JPS62148933A - Variable focus camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To design the constitution of an optical system or the like in an outer body with a considerable tolerance by obtaining the driving force of a sector of a lens shutter block through a driving force transmitting means attached to the camera body side. CONSTITUTION:The first motor 2 which is attached to the camera body and is driven in a prescribed direction in accordance with exposure information by a prescribed extent and the first transmission shaft 8 which is driven by the driving force of a sector driving ring, to which the driving force of the motor 2 is transmitted, and is attached to a barrel fixing plate 7 fixed to the camera body are provided. A pinion gear 26 which is connected to the transmission shaft 8 and is moved freely in the direction of the optical axis of the optical system in accordance with movement of constituting parts of the optical system and drives the sector of the lens shutter block which switches the optical path of the optical system, an inner cylinder 18 where the lens shutter block and constituting parts of the optical system are held, and a cam ring 14 which has the inner cylinder attached internally movably in the direction of the optical axis of the optical system and is the outer body attached to the camera body are provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application This invention relates to a mechanism that can appropriately set the focal length of an optical system by moving a part of the optical system in the optical axis direction, that is, a zooming mechanism, or a zooming mechanism of the main optical system. This relates to a variable focus camera equipped with a mechanism that allows two focal points to be set by moving the sub-optical system as well as by moving the sub-optical system.
In particular, the present invention relates to a variable focus camera whose configuration is simplified without sacrificing any kind of camera operation.

In a conventional variable focus camera, an inner tube with a part of the optical system is attached movably along the optical axis to an outer tube that is attached to the camera body. A lens shutter block for opening and closing the optical path of the lens shutter block and a sector drive means for driving the sectors of this lens shutter block are provided, and in order to operate the sector drive means, a shutter charge means using a winding mechanism of the camera body is provided. An alternative drive system is provided, and this drive system is controlled by an exposure control means provided in the camera body. Therefore, it is necessary to electrically connect the drive system that moves in response to the movement of the inner cylinder and the exposure control means fixed to the camera body, but the wiring of the connection wire etc. is severely restricted due to space constraints. This had to be done inside the inner cylinder.

Actual picture-ψsuL method-le,) knee))=t Xs f?
='5,a However, according to such a conventional configuration, it is necessary to connect the sector drive means and the exposure control means within the inner cylinder, which is subject to space constraints, making wiring work extremely difficult. There was a problem.

Furthermore, by providing the sector drive means within the inner cylinder, there are significant restrictions on the optical design of the inner cylinder, and specifically there is a problem in that the overall length of the lens needs to be increased.

Furthermore, when the focusing lens is extended by the driving force of a sector drive means provided in the inner cylinder, a scanning section of a distance measuring device for autofocus is generally provided on the camera body side. Because
There is also the problem that a constant and stable driving force must be transmitted depending on the distance measurement signal and the focal length setting state of the optical system, resulting in a complicated mechanical configuration.

Means for Solving the Plate Problem Exposure t4 The present invention aims to solve the problems of the prior art, and the first invention is a drive that is attached to the camera body and drives the camera by a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction according to exposure information. means, a first driving force transmitting means for transmitting a first driving force by the driving means, and a fixing device driven by the first driving force by the first driving force transmitting means and fixed to the camera body. a first driving part attached to the optical system; A sector drive mechanism that drives a sector of a lens shutter block for opening and closing an optical path, an inner cylinder that holds the lens shutter block and the constituent parts of the optical system, and a sector drive mechanism that drives the sectors of a lens shutter block for opening and closing an optical path; The device is characterized in that it is movably attached to the inside of the camera, and includes an outer body that is attached to the camera body.

The second invention also provides a driving means that is attached to the camera body and drives the camera by a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction according to exposure information, and a second drive means that transmits a second driving force generated in response to the operation of the drive means. a second drive unit driven by a second drive force from the second drive force transmission unit and attached to a fixed part fixed to the camera body; a focusing drive mechanism that is connected to the lens, is movable in the optical axis direction of the optical system, and that drives an advancing mechanism that is connected to a focusing lens that is a component of the optical system held in the inner cylinder; , a first driving force transmitting means for transmitting the first driving force by the driving means; and a first driving force transmitting means driven by the first driving force by the first driving force transmitting means, and attached to a fixed part fixed to the camera body. A first drive unit, which is connected to the first drive unit, is movable in the optical axis direction of the optical system according to the movement of the constituent parts of the optical system, and opens and closes the optical path of the optical system. A sector drive mechanism that drives the sectors of the lens shutter block; an inner cylinder to which the lens shutter block, the feeding mechanism, and the components of the optical system are respectively attached;
The device is characterized by having an outer body that is movably attached to the camera body, and an outer body that is attached to the camera body.

