JP2002090852A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately and easily assemble a finder unit. SOLUTION: The finder unit 15 is constituted of a frame body 32, an objective lens 33 and an eyepiece 34 which are engaged in the frame body 32. The finder unit 15 is held between a front cover 19 and the back cover 20 which functions as the outer housing of the camera, and then, directly assembled. Plural projections 40a to 40c and 39a to 39c are previously and integrally formed, in the finder assemblage position on the inside surfaces of the front cover 19 and the back cover 20. The projections are brought into contact with the outside surface of the frame body 32, and a finder unit 15 is firmly held by both ends on the eyepiece side and the object side, so that the finder unit 15 will not drop out. Then, the objective lens 33 and the eyepiece 34 are exposed at the prescribed positions of an object window 16 and an eyepiece window 17 formed in the front cover 19 and the back cover 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a camera in which the assembly of a finder is simplified.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, an inverted Galilean finder or a real image finder incorporating an erect prism is used for a compact camera or an instant camera. In these viewfinders, the entire viewfinder optical system, including the objective lens and eyepiece, is usually incorporated into a viewfinder frame made of plastic or the like to form a unit.
After assembling the finder unit to the camera body, the front and rear covers, which are the exterior of the camera body, are put on from the front and the back, and the assembly of the camera body is completed.

[0003] The unitization of the viewfinder makes it possible to assemble and adjust the viewfinder separately from the camera body, and to attach various parts constituting the viewfinder optical system directly to the camera body one by one. In comparison, the manufacturing process can be simplified, and this is also effective in reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0004]

An object window and an eyepiece window for exposing an objective lens and an eyepiece incorporated in a finder unit are provided on a front cover and a rear cover serving as exteriors, respectively. However, when these covers are assembled to the camera body, if the objective lens and the objective window and the eyepiece and the eyepiece window do not properly match, a part of the finder frame will protrude into the objective window and the eyepiece window. Not only is the appearance unfavorable, but in extreme cases, vignetting may occur in the finder visual field, and a normal finder visual field may not be obtained. To avoid this, the dimensional accuracy of the front and rear covers and the accuracy of assembly to the camera body must be increased, and the finder unit must also be accurately assembled to the camera body. Become.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a camera that can accurately and simply incorporate a unitized finder at a predetermined position.

[0006]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a finder unit comprising a frame in which a finder optical system including an objective lens and an eyepiece is incorporated is sandwiched between a front cover and a rear cover. And a camera body in which a photographing mechanism is incorporated. When holding the finder unit,
First, after holding the frame on one of the inner surfaces of the front cover and the rear cover, the other cover is put on from the opposite side. Since the finder unit is directly assembled with the front and rear covers instead of the camera body, the objective lens and eyepiece of the finder do not shift from the objective windows and eyepiece windows of the front and rear covers.

Further, a plurality of projections are formed on the inner surfaces of the front cover and the rear cover so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the frame of the finder unit, and the finder unit is held at both ends on the eyepiece side and the object side. It is possible to prevent the finder unit from falling off after the assembly is completed.

Further, if the tips of the projections formed on the front and rear covers are formed to be thin, and the interval between the tips of the projections is made slightly larger than the dimension of the frame, the tips of the projections are formed. Since it serves as a guide when the finder unit is attached, it is effective for smoothly attaching the finder. As a means for obtaining the same effect, an inclined surface may be provided on the outer surface of the frame at a position where the frame comes into contact with the projection, and this inclined surface may be used as a guide when the finder is attached. Such a guide may be formed on one of the projection and the frame, or may be formed on both.

The projections formed on the front and rear covers may be flexible projections which are devised so as to bend as the finder unit is attached, by devising their dimensions and shape. By bending the projection, a force for urging the frame body is generated, and the finder unit can be elastically held. By employing such a method, it is possible to absorb the play of the finder at the installation position when a slight gap is generated between the projection and the frame. When such a flexible projection is formed, the tip of the projection is further formed in a claw shape, and these are engaged with the locking holes provided in the frame body. Instead, the finder unit can be prevented from falling when the cover is assembled, and the assembling work can be performed efficiently.

