 17b and 17'b, respectively. Next, the operation of the camera battery check mechanism of this embodiment will be explained. First, the photographer loads a cartridge containing unshot film into the cartridge chamber 19 with the back cover 3 open as shown in FIG. This state is shown in FIG. 2 (however, the engaging claw 3a is in the position indicated by the solid line). In this state, the photographer then attempts to close the back cover 3. At this time, the engaging claw 3a moves in the direction of the arrow d from the state shown in FIG. Slope 20d
Press down 3. With this, the back cover lock lever 20
is guided by the pins 21a and 21b and pushed in the direction of the force indicated by the arrow C'I' against the force of the spring 23. Back cover lock lever
As the switch 20 moves downward, the lower portion 20c pushes the contact piece of the switch 28 to close the switch 28. As shown in FIG. 3, when the tip of the engaging claw 3a comes into contact with the top of the locking claw 20a, the switch 28 pressed by the lower portion 20c of the back cover locking lever 20 closes. At this time, the battery check circuit 17 is energized to check the capacity of the battery 4 and whether or not it is possible to take pictures for one film. If the battery 4 has sufficient capacity, the battery check circuit 17 energizes the magnet 27 to excite it. As a result, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. Rotate in a counterclockwise direction against a force. Therefore, the step portion 20b of the back cover lock lever 20 and the lock lever locking portion 2 of the back cover lock lever presser lever 24
It does not engage with 4b. Therefore, when the back cover 3 is further closed, that is, when the engaging claw 3a is moved in the direction of arrow d, the locking claw 2
Since the engagement claw 3a whose tip was abutting against the top of the pin 21a comes off, the back cover Ronokre...-20 moves the pin 21a in the direction of arrow C by the restoring force of the spring 23.

21b and moves to the state shown in FIG. 2 (at this time, the engaging claw 3a is in the position shown by the dashed line). As a result, the back cover 3 is completely closed and cannot be opened due to the engagement between the engaging claw 3a and the locking claw 20a.

If the capacity of the battery 4 is not sufficient, the battery check circuit 17 determines that the capacity of the battery 4 is insufficient, and the magnet 27 is not energized and not excited.

For this reason, the magnet 27 does not attract the suction part 24.a of the back cover lock lever 24, so the back cover lock lever 24 is still biased clockwise around the shaft 25 by the spring 26. This causes the back cover lock lever 2 to be pushed down.
00 step part 20b is the lock lever locking part 24 of the back cover lock lever push lever 24. b engages as shown by the solid line in FIG.

Therefore, even if the back cover lock lever 20 becomes free from the engagement claw 3a due to the locking between the stepped portion 20b and the lock lever part 24b, and the resistance of the spring 23 causes the switch 28 to
The back cover lock lever 20 that closes the back cover does not return to its original position and remains in the state shown in FIG. Since the claws 2 Oa U do not engage, the back cover 3 cannot be closed.

Therefore, if you let go of your hand pressing the back cover 3, the back cover 3 will open due to force such as pressure from a pressure plate (not shown), and no matter how many times you repeat this operation, the back cover will not be locked, so the photographer must release the battery 4. It turns out that the battery capacity is insufficient or that the battery 4 is not inserted into the camera body.

Note that when opening the back cover 3 from the closed state, the second
In the state shown in the figure (however, the engaging claw 3a is at the position indicated by the dashed line), the photographer manually pushes down the back cover opening/closing member 5 in the direction of arrow C'. At the same time, the back cover lock lever 20 is pushed down in the direction of arrow C' against the force of the spring 23, and as shown in FIG. 3, the engagement claw 3a and the lock claw 20a are disengaged. The back cover 3 is in an open state. At this time, switch 28
is pushed and closed by the lower portion 20c of the back cover lock lever 20, and the battery check circuit is energized. After opening the back cover 3 and releasing your hand from the back cover opening/closing member 5, if the battery 4 has sufficient capacity, press the back cover lock lever as described above.
20 is not locked by the back cover lock lever presser lever 24 and is free from the engagement claw 3a, so the spring 23
Due to the restoring force, it is guided by pins 21a and 21b and moves in the direction of arrow C, returning to the state shown in FIG. 2 (however, the engaging claw 3a is in the position indicated by the solid line). Further, if the capacity of the battery 4 is not sufficient after opening the back cover 3 and releasing your hand from the back cover opening/closing member 5, the back cover lock lever 20 is locked by the back cover lock lever presser lever 24 as described above. , even if it becomes free from the engaging claw 3a, the state shown in Fig. 3 (however,
The back cover lock I/bar presser lever 24 is in the position indicated by the solid line. ) is sustained. Therefore, when the back cover 3 is opened, the back cover opening/closing member 5 is moved and the back cover 3'f is opened. Capacity can be checked.