When the drive means is driven in response to a predetermined signal or the like, a second drive force is first generated, which causes the second drive unit to be driven by the operation of the second drive force transmission means, and then the second drive force is generated. In response to a predetermined amount of actuation of the transmission means, the focusing drive mechanism is driven to move the extending lens to a predetermined position. Subsequently, the first driving force transmitted by the driving means activates the first driving force transmission means to drive the first driving section, and the sector driving mechanism is driven to start opening the sector of the lens shutter block. The timing for closing the sector is determined in accordance with the operation of the first driving force transmitting means by a predetermined amount.

EXAMPLES Below, an example in which the present invention is applied to a variable focus camera equipped with an automatic focusing function will be described based on the drawings shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

A first motor 2 constituting a driving means is attached to the camera body 1. This first motor 2 is connected to an exposure control circuit (not shown), and receives signals from this circuit to move the camera in a predetermined direction. It can be rotated by the rotation angle. A motor gear 2a pivotally supported by the motor shaft of the first motor 2 is attached to the outer periphery of a sector drive ring 4 constituting a first drive force transmission means via an intermediate gear 3 (not shown in FIG. 2). The sector drive ring 4 is fitted with a first drive gear 4a formed in a part of the sector drive ring 4. Distance rings 5 are arranged adjacently. The linking pin 4b protruding from the front surface (the left side in FIG. 1) of the sector drive ring 4 is connected to an arcuate guide groove formed in the thick part of the distance measuring ring 5 over approximately half the circumference around its center line. Further, a second drive gear 5b is formed on a part of the outer periphery of this distance measuring ring 5, and a latch claw 5c is formed on a part of the outer periphery. There is.

On the other hand, a base plate 6 is fixed to the camera body 1, and three connecting plates 6a are formed on the base plate 6. A lens barrel fixing plate 7 serving as a fixing part is connected via the connecting plates 68. Gadai Fi
It is fixed at 6. A holding cylinder 7 is formed to protrude rearward (to the right in FIG. 1) of this lens barrel fixing plate 7.
a includes the sector drive ring 4 and distance measurement ring 5 described above.
are each inserted rotatably around the center line,
On the other hand, this mirror lTl1! One end of each of first and second transmission shafts 8.9 constituting the first and second driving parts is rotatably supported on the fixed plate 7, and the first transmission shaft 8.
A first pinion gear IO capable of meshing with the first drive gear 4a of the sector drive ring 4 described above is pivotally supported at the tip of one end, and a distance measuring device described above is supported at the tip of one end of the second drive shaft 8. A second pinion gear 11 that meshes with the second drive gear 5b of the ring 5 is pivotally supported.

Further, one end of each of four rods 612 (two rods are omitted in FIG. 1) arranged at symmetrical positions is fixed to the lens barrel fixing plate 7 by a set screw 13. The first and second transmission shafts 8.9 described above are disposed within a cam cylinder 14 serving as an outer cylinder, and one end of this cam cylinder 14 is formed on the base plate 6. It passes through the through hole 6b and is rotatably fitted into an annular stepped portion 7b formed on the opposite side of the barrel fixing plate 7 from the holding tube 7a.

Further, the other end portions of the first and second drive shafts 8.9 are each pivoted on the rear surface of the annular stepped portion 15a of the holding plate 15 into which the other end portion of the cam cylinder 14 is rotatably fitted. The other ends of each rod rod 12 are fixed to this holding plate 15 with screws 16, respectively.

On the other hand, inside the cam cylinder 14, a protection cylinder 17 with openings at both front and rear ends is disposed, and furthermore, a first inner cylinder 18 is disposed inside this protection cylinder 17. A front group lens 19 as a focusing lens constituting an optical system is held inside, and this first inner cylinder 18 is attached via a helicoid 20 as a feeding mechanism. In addition, a pair of overhanging portions 18a are formed in the inner cylinder I8, and an insertion hole 18b through which the rod rod 12 is inserted is formed in each of the overhanging portions 18a. The first cam pin 2 engages with the first cam groove 14a formed on the outer periphery of the cam cylinder 14.
1 is attached.

Here, a sector fixing plate 22 is provided inside the first inner cylinder 18, and a sector rotating plate 23 is provided on this sector fixing plate 22.
is attached to be rotatable around the optical axis O of the optical system, and an appropriate number of sectors 24 are attached to this sector rotation plate 23 so as to be able to open and close the optical path of the optical system.