In order to position the finder unit at the time of assembling, a pair of projections that engage with the projection on the cover or a projection that engages with the two projections on the cover are provided. Providing the finder unit on the outer surface of the frame is effective because inadvertent movement or displacement is less likely to occur when the finder unit attached to one cover is attached to the other cover.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an instant camera embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. The instant camera 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a structure in which a camera body 2 (see FIG. 2) in which a photographing mechanism is incorporated is covered by a camera body 2 made of a plastic molded product. At the front of the camera body 2, a lens barrel 5 to which a photographing lens 4 is attached protrudes, and below the photographing lens 4, a light receiving unit 6 for exposure photometry
Is provided.

On the upper surface of the camera body 2, there is formed a film discharge port 8 through which an instant film 7 is discharged after photographing. Here, a mono-sheet type instant film is used. A grip portion 9 and an operation panel 10 are provided on both side surfaces of the camera body 2, respectively. The inside of the grip unit 9 is a battery chamber, and a release button 11 is provided above the grip unit 9 at a position where the right index finger of the photographer just hits. In addition, a flash light emitting unit 12 is provided above the release button 11.

The operation panel 10 is provided with a plurality of input buttons 13 corresponding to various functions such as a power switch and a flash photographing switch, and a liquid crystal display section 14 for notifying a photographer of an operation state by the input buttons 13. ing.
A finder unit 15 is provided above the operation panel 10.
(See FIG. 2) is accommodated therein, and an objective window 16 and an eyepiece window 17 for exposing the finder lens are formed. A light-receiving unit 18 for strobe photometry is provided below the objective window 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, an instant camera 1
A camera body 3 having a lens barrel 5 and a camera body 2
, A front cover 19 and a rear cover 20, and a pack loading lid 21. The pack loading lid 21 is connected to the rear cover 2 via a hinge 21a.
It is attached rotatably with respect to 0.

The camera body 3 is provided with a loading chamber for the film pack 22 on the rear side of the lens barrel 5 on which the taking lens 4 is mounted. Above the loading chamber, the developing pod of the instant film is crushed. A roller pair is provided. In addition, the camera body 3 is provided with a film pack 22 in response to a pressing operation of the release button 11 during shooting.
A claw mechanism for extruding the exposed instant film from the printer and sending it to the developing roller is also incorporated.

On the upper surface of the camera body 3, there is formed a slit opening 23 which becomes a path of the instant film in which the developing solution has been developed by the developing roller. Above the lens barrel 5, a strobe circuit board 24 to which a strobe light emitting tube and a strobe charging capacitor are attached is arranged. A power supply battery 25 of the instant camera 1 and a main circuit board 26 are attached to both side surfaces of the camera body 3. On the main circuit board 26, various IC chips for electrically controlling the operation of the instant camera 1, including the input button 13 on the operation panel 10 shown in FIG.

The film pack 22 contains about 10 mono-sheet type instant films stacked in a plastic case, and is provided with a rectangular exposure opening 22a and a claw mechanism on the front surface of the case. A notch 22b with which the claw hook engages is formed. The upper surface of the case is provided with a slit-shaped opening through which the film scraped out by the claw is sent out of the pack. When the film pack 22 is not used, a light-shielding seal is provided. The member 22c is stuck.

Pressing member 2 provided on pack loading lid 21
When the film pack is loaded, 7 enters an opening (not shown) formed on the back surface of the film pack 22, and presses the instant film from the back surface. The pressing member 27 presses the frontmost instant film in the film pack 22 toward the exposure opening 22a, thereby defining the exposure range. Further, a spring is incorporated in the pressing member 27, so that a pressing force can be applied to the last instant film.

The procedure for assembling the instant camera 1 composed of such parts will be briefly described. First, the lens barrel 5 of the camera body 3 is pressed against an opening protruding from the front cover 19, and approximate positioning is performed. Is carried out, the camera body 3 and the front cover 19 are assembled from the bottom side by the screws 28. On the other hand, the pack loading lid 21 and the finder unit 15 are assembled to the rear cover 20. At this time, the finder unit 15 is firmly held by the rear cover 20 so as not to be tilted by its own weight.