That is, if the capacity of the battery 4 is sufficient, the back cover opening/closing member 5 returns to its original position as shown in FIG. 2, and when the capacity of the battery 4 is not sufficient, the back cover opening/closing member 5 returns to the moved position as shown in FIG. Switch.

4 to 6 show other embodiments of a pantry check mechanism for a camera as a photographing device according to the present invention.

Reference numeral 3a denotes an engaging claw having a slope 3b, which is provided on the back cover 3 shown in FIG. 1 and moves in the direction of arrow d or d' as the back cover 3 is opened and closed. Reference numeral 20' designates a back cover lock lever, which includes a lock claw 20'a having an inclined surface 20'd and a lower portion 20'.
'c, and a pin 21a fixed to the camera body 1,
21b so as to be slidable in the direction of arrow C or C', and biased by spring 23 in the direction of arrow C'. Further, a back cover opening/closing member 5 is attached to the back cover lock lever 20'. Lower part 20'c
A switch 28 is provided at the bottom of the switch 2.
8 is the terminal j7b, 17 connected to the battery check circuit 17'.
Connected via 'b. Also, the battery 4 is connected via the terminals 17a and 17'a, and the lamp 1o is connected to the terminal 17d.
, l7'd, the warning buzzer 11 is connected to the terminal 17e.
, 17'e respectively to the battery check circuit 17.
It is connected to the. These lamps 10°warning buzzer 11
．． Battery 4. The engagement claw 3a, back cover lock lever 20', and back cover opening/closing member 5 are attached to the camera in the same manner as shown and explained in FIG. 1.

Incidentally, FIG. 6 is a time chart of the battery check mechanism of the camera of this embodiment.

Next, the operation of the battery check mechanism of the camera as the photographing device of this embodiment will be explained. The photographer attempts to close the back cover 3. At this time, the engaging claw 3a is further moved in the direction of arrow d from the position indicated by the solid line in FIG.
The slope 3b is the back cover lock lever 200 lock claw 20'a
It hits the slope 20'dK and lowers the slope 20'd (from time T1 to T2). As a result, the back cover lock lever 20' is guided by the pins 21a and 21b and is pushed down in the direction of arrow C' against the force of pi 23.

After this movement, as shown in FIG.
When the engaging claw 3a reaches the top of the back cover lock lever 2,
The lower portion 20'c of 0' presses the switch 28 to close the switch 28 (time T2). As a result, the battery check circuit 17' is energized and the capacity of the battery 4 is checked.

If the capacity of the battery 4 is sufficient, the battery check circuit 17'i'j terminals 17d, i7'd and terminal 17e.

Since no warning signal is given to the lamp 10 and the warning buzzer 11 through the terminal 17'e, the rung 1o does not light up and the warning buzzer 11 does not sound (OK from time T2 to T3).

When the back cover 3 is further closed from this state, the back cover lock lever 2
Since the locking claw 20'a at position 0' is no longer pressed by the engaging claw 3a, the restoring force of the spring 26 causes the back cover locking lever 20'
pin 21a in the direction of arrow C.

21b and returns to the original position as shown in FIG. 4 (however, at this time, the engaging claw 6a is in the position shown by the dashed line). At this time, the contact piece of the switch 28 is no longer pressed by the lower portion 20c of the back cover lock lever 20', so the switch 28 is opened and the battery check circuit 17 is de-energized (after time T3).

On the other hand, if the capacity of the battery 4 is not sufficient, the battery check circuit 17' determines that the capacity of the battery 4 is not sufficient.
Warning signals are sent to terminals 17a, 17'd and terminals 17e, 1.
7e to the lamp 1o and the alarm buzzer 11, respectively. As a result, the lamp 1° lights up and the warning buzzer 11 sounds, visually and aurally informing the photographer that the battery 4 has insufficient capacity (N from time T2 to T3).
G).