A first moving lever 25 is attached to this sector rotating plate 23.
is fixed, and a fan-shaped gear 25a is formed at the tip of this interlocking lever 25, and this fan-shaped gear 25a meshes with a first edged pinion gear 26 attached to the first transmission shaft 8. It has become. In addition, a key groove is formed in this first edged pinion gear 26,
A guide protrusion 8a formed along the axial direction of the first transmission shaft 8 is engaged with this keyway. Furthermore, the respective edges 26a and 26b formed at both ends of the first edged pinion gear 26 restrict the movement of the fan-shaped gear 25a in the optical axis 0 direction.

= On the other hand, a second interlocking lever 27 is fixed to the first inner cylinder 18, and a fan-shaped gear 27 is attached to the tip of this interlocking lever 27.
a is formed, and this fan-shaped gear 27a meshes with a second flange pinion gear 28 attached to the second transmission shaft 9. Note that this second edged pinion gear 28 is also formed with a keyway in the same manner as the first edged pinion gear 26, and a keyway is formed in this keyway along the axial direction of the second transmission shaft 9. The guide protrusion 9a is engaged with the guide protrusion 9a. Also, a first flange pinion gear 26 is provided on both sides of the second flange pinion gear 28.
Each edge 28a, 28b formed in the same manner as the fan-shaped gear 2
The movement range of 7a in the optical axis O direction is regulated.

On the other hand, inside the cam cylinder 14 is a rear group lens 2 that constitutes an optical system.
A second inner cylinder 30 is provided for holding the irons 1 to 9, and a pair of protruding pieces 30a are formed on the second inner cylinder 30. Copy 12
An insertion hole 30b is formed into which the holder is slidably inserted.

Note that a second cam pin 31 that engages with a second cam groove 14b formed in the cam cylinder 14 is attached to one of the protruding pieces 30a.

Further, the outer circumferential gear 14 extends over a part of the outer circumference of the cam cylinder 14.
A is formed, and a motor gear 32a of a second motor 32 fixed to the camera body 1 meshes with this outer peripheral gear 14A.

The aforementioned distance measuring ring 5 is formed with a protrusion 5d, and the other end of the first spring 33, which has one end attached to the camera body 1, is engaged with the protrusion 5d. The hook 5d is engaged with a linking protrusion 34A of a scanning linking plate 34 that is movable in the vertical direction in the figure, and this scanning linking plate 34 is stretched between the camera body 1. The second spring 35 is always biased in the opposite direction to the first spring 33. Note that two guide vertical grooves 34a are formed in this scanning linking plate 34 to guide movement in the vertical direction, and an inclined groove 34b that is inclined with respect to the direction of movement is formed in both guide vertical grooves 3.
4a.

A scanning pin 36a protruding from a scanning plate 36 as a scanning portion is engaged with the inclined groove 34b of the scanning linking plate 34 = 15
- This scanning plate 36 has a scanning pin 36.
An infrared emitting scanning element (IRED) protrudes in the opposite direction to a.
) 37 are provided. This IRED37 has base plate 6
It is scanned by an automatic focus range finder 38 attached to a range finder holder part 6A formed on the upper part of the range finder holder part 6A. Further, a sliding pin 39 is protruded from this rising portion, and this sliding pin 39 is inserted into a horizontally long hole 36b formed in the scanning plate 36.
It can be slid freely inside. Note that this focus and distance measuring device 3
The front end of 8 is a photometry window 47 formed at the top of the camera body 1.
is being faced.

On the other hand, in the figure, reference numeral 40 denotes a latch lever that can be engaged with and detached from a latch pawl 5c formed on the distance measuring ring 5.
A third spring 42 is stretched between the latch lever 40 and the camera body 1 and biased in the direction of engagement with the latch claw 5C. Further, a fixing boss 43 and a guide pin 44 are formed on the lens barrel fixing plate 7, and a magnet holder 45 is attached to the fixing boss 43 using the guide pin 44 as a guide. An electromagnetic magnet 46 for attracting or releasing the latch lever 40 is attached to the latch lever 40 .

Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be explained.

First, when a release button (not shown) is depressed, a focus start signal is generated, the first motor 2 starts rotating, and the sector drive ring 4 rotates, for example, clockwise (in the direction of arrow M) in FIG. 1. Due to this rotation of the sector drive ring 4, the distance measurement ring 5, which is biased to rotate clockwise in the figure by the first spring 33, also rotates as the rotation restriction by the linking pin 4b is released. rotates with the linking pin 4b of the sector drive ring 4 in contact with the end of the arcuate guide groove 5a. In this case, since the first pinion gear 10 is in the tooth-missing position of the sector drive ring 4, it does not rotate due to the rotation of the sector drive ring 4.