When the front cover 19 and the rear cover 20 are assembled to each other by pawl engagement, the camera body 2
Is formed. An outlet cover 29 having a film outlet 8 formed thereon is attached from the upper surface side of the camera body 2.
A transparent panel cover 30 that protects the operation panel 10 is attached from the side. Finally, when the battery chamber cover member 31 is attached, the grip portion 9 is formed, and the instant camera 1 is completed.

The manner in which the finder unit 15 is assembled in performing the assembling work in the above procedure will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the finder unit 15. The finder unit 15 includes a frame 32 serving as a base, and a groove 32 from the opening side of the upper surface of the frame 32.
The objective lens 33 is composed of an objective lens 33 and an eyepiece lens 34 inserted into the lenses 32a and 32b. The objective lens 33 is a reverse Galilean finder using a concave lens and the eyepiece lens 34 is a convex lens. At the ends of the frame 32 on the objective side and the eyepiece side, inclined surfaces 35a and 35b and inclined surfaces 36 are provided.
a and 36b are provided adjacent to the grooves 32a and 32b, respectively. FIG. 4 shows a state on the lower surface side of the frame 32. On the outer surface below the frame 32, an inclined surface 37 is provided at the end on the objective side, and a pair of protrusions 38 are provided at the end on the eyepiece side.

Next, FIGS. 5 and 6 show the inner surface structures of the rear cover 20 and the front cover 19 for holding the finder unit 15, respectively. First, on the inner surface of the rear cover 20 shown in FIG. 5, projections 39a, 39b, and 39c are formed on the inner side of the eyepiece window 17 exposing the eyepiece lens 34, respectively, above and below the eyepiece window 17. These projections 39a to 39c are formed integrally when the rear cover 20 is molded from a plastic material.

In order to attach the finder unit 15 to the rear cover 20, a pair of projections 38 provided on the eyepiece side of the frame 32 are engaged with the projections 39c so as to be interposed therebetween, and temporary positioning is performed. Next, the inclined surfaces 36a and 36b
The frame body 32 is fitted while the projections 39b and 39a are respectively addressed. The protrusions 39a to 39c are
2 is formed so as to come into tight contact with the outer surface of the second member, and this work can be performed smoothly by using the inclined surfaces 36a and 36b as guides. Then, the movement of the finder unit 15 in the vertical direction is restricted by the projections 39a to 39c, and the movement in the left and right direction is also restricted by the engagement between the projection 38 and the projection 39c. This ensures that the finder unit 15 is securely held by the rear cover 20 without being tilted or inadvertently displaced by its own weight.

On the inner surface of the front cover 19 shown in FIG. 6, projections 40a, 40b and 40c are formed on the inner side of the objective window 16 for exposing the objective lens 33, on the left and right sides and below the eyepiece window 17, respectively. . These projections 40a to 40
c, like the rear cover 20, is formed integrally when the front cover 19 is molded from a plastic material.

FIG. 7 shows the viewfinder unit 15 sandwiched between the front cover 19 and the rear cover 20 when viewed from the side. The finder unit 15 includes the projection 3
After being held by the rear cover 20 by 9a to 39c, the front cover 19 is then covered. At this time, the state in which the front cover 19 is attached to the finder unit 15 is hidden by the front and rear covers, and the work cannot be performed while checking. It is formed with a margin.