When the back cover 6 is further opened or closed, the back cover long lever 20' is not pushed by the engaging claw 6a and becomes free, so the restoring force of the spring 26 pushes the pin 21 in the direction of arrow C'.
a, 21b and is held down, resulting in the state shown in Fig. 4. At this time, the contact piece of the switch 28 has already been opened without being pressed by the lower part 20'c of the back cover rosette <-20', so the switch 28 is opened and the battery check circuit 17' is no longer energized and a warning signal is generated. Since the signal is not sent to the lamp 10 and the warning buzzer, the lamp 10 and the warning buzzer are turned off or not ringing (after time T3).

Note that the engaging claw 3a at the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG.
The back cover 3 is prevented from opening by the engagement 1F between the lock claw 20'a and the lock claw 20'a. However, when the photographer wants to open the back cover of the camera, if the photographer pushes down the back cover opening/closing member 5 by hand, the lock between the engaging claw 3a and the locking claw 20'a is released and the back is opened. The lid will open. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, while the back cover opening/closing member 5 is manually pushed in the direction of arrow C, the switch whose contact piece is pressed by the lower part 20'C of the back cover lock lever 20' 2811-j: Since it is closed, the battery check circuit 17' is energized, and according to the capacity of the battery 4, the battery check circuit 17' performs the same battery check as described above.

Note that the warning buzzer 11 sounds and the lamp 10 lights up only for the time (T3-T2), but a timer circuit is inserted in the note check circuit 17 so that the warning buzzer 11 sounds and the lamp 10 lights up for a while longer than the time (T3T2). Fuser 11 and lamp 10
can be sounded or lit respectively.

Furthermore, let the voltage of the battery 4 be vb, the threshold voltage at which the battery check circuit 17' determines that the capacity of the battery 4 is insufficient be vc, and the voltage required to drive the warning buzzer 11 and lamp 10 be VW. ,■. 〉If you do it like VW, Vb becomes V. When it becomes equal to V, or when it becomes slightly smaller than V (however, Vc > Vb > VW),
Since Vb > Vw, the battery 4 can drive the warning buzzer 11 and the warning means of the lamp 10 for one time.

In the case of this embodiment, when the battery 4 is not stored in the camera body 1 or when the battery level drops rapidly, the pantry check circuit 17' detects the lamp 10 or the battery 4. It cannot be given to the warning buzzer 11. In this case, since the user is not alerted by the lamp 10 or the warning buzzer 11, he mistakenly assumes that the battery 4 has sufficient capacity and moves on to the next operation. Therefore, in order to eliminate this problem, contrary to the above embodiment, the battery check circuit sends a signal to the lamp or warning buzzer to notify the photographer only when the battery has sufficient capacity. By lighting up or making a sound, the photographer recognizes that the battery has sufficient capacity.

At other times, the photographer may be made aware that the capacity of the battery 4 is insufficient.

Note that the present invention is not limited to still cameras as photographing devices, but is also applicable to devices that link the film package ejection port of an 8ffiff camera with a pantry check using a battery check mechanism, or an integrated video camera. This can be applied to interlocking the magnetic tape ejection port and the battery check mechanism.

As mentioned above, a battery check function is provided in conjunction with the opening and closing of the back cover, so that when the built-in battery used in the photographing device is low on capacity, the photographer can check if the back cover does not close or visually or aurally. By giving the warning, when loading a photographing member such as a film into a photographing device such as a camera, it is possible to simultaneously know the capacity and casing of the battery and whether or not it is possible to take a photograph for one photographic member such as film. At this time, if the battery capacity is sufficient, the user can load the photographing member into the photographing device and take photographs without worrying about the battery capacity. Furthermore, if the battery capacity is insufficient, the battery can be replaced with a new one at the same time as the imaging unit IO is loaded into the imaging device. Therefore, there is almost no need to change the battery during shooting, and the battery outlet can be placed inside the back cover opening.

However, it is generally very convenient to be able to check the capacity of the stain pond using the battery check mechanism even when replacing photographic components, and to be able to purchase batteries for the photographic device at a store selling photographic components. It is.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery check mechanism of a camera as a photographing device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of other embodiments of the battery check mechanism according to FIG. 6, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a time chart of FIG. 3 is a back cover, 3a is a lock claw, 4 is a battery, 5 is a back cover opening/closing member, 17 and 17' are battery check circuits, 20 and 2
0' is the back cover lock lever, 124 is the back cover lock lever, 27 is the magnet, and 28 is the switch.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A battery check mechanism for a photographing device having means for checking the capacity of a power source of the photographing device in conjunction with a manually movable back cover opening/closing member that moves along with the opening and closing of the back cover of the photographing device.