Then, when the distance measuring ring 5 rotates, the second drive gear 5b
The second pinion gear 11 meshed with the second pinion gear 11 rotates, and the second transmission shaft 9 also rotates. This rotation of the second transmission shaft 9 causes the second edged pinion gear 28 to rotate, and the second interlocking lever 27 having the fan-shaped gear 27a that meshes with the second edged pinion gear 28 to rotate. 19 is rolled out along the optical axis.

At the same time, as the distance measuring ring 5 rotates clockwise in FIG. 1, the hook also rotates the protrusion 5d.
4 moves downward in FIG. 1 against the biasing force of the second spring 35. As a result, the scanning pin 36a engaged with the inclined groove 34b moves in the horizontal direction, and this scanning pin 36a engages with the inclined groove 34b.
IRE038 integrated with 6 is guided to the oblong hole 6h and scanned by the autofocus distance measuring device 38.

At this time, when a focusing signal is output from the automatic focusing distance measuring device 38, the latch lever 40, which had been attracted to the electromagnetic magnet 46, engages with the latch claw 5c as the electromagnetic magnet 46 is de-energized. The distance measuring ring 5 stops rotating. By stopping the rotation of the distance measuring link 5, the rotation of the second pinion gear IJ, the second transmission shaft 9, and the second edged pinion gear 28 is stopped, so that the front lens group 1
9 also stops, and a predetermined in-focus state is obtained.

On the other hand, even if the distance measuring ring 5 stops rotating, the linking pin 4b protruding from the sector drive ring 4 can move within the arcuate guide groove 5a, so the sector drive ring 4 continues to rotate. When the rotation of the sector drive ring 4 continues further, the first pinion gear 10 comes to mesh with the first drive gear 4a, and the rotation of the first pinion gear 1o rotates the first transmission shaft 8. Since the first edged pinion gear 26 attached to the first transmission shaft 8 also starts rotating, the first moving lever 25 having the fan-shaped gear 25a that meshes with the first edged pinion gear 26 rotates.

In this case, the first pinion gear 1o is the first drive gear 4.
The position where the latch lever 4o engages with the latch pawl 5c is set to a position with a predetermined margin from the position where the latch lever 4o and the latch pawl 5c at the terminal end engage. The first pinion gear 10 will not start rotating until this is done.

When the first pinion gear 10 starts rotating, the first transmission shaft 8
rotates, and the first edged pinion gear 26 attached to the first transmission shaft 8 rotates, so the first moving lever 25 having the sector gear 25a meshing with the first edged pinion gear 26 rotates. Then, sector 24 of the lens shutter block begins to open. Here, when the first motor 2, which has obtained fog light information in advance from the exposure control circuit, opens the sector 24 so that the drive ring 4 provides an appropriate exposure amount, it starts to rotate in reverse and the drive ring 4 is reversed to close sector 24.

Then, when this reverse rotation of the drive ring 4 continues,
The linking pin 4b reaches the end position of the arcuate guide groove 5a again, and the stopped distance measuring ring 5 is rotated in the opposite direction, that is, in the direction of the half-hour hand (in the direction of arrow N) in FIG. At this time, the latch lever 40 climbs over the latch pawl 5c and reaches the latch lever restoring protrusion 5cd formed at the terminal position of the latch pawl 5c so as to protrude toward the outer circumference of the distance measuring ring 5, and at this position, the support pin 41 The electromagnetic magnet 4 is rotated in the opposite direction and is energized against the biasing force of the second spring 42.
6 is adsorbed.

In this way, a series of exposure operations is completed, and the next release operation is awaited.

When changing the focal length of the optical system, the second motor 32 is rotated based on a signal output from a separate appropriate circuit, thereby moving the first inner cylinder 18 and the second inner cylinder 30 in the optical axis direction. Move to an appropriate position along the line.

According to the first invention, the first driving force for driving the sectors of the lens shutter block is determined by the first driving force transmission means attached to the camera body side. Because of this structure, compared to the conventional method of installing the drive source inside the outer shell in a narrow space, it is now possible to design the configuration of the optical system etc. inside the outer shell with a large margin, and There is no need to take into consideration the troublesome wiring of connection wires inside the outer shell.

Further, according to the second invention, a second driving force for driving a focusing drive mechanism for moving a focusing lens, which is a part of the optical system, along the optical axis is attached to the camera body side. In addition to the effects of the first invention, the optical system can be set up with even more random margin, and the camera device can be made smaller. can be achieved without making any sacrifices.

In addition, according to the second invention, when an autofocus rangefinder configured to require scanning in a predetermined direction is installed, the scanning of the autofocus rangefinder and the second driving force transmission are performed. By coordinating the operation with the means, even when the focal length of the optical system is changed, there is no need to provide a means for coordinating the operation, which tends to be complicated, even when the focal length of the optical system is changed. Furthermore, it becomes possible to provide the means for scanning the autofocus distance measuring device in the vicinity of the driving means, and it is possible to suppress errors due to separation and improve distance measurement accuracy.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of essential parts showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the assembled state of FIG. 1. 1... Camera body, 2... First motor (driving means)
, 4... sector drive ring (first drive force transmission means),
7... Lens barrel fixing plate (fixing part), 8... First transmission shaft (first drive part), 9... Second transmission shaft (second drive part), 14... - Cam ring (outer 11[), 18...first inner cylinder, 26...first pinion gear with edge (sector drive mechanism), 28...second edge pinion gear (focusing drive mechanism), 38... Automatic focus distance measuring device.

Claims (8)

[Claims] (1) A variable focus camera that is capable of setting focal lengths in at least two stages by moving the constituent parts of the optical system along the optical axis direction of the optical system, which is attached to the camera body and adjusts according to exposure information. a drive means for driving by a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction; a first drive force transmission means for transmitting a first drive force by the drive means; a first driving part that is connected to the first driving part and that is attached to a fixed part fixed to the camera body; a sector drive mechanism that is movable and drives sectors of a lens shutter block for opening and closing the optical path of the optical system; an inner cylinder that holds the lens shutter block and the constituent parts of the optical system; A variable focus camera, comprising: a tube mounted inside the optical system so as to be movable along the optical axis; and an outer barrel attached to the camera body. (2) The variable focus camera according to claim 1, wherein the driving means comprises a single motor, and the first driving force is a rotational force. (3) The first drive unit is a first transmission shaft that has an axial direction parallel to the optical axis of the optical system and is rotatable around the axis, and the sector drive mechanism is a first transmission shaft that is rotatable around the axis. A fan-shaped gear formed on a first moving lever that is movable along the axial direction of the transmission shaft and extends to a sector of the lens shutter block, and a first edged pinion gear that meshes with the sector-shaped gear. A variable focus camera according to claim 2, comprising: (4) A variable focus camera that is capable of setting at least two focal lengths by moving the constituent parts of the optical system along the optical axis direction of the optical system, which is attached to the camera body and responds according to exposure information. a second driving force transmitting means that transmits a second driving force generated in response to the operation of the driving means; a second driving part driven by a driving force of the camera body and attached to a fixed part fixed to the camera body; a second driving part connected to the second driving part and movable in the optical axis direction of the optical system; , a focusing drive mechanism that drives a feeding mechanism connected to a focusing lens that is a part of a component of the optical system; a first drive force transmission means that transmits a first drive force by the drive means; a first drive section driven by a first drive force from the first drive force transmission means and attached to a fixed section fixed to the camera body; and a first drive section connected to the first drive section and connected to the optical system. a sector drive mechanism that is movable in the optical axis direction of the optical system in response to movement of the constituent parts of the optical system and that drives sectors of a lens shutter block for opening and closing the optical path of the optical system; , an inner cylinder to which the feeding mechanism and the constituent parts of the optical system are respectively attached; an outer cylinder to which the inner cylinder is attached to the inside so as to be movable along the optical axis of the optical system, and which is attached to the camera body; A variable focus camera characterized by: (5) The variable focus camera according to claim 4, wherein the driving means is comprised of a single motor, and the first and second driving forces are each rotational forces. (6) The first drive unit is a first transmission shaft that has an axial direction parallel to the optical axis of the optical system and is rotatable around the axis, and the sector drive mechanism is a first transmission shaft that is rotatable around the axis. It is movable along the axial direction of the transmission shaft of the lens shutter block, and includes a sector gear formed on a first moving lever extending in the sector of the lens shutter block, and a first pinion gear that meshes with the sector gear. A variable focus camera according to claim 5. (7) The second drive unit is a first transmission shaft having an axial direction parallel to the optical axis of the optical system, and the focusing drive mechanism is movable along the axial direction of the second transmission shaft. 7. The variable focus camera according to claim 5, wherein the variable focus camera is a second flange pinion gear that meshes with a fan-shaped gear formed on a second interlocking lever extending from the focusing lens. (8) The second driving force transmitting means transmits the second driving force to the scanning section of the autofocusing distance measuring device for determining the driving range of the focusing mechanism. The variable focus camera according to any one of items 7 to 7.