Since the frame 32 is restricted from moving up, down, left and right by the rear cover 20, no careless displacement or inclination occurs, and the inclined surfaces 35a, 35a provided at the ends of the frame 32 are provided. 35b and the projections 40a and 40b abut against each other, or the inclined surface 37 provided on the lower side of the frame 32 and the projection 40c abut each other, so that these inclined surfaces serve as guides, and move the finder unit 15 to the proper mounting position. Induce. Since the inclined surface 37 is provided so as to protrude from the outer surface of the frame 32, the finder unit 15
Is completely fitted into the front cover 19, the projection 40
A small dimensional allowance provided between a to 40c and the frame body 32 can be filled, and it can be mounted without a gap. The finder unit 15 is sandwiched between the front cover 19 and the rear cover 20 in this manner, and is accurately assembled to the objective window 16 and the eyepiece window 17 formed respectively.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that parts having the same functions as those of the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. On the inner side of the rear cover 41 shown in FIG. 8, protrusions 42a and 42b each having a tapered tip are formed above the right and left sides of the eyepiece window 17, and protrusions 42c and 42d are formed below and below. Protrusions 44a, 44b, and 44c each having a tapered tip are formed inside the front cover 43 shown in FIG. FIG.
The frame 45 shown in FIG. 21 is different from the above-described embodiment in that the projection 38 provided on the lower surface of the frame 32 is provided with a projection shown by reference numeral 46, and the other configuration is the same.

In order to attach the frame 45 to the rear cover 41, first, a temporary positioning is performed by sandwiching a projection 46 provided on the lower surface of the frame 45 between the projections 42c and 42d. The eyepiece side of the projection 42a-42d
Fit between At this time, the inclined surface 36a of the frame 45,
Since the tips of the tapered protrusions 42a and 42b serve as guides for each other, they can be easily fitted. Further, the thin projection 42 having a wide contact surface with the frame 45.
c and 42d are formed so as to slightly rise upward, and bend at the same time as the frame 45 is fitted. Then, the projections 42c and 42d urge the frame 45 from below and push it upward, so that the movement of the frame 45 in the vertical direction is restricted by the projections 42a to 42d. Also, the protrusion 46 is formed by the protrusions 42c and 42d.
The movement of the frame body 45 in the left-right direction is restricted by being sandwiched between them.

When the frame 45 is attached to the rear cover 41, the front cover 43 is covered from the opposite side as in the previous embodiment. The inclined surfaces 35a and 35b and the inclined surface 37 formed at the end of the frame 32 on the object side, and the tapered projection 4
The guides 3a to 43c serve as guides, and the finder unit can be assembled as shown in FIG.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the parts that perform the same operation as the first and second embodiments are indicated by the same reference numerals. On the inside of the rear cover 47 shown in FIG. 12, projections 48a and 48b are formed on the right and left upper sides of the eyepiece window 17, and thin projections 48c and crests having claw-like tips are formed below.
48d are formed side by side. Frame 49 shown in FIG.
Has a pair of locking holes 50 provided in the lower surface on the eyepiece side of the frame 45 in the second embodiment, and the other configuration is the same.

In order to attach the frame 49 to the rear cover 47, temporary positioning is performed by interposing the projection 46 provided on the lower surface of the frame 49 between the projections 48c and 48d. Next, the locking holes 5 are formed while using the inclined surfaces 36a and 36b as guides.
The frame body 49 is fitted so that the hooks 0 and the claws at the tips of the projections 48c and 48d engage. At this time, the projections 48c and 48d are bent by the claw-shaped tips slidingly contacting the lower surface of the frame 49, and when the locking holes 50 and the tips of the projections 48c and 48d are engaged, the projections 48c and 48d are biased by the bending force. Since the frame 49 is hit, it is possible to confirm that the frame 49 has been attached with a snapping sound. Then, the movement of the frame body 49 in the vertical direction is restricted by the projections 48a to 48d, and the frame body 49 is fixed in the left and right direction and the finder optical axis direction by the engagement of the projections 48c and 48d with the locking holes 50.

When the frame body 49 is attached to the rear cover 47, the same front cover 19 as in the first embodiment is covered, and the finder unit is assembled as shown in FIG.

In the above three embodiments, in order to correct the parallax caused by the arrangement of the photographing lens and the finder unit, the finder optical axis and the photographic lens optical axis intersect, for example, at about 3 meters from the camera. The viewfinder unit is tilted and assembled. This is achieved by forming the projections on the inner surfaces of the front and rear covers in advance in accordance with the formation positions of the objective window and the eyepiece window. Can be changed as appropriate.

If the present invention is not only an instant camera but also has a structure in which a camera body in which a photographing mechanism is incorporated is sandwiched and covered with a cover,
It can also be applied to compact cameras, film units with lenses, and the like. As the finder unit, not only an inverted Galilean finder but also various optical systems such as a real image finder in which a prism for image erecting is arranged between two convex lenses may be used. In the embodiment, the upper surface of the finder unit was an opening, but a lid member for closing the opening later is provided, or the objective lens and the eyepiece are inserted through the opening provided in the finder optical axis direction. A finder unit composed of a framed body may be used. In the frame of the finder unit shown in the embodiment, the finder lens is inserted through the opening formed on the upper surface. However, when the finder lens is easily detached, it comes into contact with the upper surface of the finder lens. A protrusion may be formed so as to be pressed down so that the lever does not fall off.

In the above three embodiments, the camera body is formed of plastic. However, the camera body may be formed of a material including metal. It is not necessary to be one. In addition, it is needless to say that the positions at which the protrusions are arranged and the number and shape of the protrusions can be appropriately changed. In addition, when it is difficult to hold the finder unit with the projections due to design reasons, it is possible to attach one cover and the finder unit by screwing and then cover the other cover or pinch it. good. Also, the order in which the finder units are attached to the cover does not need to be such that the front cover is next to the rear cover as shown in the embodiment, and may be reversed.

[0036]

As described above, according to the camera of the present invention, the finder unit separated from the camera body is sandwiched from the front and rear by the front cover and the rear cover serving as the exterior. The unit can be positioned directly with respect to the cover, and can be easily assembled at an accurate position. Further, since a projection for stably holding the finder unit is formed on the cover side, it does not fall off after the finder is assembled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an instant camera to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating a configuration of an instant camera to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a finder unit used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a lower surface of a finder unit used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the vicinity of an eyepiece window on the inner surface of a rear cover used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the vicinity of an objective window on the inner surface of a front cover used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a finder unit is held between front and rear covers in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the vicinity of an eyepiece window on the inner surface of a rear cover used in the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the vicinity of an objective window on the inner surface of a front cover used in the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a lower surface of a finder unit used in a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a finder unit is held between front and rear covers in the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the vicinity of an eyepiece window on the inner surface of a rear cover used in the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a lower surface of a finder unit used in a third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a finder unit is held between front and rear covers in a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Instant camera 2 Camera body 3 Camera main body 15 Finder unit 16 Objective window 17 Eyepiece window 19, 43 Front cover 20, 41, 47 Rear cover 32, 45, 49 Frame 33 Objective lens 34 Eyepiece 35a, 35b, 36a, 36b, 37 Inclined surface 38, 46 Projection 39a-39c, 40a-40c Projection 42a-42d, 44a-44d Projection 48a-48d Projection

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Soichiro Kimura 3-13-45 Izumi, Asaka-shi, Saitama F-Term within Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. (Reference) 2H018 AA03 BE01 2H100 BB03 BB06 BB09

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A camera having a camera body in which a photographing mechanism is incorporated, and a front cover and a rear cover which are assembled so as to cover the camera body from the front and the back, respectively. The finder unit composed of a frame in which the finder optical system is incorporated is held directly on the inner surface of one of the front cover and the rear cover, and then covered from the front and rear by covering the remaining other cover, thereby obtaining the objective. A camera characterized in that a lens and an eyepiece are exposed through an objective window formed in a front cover and an eyepiece window formed in a rear cover, respectively. 2. The inner surface of the front cover and the rear cover,
2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of projections are formed so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the frame, and the finder unit is held on both the eyepiece side and the object side. 3. The camera according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion has a tapered tip. 4. An end face of the frame body is provided with an inclined surface at a position where the frame body comes into contact with the projection.
The described camera. 5. The camera according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the protrusions is a flexible protrusion. 6. The finder unit according to claim 5, wherein tips of said flexible projections are formed in a claw shape, and they are engaged with each other by locking holes provided in said frame. Camera. 7. An outer surface of the frame body is provided with a pair of protruding portions that are engaged so as to sandwich the projection or a protruding portion that is engaged so as to be sandwiched between two projections. 7. The camera according to claim 2, wherein: